Suddenly, a knock came from outside. Xue Zi Ning and Shen Yun Xiu exchanged a glance. Xue Zi Ning pushed Shen Yun Xiu into the room with one hand and whispered, "Stay inside and don't come out."
Shen Yun Xiu nodded, "Yes."
Xue Zi Ning adjusted her skirt, walked to the door, and opened it. Outside stood a young servant who looked unfamiliar.
"Who are you looking for?" she asked.
The servant respectfully cupped his hands and bowed. "Miss Feng, my young master has your handkerchief. If you wish to retrieve it, please accompany me."
Xue Zi Ning was slightly startled and subconsciously asked, "Who is your young master?"
The servant replied, "I am from the Yan Residence."
Yan Jin Zhao? The handkerchief was with him? When? She had no idea.
Seeing her silence, the servant added, "Miss Feng."
"Please wait a moment while I make arrangements, and then I will go with you to get it." After speaking, she closed the door and returned to the room.
Shen Yun Xiu stepped forward. "Your Majesty, is something wrong?"
"I'm going to the Yan Residence. If I return too late, you should go back to the mansion first," Xue Zi Ning said.
Shen Yun Xiu was taken aback. "Your Majesty, you..."
"It's nothing," Xue Zi Ning said, without further explanation. She exited the residence and indeed saw a carriage not far from the house.
The servant saw her emerge and quickly stepped forward. "Miss Feng, please get in the carriage."
Xue Zi Ning nodded and boarded the carriage.
After about half an hour, the carriage stopped. The servant announced, "Miss Feng, we have arrived!"
Xue Zi Ning alighted from the carriage. Before her feet even touched the ground, she heard a voice from the side, "Miss Feng?"
She looked up and saw Jiang Yu Li and her servant standing at the entrance. She walked forward and said, "Miss Jiang."
Jiang Yu Li looked at Miss Feng and couldn't help but ask, "Miss Feng, what brings you here..."
"I have something to see Young Master Yan about," Xue Zi Ning replied.
Xiao Huan, Jiang Yu Li's maid, scrutinized her. "Young Master Yan rarely sees outsiders. Miss Feng should probably return!"
Just then, the main gate opened. Seeing Xue Zi Ning, someone quickly said, "Miss Feng, please come in quickly. My young master is already waiting for you in the study..."
As this was said, Jiang Yu Li was stunned, and Xiao Huan looked incredulous. "Are you mistaken? How could Young Master Yan see her? Where is my young lady?"
The servant glanced at Jiang Yu Li and her servant and said indifferently, "I am truly sorry, Miss Jiang. I only heard the young master say he wanted to see Miss Feng, not you..."
"You..."
"Xiao Huan, Young Master Yan might be busy. Let's go back!" Jiang Yu Li turned to leave.
Xiao Huan glared fiercely at the servant from the Yan Residence, her gaze towards Xue Zi Ning also not very friendly.
"Xiao Huan..." Jiang Yu Li called again.
Only then did Xiao Huan reluctantly walk over.
"Miss Feng, please..." the servant said.
Xue Zi Ning glanced at Jiang Yu Li, withdrew her gaze, and followed the servant into the Yan Residence.
The servant led her through more than half of the mansion, finally stopping at a secluded and elegant place.
The courtyard was filled with green bamboo, lush and verdant, very tranquil.
Xue Zi Ning stopped. In the imperial palace, there were only hundred flowers, no green bamboo. She couldn't help but ask, "Does your young master like bamboo?"
The servant nodded without hesitation. "Yes, my young master favors green bamboo."
She was slightly stunned. She never knew Yan Zhao liked green bamboo. She thought he didn't have any particular preferences because he always prepared things she liked.
For some reason, she now remembered that Yan Zhao always had green bamboo embroidered on his boots and clothes.
So, he favored green bamboo. If he hadn't forgotten her now, had forgotten past events, she might never have known this naturally.
At the entrance, she saw two maids arguing. One said, "Don't you know the young master detests peach blossom cakes the most? Why are you still bringing peach blossom cakes?"
Xue Zi Ning blinked and asked, "Does your young master also dislike peach blossom cakes?"
The servant, though unsure why this Miss Feng was so concerned about his young master, still answered truthfully, "Yes, the young master cannot stand the smell of peach blossoms."
She fell silent, feeling a pang of sadness. What had Yan Zhao done for her?
And what had she done?
"Miss Feng, please wait. I will go in and report," the servant said, stopping at the entrance.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Alright."
A moment later, the servant came out and said, "Miss Feng, please. The young master is waiting for you inside."
Xue Zi Ning nodded and was about to step in when she suddenly pulled back. In what capacity was she entering?
If it were just moments ago, she would have entered with confidence, but now, she felt somewhat flustered.
So, she had always been his favored one. She owed him too much.
"Tell your young master to keep the handkerchief for now. I've remembered some things and am leaving."
Saying this, without waiting for the servant's reply, she turned and left.
The servant was stunned. He turned and went back into the room. Just as he was about to speak, he heard his young master say faintly, "I heard everything. You may go."
The servant bowed and retreated.
Yan Jin Zhao took out the handkerchief. It was embroidered with peach blossoms, and the unpleasant scent of peach blossoms could still be smelled.
He was disgusted and wanted to throw it away, but he still didn't. He just crumpled it into a ball and tucked it into his waist.
Xue Zi Ning returned to the residence. Shen Yun Xiu had not left. Seeing her return, he was actually a little surprised, as he thought it would take longer. He never expected her to return so quickly.
"Your Majesty, your complexion doesn't seem very good," Shen Yun Xiu asked.
Xue Zi Ning sat on a chair and asked, "Do you think it's a good thing when someone changes their original habits and preferences for you?"
Shen Yun Xiu was startled. "Your Majesty, I don't know who you are referring to. If someone truly does this, then the other person must be someone they cherish, someone they don't want to see wronged in any way."
Xue Zi Ning's heart warmed. Her Yan Zhao was truly wonderful. She absolutely would not allow her Yan Zhao to leave her.
Since he didn't recognize her, she would make him recognize her anew.
Yan Jin Zhao received an invitation from Feng Ning and was a little taken aback.
The servant, understanding the situation, said, "Young Master, shall I go and refuse it now?"
As the servant spoke, he walked out. Suddenly, a low voice came from the room, "I'll go."
The next day, Xue Zi Ning looked at the dishes brought by Shen Yun Xiu and asked, "Your Majesty, are you going to cook?"
"Yes," Xue Zi Ning replied.
"For yourself?" Shen Yun Xiu asked again.
"To treat someone."
Shen Yun Xiu was surprised. "Miss Jiang?"
Xue Zi Ning shook her head. "Yan Jin Zhao."
Shen Yun Xiu's gaze flickered slightly. "Your Majesty, you..."
Xue Zi Ning looked up. "I've made up my mind. If he doesn't remember me, then I will make him recognize me anew. What I didn't do before, I will do well this time."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Xue Zi Ning said, "Shen Yun Xiu, the bamboo shoots I ordered have arrived. Go and open the door, and pay them."