Chapter 788 Also Under Her Name

Chapter 788: Also Under Her Name

Yu Mingzhu shivered faintly.

Just what did Wei Shibu think she was?!

Instinctively, Yu Mingzhu didn’t want to lose her composure in front of Prince Cong, who looked as transcendent as a celestial being.

She stood frozen in place.

Wei Shibu had invited Yu Mingzhu today to show him off.

But Yu Mingzhu was completely incompetent—she couldn’t even handle a simple toast! Instead of bringing him honor, she’d embarrassed him instead!

Wei Shibu’s expression darkened.

In the end, it was Wei Shiyu who stepped in to defuse the situation. He gave an uneasy laugh, “...I think Fourth Brother is drunk. Perhaps we should end the gathering. Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, you should rest now.”

With that, Wei Shiyu gave a few firm pats on Wei Shibu’s back and raised his voice slightly to instruct the palace maids attending to Wei Shibu, “...Take your Fourth Prince to rest. See to his care—no mishaps, is that clear?”

“Yes, Third Prince.”

Wei Shibu staggered a few steps with the maids, then seemed to remember something. He turned back, slurred as he called back to Wei Shiyu, “Third Brother!... My, my fiancée, and... and Princess Daiyue... please, please escort them back...”

Before Wei Shiyu could respond, Wei Shibu raised his voice again, drunkenly brushing off the maids’ helping hands and shouting, “Ah Qi! Ah Qi! Come help me—”

The previously seated Fifth Prince, Wei Shiqi, abruptly stood up, said with a thin smile as he urged, “It seems Fourth Brother is truly drunk.”

He impatiently snapped at the maids, “Make haste and escort the Fourth Prince to his chambers! If he so much as stumbles, I’ll have your heads!”

Wei Shiqi’s biting tone left the maids no room for hesitation. They quickly supported Wei Shibu on either side and led him away to rest.

No matter how unwilling Wei Shibu was, he had no choice but to stagger off with their assistance.

Wei Shiqi turned to Wei Shiyan and Wei Shiyu with a thin smile. “Elder Brothers, it seems Fourth Brother’s conduct while in his cups leaves much to be desired. My apologies for the embarrassment. Earlier, I believe I heard Third Brother mention that you and Second Brother still have matters to attend to after the banquet? Then please, go ahead. I’ll return to my own quarters as well—I still have uncompleted lessons.”

His words were polite as he cupped his hands in salute.

Wei Shiyu flinched at the word 'lessons' and waved a hand. “Then go quickly. Best not keep the Grand Tutor waiting.”

Wei Shiqi nodded and strode off.

Wei Shiyu turned to Wei Shiyan. “Second Brother, you’ve had your share to drink as well. Do you want to rest, or...?”

Wei Shiyan shook his head. “I’m fine. Let’s proceed as planned.”

Xingxing, however, plucked a pill from the pouch at her girdle and handed it to Wei Shiyan. “Take this.”

Without even asking what it was for, Wei Shiyan accepted it and swallowed it with tea.

A subtle change came over Yu Mingzhu's countenance.

Princess Daiyue appeared curious yet held her tongue.

Wei Shiyu, playing the mouthpiece as usual, asked Xingxing with interest, “What was that you just gave Second Brother? Some wonder drug?”

Xingxing replied, “For sobering up. Want one?”

Wei Shiyu brightened at the offer, extending his hand. “Don't mind if I do!”

Xingxing didn’t hold back either, handing Wei Shiyu a pill too.

Wei Shiyu studied the pill curiously, turning it over in his hands, even giving it a sniff before washing it down with tea.

After the pill went down, Wei Shiyu closed his eyes to assess the effect. "Huh… my head does feel a little clearer."

Xingxing chuckled. "It’s not *that* instant."

Wei Shiyu immediately replied, "I *believe* in your skills!"

Switching to gossip mode, he leaned toward Wei Shiyan. "Second Brother, you just returned to the capital, so you might not know yet—Xingxing’s medical skills are downright miraculous!... Once, our mother was poisoned, and it was Xingxing who saved her. Ah, Second Brother, you weren’t there, so you didn’t see how incredible she was! The imperial docs were stumped, and Dad looked ready to go on a rampage—then boom, Xingxing shows up!... And another time..."

Wei Shiyu was on a roll, and surprisingly, Wei Shiyan seemed genuinely interested, listening attentively and nodding occasionally.

Seeing his usually aloof Second Brother so engaged, Wei Shiyu grew even more animated.

Xingxing cringed inwardly.

After all, Wei Shiyu’s personality was what it was—if he spoke ten words, at least three were exaggerated.

But since Wei Shiyan seemed to be enjoying it, she didn’t interrupt.

Xingxing thought, *Eh, might as well enjoy the show.*

When Wei Shiyu finally paused to drink water and soothe his dry throat, Xingxing seized the chance to cut in. "...Shouldn’t we escort Princess Daiyue and the others back first?"

Wei Shiyu suddenly remembered, looking sheepish. "Whoops! Totally spaced—Fourth Brother asked us to see Princess Daiyue and the others back to Prince Cheng’s place. My fault!"

Princess Daiyue blushed. "...Not at all. We loved Your Highness’s tales!"

Yu Mingzhu smiled gracefully. "Your stories had us on the edge of our seats!"

Princess Daiyue nodded earnestly.

Yu Mingzhu then remarked, seemingly offhand, "Your Highness must *really* admire her, huh?"

Wei Shiyan’s expression remained indifferent.

Wei Shiyu gave Yu Mingzhu a puzzled look. "That sounds a bit odd. Xingxing saved our mother’s life. ‘Admire’? Try *worship*."

Yu Mingzhu’s smile froze.

Wei Shiyu kindly suggested, "You sound as drunk as Fourth Brother. Should I ask Xingxing for a sobering pill for you too?"

Xingxing glanced at Wei Shiyu. "Only had two. All out."

Yu Mingzhu’s face paled, then flushed. She forced a smile and meekly admitted, "Never mind. My mistake."

As she spoke, she shot Wei Shiyan a sidelong, hopeful look—only to find his gaze never once strayed her way.

"..." Yu Mingzhu might as well have winked at a wall.

Wei Shiyu didn’t dwell on it, brushing it off lightly. "If you say so."

Princess Daiyue bit her tongue.

And so, with Wei Shiyu and Wei Shiyan leading the way, she and Yu Mingzhu were dropped off at the gates of Prince Cheng’s place.

Princess Daiyue stepped down from the carriage and couldn't help but look back toward Wei Shiyan.

Dressed in green robes and mounted on his horse, Wei Shiyan was as aloof as mountain peak mist—yet here that mist walked among mortals.

He rode alongside a carriage: Princess Fusui's.

Princess Daiyue's face paled slightly.

Her lips parted slightly.

Anyone could see today how differently Prince Cong treated Princess Fusui compared to others.

But her parents had made it clear—this newly titled Prince Cong, the Second Prince, was probably the imperial couple's favorite son. His future was limitless.

He was the best future husband they had chosen for her.

Princess Daiyue's heart was in turmoil.

Prince Cong... was indeed exceptional, but it seemed he held no special regard for her.

Steeling herself, she called out, "Prince Cong."

Wei Shiyan turned his gaze toward her.

Under those indifferent eyes, Princess Daiyue's heart pounded wildly, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to say anything meaningful. Flustered, she managed, "Thank you, Prince Cong and the Third Prince, for escorting us back today."

Wei Shiyan said, "It was no trouble."

Wei Shiyu also smiled. "No need to stand on ceremony, Daiyue. You should rest—we'll take our leave."

Xingxing lifted the carriage curtain to bid Princess Daiyue farewell.

As Wei Shiyan and Wei Shiyu flanked Xingxing's carriage and rode away, Princess Daiyue's unspoken words—"I’d like to join you"—remained lodged in her throat. She could only watch from inside the manor as the brothers rode guard, escorting Xingxing's carriage into the distance.

Princess Daiyue looked wistful.

"Princess," Yu Mingzhu's soft voice came from behind her.

Startled, Princess Daiyue turned, her wistfulness still showing. "Ah?"

Yu Mingzhu watched her face, eyes cooling behind a warm smile. Feigning casualness, she asked, "...Princess, what do you think of Prince Cong?"

Princess Daiyue flushed, flinching. "W-what do you mean?"

Yu Mingzhu's gaze grew colder, though her face feigned innocent confusion. "You're blushing? I merely thought... Prince Cong is deeply favored by His Majesty and Her Majesty. He's destined for greatness. I was simply curious about your opinion."

Princess Daiyue's blush deepened. With an embarrassed stamp of her foot, she turned and fled.

Yu Mingzhu smiled, but as she watched the princess run off, her smile froze.

...

Wei Shiyu led Wei Shiyan and Xingxing to Rongxing Lane in the southern part of the capital.

This district was known for its foreign merchants, where shops had sprung up, turning it into a lively bazaar that became one of the city's unique attractions.

Wei Shiyu led them proudly through the streets, guiding Wei Shiyan and Xingxing to a store selling unusual wares.

Xingxing looked up at the shop and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Wei Shiyu, too engrossed in his excitement, didn’t notice.

But Wei Shiyan had already strode over in a few steps to her side and asked in a low voice, "What’s wrong?"

Xingxing hesitated, her voice small and hesitant, "This shop... barring any surprises, it’s probably my family’s."

Wei Shiyan: "..."

Thankfully, Xingxing had come along this time. Otherwise, if he had bought something novel from her family’s shop and then gifted it to her, it would’ve been... kinda awkward.

Xingxing’s voice was barely above a whisper, "...Brother Yan, should we tell Third Prince about this?"

Wei Shiyan replied, "Up to you—no pressure."

Xingxing gave a small nod.

However, she didn’t even need to say anything—Wei Shiyu had already eagerly entered the shop to pick out items. Xingxing and Wei Shiyan lingered behind, exchanging a few quiet words. The moment she stepped inside, the shopkeeper’s eyes gleaming, he rushed to greet her. "Young Mistress, what brings you here today?"

Wei Shiyu had just picked up a telescope to examine when he heard the words "Young Mistress."

He instinctively turned and saw the shopkeeper of this exotic novelty store bowing obsequiously to Xingxing.

...Young Mistress?

???

This was the Yu family’s business?

Wei Shiyu’s feelings were a tangled mess.

Once Xingxing finished with the shopkeeper, she walked over to Wei Shiyu and said, "...I only realized when we arrived at the door that this is my family’s shop."

She sighed. "We own way too many shops."

Wei Shiyu: "..."

If he weren’t the beloved son of the Emperor and Empress, a man rolling in money, hearing Xingxing lament how many shops her family owned would’ve been so annoying!

"Give me a discount later," Wei Shiyu said dryly. "I should at least enjoy some benefits from being friends with the owner."

Xingxing waved her hand dismissively, declared boldly, "No need! Go ahead, take your pick—it’s all on me!"

She then turned to Wei Shiyan with a smile. "And you too, Brother Yan. Choose something, and it’s yours!"

Wei Shiyu snorted, said with a wicked grin, "You said it!"

Xingxing shrugged and nodded.

First of all, even if Wei Shiyu and Wei Shiyan cleaned out the whole shop, she could afford it.

Secondly, they’d never do that.

Sure enough, though Wei Shiyu had joked about taking everything, as a prince, he had seen plenty of fine things. He sorted through and selected a handful of newly arrived novelties and tossed down a large banknote.

Wei Shiyan initially didn’t choose anything.

Xingxing insisted he pick at least one item, so he circled back to look over the items once more. In the end, he only chose a gold-plated brass kaleidoscope.

He had owned a kaleidoscope before, a gift from Xingxing too.

Back then, Mapo County was remote, and the Western imports that reached there were rather crude.

But he had treasured it.

To him, the world inside the kaleidoscope was just like the feeling Xingxing gave him—vibrant and warm.

However, that kaleidoscope was of such poor quality that, despite Wei Shiyan's careful handling and occasional use, it broke within two years.

The current gilded bronze kaleidoscope was far more exquisite than the one from back then.

Yet, what Wei Shiyan still cherished was the very first one Xingxing had given him.

But what's past is past, and old things cannot return... This way, now, is also good.

When Wei Shiyu offered to pay for Wei Shiyan, Xingxing immediately pushed the silver note back into Wei Shiyu's hands:

"This one is my gift to Brother Yan."

Wei Shiyu widened his eyes: "Wait, Xingxing, when I paid for my things earlier, why didn’t you refuse my payment?"

"I want to give this to Brother Yan," Xingxing blinked. "Then, how about I return your money and gift you those things too?"

Wei Shiyu was immediately mollified, sniffed, "Well, no need. This lord has plenty of money!"

And it wasn’t an empty boast—Emperor Jiazheng and Empress Nie were extremely generous with their youngest son when it came to finances.

Though Wei Shiyu hadn’t yet been granted a princely title and lacked a fief, he owned numerous lands and properties bestowed by Empress Nie, making him flush with cash.

Thus, the affluent Wei Shiyu announced he was taking Xingxing and his second brother out for some leisure and entertainment.

And so, the wealthy Wei Shiyu shelled out extra silver to purchase three... premium tickets to the Meimu Opera Troupe.

Xingxing: "..."

How was she supposed to tell Wei Shiyu that the Meimu Opera Troupe was also... hers?