The following afternoon, the sun shone brightly, and the sky was a clear, deep blue.

Princess's Residence

Golden sunlight spills across the glazed tiles, the shadows of trees sway, birds sing, and flowers bloom.

In the courtyard,

Shang Changge stole half a day of leisure and lay on the rattan chair, dozing off.

Her personal visit to Huaguang Pavilion to settle accounts with Luo Zhang served as a warning to others, as other shops with questionable account books were targeted in the following days.

She was very pleased that the shopkeepers conscientiously made up for the missing accounts one by one.

"Princess~"

With a voice that was both alluring and melancholic, Shang Changge knew who it was without even looking. She closed her eyes, unwilling to look any longer.

"Princess~"

On a crisp autumn day, Man Niang, with her pure and lovely makeup and flowing dress, strode over to the wicker chair.

She bent down, leaned closer, and spoke in a coquettish tone to Shang Changge, who was pretending to be asleep with her eyes closed.

"Princess, look at me, Princess!"

"I figured you wouldn't like anything gaudy, so this time I specially changed to a natural, fresh-faced look. Look, look!"

Ever since Man Niang saw Shang Changge's true face, she has changed. So what if she's a woman? She can be a woman too!

When Man Niang learned that Shang Changge was actually the eldest princess of their Qingyan clan, she was even more pleased.

That's right,

Using every means at his disposal, he exhausted all the tricks of Gou Shang Chang Ge he had learned at the Drunken Flower Pavilion.

"Princess~ Princess~"

"Open your eyes and look at me! I guarantee you'll be amazed this time!"

Shang Changge kept his eyes closed while Man Niang kept talking in a coquettish voice, her main tactic being to pester him relentlessly.

Shang Changge reluctantly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the vast snow-covered landscape revealed by Man Niang as she bent over.

Then, Man Niang's beautiful face, which was usually adorned with innocent makeup, was revealed.

Seeing that her master was pleased to see her, Manniang, she gave Shang Changge a flirtatious wink:

"How do I look? Does the princess like it? If not, I'll change it."

Instead of answering whether she liked it or not, Shang Changge sincerely praised, "Very beautiful."

He added:

"Whether your makeup is garish or innocent, you are beautiful."

Man Niang was pleased by Shang Changge's praise, but was taken aback upon hearing this.

But then she saw the princess beckoning her to come closer to her ear. Though she didn't understand,

I obediently did as instructed, and then I heard what followed.

"This is not the Drunken Flower Pavilion. From now on, you don't need to wear exaggerated makeup to hide your true appearance anymore."

Dress as you please and be happy; there's no need to cater to or consider others, including yourself.

A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying the fragrance of peonies.

Manniang stared blankly at Shang Changge, who had closed his eyes again and was pretending to sleep. Suddenly, her nose stung with tears.

She stood up straight and, imitating the other maids in the princess's residence, gave Shang Changge a graceful bow in response:

"Mi Chan, thank you, Princess."

Mi Chan is her real name.

Man Niang was merely a false name she adopted when she was forced to hide in the Drunken Flower Brothel to survive while being hunted down by her enemies.

Without even opening his eyes, Shang Changge genuinely exclaimed, "What a wonderful name!"

Mi Chan was overjoyed, more genuinely happy than ever before.

He leaned down and suddenly gave Shang Changge, who was lying on the rattan chair, a bear hug.

"Princess, you're so kind~"

Shang Changge, who was suddenly hugged by a beautiful older woman: ...

I must say, it smells amazing.

Therefore, Shang Changge accepted Mi Chan's hug without any qualms.

Qingyao, who came to report something: ...

The innocent little girl was completely bewildered, and then Qingyao thought of:

Is it too late for her to start trying to bring the princess and the general together, starting today and right now?

Qingyao wanted to cry; she deeply regretted her actions.

She shouldn't have spoken ill of the general to the princess a few days ago, and now look what's happened... sob sob sob...!

Shang Changge caught a glimpse of Qingyao standing there blankly out of the corner of her eye, and called out to her:

"Qingyao?"

Qingyao snapped out of her daze, suppressed her grief, and stepped forward to report to Shang Changge:

"Princess, the Third Prince has returned and is on his way to the palace."

Shang Changge nodded, about to say something, but then, remembering something, turned to look at Mi Chan, giving her instructions and brainwashing her:

"If you ever see my third brother, Shang Rui, do not get close to him or have any dealings with him, or you will be unlucky."

Mi Chan, ever obedient, sweetly replied, "Yes, ma'am! I will stay close to you and associate with you!"

Shang Changge was very satisfied: "Very good, you can go back to your courtyard now. Just let me know if you need anything, don't be shy."

If you're really bored, practice playing your pipa. Qingyao and I have something to discuss.

Mi Chan obediently bowed and left.

and,

Already misunderstanding something, Qingyao witnessed everything, and her inner self completely broke down. She plopped down on the ground, kicking her legs and crying loudly.

Waaaaah, Princess, Princess... Waaaaah!!!

No, she couldn't let the princess go astray! Wasn't the princess interested in the general before?

She wanted to win the princess back and get her to be with the general!