The celebration in the Yue Residence continued under the warm glow of lanterns.
Music drifted through the courtyard as guests laughed and talked among themselves. Noble families, officials, and merchants filled the hall, enjoying the grand birthday banquet arranged for Princess Anhe, Yue Ning.
At the center of the hall, Yue Ning sat beside her family, greeting guests with gentle composure.
Her friends—Lian Hua, Zhao Rong, Fang Mei, Fang Jian, and Li Wen—remained close to her, whispering excitedly about the grand event.
"This is the biggest banquet I have ever seen," Fang Mei said in awe.
Zhao Rong nodded.
"Of course. She is Princess Anhe now."
Lian Hua grinned.
"And our Ning'er deserves it."
At that moment, a sudden commotion came from the entrance of the residence.
The musicians slowly stopped playing.
A palace eunuch's sharp voice echoed through the courtyard.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Guests quickly stood from their seats.
Moments later, a tall figure walked through the main gate.
Xu Chen entered the courtyard wearing a dark imperial robe embroidered with golden dragons. Though he was only nineteen, his presence carried the authority of someone who had just returned victorious from war.
His gaze immediately searched the crowd.
Then he saw her.
Yue Ning.
For a brief moment, the crown prince's normally calm eyes softened.
The guests quickly bowed.
"Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Only two people remained standing calmly.
Xu Chen.
And Yue Ning.
Everyone else lowered their heads respectfully.
Xu Chen raised his hand.
"Rise."
The guests slowly stood again.
Grandfather Yue Shun stepped forward respectfully.
"Your Highness, it is an honor that you attend Ning'er's birthday banquet."
Xu Chen nodded politely.
"Princess Anhe's birthday is an important occasion. It would be improper for this prince not to come."
The guests whispered quietly among themselves.
"The Crown Prince personally attended…"
"The Yue family truly holds great favor."
Xu Chen walked toward Yue Ning.
Stopping before her, he spoke softly.
"Princess Anhe."
Yue Ning smiled faintly.
"Your Highness."
Their eyes met briefly.
The quiet warmth between them did not escape the notice of several people nearby.
But before anyone could think further, another voice suddenly spoke from the side.
"Ning'er, why are you standing there? Come help this old woman sit properly."
The voice belonged to the elderly woman who had been staying in the Yue household for months.
Grandma Xu.
Many guests glanced toward her curiously.
She was dressed in simple clothes, looking like an ordinary elderly lady.
Yue Ning immediately walked over.
"Grandma Xu, are you tired?"
The old woman chuckled.
"These young people celebrate too loudly. My old ears cannot keep up."
Several guests smiled politely.
But Xu Chen suddenly froze.
His eyes widened slightly as he looked at the elderly woman.
"Grand…mother?"
The hall went completely silent.
Grandma Xu looked at him with a playful smile.
"So you finally noticed?"
The Crown Prince immediately stepped forward.
Before anyone could react, he lowered his head respectfully.
"Grandson greets Imperial Grandmother."
The entire hall froze.
Imperial… Grandmother?
For several seconds, no one understood what he meant.
Then realization struck.
The old woman who had been living in the Yue residence…
Was the Empress Dowager.
Shock spread through the guests like lightning.
Grandfather Yue Shun's eyes widened.
"Your… Your Majesty?!"
The Empress Dowager laughed softly.
"Yes, it is this old woman."
Instantly, every single person in the courtyard dropped to their knees.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!"
Officials, nobles, merchants—everyone knelt with their heads lowered.
Even the Yue family quickly knelt in shock.
Except two people.
Xu Chen.
And Yue Ning.
Xu Chen stood calmly beside the Empress Dowager.
That was natural.
As the Crown Prince, he did not kneel before her.
But what shocked everyone even more…
Was that Yue Ning was still standing.
Several officials nervously glanced at her.
But the Empress Dowager raised her hand.
"No need to kneel further. Rise."
Everyone slowly stood again, though many were still trembling in shock.
Grandfather Yue Shun spoke carefully.
"Your Majesty… we did not know your identity. Please forgive our lack of respect."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand.
"I came here in secret. None of you did anything wrong."
Her gaze then turned toward Yue Ning.
Her expression softened with clear affection.
"This child was the one who helped me on the street that day."
Many guests were stunned again.
The Empress Dowager continued speaking calmly.
"So I decided to stay here for a while."
She looked around the hall.
"And I must say, the Yue family is very warm."
Several officials exchanged shocked looks.
The Empress Dowager personally staying in the Yue residence…
That was an unimaginable honor.
Meanwhile, Xu Chen glanced at Yue Ning quietly.
He already knew why his grandmother had chosen to stay here.
The Empress Dowager suddenly smiled mischievously.
"Well, today is Ning'er's birthday banquet. Why is everyone looking so stiff?"
She clapped her hands lightly.
"Continue the celebration!"
The musicians hesitated.
Then slowly resumed playing.
The atmosphere gradually relaxed again, though the guests were still overwhelmed.
Zhao Rong whispered nervously to Lian Hua.
"That… that old lady…"
Lian Hua nodded stiffly.
"The Empress Dowager…"
Fang Mei whispered in shock.
"And Ning'er has been living with her all this time?"
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager quietly sat beside Yue Ning.
She patted the girl's hand affectionately.
"My little Ning'er is fourteen today."
Yue Ning smiled gently.
"Yes, Grandma Xu."
Xu Chen watched the two of them silently.
His grandmother.
And the girl he loved.
Both sitting together like an ordinary family.
For the first time in a long time, the Crown Prince allowed himself to relax.
Tonight, he was not only the victorious general who had returned from war.
He was simply Xu Chen.
And this birthday banquet had just become the most unforgettable celebration the Yue residence had ever hosted.