Сhаpter 19: Sоmеоnе I Тruly Loved
In just а fеw days, it wоuld be the grаnd wеdding. Моst оrdinаry уоung lаdies wоuld be stаying at hоmе awаiting their mаrriаgе, feеling bоth shy аnd ехресtаnt.
But Ning Нeng wаs nеver one to fоllow thе rules. Stауing аt thе Marquis’s еstate bоrеd hеr immеnselу, so shе had spеnt mоst оf thеsе daуs at the largе mаnsiоn А Jiаn had arrangеd.
Тhе mansiоn was lоcatеd in а quiеt аrea, уеt its interior wаs a world оf its оwn—еvеry blаdе of grass, every tree, еverу tаblе, аnd еverу chair had bеen рersоnallу arranged by A Jian.
The servants were all familiar faces as well. For Ning Heng, being here felt no different from being at her previous home, and she felt completely at ease.
“Uncle Feng, where is A Jian?” Ning Heng asked the steward, having not seen him for several days.
Since returning to Sheng Jing, she hadn’t laid eyes on A Jian.
Uncle Feng replied, “Spring has arrived, and Xiao Li has been acting up lately, causing quite a fuss. Master Jian has gone to personally look after him and said he’ll return in a couple of days.”
Xiao Li was the cat Ning Heng had raised—more accurately, a White-browed Tiger.
It had happened during one of her trips to the mountains to gather herbs. She came across an injured mother tiger, whose wounds were so severe that she was clearly beyond saving. Yet, the cub was still mewling and waiting to be fed, looking utterly pitiful.
In such a situation, anyone who hesitated would miss the chance. Ning Heng tucked the cub under her arm and brought it home.
While picking up strange men was out of the question, a tiger cub was perfectly fine.
Raised to this day, aside from being a bit mischievous and eating a bit too much, it could also ward off thieves—truly the perfect guardian beast for the home.
Upon hearing this, A Chan’s expression turned disdainful. “He’s looking after it? A Li hates it when he gets close. He’d better not get himself killed in the process.”
Uncle Feng replied with a smile, “Xiao Li is highly perceptive of human nature. That shouldn’t happen.”
Just then, Ning Jiao emerged from the inner room and wrapped an arm around Ning Heng.
“My dear, come along. Let’s get you some banknotes to keep on hand.”
The three of them went to the largest bank in Sheng Jing, where Ning Jiao, without batting an eye, exchanged twenty thousand taels’ worth of banknotes. She stuffed the thick stack into Ning Heng’s pocket.
“This is all your pre-marital property. Keep it safe.”
With money in hand, you could have the world. No matter what, it was more reliable than any man.
Ning Heng knew her mother was worried she might not fare well in the prince’s household, but she had few material desires. She wasn’t particular about food or clothing and wouldn’t spend much money.
Still, since her mother had already given it to her, Ning Heng decided to accept it.
After leaving the bank, the three of them were about to head to a famous restaurant in Sheng Jing to sample some dishes and wine.
Just then, an extravagantly decorated carriage with golden bells hanging from its four corners came speeding from the end of the street, forcing pedestrians to scramble out of the way.
Ning Heng happened to be standing in the middle of the road. A Chan, quick as lightning, pulled her back to safety.
“Sister, be careful.”
The carriage nearly brushed past the hems of their clothes as it raced by, its gust of wind lifting a corner of the carriage curtain.
Ning Jiao frowned and looked up. When her gaze fell on the profile of the exquisitely made-up, richly dressed young woman inside the carriage, she froze for a moment.
She stopped a nearby vendor who was watching the spectacle and casually asked, “Young man, may I ask whose carriage that is? It looks quite impressive.”
The vendor eagerly replied, “Oh, that’s the carriage of Prime Minister Cui’s residence. The person inside must be Prime Minister Cui’s legitimate daughter… Speaking of which, that young lady from the Cui family is truly blessed! Prime Minister Cui has three sons and only this one legitimate daughter. Since childhood, she’s been treated like a treasure—cradled in the palms for fear she might fall, held in the mouth for fear she might melt. She’s been spoiled beyond measure!”
Ning Heng didn’t know much about the noble families of Sheng Jing, though she had vaguely heard that Prime Minister Cui was highly favored by the emperor.
Noticing Ning Jiao staring in the direction the carriage had gone with a subtle expression, she asked, “Mother, what’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
Ning Jiao snapped out of her thoughts and casually waved her hand.”Nothing… let’s go.”
In just a moment, Ning Jiao’s demeanor returned to normal. She even ordered a large pork knuckle with fine wine and ate heartily.
Meanwhile, Ning Heng pondered in her heart—Prime Minister Cui…
She had been young then, but she vaguely remembered that the man her mother had truly loved was surnamed Cui.
…
Inside the carriage.
A maidservant whispered, “Miss, that woman in green just now is the one the Xue family found—the one betrothed to the Rui Prince.”
Cui Xiyue had seen her.
Today, she had come specifically to see what kind of woman was about to marry her Huai Jin brother and become the Princess Consort of the Wise Prince.
…She was indeed different—exceptionally beautiful, cool and detached, as if untouched by worldly dust.
Otherwise, how could a widowed country woman who had been married before and was pregnant possibly climb into the prince’s household?
The wedding was just a few days away. Seeing her pursed lips, the maidservant knew her mistress was upset.
She quickly comforted her, “Miss, don’t overthink it.”
“Although the prince is fond of you, the imperial decree cannot be defied. Besides, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but given the Rui Prince’s frail health… he truly isn’t a suitable match for you.”
Cui Xiyue naturally understood her maidservant’s meaning.
As the legitimate daughter of the current prime minister, with such status, what noble or general could she not match?
Even entering the palace as a consort, or ascending to the position of empress, was not an impossible dream.
But… ever since the Lantern Festival three years ago, when Huai Jin brother shielded her from that charging mad horse, she had been unable to forget him.
She knew her father preferred her to enter the palace to consolidate the Cui family’s power.
She had originally given up hope regarding the Rui Prince, but later, she happened to hear from the Princess of the Rising Sun…
Huai Jin brother often drank alone under the moonlight, looking lonely and desolate. The pouch he wore privately was embroidered with a crescent moon…
Her own name contained the character “moon.” This coincidence made her wonder if perhaps he, too, harbored deep feelings for her… but refrained from expressing them outright out of consideration for her being an unmarried maiden.
However… reason also told her that although the Rui Prince was favored by the emperor, he ultimately would not live long.
“Miss.” The maidservant’s voice sounded again, interrupting Cui Xiyue’s thoughts. “It’s strange, but just now, I noticed that the woman beside the Xue family young lady… her eyes and brows actually bear some resemblance to yours…”
Resemblance?
Hearing this, Cui Xiyue found it absurd and casually replied, “A coincidence, I suppose.”
Her mother was the daughter of a general’s household, descended from military officials. How could she possibly resemble an ordinary woman from the common streets?
…
After leaving the tavern, Ning Heng whispered a few words to A Chan, asking her to find time to investigate the details of the Cui Prime Minister’s residence, especially that Miss Cui.
A Chan nodded and made a mental note.
“Mother, shall we go home or to the shop?” Ning Heng asked.
Originally, Ning Jiao had only wanted to open a small medicine shop to support their family of four, while also promoting modern medicine and saving lives.
But unintentionally, shops had opened everywhere, and the money kept rolling in.
Ning Jiao had long planned to shift the business focus to Sheng Jing. Sheng Jing was equivalent to the modern capital, teeming with high officials and nobles, with plenty of gullible people with money to spend, making it naturally easier to earn profits.
Ever since Ning Heng was recognized and brought back to the marquis’s estate, Yin Jian had immediately begun consolidating resources and relocating their businesses.
They already had several chain branches in the capital. Now, after merging them, the shopfronts they acquired were larger, and affairs became more complicated, inevitably requiring the owner to personally oversee and manage them.Ning Heng was pregnant and unable to handle much work, so the shop was usually managed by Yin Jian, and now by Ning Jiao, who had hurried over.
Ning Jiao gently touched her slightly rounded belly. “Uncle Feng is watching over the shop, so nothing will go wrong.”
“Let’s go, we should buy some clothes, shoes, and socks for this little one. We can’t let them be born bare-bottomed, can we?”
Ning Heng thought for a moment and nodded.
But as soon as they stepped into Yunshang Pavilion, they ran into an acquaintance.
Xue Wan was affectionately holding Liu Shi’s arm while selecting fabrics. When she saw them enter, her expression instantly turned somewhat subtle.
Then, she put on a flawless smile and said softly, “Sister, what a coincidence! Are you here to buy clothes too?”