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Maybe Ning Wang thought he had completed his marital obligation on the wedding night and thus no longer needed to pay her any attention? Qingge pondered. If that were the case, she would need to adjust her approach. Being ignored was the best outcome she could hope for; it meant she wouldn’t need to put in much effort, and after five months, she could collect the rest of her payment without any complications.
So, she no longer dwelled on that matter. For the next two days, she retired early in the evening, using tiredness as an excuse to dismiss the attending maidservants, then lay on the bed until everyone had left. Afterward, she would quietly use her lightness skill to slip into the rooms of the menial servants, gathering plain black hemp clothing, veils, and other useful items from various spots.
She could have used the items she already had, but she knew Ye Min’s sharp instincts all too well. She couldn’t allow him to detect even the slightest clue, so she had to avoid using anything that could raise suspicion.
After gathering a complete outfit and slightly altering the pieces, she tried them on. Though the short tunic and pants were a bit loose, tying the trousers and securing the belt made them fit snugly on her.
She also stashed a few other small items, placing everything in a hidden compartment beneath her bed. It was a spot rarely disturbed and unlikely to be discovered. Now, all she needed was the right opportunity to sneak out and meet Ye Min.
Technically, she could have sought him out directly within the manor, but she could not afford even the slightest risk of suspicion. Going straight to Ye Min might leave him with some clues, so she planned to leave the manor first, then assume her identity as Qingge to either meet Ye Min outside or find a way to sneak back in. This would help create the impression that she was living outside the manor.
Without taking this extra step, she would never be able to deceive Ye Min.
Just as Qingge finished hiding the clothes, there was a knock at the door, followed by hurried footsteps. A maidservant entered, looking a bit panicked, “Excuse me, Your Highness. His Highness has arrived.”
Qingge, already assuming the reclining posture, replied in a voice full of drowsy languor, “Is that so? Quickly, come and help me freshen up.”
At her command, a line of maidservants filed in. With practiced efficiency, they helped their mistress off the bed, assisted her in washing up, and helped her change. They had only just begun with her hair when Ning Wang entered the room.
Seeing Qingge hurriedly stand up to greet him, Ning Wang raised an eyebrow. “This prince has been busy these past few days and seems to have neglected you, Wangfei. You must have felt overlooked.”
Qingge smiled. “Not at all, Your Highness.”
Ning Wang continued, “This prince has important matters to attend to tonight and came by to check on you. Let me accompany you another day for a walk.”
Qingge, of course, did not care and only wished he would leave soon. She put on a smile befitting of a virtuous wife and she responded, “Your Highness is busy with state affairs; how dare this consort feel neglected? This consort only regrets that I cannot help relieve Your Highness’s burdens.”
“What were you doing just now? You seemed hurried.”
“Nothing much. This consort just felt a bit tired, so I took a nap.”
Ning Wang’s gaze lingered, taking in the woman’s dark eyes, slightly misty and still moist. Her fair cheeks were slightly red faint pillow marks, flushed and lightly damp with sweat.
“Oh,” after a while, that was his only response.
Suddenly facing an impromptu inspection from her superior, it took Qingge a while to process the situation. After regaining her composure, she cautiously said, “By the way, Your Highness, you mentioned that in a few days, you could accompany this consort for a walk?”
Ning Wang nodded; a gesture that carried an air of generosity. “If you like it.”
“It’s not necessary for Your Highness to accompany me. This consort can explore on my own.” She looked at him with a smile. “This Yuning is Your Highness’s domain, and now that this consort has become your Wangfei, it is also my responsibility. At the very least, this consort feels that I should see and understand the local customs and people.”
Ning Wang seemed a bit surprised. After giving her a long, thoughtful look, he finally said, “The Zhonghe Festival is in a few days, and the lake outside the city will be open to the public. It’s quite lively. If you’d like to go, you may.”
Qingge’s eyes lit up, “that would be wonderful.”
“Very well,” he said. “My people will make arrangements for your outing. Make the most of it and enjoy yourself.”
Qingge hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly. Feeling pleased, she nodded with a bright smile. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Seeing her smile seemed to lift Ning Wang’s mood as well, and he added, “Now that you are this prince’s Wangfei, it’s time for you to familiarize yourself with the workings of the manor.”
Qingge replied obediently, “Your Highness is right.”
Ning Wang continued, “The management of the inner yard is divided between internal and external. Steward Sun handles external affairs, while Cui Gugu oversees internal matters. They will come to introduce themselves later.”
“Understood.” Qingge smiled. Of course, the two managers were actually no strangers to her. Steward Sun was in his forties and had been loyal to Ning Wang since his days in the central military unit. When Ning Wang was granted his title and established his household, Steward Sun followed him. Nearly a decade had passed since then, and he remained one of Ning Wang’s most trusted subordinates, loyally overseeing various affairs within the manor.
As for Cui Gugu, she had an interesting background. She was originally the most trusted court lady in attendance of Noble Consort Tan, Ning Wang’s birth mother. Although only in her twenties, her capabilities were highly regarded, and for the past three years, she had been entrusted with managing the inner yard of the manor.
Being a secret guard was to operate in the shadow, putting them in the position to overhear various secrets and random gossip. According to the rumor, Cui Gugu was prepared by Noble Consort Tan to be Ning Wang’s woman. Once he was married, he would formally be able to take on concubines, and Cui Gugu could be elevated to the rank of a lady.
Lost in thought, Qingge suddenly felt a gaze upon her. She lifted her eyes and met Ning Wang’s deep, dark stare, causing her heart to pause for a moment. A bit bewildered, she tentatively called out, “Your Highness?”
Ning Wang didn’t respond immediately, but lowered his gaze to study her eyes. Under such scrutiny, Qingge felt an inexplicable discomfort. She was not accustomed to being observed, especially not by him—or, for that matter, by anyone.
Hiding in a dark corner without being noticed was the most natural environment for a secret guard. And now, she was being watched so intensely by her lord and master, the one who had the power of life and death over her…
Having no other choice, Qingge could only meet his gaze straight on, maintaining an innocent expression.
After a long moment of staring, Ning Wang suddenly said, “Your eyes look familiar.”
Qingge’s heart tightened instantly. Yet, she maintained a composed facade, raising her eyebrows in surprise. “Really? Have you seen me before, Your Highness? Have you been to Ganliang?”
“No,” Ning Wang withdrew his gaze, explaining with his usual cold tone. “They just look somewhat similar, but not the same.”
Qingge inwardly exhaled in relief.
Ning Wang walked over to the display shelf nearby, examining the items placed on it. “The thirteenth of next month will be the Longevity Festival. As in previous years, this prince will travel to the capital to pay respects to Father Emperor and congratulate him on his birthday. You will accompany me.”
Qingge immediately understood. The Longevity Festival was the celebration of the Emperor’s birthday, and as a son, Ning Wang naturally had to attend. “Of course, Your Highness. This consort will follow all your arrangements,” she responded softly.
Ning Wang said nothing more, picking up a jade ornament from the display shelf and casually turning it in his hand. Qingge walked over and saw it was a white jade carving of a boy holding a lotus—a part of Xiahou Jianxue’s dowry. A jade sculpture with this motive symbolized an auspicious wish for a son.
She watched as Ning Wang toyed with the item in his hand. His long, graceful fingers, adorned with a jade thumb ring, made a beautiful contrast against the polished, slightly translucent surface of the carving.
“Does Your Highness like this piece?” She casually asked with a smile.
“Hmm,” Ning Wang’s tone was indifferent.
Qingge felt puzzled. As far as she could tell, he seemed to be recalling something he did not like to talk about. Of course, that was certainly not for her to pry into, so she feigned ignorance, appearing even more gentle and submissive.
Then, she noticed Ning Wang turned to look at her.
“Is there anything else Your Highness wishes to instruct this consort on?” She asked.
Ning Wang raised an eyebrow. “What, do you think this prince needs a reason to stay in your chamber?”
Qingge paused, lowering her eyes as she said more softly, “No, of course not.”
Ning Wang observed her quietly, his gaze drifting from her eyes down to the slender, graceful curve of her neck—looking as elegant and alluring as a piece of fine jade.
“As expected of a noble young lady nurtured by a centuries-old prestigious clan—you are indeed different from ordinary women.”
His sudden remark seemed to be complimenting her, but his tone carried a clear hint of mockery.
Qingge remained silent. Ning Wang’s arrogant, aloof personality was well-known, as was his disregard for women. Even after marrying the esteemed daughter of the Xiahou clan, he addressed his wife with the same contemptuous indifference. Had the real Miss Xiahou been here, with the similar innate arrogance cultivated by her background and upbringing, she would have confronted him long ago.
It was precisely because the bride was a counterfeit that she could nonchalantly tolerate such a treatment.
Fortunately, she, Qingge, was always used to enduring…
Seeing her quiet, Ning Wang stepped forward and lifted her chin. Qingge did not resist, only looking at him with even more docility.
“Does it still hurt?” He asked in a low voice.
“Hurt?” Qingge repeated, puzzled.
Ning Wang raised an eyebrow at her confusion. Then, as if finding amusement, he leaned in and whispered in a low, deep voice, “That day, did it not hurt?”
The voice was deep and ambiguous, gently drifting with the breath that softly brushed against Qingge’s ear.
A sudden shiver ran down her spine as if an electric current had passed through the back of her head.
Seeing her reaction, a hint of amusement flickered in Ning Wang’s eyes. He let out a soft chuckle before his lips gently met hers.
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