Next, Uncle Jin gathered the servants of the mansion and introduced them one by one to the mistress.

The two average-looking maids, Xiao Xue and Xiao Meng, were new to Ye Zhi, appearing honest and reliable yet quick with their hands and feet, and they would be attending to her in the future.

She still preferred Ming Yan a bit more, but since Ming Yan couldn’t return for the time being, she accepted these two maids.

There were also maids from the Ye Mansion who came along, Xi’er and Dong’er.

In the following days, Ye Zhi’s life was much the same as usual, arranging to have fun here with Huanhuan, there with Huanhuan, and sometimes even bringing Lu He along.

Shen Chen was busy with his career at court, and the Crown Prince Faction employed many plots and schemes to establish a firm foothold. Xue Ling, as Li Changnian’s think tank, devised strategies to deal with important ministers, acting ruthlessly and killing without remorse, which drew Shen Chen’s attention to him.

Emperor Jingping’s health was unpredictable, and no one was more trusted than Shen Chen, the Guanshan disciple of the State Preceptor. He would occasionally discuss national affairs with him and express, "Wanmu’s health isn’t good and he went to Dragon Tiger Mountain to recuperate, leaving a valiant general like you by my side; it gives me great comfort, and it’s good that the thirteenth is marrying him as well."

Indeed, he had already decreed to betroth his thirteenth daughter, Qinglian, to him.

It was all because he had received a letter from Wanmu that day.

The letter described being attracted to the innocence and directness of the Little Princess at the Imperial College, and pleaded with Emperor Jingping to grant their wishes.

The Emperor was overjoyed upon hearing it.

Previously, there had been intentions to bestow marriage upon Wanmu, but he had always coldly refused, making it hard to pressure him. Now, suddenly, a good friend would become a son-in-law, bringing their relationship closer, and he decreed it without hesitation.

What’s worth mentioning is that two months after the decree, Zhao Yi, the son of Marquis Yongqing, returned from Yan Country in a sorry state.

On the other side, at Dragon Tiger Mountain.

A beautiful woman, with concealed charm in her brow and eyes, sat in the shade of the courtyard, sighing.

"Alas, why is my life so bitter? I want to go back for Ah Zhi’s wedding but can’t. I had confidently vowed to go to Ah Zhi’s wedding banquet, but here I am, unable to go. Tell me, why is Wanmu like this, refusing even to send someone to escort me when he can’t leave the mountain himself, citing dangers on the road and his worry if he doesn’t escort me himself..."

The speaker was none other than the Thirteenth Princess, Qinglian.

After coming to Dragon Tiger Mountain, she declared she didn’t wish to marry Zhao Yi, and later clung to Pei Wanmu for several days before he relented and confessed his affection, promptly writing and sending a letter to Emperor Jingping requesting marriage.

For now, Qinglian continued residing at Dragon Tiger Mountain. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Fortunately, she had the palace maid Chun Xing with her, making it less dull.

Feeling gloomy, Qinglian spoke again, "Chun Xing, when do you think I can return to the capital?"

The little maid beside her shook her head, "Princess, you must ask the State Preceptor, not me. Once the State Preceptor agrees, you can leave."

Qinglian knew she had to ask him and sighed, "I know I have to ask him, but he always tells me to wait a bit longer, and I don’t know how much longer. Since the last time I went down the mountain and nearly got harassed by a man, he refuses to let me leave without his escort..."

The last time, she had gone down the mountain with several disciples of Dragon Tiger Mountain, including male and female disciples.

A playboy from Bronze City was enamored by her beauty and attempted to abduct her back to his manor, leading to a fight between the Dragon Tiger Mountain disciples and the ruffian’s men, narrowly escaping back to Dragon Tiger Mountain in the end.

It was an unfortunate time for her, as the disciples accompanying her were newcomers with unsteady martial skills.