The Sun Family's Flower-Viewing Banquet

Si Yunqi had just stepped through the door when he heard a woman's soft, seductive voice from within. He paused and frowned.

He walked around the landscape screen and looked up to see a woman lying on a cushioned couch, her clothing partly open. Red marks of varying sizes dotted the snow-white skin exposed to the air, and the young maid behind her seemed to be massaging her body.

The mistress and maid suddenly caught sight of him and both froze. Only when Yan Wanning saw him turn his back did she rise and straighten her clothes, her face red. Xiao He draped a dark red brocade cloak over her shoulders, then curtsied and withdrew.

"You may turn around, husband," Yan Wanning said softly.

Si Yunqi turned at her words and stepped forward. He studied her for a moment, then said, "If you feel unwell anywhere, I'll have someone bring you medicine."

Yan Wanning saw the concern on his stern face. Suppressing her embarrassment, she answered softly.

The tall man swept a long arm around her and pulled her into his embrace, drawing a cry from Yan Wanning.

"Ah!"

Si Yunqi settled her on his thigh. Seeing her alarm, he laid a large hand on her back and stroked it gently. He gave a quiet cough and said, "Last night, I..."

When she heard him mention last night, she instinctively reached out to cover his lips. Once she realized what she had done, she quickly withdrew her hand, took a deep breath, and bit her lip. "Husband, could you be gentler from now on?" she asked in a soft voice.

He had clearly said last night that he would be gentle, but afterward he had grown rougher and rougher. No matter how she wept and begged, he had only murmured soothingly to her, his movements never stopping.

He had said it would be the last time, yet he had gone on again and again.

At the time, she had almost thought she would die in bed...

Her words left Si Yunqi silent, but a moment later he said, "I... will try."

A few days flew by. Yan Wanning had spent them reading the account books that the Old Princess Dowager had sent to Anyuan Courtyard through Steward Mu, the Prince's Residence's chief steward. Her days had been full.

Over the past few days, other households had sent invitations one after another. Early that morning, Steward Mu had someone carry a stack of them to Anyuan Courtyard.

The servant bowed respectfully to Yan Wanning and said, "These invitations were sent by various households. The Old Princess Dowager said that if Your Highness is bored, you may choose a few to attend."

"Sorry for the trouble. Put them down; I'll have a look."

The servant set down the invitations. "Please take your time, Princess Consort. This servant will take his leave."

"Mm."

Yan Wanning put down the account book in her hands and pulled out several invitations to look through. There were all sorts of banquets: a flower-viewing banquet hosted by the Sun family's eldest young lady in three days, a one-month celebration for the Hua family's youngest legitimate son in five days, a sixtieth birthday banquet for the old madam of General Gu’s residence in four months...

Seeing how attentively she read, Xiao He waited until she stopped before asking, "After looking through so many, is there one Your Highness would like to attend?"

Yan Wanning held out one of the invitations for her to see. Xiao He took it and looked. "Your Highness wants to go to the Sun family's flower-viewing banquet?"

"Mm. It's a good chance to meet the ladies and young ladies of the Northern Borderlands' various families."

As Princess Consort of Anbei, she had to socialize with the various families. How could she do that if she didn't know anyone?

"Then I'll make preparations early."

"Mm."

After looking through the invitations, Yan Wanning went to Cian Court to have lunch with the Old Princess Dowager. She had promised to do so earlier that morning.

Si Yunqi seemed very busy these past few days, returning to the residence only late at night. Sometimes he would wake her after she had fallen fast asleep, though he had become much gentler.

Over the past few days, Yan Wanning had visited Cian Court from time to time to keep the Old Princess Dowager company, and the two had grown much closer. Now, the Old Princess Dowager took her hand and asked, "Were there any invitations you wanted to accept?"

"Yes. I chose the Sun family's flower-viewing banquet in three days," Yan Wanning said softly.

"The Sun family?" The Old Princess Dowager thought for a moment, then said, "That's good. The Sun family's eldest daughter is a year older than you. Go and enjoy yourself, and make a few friends to pass the time."

The Old Princess Dowager truly doted on Yan Wanning. Who wouldn't like such a sweet, pretty, well-behaved girl? She also felt sorry for her, having married so far from home without knowing many people, and worried that she would feel cooped up in the residence.

"With Grandmother for company, A Ning isn't bored."

Looking at the girl clinging playfully to her arm, the Old Princess Dowager's face filled with affection. "Young girls should spend time with other young girls. What fun is there in keeping an old woman like me company all day?"

"Of course there is." Grandmother treated her as lovingly as her own granddaughter and liked to have fun as well. Yan Wanning didn't find it dull in the least and was more than happy to keep her company.

Besides, her husband was busy with his duties and had little time to visit Grandmother. As her granddaughter-in-law, it was only right for her to keep the old lady company.

"Grandmother knows you're filial, but A Qi is busy and has little time to spend with you. If you make a few friends who share your interests to pass the time with, Grandmother will be reassured too."

Unable to resist, the Old Princess Dowager reached out and pinched her fair, soft cheek. "I'm busy going out with my old friends. I have plenty to do."

Yan Wanning rubbed her little face against his hand. "Then I'll listen to Grandmother."

The Old Princess Dowager smiled helplessly, then asked, "Have you run into any difficulties looking through the account books these past few days?"

Yan Wanning nodded, then shook her head. "I have, but I asked Steward Mu for advice and resolved them."

The Old Princess Dowager nodded in approval. "Steward Mu has been handling the Prince's Residence's accounts for many years. If there's anything you don't understand, ask him for advice."

Whatever came to mind, the Old Princess Dowager changed the subject and said with a smile, "If your husband returns early, you can ask him for advice too."

At that, Yan Wanning's face turned red. "A Ning will."

The two were still talking when a servant's voice came from outside. "Greetings, Prince."

As the voice fell silent, Si Yunqi appeared. He seemed to glance at the girl beside the Old Princess Dowager before saying, "Grandson pays his respects to Grandmother."

Surprised to see that he had found time to return to the residence at noon today, the Old Princess Dowager asked, "Why have you come back today?"

"There wasn't much to do, so I came back." Si Yunqi sat down beside Yan Wanning.