An Ling noticed that the adjacent villa seemed to have new occupants. People were moving things in and out. Thinking of them as neighbors, she instructed Bi Qing to prepare some gifts to send over.
Bi Qing returned and informed her that she hadn't met the owner of the adjacent villa, but it appeared they were people of high standing.
Xue Zi Ning alighted from the carriage, surveying the villa. She found it quite to her liking—secluded and tranquil.
More importantly, there was a hot spring within the courtyard.
She intended to spend her time here before her wedding. Daily memorials would be brought by Feng Jiu, while matters in the court that couldn't wait would be handled by Wen Yu Xi.
To this arrangement, Wen Yu Xi protested but ultimately had no choice.
Soaking in the hot spring, Xue Zi Ning felt an unprecedented sense of comfort.
Her gaze fell upon some exquisite small pastries on a table. Xue Yan used to make such treats. Xue Zi Ning picked one up and took a bite. It wasn't made by Xue Yan.
"Xue Yan, did you make these?" she asked as Xue Yan approached.
Xue Yan replied, "They were sent by a servant from next door."
Xue Zi Ning put down the pastry. "Then you should prepare something to send back in return!"
Xue Yan smiled. "Your Majesty, rest assured, your servant has already made preparations."
"You should soak in here too," Xue Zi Ning said, looking at Xue Yan.
Xue Yan blinked and shook her head. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but your servant will not."
Upon hearing this, a hint of mischief flickered in Xue Zi Ning's clear eyes. She grabbed Xue Yan's ankle and pulled, dragging her into the hot spring. "Soak for a bit. Your body may not have fully recovered after childbirth."
"Your Majesty, your servant won't be able to work..." Xue Yan, now completely drenched, couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
"There are so many people here! Soak," Xue Zi Ning insisted.
Xue Yan knew that the Empress meant well for her. She no longer refused, shed her clothes, and entered the spring.
"Who are the people next door?" Xue Zi Ning inquired.
Xue Yan replied, "Their family is likely in officialdom."
An Ling received the return gift from next door and was truly taken aback. The present was far too generous.
What she had sent was merely some pastries she had made herself, but the return gift was a luminous pearl, as large as a clenched fist.
It was priceless.
Bi Qing, seeing such a large luminous pearl for the first time, couldn't help but swallow. "Second Miss, this..."
An Ling regained her composure, put down the pearl, and said, "Bi Qing, help me get ready. I will personally visit the owner of the neighboring villa."
Bi Qing nodded. An Ling then remembered something else. "Bring the peach blossom pastries I just made."
Bi Qing replied, "Second Miss, rest assured, your servant has had them prepared."
An Ling nodded, put on her best attire, and, carrying the food box with Bi Qing, left her villa and went to the gate of the adjacent property.
She wouldn't have known had she not come. This house was significantly larger than the one she resided in.
Bi Qing stepped forward and knocked. Someone soon opened the door. It was a man. He looked at them and asked, "Two young ladies, can I help you?"
Bi Qing said, "My young lady is from next door and wishes to pay a visit to your master."
The man replied, "Please wait here for a moment, ladies. Allow me to report to my master."
Bi Qing said, "Of course."
Hearing that the people next door wanted to visit, Xue Zi Ning quickly emerged from the hot spring. Xue Yan helped her get dressed, and she proceeded to the main hall.
Soon, two figures appeared at the entrance. Xue Zi Ning saw two young ladies. Judging by their attire, the one in front was a maid, and the one behind was the mistress.
The mistress was young, likely just past her capping ceremony.
An Ling saw the young girl sitting there and was slightly taken aback. It wasn't that she was overwhelmingly stunning, but the aura emanating from the girl made An Ling feel an urge to submit.
Her appearance was above average, and her eyes, in particular, were clear yet held a powerful, oppressive force.
She exuded an air of great authority.
"This humble one, An Ling, pays her respects to the owner of the house. Forgive my intrusion, I hope you will not be offended!" An Ling curtsied.
Xue Zi Ning said, "You are too kind, young lady. Please, have a seat."
An Ling sat down. She hadn't dared to look directly before, but now she saw the girl's attire, which was far beyond her own means.
"I made some peach blossom pastries and brought them for you," An Ling said, glancing at Bi Qing. Bi Qing quickly picked up the food box and handed it over.
Xue Zi Ning had Xue Yan accept it.
An Ling stood up. "It is getting late, I shall take my leave."
An Ling curtsied.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Xue Yan, escort them out."
Xue Yan nodded. "This way, please, young ladies."
An Ling looked at the courtyard's arrangements and was even more astonished.
Xue Zi Ning looked at the food box. After soaking in the hot spring, she was indeed a bit hungry. She opened the box and saw the peach blossom pastries inside. She was slightly surprised, picked one up, and it melted in her mouth. It was incredibly delicious.
"Your Majesty, eat less sweets," Xue Yan said, entering and seeing her eat another pastry. She stepped forward and closed the food box.
"Xue Yan, you even manage what I eat."
Xue Yan glanced at her. "Unless Your Majesty wishes to be too plump to wear her wedding dress on the wedding day."
Xue Zi Ning sighed at this. "Weddings are so troublesome."
Xue Yan leaned closer. "Then Your Majesty could choose not to marry and let the Crown Prince worry."
Xue Zi Ning laughed. "Are you not afraid your Xue Song will be beaten for saying that?"
Xue Yan snorted twice. "It's good for him to be beaten once."
Xue Zi Ning chuckled, as if remembering something. "On the wedding day, let Xi Luo and Ping An come too."
"Your Majesty, those two are quite boisterous," Xue Yan said, mentioning the children with a hint of a headache.
"It's alright," Xue Zi Ning replied.
"Your Majesty, the background of the neighbor has been investigated. It's the Ting Wei's sister, An Ling." Xue Yan reported.
Xue Zi Ning recalled that this Ting Wei was the top scholar of the imperial examinations this year, whom she had personally enfeoffed. Da Feng Novel Network.
"Why did she come over herself?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Xue Yan shook her head. "We need to investigate further for specific details."
"Never mind, let's not investigate other people's family matters," Xue Zi Ning said.
The next day, Xue Zi Ning was awakened by the sounds of arguing next door.
"Xue Yan..." Xue Zi Ning said, rubbing her forehead.
Xue Yan entered from outside. Xue Zi Ning asked, "What's going on next door? Why is it so noisy?"
Xue Yan replied, "It seems the Ting Wei's concubine is pregnant and wants to eat the peach blossom pastries made by Miss An. However, Miss An is reluctant to make them, and they are at an impasse."
Xue Zi Ning thought of the peach blossom pastries. Miss An indeed had excellent pastry-making skills. The mention of it made her crave them as well.
"Xue Yan, go and select some gifts to send over. Tell Miss An that the family of the Imperial Censor, Master Wen, invites her over."
Xue Yan smiled at this. "Your Majesty, are you planning to stand up for Miss An?"
"No, it's just that your Your Majesty wants to eat peach blossom pastries." Xue Zi Ning replied.
Xue Yan twitched her lips. "Your Majesty, eat a little less, lest you be unable to fit into your wedding attire on your big day."
"I know what I'm doing, hurry up..." Xue Zi Ning urged.
Helpless, Xue Yan selected some gifts and, with several maids, went next door.
The gate was wide open; the guards at the entrance were nowhere to be seen.
As Xue Yan walked in, she heard extremely arrogant voices from within.