Chapter 297: Ambiguity

Chapter 297: Ambiguity

The next morning after breakfast, Tang Shuyi had someone watch the movements of the Duke of Li's residence. Once she knew that the old Duchess and Princess Jia Ning had set out, she led Xiao Yuchen to the main entrance to welcome them, demonstrating their regard for this marriage alliance.

Upon arrival, the old Duchess and Princess Jia Ning hurriedly alighted from their carriage upon seeing Tang Shuyi personally waiting to welcome them. Tang Shuyi, accompanied by Xiao Yuchen, stepped forward, and the group exchanged greetings. Xiao Yuchen first bowed to the old Duchess, "I hope the old Duchess is well."

The old Duchess's eyes crinkled into a smile as she responded warmly, "Very well, very well."

Xiao Yuchen then turned to Princess Jia Ning with a bow, "Princess."

Princess Jia Ning quickly returned the gesture, "Heir Xiao."

Upon seeing this, Tang Shuyi and the old Duchess of Li's laughter rang out from the side. Both Xiao Yuchen and Princess Jia Ning's faces flushed with embarrassment.

"It's cold outside; let's hurry in," Tang Shuyi said, supporting the old Duchess of Li.

The group then boarded a sedan chair together, heading to the rear courtyard. After settling in the hall of Shi'an Garden and exchanging a few pleasantries, Tang Shuyi had Xiao Yuzhu take Princess Jia Ning out to play, and Xiao Yuchen also excused himself, claiming he had matters to attend to.

Watching the trio's departing figures, one after the other, Tang Shuyi smiled and remarked, "Jia Ning and my Yuchen truly share a remarkable fate."

The old Duchess of Li chuckled in agreement, "Indeed they do."

Turning her head, Tang Shuyi addressed the old Duchess of Li, "If you don't find my Yuchen too foolish, shall we finalize the marriage arrangement between the two?"

The old Duchess of Li's heart blossomed with joy, but mindful of her role as the girl's family and not wanting to seem too eager, she refrained from laughing out loud, though her face still creased into several more folds from her broad smile.

She replied, "My Jia Ning lost her mother early and has suffered quite a bit. I hope that the Duchess of the State will look after her in the future."

"Of course, I've been fond of Jia Ning since our first meeting, and she'll surely be like my own daughter," Tang Shuyi replied, relieved. She then added, "Shall I find someone to compare their birth charts?"

"That would be good," the old Duchess of Li agreed, sharing Princess Jia Ning's birth details. Tang Shuyi reciprocated with Xiao Yuchen's, and the two continued their pleasant conversation.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuzhu, Princess Jia Ning, and Xiao Yuchen had just left the hall when Xiao Yuzhu suddenly exclaimed, "Ah! I just remembered I have something to do. Princess, how about my elder brother keeps you company for a while?"

Princess Jia Ning couldn't help but feel amused; this act was a bit too contrived!

Xiao Yuchen, however, was quite embarrassed. He bowed to Princess Jia Ning and suggested, "The flowers in the residence's greenhouse are in full bloom; I'll take you to see them."

Princess Jia Ning smiled and replied with a bow, "Thank you, Heir Xiao."

Then she turned to Xiao Yuzhu and said, "Sister Yuzhu, go ahead with your matters."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded, gave Xiao Yuchen a look that told him to put on a good show, and then hurried off. Xiao Yuchen felt another wave of embarrassment and gestured politely, "After you, Princess."

Princess Jia Ning nodded, and the two walked side by side slowly toward the rear garden. The winter wind was always biting, and a chilly breeze prompted Princess Jia Ning to draw her cloak tighter. Xiao Yuchen stepped slightly to the side, shielding her from the wind.

Princess Jia Ning's cheeks tinted with color as she thanked him, "I appreciate it, Heir Xiao."

"It's nothing."

What followed was a stretch of silence, accompanied only by the rustling of their footsteps. The atmosphere was tinged with an awkward yet ambiguous air. Xiao Yuchen clenched and unclenched his hand before finally breaking the silence, "How's the winter weather in Fengchuan? Is it as cold as it is here in the capital?"

Fengchuan is the fief granted to the Prince of Duan.

"Fengchuan is somewhat warmer than the capital, but much more humid," Princess Jianing explained.

"I had planned to visit Fengchuan during my travels. However, upon receiving the news that my father was still alive, I did not go."

"Where have you traveled, my lord?" she inquired.

As they walked, Xiao Yuchen began recounting various interesting encounters from his journeys, and before they realized it, they had arrived at the greenhouse. The pair entered, and their maids and attendants tactfully remained outside. The atmosphere inside, shared just between the two of them, grew subtly charged.

Many charcoal basins warmed the greenhouse, and soon they both felt cozy. Feeling overheated, Princess Jianing reached to undo her cloak but found herself fumbling, perhaps from nerves.

Observing her struggle, Xiao Yuchen offered, "Allow me, Princess."

"Thank you," she agreed.

Princess Jianing let go, and Xiao Yuchen stepped forward to untangle the stubborn knot. They were close enough to hear each other's heartbeat, rapid and resounding. His fingers were nimble, and soon the knot was undone.

"Thank you, my lord," Princess Jianing said.

Her face was flushed, a rare occurrence as she had grown increasingly composed over the years. Xiao Yuchen wasn't faring much better; he felt a heat not just on his face but all over.

Taking a couple of steps back, he tried to calm his racing heart, "You need not be so formal with me, Princess. In the future... we will..."

He couldn't finish his sentence. Somewhat flustered, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a gleaming green jade hairpin, extending it towards her, "A gift... for you, Princess."

Princess Jianing lowered her gaze to his slender fingers holding the delicate hairpin, a pleasing sight. She smiled as she accepted it, "It's beautiful, I like it."

Xiao Yuchen's smile widened. He had spent a long time selecting it from the storeroom the previous day. He was relieved she liked it.

Princess Jianing inserted the hairpin into her hair and smiled at Xiao Yuchen. Her smile was radiant, outshining even the most vibrant flowers in the greenhouse. Xiao Yuchen's heart leaped once more.

Then, Princess Jianing took out a jade pendant and handed it to him, saying softly, "For you, my lord."

The mutton-fat jade pendant, adorned with a pale blue cord, was exceptionally elegant. Xiao Yuchen accepted it, replacing the pendant at his waist with the new one, and they shared a smile.

"Please take some flowers back with you, Princess," Xiao Yuchen suggested, clearing his throat.

Princess Jianing laughed, "I'd be delighted. Which flowers do you favor, my lord?"

"Begonias."

………

As they conversed, they picked some flowers and then left the greenhouse together, heading towards the Shian Garden. Tang Shuyi and the elderly Lady of Li Kingdom had finished their discussion and couldn't help but beam as they watched the pair, a perfect match, approach.

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