A princess’s wedding was naturally extremely grand and solemn, requiring extensive preparations. Therefore, ships from the south and horses from the north continuously transported various rare treasures. For a time, the gatherings of noble ladies and young ladies were all discussing this matter.

The happiest person was Madam Liu, who now wore a beaming smile wherever she went.

Since the last incense-burning visit with Princess Yongjia, Qin Shuying hadn’t seen Princess Yongjia for over a month, only exchanging two or three letters to share news.

Princess Yongjia never mentioned her marriage, instead discussing various extraordinary people and events, as well as works by master calligraphers and painters. Between the lines, there was a sense that she regarded her as a confidante. However, she didn’t seem to care whether Qin Shuying was interested in these topics, as Qin Shuying’s replies were very brief, just a few words.

After exchanging letters two or three times, Qin Shuying decided to pay a visit.

During this past month, people at the Qin residence noticed that Princess Yongjia had been silent since that incense-burning visit. After waiting so long, everyone speculated that Princess Yongjia had probably forgotten about Qin Shuying.

So these days, they had all begun to emerge and make their presence known.

Learning that Qin Shuying was planning to actively visit Princess Yongjia, Qin Yunyun was the first to sneer: “Princess Imperial has probably long forgotten about her. Seeing that her backing hasn’t materialized, she can’t sit still anymore. If she doesn’t appear before Princess Imperial soon, Princess Imperial probably won’t even recognize her. I’m just waiting to see what benefits she can gain.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue remained silent, while Qin Wei also curled her lips disdainfully.

What kind of person was Princess Imperial? How could she be casually approached? All the noble ladies in the capital hoped Princess Imperial would favor them. With Qin Shuying’s low status and cold personality, Princess Imperial had probably just found her somewhat interesting at the time, but would surely cast her aside later.

Let’s see how she would make herself unwelcome when she visited.

However, Dong Shi didn’t dare be careless and immediately had someone prepare the carriage.

Upon arriving at the Princess’s residence, seeing that it was Qin Shuying, the gatekeeper had obviously received instructions from the Princess. He immediately and respectfully welcomed her inside, with someone escorting her all the way to Princess Yongjia’s study.

Rather than calling it a study, it would be more appropriate to call it a library.

It was a two-story small building, with both floors filled with various books.

When Qin Shuying entered, Princess Yongjia was reading by the window on the second floor. Seeing her come in, she nodded and continued reading her book. Seeing her absorbed in reading, Qin Shuying didn’t disturb her and began browsing the bookshelves on her own.

After browsing for quite a while, Qin Shuying felt somewhat ashamed. No wonder Princess Yongjia hadn’t shown particular interest in those two books of hers—she simply didn’t lack such books here.

Moreover, just as she had said herself, she wasn’t particularly interested in such books. The pages were still quite new, indicating they hadn’t been much read.

Suddenly, she discovered there were actually books in foreign languages. Qin Shuying eagerly pulled out one and began scanning through it rapidly.

“You can understand it?”

Princess Yongjia appeared behind her.

Qin Shuying turned around: “Princess. This subject can understand a little, though the subtle intricacies are beyond me. Princess, can you understand it?”

Princess Yongjia shook her head: “How could I? I have no patience to learn either. It’s Yongxing who can understand. You see, all the books on this side are what Yongxing likes. Those over there are mine.”

Qin Shuying looked around and realized that the books she had given Princess Yongjia and these foreign language books were all favorites of Princess Yongxing.

What Princess Yongjia liked were basically what daughters of noble families liked: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

“It seems if Yongxing were here, you two would definitely have endless topics to discuss.”

Princess Yongjia was very pleased.

“This subject is unworthy—how could I compare to Princess Yongxing?”

Princess Yongjia gave her a reproachful look: “Enough, there are no outsiders here, so don’t be so formal. Since you like them, you can borrow any of these books you want to read. If Yongxing knew, she would surely be happy. However, you mustn’t casually touch those on my side.”

“Yes.”

Princess Yongjia rubbed her shoulders. At forty years old, due to proper care, she looked like a woman in her twenties. Her every frown and smile was natural and generous, making her appear even younger.

“I’ll go downstairs to move around a bit. This is what Yongxing said—that women should engage in appropriate activities for good health. If you don’t want to come down, feel free to read here.”

Qin Shuying acknowledged with a sound.

Princess Yongjia went downstairs, leaving only a serving maid and Qin Shuying upstairs.

Qin Shuying had been slightly uneasy earlier, but quickly collected herself. If Princess Yongjia truly intended to do something to her, she could have done so last time—why wait until today?

Princess Yongxing’s favorite books covered many categories. Besides what she had just discovered, there were various others: history, military affairs, commerce, geography, anecdotes, mechanics, and so on—nothing related to music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.

After browsing through them, Qin Shuying couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.

Princess Yongxing had been only in her early twenties at the time—how could she have read so many books? How could she have dabbled in so many subjects?

Later, Qin Shuying specifically inquired about Princess Yongxing. It was said that her literary talent was exceptional, and she was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. This meant she was not only proficient in what all the noble ladies of the capital excelled at, but had also delved into much of the governmental content that literary officials used to rule the country. How had she accomplished this?

When she married, she was in her early twenties. So in those twenty years, how could she have learned so many things? Even if she were a genius who could master something after learning it once, time wouldn’t have allowed it.

A thought emerged in Qin Shuying’s mind: Could Princess Yongxing also be reborn? Having lived for decades in a previous life, carrying that experience into a new life, which was why she knew so much?

Soon, she rejected this notion. For no other reason than if she had been reborn like herself, she could never have created that fascinating place behind Western Temple.

Such a place didn’t belong to this world.

Moreover, if she had been reborn, why would she need to marry into the desolate northwest? And marry a strange man with blue eyes?

There was only one explanation: Princess Yongxing didn’t belong to this world. Therefore, she could create such places and devices, and was willing to marry such a strange man, because her original world accepted such people.

Qin Shuying’s hands began to tremble as an unknown fear occupied her thoughts.

Standing there in a daze for a while, she forced herself to remain calm, continuously telling herself that Princess Yongxing had never harmed anyone, and having married so far away, she would never intersect with her own life—there was no need to fear her.

Besides, how could Princess Yongjia not have noticed Yongxing’s differences from others?

Just as she was thinking this, Princess Yongjia came up energetically: “Qin Qi, come here, let’s go out for a walk.”

She had actually come upstairs personally to call her.

Qin Shuying composed the uncertainty on her face, responded, and followed Princess Yongjia downstairs, walking casually along the path.

The top-tier Princess’s residence of the Great Zhou was indeed different. Although the sun was blazing, both sides of the path were shaded by large trees, with only occasional sunlight filtering through leaves onto the ground. It was quite cool under the trees.