While Qingge was deep in thought, Luo Momo was helping her prepare for the night. As the momo carefully helped ‘Xiahou Jianxue’ into the canopied bed, she bent her waist slightly and asked in a low voice, “Young Miss, is there anything else you require?”
Qingge looked at Luo Momo’s tightly stretched face. This woman always had her face pulled taut unnaturally red and thin, like a fragile piece of paper that might tear with a pull.
This overly taut face always made her suspect whether the momo was also using a disguise technique. However, after careful observation, she had ruled out this possibility—this person was simply endowed with such a taut face.
This reminded Qingge of Cui Gugu1 in Ning Wang Manor; they were quite similar.
Facing Luo Momo’s stare, Qingge silently shook her head and gestured for her to leave.
Once the curtains around the bed were drawn, Qingge finally dared to collapse weakly on the bed. Her initial plan had been to earn a sum of money and then, taking advantage of Ye Min’s guilt, quit the Qianying Pavilion to live a carefree life.
But now she had inadvertently thrown herself into a tightrope situation. Truly, even the best-laid plans couldn’t win against fate. Was there any hope for her to extricate herself from this predicament?
Her beautiful dream of marrying into the Nan clan to acquire a plethora of rare pills had shattered, and instead, she was caught in a constant threat of being exposed.
But now she was already here, she had no way back. Her only option was to press on with her act.
At least, she hadn’t hit an absolute dead end; whether it was Wen Zhengqing, the secret guards, or even the impending encounter with Ning Wang and Ye Min, they were no strangers to her.
Even Ning Wang Manor was familiar territory—she knew exactly how many beams were in each hall and which beams were more comfortable to nap on.
Once she settled a bit and everyone let their guard down, perhaps she could try to meet with Ye Min in her own identity to see what arrangements the Qianying Pavilion had made for her. Maybe, just maybe, she could even come out with a plan to safely extricate herself from this situation.
With this idea in mind, Qingge finally felt a bit more at ease.
…
Under the protection of Ning Wang Manor’s elite guards and three secret guards, the bridal procession smoothly traveled along the official roads. After five or six days, they were nearly at the boundary of Yuning.
During this time, Qingge closely observed the three secret guards, trying to deduce their identities. Although they all belonged to the Qianying Pavilion, served under Ning Wang, and had trained together for years, the strict rules of the Pavilion meant their true identities were never disclosed to each other.
Therefore, even Qingge, a fellow secret guard, had to deduce their identities by closely observing their lightness skill, breathing methods, guarding routines, and occasional secret hand signals and coded gestures they used to communicate with one another.
After several days of careful observation, she finally identified them: one was Chiting, another Wanzhong, and the last… Baizhi.
Qingge hadn’t expected to see Baizhi here. She was brought into the Pavilion at the age of four by the former Pavilion Master, along with thirty-two other ensla∨ed kids and orphans, all of whom underwent a series of trials.
Of these, only two remained after numerous eliminations: one was her, and the other was Baizhi. Back then, they weren’t known by these names; she was still called Number 37, and Baizhi was Number 38.
Over the next ten years, Number 37 and Number 38 trained together, enduring many trials, and finally, at the age of fourteen, the Pavilion Master presented them before Ning Wang to be given new names.
At that time, Ning Wang was playing chess. When they were brought in, he casually glanced at a medical book and then tossed out two names: Qingge and Baizhi.
Thus, Number 37 became Qingge, and Number 38 became Baizhi.
——Later, the usually taciturn Baizhi mentioned offhandedly that he thought the name Baizhi was meant for Qingge, and that his name should have been hers.
Qingge was quite surprised to hear Baizhi say such a thing; it seemed he cared deeply about it.
But… Qingge, Baizhi, what difference did these names make?
At that time, Baizhi gave Qingge a look and emphasized, “But I am very dark, how can I be called Baizhi?”2
At this remark, Qingge silently recalled the scene. Back then, although she and Baizhi were both kneeling, she sensed that Ning Wang was distracted and had simply pointed at them without much thought.
‘Perhaps, there was indeed a mistake?’
But it was impossible to confirm this matter. In any case, Ning Wang never questioned their names afterward, and Qingge even believed that he didn’t even remember the event of naming them at all.
Recalling those days, Qingge rubbed her temples. Once they started their training at the age of five or six, neither she nor Baizhi ever showed their true faces again. Even during their harsh training, both were always masked with hemp cloth, so although they grew up together, they actually did not know what each other looked like.
However, just like how she was familiar with Baizhi, Baizhi was also familiar with her. After fourteen years together, they knew each other’s movements and breaths like the back of their hands.
Thus, Qingge knew she had to be extra cautious and never relax her vigilance.
…
The next day, the procession entered Huaiyu Mountain. After crossing it, they would finally reach the territory of Yuning, under the jurisdiction of Ning Wang.
Ning Wang Manor had already dispatched a third group of people, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Rites responsible for overseeing the wedding ceremonies. Flags waved, and drums echoed in jubilation. Guided by the Commissioner for Ceremonial Propriety, the bride was transferred to a specially prepared red lacquered, multicolored carriage, lavishly adorned and served by a plethora of attendants.
Qingge discreetly looked out of the carriage window, noting the rows of troops ahead, each holding several vermilion flags, with attendants in purple tunics, bearing copper gongs and drums, waving flags and striking drums.
There were also imperial guards, each armed with a short-handled silver dagger, their appearance both magnificent and imposing.
Yet, amidst this solemn grandeur, Qingge sensed a hint of danger.
Her gaze swept over the distance, at the large banner embroidered with golden silk. Beneath it sat Wen Zhengqing, clad in a dark cyan ceremonial robe, perching atop a tall horse. His posture was straight and his expression grave, clearly on high alert.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, about a dozen secret guards had already set up layers of protection, vigilantly on guard.
After observing for a while, Qingge withdrew her gaze. She found it interesting; having served diligently as a secret guard for four years, it was quite novel to have other people worrying about her safety.
In the evening, when the procession reached the post station, another official from the Ministry of Rites arrived, bringing the bridal gown, a gold embroidered bridal veil, and other bridal paraphernalia.
“Miss, Mr. Mo has come to discuss the return gifts,” Luo Momo came approaching.
“Return gifts?” Qingge inquired. Although she had been trained in various subjects, she had never experienced a wedding and was unfamiliar with these customs.
Luo Momo explained, “Now that Wang Manor has sent the bridal ornaments, according to tradition, we should return gifts of gold and silver items in pairs, a decorated cap, a green robe, and a pair of boots, among other things.”
Qingge simply responded with an “Oh.”
Seeing that she had no reaction, Luo Momo continued, “According to tradition, these matters would not normally concern the bride, but—”
Of course, the current situation was far from normal. Under such circumstances, however, they simply had no other option.
“Then please call Mr. Mo in,” Qingge said.
A moment later, Mo Jingxi entered the room, bowing respectfully.
Qingge sipped her tea indifferently, not even lifting her eyelids, “Mr. Mo, thank you for your efforts.” Her voice was light and faint, truly befitting the demeanor of a proud young lady of the prestigious Xiahou clan.
Mo Jingxi squinted slightly, then said, “Miss, the Wang Manor has sent various wedding gifts; please review them.”
Qingge took them over, glancing casually at the items listed in dense red ink.
“These are what we will send as return gifts early tomorrow morning.” Mo Jingxi added. As he spoke, his tone was extremely respectful, but his gaze at Qingge carried a hint of suggestion.
Qingge knew he had something to say to her, but he was being mindful of the three secret guards. The secret guards of the Qianying Pavilion were elusive—even if they were not visible, they could still be lurking nearby. If her conversation with Mo Jingxi were to arouse suspicion, all her efforts would be wasted.
She focused her senses and soon spotted a secret guard perched on the beams of the servants’ quarter.
Xiahou Jianxue was, after all, the soon-to-be Ning Wangfei. Her status was extremely noble, and the secret guards dared not spy on her, so they maintained a respectful distance. If she and Mo Jingxi spoke in lowered voices now, the secret guard wouldn’t hear them.
Qingge pretended to skim over the list, noting items such as pearl and jade ornaments, vibrant satin pieces, and exquisite writing brushes, inkstones, and other scholarly items, along with the traditional items Luo Momo had mentioned. “I heard Ning Wang is exceptionally particular and only uses the finest; where are these inkstones from?”
Mo Jingxi’s heart stirred, “Which item did you mention, Miss? Allow me to check.” He stood, moved closer, and leaned in, close enough that his breath brushed gently against her ear.
Qingge raised her eyes to meet Mo Jingxi’s. Her clear, straightforward gaze seemed to say, ‘Now, speak.’
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Author’s Note:
In the next chapter, the male lead is finally ready to make his entrance. But even before he appears, the flag of his wife-chasing scene is already lifted.
Translator’s Note:
Extra chapters tomorrow~
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- Gugu is an appellation for a palace court lady (女官 nuguan, also translated as ‘female official’). Unlike regular palace maids, court ladies are generally educated and work in some managerial or secretarial duties.
- Both Qingge and Baizhi are the names of plants used in Traditional Chinese medicine. Qingge (Sabia japonica) has dark blue fruits, while Baizhi (Gardenia jasminoides/cape jasmine) has white flowers.