Yuelan followed Guangfeng’s suggestion and had Shadow look into the situation with Laurel’s family, but he reported back that everything seemed normal. Since that was the case, Yuelan set her worries to the side for the time being and focused on studying the anatomy books so she could learn healing.

As Yuelan was taking a break a few days after Guangfeng had delivered the betrothal gifts, Zhou Xiuya and Zhao Hanju came to visit. Neither had seen Yuelan in some time, so they came to invite Yuelan to go out shopping with them. Because it had been a while since she’d spent time with friends and she needed a break from her studies, Yuelan agreed. The three girls and their maids climbed into Yuelan’s carriage and headed for the shopping district.

“Yuelan, you’ve been neglecting us!” Zhao Hanju complained in a teasing tone. “And you got engaged without even saying a word!” Her bottom lip stuck out in a pout, but the corners of her lips were doing their best to curve up into a smile and her eyes glittered with mischief. “You always complained about his highness the third prince before. What changed your mind?” She lifted a teacup to her lips and took a sip before setting it back down on the table in the middle of the carriage.

“I had to pick somebody,” Yuelan replied, her cheeks turning pink. She took a sip from her own teacup and grimaced. “And it definitely couldn’t be the first prince. I don’t like being treated like an object or decoration. At least the third prince treats me like a person with thoughts and feelings. And he seems to genuinely want to do things for the people.”

“What about the other princes?” Zhou Xiuya asked curiously as she nibbled on a pastry.

Yuelan shrugged. “They either said they weren’t interested in the throne or...well, you two know the situations of the fifth and sixth princes already.”

The three girls’ expressions became solemn and Xiuya and Hanju nodded.

“I thought the second prince was interested in the throne though?” Xiuya’s voice lifted up at the end, turning the statement into a question.

Yuelan giggled and gave Xiuya a mischievous look. “Oh, he decided he was more interested in a certain girl than becoming the crown prince once the third prince started showing he was serious. I think it won’t be long before he gets engaged too…”

Hanju looked over at Xiuya and grinned, nudging the right prime minister’s daughter with her shoulder. “Looks like maybe you stand a chance after all, Xiuya,” she teased. “Haven’t you been pining for him for two years now?”

Xiuya’s cheeks reddened and she stuffed a pastry into Hanju’s mouth. “I think you’re too hungry to properly consider your words, Hanju,” she declared. “There isn’t anything between me and any of the princes.”

“You sure?” Yuelan continued the teasing. “He didn’t specify, but I’ve heard he’s been sending gifts to your family lately.”

Hanju’s mouth was full of pastry, but she covered her mouth with her hand and giggled, nodding her head to confirm Yuelan’s statement.

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Xiuya tried to take a sip of tea, but ended up choking on it instead and Yuelan moved over to rub her back. “Are you trying to be a fish?” Yuelan teased. “But even fish can’t breathe tea!”

The right prime minister’s daughter pretended to glare at Yuelan and playfully shoved at her. “Of course I’m not being a fish!” she protested once she had stopped coughing.

The carriage pulled to a stop outside Eight Treasures Shop, the accessory shop owned by Guangfeng and the teasing stopped for the time being as the three girls got out and went into the shop.

“The mid-autumn festival is coming soon,” Hanju reminded the other two girls. “We should order some accessories while we’re here!”

Yuelan considered the suggestion, then remembered the fire opal accessory set that Guangfeng had given her before. “I have one I think I’m going to wear already,” she replied. “But I can help you two decide what to order.

“Was yours a gift from His Highness?” Xiuya teased. It seemed she wanted to take revenge for the teasing she’d received in the carriage.

Yuelan’s cheeks turned pink as she nodded. “Yes. It belonged to his mother. It’s very beautiful. I’m not sure what to wear with it, though.”

“Ooh! Let us help with that after you help us with choosing our accessories!” Hanju volunteered. “What’s it made out of?”

“Gold and fire opals,” Yuelan answered. “I considered wearing something red, but wouldn’t that be too ostentatious?”

“I don’t think so at all,” Xiuya disagreed. “You’d look very pretty in red. Besides, you’re a future princess now. It’s definitely appropriate for you to wear.”

One of the shop employees noticed them at that moment and quickly hurried over, offering a deep bow. “Miss Long, Miss Zhao, and Miss Zhou, welcome. Would you like me to take you upstairs for a look?” The employee was a young woman and she gave Yuelan a pleasant smile. “Miss Long, his highness the third prince is upstairs as well.”

Yuelan blushed. “What is he doing here?” she wondered.

Xiuya giggled and nudged Yuelan’s shoulder. “Probably looking for more presents for you,” she teased before turning to the employee. “Thank you. We would like to go upstairs. We’d also like to order some accessories. Would that be possible?”

“Of course. Please follow me.” The young woman bowed and led them up a set of stairs to an area where access was limited to the misses and madams of the most influential families. “Should I show you to His Highness?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Yuelan hastily denied. “I’m here with my friends today, not to search for the third prince.”

“I’ll bet my butterfly hairpin that he comes to find us,” Hanju whispered to Xiuya.

Xiuya rolled her eyes and shoved at Hanju’s shoulder. “Why would I bet against a sure thing?” she grumbled. “Of course he’ll come looking. The whole capital knows they just got engaged!”

Yuelan’s cheeks burned. “I can hear you two,” she reminded them as she started looking through the available accessories. “What kinds of things do you two like? Have you already decided what to wear to the banquet?”

The employee who had led them to the upper floor bowed and excused herself to return downstairs to assist more customers, allowing the trio to start browsing. Hanju and Xiuya cheerfully chatted with Yuelan about what they were going to wear and what stones they liked.

Within five minutes, Hanju and Xiuya noticed the third prince was standing not far away and watching them, though neither said anything to Yuelan, who seemed content to stay focused on the accessories in the shop until her focus was interrupted by the voice of a young woman speaking in a rather rude tone.