In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

"She is a secret guard trained by Liuying Pavilion. Her martial arts skills are quite good. Let her be your personal bodyguard."

Xie Yige quickly helped Erjiu up, her big eyes filled with curiosity: "Is Erjiu your name?"

"No," the woman in black said calmly, "it's my code name. I don't have a name."

Looking at her calm face, Xie Yige suddenly felt a surge of inexplicable pity.

"How about I give you a name?"

The woman looked up and saw Xie Yige smiling at her, which seemed to brighten the room. She paused for a moment, then nodded gently.

"I already have Bichun by my side." Xie Yige thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "Then how about you be called Zhixia?"

Zhi Xia.

Upon hearing this name, Erjiu felt a pang of sadness for some reason. It was as if a ray of sunshine had finally pierced through her years of wandering, warming her cold heart.

"Zhi Xia greets the young master." She bowed again solemnly, even more reverently than before.

"Zhixia, from now on you should just call me 'Miss' like Bichun," Shiqi Niang added from the side. "You should also dress similarly to Bichun, that way it'll be safer."

"Yes."

After speaking, Seventeen stood up and waved non-existent dust off her skirt: "Young mistress, I should go."

With a quick glance, she spotted the black cloak lying on Xie Yige's bed, which was covered by the blanket. She smiled meaningfully, then turned and left the Zhou residence.

Xie Yige followed her gaze, feeling somewhat guilty. Only after Seventeen's figure disappeared outside the courtyard gate did she walk over, pick up the black cloak, and drape it over herself.

Her petite figure was instantly enveloped by that familiar, cool sandalwood scent, as if he were still beside her.

She seems to have three of his black cloaks already, but why are they all the same color and style?

"How incredibly boring," she muttered under her breath, but a faint smile played on her lips.

The next morning, Xie Yige took Bichun and Zhixia out the door.

"Bichun, Zhixia, let's go to Xizi Silk Shop today."

When Thirteen Sister heard that Xie Yige was coming, she waited for her early. As soon as Xie Yige entered the door, she took her hand and looked her over carefully. Her gaze fell on the mark on Xie Yige's forehead that had faded a lot. She then turned Xie Yige's wrist over and saw the faint marks from the straps. Her eyes were filled with heartache.

"Last night, the neighbor sent you over a rare secret medicine from the palace called 'Healing Cream'." Thirteen Sister took out an exquisite porcelain bottle from her sleeve. "Let me apply it for you first."

"Next door?" Xie Yige was taken aback. "Mr. Cui from the Ink Treasure Pavilion? Why would he be sending me medicine? Have you two made up?"

Her big eyes were full of confusion, and she suddenly asked a series of questions.

As Thirteen Sister gently applied the ointment to her wrist, she replied with a smile, "He's just a tool. Can't you guess who sent it, young master?"

Xie Yige blushed slightly, looked down at the small porcelain bottle, gently held it with her fingertips, and stroked the smooth bottle with her thumb.

Her eyes shone brightly.

"I've found the fabric you wanted." Thirteen Sister put down the ointment, turned around and took out several bolts of brocade from the cabinet, spreading them on the table. "Take a look and see if it suits your taste. It's the sky-blue brocade that your husband often uses." She raised an eyebrow and teased.

Xie Yige stepped forward and gently stroked the texture of the brocade. It felt delicate and had a warm luster, just the sky blue he often wore. However, the material seemed a bit thin, and with the spring chill still lingering, it must be quite cold inside the examination hall.

"Do you have any good quality fox fur?" she asked. "I need to sew a removable lining to keep it warm. Also, I need three bundles of bright yellow silk thread."

Thirteen Sister noted everything down and turned to prepare. As she searched, she sighed softly, feeling a sense of melancholy, as if her beautiful cabbage was about to be trampled by something.

Before long, Xie Yige returned home happily with her spoils.

As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the Zhou residence, she saw her sister-in-law, Xie Wanrou, pacing anxiously back and forth at the door.

"Sister-in-law?" Xie Yige got off the carriage and went to greet her.

Xie Wanrou grabbed her hand, which was icy cold to the touch, and said in a low voice, "Yige, the princess's residence has sent someone over, and they are waiting in the front hall."

Xie Yige frowned slightly as she followed her sister-in-law into the front hall.

Standing in the hall was an exceptionally well-dressed matron, followed by a palace maid carrying a brocade box. When Xie Yige entered, the matron glanced at her, gave a slight nod, and offered her a greeting.

"Thank you, Madam," the nanny said, her voice neither humble nor arrogant. "Her Highness the Princess invites you to visit her residence tomorrow. This is the invitation."

As she spoke, she handed over a gorgeous printed invitation.

Xie Yige's heart sank. She took the invitation and glanced at it. The handwriting was neat and the wording polite; it was indeed a formal invitation. But after that brush with death, she felt only deep apprehension towards the princess's residence.

"Did Your Highness say what it was about?" she asked, looking up and trying to keep her voice calm.

"This old servant does not know," the old woman said, her expression unchanged. "But Madam Xie need not worry, just go to the banquet in peace."

As she spoke, she gestured for the palace maid behind her to step forward and present the brocade box: "This is a set of gold jewelry bestowed upon you by Her Highness the Princess. Please accept it carefully."

Xie Yige and Xie Wanrou exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Just a few days ago, Princess Yuzhen was threatening to kill them, so why are she now sending invitations and bestowing gifts?

She suppressed her doubts, accepted the brocade box, and bowed in gratitude, saying, "Thank you for the gift, Your Highness."

The old woman nodded, said no more, and turned to leave with her maid.

After the old woman had walked away, Xie Yige opened the brocade box.

The moment the brocade box was opened, the room was filled with brilliance.

Inside lay a complete set of "Butterfly Dance in Gilded Colors" headdress—a "twin butterfly" hairpin, a pair of butterfly hair ornaments made of red gold, each butterfly lifelike with wings as thin as cicada wings, as if they might take flight at any moment. The craftsmanship was extremely exquisite, using the finest "hammering" and "openwork" techniques, presenting a translucent and light texture, with even the veins on the wings clearly visible.

Both Xie Yige and Xie Wanrou were amazed by the exquisite beauty of the headdress.

"Sister-in-law," Xie Yige couldn't help but ask, "Princess Yuzhen... what does this mean?"

Xie Wanrou stared at the headdress for a long time, then slowly shook her head: "It seems there's no ill intent. However, you still must be careful when you go to the princess's residence tomorrow."

Xie Yige nodded solemnly and closed the brocade box.

Her fingertips gently traced the gold lettering on the invitation, a vague premonition rising in her heart—tomorrow's trip to the princess's residence would definitely not be as simple as just drinking tea and catching up.