Happy new year everyone!

  If anyone is interested in helping to translate, please reach out to [email protected] Chapters are a lot longer now and it takes quite a long time for us to volunteer hours to translate this novel. If you are skilled in both Chinese and English, feel free to send me an email!

  The Ninth Princess, dressed in male garments, strutted behind Tuoba Yu as they entered the door. Tuoba Yu whispered: “Don’t cause any trouble today! Or else I’ll send you back to the palace and let Imperial Father punish you!”


  Ninth Princess quickly waved her hand: “How could I?! Am I someone who can’t weigh importance? Moreover, I’ve snuck out to play before. Imperial Father actually knows but he is just turning a blind eye. As long as this doesn’t get to the Empress Dowager’s ears, everything is good.” She spoke like an old slicker.

  Tuoba Yu admonishingly watched her. Ninth Princess looked handsome like Eighth Prince since they are twins after all. After changing into male attire, no one would notice any oddities. He was only thinking about why must a girl like her dress up like this, which was very improper.

  Ninth Princess didn’t care about improprieties. She only wanted to see this person and looked everywhere for him. When she finally located him, her eyes were filled with surprise. This person was handsomely dressed in purple, which made other gongzis look colorless when compared.

  Ninth Princess infatuatedly watched. The man unintentionally lifted his head up, causing light to show up on her face. At this moment, she almost forgot where she was as their eyes met. Ninth Princess’ heart started beating faster that her breathing almost stopped.

  Afterwards, Li Min De’s gaze didn’t stop at her face for long and quickly left.

  He had already turned around to leave but Ninth Princess still continued to infatuatedly watch his silhouette until Tuoba Yu lightly coughed and laughed: “Still looking? He’s already gone.”


  From ancient times, young maids liked handsome and charming young men, especially like Li Min De, whose appearance is a rarity. Tuoba Yu could understand Ninth Princess’ feelings but he didn’t think Li Min De has mutual attractions towards his sister. He looked at Ninth Princess with sympathy: “Little Nine, if you want to choose a prince consort, then you should find one that likes you.”


  Ninth Princess was stunned as she lifted her head up to look at her own brother: “Wei Yang Jiejie doesn’t like Seventh Brother, so does that mean you can’t like her?”


  Tuoba Yu astonishingly watched his own sister as he froze.

  That was right, Li Wei Yang didn’t like him or harbor any feelings towards him. No matter what he couldn’t deny this point.

  Ninth Princess naively spoke: “Seventh Brother, there are countless beautiful Misses in the world. You can drag this matter past this year but you can’t drag it past next. Sooner or later, you’ll have to select a princess, why not change to another person!”


  Tuoba Yu realized he was actually being squashed by this young yatou to the point of silence. There are many great women in the world but he only liked that one, what can he do? If it wasn’t for his mother’s disapproval, he would have made Li Wei Yang his main wife by now. But …… in the past two years, no matter how much effort he put in, he could only persuade Virtuous Consort Zhang to not bother Li Wei Yang. To persuade her to like her and accept her was impossible. Additionally, his biggest challenge wasn’t his mother but Li Wei Yang. She never said she wanted to marry him even though she helped him plot, which had induced his feelings towards her.

  Ninth Princess blinked and said: “See, you’re like this too, so how can you talk about me! Moreover, I don’t believe there is a man in this world that doesn’t like me!”


  Tuoba Yu watched his overconfident sister and couldn’t help but smile. Yes, Ninth Princess is young, beautiful, and has everything. Most importantly, she is also innocent and kind, who would reject such a young girl? Even though his personality is cool and reserved, he understood how the world works. No man can reject His Majesty’s arrogant princess, of course, Li Min De couldn’t either.

  Tuoba Yu smilingly encouraged Ninth Princess, making her feel happy again. Noticing her hopeful expression, he couldn’t help but ask: “But, what do you like about him?”


  Ninth Princess naturally answered: “Good-looking! He is so much good-looking than any of my brothers! Look, his nose is tall and straight, his back is upright, his eyes are spirited with energy and big. He is one of the best looking men I’ve ever set eyes on!”


  Tuoba Yu uncontrollably laughed: “I can actually understand this. Others have said the Third Gongzi of the Lis is much more beautiful than any woman.”


  Ninth Princess immediately defended him: “Who would compare him to a woman, they must be blind! His brows are beautiful like those straight brows slanting upwards and outwards, emitting the air of a hero, how does he look like a woman! Oh, yes, his mouth. When he doesn’t smile, the corners of his lips curled upwards. And when he does smile, it’s like the sunlight on a spring day. In short, Seventh Brother you wouldn’t understand!”


  Tuoba Yu was amused by her. The young misses of her age are often baffled by appearances. In the end, she admired his appearance but she spoke of her love towards him so naturally without hiding anything. But, this was why Ninth Princess is so lovable. She is straightforward and never hid anything.

  Ninth Princess looked at her older brother and curiously asked: “But, what do you like about Wei Yang Jiejie? Her looks, or is it her intelligence?”


  Tuoba Yu opened his mouth and actually couldn’t utter a word. He meticulously thought about it. Li Wei Yang was indeed pretty but there are many beauties in the capital that she can’t even be considered one; As for her background, she was merely a concubine-born daughter so compared to all the primary-born misses, she was slightly inferior; As for her kindness, she could never be associated with the words gentle and modest ……

  Thinking back and forth, he actually realized he couldn’t say what he liked about her. This was very weird …… Tuoba Yu involuntarily froze and Ninth Princess had already forgotten about him as she chased after Li Min De.

  Once Ninth Princess walked over, she couldn’t find any trace of him. Ultimately, she saw Li Min De at the entrance of a garden.

  Ninth Princess’ heart fluttered a few times as her restlessness and embarrassment instantly faded away. Replacing those was an indescribable excitement. She stared at the man in front of her and felt that he had no imperfections at all, his entirety fit her type which made her very happy. She couldn’t help but think if she asked her Imperial Father to make him her Prince Consort, how would everything turn out, they would absolutely end up well …… at this moment, she had completely forgotten how he had been acting cold towards her and only thought about the beautiful future.

  As she watched him left, Ninth Princess followed hurriedly from behind.

  “Li Min De! Stay there!” Once Ninth Princess said those words, she realized she was being too fierce. But she couldn’t help it since she has always acted this way. Except towards her Imperial Father and Mother, she acted much more modest; she was also fairly polite towards Li Wei Yang. Hearing herself, she felt stiff and immediately changed her tone, “I …… I have something to seek you for!”


  Watching his astonished expression, her hands hidden inside her sleeves slowly clenched tighter to restrain her excitement. Despite attempts to urge herself to calm down, she couldn’t help but blush and bit her lip: “It’s not much, I just want to tell you, um, I came here without being noticed, Imperial Father and Mother don’t know. But, you can’t tell anyone it’s me and not my Eighth Brother ——” She stuttered.

  “I won’t.” Li Min De smiled yet his expression was aloof, “Princess, I’ll let you be.”


  It’s not because he didn’t notice but he just didn’t care at all. Ninth Princess still hasn’t noticed this yet. She just thought that it felt a little, a little awkward …… why is it she obviously has such high expectations for this encounter but when they finally meet, they had nothing much to say? Did she have to keep on circling these boring topics? Ninth Princess squeezed her sleeves and when she was about to open her mouth, she heard him say: “Is that all?” It was as if he was about to depart!

  Ninth Princess immediately obstructed his path: “Wait! …… This is for you!”


  She handed him a small pouch and then embarrassingly turned and wished to run away.

  Li Min De instantly threw the pouch back without even laying his eyes: “Princess, this can’t be given to anyone, you should keep it, I can’t accept this.” Li Min De smilingly said, his tone didn’t reveal any hesitation and after, he turned to leave.

  Ninth Princess stood in her spot as she watched him walk into the distance …… she squeezed the small pouch really hard as she delved into a state of blame and censure. He didn’t accept it, he actually didn’t accept it! He actually dares not to accept it! He obviously knew the meaning behind this small pouch! Ninth Princess almost wanted to cry and was raging red. When she was about to run after him, her small pouch was taken from her and soon after, she heard someone’s laughter: “So embarrassing! You dare gift a small pouch to a man in broad daylight!”


  Ninth Princess watched and then her expression changed: “Zhang Feng, quickly return it to me!”


  This young man was dressed in red, his face white and looks handsome. His eyes carried an expression that welcomes smiles. He gave Ninth Princess a glance and then looked down at the pouch in his hands. On the upper part of the pouch were green lotuses entwined with red lotuses. As it moves downwards, a multicolored blissful fish is seen with a lifelike head and tail. The fish also had prints on its body and beneath these prints were a linkage of five-colored beads, making it really adorable. He whispered: “The fish represents the male while the lotus represents the female. Doesn’t this sound exactly like that ancient poem: `Traveling south can pick lotuses, lotuses that are lush, with fish playing within.` With the Princess gifting such a thing, I’m afraid it’s inappropriate ……”


  Ninth Princess was abruptly infuriated because what Zhang Feng just read was a love poem. She didn’t even meant that. She just learned how to make this small pouch and came here to give it to her crush. Who would have expected to be laughed at by him now?

  Zhang Feng is Duke Luo’s grandson and also Seventh Prince’s cousin. Since he was young, he often came into the palace to play and can be considered childhood friends with Ninth Princess. However, they had always bicker with each other. As long as they see each other, no one dared to be in the vicinity.

  Ninth Princess charged forward without any thoughts. But Zhang Feng unexpectedly hid the satchel and laughingly said: “This will be my evidence. From now on, if you don’t obey me, I will tell others about this incident. Of course, it’s about how satchel was rejected!”


  Ninth Princess’ eyes were red and her face turned pale. It looked like she wanted to bite him but ultimately, she stayed silent and ran away —— As Zhang Feng watched her run away, his eyes showed a hint of disappointment. The smile that he had also vanished and his expression gradually sank.

  Li Wei Yang watched this scene from afar and couldn’t help but shook her head.

  Young Zhang Gongzi obviously liked the Princess but why did he use this way of expression? She was deep in thought and realized that she didn’t understand the minds of these young boys at all and thus concluded that they were in a rebellious stage. It’s probably like this. As she was busy zoning out, Sun Yan Jun whispered: “Seems like your family’s Third Gongzi doesn’t like the Princess!”


  Li Wei Yang was distracted and smilingly commented: “Yes, looking at it, he doesn’t like her.”


  Sun Yan Jun sighed and said: “Actually being a Prince Consort is not a bad idea.”


  Li Wei Yang answered with a straight face: “Yes, actually if you marry my Second Brother, it’s not a bad idea either.”


  Sun Yan Jun grunted and then realized what she had just said. She blushed and angrily said: “If you speak more rubbish, I won’t acknowledge you!”


  The marriage arrangement between the two families had already been set. According to commonality, Sun Xiaojie shouldn’t be lingering out. But she had a lively personality and couldn’t just sit at home. Luckily for her, she hailed from a warrior family so she didn’t have much qualms. Moreover, Second Furen can’t wait to have her marry into the family as early as possible. To avoid delays, everyone in her family turned a blind eye to her actions.

  Li Wei Yang smiled: “Okay, then don’t acknowledge me, once you marry into the family, you still ought to speak to me!”


  Sun Yan Jun’s face reddened like a cooked shrimp. To digress, she hurriedly said: “Do you know, I’ve heard father said, for the Duke’s Furen’s sixtieth birthday, His Majesty has allowed the Jiangs’ two Gongzis to return home and celebrate! But I didn’t see them so I don’t know what they look like?”


  Li Wei Yang stopped smiling and eventually said: “Are you talking about Second Gongzi Jiang Yang and Third Gongzi Jiang Hua?”


  Sun Yan Jun nodded: “Yes, that’s what father told me.”


  The relationship between the Suns and Jiangs was not bad and Sun’s father served in the military so his news must be accurate. Li Wei Yang smiled: “That must be why Miss Gao didn’t come today.”


  Jiang Yang’s fiancee was the legitimate Xiaojie of Marquis of Xiang Yang, Gao Wan-er. Since Jiang Yang was going to attend, then Gao Xiaojie who was soon to be his wife must avoid meeting him.

  Sun Yan Jun smilingly replied: “Everyone says the Jiang’s Gongzis are alluringly handsome. Today, I must use this opportunity to take a good look at him.”


  Witnessing her excitement, Li Wei Yang couldn’t hold back her laughter.

  Sun Yan Jun couldn’t help but stare at Li Wei Yang. She noticed her dark eyes were radiating with color and happiness. She was a bit startled by this because usually Wei Yang was calm yet lack the vivacity of a young girl. She was extremely clever and made small talk with others yet she’ve only seen her smile but never her inner sincerity. Speaking of intelligence and schemes, she still hasn’t learned a single one of her skills. But towards Sun Yan Jun, Li Wei Yang had always been sincere smiles.

  Sun Yan Jun lingered over this thought since she didn’t know what she possessed that welcomed sincerity. But she just didn’t understand. People as scheming as Li Wei Yang had always been attracted to people who are much more innocent. It’s like how moths always flutter around candlelights. The darkness always yearned sunlight, and it’s that simple.

  Right at this moment, a yatou walked over and greeted them: “I see Xian Zhu is here, Furen has been searching for you everywhere to pay your respects to the Duke’s Furen.”


  Sun Yan Jun glanced at Li Wei Yang with intentions to keep her mouth shut like cicadas in cold weather. Everyone knew of what happened last time when the Duke’s Furen scolded Li Wei Yang. Li Wei Yang could attend this banquet due to the Empress Dowager’s status. Now that the Duke’s Furen wanted her to pay her respects, everyone knew it was an opportunity for the former to torture Li Wei Yang. Sun Yan Jun whispered: “Wei Yang, find an excuse to not go.”