A short night is hard to please! A stunningly handsome prince dotes on her exclusively.

Yuan Huaixuan nodded slightly and said calmly, "I haven't seen Xue'er for three years, and she seems to cry a lot more now."

Her cheeks instantly turned bright red. She had only heard the palace servants say that her mother and her brother were in the Imperial Garden, but no one mentioned that her brother Xuan was with them. She had always been afraid of this cold and aloof brother. After not seeing him for many years, she had given him the impression that he was a crybaby. What should she do?

“Brother Xuanhuang, Xue’er… Xue’er doesn’t cry very often.”

Yuan Huaixue stammered as she explained, which only elicited a soft laugh from Xin Mingwan.

"Hehehe~ Xue'er, quickly wipe your tears. You siblings haven't seen each other for many years. Don't always cry every time you meet. And those girls downstairs, whose young ladies are they? Get up!"

Xin Mingwan raised her hand in front of her, gesturing for them to stand up and talk.

"Xue'er, sit down and tell your mother what happened just now."

Yuan Huaixue was pulled down to sit by her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that her brother Xuanhuang was still as aloof and noble as she remembered, untouched by worldly affairs, but still extremely indifferent, which made her subconsciously shrink her neck.

Yuan Huaiyu, growing impatient, urged, "Xue'er, just say it!"

"I……"

Pulling her thoughts back to Emperor Xuan, she suddenly remembered the scene of Hua Buyu clinging to Brother Ling earlier. She immediately pouted and said aggrievedly, "Mother, Emperor, Xin Moyan brought a woman of unknown origin into the palace. That woman was extremely rude and unreasonable. Xue'er only asked her identity once, but she dared to yell at me. Everyone present can testify to this."

Yuan Huaiyu's eyelids twitched. He had met Hua Buyu once at Yunxiang Tower that day and knew that the woman was bold and outspoken. He didn't expect her to dare to yell at the princess of the dynasty. However, he had witnessed her savagery and knew that she was not someone to be trifled with.

Seeing that everyone present remained silent, Yuan Huaixue continued, "And... that woman not only lacked manners, but was also shameless, she..."

Yuan Huaixue blushed instantly, unsure of what to say.

"What about her?"

Yuan Huaiyu blinked curiously. Why did Xue'er have that expression?

It was the same woman who had changed so drastically. Seeing that Yuan Huaixue couldn't speak for a long time, she quickly stepped forward and explained enthusiastically, "Your Highness, you don't know, but that commoner woman is truly shameless. When she saw the General come to see Princess Danhua, she actually pressed her whole body against the General in front of everyone... Not only were her words frivolous and lewd, but she also pulled and harassed the General in front of the entire palace. This is truly an attempt to tarnish the General's reputation and defile the palace!"

As Yuan Huaixue listened to the woman's accusations, her eyes were filled with resentment and jealousy that almost spilled out. She bit her lower lip tightly, determined to teach that woman a lesson!

"Oh? Little Six, did that person just say he was silent?"

Xin Mingwan drew out her words, her face full of disapproval. She didn't say anything, but she was happy to see the child. The only thing she needed to worry about in the palace now was the marriage of these children. Ling'er was already twenty-three years old and didn't even have a marriage partner, which really gave her a headache. If she had a confidant by her side, what would it matter if she was a commoner?

“Exactly! It must be that Hua Buyu. Xue’er, that’s just Hua Buyu’s personality. He’s frank and straightforward, and his actions are unrestrained. It’s normal for him to have occasional contact with Cousin A Ling. You don’t need to be so angry.”

"Brother, this was no mere chance contact! You didn't even see what disgusting scene just now!"

Yuan Huaixue angrily accused him, saying that it was the first time she had seen Brother Ling not reject other women, and even allowed that woman to hug him so tightly!

"Xue'er, you and I know Cousin A-Ling's temperament well. Apart from his close relationship with Cousin Mo Yan, he is almost never seen getting close to any other woman. Don't take it too seriously."

She opened her eyes wide, looking at Yuan Huaiyu with a wronged expression, and choked out, "Sixth brother, you've changed. Didn't you used to love Xue'er the most? How come from just now until now, you've been speaking up for those two, every word you say is to protect them? Does it mean that after Xin Moyan became beautiful, even Mother and brother don't love Xue'er anymore? Waaaaah~"

After saying that, she started crying again, and no one could stop her.

"Sixth Brother has no such intention. Xue'er is still our most beloved little sister. However, there should be a reason for everything!"

"Waaaaah~ Sixth Brother, you used to be the most unreasonable person, but now you've started to reason! Waaaaah~ You've changed, Sixth Brother~"

"..."

Yuan Huaiyu licked his lips awkwardly. Was it wrong to start reasoning?

Before long, Xin Moling led the two of them out of the pavilion, followed by Lou Shenghan.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, the General, Princess Danhua, and Prime Minister Lou request an audience."

Xin Mingwan was at her wits' end with Yuan Huaixue's crying when she heard that the group was requesting an audience, so she quickly beckoned them in.

When Yuan Huaixue heard Xin Moling arrive, she stopped crying, though her eyes were red and swollen.

"Mo Ling greets the Empress Dowager, my aunt!"

"Yan'er greets the Empress Dowager, my aunt!"

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager without saying a word!"

"Shenghan greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"

"No need for formalities! You lot, come here quickly."

Seeing that the children were all extraordinary and in the prime of their lives, she was overjoyed. She quickly waved to them, signaling Xin Moyan and Hua Buyu to sit down in front of her. The young ladies from noble families who had been following Yuan Huaixue were inevitably squeezed out of the pavilion to wait.

Before the Empress Dowager could speak, Lou Shenghan said in a glib tongue, "Your Majesty, I wish you a long and healthy life, like the evergreen pine and cypress!"

"Good! Hahaha~ I love hearing what Shenghan says."

"Hehe~ The most important thing is that the Empress Dowager is in a good mood."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lou Shenghan glanced at Yuan Huaixue beside the Empress Dowager and, not one to miss a good show, said, "Oh! Isn't this Princess Jia'en? Why are your eyes so red and swollen? Did you catch a chill and get dusty? Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, and there are many guests coming and going. You should be dressed in your finest attire. Why do you look so pale? Someone, quickly summon the imperial physician to take a look!"

Yuan Huaixue's face flushed instantly, and she stammered, "No... there's no need to summon the imperial physician."

"That won't do. The princess is of noble birth, and her eyes look so serious. We must summon the imperial physician to take a good look at them."

Everyone could tell that Lou Shenghan was teasing Yuan Huaixue, so they all suppressed their laughter and remained silent.

"Prime Minister Lou... this princess does not need to see the imperial physician."

The corners of his mouth still held that nonchalant smile, and the corners of his eyes were slightly upturned. Suddenly, he glanced at Yuan Huaiyu's side and became interested.

"Eh? Isn't this His Highness Prince Xuan? I, Shenghan, was momentarily blind and rude. I hope Your Highness will forgive me!"