That same morning, at the Sun residence.
Qingwen hurried into the bedroom and found Xiang Ling seated before the dressing table, holding two hairpins and wavering between them. She stepped forward, snatched one away, and without further discussion pinned it into Xiang Ling's high cloud-shaped coiffure.
"You're wearing that fiery red fox-fur cloak today, so your hairpin ought to be more flamboyant as well. After all, we're going to discuss a marriage."
The matter of arranging the marriage should originally have been Ruan Rong's responsibility. However, Ruan Rong had suddenly become pregnant and could no longer be made to run about and exhaust herself, so the entire burden had been dumped onto Xiang Ling.
Since it was Xiang Ling's first time shouldering such an important responsibility, she naturally felt terribly uncertain. That was why she had asked You Erjie to accompany her and lend support.
Xiang Ling had long since grown used to Qingwen taking charge without invitation and was only too happy to spare herself the trouble. She pressed the hairpin firmly into place while looking into the mirror, then asked, "It's about time. Has Sister You finished preparing over there?"
Qingwen pursed her lips and snorted. "She probably tangled herself up with Second Master again this morning. When I went over, she still hadn't gotten out of bed."
After a pause, she lowered her voice slightly. "She had a huge pillow tucked beneath her, and at first glance, she looked even more pregnant than Concubine You."
Xiang Ling burst into laughter, then hurriedly covered her mouth and warned awkwardly, "Whatever you do, don't let Sister You hear that, or else..."
"I know."
Qingwen moved around to Xiang Ling's side and scrutinized her carefully for a few moments. Then she broke off a small piece of face powder, ground