Princess Jinse read the poem aloud in a soft voice.
She raised her head to look at Shi Huai, her voice slightly hoarse. “Young Master Shi, this poem is wonderful. May I take it with me?”
Shi Huai nodded, a faint smile touching the corners of his lips. “As long as the princess does not think it unworthy.”
Princess Jinse carefully folded the sheet of paper, treating it as though it were some priceless treasure. She tucked it into her sleeve and pressed a hand over it, as if afraid it might fall out.
She looked up at Shi Huai again, her whole person awkward and timid, like a fawn that had wandered into someone else’s home by mistake.
Just as Princess Jinse was about to speak, the sound of footsteps came from the courtyard, drawing nearer with every moment.
The door curtain was lifted, and Madam Liu entered wearing a deep purple beizi, a smile on her face.
“Your servant pays her respects to the princess. May the princess enjoy boundless blessings.”
Madam Liu performed a flawless formal bow, bending deeply at the waist with impeccable deference.
Princess Jinse glanced at her. The smile on her lips faded a little, and the warmth in her voice diminished as well. “You may rise. And you are?”
“Your servant is the wife of the Marquis of Yongning. My surname is Liu. The princess may simply call me Madam Liu.”
Madam Liu straightened, the smile on her face unchanged.
She turned aside and pulled Shi Youlan, who had been standing behind her, to her side. Reaching out, she adjusted the velvet flowers in her daughter’s hair and said ingratiatingly, “This is my youngest daughter. Her given name is Youlan. She has long admired the princess’s talent and virtue. When she heard that the princess had come today, she begged me to bring her here so she could pay her respects.”
Pushed forward by her mother, Shi Youlan’s face flushed faintly. She offered Princess Jinse a proper bow and spoke in a soft but clear voice.
“Shi Youlan pays her respects to the princess. May the princess be well.”
Princess Jinse looked Shi Youlan up and down.
She was wearing a pale pink beizi, with several velvet flowers adorning her hair. Her features were delicate and pretty, and there was an air of innocent cheerfulness between her brows.
A smile returned to Princess Jinse’s lips. “There is no need for such formality. You are Young Master Shi’s elder sister? Rise and speak.”
Shi Youlan straightened and stepped back to Madam Liu’s side, stealing a glance at Shi Huai.
Madam Liu’s gaze moved between Shi Huai and Princess Jinse, a complicated glimmer passing through her eyes.
Her purpose in coming to the Hall of Longevity was simple: she wanted her daughter to forge a connection with the princess, so that Youlan would have another advantage when it came time to arrange her marriage.
The Marquis of Yongning’s household had fallen into decline.
Although Shi Yuanzhi still bore the title of marquis, he had no real influence, and neither of his two daughters had found a suitable marriage match.
His eldest daughter, Shi Lingyi, had married into the Shen family. On the surface, it was a splendid match, but only she knew how bitter life was beneath that glittering exterior.
As for her second daughter, Shi Youlan, Madam Liu had spent several years searching for a suitable husband, yet had never found one.
Some candidates came from families of too low a standing, while others had terrible character. Some had excellent family backgrounds but were far beyond their reach, while others simply lacked sincerity.
But if Youlan could become Princess Jinse’s close friend, everything would be different.
Who would dare slight the princess’s closest companion?
At the thought, Madam Liu’s smile deepened. She took two steps toward Princess Jinse and softened her voice.
“It is rare for the princess to visit the marquis’s residence. I have had some refreshments prepared. They are all specialties of our household cooks. Would the princess care to try some?”
Princess Jinse waved a hand. Her gaze drifted back to Shi Huai, and the perfunctory note in her voice was impossible to miss.
“No need. I’m not hungry. But Young Master Shi played cuju today, so he must be hungry. Madam Liu, just have the refreshments sent over to him.”
Madam Liu was momentarily rendered speechless. The smile on her face stiffened for an instant before she smoothly returned to her composed expression.
“Yes, of course. I will have them brought at once.”
She turned and gave a meaningful glance to the elderly matron behind her. The woman understood immediately and hurried out.
Shi Youlan stood to one side, twisting her fingers together inside her sleeves. She pressed her lips together again and again before finally gathering the courage to speak.
“Princess, what sort of books do you enjoy reading?”
Princess Jinse turned to look at her. A faint smile curved her lips, and her tone was considerably warmer than it had been with Madam Liu.
“I have been reading the Book of Songs lately. My favorite is the piece that begins, ‘The ospreys call, on the river isle.’ What about you, Miss Shi?”
Being addressed as “Miss Shi” eased some of the tension in Shi Youlan’s heart. The nervousness faded from her face, and her voice grew a little louder.
“I like the Book of Songs as well, but my favorite is the one that begins, ‘The reeds are pale, the dew is white as frost.’ Whenever I read it, it feels like looking at a painting.”
Princess Jinse’s eyes lit up. She leaned forward slightly, her tone growing even warmer.
“You like ‘The Reed’? I think it is beautifully written too. Its imagery is exquisite, and its lingering charm never fades.”
Madam Liu stood to one side, watching her daughter and the princess converse so happily. She could not suppress the smile spreading across her face.
Her gaze drifted toward Shi Huai again, and she saw him sitting in a chair by the window, holding an orange.
Moonlight poured through the window behind him, bathing his entire figure in a layer of silvery-white light.
Madam Liu gave a cold snort inwardly.
He was only a bastard son. What good was it that he was handsome? Would the imperial family ever take a bastard son as a prince consort? He could dream on.
Princess Jinse and Shi Youlan chatted about poetry for a while before the subject gradually turned to cuju.
Princess Jinse said that she had been terribly disappointed not to have watched the match that day.
Shi Youlan said she had missed it too, because her mother had claimed the cuju grounds were too disorderly and forbidden her to go.
The two girls exchanged a glance, sighed at the same time, and then turned their eyes toward Shi Huai together.
Shi Huai was lowering his head to scratch Orange beneath the chin. Feeling two gazes fall upon him, he looked up with a puzzled expression.
“What is it?”
Princess Jinse and Shi Youlan both shook their heads and answered at the same time.
“Nothing.”
Orange was thoroughly enjoying Shi Huai’s attention. Its eyes narrowed in contentment as a deep, rumbling purr rose from its throat.
The refreshments Madam Liu had ordered soon arrived and were spread across the entire table.
There were osmanthus cakes, lotus-seed soup, almond tofu, date-paste pastries, and more. Every dish was delicate and appetizing; merely looking at them was enough to stir one’s hunger.
Princess Jinse picked up a date-paste pastry and took a bite. Narrowing her eyes, she nodded and said, “Not bad.”
Then she set the remaining half down, her gaze drifting back to Shi Huai once more.
Shi Huai was slowly drinking a bowl of lotus-seed soup. Simply watching him made Princess Jinse’s heart beat faster.
Shi Youlan was secretly watching Shi Huai too.
She glanced at him once, then again, each look lingering a little longer than the last.
Madam Liu sat to one side, taking in her daughter’s lovestruck appearance. She was both anxious and irritated.
She lifted her teacup and took a sip, using the motion to conceal her displeasure.
When she set the cup down, her face once again wore that perfectly composed smile.
