Qin Yining didn’t rush her, gracefully taking up the teapot with her fair hands to pour Li Yanyan a cup of tea, then pushing the tea bowl to her side.
Li Yanyan smiled at Qin Yining, “His Majesty granted us a prince’s mansion, which is quite a distance from your esteemed residence. We’ve just finished moving, and I thought I’d come visit you. After all, we’re both people of Great Yan, and now that we’re here, whatever unpleasantness there might have been before, we’re all family now.”
Li Yanyan’s expression was gentle and warm, the same easygoing appearance Qin Yining had first seen when they met on Changchun Mountain.
Qin Yining felt surprised inwardly but didn’t show it on her face, only smiling and saying, “So His Majesty has already granted you a mansion. I stay in the residence all day and have become like a frog at the bottom of a well, knowing nothing of outside affairs. I haven’t even offered congratulations on your move, yet here you are visiting me personally—how truly embarrassing.”
Seeing Qin Yining being so polite, Li Yanyan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed she had overthought things earlier—Qin Yining’s phrase about her visit “bringing radiance to this humble dwelling” carried no sarcastic undertones.
“Not at all. Now that we’ve come to Great Zhou, everyone’s circumstances are quite difficult. Even if Miss Qin hadn’t said so, I would understand.”
Qin Yining merely smiled warmly. To suddenly speak such intimate words was rather presumptuous given their shallow relationship. Previously they had been mere acquaintances, and after Li Yanyan entered the palace, they had become enemies. She knew their relationship couldn’t possibly become close all at once.
Seeing that Qin Yining didn’t say much, Li Yanyan took the initiative to find topics for casual conversation. She mostly spoke about the prosperity of Great Zhou’s capital, or about fashionable fabrics and patterns, avoiding any serious matters.
Seeing Li Yanyan beating around the bush and rambling about everything and nothing, Qin Yining actually felt somewhat impatient inside. But she had always been the most patient person, able to maintain her composure, so since Li Yanyan wouldn’t speak plainly, she wouldn’t ask either, only keeping her company and making appropriate comments from time to time.
Li Yanyan spoke until her mouth was dry, having clearly conveyed the message that “I’ve come to discuss something with you,” yet Qin Yining wouldn’t ask a single additional question.
Li Yanyan felt utterly helpless. Back in Great Yan, this approach had been more than sufficient when dealing with many older noble ladies—how could it be useless against a sixteen-year-old girl?
Seeing that it was getting late and she couldn’t stay much longer, she finally lowered her voice and said, “I have something to discuss with you.”
Finally lost patience?
Qin Yining inwardly smiled and raised an eyebrow, waving her hand at Ji Yun who was serving behind her.
Ji Yun and the others withdrew.
The maid Li Yanyan had brought also retreated to the corridor, standing guard at the door to prevent anyone from approaching.
Qin Yining smiled, “Please speak freely about whatever Princess Consort wishes to discuss.”
Li Yanyan said, “Actually, I’ve come today about your life’s great matter.”
“Oh?” Qin Yining raised an eyebrow with a smile, “I wouldn’t have thought that Princess Consort now enjoys playing matchmaker?”
Was this mocking her?
Li Yanyan forcibly suppressed her inner discomfort, smiling graciously as she said, “When one has leisure time, and besides, this isn’t for an outsider.”
She looked at Qin Yining with gentle eyes, saying, “Some time ago, the Prince and I both heard about the grievances you suffered at Prince Zhongshun’s mansion. The Prince truly felt heartbroken for you, but unfortunately, we’re all at the mercy of circumstances now. I know Miss Qin is a person of noble character who wouldn’t be swayed by gold and silver, so I didn’t bring such things when I came to play matchmaker today.”
“Given our relationship, I won’t beat around the bush either. Today I’ve come about the matter between you and the Prince. The Prince currently has only me and Gu Chang by his side—his other side consorts and concubines all died of illness or disappeared during our journey here. The Prince truly likes you, and if you agree, he can immediately petition His Majesty to enfeoff you as a side consort.”
“Actually, I think whether one is a princess consort or side consort doesn’t matter much—what’s most important is that the Prince truly loves you. I know Sister Qin has suffered much hardship outside, and now to have such a good match, to gain someone who truly cherishes you, wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Qin Yining sat gracefully, listening to Li Yanyan speak with gentle attention throughout, making it impossible for Li Yanyan to immediately discern her feelings, leaving her increasingly uncertain.
However, Li Yanyan firmly believed that for Prince Yan to make room for Qin Yining at his side, giving her a home where she could live peacefully, was already an enormous favor—surely she wouldn’t be ungrateful?
Ever since Gu Chang had deliberately stirred trouble before the Prince that day, Li Yanyan could sense that Yuchi Yan’s fondness for Qin Yining seemed to have grown even stronger.
Rather than let Yuchi Yan propose this himself, or let that little minx Gu Chang steal the spotlight, it would be better for her as the legitimate wife to think of it first. Given Yuchi Yan’s status, she couldn’t prevent more women from entering the household, but being a virtuous wife was easy enough.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining lowered her long lashes, thought for a moment, then shook her head, “I appreciate Princess Consort’s kind intentions. But perhaps you’re also aware of court matters? I’m no longer the sheltered young lady I once was. My father serves as an official at court, and many things cannot be done simply because one wishes to do them. As a member of the Qin family, the same applies to me.”
Li Yanyan was somewhat bewildered by Qin Yining’s words. She didn’t understand exactly what Qin Yining meant, but the refusal was clear enough.
Qin Yining would definitely refuse to enter the household!
At this moment, Li Yanyan actually felt relieved. After all, Gu Chang’s affected behavior had already overshadowed her. If another Qin Yining came to the prince’s mansion, she probably wouldn’t be able to hold onto her position as Prince Yan’s consort sooner or later.
“Sister Qin, don’t be hasty to decline.” Li Yanyan sighed, “Though Great Zhou is good, it’s ultimately different from our homeland. The men here are all strong and martial, but they lack some gentleness and consideration. Sister, you might want to think about it more.”
Qin Yining smiled slightly, saying, “Princess Consort need not persuade me further. Actually, my meaning has already been quite clear. I will not marry into the imperial family. Even if it’s Prince Yan, who was once part of the imperial family, I won’t agree to marry him.”
Hearing Qin Yining say this, Li Yanyan was secretly delighted.
As long as Qin Yining refused to go, she still had hope and something to strive for in the future.
If Qin Yining were to speak favorably on her behalf, Li Yanyan was certain that her future days with Prince Yan would be like envying mandarin ducks rather than immortals.
But Li Yanyan also knew that without reason, Qin Yining wouldn’t speak well of her before Prince Yan.
“Very well.” Li Yanyan had delivered her message. Prince Yan had hinted that she should come play matchmaker, and she had done as instructed. The success or failure of the matter was beyond her consideration now.
Li Yanyan stood up, nodding as she said, “Sister Qin, please consider it carefully. Perhaps next time it will be the Prince himself who comes to find you.” She spoke teasingly, then covered her mouth and laughed.
Qin Yining smiled slightly, calling for Bingtang and Ji Yun to escort Li Yanyan out.
Even after getting into her carriage, Li Yanyan didn’t forget to remind Qin Yining, “The household’s days are also quite straitened now. If sister were willing to stay by Prince Yan’s side, setting aside other matters, just in terms of food and expenses, it would save quite a lot.”
For a former sheltered young lady who had never worried about money to find such excuses showed both the dire straits of Prince Yan’s mansion and Prince Yan’s persistent feelings for her.