"Go out and be extremely careful about what you eat and drink, especially incense. Pay extra attention."
"Understood."
While the siblings chatted, Feng Jinyao had already left Yunhai Courtyard.
Upon returning to Ning'an Courtyard, after dismissing Yunxu and the other maids, she softly called out, "Shiyi."
Shiyi was the leader of the covert guards sent by Prince Ding to her side. He had investigated the Xu family's firewood shop matter previously.
Not only was he agile, but his hearing was also astonishing.
With just a call, Shiyi would appear before her instantly.
"What are Third Miss's orders?"
"Continue investigating along the Luo family's trail. I have a strong feeling that the person behind him is more than just Duke Weiguo."
"Yes."
Shiyi had been by Prince Ding's side for many years and had seen his fair share of the world.
However, this was the first time he had encountered someone who investigated cases based on intuition. Coincidentally, her intuition was remarkably accurate, and every investigation yielded results.
Therefore, Shiyi had absolute faith in her words.
A gentle breeze blew outside, yet Feng Jinyao felt a chill.
For some reason, she always felt someone else was manipulating everything from behind the scenes, and they were like blind people, unaware of it.
Such an enemy was the most terrifying for Feng Jinyao.
This matter, as a mere interlude, did not affect Feng Jinyao's capping ceremony in the slightest.
In fact, the vast majority of the Feng family members were kept in the dark and had no idea about it.
Soon, the day of the capping ceremony arrived.
April 29th, a clear and sunny day.
Everyone in the Feng family was beaming with joy, for it was the auspicious day of their Third Miss's capping ceremony.
Since ancient times, capping ceremonies were divided into two types: for the unmarried and for those betrothed.
Feng Jinyao had not been betrothed before her capping ceremony, so she underwent the ceremony for the unmarried.
This meant no bestowed courtesy name and no hair-pinning. Ordinary families would not even host guests.
However, the Feng family did not see it that way, especially Madam Feng.
"For A'yao, your capping ceremony marks the beginning of having more rights, not necessarily preparing for marriage. Therefore, Mother will ensure your capping ceremony is held with dignity and thoughtfulness."
These were Madam Feng's words to Feng Jinyao previously.
On the day of her capping ceremony in her previous life, she and Wen Mengsheng had already exchanged verbal engagement vows. The day after her capping ceremony, the Wen family sent people to formally propose and deliver the betrothal gifts.
Therefore, she underwent the capping ceremony for the betrothed, receiving the courtesy name "Wan," signifying gentleness.
Looking back, it was a complete farce.
Today's capping ceremony, for Feng Jinyao, felt like a rebirth, signaling her ability to bid farewell to her past and start a new life.
Thus, in this regard, she was rather looking forward to it.
Early in the morning, Yunxu and the other maids had everything prepared.
Being a light sleeper, she was awakened from her dreams by the rustling footsteps and hushed voices outside.
"Yunxu."
"I'm here."
With a creak, the door opened from the outside.
Yunxu was dressed festively today, the pink color accentuating her delicate features, making her look even more radiant than usual.
Her gaze towards Feng Jinyao was filled with smiles.
"Miss, shall we get up and wash?"
"Mm, call them in."
"Yes."
The maids entered in an orderly fashion and immediately began attending to Feng Jinyao.
Today, her hair was styled in a double-bun coiffure, adorned with only a few pearls for decoration, leaving ample space for Madam Feng to personally place hair ornaments.
She wore a moon-white mist skirt, overlaid with a light green翠烟纱衣. Her necklines were elegant, and the hem of her skirt was intricately embroidered with dark floral patterns in crimson gold and silver moonlight threads, swaying gracefully as she walked.
The maids were somewhat astonished.
"Miss should always dress like this, you look so beautiful!"
Lamei, though not eloquent, spoke words of heartfelt admiration.
Xiuqiu chimed in as if to set up a joke, "You should say Miss is a fairy descended from heaven!"
Her words made everyone burst into laughter.
A gentle breeze blew, causing some leaves to fall from the trees outside. To others, it was merely the essence of spring, but Feng Jinyao did not miss it.
"Alright, Yunxu, go get some food first, and then everyone else do what they need to do. There's still a lot to do today."
After saying this, the maids responded in unison.
Once everyone had left, Feng Jinyao turned around and was startled by the arrival of a visitor.
"Your Highness?"
Her eyes were full of surprise. She had seen a gesture just now and thought it was Shiyi who had something to tell her, but she never expected it to be Prince Ding!
Wasn't he supposed to be on his way to Jiangnan?
And he had departed several days ago, so how could he be here?
Xiao Tingyi's gaze was filled with pleasant surprise and a smile.
"I did not accompany them."
Feng Jinyao was initially confused, then suddenly realized on her own.
"A golden cicada shedding its shell? So, Your Highness was going to encounter bandits on the way?"
Indeed, she was intelligent! He hadn't even uttered a word, and Feng Jinyao had already figured it all out.
However, the real reason he stayed was for Feng Jinyao, not to avoid disaster.
But this was not the time to explain, so let her misunderstand.
He reached out and handed her a box, saying softly, "A gift for your capping ceremony."
Feng Jinyao was taken aback. Most gifts for capping ceremonies were from relatives. Although both men and women could give gifts, Prince Ding had no familial relation to her, nor was he her betrothed. To receive such a gift so abruptly, Feng Jinyao hesitated to accept it.
"Thank you for Your Highness's kindness, but this humble subject dares not accept."
Just as she was about to say a few more words of refusal, Yunxu's voice sounded from outside.
In her daze, Xiao Tingyi seemed to possess the art of invisibility and vanished in an instant.
If not for the heavy box in her hands, Feng Jinyao would have thought it was a dream.
Anything bestowed by Prince Ding was bound to be valuable.
Although she did not wish to accept it, she dared not neglect its safekeeping. If it were lost, it would be difficult to return it later.
So, after placing the box in a hidden compartment beneath the bed, she called Yunxu in.
Perhaps due to a slight guilt, Feng Jinyao's face was flushed, making her complexion even fairer, saving her the need for rouge.
After a simple breakfast, Feng Jinyao walked out of her room.
She casually glanced at the lush, large tree.
A faint smile, like the misty drizzle of Yangzhou in March, gently fell upon Xiao Tingyi's heart, captivating him.
Besides his mother, Feng Jinyao was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
That beauty was not superficial but resided in her heart.
In Yunhai Courtyard, the family members had already gathered.
The two maternal aunts from the Bai family were conversing with their grandmother. Eldest sister-in-law Wen's face also wore a gentle smile, while Meng Jie'er and Bai Siruo, sitting beside her, were telling her jokes.
The other grandmadams, madams, and young ladies who had come to witness the ceremony were waiting in the Haitang Hall. Madam Wen was accompanying Madam Feng in socializing and entertaining guests.
The two families, one discerning and the other distinguished, engaged in lively conversation and laughter with the female guests.