By now, the Yongchang Marquis’s household had already received the news. The maids stood at the entrance, respectfully awaiting Ning Huanyi’s return. Qingdai, who had accompanied Ning Huanyi in the carriage, also arrived back at the Yongchang Marquis’s residence. As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she began recounting the earlier events to her sisters from the Qiyan Pavilion.
Xiao Ning’an, as before, carried Ning Huanyi out of the carriage. While the others in the Yongchang Marquis’s household were not unfamiliar with high-ranking officials, they had rarely encountered the regent princess herself.
Moreover, the fearsome reputation of the regent princess was well-known throughout the capital. The maids immediately knelt in reverence, but Xiao Ning’an showed no airs, motioning for them to rise. She carried Ning Huanyi all the way to the Qiyan Pavilion, stopping only at the threshold of her bedchamber.
“Hu… Huanyi… would you allow me to enter?” Xiao Ning’an’s usually cool voice now carried a hint of caution. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty as she gazed at Ning Huanyi, afraid that her impulsive actions earlier might have displeased her.
At the princess’s residence, she had seized the moment to clear Ning Huanyi’s name of the rumors. Though her intentions were good, she hadn’t discussed it with Ning Huanyi beforehand. Xiao Ning’an worried that her presumption might have caused offense.
Ning Huanyi had been carried the entire way, her heart aching at the thought of Xiao Ning’an exerting herself. Now, seeing the regent princess act so cautiously, Ning Huanyi couldn’t help but recall those who described Xiao Ning’an as ruthless and decisive. How could they not see the gentle soul beneath?
At this moment, Xiao Ning’an, meeting Ning Huanyi’s gaze, would never have imagined that one day she would be described with words like “gentle.”
“Since the imperial decree of our betrothal was announced before everyone at the princess’s residence, we’re now bound together. What could possibly be off-limits?” Ning Huanyi spoke, then wondered if she had been too forward.
She cautiously studied Xiao Ning’an’s expression, relieved when she found no trace of displeasure. With that, she allowed Xiao Ning’an to carry her into the room. The feeling of returning to her soft bed was incomparable.
Ning Huanyi lay down, stretching contentedly. A faint smile graced her pale face, and even the slight tremble of her lowered lashes seemed enchanting. Ning Huanyi had never doubted her own beauty, yet under Xiao Ning’an’s gaze, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of insecurity.
“Y-Your Highness… is there something on my face?” Ning Huanyi reached up to touch her cheek, her mind racing through the events of the past two days. It all felt like a dream.
Her emotions had been tossed like waves—first the broken engagement, then meeting Xiao Ning’an, and most bewildering of all, she hadn’t even known the regent princess’s identity at the time. She worried whether she might have said anything to anger her.
Ning Huanyi couldn’t understand why the exalted regent princess, who could have simply enforced the imperial decree without a second thought, would treat her with such kindness.
But at the very least… she was happy now.
Realizing her own abruptness, Xiao Ning’an quickly pulled over a brocade quilt to cover her. “You’re unwell—rest for now. Shall I prepare the medicine the imperial physician prescribed?” For some reason, the usually unflappable Xiao Ning’an now seemed flustered as she tucked Ning Huanyi in, as though it were her first time caring for someone.
Ning Huanyi shook her head, handed the prescription to Qingdai, and carefully instructed that after the medicine was brewed, some candied fruits should be brought up as well.
Xiao Ning’an was meticulous in remembering what Ning Huanyi needed when taking her medicine.
Seeing Xiao Ning’an’s serious expression, as if she were handling official business, Ning Huanyi couldn’t help but smile. “These small tasks like brewing medicine can be left to the servants. You are the Regent, second only to the Emperor and above ten thousand others. That you favor me is already a great honor.”
Ning Huanyi’s words were indeed true—this was exactly how she felt. Although the customs of their dynasty were relatively open, the most common fate for many women was still to hastily marry and devote themselves to their husbands and children.
Only women from meritorious noble families who became officials could truly make a difference.
Though Ning Huanyi came from a solid family background, her frail health likely barred her from any official career.
“From now on, there’s no need to say such things. Since I’ve married you, I will naturally treat you well…” For some reason, these words seemed to sting Xiao Ning’an. She lowered her eyes, the once bright and beautiful gaze now clouded with sorrowful memories.
Ning Huanyi dared not say more and simply lay quietly, watching Xiao Ning’an sit by her bedside. The morning’s clamor finally settled into silence, and the two of them simply kept each other company.
Eventually, Ning Huanyi’s soft breathing filled the air. Xiao Ning’an, lost in memories and emotions, finally pulled herself free. She took Ning Huanyi’s hand and gently rubbed her palm. “No matter what happened before, this time, since I have you, I will never repeat the same mistakes.”
Xiao Ning’an’s voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, even to herself. The heavy emotions in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by deeper affection for Ning Huanyi.
Meanwhile, the scent of brewing herbal medicine wafted from the adjacent room into the courtyard. The maids of Qiyan Pavilion were long accustomed to it—every autumn and winter, their young mistress needed to take numerous doses of medicine, and the smell had become familiar.
Xiao Ning’an walked over and closed the window, but not before catching the faint fragrance of locust blossoms mingling in the air.
She couldn’t help but recall the locust blossom cakes Ning Huanyi had made for her that day—so delicious the flavor lingered. Since Ning Yuanxing was still occupied with handling the matter and wouldn’t be free for a while, she might as well stay longer at Yongchang Marquis’s residence to keep Ning Huanyi company.
And perhaps… make some pastries for her!
Xiao Ning’an’s eyes lit up. She tiptoed to the exquisite wooden door of Qiyan Pavilion and headed toward the towering locust tree in the center of Yongchang Marquis’s courtyard.
The clusters of silvery-white locust blossoms were adorable and fragrant. Standing beneath the tree, Xiao Ning’an was soon approached by the maids and guards patrolling the courtyard.
“Your Highness, are you here to pick locust blossoms?”
“The blossoms are plentiful this year—perfect for making locust flower cakes in the kitchen.”
The servants fawned over her, anxious not to displease the Regent. Xiao Ning’an nodded but keenly noted the suggestion to pick the blossoms and have the kitchen staff prepare the cakes.
A thought occurred to her, and she smiled slightly, turning to one of the maids. “Does your young mistress often gather locust blossoms with a small basket?”
The maid nodded honestly, often seeing her young mistress standing under the tree with a flower basket, picking blossoms during this season when the locust flowers were in full bloom.
Xiao Ning’an said nothing more, focusing intently on selecting the clusters of locust flowers that resembled tiny bells. Since she was quite tall, she could reach blossoms higher up than Ning Huanyi could.
Her dark sleeves were rolled up, revealing fair arms that contrasted sharply with the color of her robes.
The other servants, knowing they weren’t needed here, tactfully withdrew. Before long, the small basket was filled with locust flowers. Xiao Ning’an weighed it in her hand—it should be enough to help Ning Huanyi take her medicine.
Following the maid’s lead, Xiao Ning’an carried the basket to the small kitchen of Qiyan Pavilion. Though modest in size, the kitchen was well-equipped, lacking nothing essential.
Xiao Ning’an’s gaze swept over the room, settling on the many medicine jars lined up along the western wall. Her eyes dimmed slightly. Ning Huanyi had been taking medicine since childhood—this was how she had lived.
For some reason, Xiao Ning’an felt a deep ache in her chest, a pang of heartache she couldn’t explain.
When the cooks saw Xiao Ning’an’s arrival, they rubbed their eyes in disbelief, unsure whether they were in the Yongchang Marquis’s residence or the Regent’s palace. By convention, noble ladies were never allowed near the kitchen—how could the Regent herself be here?
The cooks, who had been busily preparing dinner, hastily set aside their tasks and hurried to the kitchen entrance to bow to Regent Xiao Ning’an.
Xiao Ning’an was not one for formalities. She waved for them to rise, then handed the basket of locust flowers to the head cook.
“Teach me how to make locust flower cakes,” she said simply. She had never been one for many words.
The cooks dared not disobey the Regent’s command. The head cook, a plump woman with a kindly smile, took the flowers and washed them in a wooden basin.
As she finished, Xiao Ning’an quickly took them back. “I’ll do it myself. Just guide me.”
This posed a great dilemma for the cook. How could a lowly servant dare to order the Regent around? Yet refusing was out of the question. The cook carefully instructed her, and eventually, the locust flowers were prepared into filling and set aside.
During her years leading troops in battle, Xiao Ning’an had occasionally cooked for herself, so she knew how to knead dough. As she worked with the flour, some inevitably dusted her cheeks.
“Ning’an?”
Just as Xiao Ning’an was about to start kneading, a soft voice called from the kitchen entrance. She looked up to see Ning Huanyi standing at the door.
The cooks inwardly groaned. What kind of day was this? Why were all these esteemed figures visiting the kitchen one after another?
Despite their thoughts, they hurried to greet Ning Huanyi. After exchanging courtesies, Ning Huanyi stepped inside and saw Xiao Ning’an in her dark robes, sleeves rolled up for kneading.
Her slender arms bore several shocking scars. Ning Huanyi’s mind immediately flashed to Xiao Ning’an’s years on the battlefield—wounds were inevitable. Yet even healed, those scars were startling to behold.
It wasn’t hard to imagine Xiao Ning’an, freshly injured and bleeding profusely. The sight instantly brought tears to Ning Huanyi’s eyes. Thinking she had done something wrong, Xiao Ning’an—who had never been good at comforting girls—could only ask helplessly, “What’s wrong?”
Those three words carried a tone of helplessness as she gently pulled Ning Huanyi out of the kitchen.