Chapter 641 A Bow

**Chapter 641: A Bow**

Madam Qin was practically desperate to cover her daughter’s mouth!

But now, the entire hall had gone silent, all eyes fixed on them. Madam Qin’s face turned pale and then flushed with embarrassment, her voice tight with tension: “Rui, don’t cause trouble. I know you’re close to Miss Yu. Whatever you have to say, we’ll talk about it later.”

Yet this time, Qin Rui was determined to seek justice for Yu Mingzhu.

Ignoring her mother, she fixed her intense, nervous gaze on the Dowager Duchess of Xin.

The Dowager Duchess smiled gently: “Miss Qin, thank you for caring about Mingzhu. However, Mingzhu went to Baiyun Temple of her own accord to pray for the health of her elder sister-in-law. Her devotion despite the hardship moved everyone in our household… Her mother had wanted to bring her back, but Mingzhu has always been strong-willed—she insisted on staying until her sister-in-law fully recovered…”

Qin Rui was taken aback by the Dowager Duchess’s words.

She hesitated, “Really?”

The Dowager Duchess’s expression remained calm: “Of course. And lately, Mingzhu’s sister-in-law has improved a lot—likely thanks to Mingzhu’s devotion at Baiyun Temple.”

Qin Rui faltered, unsure how to respond. Seizing the moment, Madam Qin quickly pulled her daughter aside, forcing a smile as she apologized: “My apologies, my daughter is just a bit naive—she means no harm…”

The Dowager Duchess smiled warmly: “No need to worry, Madam Qin. Your daughter is kind-hearted and pure—a good child.”

Madam Qin apologized repeatedly before finally dragging Qin Rui away with all her strength.

Coincidentally, the Dowager Duchess of Cheng’en appeared, supported by Nie’s mother. The matter was quickly forgotten, and the lively atmosphere resumed.

The Dowager Duchess of Xin turned back to chatting with Wei Pozi about Xingxing, paying no mind to the curious glances around her.

When the banquet began, the esteemed dowagers sat at the first table. Xingxing, as a duchess, was certainly qualified to join them, but out of respect for the elders, she chose to sit at the second table with familiar young ladies.

After the meal, performances were held in the garden, and groups of giggling girls hurried off to watch.

Xingxing and her friend headed that way as well, but on the way, Nie Lvming appeared from a covered walkway, running into them.

“My Lady,” Nie Lvming bowed politely, then cut to the chase. “Ah, there’s something I forgot to mention earlier. His Highness the Crown Prince asked me to make a bow for Her Highness the Crown Princess to amuse herself during her pregnancy. Could you help adjust it?”

Xingxing readily agreed.

Her friend, seeing this involved the Crown Princess, politely excused herself, saying she’d wait at the theater, and left.

Xingxing, accompanied by Zhao Ying, followed Nie Lvming to a nearby pavilion.

Nie Lvming’s attendant soon brought the bow.

Xingxing pulled the string and tested its feel, then frowned slightly. “Hmm, the string isn’t right.”

Nie Lvming, impressed that she noticed so quickly, smiled. “You’re very observant. The string is mixed with some silkworm silk—it adds softness and resilience, though it makes it a little less elastic…”

“Why add silkworm silk?”

Xingxing was puzzled.

Nie Lvming explained, “Because the silk comes from silkworms raised by His and Her Highnesses themselves during their farming activities. It’s sentimental.”

Xingxing understood.

She drew the bow a few more times, listening to the slightly muted twang, deep in thought. “Since some elasticity is sacrificed, perhaps we can compensate elsewhere.”

Nie Lvming lit up, nodding eagerly—their thoughts aligned! He pointed to the bow’s body. “Exactly. So here, I added fine carvings to regain a bit of the lost tension.”

Xingxing remarked, “I was just about to say—these delicate hollow carvings here. If the Crown Princess exerts a bit more strength, wouldn’t that make it more likely to break?”

Even though Xingxing objected, Nie Lvming grew even more excited.

Discussing the bow with her was a completely new experience for him!

It felt almost like… those soulmates you read about in books!

“Right,” Nie Lvming said, “so I think these parts here, here, and here all need tweaking…” He couldn't help but lean in closer, pointing at several spots on the bow.

Xingxing listened, nodding and thinking it over.

After Nie finished speaking, he noticed a faint scent in the air.

Momentarily distracted, he realized he had gotten way too close to Xingxing while pointing out the areas needing changes.

Close enough that… with just a slight movement, he could pull this charming girl—who somehow just got him—into his arms.

The idea popped into his head, and Nie Lvming was taken aback.

What was wrong with him? How could he have such forward thoughts about Princess Fusui!

He broke out in a sweat.

But Xingxing also could tell something was off.

For some reason, her heart was beating a little faster.

Instinctively, she looked up at Nie Lvming, who stood so near—backlit and looking kinda dreamy…

If it were anyone else, they might mistake these butterflies for love.

But Xingxing was a doctor. She knew something wasn’t right.

“There’s something wrong!” she said aloud, placing the bow on the stone table and lifting her hand to sniff it.

Her sense of smell was unusually sharp. Though the scent was so faint you’d miss it, she still caught a weird, faint smell.

It was totally unique—she’d never smelled anything like it before.

Frowning, she got a bad feeling about it.

She took her own pulse.

Her heartbeat was slightly faster than usual, but otherwise normal.

Then she looked at Nie Lvming again.

That’s when she noticed the way he was looking at her—all soft and melty.

Young Xingxing was confused: “?”

She called out, “Young Master Nie.”

Nie Lvming replied gently, “I’m here, Princess.”

Xingxing got goosebumps for no apparent reason.

"Ahem, Young Master Nie, please extend your hand. Let me take your pulse."

Nie Lvming felt his heart racing. He was overcome with the urge to do anything Xingxing asked of him.

He obediently stretched out his hand.

Xingxing took Nie Lvming's pulse for a while, deep in thought.

His pulse had a slight irregularity—it wasn't poisoning, but it could speed up his circulation.

After careful consideration, she finally spoke up: "Young Master Nie, may I borrow this bow for a few days?"

Nie Lvming agreed without hesitation.

"My Lady likes this bow? If so, I can make another one for my cousin, the Crown Prince."

Xingxing gave Nie Lvming a surprised look. After a moment's thought, she said, "Young Master Nie, don't you notice anything strange? Like your heartbeat speeding up, for instance..."

Nie Lvming's face turned even redder. He almost thought Xingxing had seen through his feelings.

He stammered, "My Lady, I—"

But Xingxing misunderstood and affirmed, "Seeing how flushed your face is, I can tell you must be experiencing the same symptoms."

With that, she took out a small bottle of calming elixirs from her waist pouch and gave one to Nie Lvming.

Nie Lvming took it without hesitation.

Before Xingxing could finish explaining, she saw he had already swallowed the pill.

Xingxing was stunned. "Wait, Young Master Nie, you didn't even ask what this is?"

Nie Lvming looked at her with tender eyes. "I know My Lady wouldn't harm me."

Xingxing felt the back of her neck tingle again, and goosebumps rose on her arms.

She sighed. "Young Master Nie, you're much too trusting. At the very least, you should ask what something is before taking it from others. I wouldn't hurt you, but what if it were someone else?" Mumbling under her breath, she also took one of the pills. "These are calming elixirs. They clear your mind."

Nie Lvming smiled. "You're not just 'someone else' to me. I know you wouldn't harm me."

"..." Xingxing's goosebumps multiplied.

"This bow... there's something wrong with it," Xingxing explained. "I need to examine it further."

Nie Lvming agreed without hesitation and even considerately offered, "Shall I have someone deliver it to your residence?"

Xingxing shook her head. "No need."

She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve, wrapped it around her hand, and picked up the bow.

There was definitely something off about this bow, and she didn't want anyone else touching it.

Nie Lvming's gaze lingered on the handkerchief. It was embroidered with three golden apricots, looking as sweet as...

...as Xingxing herself.

Nie Lvming swallowed.

Xingxing noticed the sound and looked at Nie Lvming: "What's wrong?"

Nie Lvming hesitated for a moment before saying, "...That's a lovely handkerchief, Princess. Did you embroider it yourself? You're so skilled at needlework."

Nie Lvming paused, thinking how wonderful it would be if the princess were willing to make one for him too.

Xingxing glanced at her handkerchief: "Oh, this was made by my second aunt. Her needlework is superb."

His heart sank. Nie Lvming didn't know what to say next.

Xingxing said goodbye to Nie Lvming while holding the bow and hurried off.

She wasn’t preoccupied with anything else—only the oddity of the bow. She was determined to figure out what was going on with it. Even her usual passion for theater no longer held any appeal. All she wanted was to uncover the mystery behind that bow.

Nie Lvming watched Xingxing’s departing figure, looking crestfallen.

Nie Yuke had come up unnoticed and called out, "Fifth Brother."

Nie Lvming sighed when he saw Nie Yuke: "It's you."

Nie Yuke wasn’t in the least bit offended. She scrutinized Nie Lvming’s face before cautiously asking, "...Fifth Brother, I just saw Princess Fusui leave with that bow."

Nie Lvming, unaware that the bow truly had an issue—as Xingxing had mentioned—assumed she was simply very interested in it and had taken it home to study.

"Yes, that bow. The string wasn't quite right because of the added silk. The Princess took it to study," Nie Lvming said casually.

Nie Yuke stared intently at his expression and asked directly, "...Fifth Brother, you look absolutely heartbroken now that the Princess is gone. Do you have feelings for her?"

Nie Lvming didn’t hide it. He admitted, "Yes," then added gloomily, "Don't say another word. I already know—the Princess is betrothed to the Third Prince."

He felt like his heart was being ripped in two.

The Third Prince was practically still a child.

Nie Yuke, however, gave a knowing smile: "No, Fifth Brother, what you don't know is that the Princess and the Third Prince are impossible together."

Nie Lvming was instantly overjoyed: "Really?"

Nie Yuke smiled again. "Of course. Why would I lie to you? ...Though I can't go into details yet, you'll have to take my word for it."

Nie Lvming naturally wished with all his heart that Nie Yuke’s words were true.

His heart leapt with hope. "Then...?"

Nie Yuke just smiled mysteriously. "Be patient, Fifth Brother. Just wait and see."

...

Xingxing was completely focused on the bow and wouldn't even let Zhao Ying near it. Once they'd left the Duke of Cheng'en's estate, she told Wei Pozi she wanted to go to the mountains.

Wei Pozi nodded. "You've been busy lately and haven't seen Elder Sister Daxi for some time. Perfect—I’ve packed some things for her since it’s gotten colder. Bring them with you."

Wei Pozi never minded when Xingxing showed kindness to others.

She wished everyone in the world would dote on her Xingxing!

"I noticed that the Dowager Duchess of Xin seems to really like you," Wei Pozi said, hugging Xingxing in the carriage. "She kept fishing for stories about your childhood, and her eyes would shine whenever she looked at you."

Wei Pozi said with great pride, "Our Xingxing is just so lovable!"

Xingxing couldn't help but blush and nestle into Wei Pozi's arms. "Grandma, you're making me feel shy."

"Oh hush now," Wei Pozi lovingly stroked Xingxing's head. "Our Xingxing deserves the very best in the world. And as for me, I'd give anything to give her the whole world’s treasures… Today I saw for myself—none of those girls even came close to our Xingxing!"

Resting her head on Wei Pozi's shoulder, Xingxing didn’t argue, only smiled bashfully.

She knew this was Grandma’s extra love.

After the carriage dropped Wei Pozi off at the residence of the General of the Western Garrison, Zhao Ying piled bags into the carriage and set off with Xingxing into the mountains to visit Daxisipo.

The bow sat untouched nearby.