One day, Zhao Yingqiu and Yan Ningshuang emerged from Old Princess Consort's Shou'an Hall.
"Why have you been so absent-minded lately? You were even distracted just now when Old Princess Consort asked you a question," Zhao Yingqiu inquired with concern as she looked at Yan Ningshuang.
Yan Ningshuang shook her head and remained silent.
Zhao Yingqiu sighed, stepping forward to link arms with Yan Ningshuang. "Ningshuang, you'll be returning to the capital in three days. It's a pity I won't be going back with you this time. I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to see my family again in this lifetime. Could you help me deliver a few letters to my mother and sisters at home?" Zhao Yingqiu had already been betrothed, so she would remain in Yunyang City to await her marriage.
Zhao Yingqiu's words only deepened the gloom on Yan Ningshuang's face. Those who wished to stay could not, while those who did not wish to stay were forced to remain. Truly, fate played cruel tricks.
"Alright..." Yan Ningshuang replied, pressing her lips together.
"Thank you, Ningshuang," Zhao Yingqiu said gratefully. Noticing Yan Ningshuang's low spirits, she thought for a moment and suggested, "Why don't I accompany you for a stroll in the garden?"
Yan Ningshuang usually enjoyed wandering the courtyards of Yanbei Prince's Mansion, though not to admire the flowers and plants. She merely hoped to chance upon the person she longed to see, but unfortunately, she had never succeeded. Thus, her enthusiasm for garden strolls had waned.
Seeing Yan Ningshuang shake her head, Zhao Yingqiu added, "I heard Second Young Master Xiao had someone bring in over a dozen new camellia plants, placed in the greenhouse behind Ting Garden for care. Don't you also like camellias? Why don't we go take a look?" Ting Garden was one of the three major gardens within Yanbei Prince's Mansion. Because it was relatively far from Xiao Jingxi's Zhaoning Hall, Yan Ningshuang seldom visited it.
Yan Ningshuang felt a flicker of interest at these words but couldn't help feeling suspicious. "How do you know Young Master Xiao had camellias brought into the mansion?" She usually paid the closest attention to news about Xiao Jingxi, so there was no reason Zhao Yingqiu would know something she did not.
Zhao Yingqiu smiled helplessly. "We overheard the maids in Shou'an Hall talking about it just now when we went to pay our respects to Old Princess Consort. Didn't you hear? If you don't believe me, ask your maid."
Yan Ningshuang glanced back at her maid, Ping'er. This maid had accompanied her from home. The rules in Yanbei Prince's Mansion were strict, and both she and Zhao Yingqiu were only allowed to bring two personal maids each—a special allowance granted by Old Princess Consort for their convenience.
Ping'er quickly nodded. "Yes, Miss, I heard it too. You were lost in thought earlier and didn't notice."
Recalling that she had indeed been somewhat distracted earlier in Shou'an Hall, Yan Ningshuang perked up a little and nodded. "Then let's go take a look."
The two then made their way together to Ting Garden.
Yanbei Prince's Mansion did not impose too many restrictions on Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu's movements. As women, they generally avoided the outer courtyards, but within the inner courtyards, they were free to wander except for a few specific halls. However, whether there were people secretly watching over them remained unknown.
The greenhouse in Ting Garden was used to cultivate more precious flowers and plants. Though called a greenhouse, it was actually a relatively large courtyard, complete with small bridges, flowing water, and upturned eaves—a design modeled after gardens of the Jiangnan region.The overall architectural style of Yanbei Prince's Mansion was imposing yet lacking in refinement. Among the building complexes stood many towering trees, but flowers and plants were rare, as previous Princes of Yanbei disliked such showy things. The Ting Garden was only established for the Princess Consort after the current Prince of Yanbei, Xiao Yan, married. Therefore, such floral decorations were confined to a few gardens.
Camellias, which fear wind and prefer sunlight, were placed in the courtyard outside the greenhouse. As soon as Yan Ningshuang entered, she noticed a tall figure in a dark robe standing with his back to them before a pot of "Eighteen Scholars," seemingly admiring the flowers.
Yan Ningshuang stared blankly at the figure for a moment before her face suddenly lit up with joy. Without regard for Zhao Yingqiu's presence, she hurried forward to stand behind the man and called out delightedly, "Xiao... Young Master Xiao."
Hearing this, the man turned to look at Yan Ningshuang, first with some confusion, then slowly revealing a smile. "This young lady... knows me?"
Upon clearly seeing the man's face, Yan Ningshuang was taken aback. This man was not Xiao Jingxi, though their figures were somewhat similar and they appeared to be around the same age. While the young man's features could be considered handsome, they paled in comparison to Second Young Master Xiao. Moreover, his teasing smile gave him a somewhat roguish air.
Realizing she had mistaken his identity, Yan Ningshuang flushed crimson. Though she was bold and unrestrained in front of Xiao Jingxi due to her uncontrollable feelings, she was not the same with other men.
"I'm sorry, I... I mistook you for someone else," Yan Ningshuang quickly stepped back and said.
The man raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over her freely before shifting to Zhao Yingqiu, who had followed behind Yan Ningshuang. After a moment's thought, his face lit up with sudden understanding. "I remember now. I heard two beauties from the capital have taken up residence in the mansion. That must be you two, right?"
Zhao Yingqiu guessed his identity and immediately pulled Yan Ningshuang into a curtsy. "Greetings, Third Young Master Xiao."
So this was Third Young Master Xiao, Xiao Jingyue. No wonder his figure resembled Xiao Jingxi's. Yan Ningshuang couldn't help but show disappointment on her face.
Xiao Jingyue's gaze had remained fixed on Yan Ningshuang, naturally noticing the disappointment in Miss Yan's eyes. His smile took on a hint of amusement.
"Who did Miss Yan mistake me for just now? Do I resemble that person?" Xiao Jingyue asked with a smile.
Yan Ningshuang felt no fondness for this Third Young Master Xiao, who resembled Xiao Jingxi in figure, and even felt some aversion to their similarity. Her face resumed its usual coolness when facing other men. "I was mistaken. In fact, you don't resemble him at all."
But Xiao Jingyue wouldn't let her off so easily, still smiling as he said, "You just called out 'Young Master Xiao.' In this mansion, aside from me, the only one who could be called Young Master Xiao is my second brother, Xiao Jingxi. You were calling for him, weren't you?"
Yan Ningshuang pressed her lips together and remained silent.
Zhao Yingqiu quickly spoke up to help Yan Ningshuang out of the awkward situation. "We didn't expect to encounter Third Young Master Xiao. It was impolite of us to disturb your flower appreciation. Please forgive us, Third Young Master Xiao."
Xiao Jingyue chuckled softly and blinked. "How could it be a disturbance? I was just feeling bored admiring the flowers alone. The two young ladies have arrived just in time."Yan Ningshuang, observing the man's frivolous words and actions, felt increasingly that she must have been out of her mind to mistake him for Xiao Jingxi. Unwilling to engage with Xiao Jingyue, she said, "I'm feeling a bit unwell and will head back first."
Seeing her about to leave, Zhao Yingqiu quickly added, "Then I'll accompany you back." She then offered an apologetic smile to Xiao Jingyue. "Third Young Master Xiao, we must excuse ourselves."
Xiao Jingyue continued to watch them with a smile, making no move to stop them. Only when Yan Ningshuang turned away did he leisurely remark, "My second brother rarely strolls in the gardens because his health is poor and he cannot bear the wind. However, he has a small greenhouse near Zhaoning Hall, where he personally tends to all the flowers and plants. Would you like to see it?"
Yan Ningshuang immediately halted her steps, and Xiao Jingyue's smile grew even more pronounced and meaningful.
Sure enough, Yan Ningshuang turned back and asked, "Isn't Zhaoning Hall off-limits to visitors?" She had tried to visit before. Although Zhaoning Hall did not appear to have more guards than other places, anyone who approached would be stopped by figures appearing out of nowhere, making it impossible to get close.
Xiao Jingyue, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a folding fan and twirled it in his hand, laughing. "It's off-limits to outsiders, but am I an outsider?"
Yan Ningshuang took the bait. "So, Third Young Master Xiao can take us in?"
Xiao Jingyue tapped the fan against his chin and blinked. "If a beauty wishes to go, I can certainly take you."
A glimmer of light returned to Yan Ningshuang's eyes.
Xiao Jingyue then glanced at the sky. "It's almost noon now, and it won't be long before it's time for the midday meal. My second brother isn't in the residence at the moment. But if Miss Yan truly wishes to go now, I'd be happy to accompany you."
Yan Ningshuang's interest in Xiao Jingxi's greenhouse was merely a pretext; her true intention was to see Xiao Jingxi himself. Upon hearing that he was not currently at home, she quickly said, "Since Second Young Master Xiao is not in the residence now, it would be better to wait until he returns. It wouldn't be appropriate to go uninvited."
Xiao Jingyue looked at her for a moment, then slowly unfolded his fan and waved it gently. "In that case, let's wait until my second brother returns. Where are you both staying now? I'll send someone to fetch you when the time comes."
Zhao Yingqiu glanced at Yan Ningshuang, seeming hesitant to speak, but Yan Ningshuang still told Xiao Jingyue their current address.
Xiao Jingyue noted it down with a smile, and only then did Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu bid him farewell and leave the Ting Garden.
Xiao Jingyue stood in the courtyard, smiling as he watched their figures disappear around the corner of the veranda. With a light chuckle, he plucked a camellia blossom and brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply. In a soft, intoxicated murmur, he said, "Indeed, the fragrance of another's flowers is always sweeter."
After leaving the Ting Garden, Zhao Yingqiu quietly advised Yan Ningshuang, "Ningshuang, this Third Young Master Xiao seems rather... I think it's best we don't have too much contact with him."
Recalling Xiao Jingyue's demeanor, Yan Ningshuang also felt he seemed unreliable. However, she was unwilling to pass up any opportunity to get closer to Xiao Jingxi. "We came to Yanbei under the Empress Dowager's decree. What could he possibly do to us? We'll just bring more people with us when the time comes, and everything will be fine."Seeing this, Zhao Yingqiu could only sigh and fell silent.
Yan Ningshuang glanced at her and hesitated before saying, "If you don’t want to go... I can go by myself."
After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yingqiu replied, "I’ll still go with you. In case anything happens, we can look out for each other."
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