Changle Street!

All eyes turned toward the luxurious carriage.

“That looks like… a carriage from Princess Pingyang’s residence!”

Someone recognized the emblem on the carriage. It was clearly custom-built—exceptionally wide, exuding luxury tinged with nobility.

Ahead of the carriage, four towering white horses pulled in unison, flanked by riders clearing the way—a grand spectacle.

“Why would Princess Pingyang come here? Could it be for…”

The realization hit quickly: today was the opening of the Heavenly Residence. The crowd was momentarily dazed. For even Princess Pingyang to attend—what kind of figure backed this place?

Inside the carriage!

“Princess, it’s just a restaurant opening. Given your status, sending a representative would suffice—why come in person?”

A white-clad maid spoke to the stunningly voluptuous Princess Pingyang.

“This Xia Chen, by relation, is my niece’s husband. Now that he’s taken charge of the Lamplighters—and who knows, my imperial brother might one day entrust the entire organization to him—we ought to give him this courtesy!”

Princess Pingyang’s captivating eyes sparkled with charm as she chuckled softly. She appeared no older than twenty-six or twenty-seven, ripe as a honeyed peach.

“I’ve met him once, come to think of it. That day at White Moon Tower, watching a play, he intervened to apprehend the Inspection and Supervision Court. I witnessed the unraveling of the Military Defense Map case. Who’d have thought, in just one or two months, he’d rise so swiftly!”

Her gaze shimmered as her warm, melodic voice carried a mature allure.

As she spoke, her mind drifted back to that day at White Moon Tower, picturing Xia Chen in action.

Princess Pingyang typically shunned bloodshed, yet the image of Xia Chen fighting, blood-stained, lingered in her thoughts.

“They say he’s a poet, like a scholar—but that day, he seemed more a rough martial brute… a rather handsome one, at that!”

Her mind wandered chaotically until the carriage slowed to a stop.

“Princess, we’ve arrived!”

As Princess Pingyang stepped out, her eyes fell on a striking young man standing before a grand building. It rose majestically, exuding style and refinement. Above the first floor, a plaque bore the bold, evocative words “Heavenly Residence”—powerful and poetic!

“Greetings, Princess!”

Xia Chen stood at the forefront, flanked by Shen Xueyan and others.

Seeing Princess Pingyang alight, he stepped forward with a warm smile and a bow.

“I never imagined Your Highness would grace us personally—truly, you bring luster to this humble place.”

He’d received word the moment she entered Changle Street—otherwise, he wouldn’t have come out to greet other distinguished guests himself.

“We’re family, after all. With you opening a restaurant, how could I not come support you?”

Princess Pingyang’s gaze lingered briefly on Xia Chen’s handsome face before she smiled brightly.

“Besides, I heard your invitation mentioned something special—I had to see it for myself!”

“For the Princess to attend is my honor as your humble servant. I’ve indeed acquired a little something—please, Your Highness, sample it later!”

Xia Chen smiled, personally leading Princess Pingyang inside.

“I urge you to drink one more cup of wine, and together we’ll melt away the sorrows of ages past!”

As Princess Pingyang ascended the steps to the Heavenly Residence’s entrance, her eyes were drawn to the couplet flanking the doors.

“Did you write these?”

Her radiant eyes sparkled as she fixed them on Xia Chen.

“Indeed, your humble servant did!” Xia Chen nodded with a smile.

“Exquisitely crafted—the final line brims with bold grandeur. To elevate drinking to something so refined and free—it’s intriguing. So, the Heavenly Residence’s claim to fame must be its wine?”

Clad in a flowing red gown, Princess Pingyang radiated mature elegance, while Xia Chen stood beside her, composed and at ease—a picture of striking beauty.

“Your Highness is perceptive. The Heavenly Residence indeed prides itself on fine wine!”

“I’ve tasted many a good vintage—palace imperial wines included, which I drink often. My palate’s quite refined!”

Princess Pingyang’s smile was radiant, her eyes like pools of spring water, blooming like peach blossoms. Born with such natural allure, rumors claimed she possessed an innate grace—yet, oddly, no scandals ever touched her name, and she remained unmarried.

Her white-clad maid, however, knew well: for the sake of dignity, the Princess hadn’t smiled so freely in public for years.

Today, she was all joy and laughter!

“Then let Your Highness experience my wine shortly!”

Xia Chen chuckled lightly. Today, his demeanor was gentle as jade, devoid of the fierce aura he’d shown at White Moon Tower.

The contrast intrigued Princess Pingyang.

“That day, he was fierce—yet carried a certain masculine valor. Today, gentle as jade, he’s like a noble young lord, dashing and refined!”

She mused silently.

“I hear your Heavenly Residence is ingeniously designed, with seven floors. Given my status, which floor might I ascend?”

Entering the grand hall, Princess Pingyang turned with a smile to ask Xia Chen.

Meeting her enchanting gaze, Xia Chen replied naturally.

“The sixth floor!”

“Outrageous! My Princess, relegated to the sixth floor?”

Before Princess Pingyang could respond, her white-clad maid cried out indignantly.

Princess Pingyang was no ordinary royal. Over the past decade, with Emperor Wen’s tacit approval, she’d meddled in court affairs, wielding considerable influence through her own faction—the so-called “Pingyang Clique.”

Coupled with her noble birth, her status was unparalleled.

“So the seventh floor—is it reserved solely for His Majesty?”

To everyone’s surprise, Princess Pingyang didn’t take offense. Instead, she asked with a beaming smile.

“Your Highness is wise. The Heavenly Residence is designed thus! Should His Majesty, the Elder Celestial Master, or Abbot Long Shu visit, the seventh floor would open!”

Xia Chen clasped his hands and replied with a smile.

“Then the sixth floor it is for me!”

Her eyes gleamed even brighter at this. Gone was the formidable, authoritative princess of everyday court life.

“Qingluo Pavilion!”

Xia Chen led Princess Pingyang to the sixth floor, stopping at a courtyard.

Princess Pingyang softly read the three characters aloud.

“Your Highness, the entire sixth floor has just five courtyards, hosting no more than five distinguished guests daily. Shall we step inside?”

Xia Chen opened the gate himself, turning to her with a smile.

“Only five courtyards across such a vast floor? You’ve piqued my curiosity—I must see what wonders your sixth floor holds today!”

Her eyes danced with allure, and even Xia Chen briefly averted his gaze—not deliberately, but instinctively. Even so, her charm remained potent.