Bai Yingying couldn’t bear to see Ning Huanyi upset, so her attempts at comfort were rather flustered. Ning Huanyi suddenly burst into laughter and reached out to pinch Bai Yingying’s cheek.
In her other hand, she held a piece of red silk and golden thread—materials she needed to embroider her own bridal veil.
The thought of Xiao Ning’an dressed in red robes made Ning Huanyi blush. She was so stunningly beautiful, truly a peerless beauty.
While Ning Huanyi was lost in her reverie, Bai Yingying, sharp-eyed as ever, set down her teacup and noticed the invitation carelessly tossed on the rosewood dressing table. She couldn’t help but cover her lips with a chuckle.
“Oh? Little Qingdai over there is still sorting through all the other invitations you’ve rejected. Why is this one so carefully placed on your dressing table?” Bai Yingying loved teasing Ning Huanyi and knew she must have been furious when she first saw this invitation. But no one could refuse an invitation from the imperial family.
Ning Huanyi paused her embroidery and shot Bai Yingying a glance. “Well, you’re going too, aren’t you?”
Bai Yingying picked up the invitation again, holding it up to the sunlight streaming through the window lattice as she read each word.
“This mansion-warming banquet is probably also an opportunity to announce Princess and Liu Jingming’s marriage.”
Bai Yingying was aware of this as well.
But Ning Huanyi, who had once been engaged to Liu Jingming, had only just found out. The thought of it made her sullen. She wondered how long Liu Jingming had been scheming this.
If he had disliked her, he could have broken off the engagement long ago. Why wait until after her coming-of-age ceremony? It was nothing but unnecessary humiliation.
“Entering the princess’s household as a consort—what an immense honor. Liu Jingming must be over the moon,” Bai Yingying remarked with a few clicks of her tongue before carefully setting the invitation back in place. She suggested coming to Yongchang Marquis’s residence the next day to accompany Ning Huanyi to the princess’s new mansion. Otherwise, if they arrived late and Liu Jingming got the first word in, who knew what unpleasant things he might say?
Ning Huanyi watched as Bai Yingyang stuffed freshly baked locust flower cakes into her mouth while chattering nonstop. At first, she felt a warm fondness, but when the entire plate of cakes disappeared into Bai Yingying’s stomach, Ning Huanyi could no longer sit still.
“Those were for me to eat with my medicine later!” Ning Huanyi set down the bridal veil in her hands and, despite her lack of strength, began playfully poking Bai Yingying’s ticklish spots. The commotion only stopped when the finely carved wooden door of Qiyan Pavilion was knocked upon.
At this time, Pei Ruan and Ning Yuanxun should have been deep in discussions about which temple to visit for an auspicious wedding date. There was no way they would come to Qiyan Pavilion now.
Qingdai, who had been organizing the invitations, quickly ran to the door, assuming the authoritative air of Qiyan Pavilion’s head maid. “What’s going on? What’s going on? Since when can just anyone knock on Qiyan Pavilion’s door without announcement?”
But when Qingdai opened the door, she found one of Xiao Ning’an’s sword-bearing maids standing outside, holding a familiar food box. The aroma wafting from it was irresistible—Bai Yingying, ever the foodie, immediately stood up.
Yet both of them froze in place.
Ning Huanyi truly couldn’t understand why they had suddenly fallen silent. She had no choice but to steady herself by holding onto the window lattice as she stood up, smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt, and slowly shifting her gaze to the face of the person standing at the door. Instantly, all three of them were stunned.
“Miss, why have you come here yourself? His Highness specifically instructed that you shouldn’t stand at the door catching the wind.” The icy expression, so reminiscent of Xiao Ning’an, finally softened into a slight smile directed at Ning Huanyi—though it still looked as forced as Xiao Ning’an’s had been in the past.
Yet the kindness in the eyes was genuine. At this moment, Ning Huanyi’s mind was still filled with the words Qingdai had just spoken. Initially, she hadn’t thought there was anything wrong with what Qingdai had said.
The Qiyan Pavilion, as the boudoir of a noble young lady, was surrounded by a modest courtyard known as Qiyan Yard. To enter the inner chambers, one had to pass through the courtyard’s guards and maids. But none of them had reported this visitor—likely intimidated by the authority of the Regent Princess.
Now, Ning Huanyi wished she could vanish into the ground. If this maid went back and reported everything to Xiao Ning’an, what would become of her image?
Seeing Ning Huanyi’s pale expression, the maid thought she had done something wrong and immediately knelt on the floor with a heavy thud, her voice brimming with sincerity.
“I don’t know what I said to offend you, but please don’t be angry! I admit my fault—punish me however you see fit!” Just don’t hand me over to Her Highness the Regent Princess.
The maid silently lamented. Having served under Xiao Ning’an for so long, she knew all too well how terrifying the Regent Princess’s methods of punishment could be. She would rather be beaten to death than set foot in the underground prison near the Regent’s residence.
Almost no one came out of there alive.
Trembling with fear, the maid shuddered uncontrollably. Ning Huanyi quickly reassured her, “No, no, it’s not like that! You’ve worked hard making this trip. Please convey a message to Her Highness for me—thank her. I’ll have some pastries later to ease the bitterness of my medicine.”
Ning Huanyi smiled warmly, her sincerity shining through. Beside her, everyone else seemed to pale in comparison. Her almond-shaped eyes, already lovely, curved gently, radiating a kindness that seemed innate. The maid, accustomed to the cold demeanor of Xiao Ning’an, had never seen anyone like this future princess consort.
Suddenly, the maid understood why Her Highness treasured this future bride so deeply. But she didn’t yet realize that Ning Huanyi’s importance to Xiao Ning’an went far beyond that.
Of course, that was a story for another time. For now, the maid rose to her feet, filled with gratitude. The future princess consort’s gentle demeanor, like a spring breeze, warmed her heart. Even after taking her leave, the maid couldn’t shake the lingering warmth.
Bai Yingying, naturally perceptive, noticed the change in the maid’s attitude and poked Ning Huanyi’s cheek teasingly. “Everyone admires your beauty, but none dare to poke your cheeks like I do. Once you’re married—and to a woman, no less—will I have to keep my distance from you to avoid gossip…”
Bai Yingying spoke with a pout, unaware that outside the gates of Yongchang Manor, Xiao Ning’an—who was waiting for the maid to emerge so she could inquire about Ning Huanyi’s medicine and health—frowned slightly upon hearing that the Bai family’s young lady was still inside the room.
“Your Highness, do you find this action inappropriate?” The maid noticed Xiao Ning’an’s jealousy and wanted to speak up for Ning Huanyi, but Xiao Ning’an simply waved her hand.
“My consort naturally has her own circle of friends. You only need to remember the timing of the future consort’s medication and ensure she is never neglected in the manor. Set aside a separate room for preparing her medicine…”
Xiao Ning’an had spoken more today than usual.
By the time Bai Yingying left, the sky had darkened. Ning Huanyi sat back down in a daze, the red bridal veil still resting on the dressing table. She didn’t know where to begin, but the sight of that vibrant red felt scorching to her eyes.
“Am I really getting married?” Ning Huanyi took the bowl of bird’s nest soup from Qingdai, idly stirring it with a jade spoon but unable to bring herself to drink. Outside, the rustling of leaves in the summer night breeze made the entire Qiyan Pavilion feel eerily quiet.
Qingdai lit more candles to brighten the room, saying as she worked, “My lady, you’ve come of age—marriage is only natural. But don’t worry, I’ll accompany you to the Regent’s residence. You won’t be alone.”
She comforted Ning Huanyi while placing her favorite books on the table. Only then did Ning Huanyi set aside the barely touched bridal veil.
Normally, this would have been the perfect time to read, and Ning Huanyi never lost focus when immersed in her beloved poetry. But tonight, she couldn’t absorb a single word, still stuck on the first page after a quarter of an hour.
Her mind was filled with the events of the day. Thinking the candlelight might be too dim, Qingdai was about to replace it with a brighter one when Ning Huanyi abruptly closed the book and stood up, heading outside.
“My lady, the night is damp with dew—where are you going?” Qingdai hurriedly grabbed a cloak and chased after her, only to find Ning Huanyi sitting beneath the large locust tree, as if the cool night breeze could clear her thoughts.
Qingdai draped the cloak over her shoulders and stood silently by her side, not daring to interrupt.
“My lady, is something troubling you?” After what felt like an eternity, a clear voice came from above Ning Huanyi. She looked up, her misty almond eyes stumbling straight into Xiao Ning’an’s heart.
Xiao Ning’an stared at her, momentarily speechless, the words she had intended to say vanishing. All she wanted was to gaze at Ning Huanyi in silence.
Ning Huanyi hadn’t expected to see Xiao Ning’an in the Yongchang Marquis’ residence at this hour. Wait—this was the Yongchang Marquis’ residence! Why was Xiao Ning’an here?
Bewildered, she tilted her head and asked cautiously, “Your Highness, the night is damp with dew—why are you at the Yongchang Marquis’ residence?”
The question snapped Xiao Ning’an out of her trance. Originally, Ning Yuanxun, impressed by Xiao Ning’an’s skills, had sought her guidance on certain matters. A written reply would have sufficed, but…
Xiao Ning’an had come in person, hoping to be closer to Ning Huanyi. She hadn’t seen her upon arrival, but just as she was about to leave, she spotted the very person she longed for sitting beneath the locust tree, lost in melancholy.
Xiao Ning’an was somewhat unsure if Ning Huanyi didn’t want to marry her, so she hesitated and said, “It’s… my father-in-law… the Marquis of Yongchang had some matters to discuss with me. Young lady… do you not wish to marry? If you are unwilling, I would never force anyone…”
Only then did Xiao Ning’an realize how difficult it was for her to say these words. But if marrying Ning Huanyi meant she would be miserable every day after the wedding, it would be even more unbearable for Xiao Ning’an than death itself.