Drunk on blossoms, unaware as crystal sinks into the depths.

Xu Guiyi’s grandfather, Xu Shuo, was once renowned throughout the capital in his youth. Because his courtesy name was “Jintang,” he was often addressed as “Master Jintang.” Suddenly, the Princess Consort of Duke De clapped her hands and laughed from the side, “Mother always claims she’s too old to remember things. It’s remarkable that after so many years, you still recall Master Jintang’s appearance so clearly.”

What should have been the teasing words of a junior to a senior, the Grand Princess didn’t take offense but replied earnestly, “Oh, you don’t know. Back then, Master Jintang prided himself on his talents and looks. If you forgot his writings, he wouldn’t mind, but if you claimed not to remember his appearance, he’d be troubled for days.”

“Hahahahaha!” As soon as the Grand Princess finished, both the Princess Consort of Duke De and the Lady of Marquis Yongjia, along with all the noblewomen present, burst into laughter.

Xu Guiyi giggled as well, “Grandmother told me this story too, saying that Grandfather was especially vain about his looks when he was young.”

The Grand Princess leaned in close to Xu Guiyi’s ear, her gaze filled with affection as she reminisced, “When your grandfather was young, he was the hope of countless women—so many waited and waited, only to watch him marry a woman from Shu, your grandmother, who was quite spirited. The ladies of Guangling were furious to see themselves bested by a woman from a distant land. But don’t be fooled by your grandmother’s plain appearance—her skills in managing her husband were unparalleled. A proud, talented scholar like Master Jintang met his match in her. Back then, we all felt both resentment and respect toward your grandmother.”

The vivid days of youth, even after decades, still ripple at the deepest corners of the heart—unforgettable, impossible to let go.

“So it’s inherited beauty. The Princess Consort’s title as ‘the most beautiful woman in Jiangdong’ is certainly well-deserved,” the Princess Roujia teased.

The Grand Princess nodded, smiling at Lady Xue, the wife of Duke Cheng’en, and asked, “Lady Cheng’en, tell us—aside from these eyes, doesn’t the Princess Consort look just like your father-in-law?”

Lady Xue quickly rose, smiling with her brows and eyes, “Grand Princess speaks truly. The Princess Consort is the most like her father among all the children of the Xu family, and both father and mother have always loved her dearly.”

At this, the Grand Princess gently touched Xu Guiyi’s brows and eyes, smiling softly, “Though these eyes aren’t like Master Jintang’s, they are beautiful nonetheless.” Somehow, another pair of similar eyes suddenly surfaced in her mind.

Perhaps age was to blame, but the Grand Princess felt as if she saw a pair of eyes identical to those of a certain person from years past—bright, radiant, gentle as water.

After a long while, she lowered her head and sighed unconsciously. Surely, her old eyes were deceiving her, for such compassionate eyes had vanished six years ago.

Princess Roujia noticed and worried the Grand Princess would once again be lost in memories, so she deftly changed the topic, “The Crown Prince is still young at heart and slow to mature. Has he troubled our new bride? If anything is amiss, you can always tell us elders. We’ll stand firmly on the Princess Consort’s side.”

Xu Guiyi returned to her seat and asked with a sparkling smile, “Is Aunt’s word reliable? Mother once told me Aunt is most fond of the Crown Prince—won’t you be unwilling to see him suffer?”

Princess Roujia laughed heartily, pointing at Xu Guiyi, feigning annoyance, “Look at her, our new bride is not easily fooled. I fear the Crown Prince will be firmly under her thumb from now on.”

“Did I guess right, Aunt?” Xu Guiyi asked playfully, smiling.

“Not at all. Aunt always keeps her word. From now on, I’ll be in the Princess Consort’s camp, how about that?” Princess Roujia spoke clearly to everyone, prompting another round of laughter.

Xu Guiyi laughed along, though inwardly she sighed: since ancient times, in disputes between husband and wife, the in-laws always side with the husband without question. Yet they still mouth the proper words about husbands cherishing their wives—it’s truly laughable.

Though the Grand Princess was aged, her spirit remained strong. Her gaze naturally swept over the women of the Eastern Palace.

“Lady Cheng, I hear you’ve been caring for your sick grandmother at home. Is the old lady’s health stable now?” In fact, the Grand Princess and Lady Cheng were of similar age, living in Guangling for decades. When both were healthy, they often met and conversed.

Suddenly hearing her name, Cheng Hewei, who had been sitting quietly, quickly rose and stepped to the center of the hall, bowing respectfully, “Thank you for your concern, Grand Princess. Grandmother’s health has improved somewhat. Her Majesty the Empress sent imperial physicians to examine her, and the Princess Consort gifted precious medicinal herbs. Grandmother has long wished to visit in person to thank you once she’s well.”

It was widely known that Lady Cheng had been bedridden for the past two years, so everyone understood that Lady Cheng was trying to comfort the Grand Princess.

“At our age, the body fails quickly. Your grandmother… she used to love lively gatherings. Because she’s been ill, I haven’t seen her for years. Ah… those old friends, who knows how many more times we’ll meet in this life…” The Grand Princess, moved by sorrow, began to grieve.

“Mother, today is your birthday. Let’s not speak such unlucky words.” The Princess Consort of Duke De quickly stepped forward, embracing the Grand Princess and soothing her gently.

“That’s right, Aunt. Today is a happy day—soon, our imperial brother will come to celebrate with you, so don’t be sad.” Princess Roujia chimed in.

Seeing everyone come to comfort her, the Grand Princess let the Princess Consort of Duke De wipe her tears and laughed, “Enough, enough. Let’s talk about cheerful things.” She let Lady Cheng return to her seat, always kind and considerate of others.

Perhaps to dispel the Grand Princess’s melancholy, Princess Roujia turned her gaze to Xu Guiyi and teased, “There’s now a Princess Consort, two Ladies of Virtue, and a Lady of Beauty in the Eastern Palace. Surely it’s livelier than before.”

In truth, she had never visited Jiaxu Palace and didn’t know what it was like. She only imagined that in such a vast palace, with the Crown Prince living alone, it must have been rather lonely.

Xu Guiyi glanced at Lu Zhirou and An Ruosu behind her and replied with a smile, “Aunt is right.”

She remembered that when Fu Lancheng still lived in Guan Hua Palace, Princess Roujia would often visit to deepen the bond between aunt and nephew.

But ever since she married into the Nangong family, her relationship with Changqiu Palace and the Eastern Palace was no longer as close as before.

Even among kin, there are choices to be made—Xu Guiyi understood this well.

Princess Roujia saw that Xu Guiyi only smiled lightly and seemed not to mind, so she continued, “Hewei and Zhirou were raised among us. Both are outstanding in looks and temperament. With them as companions to the Princess Consort, life will surely be interesting.”

With these words, the four women of the Eastern Palace, except Xu Guiyi who remained unchanged, all showed awkward expressions.

Cheng Hewei and Lu Zhirou were well-known as virtuous daughters-in-law. The implication was, where did that leave Xu Guiyi and An Ruosu?

“Enough about the Princess Consort. How is your pregnancy progressing?” The Grand Princess suddenly interrupted, and everyone’s gaze drifted to Princess Roujia’s slightly rounded belly.

At this moment, the Princess Consort of Duke Ningdu, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke in a gentle tone, “This is the Grand Princess’s fourth child. The Imperial Physician visits every other day to check the pulse and says the pregnancy is stable. As long as she takes her medicine regularly, all should be well.”

“Yes, when I carried Fengchi, I suffered terrible morning sickness. But this time, I feel much better. I think this child will be obedient and well-behaved,” Princess Roujia’s eyes softened, her whole bearing radiating maternal warmth.

The Grand Princess nodded, though her expression was less joyful, “That’s good. But these years, you’ve given birth one after another—barely recovering before becoming pregnant again. Childbearing is taxing on a woman’s body. You weren’t strong as a child and often needed the physician. Offspring are important, but so is your health.”

Everyone present was shrewd enough to understand the Grand Princess’s concern for her niece.

Xu Guiyi took the opportunity to sip her tea and glanced at the Princess Consort of Duke Ningdu—her face sharp and pale. It seemed being a wife in the Nangong family was no easy matter.

Princess Roujia’s spirits had been high, but after the Grand Princess’s admonition, her face dimmed considerably.

The ladies present couldn’t help but sigh—if even royal princesses devoted themselves so fully to bearing children, how much hardship must the daughters of ordinary families endure for the sake of heirs?

“The Grand Princess is worried for her niece. Luckily, the Princess and her husband love each other dearly, both fond of children, and all their children are clever and lovely. Unlike us, who have one or two and are forever troubled by them—sometimes I almost wish I’d never had them,” the Lady of Marquis Yongjia quickly smoothed things over.

Xu Guiyi caught Lady Yongjia’s glance and promptly added, “Speaking of which, we haven’t met Aunt’s younger brothers and sisters yet. When there’s a chance, we must visit properly.”

Perhaps for Xu Guiyi’s sake as the new bride, the Grand Princess’s expression finally softened, “Ah Xiang, bring the children to see this old woman someday.”

Princess Roujia’s eyes grew moist, “Aunt, Ah Xiang will remember.”

Amid laughter, Lady Yongjia shifted the conversation to another topic.

And so, Xu Guiyi sat calmly, listening as the Grand Princess reminisced about the Crown Prince’s childhood.

About a quarter of an hour later, someone from the front hall reported that His Majesty and the Empress’s carriages were approaching. All the princes and ladies were asked to move to the gates to greet the imperial arrival.

The Grand Princess stood and took Xu Guiyi’s hand, leading her toward the entrance while teasing the crowd, “The Empress is quite early this year—perhaps she’s afraid we’ll bully the new bride, haha!”

Xu Guiyi’s left hand was held by the Grand Princess, her right hand tightly clutching her handkerchief, cheeks flushed, her beauty all the more radiant. Hearing this, she didn’t protest, only smiled gently, “Today is Grandmother’s birthday—I’ll let everyone jest as they please.”