Chapter 45: Eating Spicy

When Ning Yin held the cup, the delicate thread of longevity swayed around his sturdy wrist, accentuating his slender and pale knuckles. Despite having the appearance of a cold and indifferent immortal, there was an inexplicable hint of spring sentiment added.

Yu Lingxi speculated that it was probably because he rarely took the initiative to do anything, whether it was the commanding presence from his past life or the administration of traditional medicine; he mostly sat calmly, enticing her with his nonchalant demeanor.

“Why does the young lady always look at me like that?” Ning Yin pressed his lips against the faint red residue on the cup, gently rubbing it, and said, “It’s just a cup, no need to be so reluctant.”

Yu Lingxi suspected he was doing it on purpose.

“Never mind.” She held her slightly warm cheeks, opting not to argue with him.

Ning Yin drank several cups in succession, his deep ink-like eyes half-closed, showing a face of deep contemplation and enjoyment.

Due to medication, Yu Lingxi didn’t drink, but she still lifted the corners of her lips slightly, saying softly, “In the future, if there’s anything on your mind, you can tell me directly. No need to keep it bottled up. It’s tiring to overthink everything!”

In his past life, Ning Yin’s thoughts were too difficult to fathom, leading to many misunderstandings. This time, she wanted to change for the better while there was still time.

Ning Yin raised his eyes from the wine cup, the gleam of the alcohol reflecting in his dark eyes. He asked, “Is this statement meant for Wei Qi or Ning Yin?”

His question was cunning.

If it was directed at Wei Qi, it would seem too affectionate and close for a young lady. If it was for Ning Yin, it might be seen as flattery due to his royal identity.

Yu Lingxi’s curled eyelashes fluttered, catching the faint light by the window. She smiled lightly and replied, “Whether Wei Qi or Ning Yin, aren’t they both you?”

Ning Yin chuckled.

His mood seemed genuinely good now. He looked at her for a long time after taking a sip, without questioning the authenticity of her smooth words.

“Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?” Yu Lingxi asked again.

In her past life, despite making various sachets, handkerchiefs, and shoes for him, she never heard a proper “thank you.”

Ning Yin naturally noticed the expectation in her eyes. His gaze lowered to the knot on his wrist.

With a deep smile, he said, “Rest assured, Miss, I will treasure this bracelet close to my body.”

He emphasized the words “close to my body,” and Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but recall the ribbon that he had wrapped around his wrist for a long time.

A warmth surged through her heart, but it wasn’t necessary. In her past life, despite embroidering many items for Ning Yin, she never saw him cherish anything.

Perhaps, in this life, he had cherished it too much.

Thinking about it, she heard Ning Yin say again, “In the future, I will give Miss another piece of present.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Ning Yin shamelessly declared, “Miss, you know I am the most grateful and reciprocating person.”

Yu Lingxi was skeptical, looking at his smiling expression. Somehow, she felt something was off.

After the Duanwu Festival, the scorching summer arrived. The hot days brought not only sweltering weather but also tumultuous political currents in the court.

Inside the Regent’s Palace, an eerie quietness prevailed, with not even the chirping of cicadas.

The Buddha hall isolated the intense daytime heat, leaving only a thick coolness enveloping Empress Feng, who sat in front of the altar with disheveled hair and plain attire.

“Who spread this news, and have they been identified?” Empress Feng asked, her eyes hollow, resembling the emotionless Buddha statues on the altar.

“Replying to Your Majesty, we are still investigating,” Cui An replied.

Empress Feng put down the rotating prayer beads and asked, “Cui An, do you remember how many tasks you have messed up?”

A simple sentence, but it made the young eunuch kneeling beneath his lifted robe.

“When I was imprisoned and suffered the humiliation of castration, I was in despair. It was Your Majesty’s recognition and trust that allowed Cui An to survive to this day. Although I am incompetent, my loyalty to Your Majesty is unquestionable. Please forgive me for some time,” Cui An declared while bowing, his dark eyes reflecting on the tiles below.

Moreover, he added in a slow voice, “Furthermore, those who knew about this matter back then have all been executed by me personally. Your Majesty, there is no need to worry.”

“Back then, didn’t one person escape?”

The Empress’s gaze fell on the lotus seat below the Buddha statue. She lightly touched it with her fingers, the dark red copper color seemingly still bearing the traces of blood splattered in the past.

Empress Feng withdrew her gaze and stood up, saying, “Any movements among the Prince’s consorts and concubines?”

Cui An came forward, kneeling, and reached out to hold the Empress’s hand. “Two consorts and one noble lady are already pregnant.”

The Empress nodded. A pawn had been lost, but several spare ones needed to be prepared.

The sunlight refracted into dazzling white light on the gravel, but it couldn’t illuminate the darkness of the Buddha hall.

In the Yu Mansion, the sun was shining brightly.

Yu Lingxi sat in the waterside pavilion to cool off. Only today did she learn from intermittent conversations with her father and brothers that there was a rumor circulating, claiming that the current Crown Prince was not born of the Empress but a lowly palace maid from the Palace.

Combined with the Crown Prince’s previous indiscretions, this rumor had caused many conservative courtiers to waver and observe. 

She scooped up the chilled yogurt from the icy mountain lake and glanced at Ning Yin beside her.

While the court was in turmoil, the Seventh Prince, who would eventually intimidate the world, sat leaning on the railing of the waterside pavilion, looking sideways at the sparkling lake. There was a subtle, harmless quietness in the curve of his lips.

…

After several scorching days, the cool weather finally arrived, bringing great joy to the Yu Mansion.

On the eighth day of the sixth month, the eldest son of the Yu family, Yu Huanchen, got married to a talented young lady from the Marquis Su family.

With an official position, Yu Huanchen should establish his own household after marriage. General Yu ordered people to open up the unused large garden on the west side of the Yuf Mansion. After renovation, it would become his son’s residence.

Although they would live separately, the two residences were adjacent, making it very convenient to come and go.

Today, both the main residence and the western mansion were adorned with red silk, and the atmosphere was filled with joy. Servants and attendants bustled back and forth, welcoming guests and seeing off visitors. Looking across the entire capital, it was rare to witness such a lively scene.

Yu Huanchen changed into his wedding attire, a vermilion robe with a jade belt, exuding extraordinary martial valor.

Yu Xinyi also reverted to her girlish appearance, leaning casually in the corridor, teasing him, “Yu Huanchen, I never thought you could look decent in this wedding attire!”

Yu Huanchen, already reluctant about the wedding, immediately retorted, “Unlike you, who doesn’t look like a woman even in a dress.”

The twin siblings started bickering as soon as they met, and Yu Xinyi was so furious that she rolled up her sleeves, ready to hit him.

Yu Lingxi shielded her face with a fan, smiling with curved eyebrows, and softly said to Yu Xinyi, “Today is your older brother’s big day, can you endure a bit?”

Yu Xinyi reluctantly gave up and turned to attend to female guests.

Yu Lingxi asked Hutao to take care of the refreshments and instructed, “Tell the kitchen that the lotus flower pastries should be served a bit later; they’ll be too greasy if they cool down.”

Just as she spoke, the sound of jingling ornaments came from behind, and a clear voice said, “Second sister.”

Yu Lingxi turned around to see Xue Cen standing under the summer sun in a luxurious jade-crowned gown, fresh and cool as mountain snow, offering her a faint smile. He dressed elegantly today but didn’t overshadow the main characters. His demeanor was as gentle and reserved as usual.

Yu Lingxi was momentarily stunned but then remembered that Xue Cen was today’s “best man” for his elder brother.

She greeted him with a bow and said, “Brother Cen, you can take a rest for a while. The wedding procession will set off an hour later.”

Xue Cen remained composed, but there seemed to be a hint of worry in his eyes. He shook his head and said, “I’m not tired.”

“Ah Cen! With this appearance, you’ll captivate how many young ladies on our way to the bride’s house!” Yu Huanchen came over, hooked his arm around Xue Cen’s shoulder, and teased, “I’m already married, but when are you going to marry my sister?”

Yu Lingxi anticipated that her older brother would make jokes about the engagements of both families. She quickly cleared her throat and said, “Mother called me to help; you brothers can chat first.”

With that, she lifted her skirt and hurriedly left the potentially troublesome scene.

Xue Cen’s gaze followed the charming figure as she departed, pondering over her words.

She just said “brothers.”

Yu Huanchen didn’t catch this subtle difference and thought his sister was just being shy. He patted Xue Cen and said, “Let’s go, Ah Cen. I need you to explain the wedding etiquette to me; I’m afraid I’ll forget it later.”

Xue Cen suppressed the hint of melancholy in his eyes, smiled as warm as ever, and nodded, “Alright.”

At the auspicious hour, the wedding procession set off from the Yu Mansion.

By dusk, the bridal sedan from the Su Manor finally arrived. Yu Huanchen and the bride each held one end of the red silk, walking side by side over the long red carpet, heading to the main residence for the wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony, they sent the bride back to Yu Huanchen’s residence in the western mansion.

As the roosters crowed, the lanterns lit up, illuminating the mansion as brightly as daylight. After the tea ceremony,Yu family members were to receive the bride’s formal greetings.

Holding a fan that covered her face, Yu Lingxi finally saw her sister-in-law.

She was a very delicate and beautiful woman, with eyebrows like willow leaves, eyes like glass, and a figure that reached only to her elder brother’s shoulders. She was contrasted by the tall and heroic Yu Huanchen, creating a unique and charming allure…

Judging solely by appearance, Yu Lingxi couldn’t connect her with the fierce woman from her past life who would rather cut off her hair than remarry.

Su Guan greeted her parents-in-law and Yu Xinyi in turn before gracefully moving towards Yu Lingxi.

Their eyes met, and there was a hint of amazement in Su Guan’s eyes. After giving Yu Lingxi a second look, she gently curtsied and said, “Younger sister.”

“Sister-in-law.” Yu Lingxi also returned the courtesy.

Due to her memories from her past life, Yu Lingxi had a natural fondness for her. She couldn’t help but exchange a smile with her. 

After the greetings, it was finally the true bridal chamber night.

Yu Lingxi’s parents had already gone back to attend to the banquet guests. Yu Lingxi instructed Hutao, “Miss Su has been busy all day, she must be hungry. Prepare some porridge and pastries and send them over to take care of the new madam.”

Hutao cleverly agreed and led two maids to make the arrangements.

The night was perfect, with a sea of lanterns reflecting the red wedding characters, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.

On the way from the western mansion to the main residence, passing through a garden with mountains, ponds, and flowers, Yu Lingxi was in a great mood. She told the maid carrying the lantern, “You don’t need to follow; I’ll take a walk alone.”

Under the gentle moonlight, she crossed the pergola adorned with purple wisteria flowers. When passing through the Moon Gate that separated the two residences, she saw Ning Yin standing tall and waiting.

It seemed like he had been waiting here for a while, yet at the same time, it looked like he casually came out for a stroll.

Yu Lingxi was somewhat surprised, calling out, “Wei Qi!”

Ning Yin stood still, waiting for her to approach.

“Why are you here?” Yu Lingxi, in her red gauzy jacket, raised her head to look at him, her eyes reflecting the warm light of the lanterns.

Ning Yin didn’t mention that he had taken the opportunity of the Yu Mansion wedding to eliminate some troublesome people outside the residence, and incidentally…

He lowered his eyes, and the corners of his mouth moved almost imperceptibly. “Waiting for the birds to return to their nests.”

“You’re talking nonsense again.” Yu Lingxi chuckled.

Ning Yin had only kept a cat for her; when did he start keeping birds?

The two of them, one in front and one behind, passed through the Moon Gate and entered the winding cloister.

On this festive day, lanterns hung every five steps along the corridor. Yu Lingxi and Ning Yin bathed in the river of light, walking on the path paved by lanterns.

Ning Yin lagged behind a step, able to see the fuzzy glow on top of her head, the swaying hem of her crimson dress, presenting a beautiful and light figure.

“Young lady seems to be in a good mood,” he commented.

“Of course.” Yu Lingxi’s tone was also cheerful. With a smile in her eyes, she said, “It’s my elder brother’s big wedding day, so it’s worth celebrating.”

In her previous life, although she followed Ning Yin, she was presented as a gift, brought into the mansion on a sedan, without wedding attire or ceremony. Seeing her sister-in-law wearing a high-quality wedding gown, adorned with cloud-like hairpins, and entering the mansion in a beautiful red wedding dress, it stirred the long-lost girlish thoughts in her heart.

She sighed and, with a slight flaw that even she didn’t notice, said, “To be united in marriage, sharing the same bed and living together until death, being inseparable and having a united heart – it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”

“Living together until death?”

Ning Yin walked with hands behind his back, sneering, “When you die, you get buried. The body decays into dry bones. What’s so beautiful about that?”

Yu Lingxi paused, instantly losing all sentiments. She smiled helplessly and patiently explained, “It’s just a metaphor, indicating that the deep affection between husband and wife persists even after death…”

Seeing Ning Yin remained silent, Yu Lingxi realized that he probably disdained understanding such things. Talking about these matters on her own was truly anticlimactic.

“Oh, by the way.”

She took a candy bag from her waist, smoothly changing the subject, “Want some wedding candies?”

The small silk bag was filled to the brim with her favorite pepper and salt plums, along with various dried fruit and candied nuts taken from the wedding feast. Ning Yin lowered his gaze, his eyes landing on her tender fingertips holding the candy bag. He reached out and picked a pepper and salt plum.

Yu Lingxi remembered he couldn’t handle spicy food and hurriedly stopped him, “This one is spicy…”

But it was too late; Ning Yin bit into the plum.

Yu Lingxi watched in wide-eyed amazement as a faint blush quickly spread at the corners of his eyes, as if he had been bullied, adding a touch of delicate and fragile charm.

She was first surprised, then frowned, “I told you it’s spicy. Why did you still eat it?”

Ning Yin savored Yu Lingxi’s peculiar taste, a near masochistic delight in his expression. Yu Lingxi knew this little madman was intentionally snatching her food. Helpless, she shot him an annoyed look and walked away.

Ning Yin followed her leisurely, murmuring after a while, “I don’t agree with Miss’s statement.”

“What?” Yu Lingxi stopped in her tracks, momentarily unable to react.

Ning Yin nonchalantly said, “Things you like should be preserved forever. How can you bear to bury them in the dark and let them decay?”

Surprised by his bizarre reasoning and reminded of her fate in her past life, Yu Lingxi remained silent for a while.

“If you can’t die together, you should freeze her body and hide it in a deep place.”

“Even if she dies, I want her to stay by my side.”

Ning Yin made a soft sound, as if constructing an incredibly beautiful notion. “Even after death, you should keep her by your side, seeing each other every day… Wouldn’t that be more beautiful?”

The wind swept through the corridor, blowing away the dust of memories.

Yu Lingxi, as if struck by lightning, looked at him in disbelief.

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