I sat upright in the main hall of the Wang Fu, wearing a dark red peony brocade jacket, a bright yellow skirt with a white jade flying swallow pendant at my waist, and nine phoenix gold hairpins on my temples.

  Such a festive and luxurious attire is not what I like, but in such an occasion, it is the most suitable.

  Housekeeper Qin An is a benevolent-looking old man, but with a pair of eyes that see through the world. At this moment, he led all the people in the mansion to pay their respects to me one by one.

  I paid special attention to the maid called Xunyun, whose eyebrows and eyes were calm and quiet. Although she wasnt a beauty that would be remembered at first glance, her gentle and elegant demeanor was captivating, just like the sound of rain, soft and touching.

  As expected, these two were both personal maids of Nan Chongyao, serving her since childhood, their relationship was not shallow, and their status was far from ordinary.

  "The princess, as is customary, should have entered the palace today to pay respects and offer tea. However, with the emperors poor health, an edict has been issued from the palace, postponing all ceremonies. The three princes are currently in the palace attending to their morning and evening duties, unable to leave. They sent word back to reassure the princess, and also ordered this old slave to take the princess on a tour around the estate, so that she may become familiar with it sooner."

  After a long ceremony, Qin An stepped forward and spoke calmly to me.

  I smiled and nodded: "Thanks, General Manager Qin."

  Walking out of the main hall with him, strolling in the picturesque scenery of the Wangfu, carved railings and jade balustrades, waterside pavilions and song stages, everywhere you look, all are exquisitely crafted, beautiful and magnificent, making one suspect its a paradise.

  I smiled faintly, such brushwork, even compared to the imperial palace, would not be inferior.

  Suddenly, I remembered the rumors I heard from the boudoir when waiting for Yu, that Nan Chengyao was fond of being meticulous and particular, everything he used and came out with had to be the best in the world, without any regard for what others might think.

  This also often became his political enemies weapon to attack him.

  Zeng once said with disdain that the more incompetent a person is, the more they will seek out trivial matters and think themselves to be clever.

  Moreover, what they attacked was none other than the current favored third prince.

  Facing all these disturbances, Nan Chengyao only smiled lightly and remained unchanged. It seemed that what he cared about was only the elegant music, fine wine, and beautiful clothes.

  However, this Third Highness is by no means a talentless person. In the imperial court, whenever the emperors orders were issued, no matter how difficult the problem was, he could always handle it properly, with a faint smile on his face, making it impossible for others to find any fault.

  "Your Highness, ahead is Maple Forest Evening, a place where you often stay alone and dislike being disturbed by others."

  Qin Ans calm voice broke into my reverie, and following his words, I saw a dense forest of maples standing out before me.

  Compared with the refined and luxurious scenery in the mansion, this maple forest is extremely quiet and peaceful, with a sense of being isolated from the world.

  I carefully savored Qin Ans words, with a sense of respect and a hint of subtle warning.

  As the princess, there is a distinction between master and servant, so he naturally cannot and will not directly tell me that I am not allowed to enter. However, judging from his words, this maple forest is probably off-limits to all but a few people in the mansion.

  I smiled warmly at Qin An: "Thank you, Director Qin, for pointing that out. I will definitely be more careful with Shuying."

  He didnt say much more, his eyebrows and eyes still calm, leading me to continue walking down.

  It wasnt until now, after walking for so long, that I realized the Sanwangfu, which foreigners cant stop raving about, truly lives up to its reputation of being grand and exquisite. After spending almost half a day here, Ive only managed to visit a few of the main courtyards.

  Qin An stopped and looked at me: "After walking for most of the day, Your Highness must be tired. The estate is very large, and theres no need to rush through it all at once. Why dont I send you back to rest in the Ink Pavilion first?"

  Gui Mo Ge, the most exquisite and luxurious courtyard in the mansion, will also be my residence from now on. It is not adjacent to Qian Tian Ju where Nan Chengyao lives, but it is not far apart either.

  As I nodded, Qin An personally led me back. Upon entering the Moque Chamber, Xun Yun was already waiting inside. As soon as I sat down in the small flower hall, a maid brought up a basin and towel for me to wash my hands, while Xun Yun personally presented me with a cup of Bi Luo Chun tea, at just the right temperature. On the low table, various fresh fruits and exquisite tea snacks were already neatly arranged.

  After I have had my tea and rested for a while, Xun Yun came forward to pay her respects: "In the past when the mistress of the mansion was absent, Your Highness ordered me to temporarily take charge of managing the accounts of the Wang Mansion. Now that the position of the Wang Fei has been established, all matters big and small in the mansion should naturally be decided by the Wang Fei. Please allow Xun Yun to move to the treasury with you, so that I can clearly explain the past accounts one by one."

  I smiled slightly: "Just now, I followed General Qin all the way here. The various things in the Wang Mansion are well-organized and orderly, which is thanks to your and General Qins efforts. Now that Ive entered the mansion, its just a matter of maintaining the current state, theres no need to change anything."

  "After a moment of hesitation, she lowered her head and replied: Your servant dare not."

  I still smiled: "In the past, Your Highness ordered the young lady to take care of the affairs in the mansion, it must be that you trusted the young lady. Now, Im the same. Besides, when I first entered the palace, everything was unfamiliar, and rashly intervening would not be good, so, thank you for your trouble, miss."

  Xun Yun remained silent for a long time, and after a while, she replied softly and respectfully: "Since the princess has ordered, I will definitely do my best to serve until the princess takes over. Whatever comes out, Xun Yun will report to the princess every day, without hiding anything."

  She soon took her leave, instructing the maid in the house to take good care of things, and after exchanging a few polite words with Shuying, she departed.

  Her heart was still simmering with discontent, and her complexion naturally didnt look too good either. Xun Yun thought she might still be unhappy about the bridal chamber incident last night, but he didnt mind.

  When we were left alone in the room, I looked at Shuying with a faint smile: "Say what you want to say, youre not someone who can hide your words."

  "Miss, why are you so hard on yourself?" She endured for a moment before speaking: "As the daughter of Chancellor Murong, this honor and prestige would be enough to let you do as you please even in the palace."

  I smiled faintly: "Shu Ying, the Mu Rong familys power is unmatched in the world. This is naturally a great honor, but it also buried an unignorable calamity. Since ancient times, the greatest danger for those who serve as ministers is to have achievements that surpass their lord and awe-inspiring prestige that shakes the imperial court. The ruler cannot tolerate having two kings in one country or two tigers on one mountain. Eventually, they will fabricate charges and exterminate the ministers party."

  Shu Ying said: "Cant the emperors previous preferential treatment of the Murong family be seen as the best proof this time?"

  I gently shook my head: "This time, the heavenly familys gift of marriage is indeed a great honor, but since there are such pearls in front, what can be rewarded when the Murong family makes another achievement? If it really comes to the day when the emperor has nothing left to reward, the entire Murong family will only have one way out - to be granted death."

  Miss, dont scare me, are you saying that His Majesty will...

  "Its not at that point yet." I smiled and held her hand: "However, from this marriage arrangement, the signs can already be seen."

  She didnt speak, just looked at me, while I shifted my gaze outside the window and spoke softly:

  "This marriage between the Tian and Jia families was originally intended as a reward for my uncles great service in pacifying the war with Qi and Yue last year. However, it seems that the Crown Prince has not yet married, while the third princes wedding is taking place before his. This breach of protocol has led others to speculate that the Emperor is showing favoritism towards the third prince. Perhaps this is indeed the case. But I must consider another possibility: the Emperor has begun to guard against the Mu Rong family, and this marriage was a necessary move under pressure, but he does not wish to see a daughter of the Mu Rong family marry the Crown Prince and gain power."

  "Why among many princes, is it specifically the third prince?" she asked.

  I smiled slightly: "Because everyone knows that the three palaces have the thickest holy aura, this time violating the rules, no one will suspect."

  Shu Yings face changed slightly: "He can sacrifice his sons happiness to guard against the Murong family, isnt he the one who dotes on San Gongzhu the most?"

  I smiled slightly, Tian Xins ninefold heart, who can really guess through. Coldness is not necessarily true coldness, favoritism may not be true favoritism either.

  Even if his grace is true, the imperial family of the heavenly house is the most unreliable, and for the sake of imperial power, nothing is not sacrificed.

  "If the Murong family were weak in the imperial court, I would have to think of ways to gain the emperors favor and help my family. But now that Father has already dominated the imperial court, a daughter of the Murong family cannot afford to add more favors and provoke jealousy. I turned to look at Shuying and spoke softly: "Why should we disrupt the balance that the Wang family has maintained for many years as soon as we arrive? Besides, Shuying, remember that what others let you see is always only what they want you to see, not the truth."

  She was stunned for half a day before speaking again: "No wonder Master and Mistress always praised Misss cleverness and kindness. From now on, whatever Miss says, Shuying will do."

  I suddenly remembered a question that Wei asked me on that moonlit night: why bother spending a lifetime with a family thats almost like strangers.

  I smiled faintly in my heart, even if the memories were all gone, but some things are deeply imprinted on the blood deep inside, and cannot be changed even by death.

  I still remember those days when I first returned to the mansion, my mother invited a palace matron to re-teach me etiquette, music theory and other matters.

  I had originally thought that I would live a carefree life like Mr. Su, but now having to learn these complicated etiquette rules is extremely frustrating.

  However, what I have shown is enough to make everyones eyes wide with wonder. A nanny once sighed to my mother that even the heavenly princess could not do better than this.

  I was surprised myself.

  That familiar feeling, no need to deliberately make an effort, just follow the bodys most natural reaction, and everything can be done flawlessly.

  So even without memory, I can know that I belong here.

  The past three years have been like a long, beautiful dream that has allowed me to recognize many people and things, no longer confined to just one chance encounter, and be able to face the world with greater clarity and calmness.

  However, the past has never been far away. The speculation and plotting of human hearts do not need to be spoken, as if I was born with an understanding of them. Those tedious etiquette seem like they have been done for a lifetime in just one dream.

  All it takes is for someone to gently mention it, and I wake up from my dream, returning to my previous life.