Song Yaozhu still fell seriously ill, suffering from a high fever for three consecutive days. She underwent daily medicinal steaming and massage, and it took her half a month to recover.

"The physician took this opportunity to remove the cold from your bones, so your periods will be easier in the future. But you still need to drink the herbal medicine!" Granny Qin held the bowl of medicine to her lips without allowing her to object.

Song Yaozhu felt like vomiting at the smell, but when she met Qin Mama's relentless gaze, she still gulped it down.

"Miss Song has sent you several invitations, but the Prince has refused them all, saying that you should take good care of your health and wait until you are well before seeing anyone."

Song Yaozhu leaned against the headboard, her lips pale. She asked Qin Mama in confusion, "The prince seems to be quite busy. What is he busy with all day?"

"Isn't it almost Chinese New Year? All the shops I own need to be liquidated, and so do the estates."

Song Yaozhu raised a delicate eyebrow. "Isn't there an accountant?"

"Yes, but the accountants are the Emperor's men, how can I trust them? What if they collude with those under them and squander the family fortune?"

Song Yaozhu understood.

No wonder the emperor was so at ease letting Xie Liwei build his business in the capital. The accountant was his man; he knew Xie Liwei's daily income and expenses, and he could access all the accounts of social interactions at any time. Naturally, he wasn't afraid that Xie Liwei would secretly cultivate his own people.

Why is Xie Liwei so obedient, allowing Yuwen Wuji to check the accounts at any time?

Ha, this guy is incredibly cunning.

"It's snowing outside!" Caijin entered the house, stamped the snow off her feet, and then lifted the cotton curtain to come in. "It's an invitation from the First Prince's residence, inviting the Princess to the Snow-Cooking Banquet."

Song Yaozhu glanced at the post and pondered the matter.

The eldest prince, Yuwen Tong, is eighteen years old this year. As a prince, he is old enough to rule in his own right. However, the emperor has been slow to appoint a crown prince, so he is naturally being suppressed by the emperor and cannot rule in his own right.

This person must be feeling quite uncomfortable.

He was Yuwen Wuji's son, and also his rival. No emperor would relinquish his power in his prime, even if it was his own son.

"There's only one month left until the New Year. The First Prince's residence will be holding a first birthday banquet for the imperial grandson in the spring. Why would the First Prince's residence be holding a snow-boiling banquet at this time?"

Song Yaozhu was quite puzzled, after all, the cost of holding a banquet is not small, and even wealthy families with deep reserves of wealth cannot just hold a banquet whenever they want.

"It was a concubine in the First Prince's residence who gave birth to a little princess. The First Prince wanted to hold a grand baby shower, but the First Princess was not happy about it, so this Snow-Cooking Banquet came about."

Song Yaozhu looked at Granny Qin with admiration. There really wasn't a single gossip about the inner quarters that she didn't know!

Now that you put it that way, she could understand. If Bao Lin's daughter's third-day celebration were a grand affair, wouldn't it overshadow her son's first birthday celebration next year?

Therefore, the Crown Prince's wife held a Snow-Cooking Banquet, which not only allowed guests to attend the little princess's third-day celebration, but also did not elevate the status of the mother and daughter.

“Alright, I’ll go.” After saying that, he looked at Granny Qin and instructed her, “Go to the Song residence and call my good sister. Isn’t she thinking about the Third Prince? It’s his eldest brother’s daughter’s third-day celebration, and the Third Prince will definitely be there.”

She had been so busy with the Prince of Yan's affairs that she hadn't paid any attention to Song Wenyue.

When Song Wenyue learned that Song Yaozhu was going to take her to the Snow-Cooking Banquet at the First Prince's residence, she was as happy as if she were about to marry the Third Prince.

These past few days, she'd heard that Song Yaozhu was ill and had sent invitations several times, but they wouldn't let her into the Prince's residence. She'd thought Song San was about to be tortured to death by Xie Liwei. She never expected her to be able to see anyone; her life was truly blessed.

Thinking of the rumors that Prince Xiaoyao had fought with the eldest son of the Fang family for his princess a while ago, which had been spreading like wildfire in the capital, Song Wenyue was so jealous that her eyes turned red.

Song Yaozhu promised to play matchmaker for her and the Third Prince, but nothing happened for a long time. She was so angry at home that she tore several handkerchiefs.

If she had been the one who married the carefree prince back then, she would be the one enjoying the limelight now!

On the day of the Snow Feast, Song Yaozhu finally saw Xie Liwei. He was still wearing his angry silver half-mask, dressed in a black cloak, his chin covered by a circle of black fox fur around the collar, which made him look much gentler.

Upon seeing Song Yaozhu, he raised his hand, and Qin Yu immediately handed her a white cloak. He took it and draped the fox fur cloak over her shoulders.

Song Yaozhu looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion.

Why is this child suddenly being so nice to her? Did he take the wrong medicine? Or did he drink too much peanut soup and get brain poisoned?

Oh well, she's the one who benefits anyway.

She pulled her cloak tighter around herself and immediately felt most of the chill dissipate.

Once inside the carriage, she couldn't help but ask, "There are so many beautiful masks out there, why did you choose this one?"

Granny Qin said he had ruined his appearance. She wanted to know what his face looked like under the mask, but she was afraid of touching on his painful memories.

"This is Zhong Kui glaring angrily."

Zhong Kui glares angrily, and all evil spirits retreat.

He will send those two monsters back to their deepest hell sooner or later.

Song Yaozhu looked at him, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling.

Xie Liwei frowned slightly, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Your Highness, you truly possess an aura of righteousness!"

Having gone through so much, she still managed to stay true to herself. She almost abandoned all her principles because of the word "hatred." There were shortcuts and temptations beyond that line; crossing them was easy, but controlling oneself and maintaining rationality at all times was the hardest part.

One thought can lead to Buddhahood, another to demonhood; such is the nature of things.

Perhaps it was Song Yaozhu's ardent gaze that made Xie Liwei feel uncomfortable all over; his scalp began to tingle, and his face felt slightly hot.

I'm long past the age where a word of praise feels like a treat, but I still can't help feeling shy.

This woman is so... straightforward that he can't handle her.

The carriage soon arrived at the First Prince's residence. Song Yaozhu had been here before and was familiar with the place. After meeting the First Prince in the front courtyard, she was led to the inner courtyard by a maid.

Her purpose today was to arrange for Song Wenyue to meet and speak with the Third Prince. That was all she had to do, so she didn't plan to join in the social activities of the ladies.

Unexpectedly, she saw Shen Qingyu in the house. She was sitting alone next to her mother-in-law. Although she had dressed up carefully, she did not look well. Her expression was indifferent and her eyes were full of weariness.

She glanced at her, and their eyes met as Shen Qingyu looked up. Shen Qingyu gave her a friendly smile first, and Song Yaozhu nodded in acknowledgment.

After taking her seat, Caijin handed her cloak to her maid before coming over.

"The Princess Consort of Xiaoyao has finally arrived! We were just talking about the Princess Consort! I heard she was ill a few days ago, but is she much better now?"

"Much better," Song Yaozhu replied with a smile.

"We all say that the Princess Consort is very good at managing her husband. Since she married into the Prince's mansion, we haven't heard of the Prince having any extramarital affairs. Everyone wants to ask the Princess Consort for advice!"

Song Yaozhu's smile froze. "Fine, this person doesn't have good intentions."