Chapter 210 The Bond Between Sisters
The “guest” of Sun Baozhen was n.o.body else but Dou Meishuang, who had met Qin Yunuan before!
Dou Meishuang had a pair of big and watery eyes as if they could take people’s souls from them. At the moment, she was looking at Qin Yunuan with a smile on her face. Her smile was clean and unpretending, looking extremely natural and kind.
Dou Meishuang was wearing a well knitted blue skirt, with neatly cut ta.s.sels hanging from her chest. She had a well-made jade orchid hairpin in her hair. Even though she only had a couple or two pieces of jewelry in her hair bun, every one of them was of the best quality. It was obvious that Dou Meishuang was living comfortably recently. Especially when Prince Ray was still missing, and the Qin family was in such trouble, it was really uneasy for her to live so comfortably.
Seeing Dou Meishuang’s att.i.tude towards Sun Baozhen, Qin Yunuan got the whole picture more or less. There was a slight trace of obedience and flattering in it, but it was obvious to the ladies.
“Cousin Qin, it’s been a while since we last met.” Dou Meishuang greeted Qin Yunuan cheerfully.
Qin Yunuan bowed towards Sun Baozhen and replied, “You must have made a mistake, Miss Dou. Grand Commandant Qin had chased me and Baochuan out of the Qin family a long time ago. Now, we are both considered a member of the Shangguan family. Besides, I am a member of the Prince Ning’s Mansion now.”
Dou Meishuang was slightly displeased, while Sun Baozhen took over the conversation and smiled, trying to relieve the tension, “Third Young Madam is such a cautious person, who never makes mistakes. Meishuang, we should both learn from her.”
Comparing to Sun Baozhen in the morning, she was now actively showing her generosity and elegance, trying to demonstrate her ability to become the mistress of the mansion.
Qin Yunuan sat down, and a servant girl immediately served her rose tea. She heard Dou Meishuang calling Sun Baozhen “cousin” while they talked.
Qin Yunuan raised her head, as Sun Baozhen smiled and said, “Oh, I guess you don’t know about it yet. Meishuang’s mother is my aunt. Strictly speaking, we are all relatives.”
“Well, I don’t really want to be relatives with you two.” Qin Yunuan said in her mind, but on the surface, she smiled and replied, “So, why is Miss Dou staying in the Prince’s Mansion this time?”
Sun Baozhen sighed, “You know that the Qin family is in danger now. Luckily, you no longer have anything to do with them, and you don’t have to bear being watched in the Qin family every day. However, the poor Meishuang has no actual relationship with the Qin family, yet she had to be interrogated every day. She has come to me today, and the Prince said I could make my own decision. I’ve just sent someone to ask the Old Madam’s opinion. They’ve all agreed to let Meishuang stay temporarily.”
Staying temporarily? Then it meant staying in the Prince Ning’s Mansion?
Sun Baozhen was not asking Qin Yunuan’s opinion on this one, but to clearly announce to her that Dou Meishuang was moving into the mansion.
After Xiuru left, Dou Meishuang came in immediately. Sun Baozhen was really acting fast.
“Oh right, the Yellow Flower Festival is coming in a couple days. They would set up the Yellow Flower Maze in the Royal Palace. Do you want to come and take a look, Third Young Madam?” Sun Baozhen suggested.
Yellow Flower Maze was a game that had gone popular in the past two years. It was actually just a maze. On the day of the Yellow Flower Festival, every young lady would wear a yellow flower on her head, and they would enter the maze at the same time. The first one of them who solved the maze and reached the octagonal pavilion could get rewards from the Emperor. As the maze was very complicated, it really needed luck to solve the maze. Hence, the winner was different every year, which gave everyone the chance to be rewarded. Everyone was tempted to try it out during the festival.
Especially this year, it was rumored that Imperial Concubine Yun put a lot of effort into the Yellow Flower Maze after she was in charge of the harem. She had ordered the workers to build a new maze, which was bigger and more complicated. It seemed that the challenge this year was tougher, but the rewards would be more generous as well.
“I’ve heard of it.” Qin Yunuan wasn’t quite interested in the Yellow Flower Maze, but since Sun Baozhen especially mentioned it, she added, “I had received an invitation a while ago, so naturally I would go.”
“Great. You, Meishuang and I, we could really have some fun then.” Sun Baozhen giggled. Qin Yunuan, on the other hand, looked at Dou Meishuang cautiously. How could she ignore her?
Dou Meishuang, who was able to have the Qin family keeping her when the Dou family was about to fall and have the Sun family protecting her when the Qin family was in trouble. It seemed that this woman had her way of surviving.
On the way back, Ting Xue kept reporting to Qin Yunuan about the progress of the Shang’s Mansion on preparing for the marriage. Shang Xianhua had a daughter and a son. As for this Miss Shang, Qin Yunuan barely remembered her as the young lady who tried to swap the flower sachet with Fang Ziying at the flowers feast. She didn’t make it in the end, and she received a round of sarcasm from Imperial Concubine Yun. She had to kowtow for Imperial Concubine Yun’s forgiveness.
Even though she had her little tricks, she wasn’t a bad person after all. Judging from her behavior at that time, she was just worried that her father’s position would be affected.
“It was uneasy for Miss Shang and young Master Shang to cover up for Maner.” Qin Yunuan exclaimed after hearing Ting Xue’s report. “We shall prepare more gifts for Maner at the wedding, so as to raise the Shang family’s status somehow.”
“Third Young Madam, there’s a letter from Jinling.” Just as Qin Yunuan entered their courtyard, Xi’er handed her a letter.
Qin Yunuan took the letter and got into the room directly. Ting Xue and Xi’er were outside, so no one would come in.
It was a coincidence that Sun Family was based in Jinling, and Fang Ziying happened to marry the young Earl of Jinling. It was convenient for Qin Yunuan to receive news from her. The letter was hand-written by Fang Ziying, who had some nice writings. The first half was some updates of her life. Qin Yunuan could tell that Fang Ziying’s post-marriage life was quite sweet. In the end, there was the news that Qin Yunuan asked for.
It happened that Madam Sun gave birth to a pair of twins back then, a boy and a girl. However, the boy died as soon as he was born, and Sun Baozhen became the only child left. The whole Jinling knew about this incident, which was why Madam Sun was especially protective on Sun Baozhen. She took care of Sun Baozhen’s studies and daily life. She’d never let anyone touch Sun Baozhen before twelve years old.
“Not anyone?” Qin Yunuan thought of it for a while and put a circle around the word “anyone” with red ink.
What about Xiuru?
The Yellow Flower Festival came soon. The n.o.ble women and ladies in the Royal City had all received invitations to enter the palace. Qin Yunuan used to enter the palace with Princess Ning, but now, she was with Sun Baozhen. Qin Yunuan had prepared her own carriage originally, but just when she was about to set off, Xiuying, Sun Baozhen’s servant girl, invited her to sit in the same carriage with Sun Baozhen.
“Madam said that she was in the period, and she was feeling unwell. She wants someone to talk with.”
As Qin Yunuan entered the carriage, Sun Baozhen was lying on a soft pillow, and her face was pale. There was a nice scent of incense in the carriage, but Qin Yunuan still found a trace of rusted copper in the scent. It was the smell of blood.
Sun Baozhen bowed and apologized, “I heard that Third Young Madam could smell well. I’m really sorry for the smell.”
Qin Yunuan didn’t say anything but smiled.
“If you don’t mind, then…”
“I don’t mind.” Qin Yunuan straightened up, and looked at Sun Baozhen meaningfully, “I was just thinking that it was really uneasy for you to know about my characteristics and hobbies in just a couple of days after you got married into the Prince’s Mansion.”
“What do you mean by that, Third Young Madam?” Sun Baozhen put on an innocent tone.
Qin Yunuan looked calm, facing forward, “Nothing. I was just trying to say that the Sweet Olive cake you sent me yesterday tasted really well. It happened to be my favorite.”
The carriage stopped at the palace gate. They handed in their invitations, and the nannies led the way. Imperial Concubine Yun was the most powerful one in the palace at the moment. Everything was set up as she liked. There were red cherry blossoms in the garden, and a long red floormat was laid out in the middle of the banquet. The palace girls served the guests with fruits and snacks. Each one of the dishes was looking fabulous. Incense lamps were burnt behind every seat, and twinkling powder was applied to each incense burner so that it would look starry at night.
Imperial Concubine Yun was looking very different today, with less s.e.xiness and more dignity. Even her tone was much humbler and softer, seemingly approaching the position of the Empress step by step. As for Imperial Concubine Yang who was recently promoted, it was said that she was pregnant. Three of her brothers got great results in the imperial exam as well, and they all had a bright future.
“Oh, it’s about time. I believe that everyone can’t wait.” Imperial Concubine Yun looked at the hourgla.s.s beside her. “The Yellow Flower Maze is more complicated this year. Anyone interested can take the yellow flower and enter the maze. The Emperor is busy with his work today, and he can’t wait for you in the pavilion in the middle of the maze. Ruo, you shall get in there first, and give the reward to whoever arrives the pavilion first.”
Sima Ruo, who was on Imperial Concubine’s side, didn’t move at all, as if he hadn’t heard it.
“Ruo?” Imperial Concubine called him once more, with a louder voice.
“Here I am.” Sima Ruo anxiously arched his hands and said, “I know. I will go right now.”
“Why the rush?” Imperial Concubine Yun’s expression turned gloomy. “The banquet isn’t finished yet. Lately the Emperor gave me some foreign dancers. I shall let them dance for the guests.”
Soon, music sounded, and the dancing started.
Looking at Sima Ruo, unsettled, Qin Yunuan was doubtful. However, with Sun Baozhen on her side, she couldn’t pay too much attention. Halfway through the dancing performance, Sima Ruo suddenly stood up and left for the garden in a rush. Seeing this, Qin Yunuan got up after a short while and was about to leave as well.
“Where are you going, third young Madam?” Sun Baozhen, who was watching the performance, turned towards Qin Yunuan quickly.
Qin Yunuan stared at Sun Baozhen for a while, and said slowly, “The Queen Mother sent someone to me, saying that she wants me to take something to the Old Madam for her. I shall go first, Madam.”
Seeing Qin Yunuan leaving, Sun Baozhen suddenly smiled weirdly. However, Qin Yunuan had no time to care about her. She looked around and soon found Sima Ruo, who left the banquet abruptly. At the moment, he was standing by a pond dumbly and mumbling to himself. When Qin Yunuan got closer, she heard him saying something such as “I’m so sorry, kid, I’m a terrible father”.