In mid-spring, the palace of the Great Liang Dynasty was ablaze with flowers, and the glazed tiles shimmered with golden light under the bright spring sunshine. In the square in front of the Taiji Hall, palace lanterns hung high and brocade was laid out on the path, where a grand court banquet to celebrate a great victory at the border was being held.

The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and officials and their wives, dressed in elegant attire, chatted and laughed. However, everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the side of the main seat on the high platform—towards the Third Princess, Xiao Chengyu, who was cherished by the Emperor and Empress.

Fifteen-year-old Xiao Chengyu wore a light blue palace dress embroidered with silver butterflies and flowers, her hair loosely styled and adorned with only a delicate jade hairpin. She inherited her mother Xin Jiuwei's refined and elegant beauty, but her eyes possessed a more lively and playful charm, a trait born of pampering. At this moment, she was whispering something to the Second Prince Xiao Chengrui beside her, a mischievous smile curving her lips, causing the dashing young man to chuckle and affectionately tap her forehead.

"Yu'er, what amusing things are you whispering about with your second brother again?" On the dragon throne, Xiao Xun, who was nearly forty years old but still handsome and dignified, turned his head. When his gaze fell on his beloved daughter, his eyebrows softened instantly.

Xiao Chengyu smiled sweetly, her voice as clear as honey: "Father, I am making a bet with my second brother to guess how many pearls are on the skirts of the Western Region dancers who will be performing today!"

"Naughty," Xin Jiuwei scolded softly from her throne, her eyes filled with doting smiles. Time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to this Empress of Liang, adding only a touch of mature charm to her, and her dignified bearing became even more gentle and powerful.

Xiao Chengrui laughed loudly: "Father and Mother do not know, but Yu'er has very sharp eyes. Just now, from a distance of ten feet, she counted how many rice-beads were on the hairpin of the Minister of Rites' wife! This time, I am afraid I will lose to her pair of jade earrings!"

Below the table, Xin Rui, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, turned his head upon hearing this, raising his sword-like eyebrows slightly: "Chengyu, what good stuff have you extorted from your cousin Rui this time? We'll share half when we meet!" Although he was already a cavalry captain in the capital garrison, his dark green uniform made him look even more dashing, but in front of his cousin, he was still the boy who would snatch candy.

On the other side, Qi Mingxuan, the eldest son of the Minister of Revenue, shook his head helplessly and elegantly poured Xiao Chengyu a cup of rose syrup: "Princess, drink slowly, be careful not to choke." His tone was gentle, but it carried an undeniable concern.

Qi Mingyue sat down next to Xiao Chengyu and cheerfully took her arm: "Sister Yu, can I borrow your earrings for a couple of days? I'll exchange them for some newly acquired overseas perfume!"

This scene was nothing new to the officials. Everyone knew that the Third Princess, Xiao Chengyu, was the apple of the Emperor's and Empress's eye, the crown prince's darling, and a precious jewel cherished by her cousins. Let alone a pair of earrings, even if she wanted to pluck the stars from the sky, these privileged children would fight over a ladder to help her.

As the banquet reached its climax, envoys from various countries presented their gifts. When the Northern Barbarian envoy brought out ten chests full of furs and gems, Xiao Chengyu merely glanced at them out of curiosity, but Xiao Xun waved his hand and said, "Give the Third Princess some new clothes to play with."

The Turks presented her with a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse, and Xiao Chengrui was just marveling at it when Xin Jiuwei said softly, "Yu'er is afraid of heights and cannot ride such a spirited horse. Your Majesty, why not choose two gentle foals for her to enjoy?"

Although Crown Prince Xiao Chengji was busy talking with important officials, his eyes never left his younger sister, and he would occasionally signal the eunuchs to add clothes and serve her food.

Surrounded by such overwhelming pampering, Xiao Chengyu smiled sweetly. Occasionally, when she met the concerned gazes of her parents and brothers, she would respond with a charming smile, melting everyone's hearts like spring water.

As the singing and dancing subsided, the civil officials began to compose poems and couplets to add to the festivities. This year's newly appointed scholars were particularly enthusiastic, all hoping to showcase their talents at this grand event. If they could gain the emperor's favor, their future would be limitless.

When a young man dressed in a moon-white silk robe stood up, the previously noisy banquet fell into a subtle silence for a moment.

He appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a handsome face, clear features, and a tall, upright figure like a bamboo shoot. His posture was elegant and composed as he bowed, his voice clear and melodious like the clinking of jade: "This student is Gu Nianzhi. My father is Gu Zhijie, a senior official in the Ministry of Rites. Congratulations to Your Majesty on your conquest of the northern deserts and the eternal stability of the empire. I am unworthy, but I wish to compose a poem to praise Your Majesty's civil and military achievements and the prosperous age of our celestial dynasty."

On the dragon throne, Xiao Xun nodded slightly, his gaze scrutinizing.

Gu Nianzhi remained neither humble nor arrogant. After a brief moment of contemplation, he recited the poem aloud. The verses were beautifully written yet retained their spirit, and the imagery was expansive yet subtly witty, cleverly linking the flames of war on the frontier with the peace and prosperity of a golden age. It was indeed a rare masterpiece.

For a time, the room was filled with praise. Even the usually strict head of the Hanlin Academy stroked his beard and nodded: "The physician Gu is very fortunate. His son is quick-witted and has an extraordinary demeanor."

Gu Zhijie quickly declined, but couldn't hide his smugness in his eyes and brows.

Xiao Chengyu also glanced sideways. Having been taught by the Grand Tutor since childhood, she was quite knowledgeable in poetry and naturally recognized the beauty of the poem. What was even more remarkable was that Gu Nianzhi's demeanor was dignified and his eyes were clear and upright, quite different from those students who were either obsequious or eager to show off.

As Gu Nianzhi thanked the host, her gaze inadvertently swept over the head seat. The moment her eyes met Xiao Chengyu's, she seemed slightly taken aback, then quickly lowered her eyes, a barely perceptible blush rising to her ears, and her demeanor revealed a hint of unease.

Xiao Chengyu found it amusing, and the corners of his lips curved into a smile. However, he did not notice that Xiao Chengrui and Xin Rui exchanged a glance beside him, and Qi Mingxuan's hand, which was pouring tea, paused almost imperceptibly.

The banquet continued, and the music resumed. Gu Nianzhi sat quietly among the students, conversing with her classmates with composure, showing no sign of losing her composure. Only occasionally, when she glanced at the head of the table, her gaze would seem to drift to that figure in light green, with just the right amount of appreciation and restraint.

When the banquet ended and the emperor and empress set off, everyone knelt to see them off.

As Xiao Chengyu rose with her parents, a plain white handkerchief slipped from her sleeve as her skirt swayed, but she was completely unaware of it.

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