That night, Ming Ying slept soundly.
His room was warm, heated by smokeless red charcoal. Pressed against his broad chest, even the pattering rain sounded soothing and pleasant.
The next morning, she bowed her head to help him dress, her movements fluid and flawless as she had done countless times before.
This was also why Pei Xiaoyun enjoyed being attended by her.
No one else had such a pleasing little appearance or such nimble hands. He loved to play with her soft fingers, their delicate tips seeming as if they might snap with a single bend.
"Don't go anywhere. I'll return early to pick you up."
Ming Ying gently hooked his fingertip, revealing a sweet smile: "Is Young Master lying to me?"
It had been a long time since he last took her out.
Let alone to stroll through the lantern festival on the streets.
"When have I ever lied to you?" Pei Xiaoyun pinched her cheek affectionately.
Though her temperament was gentle and slow, she loved to play and have fun the most.
It seemed he hadn't taken her out in quite a while. After this lantern festival, the New Year would arrive. Once he married after the New Year, there would be no more chances to take her out.
Rainwater pooled under the eaves was scattered by the wind, and birds chirped, heralding the clear sky.
Ming Ying heard magpies calling—today was still a good day.
She brought two outer robes, both of which suited his figure well, making it difficult for her to choose. "Young Master, which one would you like to wear?"
Pei Xiaoyun glanced casually. "Whichever."
After careful consideration, Ming Ying finally selected the indigo round-collar robe.
After Pei Xiaoyun put it on, he gave her a meaningful look: "It does match the one you're wearing."
Her dress today was also bluish-green.
Ming Ying bent to hang the jade pendant for him, her nose turning red from his remark—her little secret had been discovered.
Such fine sunlight was rare in winter. The young maids in the courtyard basked in the warm sun, sitting under the corridor and playing.
When Ming Ying went out to sun the flowers, they came to play with her again. No matter what, she was happy as long as someone played with her.
"Yu'er, use less soil—it'll suffocate."
She was teaching them how to plant flowers, beads of sweat on her forehead, as if she hadn't felt this carefree in a long time.
In the evening, Pei Xiaoyun indeed came to pick her up.
The carriage from Guogongfu was luxurious and imposing. She had never ridden in such a large carriage before.
The long street bustled with activity, ablaze with lights and colors. Lanterns of every hue hung intertwined from the trees. The lantern festival in the capital was truly more magnificent than the one in Yangzhou.
She lifted the carriage curtain, watching pairs of young men and women pass by, their hair and clothes fragrant and elegant.
She stole a glance at the man sitting beside her. The dazzling light of the lanterns filtered through the brocade curtain, illuminating his face, just like when she first saw him—flawless as white jade, beyond compare.
Tonight, no one knew that they could temporarily play the part of a perfect couple.
The carriage stopped by the most bustling bridge.
Pei Xiaoyun stepped out first and, considering the carriage's height, extended his hand to her. "Come down."
Ming Ying took his hand and leaped down.
As soon as she alighted, she was drawn to a stall selling clay figurines.
"Miss, take a look. Isn't this rabbit perfectly crafted?"
At the center of the stall sat a snow-white, adorable rabbit, sculpted with remarkable likeness. Ming Ying picked it up to examine it closely, unable to put it down.
She was like a bird freed from its cage, fascinated by every novelty.
Pei Xiaoyun followed her over, watching as she leaned against the stall, looking this way and that.
The stall was filled with clay figurines of birds and beasts—things children loved. Her eyes remained fixed on them, unable to look away.
He found the clamor of the lantern festival tiresome, but seeing her radiant expression, he still walked over.
After all, there wouldn’t be many more opportunities like this in the future.
“If you like it, buy it,” he said, instructing Kong Qing to pay before taking her hand and leading her away.
On both sides of the bridge, stalls sold peace talismans.
“These have been blessed by Master Xuankong of Baimasi—they’re very effective, and each person can only buy one!”
Whether they believed in it or not, men and women, young and old, were all willing to spend a little money for a bit of fun, crowding around the stall.
Pei Xiaoyun lost sight of her in just a moment of distraction.
“Kong Qing, where is she?”
The crowd here was chaotic, and she, a woman who had seen little of the world, dared to wander off on her own.
Kong Qing scratched his nose. “She was just buying candied hawthorn a moment ago—how did she disappear so quickly?”
Pei Xiaoyun’s expression darkened as he was about to order his servants to search for her when Ming Ying emerged from the crowd ahead.
“Where did you go?” His voice was icy.
Ming Ying held a light blue peace talisman embroidered with cloud patterns, pausing for a few breaths before speaking slowly under his penetrating gaze. “I was right here. I squeezed through the crowd to buy a peace talisman for you. They all say it’s very effective.”
She didn’t know if he would like it.
The depth in Pei Xiaoyun’s eyes softened slightly as he looked at the peace talisman in her hand, its corners embroidered crookedly. He couldn’t help but scoff, casually asking, “Aren’t you buying one for yourself?”
Ming Ying shook her head earnestly. “They said each person can only buy one. If you buy more, it won’t work anymore.”
Pei Xiaoyun fell silent, but Ming Ying wasn’t ready to give up. Noticing a young couple standing nearby, the woman quietly fastening a peace talisman for the man, she tentatively whispered, “Do you like it? Should I fasten it for you?”
Her embroidery skills weren’t the best. She remembered how he had glanced at the pouch she spent so long embroidering for him and said it wasn’t pretty.
Pei Xiaoyun tilted his head slightly—a silent permission.
Ming Ying’s eyes reflected the dazzling fireworks as she leaned in to fasten it to his waist.
Once she was done, Pei Xiaoyun took her hand. “We’re done here. I’ll take you to Qianwei Lou for a meal.”
Ming Ying was reluctant to leave the lanterns behind, but she could only follow him. She was already happy enough that he had brought her out and didn’t dare ask for more.
Qianwei Lou, home to renowned chefs from all over the country, was the largest restaurant in the capital. With the lantern festival in full swing today, every seat in the restaurant was filled.
Pei Xiaoyun had instructed Kong Qing to reserve a private room in advance. As he led Ming Ying upstairs, he brushed past someone on the steps. Only after the person had walked away and stopped at a private room across the hall did he recognize him as Crown Prince Xiao Lang.
Their eyes met, and Pei Xiaoyun remained unperturbed, giving a slight nod.
Xiao Lang was here too?
As a close official of the Eastern Palace, he couldn’t avoid going over to exchange pleasantries with Xiao Lang.
He first pushed open the door to their private room and said to Ming Ying, “Mian’er, go in and wait for me. I have some matters to attend to and will be back shortly.”
“Mm,” Ming Ying replied, releasing his hand and obediently stepping inside.
The private room had a half-open window overlooking the bustling streets below. A landscape screen separated the room from a round ebony table carved with lotus patterns, while behind it, a miniature rockery trickled with a gentle stream of clear water.
Feeling famished, she wandered around the room before sitting down to sip tea quietly as she waited for Pei Xiaoyun.
A short while later, the door opened and closed.
Thinking it was Pei Xiaoyun returning, she set down her cup and stood up.
But standing at the doorway was a young woman dressed in vibrant red, adorned with jewels and hairpins, followed by a maid dressed in fine clothing.
She found the woman in red somewhat familiar, and upon closer inspection, recognized her as the girl who had affectionately held Pei Xiaoyun’s arm at the estate that day—his fiancée, County Mistress Jianing.
Flustered, she lowered her head, unsure of what to say.
A clear, melodious voice drifted over from the opposite side: “It’s you?”
“Greetings, County Mistress.”
Ming Ying stood there, uneasy as if scorched by the blazing sun overhead. The person before her was noble and radiant, making her almost afraid to look directly.
Xiao Fuying raised her head to gaze at her, lifting her eyes in surprise. “Aren’t you a servant from Duke Qu’s Guogongfu?”
The word “servant” struck her ears.
Ming Ying’s heart pounded wildly, overwhelmed by extreme embarrassment and at a loss for what to do.
She was indeed a servant, and she didn’t know how to respond.
The County Mistress’s voice, both languid and sharp, seemed capable of crushing a mere servant like her without the slightest effort.
A maid beside Xiao Fuying suddenly stepped forward, her tone hostile. “How dare you! This private room was reserved by our County Mistress. Who do you think you are, barging in here? Get out now!”
Ming Ying’s eyes grew hot with unshed tears.
But wasn’t this… the private room reserved by the Young Master? He had said he would bring her to Qianwei Lou for a meal.
With Pei Xiaoyun nowhere in sight, she could only take a small step, intending to leave first. “This servant has offended the County Mistress. I will leave now.”
Kong Qing, hearing the commotion, hurried over.
“County Mistress?” He stared at Xiao Fuying in astonishment, then glanced at Ming Ying, his mind in turmoil.
Miss Ming’s current status was awkward—how had she ended up encountering the County Mistress? The Eldest Master was discussing matters with the Crown Prince in the neighboring room, and he couldn’t disturb them.
“Kong Qing?” Xiao Fuying frowned, her tone tinged with suspicion. “So, Brother A Yun is here too? No wonder his servant is here as well.”
She stared at Ming Ying, deep in thought.
How could she keep running into this woman? This girl was quite pretty and well-dressed—hardly a servant. She must be the mistress Brother A Yun was rumored to be keeping outside!
Kong Qing felt a headache coming on. “County Mistress, why are you here? This private room was reserved first by our Eldest Master.”
“What nonsense?” Xiao Fuying’s skirt swept the floor as she took a seat directly. “I clearly reserved it. Chun Tao, call the manager up here and ask him what’s going on.”
While Chun Tao went to fetch the manager, Ming Ying curtsied. “I have offended the County Mistress. Please forgive me. This servant will take her leave now.”
Given the situation, leaving first was the only option.
“Stop.”
Xiao Fuying turned to call her back, her sharp gaze sweeping over her before suddenly curling into a smile. “I heard that in Yangzhou, you clung to Brother A Yun for three years. When he was about to return to the capital, you chased after him relentlessly. After he took you in as his mistress, you used tricks and seduction to worm your way into the inner courtyard. What a shameless creature!”
She swept a teacup off the table. Blue-and-white porcelain shards flew, and scalding tea splashed onto Ming Ying’s skirt and shoes.
Ming Ying dared not even breathe heavily, a faint sound of pain escaping her throat as she bit her lip until it nearly bled. She was like an ant—the more she struggled to turn things around, the harder she was crushed.
“Why aren’t you saying anything now?”
Kong Qing stepped in to mediate. “County Mistress, Miss Ming is the Eldest Master’s person. You cannot treat her like this—”
Xiao Fuying retorted, “Even if she is Brother A Yun’s person, she’s nothing but a lowly servant. Am I not allowed to discipline a mere slave?”
Chun Tao returned with the manager, interrupting the tense confrontation.
It turned out that due to the many guests today, this private room had indeed been reserved by Pei Xiaoyun first. However, the new attendant had mixed things up, thinking it was unoccupied, and brought Xiao Fuying here instead.
Now that everything was clear, Kong Qing wanted to take the opportunity to ask the others to leave. But Xiao Fuying cheerfully said, "That's no problem at all. It’s actually a happy accident—I’ll just wait here for Brother A Yun to return so we can dine together."
She shot Ming Ying a disdainful glance. "Hurry up and get out of here! Don’t let me see you again, or I won’t let you off!"
Ming Ying felt as if she had been granted a reprieve and hurried out the door, finally allowing her tears to fall. The tea had been poured all over her—her shoes and socks were soaked, and she was a complete mess.
But he was the one who had said he would take her out to enjoy the day.
Why had it ended up like this…
On the steps, she spotted a pale blue pouch-like object. She moved closer to pick it up—the once-clean tassel had been trampled and broken.
It was the peace talisman she had just given him.
Her heart sank, and she clenched her palm tightly.
So he never liked it at all.
Now that she thought about it, compared to the clear, translucent white jade pendant at his waist, this peace talisman seemed ridiculous and shabby.
Late at night, the lanterns were sparse, and the crowd had thinned.
Clad in thin clothing, she stood downstairs, watching from afar as a familiar figure finally entered the private room upstairs.
He had finally arrived. Even if he didn’t like the peace talisman, surely he would say a few words for her, wouldn’t he?
She hadn’t disobeyed him today—she hadn’t met anyone else, nor had she angered him. All she wanted was to wait for him so they could eat together.
As she waited, she saw Kong Qing come downstairs.
She watched him approach step by step and heard him say, "Miss Ming, the Eldest Master asked me to escort you back first."
Author's Note:
[Angry][Angry][Angry]