Xie Ningtang’s mood improved slightly. “I don’t think Xue Ning seems to like the Shizi.”
Su Qing snorted lightly. “That’s just an act. You’ve only just arrived, sister, so you don’t know how cunning and scheming she can be.”
Xie Ningtang didn’t think Xue Ning was a particularly deep or calculating person—it was just that her temperament was truly quiet and reserved.
Although she possessed striking beauty, if one didn’t pay close attention, it was easy to miss her emotions.
But since she had willingly acknowledged Madam Jiang as her mother, did she truly harbor romantic feelings for Su Zhan?
She pondered this back and forth, her thoughts in disarray.
Unable to grasp Xue Ning’s true intentions, she felt increasingly unsettled.
“Sister Ningtang?” Su Qing noticed Xie Ningtang’s distraction and said, “Are you worried that Xue Ning might try to seduce Brother Shizi?”
Xie Ningtang pursed her lips, not answering directly.
A beautiful orphan girl was, to some extent, a threat.
If Su Zhan were to take a fancy to her one day and take her as a concubine, it would be utterly repulsive.
She didn’t want her future husband, after marrying her, to still have a childhood sweetheart by his side.
But saying this outright would make her, a princess, seem petty and lacking in grace.
Su Qing sneered. “Grandmother has also noticed her little schemes, though she hasn’t brought them into the open. But Grandmother’s favorite is still you, sister. You must do everything you can to secure Brother Shizi. Honestly, I truly don’t want Xue Ning to stay in our Marquis’s residence any longer. After all, her surname is Xue, not Su. Marrying her off sooner would be better for all of us.”
At this moment, Xie Ningtang didn’t even consider a mere Xue Ning worth her attention.
“Then, after the Acknowledgment Banquet, let Madam Jiang arrange an early marriage for her.”
Su Qing smiled brightly. “Speaking of which, I have a good idea. Would you like to hear it, sister?”
Xie Ningtang turned her gaze, puzzled by Su Qing’s intense dislike for Xue Ning.
“Sister Aqing, what do you want to say?”
Su Qing curled her lips into a smile. “In two days, it will be the anniversary of her parents’ death.”
She leaned close to Xie Ningtang’s ear, lowering her voice.
The falling snowflakes blurred their smiles even further.
Bao Chan watched them leave from a distance before turning back and heading toward Qiushui Garden.
…
Xue Ning was still in Madam Jiang’s room when she noticed an exquisite rosewood box on the table.
“Mother, what is that?”
Madam Jiang pulled out the recent account books. “It’s some tonics sent by your second aunt.”
Xue Ning remained calm, blinking her eyes. “May I take a look, Aning?”
Madam Jiang handed her the box. “It’s for women to nourish their bodies. Ningning, you’re still a young lady, so you don’t need to take these for now. Later, I’ll have Nanny Song send some bird’s nest to your courtyard.”
Xue Ning opened the box and saw a delicate white jade bottle inside.
The bottle was filled with black pills, each about the size of a thumb. Upon closer inspection, they gave off a sweet and sour scent.
She secretly slipped one into her sleeve and placed the bottle back on the table.
Madam Jiang was efficient at reviewing accounts and managing affairs. Xue Ning sat quietly with her until Su Man returned from outside the residence, then rose to take her leave.
Su Man paid her respects to Madam Jiang and clung to Xue Ning as they returned to Qiyun Pavilion.
The room was warmed by a charcoal fire, making it extremely cozy.
The two young girls sat cross-legged facing each other on the luohan bed by the south window, enjoying small snacks.
Su Man said, “In two days, it will be the anniversary of your birth parents’ passing. Aning, are you going to Zhenguo Temple to offer incense this year?”
Xue Ning flipped through a book, her eyes lowered as she said, "I'll go."
In her previous life, that year, the affair between her and Su Zhan had caused an uproar throughout Dongjing.
Xie Laofuren forbade her from leaving the residence to embarrass herself, ordering her to stay in Qiyun Pavilion until her marriage to Su Zhan was completed.
Unfortunately, on the very anniversary of her parents' passing, an oil lamp at Zhenguo Temple toppled over, nearly burning down half the temple.
The memorial tablets of her parents and elder brother were reduced to ashes.
Thus, that year, she was unable to offer a single stick of incense for her parents and brother.
In the years after marrying Su Zhan, due to various reasons, she never managed to visit Zhenguo Temple again.
Later, she was sent away to the Su Family Old Mansion in Yongzhou.
When she wished to remember her parents and brother, she could only mourn them from afar.
It was always filled with regret.
Therefore, this time, she was determined to go no matter what.
Su Man puffed out her cheeks, chewing on dried fruit for a while before saying, "Zhenguo Temple is in the outskirts of the city. How will you, a young lady, get there alone?"
Xue Ning chuckled, "Who said I'm going alone? I've already spoken to Mother, and she assigned me two guards from the residence. I'll take the Marquis's residence carriage when the time comes."
"Those guards are only average in skill. How can they protect you?" Su Man simply moved to sit beside Xue Ning, leaning against her arm. "How about I accompany you when the time comes, and we can ask Brother Lu to escort us?"
Xue Ning refused without hesitation, "No… there's no need."
Afraid that Su Man might notice something amiss, she calmed her tone before smiling and saying, "Brother Lu is usually busy with official duties. My matters shouldn't trouble him."
"You used to always insist on having Brother Lu accompany you. A Ning, what's really going on with you?"
"Nothing, I just genuinely don't want to trouble Brother Lu."
"What about Second Brother then?"
"No need. He and I have never gotten along."
"Third Brother will be returning soon too."
Xue Ning sighed helplessly, "Alright, Man Man, I really can manage on my own."
Having lived a second life, she sincerely wished to avoid any entanglement with any of the young masters of the Marquis's residence.
Marrying out earlier and establishing her own household would be better than staying in the Marquis's residence, causing trouble for Su Zhan, making things difficult for Madam Jiang, and incurring the dislike of Xie Laofuren.
In the future, she would no longer trouble Su Zhan with her affairs.
Many things, she could actually handle herself.
It was just that in the past, when she loved someone, she always wanted him to care about her a little more.
Su Man felt that Xue Ning had changed.
Changed so much that she almost didn't recognize her anymore.
"A Ning, do you really not want to marry Brother Lu anymore?"
"Are you just going to stand by and watch that Xie Ningtang call him 'Shizi gege' right in front of him?"
"Don't you think her personality is both aloof and arrogant, acting as if Brother Lu can't live without her? Where does she get such confidence from!"
"Isn't that the case?" Xue Ning smiled faintly. "I think Princess Xiuning and Brother Lu look quite well-matched together."
She remembered in her previous life, after she forced her way into marrying Su Zhan, he often didn't return to Mingyue Ge.
He would either rest in his study or stay out without coming home.
Every time she went out to attend banquets hosted by nobles, she would be mocked.
First, her marriage was not honorable.
Second, her husband did not love her.
Third, some said Su Zhan kept a mistress outside.
Not long after, she discovered that Princess Xiuning was pregnant in his private residence.
She was filled with anxiety and fear, constantly afraid that Su Zhan would divorce her, unable to sleep day and night.
That agonizing, heart-wrenching feeling was like having her heart crushed and thrown underfoot to be trampled on.
"A Ning, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Su Man's startled voice pulled Xue Ning's thoughts back.
She raised her calm eyes. "What is it?"