"What are you talking about? So lively?" The Princess walked into the flower hall, holding the arm of her lady-in-waiting, with a faint smile on her face. The flower hall fell silent all at once. Mrs. Xie realized she had said something wrong, but the words were out and had been heard by so many people. Regret was useless now. Du Ruyi glanced at Mrs. Xie, then spoke with a grin, "The Third Madam Zhao said I was competing with the Princess over a man." No one expected Du Ruyi to be such a character. She repeated the words so lightly, and so bluntly. The Princess took a seat at the head of the table, and a maid immediately came forward to serve tea. She took a sip of tea leisurely and laughed. "Which person in my mansion caught your eye? Given our relationship, if you fancy someone, let me know. I’ll have them cleaned up and sent to the Minister’s Mansion for you," the Princess said coolly. "Those aren’t for me to enjoy. The man Mrs. Zhao spoke of is Zhao Ting. I only returned to the Capital City a few days ago, so I’m unaware of some matters. Zhao Ting... Just the other day I visited the old Madam Zhao, and I heard her say that Zhao Ting left the Capital City to find his wife?" Du Ruyi replied. "Oh?" The Princess was a bit surprised. "So why does the Third Madam Zhao insist on slandering me, claiming I’m clinging to Zhao Ting, and even saying that Your Highness also fancied Zhao Ting? Am I, Du Ruyi, that kind of person, knowingly pursuing someone married? I have never heard of something more absurd. Let’s not talk about me; let’s talk about Your Highness, such a noble person. How is it possible? I don’t even know if the Third Madam Zhao has lost her mind or what, spewing nonsense. I’ve heard such madness needs to be treated quickly; otherwise, it leads to insanity. Second Madam Zhao, shouldn’t you quickly take Third Madam Zhao to see the doctor?" Madam Yu stood up, "Yes, yes, it’s time for a doctor visit. A few days ago, my sister-in-law was reprimanded by our mother-in-law, perhaps she’s holding a grudge, clouding her mind. I’ll take her back to the mansion now." No matter what just happened, Du Ruyi’s words provided some relief for them. Thıs content belongs to 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝓷𝓮𝓽 It’s obvious that the madness route was the right one over slandering the Princess. "Your Highness, once she’s calmed down, I’ll personally bring her to apologize to you." Madam Yu made a grand bow to the Princess and hurriedly pulled Mrs. Xie away. "Du Ruyi, we haven’t seen each other for years, and you’ve grown quite a bit!" "One should grow not just in age, but also in mind, right? Otherwise, living wouldn’t be enjoyable, wouldn’t you agree?" Du Ruyi commented. "You’re quite right. However, there truly are those who grow only in age, lacking in experience, and many aren’t young either." The Princess looked around the flower hall at the present company. "That’s certainly true. After all, not everyone is as smart as I am." "Your skin has thickened too." "Life experience has taught me there’s merit to having thicker skin," Du Ruyi laughed. The Princess laughed too, "Du Ruyi, how did I not find you so interesting before?" "It’s not too late for you to discover now, Your Highness." The Princess’s smile grew even more meaningful, and her gaze slowly landed on Zhao Xiaohua, "Who is this beautiful young girl? Judging by her attire, she’s not your maid, is she?" "Of course she’s not a maid. She’s a younger relative whom I quite like, so I keep her around. Your Highness might know I’m childless, keeping her by my side somewhat fills that void," Du Ruyi explained. "Young girl, come closer, let me have a look," the Princess instructed. Zhao Xiaohua felt a bit nervous. "Don’t just stand there; the Princess called you forward, so step forward. Our Princess is ever so generous, if she called you over, she must be planning to give you a gift," Du Ruyi gently urged Zhao Xiaohua. Zhao Xiaohua slowly approached the Princess and respectfully bowed. "What’s your name?" the Princess asked. "Common simplicity is true elegance, isn’t it? This name doesn’t suit you. How about I give you a new name?" the Princess offered. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but my mother chose the name, and I feel it’s very fitting," Zhao Xiaohua responded confidently. Most people wondered what scheme the Princess was concocting. Why wouldn’t she let go of her hold on this unfamiliar girl? "It seems I was abrupt. Indeed, a name given by parents shouldn’t be changed lightly," the Princess replied thoughtfully. "Your Highness, Xiaohua is young and inexperienced; don’t scare her. Weren’t we here today for flower viewing? Is there anyone not here yet? I’m a bit impatient to start," Du Ruyi said. "Yes, flower viewing." The Princess stood up, "But I suddenly feel a bit tired and can’t accompany you for the viewing. I’ll have my lady-in-waiting entertain you. Feel free." The Princess summoned a young maid over, "Take me back to rest." The lady-in-waiting who had accompanied the Princess earlier then invited the various family ladies. Everyone was confused about what had just transpired. Didn’t they have the heart to view the flowers? "Xiaohua, the peonies at the Princess Mansion are truly unmatched. You won’t find them elsewhere, so take a good look later," Du Ruyi instructed Zhao Xiaohua. Zhao Xiaohua nodded in agreement. Lady Du, Du Ruyi, and Zhao Xiaohua were the first to follow the lady-in-waiting. They soon reached the rear garden, and there they earnestly began admiring the flowers. Du Ruyi kept explaining each variety of peony to the young girl she had brought. The young girl occasionally exclaimed in wonder. Feeling tired from the walk, they went to rest in the pavilion and asked the lady-in-waiting to prepare tea and snacks. It was as if she was strolling not through the Princess’s rear garden but her own backyard. She commanded the Princess’s lady-in-waiting as if she were her own maid. After eating, drinking, and admiring flowers, Du Ruyi finally remembered to return home. The lady-in-waiting called many maids to escort the ladies away one by one. Then went back to report to the Princess. "Why were you detained for so long?" the Princess asked. "Du Ruyi truly went to admire the flowers and asked for tea and snacks, left satisfied after eating and drinking," the lady-in-waiting replied. The Princess was silent for a moment, then laughed, "It’s just like her, what about the rest?" "They were distracted, but none left," the lady-in-waiting replied. "You heard what Du Ruyi said, right? She mentioned Zhao Ting has a wife," the Princess commented. "I believe that’s not true. If it were, how could Zhao Ting not have gone searching in these years? Moreover, both the ladies of the Zhao Family seemed genuinely surprised to hear Du Ruyi’s words, not faking it," the lady-in-waiting observed. "The girl Du Ruyi brought, her eyebrows and eyes quite resemble Zhao Ting," the Princess noted.