Xiao Ning’an felt a pang of heartache the moment she heard her coughing. She quickly reached out to soothe her, while Qingdai, standing nearby, hurriedly explained, “My lady has suffered from this cough since childhood. Please do not take offense, Your Highness.”
Xiao Ning’an nodded. How could she not know about this cough? She would never blame her for it. Her handkerchief, imbued with a faint fragrance, was handed to Ning Huanyi to wipe the tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. An indescribable sorrow filled her heart.
“Please rest well, my lady.” Xiao Ning’an couldn’t think of any other reason to stay. Without even asking for her handkerchief back, she turned and left.
Ning Huanyi stood rooted in place, her delicate face streaked with tears like pear blossoms glistening in the rain. Watching Xiao Ning’an’s retreating figure, she became even more convinced that the other woman did not truly love her—that there must be some unavoidable reason behind her proposal.
Though Ning Huanyi didn’t fully understand the intricacies of court politics, she had been groomed as the future Lady of Yongchang and could still grasp the situation to some extent. Perhaps… Xiao Ning’an had just returned to the capital and intended to settle here permanently. To establish a foothold in the court, the quickest way to gain trust would be through marriage.
Yet, though Xiao Ning’an was registered under the Xiao family of the capital, she was not their biological daughter. Her origins seemed unclear. When Ning Huanyi first saw her, she had felt an inexplicable familiarity, especially with those emotionless eyes.
It was as if, at some point in the past, those same eyes had gazed at her just like this.
The Xiao family of the capital had withdrawn from court affairs for many years. If Xiao Ning’an wanted to secure her position in the court, she would need the trust of the most influential officials. And her father, the Marquis of Yongchang, was one of the most authoritative figures…
Ning Huanyi’s coughing had mostly subsided, but after piecing these thoughts together, the blush that had risen to her cheeks upon seeing the courtyard filled with betrothal gifts and hearing Xiao Ning’an’s words in the main hall had completely faded.
All that remained was an icy chill in her heart.
Perhaps all arranged marriages and parental decrees were driven by ulterior motives. Even love could be traded as a commodity.
Ning Huanyi had just returned to Qiyan Pavilion. The jewelry and dresses she had repeatedly compared before leaving were now neatly put away. Sitting before her bronze mirror, she gazed at her own exquisite reflection. She had never imagined she would marry so soon—and to a woman, no less.
Though Xiao Ning’an might have her own motives, at the very least… at least she hadn’t used her status as the Regent to pressure anyone. She had even shown the Yongchang Marquisate the utmost respect and dignity.
The betrothal gifts she had brought were likely unmatched in the past twenty years. Thinking this, Ning Huanyi felt a sense of resignation. At least Xiao Ning’an was beautiful—she wouldn’t be at a disadvantage, would she?
Ning Huanyi’s life had been dull, but now that her marriage was settled, she suddenly found herself busy. Pei Ruan no longer restricted her from leaving the house, and in just one afternoon, invitations from noble families poured into Qiyan Pavilion like snowflakes.
Young ladies from high-ranking households typically received private tutoring at home, and by the time they came of age, their education was mostly complete. Now, their days were filled with poetry gatherings, flower-viewing banquets, and early summer feasts—it seemed that the moment they had free time, there was always another event to attend.
Nowadays, many of these invitations were addressed solely to Ning Huanyi, as if some families had already caught wind of the news.
However, since the formal betrothal had not yet taken place and the exchange of birth horoscopes had not occurred, it was naturally inappropriate for the proposing party to make a public announcement. Therefore, whenever Ning Huanyi came across invitations that carried even the slightest hint of such implications, she simply pretended not to see them.
But there was one invitation she couldn’t ignore. Ning Huanyi held it in her hands, studying it for a long time. Qingdai entered the room carrying a plate of fragrant, sweet, and sticky mung bean cakes. Seeing Ning Huanyi lost in thought, she set the plate down and approached.
The invitation, with its dark red background and gilded lettering, read:
On the auspicious occasion of the grand opening of Princess Jing’an’s residence tomorrow, the esteemed eldest daughter of the Yongchang Marquis’ household, Ning Huanyi, is cordially invited to attend…
“Miss, this… As the first princess in the dynasty to establish her own residence and live independently, even though she is a princess born of a concubine, this is a gesture we cannot refuse. Besides, many young ladies will surely attend.” Qingdai knew that Princess Jing’an’s ostentatious display as a concubine-born princess would hardly endear her to her mistress. Still, the royal family’s dignity had to be respected.
Afraid that Ning Huanyi might decline, Qingdai cautiously reminded her in a soft voice. But Ning Huanyi merely smiled as she stared at the invitation. “Don’t worry. Of course, I’ll attend Princess Jing’an’s residence-opening banquet. In fact, I might even run into some old acquaintances there.”
With that, she casually tossed the invitation onto her dressing table. Her mother had allowed these invitations to be delivered to Qiyan Pavilion precisely because she wanted Ning Huanyi to socialize more with other young ladies before her marriage. That way, she could establish her own social circle after the wedding rather than being cooped up in the residence, lest she fall into melancholy.
“Miss, are you still upset about Liu Jingming breaking off the engagement?” Qingdai had noticed the mocking smile on Ning Huanyi’s lips. She had never seen her usually delicate and childlike mistress wear such an expression before, and it worried her.
Ning Huanyi shook her head. She was simply disgusted that someone she had once thought highly of could turn out to be such a despicable person—merely thinking about him made her nauseous.
The locust tree in the Yongchang Marquis’ residence stood tall, its clusters of jade-white flowers perfect for picking and making into pastries. Ning Huanyi adored the pastries made by the household’s cooks. Watching Qingdai help others inventory the betrothal gifts, she suddenly had a whimsical thought—if she were to marry into the Prince Regent’s household, could she bring the Yongchang Marquis’ cooks along with her?
Qingdai burst into laughter at the suggestion. Knowing that her mistress would have to take bitter medicine at noon, she hurried to the locust tree to gather fresh blossoms and deliver them to the kitchen.
She instructed the cooks to prepare the pastries as quickly as possible after lunch, adding extra sugar to ensure they were sweet but not cloying. That way, they would be perfect for accompanying the medicine.
Ning Huanyi nodded in satisfaction at Qingdai’s thoughtful initiative. Just as she clapped her hands and prepared to start embroidering the red bridal veil she would wear on her wedding day, she spotted a familiar figure approaching the gates of Qiyan Pavilion.
“Yingying!” The moment she saw her dearest friend, Bai Yingying, Ning Huanyi felt as if she had found her savior. The events of the day, from morning till now, had been overwhelming—her head was practically buzzing.
She could only turn to her most mischievous best friend, hoping Bai Yingying could offer some guidance.
Bai Yingying had always seen Ning Huanyi as a frail, sickly girl—beautiful yet delicate. But now, for the first time, she witnessed Ning Huanyi looking both troubled and shy, like a bashful bride-to-be.