Outside Brocade Pavilion, Lin Chunian’s black-lacquered, gold-traced carriage gradually faded into the distance. Zhao Jinzhu stood on the steps, watching for a moment, the faint smile on her lips completely vanishing. She then turned and boarded her own vermilion, gold-gilded carriage, with Shen Qingyao hurriedly following behind.
As the carriage curtain fell, cutting off the outside chatter, Zhao Jinzhu let out a soft sigh, her brows unable to conceal her disappointment. “I thought it was Xiao Jueyan here, but it turned out to be the Second Miss from his household.”
“Princess, if you wish to see Young Master Xiao, there will be opportunities in the future,” Shen Qingyao gently comforted.
“Opportunities?” Zhao Jinzhu’s tone was filled with melancholy and unwillingness. “I can hardly even catch a glimpse of him. When there are banquets among noble families, he makes excuses and avoids them. On the rare occasions we do meet, he merely gives a slight nod, unwilling to exchange even half a word of idle talk.”
She paused, thinking of her father prince’s attitude, and a touch of grievance deepened in her eyes. “Earlier, Father Prince clearly hinted that he would propose a marriage alliance with him on my behalf at the Duke’s residence. I thought there was finally hope, but who would have guessed he changed his mind! Now he wants Elder Brother to marry the daughter of the Duke’s residence.”
Shen Qingyao sighed softly and whispered, “Princess, the prince truly cares for you. I heard from my father that the reason the prince is not considering a marriage between you and Young Master Xiao is because Young Master Xiao’s temperament is too rigid, domineering, and his thoughts are unfathomable, making him truly difficult to manage. The prince has only you, his one daughter—how could he bear to let you marry into such a situation and suffer grievances?”
These words struck at the heart of the matter. Zhao Jinzhu’s eyes reddened slightly, but she remained stubborn. “I’m not afraid of grievances! I’m only afraid of not even having a chance to get close to him! Father Prince says he’s difficult to control, but I only want to marry him. Even if his nature is cold and unyielding, I can warm it! But what about him? When Father Prince subtly sounded him out, he actually brushed it off with ‘no intention of marrying for now’!”
Prince Jing had initially intended to facilitate a match between her and Xiao Jueyan, as their families were well-matched, and such a union would strengthen both sides, counterbalancing Prince Rui. However, Xiao Jueyan’s aloof attitude made Prince Jing reluctant to let his only daughter suffer neglect after marriage. Thus, he simply changed the marriage prospect to Zhao Jin, thinking that having his son marry Xiao Wanyan would both win over the Duke’s residence and sever his daughter’s obsession.
But Zhao Jinzhu’s feelings were not so easily severed. She had admired Xiao Jueyan for years, and now, seeing her connection with him grow increasingly distant, her obsession only deepened.
“The Elegant Gathering Banquet is scheduled for half a month from now, but in reality, it’s arranged for Elder Brother and the daughter of the Duke’s residence to meet. As the legitimate son of the Duke’s residence, Xiao Jueyan is certain to attend.” Zhao Jinzhu lifted her gaze, a flicker of urgency flashing in her eyes. “But that banquet is ultimately prepared for Elder Brother and Xiao Wanyan. I’m merely an outsider, and I’m afraid I won’t even have the chance to exchange more than a few words with him.”
Seeing her in such a state, Shen Qingyao knew she was growing desperate. She glanced around the carriage, noting that the coachman was driving up front and there were no outsiders nearby. Leaning closer, she pressed herself against Zhao Jinzhu’s ear and whispered a few words in a hushed tone. The warm breath brushed against her ear, each word carrying schemes unheard by others.
Zhao Jinzhu was momentarily stunned, then her cheeks flushed crimson, the redness spreading from her ears down to her neck. Embarrassed and flustered, she lightly pushed Shen Qingyao away and chided, “What nonsense are you saying! How improper is this? If word gets out, how will I ever save face?”
Yet her pushing was extremely light, and beneath the shyness in her eyes lay a barely concealed hesitation—she wanted so desperately to marry Xiao Jueyan, to seize this one and only opportunity.
Shen Qingyao had long since discerned her thoughts and quickly whispered, “Your Highness, at this point, this is the most appropriate method! At the Elegant Gathering Banquet half a month from now, Young Master Xiao is certain to attend—this is a rare opportunity not to be missed. Once it becomes a fait accompli, even if the Duke’s household is unwilling, they will have to agree to this marriage. As for His Highness the Prince, seeing that the matter is already settled and considering your feelings, he will surely grant your wish.”
Her tone was resolute: “Your Highness, rest assured, leave this matter to me. I will make all the preparations in advance, ensuring not a single mistake occurs, and guarantee that Your Highness achieves her desire.”
Zhao Jinzhu lowered her gaze, her fingertips repeatedly rubbing the handkerchief, her heart in turmoil. As the proud daughter of Prince Jing’s household, she had never imagined resorting to such underhanded methods. Yet, the thought of marrying Xiao Jueyan, of making it impossible for him to avoid her any longer, gradually suppressed her sense of shame with the obsession in her heart.
Yes, as long as she could marry him, as long as she could stay by his side, what did a little scheming matter?
Seeing her lowered gaze and the slight easing of the gloom between her brows, Shen Qingyao knew she had relented. After whispering a few more details, she returned to her seat, pretending as if nothing had happened.
Silence returned to the carriage. Zhao Jinzhu gazed at the passing street scenes outside the window, the melancholy and grievance in her eyes completely fading, replaced by a determined resolve. The Elegant Gathering Banquet half a month later was not only the meeting banquet for her elder brother and Xiao Wanyan but also her best chance to marry Xiao Jueyan.
This time, she would not miss it.
Lin Chunian’s carriage stopped before the main gate of the Yongning Duke’s residence. Nanny Li and Shi Yu hurriedly began unloading items—boxes of silk, satin, pearls, and jewelry were scattered across the ground, looking particularly eye-catching.
Lin Chunian, supported by Dongling’s hand, alighted from the carriage and immediately saw Xiao Wanning approaching. She quickly stepped forward and curtsied, “Greetings, Elder Sister.”
Xiao Wanning glanced at the items on the ground, her tone sharp, “You’ve just returned to the residence and already went out on a lavish shopping spree? Must have spent quite a sum, didn’t you? The household allowance isn’t meant for such reckless squandering.”
She had heard from her mother earlier that her father intended to elevate this concubine-born daughter, who had returned from the countryside, to legitimate daughter status. This had long fueled her resentment—why should a concubine-born daughter be placed on equal footing with her, a proper legitimate daughter? And to make matters worse, she was born with such good looks. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Dongling quickly stepped forward to explain, “Young Miss misunderstands. These items didn’t cost a single coin—they were all gifts from Princess Jing, sent as a welcoming present for our young lady.”
“Princess Jing?” Xiao Wanning raised an eyebrow, the displeasure in her eyes instantly dissipating as a faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Her tone relaxed, “So it was the princess’s kind gesture. She is indeed thoughtful.”
She secretly laughed to herself: That fool Xiao Wanyan probably still doesn’t know that she’s going to marry Zhao Jin, Prince Jing’s son, in the future, does she? That Zhao Jin is famously dissolute in the capital. No matter how many gifts the princess sends her now, won’t she just be sending her off to suffer in Prince Jing’s household in the future? This actually saves me trouble. If she hadn’t returned, I would have been the one marrying over there.
With this thought, Xiao Wanning felt much more at ease. Instead, a hint of a smile appeared on her face, “Since it’s the princess’s kind gesture, then keep them. Consider it your good fortune. Congratulations to you.”
Lin Chunian listened to her words, feeling something was off. There was an inexplicable undertone in her speech, but she couldn’t quite figure out the reason. She simply replied calmly, “Thank you, Elder Sister.”
Xiao Wanning didn’t say anything more. With a glance at those things, she turned and left with her maid, thinking to herself that this half-sister was nothing but a country bumpkin who would face plenty of hardships in the future.
Watching her retreating figure, Lin Chunian frowned and turned to Dongling, saying, “Let’s move these inside. No need to linger at the door.” She couldn’t help but wonder—Xiao Wanning’s attitude had shifted too abruptly. There must be something she didn’t know, but with no clues for now, she had to let it go.
For the next half month, under Nanny Li’s careful guidance, Lin Chunian spent her days learning the rules of the household.
Morning and Evening Greetings became her unwavering routine. At the break of dawn, she would rise, dress, and make her way to the main courtyard to pay respects. As dusk fell, she would go again, never daring to slack off.
Yet, each time she went, Lady Liu wore a cold expression, and Xiao Wanning made her displeasure clear both openly and subtly. Lin Chunian saw it all and bore it silently, truly realizing that even as the Second Miss of the Jun Duke’s residence, stepping into this deep mansion was not as glorious or free as others might imagine. Instead, she felt constrained at every turn, with no freedom to speak of.
Xiao Jueyan, too, was constantly busy. He would rise before dawn to attend the morning court, and after court, he would handle important matters at the Palace Presence Office. On the rare occasions he returned, he would only pass hurriedly through the corridor outside the western courtyard.
Most often, she would catch a distant glimpse of his tall, straight-backed figure in brocade robes through the window lattice.