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Chapter 47: Gift
Upon seeing Ning Yin’s expression, Yu Lingxi could tell that he probably desired something beyond ordinary items. Her eyes shifted, as if concealing tiny hooks, and she added timely, “It must be within the permissible range of etiquette, prioritizing not to harm others and yourself.”
“Just keep it for now,” Ning Yin casually dismissed the rules, but his eyes revealed profound delight.
Gazing at the delicate and beautiful girl before him, he smiled and said slowly, “When the time is right, I hope Miss will allow me to take something from the Yu Mansion.”
The surface of the pond reflected a beautiful and shimmering light. Yu Lingxi, captivated by his infectious smile, nodded absentmindedly. When she came back to her senses, Ning Yin had already left with a smile, leaving only half a bunch of slightly cool grapes by her side, with glistening droplets.
“What kind of trap was he setting just now?” Yu Lingxi wondered, picking a grape and putting it in her mouth, only to scrunch up her toes in sourness.
…
In the palace, Cui An ordered someone to remove the eunuch who had been beaten with a cane. He turned to another subordinate kneeling in obeisance and spoke slowly, “The empress’s days with us are numbered. Have you found anything substantial yet?”
“Commander, please calm down! The rumors are too numerous and diverse. After investigating several brothels and teahouses, we lost the trail…”
Seeing Cui An’s gloomy expression, the subordinate hastily raised his tone, “But my men unexpectedly discovered that the young general from the Yu family is secretly investigating the whereabouts of the Seventh Prince.”
“Yu Huanchen?” Cui An savored the name. Was the Seventh Prince truly not dead, or was the Yu family preparing to take sides in this covert maneuvering?
The news, regardless of its origin, unsettled the Crown Prince, mindful of the volatile and unpredictable Eastern Palace. A deep-seated pain, reminiscent of an old ailment, seemed to subtly trouble Cui An. He looked calm, but his eyes harbored a profound and sinister look. Slowly, he chuckled, “Keep a close eye on the movements of the Yu Mansion. Also, present this information to our Crown Prince.”
…
Su Guan decided to gift Yu Huanchen a sword tassel for the Qiqiao Festival, and she lacked a piece of high-quality ice jade for decoration. She decided to go shopping and invited Yu Lingxi to accompany her.
Thinking that she hadn’t yet settled the gift for Ning Yin, Yu Lingxi, without much thought, agreed with a smile.
Su Guan’s usual carriage was small and narrow, a bit cramped for two people. Therefore, the steward was tasked with replacing it with the large carriage that Yu Huanchen often used when going to court, personally escorting them to the door.
The official carriage was spacious and comfortable, equipped with fruits and a cool ice for refreshment. Leaning against an embroidered pillow, Yu Lingxi blinked and said, “Although my brother doesn’t say it out loud, he does care about his sister-in-law.”
Su Guan responded with a sound of acknowledgment, a faint blush of newlywed sweetness appearing on her face. “I know, marrying him was definitely not a mistake.”
In fact, Yu Lingxi had always been curious. In her past life, she never met her sister-in-law, but after her brother’s death in battle, Su Guan chose not to break the marriage contract but instead remain faithful to him, choosing a life of solitude. This was a rare occurrence, especially for a woman of her intelligence and grace.
She had a guess in her heart and asked, “Before becoming sisters-in-law, did you admire my brother?” Apart from that, Yu Lingxi couldn’t think of any other reason for a delicate and intelligent girl from a secluded family to willingly endure such a fate, choosing to remain in mourning for her entire life.
Su Guan’s face turned even redder, like a child who had stumbled upon a secret. She nodded slightly, using her fan to cover her face, and whispered, “Four years ago, he displayed martial arts in front of the emperor, and I accompanied my father to the scene.”
Since that moment, love blossomed in her heart, and she made silent promises. Yu Lingxi was surprised; she didn’t expect their fate to be sealed so early.
The more fulfilled this life became, the more Yu Lingxi felt the shortcomings of her past life, letting out a gentle sigh.
“I’ve only shared this secret with you, Sui Sui. Please don’t tell my husband,” Su Guan said, holding Yu Lingxi’s hand, her face red. “I’m afraid he’ll mock me.”
“Sister-in-law, rest assured,” Yu Lingxi reassured, linking her fingers with Su Guan’s. “Even if he finds out, he won’t mock you. He’ll only feel fortunate.”
Yu Lingxi understood her elder brother’s temperament very well. He was highly responsible and intelligent. Even if he was reluctant before marriage, once his wife entered the household, he would risk his life to protect her.
“Forget about me,” Su Guan changed the topic, asking, “In a few days, it will be the Qiqiao Festival. Sui Sui, is there anyone you want to give a gift to? At the end of the year, only on this day, men and women are not restricted, and they can freely express their feelings.”
Yu Lingxi’s eyelashes flickered, and the cool and indifferent face of Ning Yin unconsciously appeared in her mind.
“At this moment, the first person in Sui Sui’s mind is the one you want to give your heart to,” Su Guan leaned over, speaking with the tone of an experienced person.
Yu Lingxi raised her head suddenly, a mix of surprise and confusion in her eyes. She blinked a few times.
“Really?” she hesitated to ask.
Su Guan nodded confidently, “You can’t hide your feelings for someone. He will unconsciously enter your mind.”
After some thought, Yu Lingxi realized that she had indeed been thinking about Ning Yin quite often lately. From the fear and resentment in her past life to the trust and acceptance in this life, from the the calculated plot to enter the mansion to his several actions breaking the rules to protect her… each event was engraved in her heart.
Is this what it means to have feelings?
Yu Lingxi wasn’t quite sure. She had the most intimate contact with Ning Yin, yet they had never discussed love.
Then, what about Ning Yin?
“Sister-in-law, what do you think…” Yu Lingxi’s thoughts surged. Outside the carriage window, a warm ray of sunlight passed through her picturesque features as she asked in a low voice, “If a person constantly tarnishes their reputation, cruelly mistreats their bedside companion, but after the companion dies, they refuse to bury the corpse, is that love?”
Su Guan thought for a moment and said, “Yes.”
“But isn’t this possessiveness turning into madness?” Yu Lingxi asked.
That night in the corridor, even Ning Yin himself admitted that something cherished should be locked away.
“Who said possessiveness turning into madness isn’t love?”
Su Guan chuckled, “Confinement, even bullying, bad people also have their own kind of love…”
Realizing she might have said too much, Su Guan bit her lip and fell silent.
The revelation stirred up waves of thoughts in Yu Lingxi’s mind. She slightly parted her lips, expressing her surprise after a while, “Sister-in-law, how do you know about these things?”
Su Guan hesitated for a while before confessing in a soft voice, “I used to be bored in the women’s quarters and read many books.”
From legitimate poetry and songs to less proper fiction, from “gentlemen marrying well” to audacious adventures, she had a wide range of knowledge.
Hearing this, Yu Lingxi’s impression of her little sister-in-law elevated another level as she leaned against the window lost in thought. Her emotions surged, remaining unsettled for a long time.
Did sister-in-law really say that? Yu Lingxi slowly lowered her curled eyelashes.
Unfortunately, she could never go back to the past to seek clarity from Ning Yin.
At present, the only person by her side was the little eccentric barber and chili powder enthusiast, Wei Qi…
Soon, even Wei Qi wouldn’t belong to her. With such thoughts, her heart felt sour and hot, and a faint sense of melancholy spread.
…
The jade market in Xuanping Street was especially renowned. Linlangfang was the largest jade shop on Xuanping Street, run by a shrewd owner. Rare and valuable jade items were kept on the second floor, reserved for distinguished customers.
The second floor was elegantly decorated, with musicians playing the qin and pipa for entertainment. Su Guan selected jade rings suitable for tassels while Yu Lingxi had nothing to do, so she wandered along the various jade displays.
Suddenly, her gaze was captivated by a palm-sized ink-black jade. The color of this jade was deep and delicate, pure and free from any impurities, as if black ice had solidified, condensed into a profound night within this small square inch.
For some reason, Yu Lingxi thought of Ning Yin’s hands.
His skin was cold and white as frost. If he were to play with this ink-black jade with his slender fingers, it would surely be an indescribable combination of beauty and elegance.
Under the light gauze of her curtain-like hat, Yu Lingxi softened her gaze and made up her mind.
This would be a perfect and excellent gift.
“This jade has just arrived and hasn’t been carved yet,” the shopkeeper noticed Yu Lingxi’s gaze fixed on the ink-black jade and immediately offered, “After the esteemed guest purchases it, our shop can take care of the carving.”
Yu Lingxi shook her head, “No need.”
Ning Yin’s preferences were different from ordinary people, and Yu Lingxi couldn’t quite figure out what he might like. So, she decided to buy the jade and ask his preference later, then have someone carve and polish it according to his preferences.
As they purchased raw jade, Su Guan didn’t think much about it, happily leaving Linlangfang while holding Yu Lingxi’s hand.
At the same time, in a tea house across the street. A servant glanced out of the elegant window and exclaimed, “Second Young Master, isn’t that Young Master Yu’s carriage?”
Xue Cen followed the servant’s gaze to the street and saw a graceful figure emerging from Linlangfang.
Even with a curtain-like hat, Xue Cen immediately recognized Yu Lingxi. Unable to contain his excitement, he was about to get up and go downstairs. However, he noticed a slightly petite woman following behind, dressed as a newlywed.
Madam Yu was also present, so Xue Cen had to suppress the joy in his eyes and composedly sat back in his seat.
“Aren’t you going to greet them, Young Master?” the servant asked.
Xue Cen shook his head gently, his demeanor restrained and profound. He spoke warmly, “With the new bride from the Yu family present, as an outsider, I should avoid suspicion.”
In such a public place, even if he went down now, considering his friend’s newlywed wife, there wouldn’t be much to say. The servant nudged his mouth and whispered, “Young Master, you’re just too upright. If one is willing to use a little strategy, what kind of person can’t be won over?”
Two knocks on the door interrupted their conversation, breaking the silence.
A tea servant led in a slim and steady man.
Xue Cen immediately stood up and respectfully greeted, “Elder Brother.”
…
As the sun set, the heat of summer had not dissipated. Across the street from the Yu Mansion, at a shaded corner, a man in coarse ordinary clothes was sneakily watching the movements of the Yu Mansion. A gust of cool wind swirled behind him. Alert, the man turned around, only to find the alley empty with no one in sight.
However, as he turned back, a dark-clad youth appeared in front of him without a sound, standing tall against the fading sunlight.
Before he could cry out in alarm, his voice was stifled in his throat, and he fell with a thud.
Ning Yin, with a single hand gripping the man’s collar, dragged his heavy body. The long shadow entered a rear alley, disappearing in the lingering daylight.
Ning Yin stood with his hands behind his back, kicking away the man’s lower garment with the tip of his shoe, revealing the identification hanging from his waist.
“From the Eastern Palace?” Ning Yin sneered.
If he remembered correctly, Yu Lingxi had just left the residence riding Yu Huanchen’s carriage, didn’t she?
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