Chapter 8:

Chapter 8

After half a month of continuous snowfall, the day of Chen'er's 100-day celebration turned out to be an exceptionally clear and sunny day, with the sky a vast, unblemished blue.

Shu Yan remarked that this was a blessing from the heavens, signifying that their young imperial grandson was a child of good fortune.

Pei Yun smiled and accepted the words on behalf of Chen'er in her arms, hoping that in this lifetime, all her children would grow up safe and healthy.

Today, Li Chen was dressed in new clothes—the outfit his maternal grandmother Lady Zhou had hand-sewn for him. A red tiger-hat covered his tiny head, revealing a delicate, absolutely precious face beneath it.

Coinciding with the 100-day celebration, Pei Yun had Li Jin get a day off from his lessons to play with other children his age in the front hall.

In the rear hall’s flower pavilion, Consort Shu was the first to arrive, followed by Noble Consort Gao and Princess Consort Cheng, Cheng Siyuan. Close behind them was Princess Consort Yu, Liu Meier, along with other noblewomen from outside the palace. The guests gathered around Chen'er, cooing and teasing him, with some teasing Princess Consort Cheng to "share in the good fortune" and soon bear Prince Cheng a son, causing her to blush.

Amid the laughter and chatter, Consort Yue arrived with Princess Jinghe.

The mother and daughter exchanged greetings and, as usual, quietly retreated to the side.

But this time, while everyone’s attention was fixed on Chen'er, Princess Jinghe, Li Shutang, hesitantly murmured, "Third Sister-in-law."

"For the little imperial grandson’s 100-day celebration, I didn’t have anything particularly valuable to offer. I heard that in the folk tradition, it’s customary to gift a 'hundred-families robe,' so I tried sewing one myself. I hope you won't think it too humble, Third Sister-in-law."

With that, Li Shutang took a brocade box from the palace maid beside her and handed it to Pei Yun.

Seeing the princess speak so cautiously, as if afraid she might dislike the gift, Pei Yun truly observed the youngest princess of the palace for the first time.

The Emperor had only two daughters—one was Princess Haoyue, Li Shurui, born to Consort Zhen, and the other was Princess Jinghe, Li Shutang, born to Consort Yue.

Yet, though they were both princesses and only a year apart in age, their temperaments and treatment were worlds apart.

In Pei Yun’s eyes, this was one of the many instances where the Emperor had failed to balance his affections fairly.

In her past life, over a decade, Pei Yun’s impression of this young princess had always been faint—likely because Li Shutang, like her mother Consort Yue, kept to the background. Their interactions had been few and far between, with almost no meaningful conversations.

She couldn’t even remember if this scene had occurred in her past life.

But now, reborn, perhaps her mindset had changed. Unlike the gloom and irritation she had felt during the 100-day celebration in her past life, she now saw things with greater clarity.

She smiled faintly and was about to reach for the gift when a disturbance came from outside. A voice called out from afar, "Why have you all arrived so early? It makes me seem especially late!"

Just from the sound of it, not only Pei Yun but everyone present knew who had arrived.

Sure enough, the next moment, a fluttering figure swept aside the felt curtain and swept in like a butterfly. Behind her followed a graceful young girl, about twelve or thirteen, carrying a long case, her every movement poised and dignified.

Princess Haoyue, dressed in a delicate pink jacket, playfully greeted everyone one by one before turning to Pei Yun. She had already spotted the item in her hands—a gift from her usually reticent and dull younger sister—and was burning with curiosity.

"Is this from you? It’s rare for you to give gifts. What is it?" Without hesitation, she snapped open the box lid, but after just one glance, she wrinkled her nose in disdain and shot Li Shutang a look. "How cheap—giving scraps of cloth like this. I can’t believe you had the nerve to present it."

Li Shutang, by nature introverted and reserved, stood frozen. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she clenched the hem of her robe in embarrassment, biting her lip and lowering her head helplessly.

At that moment, Pei Yun’s heart clenched. In this overlooked Princess Jinghe, she saw a reflection of her former self—humiliated and angry, yet too afraid to speak up.

She tightened her grip on the robe, then took it out of the box and smiled. "How could it be unworthy? On the contrary, I must thank Second Imperial Sister. I’ve heard that when a child wears a hundred-families robe, they gather blessings from a hundred homes, ward off illness and misfortune, and enjoy long life and good health. And look at this robe—it must have been so much work to piece together all these fabrics. You've put so much care into this, Second Imperial Sister."

Hearing this, Li Shutang lifted her head in surprise, her eyes wide with surprise, as if she hadn’t expected Pei Yun to defend her.

Nearby, Noble Consort Shu, who had been watching, added, "Earlier, I wondered why Tang Er had come to me asking for her fifth brother’s old clothes. So that's what this was for..."

Noble Consort Gao also chimed in, "Not just your place—Tang'er came to mine too. Who’d have thought, quiet as she usually is, she’d be so thoughtful?"

Li Shutang listened, lowering her head again, her ears turning even redder, like steamed shrimp. But this time, it wasn’t from embarrassment—it was from flustered happiness. Never in her life had she received such praise.

While joy filled one side, anger simmered on the other. Li Shurui, accustomed to being the center of attention, now saw everyone gathered around the sister she’d always dismissed. Her pride stung.

Consort Zhen, trailing behind Li Shurui, noticed her daughter’s pout and the storm brewing in her expression. Fearing another outburst, she quickly intervened, "Rui Er, come see your little nephew. You haven’t met him yet, have you?"

Though fuming, Li Shurui obeyed her mother’s words, sullenly shuffling over toward the child.

Chen'er, cradled in Noble Consort Gao’s arms, was a friendly child, beaming at anyone who looked his way. Even Li Shurui couldn’t help but melt a little at the sight—after all, this was her third brother’s child. She tugged gently at Chen'er’s tiny hand, but her smile vanished the moment her mother spoke again.

"The little prince’s features—I think he takes more after the Crown Prince’s Consort."

Li Shurui had never liked Pei Yun much, preferring the Shen family’s eldest daughter, who was originally meant to be Crown Princess. Now, with Pei Yun publicly undermining her earlier and siding with her sister, her resentment flared.

"Really? I see more of Third Brother in him. Otherwise, how could my nephew be so adorable?"

The room fell silent for a beat—everyone understood the implication. Consort Zhen shot her daughter a warning glare, but Li Shurui remained unrepentant, turning to ask, "Don’t you think so, Chaochao?"

Shen Ningchao—the girl addressed as "Chaochao"—paused, her smile freezing for a fraction. Sensing the trap, she hesitated before replying tactfully, "This lowly one thinks the little prince’s ears and mouth resemble His Highness the Crown Prince, while his eyes favor the Crown Prince’s Consort."

A diplomatic reply, offending no one.

Pei Yun couldn’t help but regard Sixth Miss Shen with newfound respect.

No wonder she was Second Miss Shen’s younger sister—the one many had once tipped would become Empress after the Crown Prince’s ascension. At just twelve, she was already this sharp.

The girl was delicate-featured, her beauty not yet fully bloomed, but Pei Yun knew in six years, she’d blossom into the same striking beauty as her sister.

The one who would capture the Crown Prince’s heart.

Shen Ningchao stepped forward and curtsied to Pei Yun. "Since Her Highness Princess Jinghe gifted the Hundred-Family Robe, what a coincidence—I’ve brought a Hundred Sons painting. I painted it myself, though my hand is still unskilled..."

She unrolled the scroll from the long case in her arms, letting her maid display it. A vivid depiction of a hundred playful children unfolded before the guests.

While others murmured in awe, Pei Yun remained composed. She’d lived this moment in her past life.

She even knew what came next.

And that someone was about to target her.

Sure enough, praise soon rose from the crowd. "Sixth Miss is too modest! Such exquisite brushwork—how could it be unskilled? Even the lines echo Second Miss Shen’s elegance."

In her past life, Pei Yun hadn’t noticed who’d said it. This time, she paid attention—it was Lady Zhang, the Marquess of Annan’s wife, whose daughter had been married off to the Shen family.

No wonder.

Lady Zhang had banked on Second Miss Shen’s rise as Crown Princess. When those plans collapsed, she’d inexplicably directed her resentment at Pei Yun.

She’d been among those who’d pushed hardest for Shen Ningchao to replace Pei Yun.

The mention of Second Miss Shen cast a pall over the room. The wise would’ve stayed silent, but not everyone cared for Pei Yun’s dignity.

Princess Consort Yu, Liu Meier, ever the instigator, leapt at the chance to salt the wound.

"When Second Miss Shen was alive, her paintings were unrivaled—each stroke priceless. Given time, Sixth Miss’s skill will surely match hers."

Hearing the same words again, Pei Yun remained unmoved. This time, though she stood in the midst of it all, she watched as if observing a staged drama—detached, as though an outsider looking in.

She smiled with perfect composure, completely unruffled.

After all, these were nothing compared to what was coming—the very scene that had nearly made her lose her cool in her past life.

Seeing the more and more pointed looks directed at Pei Yun, Li Shurui felt a surge of satisfaction. Not satisfied yet, she blurted out, "Second Miss Shen was indeed a masterful painter—no wonder Third Prince still treasures her artworks like rare gems, hanging them in his study to this day."

The moment these words fell, the room went so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Pei Yun didn’t even need to guess to know exactly what kind of looks the surrounding guests were giving her.

She was well aware that when she was first named Crown Princess, half the capital thought she wasn't good enough, believing she had only secured the position through her father’s military merits, a stroke of pure dumb luck.

They loved dropping hints—subtle or not—that the Crown Prince’s heart belonged to another, that he had married her only because of an imperial decree he couldn’t refuse.

Noble Consort Gao swiftly yanked Li Shurui aside, giving her a look that could kill.

As if to cover for her daughter's mistake, Noble Consort Gao hurriedly tried to smooth things over, but before she could speak, Pei Yun lifted her head with poise, her voice clear and musical.

"Eldest Princess speaks truly. I, too, have seen the painting hanging in His Highness’s study. It is absolutely breathtaking—so much so that even someone who knows nothing about art was left completely spellbound."

With that, she gestured for Shu Mo beside her to receive the "Hundred Sons" painting, smiling gently. "For Sixth Miss to produce such a masterpiece after only recently taking up painting speaks to her extraordinary talent. For my little one, I extend my deepest gratitude."

The guests couldn’t keep the surprise off their faces, clearly not expecting Pei Yun to respond this way.

Not only did she show no trace of embarrassment, but she also carried herself with quiet confidence, her every gesture radiating magnanimity—completely contrary to their expectations.

Yet, in their memories, this Crown Princess had always seemed unable to stand any mention of Second Miss Shen. In the past, faced with such situations, she would either fall silent or force a smile and change the subject.

What they didn’t know was that the Pei Yun of her past life had indeed reacted that way. But now, seeing the faces of people who'd been put in their place, she couldn’t help but find it amusing.

She had been foolish in her past life—it took her years to learn:

If you wanted others to shut up, avoidance wasn’t the solution. The best way was to face them directly and leave them with nothing to say.

And when it came to the topic of Second Miss Shen, the moment she showed indifference—even the ability to discuss it freely—it ceased to be a weakness they could exploit.

In a corner of the hall, Noble Consort Gao and Consort Zhen shared a look of approval, both seemingly admiring Pei Yun’s handling of the situation.

Noticing the subdued atmosphere, Consort Zhen spoke up lightly, "Why hasn’t the Crown Prince joined us? Is he still in the front hall with the male guests?"

At these words, Pei Yun glanced subtly and indeed saw Liu Meier’s sudden alertness.

She knew Consort Zhen meant no harm—likely unaware of the circumstances—and had spoken only to help her move past the earlier unpleasantness.

Yet, unintentionally, the remark played right into some people’s hands. There were surely guests present who knew the Crown Prince had yet to return to the capital.

They remained silent, but inwardly, they were laughing, waiting to see how Pei Yun would flounder in her response.

Pei Yun, however, remained composed, knowing the Crown Prince would return later. Just as she was about to reply, a palace maid hurried in and announced,

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has returned. He is now approaching with an imperial decree from His Majesty."