In the main courtyard.
Yan Zhao had thought that the "minor conflict" between him and Ning Yuwang would last for a few more days.
However, he didn't expect that it would be resolved because of the arrival of Chu Nian'an and others.
In the palace, Chu Nian'an had targeted Ning Yuwang everywhere because she favored An Xingzhi. But she had witnessed Ning Yuwang's remarkable performance.
Apart from her beauty, Ning Yuwang's talent was no less than that of An Xingzhi, who was known as the most talented and beautiful woman in the capital.
Coupled with the pair of Dongzhu pearls that Ning Yuwang had given her, Chu Nian'an was almost ready to call her "good cousin - in - law".
So, she deliberately chose a date and selected a "generous gift" as a wedding gift for Yan Zhao and Ning Yuwang.
Unexpectedly, An Xingzhi insisted on coming along, using the excuse that she still owed Ning Yuwang a thousand taels of silver.
Chu Nian'an didn't want to involve An Xingzhi with Yan Zhao anymore.
In the past, An Xingzhi always hinted vaguely, making her think that Cousin Zhao and she were in love, but it was the emperor who had made a wrong match, separating the lovers.
But in the palace, she saw clearly that Cousin Zhao didn't like An Xingzhi at all. He and Ning Yuwang were like a harmonious couple, flying wing - to - wing.
Chu Nian'an secretly thought that perhaps it was Xingzhi who had been being over - sentimental from the beginning.
But she only thought this in her heart. After all, An Xingzhi had grown up with her since childhood and was her older cousin. She had to save some face for her.
"A few days ago, I offended the Princess of the Heir Apparent in the palace. I've been feeling very guilty. I want to take this opportunity to express my apology."
This was what An Xingzhi had said.
Chu Nian'an, who had initially had the idea of persuading An Xingzhi not to go, had to give up. "Cousin - in - law is generous. She should not be angry with you."
An Xingzhi lowered her voice. She could hear the closeness in Chu Nian'an's words towards Ning Yuwang.
It was just a pair of Dongzhu pearls!
Lan'er behind her timely presented a brocade box. "Princess, these are the new styles just out from the Linglong Jewelry Pavilion. My young lady reserved them for you early this morning!"
Inside the brocade box were a pair of twisted red agate earrings and a gold - engraved armlet with flying phoenix patterns, which were delicate and beautiful.
Chu Nian'an hugged An Xingzhi and coquettishly said, "Xingzhi, you're so good to me!"
The Linglong Jewelry Pavilion released new styles once a month. The quantity was limited, and they never reserved them. It was first - come, first - served.
So every time new styles were released, many noble ladies would send people early to grab them.
This set of jewelry that An Xingzhi had was specially made for her by the Linglong Jewelry Pavilion. She had reluctantly given it to Chu Nian'an just to please her.
Chu Nian'an happily put on the earrings. "Sure enough, the things from the Linglong Jewelry Pavilion are the most to my liking."
An Xingzhi smiled gently. "If the princess likes them, I'll reserve them for you next month."
"Cousin is so good!"
Chu Nian'an was really happy. When she called out "cousin", An Xingzhi knew that she was still on her side.
Chu Nian'an had sent a visiting card in advance. When she arrived at the Heir Apparent's Mansion, she found out that there was another person who had sent a visiting card on the same day.
It was Pei Yunlu.
"Greetings to the princess."
Pei Yunlu had taken off her favorite white clothes. Under the pink thin jacket, she wore a beige short shirt, and a light - yellow long dress as the lower garment, looking charming and gentle.
"Why are you here, Yunlu?"
Chu Nian'an asked. Pei Yunlu was proud and didn't like noisy crowds.
Even Chu Nian'an's relationship with Pei Yunlu was just so - so.
But she had actually taken the initiative to send a visiting card to Ning Yuwang.
Pei Yunlu lowered her eyes. "The Princess of the Heir Apparent once gave me a pair of Dongzhu pearls. Since she is newly married, I've come to give a modest gift."
Actually, Pei Yunlu could have just sent a servant to deliver the gift. There was no need for her to come in person.
Chu Nian'an murmured in her heart, but thinking that she herself had also come in person to give a "generous gift", she just forced a smile.
The atmosphere between the two was calm, but An Xingzhi beside them bit her lower lip hard.
Another pair of Dongzhu pearls!
Was Ning Yuwang really that rich?
She remembered that Pei Yunlu had helped Ning Yuwang to scheme against her in the palace, so she naturally looked down on her. "Miss Pei, do you really value reciprocity or are you after something more?"
"Those with ulterior motives like to suspect others!"
Pei Yunlu replied calmly, with no emotion in her eyes.
With Chu Nian'an still there, An Xingzhi finally didn't say anything more sarcastic.
But Pei Yunlu calmly drank a cup of tea and glanced around. "Miss An, are you here to 'give' the silver today?"
The word "give" was very clever.
Sure enough, An Xingzhi's face turned a bit greenish - black. Damn Pei Yunlu! She seemed to be subtly mocking her for spending a lot of money but getting nothing in return!
Chu Nian'an still took An Xingzhi's side and smoothed things over. "Xingzhi has learned her lesson from what happened in the palace. Yunlu, don't make things worse for her."
"The princess is right."
The tea was still a bit hot. Pei Yunlu gently blew on it. "I'm just reminding Miss An that since you're here to apologize, be more prudent and don't offend anyone again."
"Thank you for your reminder, Miss Pei!"
An Xingzhi gritted her teeth and said word by word. "But this is the Heir Apparent's Mansion. It's not up to Miss Pei to decide!"
Chu Nian'an: "..."
Ning Yuwang, who was late, had just entered the main hall when she felt that the atmosphere was strange, as if a fight had just ended.
"Cousin - in - law!"
Chu Nian'an's eyes lit up. Fortunately, Ning Yuwang had come. Otherwise, she would have been in a difficult position between An Xingzhi and Pei Yunlu.
"Greetings to the princess."
Ning Yuwang bowed slightly to Chu Nian'an, who also returned the courtesy.
"Cousin - in - law, there's no need to be so polite. I'm the one disturbing you today."
Chu Nian'an took out a small brocade box hidden in her sleeve and handed it over. "Cousin - in - law, this is a gift I prepared for you and Cousin Zhao. You can open it later in private."
If she hadn't said that, it would have been fine. But after she said it, Pei Yunlu and An Xingzhi were extremely curious.
But Ning Yuwang suppressed her curiosity and just told Lianye to put it away properly and wait until evening to look at it.
Pei Yunlu also gave her a handkerchief embroidered with mandarin ducks, symbolizing unity. "My gift may not be as precious as the princess's, but I embroidered it myself. I wish the Princess of the Heir Apparent and the Heir Apparent a harmonious and loving relationship."
Ning Yuwang was very happy with her embroidery skills. After all, she couldn't do such things!
But in her heart, there was still a faint feeling of jealousy towards Pei Yunlu, so her attitude wasn't very enthusiastic.
She didn't know if Pei Yunlu's gift was a sincere blessing from an "old lover" or a deliberate act.
But she wasn't a unreasonable person. If Pei Yunlu was really an old lover, she would be the former, and Ning Yuwang would be the latter.
She couldn't show her jealousy towards Pei Yunlu, but she could vent it on someone else.
"Miss An."
An Xingzhi hadn't brought a gift. She had already spent a lot of money because of what happened in the palace. And she was afraid that this matter would spread, so she didn't dare to ask for money from the public funds. She had to use her private savings secretly.
But the three of them were waiting for her to say something, especially Chu Nian'an and Pei Yunlu. The former couldn't believe that she was so stingy, while the latter saw through her stinginess.
An Xingzhi closed her mouth and casually took out something from her sleeve. "I also wish the Princess of the Heir Apparent a happy wedding."
She couldn't say any words of blessing for a happy marriage, after all, Ning Yuwang had married the man she had fancied.
But when she looked down at what was in her hand, she found that the thing she had casually taken was just a roughly - made sachet.
It was something made by the youngest half - sister in the family for the first time before she went out today.
She had been in a hurry to go out, so she had just put it there casually.