Early the next morning, I was still thinking about the nightmare during breakfast. I was lost in thought when Qiu He came running over joyfully, holding an invitation in her hand.

“Miss, Miss! The crown prince is back from his training! He’s holding a feast at the Eastern Palace today and says he has an important announcement to make. Finish your meal quickly, and we’ll head over!”

As she spoke, a bad feeling crept into my heart. Yuan Sheng had returned a month earlier than scheduled.

When we arrived at the Eastern Palace, most of the guests were already seated. I lifted my foot to walk toward the crown prince, but suddenly froze—there she was, the woman from my dream. The future wife of Yuan Sheng.

The crown prince, who had been chatting with others, saw me and smiled as he walked over, pulling the woman beside him along.

“Wanning, this is Su Wan. She saved me when I was injured during my training. Thanks to her help, I was able to come back early.”

Then, Su Wan stepped forward and nodded slightly at me. Only then did I get a good look at her—she was indeed beautiful, with an innocent and charming appearance.

“How rude! Why don’t you bow when you see our young lady? What kind of attitude is this?” Qiu He snapped.

Yuan Sheng frowned. “Wanning, what are you doing? Wanwan grew up in the mountains and just arrived in the capital. She doesn’t know these rules—don’t make things difficult for her.”

Qiu He was about to argue further, but I gently held her hand and shook my head. Reluctantly, she stepped back behind me.

[Ahhh, Su Wan is such a good actress—total white lotus!]

[The crown prince is no good either, defending the white lotus like that! Where does he put his fiancée? Look at Su Wan’s smug little face!]

The voices came again. I glanced up at Su Wan, and sure enough, there was undisguised pride in her eyes. Well, then I’ll make her squirm a little.

“A Sheng, you’re right—I didn’t think it through. Since Miss Su isn’t familiar with the capital’s customs, I’ll invite my best teachers to teach her. We can’t have people laughing at the Eastern Palace.”

A look of guilt crossed Yuan Sheng’s face.

“A Ning, I spoke too harshly just now. I was in a hurry. It’s a good idea to teach Wanwan—your teachers are the best in the capital.”

Su Wan looked stunned, as if she hadn’t expected me to be so “generous.”

“No need to trouble you, sister. I can learn from the crown prince since I’m with him, or from his personal servants. That’s just as good.”

She gave me a pretentiously gentle smile. Was she afraid I’d spy on her? Or that I’d be jealous? Please—my teachers are far too good for her.