Hua Manman had finally, after so much trouble, found a new friend to go shopping with. But in the blink of an eye, Prince Zhao had the girl packed up and sent away.

This left her feeling extremely frustrated.

Fortunately, her foul mood didn’t last long before it was interrupted by a visitor.

Today, Princess Anshun had come personally to apologize to Prince Zhao and his wife.

"At Prince Zhao’s birthday banquet the other day, my husband, the Prince, got drunk and spouted nonsense. I hope Your Highness can be magnanimous and not hold it against him."

After speaking, Princess Anshun presented a carefully prepared gift.

As she was a female relative, it was improper for Li Ji to interact with her for too long. After a few words of small talk, he rose and departed.

Thus, the task of entertaining Princess Anshun fell to Hua Manman.

Princess Anshun was over ten years older than Hua Manman. Even with makeup, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes were still visible.

She looked at Hua Manman and sighed emotionally.

"Ah, it’s wonderful to be young. So fresh and dewy. Just looking at you brings joy to the heart."

’No wonder her husband was always thinking of adding new women to his harem. If she were in his shoes, she’d also prefer to look at young, delicate faces.’

Hua Manman smiled bashfully. "The weather is lovely today. Shall we take a stroll in the garden?"

Princess Anshun readily agreed.

It was now late autumn. Most of the leaves had fallen, and while the scenery wasn’t as lush and vibrant as in spring or summer, it possessed a unique charm of its own.

Princess Anshun was quite the conversationalist. As they strolled, she regaled Hua Manman with the latest amusing tales from Shangjing City.

Hua Manman listened with great relish.

Although she was a Princess Consort, Prince Zhao’s fearsome reputation was so intimidating that almost no one dared to visit them. As a result, she was never invited to gatherings of the noble ladies, which meant she missed out on a lot of good gossip.

Princess Anshun was very popular in the social circles of the nobility.

She knew a lot of gossip, which greatly satisfied Hua Manman’s curiosity as an eager spectator.

When the two of them grew tired from their walk, they rested in a small pavilion by the lake.

Seeing that Princess Consort Zhao was rather easy to get along with, Princess Anshun couldn’t resist asking about something that had piqued her curiosity.

"Some time ago, the Fifth Prince sent Prince Zhao a woman, surnamed Lan, I believe? I heard that Prince Zhao sent that Miss Lan away. Is that true?"

It wasn’t some unspeakable secret, so Hua Manman admitted it frankly.

"It’s true."

Princess Anshun couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up, praising her sincerely.

"I never would have guessed you were so resourceful! It’s only been two days, and you’ve already gotten rid of her without leaving a single trace."

Hua Manman was utterly baffled, a giant, invisible question mark floating over her head.

???

’What does that have to do with me?’

’It was obviously that husband of mine, Prince Zhao, who insisted on sending Miss Lan away! I didn’t do a single thing from start to finish!’

As if she’d found a kindred spirit, Princess Anshun took Hua Manman’s hand and spoke in a confidential, heartfelt tone.

"Everyone says that we, as main wives, must be magnanimous. Even if our husbands raise a whole flock of concubines, we’re expected to accept it all. Otherwise, we’re just branded as jealous."

"Honestly, I can’t stand hearing that."

"Why is it that men can have three wives and four concubines, while we women must adhere to the Three Obediences and Four Virtues? It’s not fair!"

"I think what you did was brilliant."

"You have to keep it up and never give those vixens out there a chance to set foot in your home."

By the end of her speech, she radiated the spirit of someone fighting a common enemy.

Hua Manman was completely stunned.

’Princess Anshun’s words made a lot of sense, but she really wasn’t the one who got rid of Miss Lan!’

’She was being framed!’

Hua Manman tried to explain, "The business with Miss Lan had nothing to do with me—"

Princess Anshun patted the back of her hand and gave her a knowing smile that said, ’I get it.’

"Yes, yes, I understand. It had nothing to do with you. You didn’t do a thing."

Hua Manman: "..."

’Damn it, now she’ll never believe me!’

Princess Anshun felt that although the young Princess Consort Zhao was a bit young, she was strong-willed. More importantly, her temperament was exactly to her liking. She was someone worth befriending, so she extended an invitation.

"Sui Chun Garden is staging a new play. Shall we go see it together tomorrow?"

Hua Manman nodded without hesitation. "Yes!"

’She didn’t actually understand opera, but that didn’t matter. Even just sitting in a theater drinking tea was better than being stuck in the study for lessons.’

’She gloated inwardly. She’d successfully found another excuse to skip her lessons.’

Princess Anshun had no idea she was being used as an excuse to skip class. She was still feeling pleased with the Princess Consort’s decisiveness.

’As expected of someone I get along with! So decisive in everything she says and does!’

After seeing Princess Anshun off, a gleeful Hua Manman went to ask Prince Zhao for a day off.

Li Ji stared at her. "You’re going to Sui Chun Garden tomorrow to see a play?"

Hua Manman put on an innocent act.

"It’s not that I’m trying to run out and have fun. It’s just that Princess Anshun was so insistent. She absolutely had to invite me to the play, and it would have been rude to refuse such a warm invitation, so I reluctantly agreed."

Li Ji saw right through her little scheme.

He sneered. "Since you were so reluctant, there’s no need to force yourself. I’ll send someone to Prince Anshun Mansion right now and tell them you’re busy tomorrow and won’t be able to attend."

Hua Manman panicked instantly and pleaded tearfully.

"Your Highness, you can’t do that!"

Li Ji’s gaze was icy. "Weren’t you reluctant?"

No longer daring to keep up the act, Hua Manman lowered her head in defeat.

"Actually... I wasn’t reluctant in the slightest."

Li Ji leaned back and said in a relaxed tone, "I can give you the day off."

Her expression immediately turned from tearful to joyous. "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Li Ji immediately added, "But when you return, you are to write a review of the play and submit it to me for review."

Hua Manman froze. "A review?"

Li Ji said, "A review of the play, naturally."

’She knew little kids had to write reports after a school trip, but she’d never heard of anyone having to write a review after watching a play! That’s just... that’s completely insane!’

But she had no other choice and could only agree sullenly.

"Fine."

Early the next morning, Hua Manman set out in her carriage.

’Skipping lessons out in the open feels amazing!’

’Too bad there was still that review to write.’

’The amazing feeling was cut in half.’

Sui Chun Garden was a famous theater in Shangjing City, and every day, a constant stream of patrons paid to come and enjoy the performances.

Princess Anshun appeared to be a regular. She was very familiar with the layout, leading Hua Manman to the second floor with practiced ease and into one of the private rooms.

It was Hua Manman’s first time in a place like this, and she found everything novel and fascinating.

Princess Anshun handed the playbill to Hua Manman.

"Take a look and see what you’d like to hear."

Hua Manman knew nothing about opera, so she just waved her hand. "You choose. I’m fine with anything."

So, Princess Anshun casually selected two pieces.

A moment later, two actresses in elegant blue costumes entered, followed by several musicians carrying instruments.

Hua Manman truly couldn’t understand the opera. After listening for a little while, her mind began to wander. ’How am I going to write that review when I get back?’

Princess Anshun leaned over. "What are you thinking about? How can you zone out during a performance?"

Hua Manman whispered.

"I have to write a review of the play, but my writing is terrible. Could you help me brainstorm a little?"

Princess Anshun, ever the loyal friend, replied, "Of course!"