"I’m... tired, I want to sleep!"
Liu Qingyun "chased" ng Qianqian out, shut the door, patted her chest, and exhaled a long breath.
ng Qianqian raised an eyebrow, "No rush, there’ll co a ti to get her to talk."
The night was dark, and the wind brought a chill.
Shangguan Ling led a group of Jinyi Guards, escorting Miaojiang’s carriage to the Pri Minister’s Mansion.
He dismounted from his horse, courteous and respectful, saying, "Young Master Bai, Miss Bai, we’ve arrived at the Xun Family."
Bai Yuwei peeked out from the curtain, gazing at the grand plaque overhead, "So this is the renowned Pri Minister’s Mansion?"
Bai Qingchen smiled indulgently, "Co down, now."
The siblings got off the carriage.
Bai Qingchen said to Shangguan Ling, "We’ll trouble Lord Shangguan to take care of our guards as well."
Shangguan Ling cheerfully responded, "The Pri Minister has been awaiting Young Master Bai and Miss Bai’s arrival for a long ti; please, this way."
Bai Yuwei clasped her hands behind her back and said freely, "I gather the person your Pri Minister is waiting for is my grandfather, no?"
Bai Qingchen shook his head helplessly, "Wei’er, mind your manners."
Yet, Shangguan Ling showed no displeasure at all, "The Miao King, along with Young Master Bai and Miss Bai, are all esteed guests of the Pri Minister’s Mansion. You don’t need to stand on ceremony—please make yourselves at ho."
The three proceeded to Xun Pri Minister’s study.
The air was stiflingly hot, and Madam Wei couldn’t sleep, so she stepped out for so fresh air.
As soon as she left her courtyard, she saw her son gazing fixedly in a certain direction, looking utterly spellbound.
She stepped forward and asked skeptically, "Xuan’er, what are you looking at?"
Wei Mingxuan tugged at Madam Wei, signaling with his eyes, "Mother, which family does that young lady belong to? Is she a relative of Aunt’s?"
Madam Wei followed his gaze and saw two people from Miaojiang; her expression darkened imdiately.
"Another Miaojiang vixen! Do you think your aunt would have such disgraceful relatives?"
Wei Mingxuan’s eyes lit up, "Not relatives? Then... could she be a maid? A senior maid? Mother! Go ask Uncle to give her to !"
"You—" Madam Wei choked on her son’s uselessness.
A re maid might not be a big deal.
However, she suddenly recalled sothing.
"Your uncle ntioned this afternoon that distinguished guests would visit the mansion and specifically told to keep a close eye on you so you wouldn’t bump into them."
Wei Mingxuan hastily reassured her, "Mother, do I seem like soone who’d cause trouble? I just—"
Madam Wei interrupted him, "Just what? Haven’t caused enough trouble already? Let warn you, any reckless ideas, and if you anger your uncle, don’t expect your father to retain his official position!"
"I know, I know."
Wei Mingxuan waved her off, clearly annoyed.
Madam Wei glared at him, "Why are you still standing there? Go back to your room!"
Wei Mingxuan muttered, "I can’t have her and now I can’t even look?"
"You... not worth dealing with!" Madam Wei flung her wide sleeves and turned to the nearby maids and servants, "Watch the Young Master closely."
The staff responded in unison, "Yes, Madam!"
Once his mother had left, Wei Mingxuan scoffed, "I don’t have to pursue her—maybe she’ll co chasing after ."
Speaking of pursuing, Wei Mingxuan couldn’t help but rember the fleeting glimpse from the Lu Family’s wedding banquet.
"What kind of luck did that punk stumble upon? Am I any less eligible than he is? My uncle is the Pri Minister, and yet he—a nobody—can marry such a stunning wife?"
-
"Pri Minister Xun is most gracious. My sister and I accept humbly; we will trouble you for the days ahead."
Bai Qingchen said with a polite bow.
Pri Minister Xun, fatherly and kind-eyed, replied, "Young Master Bai is too modest; it is truly our honor to have both you and Miss Bai at our humble abode. Alas, as an older man, I am ignorant of what you young folks might enjoy—Yu’er."
"Father."
Xun Yu stood up.
Pri Minister Xun instructed, "You will assist in hosting the distinguished guests well."
Xun Yu smiled, "Of course."
The Xun Family steward escorted the siblings to their temporary courtyard.
Misters Gongsun and Yu erged from an adjacent chamber and stepped into the study.
"Gentlen."
Xun Yu bowed respectfully.
"Young Master."
They returned the gesture amiably.
Soon, Mister Gongsun, barely containing his glee, said to Pri Minister Xun, "We sought after them to no avail, yet they fell into our lap with zero effort. Who would’ve thought the Miao King’s grandchildren would arrive so smoothly?"
Mister Yu added, "I wonder why they suddenly left Miaojiang."
Shangguan Ling interjected, "They claid it was to celebrate the Empress’s wedding, but I suspect that’s not their only motive."
Mister Gongsun smiled, "Good—motives are welco."
Turning to Xun Yu, he continued, "Young Master, over the next few days, you must beco close friends with the Miaojiang Young Master, earn his trust, and build rapport with his sister. Then, when the Miao King arrives in the Capital City, the Pri Minister’s Mansion will have every reason to propose a match between you and Miss Bai."
Xun Yu’s face remained expressionless; he simply nodded.
He had always known his marriage was a bargaining chip, valued not for lineage but for what his wife could bring to the Mansion.
Marrying a Princess was out of the question, as it would tether the Pri Minister’s Mansion to restrictions on its power.
And the noble daughters of the Capital City? None could rival the little princess of Miaojiang.
Xun Yu replied solemnly, "Father, rest assured—I will not disappoint you. I will secure Miaojiang for you."
-
The next day.
ng Qianqian noticed Liu Qingyun rising exceptionally early as well.
Blinking her eyes, she looked at Liu Qingyun, sitting gracefully on the swing and ethereal like a fairy, "Mother, so early?"
Liu Qingyun responded with indifference, "Weren’t you going to tour the Capital City?"
ng Qianqian opened her mouth, "Ah, right, let’s go!"
"Hold on."
Liu Qingyun stopped her.
ng Qianqian smiled, "What are your orders, Mother?"
Liu Qingyun cleared her throat and said casually, "Your Capital is too warm—find so cooler attire."
ng Qianqian fetched a brand-new pale-purple dress, "Mother, let help you change."
Liu Qingyun snobbishly answered, "Fine."
The two entered the room.
ng Qianqian helped Liu Qingyun out of her Miaojiang outfit; it was clear Liu Qingyun wasn’t accustod to being dressed by others, her face full of discomfort.
Yet, to maintain the dignity fit for a mother-in-law, she gritted her teeth and endured.
ng Qianqian found it amusing—was she tornting the daughter-in-law or herself?
Swapping into attire befitting won of the Central Plains, ng Qianqian styled Liu Qingyun’s hair into a simple bun.
Though she didn’t possess Ban Xia’s hairstyling skills, Liu Qingyun’s natural beauty allowed even an elentary bun to look ethereal and graceful.
The outfit ca with a lavender forehead ornant and a matching face veil.
After dressing Liu Qingyun up, ng Qianqian couldn’t help but marvel at her otherworldly beauty.
Liu Qingyun, too, seed pleased with her ensemble, glancing at ng Qianqian through the copper mirror and sneering, "All you have that’s passable is your face and taste."
ng Qianqian: My mother-in-law thinks I’m pretty, and she complints my taste!
ng Qianqian hadn’t brought Bao Shu along yesterday; the girl felt utterly betrayed and insisted on tagging along this ti.
Tan’er embraced Bao Shu closely, "Treasure Piggy, we’re off!"
Bao Shu flinched, her baby fur bristling: No! Not you carrying —!
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