At this moment, Beiye Yinman stepped forward from the crowd. Her posture was gentle and graceful, neither humble nor overbearing. "Your Highness, Princess Mutong, they did not mean any harm. Please do not let it ruin your mood. Yinman apologizes on their behalf." She bowed elegantly.
Mutong suddenly let out a small laugh. "Miss Beiye, you are far too courteous. This wasn't your fault, so why take the blame? By the way, I was quite busy during your mother's birthday last time and didn't have a chance to offer my congratulations. Please pass on my apologies to her."
Upon hearing this, Beiye Yinman's face flushed hot. She forced a smile. "It is my mother's fortune that the Princess remembers her. I heard the Princess is fond of illustrated pillows; I happen to have collected a few. I will have them sent to the Princess's manor later as a token of my gratitude."
"There is no need," Mutong replied curtly, leaving Beiye Yinman in an awkward silence. Though the smile remained on her face, the silk handkerchief in her hand was being crumpled into a mess.
"Mutong, I shall head back first," Yi Junlan said.
Seeing him prepare to leave, Mutong's sharp aura vanished instantly. she crouched beside his wheelchair with a sweet, dimpled grin. "En. Be careful on the way back, Brother Lan. I'll visit your manor to see you another day."
Yi Junlan nodded and signaled to Gu Qing.
Mo Lixia felt that Prince Kang was exactly as the rumors described—a man of few words. However, she didn't find him eccentric; perhaps he just hadn't found the right person to talk to. Feeling a gaze upon her, Yi Junlan turned his head. His eyes met Lixia's, and he offered her a slight nod.
Lixia snapped out of her thoughts and hurried to return the gesture, feeling a bit annoyed with herself. Why was I staring at him like that?
"Your Highness?" Beiye Yinman called out with a hint of grievance as Yi Junlan moved away, but the Prince didn't even spare her a glance.
She watched his departing figure with a look of profound loss, but in an instant, she regained her composure. She let out a soft laugh to mask the previous embarrassment. "Since that is the case, I shall not disturb your picnic any longer... Sisters, let us go view the blossoms elsewhere."
She spoke as if they were the ones bullying her.
Watching the group of colorful noble ladies walk away, Lixia felt as if she had just escaped a "Spider's Den." Back at home, she helped Xiqiu and the others clean the iron skewers before rushing to turn the collected plum petals into fragrant balm. Since it was intended as a gift, she had Hongshang buy several exquisite boxes for the packaging.
By the time she finished, the sky was pitch black. She joined her parents for dinner.
"Li'er, did you have a good time with the Princess and Miss Yang today?"
"Yes, Mother. It was very nice."
"If it was good, you should visit them more often. It's important to have close friends. I've watched Mutong and Yufu grow up; they are of excellent character."
"I understand, Mother."
"Sigh... it's a pity about Princess Mutong. I haven't seen her in a few years, and she's grown so plump. But being plump is good; it means she'll be fertile. Zhanchen is already engaged, but Mochen is still too young, otherwise..."
"Mother! Cough, cough... I want that chicken leg in front of you."
"Oh, look at me, just rambling on! Here, eat more. You're far too thin. If you marry like this, your mother-in-law will definitely complain!"
Lixia shot a pleading look at her father, but Mo Wushang only had a trace of a smile in his eyes and offered no help. She finished her meal as quickly as possible and fled back to her courtyard with her maids.
After dinner, in the main bedroom, Ye Qingwan sat at her dressing table. "Wushang, do you think Li'er is avoiding me? She runs away every time I speak."
Mo Wushang gently brushed his wife's hair. "Are you constantly mentioning marriage to her lately?"
Ye Qingwan fell silent.
"Our Li'er grew up in the mountains. In those remote places, people are lucky just to find a wife; they don't have concubines. She's used to that simplicity, and now she sees how devoted I am to you. She has her own ideas. She needs to go out more to meet people. Didn't she just go out with Mutong and Yufu? The more young men she sees, the better the chance she'll find one she likes. Our daughter has excellent taste."
"I agree. I don't want her to marry too early, but she is at the age..."
"I have several talented young officers in my camp. I'll invite them over for a visit soon."
"No! I've spent my life worrying about you in the military. I won't let my daughter live that way. A scholar would be better—someone with a stable government post who can provide for her."
"You're wrong, Qingwan. Civil officials are always under the Emperor's watchful eye; it's like living with a tiger. It's not safe. Perhaps a merchant? Li'er seems to enjoy business."
"We can discuss this later. It's late; let's rest," Mo Wushang whispered, pulling his wife into his arms as she blushed.
The next day was overcast and eventually broke into a heavy rain. The temperature plummeted, making it feel like the depths of winter. Lixia, snuggled under her quilts, thought of a funny joke from her past life about how winter and summer had teamed up to kill spring and autumn.
She watched the rain through the window and decided to stay in bed all day reading medical texts. In her moments of fatigue, the image of Prince Kang in his silver mask would flash through her mind. For some reason, there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity about him, even though she was certain she had never met him before.
When she grew tired of reading, she had Xiqiu set up her ink and brushes. She ended up drawing a cartoon version of the masked Prince Kang—a version that looked quite formidable!
Outside, heavy clouds swirled as the sky darkened prematurely. Thunder rolled, and raindrops the size of beans pelted down like arrows. In a dilapidated tavern on the outskirts of the city, four figures of extraordinary bearing sat in a secluded corner while the rain leaked through the roof.