“Qing Sister, I toast to you, wishing that you, your father, brother, and grandfather can finally recognize and reunite with each other.”
Wanqing was currently drinking with Song Meiling, Qian Yuying, and Cui Hongxiao.
Given Wanqing’s current status, other noblewomen had abandoned their previous haughty demeanors to curry favor with her. However, Wanqing had no patience for such insincere flattery and merely dismissed them coldly. Those women who came to offer drinks received no response and left in disappointment.
Only these few close sisters remained at the scene.
Song Meiling, the youngest among them, looked at Wanqing with a playful smile and congratulated her.
“You little rascal, drink less. Don’t get drunk and forget your manners. Otherwise, your brother will blame us for getting you intoxicated.”
Though the wine wasn’t strong, seeing the girl down several cups with high spirits, Wanqing helplessly glanced at the other two women beside her and advised her.
“Qing Sister, you don’t understand—I’m just happy! I always felt you were extraordinary, but I never imagined you’d turn out to be a princess. Now I have a princess as my sister, along with all of you. Just thinking about it makes me overjoyed. Let’s see how those arrogant noblewomen like Wu Qingyang and Zhong Liyan dare disrespect you now…”
As Song Meiling spoke, she recalled the previous troubles and provocations from Qingyang Junzhu. Now that Wanqing’s status was revealed, she felt a surge of vindication and took another sip.
“You really should drink less. If you keep this up, you’ll be drunk for sure. Don’t let her drink anymore. Qian Sister, keep an eye on her. This girl gets wild after a few cups. Cui Sister, why have you been staring at my Ningwang brother all night?”
Seeing Song Meiling’s antics, Wanqing teased her with a mock scolding. As Qian Yuying snatched the cup from Song Meiling’s hand and led her to stroll with the Emperor and Empress Dowager, Wanqing noticed Cui Hongxiao’s gaze lingering on her brother. Unable to resist, she playfully asked,
“Me? When did I stare at your brother?”
Cui Hongxiao, caught off guard, quickly denied it, her face flushing crimson.
“Oh? Did I imagine it then? Look at you—your face is red, and you’re still denying it.”
Wanqing chuckled, exposing her embarrassment.
“You—if you keep teasing me, I’ll get angry…”
Cui Hongxiao, flustered, stomped her foot in protest, her girlish demeanor fully on display.
Seeing her reaction, Song Meiling giggled and chimed in, “Come on, Cui Sister, no need to deny it. Liking Prince Ning isn’t a bad thing. Look how flustered you are!”
Qian Yuying, in contrast, smiled demurely, unbothered by the teasing. She smoothly changed the subject, asking Wanqing,
“Qian Sister has someone she likes, and now Cui Sister does too. Only Qing Sister and I haven’t opened our hearts to love yet. Speaking of which, Qing Sister, do you have someone you like?”
“Someone I like? Honestly, I don’t even know what kind of person I’d like. Haha, are you two itching to talk about your crushes?”
As Song Meiling posed the question, an image of Leng Mingye involuntarily surfaced in Wanqing’s mind. But recalling their current strained relationship, she dismissed the thought with a faint smile and teased Song Meiling instead.
“Qing Sister, you’re so mean, bullying me like this! I won’t talk to you anymore. It’s getting late—I need to find my brother and go home.”
Blushing, Song Meiling hurried off, clearly harboring feelings for someone but too shy to admit it.
“This girl, teasing others but running away the moment she’s asked. Well, you two, should I have a maid escort you back?”
Night had fallen, and since Wanqing resided in the palace, she watched as Song Meiling scurried off in embarrassment. Observing the others bidding farewell to the Empress Dowager and her brother, she shook her head with a smile and turned to the remaining two women.
“That would be nice.”
Qian Yuying accepted without hesitation. Soon, maids Honglian and Wanchun escorted them out, marking the end of the banquet.
“Alright, everyone, no need for formalities. I’m not one for excessive rules. In the future, you don’t need to bow or kneel before me—though proper etiquette should still be observed in public. It’s late now, so let’s all retire. Chunhong, what’s on your mind?”
Wanqing returned to her Liuli Palace with Chunhong. This palace, once her mother’s residence, had been prepared for her by her father, the newly restored Emperor. Despite the years under Prince An’s control, the palace remained largely unchanged.
Her father and brother had told her this when they first showed her the place.
After her father and the others left, Wanqing surveyed the eunuchs and maids standing before her. Unaccustomed to such formality, she dismissed them with a wave. As they bowed and retreated, she headed to the inner chamber, noticing Chunhong’s troubled expression.
“Miss—no, Your Highness—I still feel like this is all a dream. I never imagined I’d live in the palace, let alone serve a princess—one favored by the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and even the Crown Prince. Chunhong… I miss my sister. Would it be possible for me to bring her to the palace for a few days? I also hope she can finally separate from that worthless husband of hers.”
Chunhong gazed at the opulent surroundings, still dazed by the rapid changes. Though she had adapted to serving Wanqing, living in the palace as a princess’s attendant felt surreal even after two days.
Thinking of her sister, Liu Chunmei, who had struggled in life—burdened by children and an abusive, lazy husband—Chunhong’s heart ached. Now that she had risen in status, she longed to rescue her sister from misery.
“That’s simple. Bring her to the palace whenever you wish. As for your brother-in-law, first ask your sister what she wants. They have a child, don’t they? If she’s reluctant to leave, don’t push her. But if she’s truly unhappy, help her settle things with him. She can bring the child here—I’ll arrange for their care. The palace has plenty of space for one more mother and child.”
Wanqing smiled gently, understanding Chunhong’s concerns.
“Your Highness, you’re too kind. I don’t ask for much—my sister has long wanted to leave him, but his family was too overbearing. Now, I can finally stand up for her.”
Chunhong’s eyes welled with gratitude as she recalled their past hardships. Wanqing had treated her like family, and now she could repay that kindness by securing her sister’s future.
“Silly girl, no need for formalities with me. Without you, I might never have reunited with my father, brother, and grandmother. This is just a small favor. It’s late—let’s rest. I’m exhausted after today. All I want now is a peaceful life—tending to patients, studying herbs… It feels like my struggles are finally over.”
Wanqing yawned, her heart light with the thought of a future free from past burdens. In her previous life, she had toiled for others’ gain. Now, with her family’s protection, she could live for herself.
“Then tomorrow, I’ll go fetch my sister.”
Chunhong beamed, her worries eased.
“Mm.”
Wanqing nodded, pleased by her smile. She dismissed Chunhong and removed her cumbersome palace robes before collapsing onto the bed, exhausted.
“Quite leisurely, aren’t we?”
Just as she lay there, reflecting on the past, a familiar voice—laced with the faint scent of wine and a refreshing aura—spoke beside her.
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