In the carriage, Xue Zining looked at Han Xixia sitting opposite her with some confusion. Why was he following? Did he not feel awkward? He had clearly rejected Miss An, yet he still attended Miss An's capping ceremony. If it were her, she would consider it a provocation.
"Did your servant not come?" Han Xixia asked Xue Zining, who was alone.
"Did not bring," Xue Zining replied.
Han Xixia said, "You treat them well."
Xue Zining was startled, her heart skipping a beat. She raised her head and saw that Han Xixia was already looking elsewhere. She had forgotten that Han Xixia, before her, was also a significant figure. Perhaps she had been too comfortable these past few days, forgetting that Han Xixia was a man of many schemes and extraordinary intelligence. She had been too careless lately. A single misstep could lead to the loss of everything.
"They have been by my side since childhood. If I treat them well, will they not serve me with their lives?" Xue Zining asked Han Xixia.
Han Xixia turned his head, smiling, "My dear concubine, there is no need to be guarded against me. You and I are now in a cooperative relationship. Yours and mine are now people bound to the same boat."
The carriage stopped. The coachman's voice came from outside, "Your Highness, we have arrived at the An residence."
Han Xixia alighted from the carriage first. As Xue Zining was about to get off herself, a hand suddenly reached out from outside, its fingers long and fair. She was slightly stunned, and then Han Xixia's voice came from outside, "Someone is out there."
She placed her hand on his. His palm was warm, and warmth flowed from his palm into her body. Stepping out of the carriage, she saw a young girl standing at the entrance of the An residence. The girl wore a white dress with scattered ink-dyed flowers, exuding freshness and elegance. The girl's features were like a painting, her facial features delicate, truly an incomparable beauty.
An Ruyi also saw the girl emerging from the carriage, led by Han Xixia. The girl's appearance was delicate and beautiful, her eyes brighter than the morning light she had ever seen. At this moment, she stood there, slowly walking towards her, bringing with her an inexplicable aura of nobility and coolness. The girl was tall and slender; within a step of her, An Ruyi felt a sense of looking up. The nobility and coolness emanating from the girl's entire being became even more intense, as if she should naturally be kneeling at her feet.
An Ruyi knew she could not lose here. She raised her head and said, "Prince Xixia, Miss Feng, welcome."
Xue Zining's gaze flickered slightly. When others saw her, they called her the Eighth Prince Consort. However, the imperial edict had not yet been issued, so she was not yet the true Eighth Prince Consort. Yet, An Ruyi had noticed this. It was truly not easy.
Han Xixia tightened his grip on her hand and said in a cold tone, "Miss An, I prefer it when you call my concubine the Eighth Prince Consort."
An Ruyi was stunned. She had not expected Han Xixia to speak, and she froze in place.
"Your Highness, don't tease Miss An. Won't Miss An invite my prince and me into the residence?" Xue Zining asked.
An Ruyi smiled and said, "Your Highness, you see, this humble daughter has forgotten to invite you in. Please, come in quickly."
Xue Zining, left behind, frowned. Wasn't this a bit too obvious?
"My dear concubine, what are you looking at?" Han Xixia did not step into the An residence but looked back at Xue Zining.
"Nothing," Xue Zining walked forward. Han Xixia pulled her hand and said, "Don't wander off. If I can't find you later, I'll be angry."
An Ruyi behind them clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves. She felt no pain even as her nails dug into her palms.
An Ruyi's capping ceremony was held in the rear garden of the An residence. Many people were already waiting there. The customs of the Han Kingdom were open. Both girls' capping ceremonies and boys' coming-of-age ceremonies could be attended by friends to offer congratulations, regardless of gender.
Upon seeing Han Xixia's arrival, the crowd was evidently surprised and all paid their respects. Han Xixia led Xue Zining to the most flourishing spot in the garden, where flowers bloomed abundantly. He plucked a fresh flower and tucked it into Xue Zining's hair bun. Xue Zining was startled and was about to remove it when Han Xixia whispered, "It looks good on you." Seeing her disbelief, Han Xixia added, "Really, your usual attire is too plain. In fact, heavy makeup also suits you." He still felt amazed recalling the moment she emerged yesterday.
"Not again," Xue Zining said. If it weren't for the presence of others, she would have removed it without hesitation.
"The Eighth Prince is too much. Being so affectionate in public, what will Ruyi do?" said Jiang Lizhu, the daughter of the Minister of Rites and a close friend of An Ruyi, with dissatisfaction. An Ruyi glanced at the fresh flower on the girl's head. Although it was dazzling, she knew that if she couldn't suppress the girl today, there would be many more dazzling sights in the future.
"The Seventh Prince arrives!" the announcement sounded. Everyone present was shocked. Today was truly grand. Not only had the Eighth Prince, the legitimate son of the Empress, arrived, but also the Seventh Prince, who, despite his humble origins, was favored by the Han Emperor. At the entrance, a tall figure slowly walked towards them. Compared to the Eighth Prince's heroic and rugged appearance, the Seventh Prince was handsome and distinguished. Moreover, the Seventh Prince was not yet married. If one could win the favor of the Seventh Prince, it would be a step towards great fortune. Many noble ladies looked at the Seventh Prince with admiration.
The Seventh Prince ignored the gazes of others and walked directly to An Ruyi, saying, "This Prince congratulates Miss An on her capping ceremony. This is this Prince's congratulatory gift." An Ruyi took the box, her face blushing slightly, and bowed, "Thank you, Seventh Prince." The Seventh Prince scanned the surroundings and saw Han Xixia, walking towards him with a smile, "Eighth Brother, I didn't expect you to be here too."
"I am here to accompany Ning'er. Where is Seventh Brother?"
The smile on the Seventh Prince's face gradually faded. At this moment, An Ruyi stepped forward and bowed, "Seventh Prince, since today is this humble daughter's capping ceremony, may this humble daughter boldly invite Seventh Prince and Eighth Prince to join the poetry gathering?"
"I have no problem," the Seventh Prince said. Han Xixia's expression turned somewhat displeased. Who didn't know that Prince Xixia was a crude person, incapable of composing elegant poetry?
"Your Highness, I am bored by these things," Xue Zining also refused. An Ruyi stepped forward and looked at her, "Miss Feng, are you afraid?"
Xue Zining felt a headache coming on. It seemed An Ruyi was determined to be her adversary. "What is there to be afraid of? It's just that my prince's consort does not need to be skilled in these things," Han Xixia said, looking coldly at An Ruyi.
An Ruyi bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with stubbornness. "Miss Feng, do you dare?"
"I do not dare," Xue Zining said directly. An Ruyi was stunned. The girl before her clearly did not follow the usual script, catching her off guard.
"Miss Feng, are you afraid of losing badly?" Xue Zining looked up at the Seventh Prince, the sense of familiarity resurfacing.