Flower-Viewing Banquet 1

Before marrying Yan Wanning, Si Yunqi had already had his shadow guards investigate her thoroughly. He knew she had lost her parents when she was young. The dukedom that should have passed to her father, Yan Chengyuan, had ultimately gone to her second uncle after her father died on the battlefield.

Her mother, too, had died of a serious illness when she was five, leaving her an orphan with neither father nor mother. Her second uncle and aunt and their family were not kind people.

From childhood, she had survived cautiously under their watchful eyes. In the early years, they had not dared go too far for the old duke's sake, but after his death, there had been no one left to restrain them.

The hardships she had endured could not be told in a few words.

After spending these few short days together, he had come to understand something of his young princess consort's temperament. She was a gentle, obedient girl who was also a little clingy.

At first, she had been somewhat afraid of him. Later, perhaps after seeing her circumstances clearly, she had endured her fear and accepted his closeness.

"I don't have much free time. I may be even busier in the future."

"Mm." Yan Wanning reached out with her small hands and gently hugged his forearm, sweetness rising in her heart.

Half an hour later, the roasting chicken gave off a rich aroma. Si Yunqi took his dagger and cut off a leg for Yan Wanning. After she took it, she stared at it, seemingly unsure how to begin eating.

"What's wrong?"

"Husband, could you cut it into smaller pieces?" She usually ate chicken that Xiao He had torn into strips. She had never tried eating a whole drumstick straight from her hand.

Si Yunqi agreed, took it back, and cut it into slices with his dagger, feeding them to the girl beside him. He had long known that his young princess consort was a little delicate.

After they finished the chicken, Si Yunqi took Yan Wanning for a few leisurely circuits on horseback before riding back to the prince's residence.

Anyuan Courtyard

"Princess Consort, this gold-brocaded silk was sent over by Auntie Lüyun, who serves the Grand Dowager Princess Consort. She also sent a seamstress to take your measurements, but you weren't here, so the seamstress has been waiting all this time." Xiao He held up a tray bearing a folded length of crabapple-red gold-brocaded silk.

Yan Wanning gently stroked the fine fabric. It was smooth, delicate, and soft. A single length of gold-brocaded silk was hard to come by; it was usually presented as tribute to the palace for the imperial consorts.

A whole stack like this was even more precious and difficult to obtain.

She remembered that, back at the duke's residence, Yan Wanwen had received a small length of it and later had it made into an embroidered handkerchief. She had treasured it dearly and shown it off to her time and again.

Seeing her happiness, Si Yunqi, who was beside her, recalled that he seemed to have several bolts of the same fabric in his storeroom, along with some gold and silver jewelry. Since she liked them, he would have someone bring them out for her later.

"There's something I need to attend to in the study. I'll go there for a while."

"Mm. When it's time for dinner, I'll send someone to fetch you, Husband."

After Si Yunqi left, Xiao He showed the seamstress in to take her measurements.

Once that was done, Yan Wanning took the little rabbit from Xiao He's arms. As she gave it water, she said, "Xiao He, find a suitable place and make a nest for it."

"Yes, Princess Consort." Looking at the adorable little ball of white fur, Xiao He was also quite taken with it. "Where did you get this rabbit, Princess Consort? It's such a delight to look at."

Yan Wanning smiled gently. "The prince caught it."

"Oh~ so it was a gift from the prince." Xiao He's lovely big eyes were full of smiles. "I'd better hurry and make it a nest."

Yan Wanning watched her run out cheerfully, her own eyes brimming with smiles. Gently stroking the rabbit's fluffy head, she murmured, "You have no respect for your betters."

No sooner had she spoken than Xiao He came running back. Yan Wanning asked in surprise, "Why have you come back?"

Xiao He's round face was full of joy. "Princess Consort, the prince has sent people to bring over lots of things."

Sure enough, Yan Wanning saw five or six servants behind Xiao He, carrying three large chests.

The servants brought the chests over and bowed when they saw her. "Princess Consort, the prince had us bring these over. He said you may do with them as you please."

Having delivered both the things and the message, the servants left Anyuan Courtyard.

Yan Wanning had Xiao He open all three chests. Inside were many fine silks and satins, as well as gold and silver jewelry, all of considerable value.

Xiao He cried out in surprise, "So many things! The prince truly dotes on you, Princess Consort." Then she added, "Not only does the prince dote on you, but the Grand Dowager Princess Consort does too. You're so fortunate, Princess Consort."

Yan Wanning was surprised as well. Remembering that the servant had said she could do as she pleased with the gifts, she felt warmth in her heart and silently agreed with Xiao He.

Three days passed in a flash, and before long, the day of the Sun Family's flower-viewing banquet arrived.

Yan Wanning sat before a bronze mirror, her dark hair loosely arranged in an elegant cloud-soaring bun. A touch of red among her hair came from a hairpin with an openwork shaft, a pearl at its end giving off a silvery-white glow. Several small, perfectly round East Sea pearls dangled beneath it.

When she rose gracefully, the tassels in her hair made a pleasing sound. Though she wore only light makeup, she was already astonishingly beautiful. Dressed in a crabapple-red gown made of gold-brocaded silk, she carried an air about her that could not be concealed as she walked.

Even Xiao He, accustomed as she was to her mistress's beauty, could not help feeling awed. Joy showed on her round face as she said, "Princess Consort, you're sure to outshine all the other beauties today."

"Enough of your cheek. Come and help support me." Yan Wanning held her slender, supple waist, regretting that she had to attend the banquet today.

Last night, Si Yunqi had tormented her for a long time again. If he had not known she was going out today, he probably would not have let her off so easily, for he had gone to the bathing room twice in the latter half of the night to douse himself with cold water.

A comfortable carriage had been prepared outside the residence. Si Yunqi had also sent Yun Yin, his personal guard, to accompany her, saying he was afraid someone might hurt her. Yan Wanning could only helplessly agree.

"Greetings, Princess Consort," Yun Yin said, cupping his fists.

Yan Wanning nodded kindly. "Sorry for the trouble today, Guard Yun."

"It is my duty."

After Yan Wanning boarded the carriage, he jumped up as well and drove it away at a moderate pace.