Nan Shiying pushed open the door and looked at Ji Jinmo, who was leaning against a soft couch with his eyes closed, resting.
Sunlight streamed through the open door, falling on his high-bridged nose, softening the sternness of his face and bathing his fair, almost pale complexion in a warm glow.
Nan Shiying swiftly entered the room and closed the door behind her. As she stood by the door, shaking off the chill, she saw the man, as breathtakingly handsome as a figure in an ink painting, slowly open his eyes. A hazy mist still lingered in his eyes, and his lips, naturally rosy and translucent, parted slightly, uttering a husky, breathy voice: "Come here."
His well-defined hand patted the side of the couch. It was merely a bit of cold air, hardly something to be dispelled.
Nan Shiying took off her fur coat and hung it on the screen. She then removed her outer clothing and changed into an藕粉色 (lotus-root-pink) dress. Only then did she walk to Ji Jinmo's side. As she was about to sit, an arm wrapped around her waist. She gasped, her body lifting slightly. In the next second, she was pulled directly into the man's embrace.
Ji Jinmo lowered his head, burying it in her neck. Her chill was instantly dispelled by his fervent warmth. Nan Shiying tilted her head slightly, nestling relaxedly in his arms.
"Why did you return so early?"
Ji Jinmo's voice was still somewhat husky, and within the huskiness, there seemed to be another breathy tone, which, falling into her ears through her neck, carried a hint of muffled warmth.
"Bored."
Nan Shiying's reply was brief and to the point.
"But I did see something interesting."
She added, "You absolutely wouldn't guess what it was."
She turned to face Ji Jinmo, her eyes sparkling with a crystalline light, looking like a smug little fox. Ji Jinmo, not being a clairvoyant immortal, naturally had no idea what interesting event had transpired. However, since she had claimed to be bored and then immediately spoke of seeing something interesting, the event clearly had nothing to do with the banquet itself.
"What interesting thing?"
Ji Jinmo curved his lips, taking her hand, playing with her slender, white fingers. More than the interesting event, he longed to taste the full, plump lip bead on her red lips.
Nan Shiying used her free hand to cup Ji Jinmo's chin, forcing his gaze away from her lip bead and to meet her eyes. "I saw Nan Yuan'er today."
"Mm!"
Ji Jinmo's gaze drifted downwards again.
Nan Shiying shook his chin. "I think Nan Yuan'er is acting a little strange. The way she looked at me today was as if she had never seen me before."
Ji Jinmo finally fixed his gaze on Nan Shiying's eyes. He frowned slightly, his voice taking on a cold edge. "Did she upset you?"
Nan Shiying bumped her forehead against Ji Jinmo's. "No!"
Ji Jinmo raised his hand and rubbed her forehead. It was she who had bumped him, yet he was worried if her forehead was hurt. Hearing that his wife had not been provoked, the sharpness in his eyes gradually receded, and he followed Nan Shiying's lead, asking, "Then you suspect she's being impersonated?"
"Not exactly!"
Nan Shiying mused, "It's as if she's had a change of heart, but not entirely like it. In short, it's... a bit odd."
Ji Jinmo said, "Oh, that is indeed a bit strange!"
Nan Shiying: "..."
She lowered her head and bit his shoulder, asking while biting, "Why didn't you go to the study today? Why are you lounging in my room!"
Ji Jinmo nuzzled the top of her head with his nose, unbothered by her playful biting in his embrace. His voice suddenly softened, making Nan Shiying think she might have misheard.
"Your husband misses you!"
Nan Shiying: "..."
Wait, wait a minute. Didn't they wake up in the same bed this morning?
...
After the banquet, Prince Gong inquired about the events that had transpired. Hearing his daughter-in-law recount the Empress's words, he gently stroked the pages of a book and pondered for a moment.
"The Empress's words seem to carry a warning."
"A warning?"
"She is warning you that when selecting daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, you must clearly understand the stance of the other party and their family, and always maintain neutrality."
"And also..."
Prince Gong's expression turned somewhat heavy. He changed the subject and asked, "Are you certain that Feng Luan is already married?"
The Princess Consort hadn't quite understood why her father-in-law had shifted the conversation to Feng Luan. She had, of course, thoroughly investigated Feng Luan's affairs. If he hadn't already had a wife, and seeing how much Xiaoxiao liked him, she would have turned a blind eye and agreed. Although Feng Luan held no official position, he was the legitimate disciple of Medicine King Valley. In terms of status, backed by the entire Medicine King Valley, his position was no less than any noble son in the capital today.
Someone who could heal bone fractures and snatch people from Yama's grasp – who in this world wouldn't treat them as an honored guest?
Her thoughts spun for a moment, but it was fleeting. The Princess Consort nodded and replied with certainty, "Yes, I'm sure!"
Hearing her answer, Prince Gong's worried heart finally settled a little. He didn't want to think too ill of people, but who could guarantee that the Empress wouldn't use Feng Luan as a lure to force Prince Gong's mansion to submit? He wasn't afraid of overt threats, but he feared covert schemes.
Who knew if the mention of Yuzhou today was a prelude to a subsequent plot? Of course, if it turned out he was harboring malicious thoughts about a benevolent person, that would be for the best. But if there was even a one-thousandth possibility, it would ruin Xiaoxiao's entire life. That was why he had always maintained neutrality, all to ensure his grandchildren could live their lives safely and healthily. If the Empress truly intended to target his grandchildren, then he couldn't be blamed for siding with His Majesty.
Seeing her father-in-law's troubled expression, the Princess Consort inquired, "Father, why did you suddenly ask about this? Is something bothering you?"
Prince Gong suppressed the worries in his heart and did not explain much, merely reminding, "Keep a close eye on Baiyu and Xiaoxiao during this period. As for the marriage, a little later is fine. There's no rush."
The Princess Consort opened her mouth, wanting to say that Baiyu couldn't be delayed any longer. However, upon seeing her father-in-law's slightly nervous expression, she swallowed her words back. She nodded, imprinting her father-in-law's reminder in her heart, "This daughter-in-law understands."
...
"Brother, Mother seems to have taken a liking to the Shen family's elder sister and the Liu family's younger sister."
Mu Xiaoxiao was curled up on the soft couch in Mu Baiyu's room. She didn't know if her mother had seen any young men today, but she was certain of which young ladies her mother had taken a liking to.
Sister Shen Man and Sister Liu Ling'er.
If she had to choose, she would cast her vote for Sister Shen Man.
"Brother, Princess Huian is getting married not long from now. If..."
"No 'if'!"
Mu Baiyu interrupted Xiaoxiao. No 'if.' In this world, there were no 'if's!!