Yang Ciniang and Yang Huiniang both wore very friendly and gentle expressions, as if yesterday's confrontation had never happened. Yang Ciniang even took the initiative to reconcile, smiling and saying, "Please don't take those two words of quarrel at Zhenbaozhai yesterday to heart, my two sisters."
Yang Huiniang, who was standing to the side, also apologized.
Su Xuan's eyes widened in surprise.
The contrast between her previous arrogance and subsequent obsequiousness was too great! Mingwei couldn't help but wonder. The last time Yang Huiniang deliberately got close to Su Xuan, it was to help Rong Hao ruin Su Xuan's reputation.
Mingwei suddenly had a bad feeling. Could it be that Rong Hao was still after Su Xuan?
"It's because you two sisters are so magnanimous and don't hold it against us!" Mingwei spoke first, smiling broadly as she greeted them, and said softly, "Please forgive us for any mistakes Ah Xuan and I made!"
Su Xuan also sensed something was amiss and quickly stood up, echoing Mingwei's words. "You two are very kind-hearted people. I'm truly sorry that you had to give up your favorites yesterday. I'll choose something better another day and personally deliver it to your residence."
After all, this was in the palace, so Su Xuan and the other person were both extra cautious.
Princess Hexin chuckled. "Since we're all calling each other sisters, why be so polite?"
“Your Highness is right,” Yang Ciniang readily agreed. “If you don’t mind, you can all call me Second Sister, just like Hui Niang.”
"Second sister, third sister!" Mingwei and Suxuan had no choice but to acknowledge these two unrelated and scheming older sisters.
Yang Ciniang and Yang Huiniang appeared very happy.
“Let’s not just sit here idly. The young ladies from the Duke of Wei’s and Duke of Ying’s mansions are feeding the koi over there. Let’s go take a look!” Princess Hexin suggested enthusiastically.
Of the five, Princess Hexin held the highest position, and the other four naturally followed her lead.
Princess Hexin had just stood up and hadn't even taken a step when everyone heard a sudden sound of tearing cloth.
Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see that Princess Hexin's brand-new lotus-colored sixteen-panel Xiang skirt, with gold leaf, had been torn open with a large rip. The culprit was the protruding pattern on the drum stool, which had snagged and ruined her skirt.
Upon seeing this, the palace maids serving in the waterside pavilion hurriedly knelt down, trembling and begging for mercy.
"It's nothing, why are you all so scared!" Princess Hexin showed no anger on her face, but instead smiled gently to comfort the serving maids. "Get up, all of you. Don't make a fuss, I'll just go and get another one."
Princess Hexin's magnanimity relieved the four palace maids serving in the waterside pavilion, and their eyes showed gratitude.
"Who will come with me to change into a dress?" Princess Hexin asked with a smile, turning her head to look at Mingwei and the other three.
Mingwei's eyebrows twitched, but she remained silent.
Her skirt was torn, but she didn't make a fuss; she simply went to change into another one, which would have only made Princess Hexin appear magnanimous. It wouldn't have been strange if Princess Hexin had asked for either Yang Ciniang or Yang Huiniang, since they were relatives. But Princess Hexin asked about all four of them… What's even more suspicious is that Princess Hexin mentioned "who," implying that she only wanted one person to accompany her!
This is clearly aimed at her and Su Xuan!
"Ah Xuan, didn't Lady Huan'an just say you should go there sooner?" Mingwei thought of Rong Hao, who had always coveted Su Xuan, and how he had failed at the Huan'an Marquis's residence and instead been outmaneuvered, probably harboring resentment. If Princess Hexin changed her dress, she would definitely go to Consort Shu's palace… Su Xuan absolutely couldn't be left alone!
Mingwei knew her words were abrupt, and although she knew there was a trap involved, she had no choice but to fall into it. "If the princess doesn't mind, may I accompany her?"
Before she could finish speaking, Yang Huiniang and the other two looked at her thoughtfully, while Su Xuan's face showed disapproval.
"Very well, then thank you very much, sister!" Princess Hexin smiled slightly, a profound and unfathomable look in her beautiful eyes. She carefully instructed Yang Huiniang and the other girl: "...If anyone asks, just say that I saw that Sister Mingqi's purse looked very nice, so I asked her to draw it for me."
Mingwei's heart sank. She had even prepared her explanation, but Princess Xin was probably already prepared!
Could it be that sending me was Princess Hexin's original intention? This thought suddenly popped into Mingwei's mind when she saw Princess Hexin's confident smile.
No, it can't be... Mingwei secretly comforted herself. The Chengping Marquis's mansion was far less prestigious than the Huan'an Marquis's mansion. Although she was no longer a concubine's daughter, in terms of status, she was far inferior to Su Xuan! What did she have that could be used against her?
"Ah Xuan, go and check on my second sister for me." Mingwei was afraid that Yang Huiniang and her sister would use some insidious means to get back at Su Xuan, so she hurriedly said, "My second sister has only been in the capital for a short time and is still very unfamiliar with things. You must stay close to her and make sure she doesn't embarrass herself!"
Mingxi should stay by the old lady's side. As long as Su Xuan is under the watchful eyes of the elders, nothing will go wrong.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Su Xuan's eyes. She was about to refuse when Ming Wei winked at her, the unwavering determination in her eyes rendering Su Xuan speechless. She knew that going to Consort Shu's territory would make her a prime target, and she might cause some trouble.
"Don't worry!" Su Xuan finally nodded, and said softly, "You should come back soon too, the old lady is probably looking for you!"
Princess Hexin chuckled upon hearing their conversation. Half-jokingly, she said, "You two sisters are so close, like one person. Seventh Sister was just helping me change a dress, but you two act like you're in a dragon's den or a tiger's lair! You two really can't be separated for a moment. Are you planning to marry into the same family after you get married?"
Mingwei and Su Xuan blushed slightly. "Princess..."
"I know you two are close!" Princess Hexin said with a smile, her face showing no anger. "I promise to bring your Awei back safe and sound!"
Although Princess Hexin was joking, Mingwei and Suxuan couldn't say anything more after the conversation had gone this far.
Yang Ciniang and Yang Huiniang left with Su Xuan, while Mingwei followed Princess Hexin, who didn't bring any maids, to Consort Shu's palace.
Throughout the journey, Princess Xin didn't say anything else but discussed needlework with Mingwei, inquiring about Mingwei's daily preferences, from her favorite snacks to her favorite books—a very comprehensive range. However, Mingwei didn't relax despite Princess Xin's deliberate attempt to lighten the mood; instead, she became even more wary.
Once inside Consort Shu's palace, she would be the fish on the chopping block, while everyone else would be the butcher!
******
"Seventh Sister, wait a moment, I'll go see if Granny Tang is here!" Princess Hexin winked playfully at Mingwei and smiled, "Granny Tang keeps all my hairpins, jewelry, and clothes in the palace."
Mingwei felt the explanation was a bit abrupt, but she had no choice but to accept it.
"Princess, please go ahead. I'll wait for you here." Mingwei said gently, "Please go ahead!"
"There are a few koi here, no less than those in the Jade Wave Pavilion. If you're bored, you can go and take a look!" Princess Hexin said, then smiled apologetically at Mingwei before lifting her skirt and heading west.
Mingwei looked around at her surroundings. This was a side hall within Consort Shu's palace. When she and Princess Xin led her in, it was a winding path, and they hadn't encountered even a couple of maids along the way. If it were today's flower-viewing banquet, the senior maids would naturally be serving Consort Shu; there was no reason for them not to remain in Consort Shu's palace!
Princess Hexin had just summoned her to help her change clothes, but in the end she was left to wait here in vain. There must be something fishy going on!
Mingwei hesitated for a moment, but knew this was not a place to linger. As Princess Hexin had said, there was a large, white porcelain fish tank in the southwest corner of the side hall; presumably, the koi she had mentioned were inside. Mingwei didn't impulsively rush over to look, but stood quietly for a while.
Then she seemed to hear footsteps.