Xing Ru's eyes clearly sparkled, and A Dai looked at her, shaking her head slightly.
The second prince's thoughts were hard to guess. The princess consort, with her childish nature, was no wonder the second prince didn't want to see her.
"A Dai, let's go see the Lan Palace."
Xing Ru was only sixteen this year, two years younger than Princess Yue Nansang, and married the Second Prince Yue Beiyang after her coming-of-age ceremony.
Yet, she was still a virgin.
"A Dai? Alright?"
Xing Ru pouted, her moist, translucent lips appearing small and cute.
A Dai watched, sighing, "Princess Consort, you should really try to see the Second Prince more..."
Xing Ru paid no mind to her words, stood up, took A Dai's hand, and gently shook it, pouting coquettishly, "Perhaps if we go to Sang Sang's place, I can see Bei Yang Gege..."
Although the second prince's mind was unfathomable and his moods were unpredictable, he was very close to the little princess.
A Dai thought for a moment and relented, "Then let's go take a look..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xing Ru let go of her hand and walked out.
Seeing that A Dai wasn't following, she turned back with a sweet smile and said, "A Dai, hurry up!"
The Yue imperial family of Anzhou had long since declined. The true power now lay with General Xing Zhan, who was also the father of the Second Princess Consort Xing Ru.
King Yue doted on his youngest daughter, Yue Nansang, and the Great General doted on his youngest daughter, Xing Ru.
King Yue had three sons and one daughter, but only Yue Nansang was born to Queen Yue. Second Prince's birth mother, Concubine Li, was a favored concubine, but the second prince was different from other princes since childhood—the Yue clan all had brown hair and eyes, but the second prince had black hair and black eyes, regarded as an ill omen by the State Preceptor.
Concubine Li was also considered a vixen, and mother and son were banished to Anzhou's Dark Domain, where they lived for ten years. After Concubine Li died, the second prince was rescued by Queen Yue and subsequently raised under the Queen's care.
However, the second prince was always unfavored, even his name was chosen by the Queen.
Because he was considered inauspicious, no one dared to approach him, except for the little princess Yue Nansang.
Therefore, these two had the best relationship!
Lan Palace.
"Sang Sang..."
The woman in the palace was wearing a deep blue brocade long dress. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with pure white plum blossoms, and a white brocade sash cinched her slender waist, which was impossible to grasp.
Her long hair cascaded down her waist. Though simple, it appeared fresh and elegant.
Yue Nansang heard the voice outside the palace and quickly put down the brush in her hand, going out to meet her.
"Xiao Ru'er..."
Seeing the small figure, a smile appeared on Yue Nansang's cool, clear face, lessening her aloofness.
The two had played together since childhood. As the only daughter in the family and the most doted upon, they had always gotten along well.
A Dai and Yue Nansang's personal maid, A Tang, discreetly retreated to the side. When the two mistresses met, they always had endless things to say, which they were naturally accustomed to.
"A Tang, go get some pastries..."
Xing Ru glanced at A Tang, then turned back and said with a delicate laugh, "Sang Sang, you're still the best to me..."
Xing Ru had loved sweets since she was young. Although Yue Nansang didn't eat much, whenever Xing Ru visited, she would always prepare many sweet treats.
A Tang received the instruction and immediately left the room.
Xing Ru's eyes twinkled as she looked at Yue Nansang, "Sang Sang, did you pick up a man? I heard he was quite handsome?"
There had never been secrets between them, they could talk about anything, so Yue Nansang's face flushed slightly as she explained, "A couple of days ago, I secretly went outside the barrier and fished him out of that lake..."
Xing Ru's apricot eyes narrowed, clearly smelling a different emotion.
They understood each other best. Yue Nansang had lived among men since childhood. When had she ever been so hesitant when mentioning a man?
Xing Ru naturally understood the change immediately...
"Sang Sang, why are you blushing? Don't tell me you fell in love at first sight? Have you offered yourself to him?"
Xing Ru teased deliberately, and Yue Nansang's face turned even redder.
Just as she was about to refute Xing Ru's words, she heard A Dai's voice, "Second Prince."
A Dai had already bowed respectfully.
The two were startled, and their conversation came to an abrupt halt.
"Second Brother!"
Yue Nansang and Yue Beiyang had been closer since childhood, so in private, she didn't call him Second Royal Brother; Second Brother was more affectionate.
Xing Ru's back was to Yue Beiyang, and she didn't know how much he had heard, but her face visibly turned red.
Speaking of offering oneself, had she not done the same?
The first time Xing Ru saw Yue Beiyang, he had just returned from the Dark Domain. He was ten years old then, and she was only five.
She had never been to the Dark Domain, but everyone in Anzhou knew it was the darkest place, where those who had committed great mistakes and had wicked intentions were exiled!
She first saw him because of Sang Sang.
Sang Sang was very curious about this second royal brother who had just returned to the palace. Unlike others, not only was she not afraid of this legendary inauspicious person, but she also wanted to meet him.
Good sisters share hardships!
Xing Ru then mustered her courage and accompanied Yue Nansang to meet the second prince.
Xing Ru stood at the palace gate, her mind not entirely clear. She watched as the small sedan chair gradually approached from afar until it stopped in front of her. Only when the young man alighted from the sedan did she snap back to reality.
Yue Nansang released her hand, took a step forward, and Xing Ru heard her say, "Second Royal Brother, you look like this! You're very handsome, much more handsome than the other royal brothers. You're not as scary as they say..."
Xing Ru looked at the young man with black hair and black eyes. He was extremely handsome, more so than a man, and more delicate than a woman.
He had fairer skin than ordinary people, and at ten years old, he was already much taller than both of them.
Xing Ru stared at him blankly until his cool, distant voice came, "Princess."
Those two simple words completely dispelled Sang Sang's earlier enthusiasm. The two girls were silent for a long time, and then Yue Nansang continued with a smile, "I am your sister, my name is Yue Nansang. You can call me Sang Sang..."
Xing Ru was still staring blankly. She dared not approach this young man. The rumors still echoed in her ears, and the coldness emanating from the young man chilled her to the bone.
Although Xing Ru was the only daughter of a military family, she had been frail since childhood. Xing Zhan, who pitied his daughter who had lost her mother so young, not only did not remarry but also doted on her immensely, never letting her practice martial arts.
Instead, he had cultivated Xing Ru into a delicate and pampered disposition.
The young man's expression flickered, and then he seemed to notice the little girl behind Yue Nansang. Seeing that the girl was trembling, clearly afraid of him, he merely glanced at her briefly before looking away.
This was their first meeting.
But who would have thought that Xing Ru, who was so afraid of Yue Beiyang, would later fall deeply in love with him, even though when the three of them stood together, his eyes never held her.
Xing Ru stood up and turned to look at him.
Yue Beiyang was looking at Yue Nansang, walking past Xing Ru and straight towards her.
Xing Ru's soft whisper of "Bei Yang Gege" dissipated into the air.