Old Madam Gu's Birthday Banquet

"Hmm, husband, what about Young Master Qin's parents?" Yan Wanning wondered. Didn't Young Master Qin's parents look after their own son?

"Shao Heng was an orphan Father brought home while he was alive. He grew up with Qing Shi and me. Later, after Father died and Mother followed him, Shao Heng left the residence at fifteen to live on his own."

"So that's what happened."

Yan Wanning wrapped both arms around his lean, strong waist and said softly, "I shouldn't have asked. I've brought up a painful memory for you, husband."

Come to think of it, her husband had lost both his parents when he was young, just as she had. She had heard that the late Prince Anbei and his princess consort had been childhood sweethearts and married when they grew up. Their love had run deep, and they had been devoted to each other. The late Prince Anbei had been famous for doting madly on his wife.

Sadly, the late Prince Anbei had fallen on the battlefield while away on campaign, and the Princess Consort of Anbei had later followed him in death for love. People throughout the realm had sighed over their fate, marveling that the love between husband and wife had been stronger than gold.

She had heard that many people had lit nearly ten thousand everlasting lamps for them.

Both their fathers had died on the battlefield. They were true heroes.

Thinking of their parents, Yan Wanning felt a little downcast, and her eyes reddened. In a soft, sweet voice, she said, "Husband, let's both live well from now on."

Si Yunqi paused, then stroked her head and promised, "Mm, we both will."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The day of Old Madam Gu's sixtieth birthday arrived as expected. After dressing and making herself presentable, Yan Wanning followed Si Yunqi to Cian Court to pay their respects to the old princess consort. They ate breakfast with the old lady before leaving.

Si Yunqi and Yan Wanning arrived neither early nor late. Quite a few guests had already arrived, and they happened to run into them.

"Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Your Highness."

Holding Yan Wanning's hand, Si Yunqi gave a quiet acknowledgment before passing them and entering the residence. He handed the gifts they had brought to a maid of the Gu Residence.

The men's and women's banquets were held separately. Si Yunqi adjusted the dangling hair ornament in her hair and reminded her in a low voice, "If anything happens, have someone come find me."

"Mm."

"Take good care of the princess consort," Si Yunqi told Xiao He.

"Yes."

With that, Si Yunqi followed a servant boy to the men's banquet. Yan Wanning had taken only a few steps with Xiao He when she spotted Xue'er.

Xue'er curtsied. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Why are you here? Did Yingying send you?"

"Yes. The young madam has missed Your Highness terribly, so she sent me to wait here."

Yan Wanning's eyes lit up with delight. "Quickly, take me to her."

Xue'er nodded in agreement and led Yan Wanning to Qinghe Court, the courtyard where An Yingying lived. Along the way, Yan Wanning took in the beautiful scenery of the Gu Residence. She had not expected the Gu Residence, whose family came from a military background, to be so full of poetic charm.

Pavilions and towers, terraces and waterside halls met her eyes, with green plants on display everywhere. Winter had clearly arrived, and snow would soon follow, yet somehow the Gu Residence had kept those plants growing so lush and lovely.

It was a rare sight in the Northern Borderlands.

"Who arranged all these?" Yan Wanning asked, stroking a green plant.

Xue'er glanced over and replied with a smile, "These? Madam arranged them all."

Yan Wanning nodded and no longer found it strange. After all, Madam Gu came from the Jiang Clan of Qinghe, a family with a deep foundation. There was also Fourth Master Jiang, who was skilled at business. With their broad experience, it was no surprise that they had some way of doing it. Perhaps they had even stranger things.

Yan Wanning followed Xue'er into Qinghe Court and found An Yingying lying in bed, her little face pale. She could not help quickening her steps to her side.

"Yingying, what's wrong? Why do you look so unwell?"

Seeing how anxious she was, An Yingying managed a smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I just caught a chill, that's all."

Her small hand rested on her belly. She very much wanted to share the news of her pregnancy with Wanning, but the physician had said it was best not to spread the news before the baby was three months along. She could only wait until then to tell her.

Yan Wanning was still worried. She tucked the covers snugly around her and said, "A chill can be a small matter or a serious one. Sister Ying, you must take care and rest."

"Mm, I know."

An Yingying gave her a gentle smile, and Yan Wanning was momentarily dazed.

She did not know whether it was her imagination, but she felt that Yingying seemed... even gentler.

"I haven't seen you in so long. Wanning, talk with me for a while."

"Mm, I have something to tell you today too."

After chatting for a while, they came to the subject of Bai Lian. "Sister Ying, how is Bai Lian?"

At the mention of that name, An Yingying's smile did not fade. She said only, "She's betrothed."

"Huh? Wasn't she going to..." Yan Wanning changed tack. "Which family is she betrothed to? Still, it's for the best. At least you'll have one less thing to worry about and can live your own life in peace."

"The Sun Family." She had not expected Madam Gu to act so quickly, settling Bai Lian's marriage in just two days. She had not allowed Bai Lian to say much about it either; Bai Lian could only nod and agree.

"The Sun Family is a good match too. If she behaves herself, the rest of her life shouldn't be too bad." Though she had never dealt with Bai Lian, a woman who immediately brought Yan Wanwen to mind was probably not one to behave herself.

"Yingying, I'll be returning to the capital with my husband before long."