After the divorce, I was adorned in a phoenix robe, while my ex-husband's entire family dug up

At night, Pei Yi was writing at his desk, while Wei Zhaoning sat opposite him embroidering a handkerchief. The candlelight flickered, casting their shadows onto the wall.

"Is it finished?" She leaned closer to look. Her name was written on the paper: Wei Zhaoning. The pen was sharp yet gentle.

"Do you like it?" He handed her the words.

"I like it." She smiled and put the calligraphy away. "I'm going to frame it and hang it in my room."

Pei Yi hugged her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head: "Let's go for a spring outing in the countryside when spring comes."

"Okay." She turned around and hugged his waist. "Let's bring the tent and the stove, and have a barbecue outside."

"I'll do whatever you say." He kissed her forehead. "As long as you're happy."

Their hearts pounded. They realized that a peaceful and happy life was so simple. They wished it could be like this forever.

The palace was unusually quiet in the early morning. Wei Zhaoning had just finished washing up when she heard the voice of Prince Rong, Pei Quan, coming from the outer room.

"Sister-in-law, is breakfast ready? I'm going to the horse farm outside the city today."

She stepped out of the room and saw Pei Quan dressed in a smart outfit, a sword at his waist, looking very spirited. The Seventh Princess sat on a stone bench to the side, engrossed in reading a military treatise.

It actually looks quite convincing; the impetuous little boy has suddenly become capable of handling things on his own.

If Prince Rong were to marry, he would be a very reliable man. He might even be more dependable than the prince himself. Considering his current age, he's old enough to be considered a suitable match.

"Breakfast has just been served, eat first before you go," Wei Zhaoning said with a smile. "It's windy outside, remember to wear an extra layer."

Pei Quan nodded and strode into the dining hall. The Seventh Princess put down her military treatise and followed him in: "I'll go to the horse farm with you too, it'll be good to stretch my muscles."

Pei Yi came out of the study and happened to hear this. He frowned and said, "There are too many people and too many eyes at the horse farm. You are a princess. Don't go and join in the fun."

"Brother, I'm an adult now, not a child anymore," the Seventh Princess retorted. "Besides, with Pei Quan by my side, what could possibly happen?"

Before Pei Yi could say anything more, Wei Zhaoning tugged at his sleeve: "Let them go. Pei Quan knows how to behave."

He glanced at Wei Zhaoning, and finally relented: "Go early and come back early, don't linger outside."

At the breakfast table, Pei Quan wolfed down his steamed buns, while the Seventh Princess ate slowly and deliberately, occasionally serving Wei Zhaoning some food.

"Sister-in-law, try this red bean bun; it's sweeter than the last one."

Wei Zhaoning took a bite; it was indeed sweet but not cloying. She smiled and nodded, "Delicious."

Pei Yi looked at her and put an egg from his bowl on her plate: "Eat more, it'll help you recover."

After the meal, Pei Quan and the Seventh Princess set off. Wei Zhaoning sat on the veranda, watching their carriage drive away, and turned to Pei Yi, saying, "The princess and Pei Quan have such a good relationship."

"We grew up together, so we're naturally close." Pei Yi sat down beside her, picked up the embroidered handkerchief from her hand, and asked, "Are you still embroidering this?"

"Hmm, embroider a sword tassel for Pei Quan; he lost his last one." Wei Zhaoning continued embroidering. "The princess said she wanted a sachet, so I made one for her too."

Pei Yi laughed: "You seem to care about them quite a bit."

"They are my family too," she said, looking up at him. "Just like you."

In the afternoon, Wei Zhaoning was making sachets in her room when the Seventh Princess suddenly returned, looking rather unwell.

"Why are you back? Didn't you go to the horse farm?" Wei Zhaoning put down her needlework and poured her a cup of tea.

The Seventh Princess took a sip of tea, frowned, and said, "Don't even mention it. I ran into a few clueless people and got into a conflict with Pei Quan."

"Are you alright?" Wei Zhaoning asked quickly.

"No, Pei Quan taught them a lesson." The Seventh Princess pouted. "I just felt it was bad luck and didn't want to play anymore."

Wei Zhaoning patted her back: "Don't be angry. I made you a sachet. See if you like it."

She took out a freshly made sachet, embroidered with lotus scrolls, its fragrance delicate and elegant. The Seventh Princess's eyes lit up, and she took the sachet, tying it around her waist: "It's so beautiful, thank you, sister-in-law."

Just then, Pei Quan returned, his clothes covered in dust. Wei Zhaoning asked a maid to fetch water for him to wash his face and handed him a clean handkerchief.

"Did those people give you any trouble?"

"No, they're just a bunch of spoiled brats. A good lesson will teach them a lesson." Pei Quan wiped his face. "Sister-in-law, where's my sword tassel?"

"It's not finished yet. I'll send it to you when it's done," Wei Zhaoning said with a smile.

In the evening, Pei Yi returned from the palace and heard about the horse farm incident as soon as he entered the residence. He frowned and found Pei Quan: "Next time you encounter something like this, don't take action. Come back and tell me."

"I understand, brother." Pei Quan lowered his head. "I just can't stand them bullying people."

Wei Zhaoning came over and came to Pei Quan's rescue: "Alright, Pei Quan was just protecting the princess, he didn't do anything wrong."

Pei Yi glanced at her, his tone softening slightly: "Be mindful of your behavior in the future, and don't cause trouble for the Prince's Mansion."

For dinner, the kitchen prepared Wei Zhaoning's favorite spicy hot pot, Pei Quan's favorite braised beef, and the Seventh Princess's favorite sweet and sour pork ribs.

Pei Yi picked up a piece of tripe for Wei Zhaoning and rinsed it for her: "Eat slowly, don't burn yourself."

The Seventh Princess looked at them and said with a smile, "Brother, you're so good to your sister-in-law, protecting her like this every day."

Pei Yi laughed: "If I don't protect her, who else should I protect?"

Wei Zhaoning blushed, picked up a piece of pork rib and put it into the Seventh Princess's bowl: "Eat yours."

After the meal, the four sat in the warm pavilion by the fire. Pei Quan talked about the harvest outside the city, while the Seventh Princess recounted interesting stories from the palace. Wei Zhaoning occasionally chimed in, and Pei Yi sat quietly to the side, refilling Wei Zhaoning's teacups from time to time.

"Sister-in-law, is there a sequel to that story you told me about last time?" the Seventh Princess asked.

"Yes, I had someone find it for you, and I'll bring it to you later," Wei Zhaoning said.

Pei Quan also chimed in, "I want to see too."

"What are you doing reading storybooks, you grown man?" The Seventh Princess rolled her eyes at him.

"Why can't I watch it? My sister-in-law recommended it, it must be good." Pei Quan retorted.

Wei Zhaoning smiled and said, "We have them all. I'll have someone find another copy."

As night deepened, the Seventh Princess and Pei Quan returned to their room to rest. Wei Zhaoning leaned against Pei Yi's chest, gazing at the moonlight outside the window: "It was quite lively today."

"I'm glad you're happy." Pei Yi pinched her waist. "Are you tired?"

"A little." She snuggled closer to him, "but I'm very happy."

Pei Yi kissed her forehead: "As long as you're happy, I'll make you this happy every day from now on."

The next morning, Wei Zhaoning had just gotten up when she saw Pei Quan practicing his sword in the courtyard. His movements were swift and his sword aura was sharp, dazzling to behold.

The Seventh Princess stood under the eaves, holding a sword tassel in her hand, and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, how do you think Pei Quan's training is going?"

"Very good, you're getting better and better." Wei Zhaoning walked over and handed her the sword tassel. "Take this to Pei Quan."