Chapter 17

Yan Ling returned shortly. Mistress and servant pretended nothing had happened. Rushuang laid out his clothes and withdrew. Yan Ling went to bathe as usual, and Ning Yan periodically stepped out to speak with the stewards. By the time she had washed up, changed into her nightclothes, and came back to the inner chamber, Yan Ling was lying on the inside of the bed reading.

Not knowing how long he intended to read, she stood by the bed, glanced at the palace lamp on the table, and asked softly, “My lord, would you like some tea?”

Yan Ling was studying a map of the palace. He looked up at her. She wore a moon-white gown, her features like a painting, graceful and poised—but her face was expressionless. Or perhaps she was always like this, neither warm nor cold.

He suddenly recalled the smile she had given her cousin the other day, and for no reason, it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“I’m done reading. Put out the lamp.” He tucked the map into his robe.

Ning Yan extinguished the lamp without hesitation. She had attended to Yan Ling for two nights now and knew he had no habit of getting up at night nor calling for water. She went ahead and blew out the glass lamp too—she didn’t like leaving a light on; it made it hard to fall asleep.

She climbed onto the bed and slipped into her own quilt.

As she lay down, she suddenly remembered that she’d been so busy all day she’d forgotten to swap for a thicker quilt. It looked like she’d be shivering through another night.

Just as she was about to close her eyes, she heard Yan Ling’s low voice from behind.

“Do you want to go hunting?”

Ning Yan paused. After a moment, she sat up.

In the darkness, his deep outline was faintly visible, and she could almost feel his gaze fixed on her.

If she said yes, it would only put him in a difficult position.

She still wasn’t used to baring her heart to him.

“I don’t want to go. It’ll be good to rest tomorrow.”

Yan Ling remembered Princess Chun’an’s question from that day and asked again, “Then do you know how to ride?”

This time, Ning Yan’s silence stretched a little longer. Her voice came out slightly strained. “A little…”

Yan Ling was quiet for a moment. “One of these days, I’ll teach you.”

Ning Yan gave a faint smile. “Alright…”

The next morning, everyone in the Yan family rose early, ate breakfast, and gathered in the main hall.

Qin Shi stood at the center of the hall in a begonia-pink riding outfit, the most eye-catching of all. Yan Zan fussed over her, helping her fasten her knee and wrist guards.

“Ow, be gentler—you’re choking me!”

“If I don’t tie it tight, what if it falls off?” Second Young Master Yan Zan grumbled, but his movements softened considerably.

Over on the other side, Third Young Master Yan Jing was going through Lady Wang’s travel bag over and over.

“I found a little stream under the West Mountain River last year—the scenery’s beautiful. I’ll take you there later…”

“Why didn’t you pack any bruise medicine?”

“The water pouch is too small—fill it more.” Yan Jing chattered endlessly. Lady Wang, somewhat overwhelmed, looked at him blankly. “Is it that much trouble? Maybe I won’t go…”

At this, Yan Jing gritted his teeth and quickly changed his tune. “No, no trouble at all. Here—you do whatever you want, and I’ll go along with you.”

Fourth Young Master Yan Jun, standing nearby, interjected innocently, “Third Brother, aren’t you supposed to win first place? If you’re just sightseeing with Third Sister-in-law, how are you going to do that?”

Yan Jing flashed a carefree smile. “Making your Third Sister-in-law smile is much more interesting than winning first place…”

Yan Jun paused, then lunged for the divine-arm bow. “In that case, give me the bow!”

“Dream on!” Yan Jing shoved him off without ceremony.

Yan Jun turned to Yan Ling with a pitiful expression. Yan Ling, flipping through some papers, just smiled and said nothing.

Eldest Miss Yan Yue had woken late and was grumbling. Qin Shi quickly pushed Yan Zan aside and helped Yan Yue fasten her soft armor and knee guards. “Don’t worry, don’t worry—everyone’s waiting for you.”

The whole family was cheerful and full of energy.

Ning Yan stood at the doorway, watching it all as she always did—watching this lively, bustling world she had never quite been able to step into.

It had been the same in the Ning family, and it was the same in the Yan family.

At that moment, Yan Ling turned his head and looked at her. Ning Yan immediately put on a smile, stepped forward, and handed the bundle to Yun Zhuo.

“My lord, your bag is ready.”

Yun Zhuo opened the bundle to check if anything was missing and found it packed full with everything one could need. “Madam, you’ve even packed a charcoal box for starting fires and a night pearl! This shows real experience…”

At the last remark, Yan Ling glanced at Ning Yan with surprise.

Ning Yan’s expression remained calm. “In case you don’t make it back by nightfall, at least you’ll have some light.”

Yun Zhuo grinned. “How could that happen? With His Majesty along, the heir will surely return to the palace.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“True enough…”

Yan Ling glanced at his younger siblings’ wives, then at his wife’s serene face, and said nothing for a long moment.

As they left, he said softly, “You’ve worked hard.”

The bugle sounded from the training platform, and everyone set off in succession.

Ning Yan stood by the white marble balustrade, watching the prairie ahead. Yan Yue darted across the fields like a joyful swallow. Yan Zan and Qin Shi, bickering and laughing, headed into the woods. Yan Jing personally led a horse and presented it to Lady Wang with a flourish. As for Yan Ling—he had long since disappeared somewhere.

Half an hour later, the palace was nearly empty.

The air was clear, and the azure sky was vividly reflected in the pools. The carriage that had been sent back to the capital to fetch clothes returned, and Stewardess Rong directed the servants to carry everything to the respective quarters. Ning Yan had a lounge chair placed by the pool at the northeast corner of Tianyu Hall. Alone, she curled up with a book, basking in the autumn light. The sun was too bright, so she simply laid the book over her face and lay there sunbathing.

She had grown used to this kind of life in the Ning family, and found a comfortable position to relax in.

The palace was too quiet, the wind whispering past her ears.

The crunch of boots cut through the silence.

Before Ning Yan could sit up, someone lifted the book off her face, and a crisp voice poured down from above.

“Ning Yan, I’ve been looking everywhere for you! I searched the whole palace and finally found you.”

A fiery figure rushed toward her like a halo of light, an irrepressible vitality threatening to engulf her.

Ning Yan was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at Princess Chun’an. Fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead. She ran over, hands on her knees, out of breath, her eyes gleaming like stars, and said with mock disdain, “Get up. Come with me!” She yanked Ning Yan to her feet and dragged her down to the palace road beneath the terrace.

It wasn’t until a rein was shoved into her hand that Ning Yan came to her senses. “Your Highness, it’s so late—you haven’t gone into the woods yet?” Her eyes felt a little wet.

Princess Chun’an gave her a glare. “Well, that’s because I was looking for you—it’s your fault I’m delayed.”

Ning Yan held the reins and didn’t move for a moment.

Not knowing what was going through her mind, Princess Chun’an swung onto her horse first and looked down at her. “Hey, don’t tell me you can’t ride?”

Ning Yan stood in the wind, a bright smile reflecting faintly in the light.

How could she not know how to ride? From age seven to ten, she had lived with her maternal grandparents, crossed the sea, climbed mountains, and galloped across the wilderness. That was when she learned to ride. Even during all those years in the Ning family, she would occasionally sneak out of the manor to ride and hunt. She was never truly docile—her demureness was just a facade, a mask she wore for protection. She hadn’t expected this side of her nature to be coaxed out by the princess.

Ning Yan was dressed simply today and didn’t need to change. She didn’t want to delay Princess Chun’an any further, so she swung onto her horse with ease. “Your Highness, let’s go!”

“Great!” Princess Chun’an’s expression blazed. With a loud cry, she led a retinue of guards and plunged into the woods.

For four full hours, Princess Chun’an witnessed Ning Yan’s skill firsthand. With a light bow, Ning Yan hit almost every target. By the early hour of You [around 5–7 p.m.], when the sunset painted the sky, they had bagged two full baskets of game.

Returning to camp, they found no one else had come back yet. Princess Chun’an knew the first prize was hers. She ordered the guards to carry the game to the imperial tent. Ning Yan picked out a pheasant and quietly pulled the princess aside. “Your Highness, shall we go back to your palace? I’ll make you roast chicken.”

Ning Yan was in an unusually good mood—she hadn’t felt this free in a long time.

Princess Chun’an, accustomed to delicacies, didn’t take her offer too seriously. “Let’s go, let’s go—back to my place.”

Back at the princess’s Guangyang Hall, Ning Yan went to the kitchen herself. Princess Chun’an leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching in amazement. “You’re pretty skilled at this, aren’t you?”

Ning Yan glanced back with a smile. “Your Highness, just wait—you won’t be disappointed.”

Ning Yan’s roast chicken came from a secret family recipe. First, she split the chicken open, trimmed the tail and feet, plunged it into boiling water until it was eighty percent cooked, then removed it. She mixed the sauce according to the formula, poured it over the whole chicken, and simmered it over medium heat for about two quarters of an hour. Once the sauce had reduced, she removed it from the heat, drizzled it with a golden layer of flavored oil, and roasted it over the fire.

Princess Chun’an watched as the chicken skin slowly turned golden and released a crisp, savory aroma. Her taste buds stirred involuntarily, and she licked her lips. “Yan Yan, I’ve never seen anyone make it like this before…”

Ning Yan smiled without answering. Soon, the roast chicken, along with ten dishes sent over by the imperial kitchen, were neatly laid out on the eight-treasure table. Princess Chun’an was already salivating and couldn’t wait to tear off a chicken leg.

The thin golden skin curled at the edges. One bite—crisp, smooth, tender, and lingering—made her eyes light up. “Delicious, delicious! I’ve never had chicken skin this good…” She took a small bite of the leg meat. Somehow, no matter what Ning Yan had done, the meat fibers weren’t tough at all; they had a delicate, slightly sticky, powdered texture that begged to be savored.

Princess Chun’an normally never bothered to chew slowly, but Ning Yan’s dish made her eat with careful reverence, as if she dared not disrespect it.

It was a level even the finest imperial chefs couldn’t reach.

Princess Chun’an felt she had truly found a treasure. In high spirits, she waved her hand grandly. “With the bright moon above, how can we not have wine? Someone, bring the Xinghua Village wine.”

Ning Yan had taken a few bites and smiled, shaking her head. “I need to get back soon—I won’t drink with Your Highness.”

Princess Chun’an took a solitary drink first. “Don’t worry, I’ve already given orders. As soon as Yan Ling returns to camp, word will reach us here.”

Ning Yan couldn’t imagine Yan Ling’s reaction if he smelled alcohol on her. She believed in treating others as she would want to be treated. “Your Highness, please spare me. Another time, I’ll drink with you.”

Princess Chun’an was displeased. She stood up and raised her cup to Ning Yan. “Yan Yan, be honest with me—who’s more important, me or Yan Ling?”

The princess was not a heavy drinker. One cup down, her face was flushed, and she looked at Ning Yan with a pitiful, wronged expression. If Ning Yan so much as shook her head, she was sure to burst into tears.

Ning Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She rose as well and looked at the full cup. She figured she could take a small sip, then go back, bathe thoroughly, and rinse her mouth—Yan Ling probably wouldn’t notice. She clinked cups with the princess. “In my heart, Your Highness is different from everyone else. Meeting you has been my greatest fortune.” With that, she took a sip.

Visibly moved, Princess Chun’an’s eyes nearly welled up. She placed a hand on Ning Yan’s shoulder. “Yan Yan, you don’t know—my mother died when I was young. Though my father dotes on me, few in the palace truly like me. I gave up trying and just threw my weight around. All these years, you’re the only one who’s caught my eye…” She downed her cup in one gulp and leaned halfway on Ning Yan, mumbling, “Oh, Yan Yan, your roast chicken is amazing—I’ve never had chicken this good. You’ll make it for me again, won’t you?”

She smiled sweetly, with a touch of childish naivety, poured another cup, and clinked with Ning Yan again.

Ning Yan felt her heart soften. She took a sip to accompany her. “Your Highness, in the future, if I come up with any new dishes, I’ll make them for you.”

The princess was first delighted, then grew a little melancholy. She downed her wine and muttered discontentedly, “I don’t know what kind of luck Yan Ling has, marrying you and getting to eat such delicious food every day.”

Ning Yan helped her sit down and laughed. “I’ve never actually cooked for him. Apart from my own people, Your Highness is the first.”

Princess Chun’an felt immensely flattered. Thinking Ning Yan had been so good to her, she ought to reciprocate. She racked her tipsy mind and vaguely remembered a wonderful spot in the West Mountain Palace. She shot to her feet and grabbed Ning Yan’s hand. “Come, come—I’ll take you somewhere…”

Ning Yan stumbled along as the princess dragged her out. “Your Highness, it’s dark—where are you taking me…”

Princess Chun’an was in high spirits and couldn’t be stopped. She commanded Rushuang and her own maids, “Go—get some clothes ready and send them to the hot spring pool.”

Ning Yan’s face changed. “Your Highness, I can’t go—the heir is going to return soon…”

“Yan Ling this, Yan Ling that—you revolve around him all day, but does he ever have you in his heart? Such a perfect opportunity today, and did he take you out for a stroll?”

Princess Chun’an grabbed the cup on the table and pressed it to Ning Yan’s lips.

Ning Yan choked badly, coughing as she clutched her chest.

Together with the two sips she’d already taken, she’d now drunk an entire cup.

A girl who rarely touched alcohol could hardly handle such heat. Soon, Ning Yan felt dizzy. Princess Chun’an was used to doing as she pleased, and her attendants were accustomed to it. They escorted the two to the hot spring palace.

Rushuang couldn’t stop them. She had no choice but to go back and fetch Ning Yan’s clothes.

The hot spring palace sat at the northwest corner of the Qiankun Hall, enclosed within its walls. It was originally for the Emperor’s baths, but since he disliked hot springs, it was almost never used.

Princess Chun’an and Ning Yan, both tipsy, stumbled their way into the hot spring palace.

Ning Yan, cooled by the night breeze, regained some clarity and tried to leave, but Princess Chun’an pushed her straight into the pool.

“I’ve got your back—what are you afraid of!”

They splashed around in the water for a while, completely at ease. Wrapped in thin robes, they lay on the soft couches by the pool, warm and comfortable. Ning Yan’s eyes were hazy with the steam, letting the palace maids massage her shoulders and waist. Princess Chun’an sat gracefully by the pool’s edge.

Maids brought fresh fruit and newly brewed green plum wine—the princess’s favorites.

The hot spring palace was draped in drifting curtains and ethereal mist. The two of them, drinking and chatting back and forth, felt as if they were in a fairyland, completely losing track of time.

The green plum wine was sweet and smooth, more like fruit nectar than the harsh Xinghua Village wine.

Princess Chun’an held a celadon wine cup between her lips and asked drowsily, “Yan Yan, tell me honestly—were you jealous yesterday?”

Ning Yan’s little face was flushed crimson like a ripe fruit. She shook her head. “No, I wasn’t…”

“Don’t lie to me. After the competition yesterday, you disappeared. You don’t like that Qi Wushuang, do you…”

Ning Yan’s awareness flickered back for an instant. Between drunkenness and sobriety, she parted her lips.

“It’s true I don’t like Qi Wushuang, but jealous? Not really. I know perfectly well he’s famous—of course other women would set their sights on him. If I spent all my time being jealous, wouldn’t I just be exhausting myself?”

Princess Chun’an half propped herself up and poked her under the arm. “Liar. You wait on him hand and foot like he’s a treasure, and you say you’re not jealous? I think you’re head over heels for him!”

Ning Yan squirmed away, fanning the heat off her face, and said crossly, “Nonsense. That’s not true at all.”