Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Ye Shuang went to bed in a huff, pulling the blankets around her and turning her back to the room.

Hearing the rustling behind her, Wen Xiang entered with bedding, spread it out, then closed the door and left.

After a brief silence, the sounds of arranging the bedding resumed, and after a bit of fidgeting, she finally lay down.

Ye Shuang was wide awake, seething with anger and sadness. Yet, after a day of turmoil, she soon drifted into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Wen Xiang attended to her makeup as usual. Ye Shuang glanced at the neatly folded bedding on the daybed.

Noticing her gaze, Wen Xiang said, "The Marquis left early for morning court."

Ye Shuang retorted coldly, "Who asked about him!"

Wen Xiang suppressed a smile and continued, "It was very cold in the early hours of the morning. This morning, I heard the Marquis cough a couple of times, as if he's caught a chill."

Ye Shuang, sifting through her jewelry, softened her tone despite herself. "Then have the kitchen prepare some warming herbal soup and send it to him after he returns from court."

Wen Xiang acknowledged the order and asked, "It's been getting colder these days. Should we still have the Marquis use that thin quilt?"

"Give him my spare thick quilt. He still has to organize the ancient texts for His Majesty—it can’t be delayed."

"Yes, Madame," Wen Xiang replied, "You truly care for the Marquis!"

Ye Shuang said no more, turning her attention back to her jewelry. After searching for a while, she frowned, feeling something was amiss.

"What's wrong, Madame? Is something missing?"

"My gilded peony hairpin is gone."

"The one you wore yesterday?"

Ye Shuang suddenly realized, "Yes." She had worn that gold hairpin, one she didn't often wear, to the banquet yesterday, thinking it would be more formal.

After a moment’s thought, Ye Shuang stopped searching.

"Could someone have taken it?"

"No need to look. I must have lost it."

"What?" Wen Xiang was startled. "Shall we send someone to search for it?"

Ye Shuang remained calm. "No need. If it’s lost, then it’s lost."

Wen Xiang looked troubled. "But that was part of the betrothal gift the Marquis gave you. If it falls into someone else’s hands, it might harm your reputation, Madame!"

After a brief consideration, Ye Shuang said, "I know where I likely lost it, but going to ask for it directly may not be wise. If the person who has it intends to return it, there’s no need to search. Let it be. It’s just an ordinary gold hairpin—it can’t be definitively linked to me. If I go asking for it and someone with ill intentions sees, it might cause even more misunderstandings."

Though Wen Xiang felt it was a pity, she saw the sense in Ye Shuang’s words and did not press further.

"Anyway, the Marquis is wealthy and powerful. He wouldn’t care about such a small thing."

After all, someone had even promised to provide for her and her child for the rest of their lives!

Noticing that Ye Shuang seemed to be thinking of something that angered her again, Wen Xiang quickly selected another hairpin and changed the subject.

After finishing her makeup and washing up, Ye Shuang had breakfast and then instructed Wen Xiang to prepare a sedan chair.

Wen Xiang asked, "Is Madame going to the front courtyard study to see the Marquis?"

"Who’s going to see him!"

Realizing she had spoken too sharply, Ye Shuang softened her tone. "I’m going to the Zhenyuan General’s residence."

She didn’t want to stay in the manor with Xiao Lin. Since she still had things left unsaid with Song Yun from yesterday and hadn’t seen her afterward, she decided to visit her today to properly explain. It would also keep her away from Xiao Lin and avoid any annoyance.

Song Yun happened to be home that day. Ye Shuang presented her visiting card at the gate and soon received word that Song Yun personally came to welcome her at the entrance and led her inside.

"Good thing you came today. If it were tomorrow, you might have found me away. I’ll be at the training grounds tomorrow," Song Yun said, joking with her as usual.

Ye Shuang took her hand and stopped to apologize sincerely. "I spoke too harshly yesterday. I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry with me."

Song Yun waved it off. "Do I seem that petty to you? I’d forgotten all about it until you mentioned it."

Ye Shuang smiled slightly. "That’s good. I meant to explain to you earlier, but I didn’t see you afterward."

"Something came up at home. My father sent someone to fetch me, so I left early."

"What was it? Something serious?"

Song Yun’s eyes flickered. "Nothing major. Just a distant relative came to visit and wanted to see me."

Ye Shuang nodded and didn’t inquire further.

"Are you and Xiao Lin doing alright? Liu Yiyi didn’t cause you any trouble, did she?"

"No, everything’s fine."

Song Yun smiled in relief. "That’s good. You never used to go out much before, but it’s much better now. You should get out more. Since you’re here, let me show you my new prized horse—I’m sure you’ll love it."

Song Yun directly took Ye Shuang to the stables and afterward to her study. Overjoyed, Song Yun eagerly shared her treasures. "I’ve recently collected several storybooks. You’ll definitely like them."

She brought out a few volumes. Ye Shuang took one, her eyes lighting up. "*Twilight Bell Tales*, and *Encounter at the Ancient Temple*."

Ye Shuang couldn’t put them down, carefully flipping through the pages.

"Not just that! There’s also this." Song Yun produced another book, exquisitely bound and larger than ordinary storybooks.

Ye Shuang looked at it and was instantly captivated. "Is this... *Strange Tales from the Leisure Studio*?"

"Exactly! It was incredibly hard to find. I went through a lot of trouble to get it."

Ye Shuang received it solemnly. "You must have spent a fortune."

"Yes, it pains me to think about it. You must take good care of it."

Ye Shuang looked up in surprise, unable to believe it. "You’re giving to me? No, it’s too valuable. I can’t accept it."

"Just take it. I’ve already read it once. Keeping it would be useless anyway."

Ye Shuang hesitated.

"If you refuse, I’ll be upset. You know me—why stand on ceremony?"

Ye Shuang had no choice but to accept it. She added, "Then I’ll cover the full set of tack for your new horse this year."

"No need, I already have everything. You should save your money. Seems to me the Marquis of Yongding doesn't seem particularly generous either."

Song Yun put an arm around her shoulders and led her outside. Noticing Ye Shuang's subdued reaction, she asked, "What's wrong? Did he do something again? You don’t look quite yourself."

Ye Shuang forced a smile. "It’s nothing. I’d rather not talk about him."

The two found a pavilion where they could sit. Maidservants brought fruits and tea, and they chatted while eating.

"Did you come today just to apologize to me?" Song Yun picked up a grape and ate it.

"Not entirely. I also didn’t want to stay cooped up at home all the time." Ye Shuang poured tea for herself and Song Yun. Song Yun wasn’t as particular about tea—she was fine sharing a teapot and cups.

Ye Shuang admired her carefree nature.

After taking a sip of tea, Song Yun sighed. "I won't hide it from you. The truth is, I’m not interested in matchmaking, so I left early."

"Have you thought about what you’ll do next?"

Song Yun shook her head. "I don’t know, but I’ve already received four invitations today."

"Inviting you out for fun?"

"Yes—poetry gatherings, polo, hunting, and a chrysanthemum banquet," Song Yun said with some resignation.

"Those are all things you usually enjoy. It seems these people did their homework."

"But I don’t want to get married so soon."

"If I remember correctly, you’re a year younger than me, so you should be nineteen now. It really is the right age for matchmaking."

Song Yun seemed on the verge of tears. "What am I going to do? For the past two years, I could still say I was too young and didn’t want to consider marriage. My father didn’t pressure me and even said I could stay home a few more years. But now he’s starting to push. Yesterday, he tricked me into going—I had no idea it was a matchmaking event. That’s why I was so upset. I stayed with you for a bit and then left. You and Xiao Lin were busy accepting toasts, so I didn’t bother saying goodbye."

Ye Shuang nodded in understanding. "If you have other plans, it’s best to prepare early."

"What plans could I have? Things are fine just as they are now. It’s just a shame it can’t last forever... Ah, never mind. Let’s leave it to fate."

The two sat in silence for a while, each wrapped in their own worries.

Suddenly, Song Yun slapped her thigh. "Wait, I just thought of something! There might be a way, but I’m afraid it might trouble your Marquis."

Ye Shuang set down her cup. "Go ahead, speak freely."