Chapter 8

After half a month of continuous snowfall, on the hundred-day celebration of little Chen’er, the sky was a rare clear blue, stretching endlessly without a cloud in sight.

Shuyan said that Heaven was smiling upon them, signifying that their little imperial grandson was indeed a blessed child.

Pei Yun smiled as she accepted the compliment on behalf of the baby she held close. She too wished that in this lifetime, all her children would grow up safe and healthy.

Today, Li Chen was dressed in new clothes—his mother, Lady Zhou, had personally sewn the outfit. A red tiger-head cap wrapped his small head, revealing a delicately carved little face, irresistibly adorable.

Since it was the hundred-day banquet, Pei Yun had asked Mr. Li Jin to take a day off and accompany the children of the same age to play in the front hall.

In the rear hall’s flower chamber, the first to arrive was Consort Shu, followed by the Noble Consort and Princess Consort Cheng Siyuan, then the Princess Consort of Yu, Liu Meier, along with several noble ladies from outside the palace. The guests gathered around Chen’er, teasing and playing with him. Some even joked with Princess Consort Cheng, urging her to share in the joy and to have a son like Chen’er soon, which made the princess blush.

Amid the laughter and merriment, Consort Yue arrived, accompanied by Princess Jinghe.

Mother and daughter paid their respects to the Noble Consort and Consort Shu in turn, then quietly stepped aside as usual.

But this time, while everyone’s attention was focused on Chen’er, Princess Jinghe, Li Shutang, hesitated before approaching Pei Yun and softly called “Third Sister-in-Law.”

“It’s the little imperial grandson’s hundred-day celebration. I don’t have much to offer, but I heard that it is customary among the common folk to present a ‘hundred families’ garment,’ so I tried to sew one. I hope Third Sister-in-Law won’t mind,” she said, handing over a brocade box passed to her by a palace maid.

Pei Yun carefully observed this youngest princess of the palace for the first time. The emperor had only two daughters: Princess Haoyue, Li Shurui, born of Consort Zhen, and Princess Jinghe, born of Consort Yue, Li Shutang before her.

Though the princesses were only a year apart in age, their temperaments and treatment were worlds apart.

To Pei Yun, this was one of the glaring injustices of the emperor.

In her previous life spanning over a decade, Pei Yun’s impression of this little princess had always been faint, perhaps because both Li Shutang and her mother, Consort Yue, kept a low profile, quietly blending into the crowd. Their interactions had been few, with little spoken between them.

She could not even recall if such a scene had occurred before.

But this time, perhaps due to a change in mindset, she was no longer restless or irritated during the hundred-day banquet, and her perception became clearer and more insightful.

She smiled gently and was about to take the gift when a sudden commotion came from outside, and a voice was heard from afar, “Why have you all arrived so early? It makes me feel especially late.”

At just the sound of the voice, not only Pei Yun but everyone else knew exactly who had arrived.

Sure enough, in the next moment, a graceful figure swept aside the felt curtain and fluttered inside like a butterfly, followed closely by a poised young girl of about twelve or thirteen, carrying a long box, her gestures elegant and dignified.

Princess Haoyue, dressed in a delicate pink jacket, playfully greeted everyone in turn before turning to Pei Yun. She had already noticed the item in her hands and, knowing it came from her usually taciturn younger sister, was intensely curious.

“Did you give this? It’s rare to see you give gifts. What is it?” She carelessly lifted the lid of the box, but after a glance, frowned with disdain and glanced at Li Shutang. “You’re so stingy, giving such shabby rags. How can you be so shameless to present this?”

Li Shutang, naturally reserved and inarticulate, blushed deeply at the remark. She nervously clenched the corner of her garment and bit her lip, lowering her head in embarrassment.

At that moment, Pei Yun’s heart tightened, as if she saw a reflection of her former self in this overlooked princess.

Being publicly rebuked brought anger and shame, but she dared not show it.

She clenched her palm, then took the hundred-families garment out of the box and smiled, “How could this be something to be ashamed of? On the contrary, I must thank Second Young Lady. I’ve heard that wearing this hundred-families garment brings the blessings of a hundred families, wards off illness and disaster, and ensures longevity and health. Look at this garment—requiring so many scraps of fabric—it must have taken you a lot of effort to sew it by hand. Thank you for your hard work.”

Hearing this, Li Shutang lifted her head in surprise, her bright eyes blinking as if she hadn’t expected Pei Yun to speak on her behalf.

Consort Shu, watching this scene, remarked, “I was wondering why this girl came to me earlier asking for her Fifth Brother’s childhood clothes. It turns out she was planning to make this garment.”

The Noble Consort added, “Not only that, Shutang also came to me. Though usually silent, she is quite thoughtful.”

Li Shutang lowered her head again, her cheeks reddening further, like a boiled shrimp—this time not from embarrassment but from a mix of shyness and joy. Since birth, she had rarely received such praise.

While Li Shutang was pleased, Li Shurui was burning with anger. Having been doted upon like a star, she was unaccustomed to attention being lavished on her younger sister, whom she had never taken seriously. She felt her pride wounded.

Consort Zhen, following behind Li Shurui, noticed her daughter’s pout and apparent anger. Fearing she might cause a scene, she stepped forward and said, “Rui’er, come quickly to see your little nephew. Haven’t you seen him yet?”

Though irritated, Li Shurui obeyed her mother’s words and, wearing a long face, reluctantly moved to look.

Chen’er was held in the Noble Consort’s arms. Unafraid of strangers, he smiled at everyone, radiating happiness that was hard not to love. Even Li Shurui liked him. After all, he was her third brother’s child. She tugged his little hand, but when she heard her mother’s words next, her smile vanished.

“This little imperial grandson’s features resemble the Crown Princess more,” Consort Zhen said.

Li Shurui already disliked Pei Yun. She preferred the elder Miss Shen, who was once supposed to become the Crown Princess. Moreover, Pei Yun’s recent defense of her own sister had wounded her pride further.

“Is that so? I think he looks more like Third Brother. Otherwise, how could my little nephew be so charming?” Pei Yun replied calmly.

The room fell silent for a moment. Everyone understood the implication behind her words.

Consort Zhen shot her daughter a warning glance, but Li Shurui was undeterred and even turned to ask a girl called “Chaochao.”

The girl’s smile faded briefly. Knowing she could not agree, she remained silent for a moment, then said, “I think the little imperial grandson’s ears and mouth resemble His Highness the Crown Prince, while his eyes are more like the Crown Princess’s.”

This light remark offended no one.

Pei Yun couldn’t help but look more favorably upon Lady Shen, the sixth daughter of the Shen family.

Indeed, as the younger sister of the second Miss Shen, who had once been favored to become the Crown Princess when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, this twelve-year-old girl was already sharp and intelligent.

The girl was delicate and lovely, still young and unripe, but Pei Yun knew that in six years, she would blossom into a graceful beauty, cherished dearly by the Crown Prince.

Shen Ningchao stepped forward to Pei Yun, bowed slightly, and said, “Princess Jinghe sent a hundred-families garment, which is quite fitting. I have brought a Hundred Sons Painting. It is one I painted myself, though I have only recently learned to paint, so the technique may be clumsy…”

She then took out a scroll from her long box and asked a nearby maid to unfurl it. A vivid painting of a hundred children appeared before the guests.

While others expressed amazement, Pei Yun remained calm, having witnessed the same scene in her previous life.

She even knew what would follow.

And she knew someone would use this as a pretext to cause her trouble.

Sure enough, soon voices of praise arose from the crowd. “Miss Shen modestly understates her skill. Such a masterpiece! Even in every stroke, there is a hint of the elegance of Second Miss.”

In her previous life, Pei Yun had not identified who spoke these words, but this time she paid close attention and discovered it was Lady Zhang, the Marchioness of Annan, who had married into the Shen family.

No wonder.

Lady Zhang had married her daughter to the Shen family’s third son, hoping that Second Miss Shen would become the Crown Princess, allowing her to strengthen her position. When those plans failed, she inexplicably vented her resentment upon Pei Yun.

In her previous life, Lady Zhang was among those who advocated replacing Pei Yun with Shen Ningchao.

Suddenly, mentioning Second Miss Shen caused the guests to exchange uneasy glances. The wise would keep silent, but not everyone cared for Pei Yun’s dignity.

For example, Princess Consort Liu Meier of Yu was not one to let such an opportunity to embarrass Pei Yun slip by. She smiled and added to Lady Zhang’s words.

“When Second Miss was alive, she excelled in painting. Her works were priceless. Given time, Sixth Miss’s skills will surely rival Second Miss’s.”

Hearing the same phrase repeated, Pei Yun’s heart remained undisturbed. Though caught in the midst of the scene, she felt strangely detached, as if watching a play.

She smiled gracefully, unfazed.

After all, these were trivial matters. The real climax, which almost made her lose composure in her previous life, was yet to come.

Li Shurui noticed the subtle change in the guests’ gazes toward Pei Yun and felt a surge of satisfaction. Yet it was not enough. She blurted out, “Second Sister Shen indeed paints well. No wonder Third Brother treasures her paintings in his study.”

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Pei Yun needed no guess to know the looks cast upon her.

She was aware that when she was first named Crown Princess, many in the capital thought her unworthy, believing she only advanced through her father’s military merits.

They compared her unfavorably with the late Second Miss Shen, often hinting that the Crown Prince’s heart was elsewhere and that his marriage to her was merely due to an unrefusable imperial decree.

Consort Zhen roughly pulled Li Shurui aside and glared at her.

As if to make up for her daughter’s misstep, Consort Zhen hurried to say something to ease the tension. Yet Pei Yun calmly raised her head and spoke in a clear, melodious voice.

“Second Sister is right. I have also seen that painting hanging in His Highness’s study. It is truly exquisite, almost lifelike, even someone like me, who knows little of painting, was captivated.”

She then gestured to her attendant to take the Hundred Sons Painting, smiling warmly. “Sixth Miss has only recently learned to paint yet has produced such a fine work. Truly a gifted talent. I thank Sixth Miss on behalf of my little son.”

Everyone was surprised. They hadn’t expected Pei Yun to respond so openly and confidently, without a trace of embarrassment. Her bearing was dignified and magnanimous, completely different from what they had imagined.

In their minds, the Crown Princess had always been wary of mentioning Second Miss Shen, often remaining silent or changing the subject when the topic arose.

They didn’t know that Pei Yun had indeed done so in her previous life. But now, seeing those who had hoped to mock her looking uncomfortable, she felt amused.

She was slow to understand, but it had taken years in her previous life to realize that to silence others, avoidance was not the solution. The best approach was to confront the matter head-on, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Regarding Second Miss Shen, when she acted indifferent or spoke openly, it ceased to be a vulnerability that others could exploit.

In a corner of the flower chamber, Consort Shu and the Noble Consort exchanged smiles, clearly admiring Pei Yun’s handling of the situation.

Noticing the atmosphere had grown somewhat heavy, Consort Shu joked, “Where is the Crown Prince? Is he in the front hall with the male guests?”

At this, Pei Yun glanced sideways and saw Liu Meier suddenly alert.

She knew Consort Shu meant no harm and likely was unaware of the situation. Her words were meant to help by shifting away from the awkward topic.

Yet, unintentionally, it played into the hands of some who knew the Crown Prince had yet to return to the capital.

They remained silent but smiled inwardly, waiting to see how Pei Yun would respond in embarrassment.

Pei Yun remained composed, knowing the Crown Prince would return later.

Just as she was about to speak, a palace maid hurried in, reporting,

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince has returned and is bringing His Majesty’s imperial edict this way.”