Qin Yining smiled politely, “Thank you. Lady An Ping Bo, please take the seat of honor.”

“I wouldn’t dare. Princess, please go first.”

Lady An Ping Bo and Qin Yining exchanged courtesies for a while before finally sitting down side by side with mutual deference.

Ji Yun and Bingtang served tea and refreshments, then quietly retreated to a corner.

Qin Yining lifted the tea bowl to offer it to Lady An Ping Bo. “Please try this. It’s newly arrived red tea. The weather is cold, and drinking some red tea is better for the body.”

Seeing Qin Yining being so approachable, Lady An Ping Bo’s anxious heart finally settled. Previously, she had heard that the Qin family lady was greatly favored by Prince Zhongshun, and that she was a noble young lady of distinguished birth who was also exceptionally beautiful. Based on her experience, she had preconceived notions that this must be a woman with a somewhat spoiled temperament.

Although An Ping Bo held a noble title, he had long been out of power and had left the center of authority many years ago. They naturally could not compare with this dynasty’s only prince of a different surname.

Therefore, Lady An Ping Bo came with intentions of making connections, politely conversing with Qin Yining. After a short while, she actually discovered that Qin Yining was as easy to get along with as she appeared. She no longer continued to be cautious, and her speech became much more relaxed.

After some idle chat, seeing the atmosphere was just right, Lady An Ping Bo smiled and said: “Coming to disturb the princess today is actually to invite the princess on behalf of Loyalty Bo and the Bian family.”

“Oh?” Qin Yining remained composed. “Is this about the wedding banquet? As you can see, the prince and I are truly inconvenient to attend banquets – first, we fear disrupting the newlyweds, and second, we are in mourning and cannot participate in celebrations.”

“What the princess says is correct, just like our household.” Lady An Ping Bo said. “Looking at my attire, you naturally understand. However, Loyalty Bo discussed with Imperial Concubine Zhuang and the Bian family, and all felt it would be improper to neglect everyone like this.

“For Loyalty Bo’s wedding this time, many noble families in court are in mourning, so they only sent congratulatory gifts but cannot attend the wedding banquet. Therefore, Loyalty Bo reserved private rooms at a restaurant not far from Loyalty Bo Mansion. There will be no singing and dancing arranged inside, no string and wind instruments either – just two tables of simple meals arranged. Those of us inconvenient to attend the wedding banquet will gather together for just one simple meal. Loyalty Bo also knows about your household’s situation, but still requests that the princess and prince honor us with your presence, otherwise Loyalty Bo’s heart will never be at ease.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining felt somewhat hesitant.

Actually, separately arranging a quiet table to thank guests who cannot attend the wedding banquet was very common. If other guests who cannot personally go to the wedding site all agreed, but she and Pang Xiao refused, it would instead invite criticism. Not only would this offend people, but it would also leave unlimited room for imagination for people to gossip behind their backs.

Qin Yining did not want herself and Pang Xiao to appear too antisocial.

Seeing Qin Yining’s hesitation, Lady An Ping Bo smiled and said: “Is the princess worried there won’t be familiar people there? We two get along so well – when the time comes we can sit together, and I can also introduce you to others. Most of the ladies and young misses in the city are quite easygoing. Once you see each other more often, you’ll naturally become familiar.”

This was precisely one reason Qin Yining wanted to go.

She was not familiar with the noble ladies at court. When they returned to settle in the capital later, the first priority would be to understand clearly the social interactions among the women. Having this opportunity, she could also enter the circle of noble ladies early, without needing to seek another occasion.

Qin Yining guessed Pang Xiao would be jealous, but both of them understood the relative importance of matters in their hearts. Pang Xiao was a reasonable person and should also agree with her decision.

Thinking of this, Qin Yining no longer hesitated and nodded: “What Lady An Ping Bo says is reasonable. I just wonder when this would be?”

Hearing her agreement, Lady An Ping Bo smiled and said: “On the eighth day when they get married, at Shunfu Restaurant near Bo Mansion. Rest assured, we’re just finding another place to have a simple meal – we won’t break any rules.”

Qin Yining nodded with a smile: “I will definitely attend the appointment. It’s just that my prince has been unwell recently and is bedridden, so he might not be able to come along.”

That Qin Yining was willing to agree already gave Lady An Ping Bo something to report back to An Ping Bo. Besides, what was Pang Xiao’s status? Whatever he chose to do, how could outsiders interfere?

Lady An Ping Bo readily agreed, smiled, and took her leave.

Qin Yining personally escorted her to the door before returning to the inner residence.

Pang Xiao carefully asked about the details, and Qin Yining explained everything in detail. Finally she said, “Since we returned to the capital, during your illness, only Duke Dingguo and a few of your former subordinates dared to visit. At this time of crisis, we should also seek appropriate ways to moderately expand our connections.”

Pang Xiao thought for a moment and said: “What you say makes sense. If so, on the eighth you should take Ji Yun and Bingtang. One of them has martial skills, the other is good with medicines. With them by your side, I can be more at ease. I’ll separately arrange a few people to protect you in secret – I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Qin Yining was somewhat surprised by Pang Xiao’s attitude. Didn’t he dislike her having any involvement with Lu Heng’s affairs?

That Pang Xiao could be so reasonable made her very admiring. If it were a woman who had long coveted Pang Xiao getting married, and even before the wedding still thought to invite Pang Xiao to attend, she would feel somewhat uncomfortable in her heart too.

Qin Yining was only focused on marveling at Pang Xiao’s magnanimity, but didn’t know that in Pang Xiao’s heart, he had cursed Lu Heng’s ancestors for eighteen generations. Regardless of who Lu Heng was marrying now or who he had feelings for, he had previously always been coveting his Yining, and when he couldn’t have her, he would make underhanded moves behind the scenes!

If not for trusting Qin Yining’s character and knowing that Lu Heng now, in order to curry favor with Li Qitian, could only treat Imperial Concubine Zhuang’s cousin well alone and didn’t dare make any other moves, he would want to go directly to Loyalty Bo Mansion, grab this person by the collar, pin him to the ground and kick him a few times to vent his anger.

His thoughts were complex, but Pang Xiao’s expression appeared very magnanimous. He didn’t want Qin Yining to think less of him, assuming he was a petty person.

When the eighth day arrived, Qin Yining rose early. Ji Yun brought over a moon-white brocade jacket with dark cloud patterns that had been prepared in advance, and attended to her washing and dressing.

Bingtang’s skillful hands nimbly moved, arranging Qin Yining’s glossy black hair into a chignon, decorated with plain silver phoenix hairpins.

Pang Xiao leaned against the large pillow by the window reading a book, but the corner of his eye kept watching Qin Yining’s direction. Seeing her in light colors with no gold ornaments or precious stones decorating her hair, not even using very bright makeup, yet the charm and allure emanating from her bones was from inside out, making him unwilling to even blink while watching.

After Qin Yining finished arranging herself, when she turned around she met Pang Xiao’s burning gaze full of appreciation, and couldn’t help but laugh: “What is Your Highness looking at?”

“Looking at how beautiful my Yining is.” Pang Xiao rose and walked to Qin Yining’s side, embracing her with his large hands. “Yining, why don’t you not go today?”

Qin Yining laughed: “All preparations are made – why not go?”

Pang Xiao huffed: “Our Yining is so beautiful – why let them look at you for free?”

Qin Yining burst out laughing: “So domineering.”

“I’m just being domineering.” Pang Xiao acted shamelessly.

Seeing Pang Xiao and Qin Yining getting affectionate again, Ji Yun and Bingtang both suppressed their laughter and quietly withdrew.

“The prince and princess are truly loving. Doesn’t the prince wish the princess would cover her face wherever she goes?” Bingtang joked with a smile.

Ji Yun giggled: “You’re one to talk – aren’t you and your Huzi the same way?”

Bingtang’s face instantly turned completely red. She stamped her foot and glared at Ji Yun: “You wicked girl, you only know how to tease me. Haven’t you and Guard Tang been… these past few days?”

“Aiyo! You dare mention it!” Now Ji Yun’s face also reddened.

The two maidservants glared at each other, both with rosy cheeks and spring in their eyes. When Qin Yining came out of the room and saw them like this, she asked curiously: “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re fighting over candy?”

Ji Yun and Bingtang couldn’t help but laugh.

Qin Yining took the two with her as she left. Pang Xiao called Tang Xiu over and gave him some quiet instructions.

The coachman and guards accompanying Qin Yining’s carriage had all been replaced with elite Tiger Guards, so safety could be completely guaranteed.

When the carriage arrived at Shunfu Restaurant, the steward waiting at the street entrance saw the canopied carriage from Prince Zhongshun’s mansion arriving and quickly came forward to respectfully welcome them.

Qin Yining followed the steward into the restaurant and went directly to a private room at the end of the corridor on the second floor.

“Princess, the ladies are all here now. Please enter.”

Qin Yining nodded and entered the room after the steward’s announcement.

Looking from outside the door, she had only thought this was an ordinary room that could accommodate one or two Eight Immortals tables, but upon entering she discovered this private room was very spacious – setting up eight or ten tables would pose no problem.

Many ladies had already arrived. As Lady An Ping Bo had said yesterday, the ladies who came here all could not attend the wedding banquet for various reasons. Everyone wore plain clothing, so Qin Yining’s moon-white outfit didn’t stand out among the other ladies’ plain white, ivory white, and sapphire blue.

Lady An Ping Bo, sharp-eyed, noticed Qin Yining’s arrival and busily came forward with a smile: “Prince Zhongshun’s consort has arrived? Come quickly.”

Speaking thus, she intimately took Qin Yining’s hand and walked toward the Eight Immortals table where a group of women sat gathered, smiling: “This is Prince Zhongshun’s consort.”

Among the seated women, some looked familiar to Qin Yining while others were indeed strangers.

Qin Yining remained composed as she nodded in greeting, then followed the enthusiastic Lady An Ping Bo to meet everyone present.

These ladies were different from other officials’ wives Qin Yining had met. These women had similar family situations – most had men in their families who had long since left the center of power. They all had an additional air of tranquil harmony about them. Perhaps having been removed from court affairs for too long, each of them seemed very peaceful, even speaking more slowly, each unhurried and possessing their own bearing.

Qin Yining had a good memory. After meeting everyone once, she remembered them all and also analyzed each person’s temperament.

These ladies were also very familiar with Qin Yining. That this woman’s life was too legendary was one aspect, but most importantly, the groom getting married today had once had some relationship with the woman before them.

If not, why would the Empress Dowager in Cian Palace, in front of many ministers’ wives, try to matchmake them?