As expected, Ning Wang did come visiting. Luo Momo hurriedly whispered, “Serve Ning Wang well. I’ll take my leave.”
Qingge replied boredly, “Got it.”
With that, the momo lowered her head and left. Ning Wang, however, had already pushed the door open and entered.
As soon as the door opened, Qingge caught a familiar scent of fresh bamboo—Ning Wang’s usual fragrance, one she was well acquainted with. Today, however, it seemed faintly laced with the unusual smell of alcohol.
‘Has he been drinking?’ Qingge mused. In the four years she had served him, she had rarely seen him touching alcohol. It seemed clear now that Third Master Xiahou’s visit had brought him good news, which should be related to Xiyuan. A deal had been struck, and his mood was good enough to indulge in some wine.
Naturally, this also reflected the importance Ning Wang placed on the Xiahou clan. Otherwise, he would not so easily partake in drinking with the guest.
During important moments, the usually arrogant Ning Wang was always measured.
With these thoughts, Qingge approached him, her demeanor soft and gentle. “Your Highness, have you been drinking? Would you like some sobering soup?”
A slight flush appeared on Ning Wang’s handsome face as he nodded lightly. “Mm, I had a little with your third uncle. It’s nothing. Help me undress.”
Qingge let out a small chuckle and raised her hands to assist him. He was clearly preparing to bathe.
Ning Wang narrowed his eyes slightly, enjoying the comfort of her service. His Wangfei—beautiful, considerate, meticulous. Having such a wife was a source of satisfaction and happiness for any man.
As Qingge helped him remove his outer robe, he suddenly spoke. “Your third uncle mentioned today that next year will be your grandfather’s seventieth birthday. The family plans to bring you back for the celebration.” He then paused briefly, “But that period coincides with Yuning’s annual military review. I probably won’t be able to make it. I’ll prepare a generous gift and have Mr. Wen accompany you instead.”
Yuning, located on the border, was adjacent to Xiyuan. As a result, it had to frequently deal with skirmishes from Xiyuan’s scattered forces, and that’s why Ning Wang paid great attention to military drills. The annual review was something he personally oversaw to boost the morale of the troops, and he never missed it. Next year would be no exception.
Of course Qingge would not mind. Or rather, why should she? No one could predict the circumstances at that time, and she might have gone by then. So she responded with a smile, “Your Highness should naturally prioritize important matters. This consort can return on my own when the time comes.”
Ning Wang gave a slight nod.
After assisting Ning Wang in undressing, he went to the adjacent washing room to bathe. Qingge, having just bathed earlier, took the opportunity to tidy up the bedding herself. This not only showcased her virtue but also allowed her to organize her secretly stashed clothes, just in case they were accidentally discovered. After all, Ning Wang was far sharper than any servant.
Once she was done, she put open a poetry collection on display, completely for a show. Still, pretending to read could be exhausting…
Fortunately, before long, Ning Wang emerged from the washing room. Qingge finally set the book down and greeted him with a smile.
He had bathed thoroughly, even washing his long hair, and now was dressed loosely in a soft white silk inner garment. Qingge noticed his long hair, though somewhat dried, still carried some dampness, so she picked up a large soft towel and said with a smile, “Your Highness, let me dry your hair for you. You might catch a cold otherwise.”
Ning Wang looked at his Wangfei. Her soft, jet-black hair was casually tied with a pink silk ribbon, accentuating her snow-white, radiant skin that seemed to glow like jade or pearl. Her eyes were gentle, submissive, and even full of attachment.
He said nothing, merely nodding slightly.
Qingge then guided him to sit on a nearby rosewood chair. Standing beside him, she wrapped his long hair in the towel and began to dry it gently with a sandalwood comb. The bathing supplies provided for the only two masters of Ning Wang Manor were, of course, far more refined than those used elsewhere. Even the hair-washing balm was made from ingredients like apricot kernels, pinellia, and aconite. After the wash, Ning Wang’s hair was especially smooth and lustrous.
As she gently helped him dry his hair, she glanced at him quietly. Warm sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, falling upon his figure. His sharp brows, high nose bridge, and slightly drooping eyes exuded a sense of comfort and ease.
She had never imagined seeing him from this angle one day. In such a moment, his usual commanding majesty and sternness seemed to fade, replaced by an air of tranquility and even some gentleness. It gave her the illusion of serenity, and for a split second, phrases like ‘a lifetime together’ and ‘growing old in harmony’ came to mind.
But it was, after all, just an illusion.
Perhaps because her movements paused, Ning Wang noticed and lazily let out a soft “Hmm?”
His voice was deep and pleasant, carrying a unique charm that belonged to him only.
“It’s nothing.” Qingge softly responded, “I just thought Your Highness had fallen asleep and didn’t want to disturb you.” Saying this, she resumed drying his hair.
Ning Wang suddenly asked, “When your third uncle visited today, you didn’t seem pleased. Why?”
Qingge’s hands paused for a moment. She had always known Ning Wang to be sharp, but she hadn’t expected him to even catch on to such subtle emotions. Thankfully, her performance had been flawless, or she might have been exposed by now.
“Is there any discord among the branches of your family?” He asked again.
“It’s really nothing serious,” Qingge replied with a smile. “But Your Highness should know that my mother is from Xiyuan, while my father is the eldest di-born1 son of the Xiahou clan. In a large family where multiple branches live together, some minor disputes are inevitable.”
She spoke lightly, “These are trivial matters. I don’t usually pay much attention to them. Besides, I’ve lived a secluded life in the inner yard and am not particularly familiar with the elders outside. Actually, my mother sent a letter, and I felt rather happy reading it today.”
Ning Wang nodded in agreement. “That’s true. In any large family, with so many children and branches, some conflicts are unavoidable. It happens to everyone.”
Qingge naturally understood his meaning. Take the imperial family, for instance, with the princes constantly at odds, vying for every advantage and eager to catch each other’s mistakes. Ning Wang himself wasn’t close with his own birth mother, Noble Consort Tan.
If she were the real Xiahou Jianxue, this would be the perfect opportunity to engage him in intimate conversation. Perhaps he might even share more of himself, deepening the bond between husband and wife…
But Qingge had no desire for that. She was not really Xiahou Jianxue, nor was she his real Wangfei. The inner thoughts of a prince were not something she should know.
As the saying goes, the more she knew, the sooner she would meet her demise.
She enjoyed their physical intimacy, but there was no need for emotions there.
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Translator’s Note:
We had a small emergency, so sorry for the missing update last week >_<
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- Dishu System: Children born from the legal wife (or registered under the legal wife’s name) are called di (嫡) children, while children of concubines shu (庶) children. It’s not as simple as di being legitimate with shu being illegitimate, since shu-born children are equally recognized by their paternal clan and recorded in its genealogy. By modern standards, shu children are legitimate enough. It was children born from outside mistresses, whose mothers aren’t officially recognized as concubines, who are considered illegitimate, and when they were being recognized as a shu child, it was a form of legitimization
I wish you luck in your ‘I will not develop feelings’ quest madame. I don’t think it’s going to work out perfectly, but in the circumstances it’s fair enough. Would suck to love him as a stand-in and then have to skedaddle haha. I’m so curious when the other shoe is going to drop I feel like every little scene winds my tension tighter!!