The winter hunt was approaching, yet the Ministry of War had still not eliminated the monsters on Mount Weian. Ji Hong became enraged once more, and subsequently, a decree was issued dispatching the Jiyang Army, stationed not far from Mount Weian, to the mountain to exterminate the beasts.
Until the monsters were eradicated, the winter hunt would be postponed.
The matter of the two countries' political marriage, however, was put on the agenda.
"Your Highness, this is an invitation from the Prime Minister's estate." Lvan handed the invitation, delivered by a servant from the Prime Minister's estate, to Nan Shiying with both hands. This was the first time anyone from the Prime Minister's estate had visited since the Princess Consort married into the royal household, and they had sent a banquet invitation.
Nan Shiying took the invitation and quickly scanned it.
"A Tea Appreciation Banquet?"
What was this about?
Lvan bowed slightly, poured Nan Shiying a cup of tea, and handed it to her. She then said softly, "They call it a tea appreciation, but the guests invited are all young ladies and gentlemen of eligible age from various estates. Nan Fu hosting this banquet is likely on the Emperor's orders, to select a suitable match for the Princess of Dali."
"It would be best if they fell in love with each other. If not... then a choice must be made among the young talents of Lin Yuan."
"At this moment, those young lords and gentlemen who are not yet betrothed are probably jumping with anxiety. But who could they blame except for the sudden appearance of monsters on Mount Weian... Speaking of which, Young Master Wei has indeed brought trouble upon himself. Who told him not to properly select the poisonous dishes, but to leave one or two, causing the Dali envoy to suffer? The Emperor moving the matter of inter-country exchange to the agenda at this time is also a way to appease the Dali envoy."
"He, Wei Yuan, the grandson of the head of the Imperial Hospital, is of eligible age and unmarried, fitting the criteria for marrying the Princess of Dali. If that Princess of Dali fancies him, I'd like to see how he'll cry."
By the end, Lvan couldn't help but laugh.
"So that's how it is."
Nan Shiying nodded. She played with the invitation in her hand, her fingertips rubbing against the paper. A smile slowly curved her lips. Interesting. This paper probably hid something secretive.
She instructed Lvan to light a candle.
Then, Nan Shiying held the invitation a few centimeters away from the candle and moved it back and forth. As the paper heated up, a line of small characters appeared.
It was a method used by the Nan family's hidden guards to transmit messages.
"Qingyuan, return to the estate a day early."
It was Nan Chaoyin's order.
Asking her to return to the Nan estate?
The smile on Nan Shiying's face grew deeper, but there was no trace of amusement in her eyes. They were as cold as a frigid pond.
Lvan felt as if a viscous, membrane-like aura had suddenly permeated the room, completely enveloping them.
Her breathing suddenly became rapid.
Nan Shiying tilted her finger, placing a corner of the invitation into the candle flame. The paper was instantly engulfed by the fire, and within moments, it was reduced to ashes.
Nan Shiying looked at the pile of ashes on the table, a wicked, cold glint rippling in her eyes.
...
Nan Estate.
Li Wan Pavilion.
The courtyard where Nan Yuan'er's birth mother resided.
Nan Yuan'er's birth mother was not Nan Chaoyin's principal wife. She was previously a mere concubine. Because she gave birth to Nan Yuan'er, a daughter of immeasurable status, she was elevated by Nan Chaoyin to the position of "pingqi" (equal wife) due to her child's prestige.
As for Nan Chaoyin's legitimate wife, Lady Wang.
Her health had been poor after giving birth to Nan Yujin, and she was later deeply affected by the tragic death of her daughter. Thus, she had been bedridden for many years.
Her position as the legitimate wife had become a mere formality. Now, the entire Nan estate followed Lady Liu's lead. She acted as if she were the matriarch, even more so than the actual mistress.
"Master!"
After finishing his court duties, Nan Chaoyin went directly to Li Wan Pavilion. Liu Shi greeted him with a beaming smile. She was wearing a silk dress embroidered with bamboo in ink today. Perhaps she had just taken another nap, as her hair was slightly disheveled, with a few strands escaping her bun. Despite having three children and nearing forty, Liu Shi's face showed no wrinkles, and her almond-shaped eyes, as she glanced around, exuded a captivating charm.
Years ago, it was with this face that she had captivated Nan Chaoyin, and even now, Nan Chaoyin remained completely susceptible to her beauty.
He waved his hand, and the maids smilingly withdrew.
Nan Chaoyin wrapped his arm around Liu Shi's waist, his hand slowly moving down along her hair, gently stroking her cheek.
"Master~"
Liu Shi's voice held an irresistible allure. However, Nan Chaoyin was past the age of impetuous desire. He took Liu Shi's hand and led her to the table, speaking softly, "Lian'er, Ying'er will return to the estate tomorrow to stay for a day. Please have Hui Lan Pavilion, located next to Li Wan Pavilion, tidied up for her to stay in tomorrow."
The unfamiliar name, Ying'er, made Liu Shi pause for a long time before she realized Nan Chaoyin was referring to Nan Shiying.
"Why is she coming back?"
Liu Shi's brows furrowed, and her eyes openly displayed her disdain for Nan Shiying. Even her voice carried a hint of sharpness.
Nan Chaoyin paid no mind to this, merely gently patting her hand. "Lian'er, you must remember that Ying'er is now the Regent's Consort. No matter how you looked down on her or disliked her before, from tomorrow onwards, at least in public, do not show such obvious animosity. Also... even in private, try not to cause her trouble if possible."
If Nan Shiying were still Nan Shiying, Nan Chaoyin would not have cared about her life or death. But the current Nan Shiying was his hidden guard, Qingyuan, so he could no longer allow the people in the estate to bother her. After all, if a conflict truly arose, it would not be Qingyuan who suffered.
Therefore, Nan Chaoyin's advice, while seemingly favoring Nan Shiying, was actually out of concern for Liu Shi.
"What are you saying, Master? The reason I dislike her is because of her inauspicious fate. Has Master forgotten how many incidents have occurred in our estate because of her over the years? The death of Yuqing a few years ago was also..."
"Enough, let's not mention that matter again."
Nan Chaoyin did not wish to bring up Nan Yuqing. It wasn't out of fear of touching a painful scar, but out of fear of seeing her innocent face and hearing her tearful accusations in his dreams at midnight.
A flicker of hatred flashed in Liu Shi's eyes. She hadn't expected that even after so many years, Master still cared so much about that dead little vixen. At the time, she had been incredibly pleased after devising a plan to kill Nan Yuqing and completely suppress Nan Shiying, but Nan Chaoyin's attitude cast a shadow over her triumph.
Indeed, dead children would always become the deepest bond in Master's heart.
"Alright, alright. It's my fault, Master. I shouldn't have brought up that matter, needlessly making Master unhappy. But Master, I truly do not wish for that... that child to stay next to me. I'm afraid..."
Liu Shi suddenly burrowed into Nan Chaoyin's embrace, her hands clinging to his robes. She was as soft as a delicate flower, and she understood men's hearts perfectly, knowing what kind of woman could truly make a man dote on her to his very bones.
Nan Chaoyin lowered his eyelids and glanced at Liu Shi in his arms.
He sighed softly, "Then have Ping Lan Pavilion tidied up."