Xia Qingyan was very trustworthy.
The next afternoon,
he sent someone over with a set of clothes.
The clothes were very beautiful.
The outer dress was a long white smoky gown. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with blooming red plum blossoms. The inner lining was a light pink brocade corset, plain in color without too many frills, looking quite comfortable.
The cuffs of the outer dress were embroidered with delicate magnolias, and the belt around the waist was also very particular, embroidered all over with delicate peach blossoms.
This set of clothes looked extremely beautiful.
Although Zhao Shuning had such a beautiful face, in fact, the times she could wear such beautiful clothes were really few and far between.
Most of the time, she was practicing and simply had no time to dress herself up properly. But after all, she was still a young girl.
Therefore, when she saw the set of clothes sent by Xia Qingyan, she was immediately amazed by them.
"This dress is quite plain. It suits your taste."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
In the past, the color she liked most was crimson, and most of her clothes were of that color. But today, when this pure - white brocade dress was placed in front of her, she also thought it was truly beautiful.
"Master - Buran, do you think I'll look good in this dress?"
"Yeah."
Zhao Shuning picked up the clothes.
She was smiling happily.
Most women loved beautiful clothes, didn't they?
In the early years, when her parents were still alive,
even her mother, with her personality, was extremely touched by the beautiful clothes made for her by her father. Women loved beauty and beautiful clothes, and this girl was no exception.
"By the way, when we go to the prince's mansion tomorrow, Buran, what kind of clothes do you want to wear?"
"I don't mind."
"Oh—"
Well, that was true. With the master's looks, even if he wore a rag, he would still shine brightly.
The banquet at the prince's mansion.
In the blink of an eye,
it arrived.
Early in the morning, Zhao Shuning and Yan Ruyu got into the carriage.
The two sat upright in the carriage.
Zhao Shuning said, "I wonder what kind of person An Yun is. Do you think Xia Qingyan hasn't seen her true colors after getting along with her for so long?"
"If someone wants to hide something, it's not impossible."
"Buran, do you mean that An Yun has been hiding something from Xia Qingyan and the whole country of Hailing, or that Xia Qingyan actually knows but has been hiding it from me?"
"Since we don't know the actual situation yet, I'd better not make any comments."
Yan Ruyu closed his eyes.
Zhao Shuning stopped talking.
She gently clasped her hand on Yan Ruyu's.
Yan Ruyu just moved a little but didn't pull his hand away.
For some reason, Zhao Shuning felt that ever since the night the master went out and came back, he had become much gentler towards her.
At least, he didn't resist her touch anymore.
"Buran, from now on, you can call me Ling'er."
"Ling'er?"
"Yeah."
From now on, you'll always call me this.
"Okay—"
Zhao Shuning thought that Yan Ruyu would ask her why she wanted to be called Ling'er, but unexpectedly, he just replied okay.
She gently tightened her grip on Yan Ruyu's hand.
Zhao Shuning felt warm and fulfilled.
The carriage stopped.
Yan Ruyu opened his eyes.
It seemed that they had arrived.
The noise outside was quite loud.
Zhao Shuning got out of the carriage. Before she even stepped down completely, there was a gasp of surprise.
"Which family's young lady is this?"
Zhao Shuning looked down at the people.
It wasn't the first time she had seen this kind of look in their eyes, but she always felt that there was something strange in their gazes.
Yan Ruyu also appeared.
He gently took Zhao Shuning's hand from behind.
Everyone took a deep breath.
The two of them standing together were simply the most well - matched couple in the world.
"Who on earth is this young lady? She looks like this, and—"
"Miss Luo, you're here?"
Just then, Xia Qingyan walked out of the prince's mansion.
Zhao Shuning asked, "Why are there so many people?"
Xia Qingyan replied in a low voice, "My father plans to announce that woman's identity at the family banquet and set the wedding date. So the people who came are all noble families in the capital. That's why there are more of them."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
She tightly held Yan Ruyu's hand.
The two entered the prince's mansion together.
"Father, the young lady I told you about has come."
Prince Xia was talking to an elder at that time. Hearing Xia Qingyan's words, he politely nodded. After exchanging a few words with the elder, he turned around.
"Where is Miss Luo?"
"I, the commoner girl Luo Feiyan, pay my respects to the prince."
Hearing the voice, Xia Yan looked over.
When he did,
the wine cup in his hand dropped to the ground with a clear crashing sound.
The woman who was talking noticed the commotion here and quickly rushed over.
"Miss Luo, this is Aunt An, the one I told you about, who came to the country of Hailing with my mother."
"The junior pays respects to the senior."
Sure enough.
An Yun was truly good - looking. At this age, with such a figure, it would be extremely difficult to find a second woman like her in the country of Hailing.
But Zhao Shuning disliked this woman the moment she saw her.
When An Yun turned to look at Zhao Shuning,
she was also stunned.
"This dress?"
And these eyes?
"Princess."
"Qingqing, is that you?"
Xia Yan obviously lost control. He rushed towards Zhao Shuning with tears in his eyes. His expression was a bit out of control.
Zhao Shuning took a step back.
Yan Ruyu stepped in front of Zhao Shuning.
"Xia Yun, you're overstepping."
Xia Yan stopped in his tracks.
Looking at the green - clothed man in front of him,
he took a deep breath and then came to his senses. The woman behind the green - clothed man was definitely not Gu Qingqing.
She was just wearing the clothes he first saw Qingqing in, and her eyes were very similar to Qingqing's.
"It was this king who was rude."
An Yun also came to her senses.
"This must be Miss Luo, the granddaughter of the grand councilor. You're truly as beautiful as a celestial being. Even the phrase 'to topple kingdoms and cities' would not be enough to describe your beauty."
Zhao Shuning nodded politely.
She looked at Xia Qingyan,
wanting to know what was going on. But Xia Qingyan didn't look at her at this moment.
Yan Ruyu held Zhao Shuning's hand and pulled her to his side.
Zhao Shuning said, "The junior pays respects to the prince."
"Are you Ye Feng's granddaughter? Are you already engaged?"
Zhao Shuning was surprised.
No matter how much Xia Yun missed his deceased wife, he should know the occasion. This was not the time to say such things. Moreover, Xia Yun was an elder.
Yan Ruyu smiled calmly.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. She is my betrothed. Although we haven't gotten married yet, we've already met each other's parents and performed the necessary rites."
A look of disappointment flashed across Xia Yan's face.
An Yun saw it.
After all these years,
he still couldn't let go of the princess?
She had accompanied him all the way to this point. If the An family hadn't fallen into decline back then, her status would have been no different from Gu Qingqing's.