The wind in mid-spring still carried the lingering chill of winter. The visiting card of Princess Chengping fluttered into the Li Mansion like a red carp.
She invited Li Wanming to go boating on the lake.
Li Wanming held the gilded and embossed visiting card, grinning from ear to ear.
She had been cooped up at home for over a month, almost going crazy. Now that her future aunt had sent an invitation for her to go out and have fun, surely her mother would have no reason to stop her this time?
Mrs. Yuan took the visiting card and pondered for a long time. Sure enough, she called Li Wanming out.
She draped a snow-white fox fur cloak over her. The fox fur glistened like pearls in the morning light.
"Times have changed. You're getting married soon. The princess invited you today. On the one hand, she wants to see you one more time. On the other hand, she probably has something to tell you."
Mrs. Yuan whispered instructions to her daughter.
"No matter what she says, you must listen carefully and remember it well. It might save your life in the future. Don't be like you are with me, just letting the words go in one ear and out the other..."
"Got it, got it!"
Alas, the young girl's heart had already flown to the eastern lake on this spring day. She couldn't care less about what her mother was saying.
Li Wanming wrapped the cloak tightly around herself, gave her mother a perfunctory response, then jumped into the carriage like a gust of wind and set off in a hurry.
"You child!"
Mrs. Yuan watched her daughter's retreating back. A hint of worry creased her brows again. "Still so impulsive... Once you marry into the Prince of Ning's Mansion, mother won't be able to protect you as well..."
The wind in March still carried a bit of a biting chill.
The weeping willows by the lake had just sprouted tender green buds, gently swaying in the breeze. The lake water, under the bright sunlight, glistened with a deep blue sheen, truly a vast expanse of blue waves as smooth as a mirror.
When Li Wanming arrived at the lake, she was momentarily stunned.
She saw the armored guards standing guard on the shore.
A troop of black-armored cavalry, with powerful crossbows on their backs and swords at their waists, stood on both sides of the dock.
They tried their best to look relaxed, but their straight postures still commanded respect.
Well...
For the princess's pleasure boat, this was a necessary safety measure.
Li Wanming tiptoed and slowly walked onto the dock.
By the lake, there were two rows of servants in palace costumes bustling in and out. Some carried wine, some held lanterns, and some carried trays. Despite the large number of people, everything was in perfect order and quiet, clearly well-trained.
Suddenly, Li Wanming remembered the time when Princess Chengping came to congratulate her mother on her birthday, bringing half of the princess's honor guard.
At that time, the blinding golden and red colors seemed to cover the entire alley in front of their house.
It was quite an eye-opener for them country bumpkins!
Today, it was just a boating trip, not as grand, but still not to be underestimated.
As Li Wanming walked, she couldn't help but compare this grandeur with that of another noble lady in the capital.
Princess Chengping's lifestyle was not as extravagant as that of Princess Danyang. However, every move of hers exuded the charm of the sister of the Prince of Ning, the widow of a general, and the most noble woman in the Great Sheng Dynasty.
The mist by the lake was hazy, shrouding the distant mountains in clouds. Only a faint hint of new green peeked through, like a touch of emerald in a Chinese ink painting, instantly bringing the whole mountain to life.
Under the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, a person walked gracefully towards Li Wanming and bowed slightly. "Miss Li, the third daughter of the Li family."
Li Wanming politely returned the greeting. "Palace official."
The palace official smiled. "Miss Li, please follow me. The princess is waiting for you."
She led the way and took Li Wanming towards the cabin.
Once inside the cabin, Li Wanming realized that this boat had a hidden mystery.
It was a boat made of teak, but the handrails were made of golden-thread nanmu, with delicate grain, warm to the touch, and emitting a faint fragrance of nanmu.
Inside the cabin, there were no private rooms. Instead, the whole cabin was open, separated only by brocade screens and several white silk curtains, making it both spacious and private. When the wind blew, it felt like white clouds were surging.
The river was vast and misty. Standing on the boat and looking into the distance, one felt a sudden sense of openness, refreshing both the mind and the spirit.
The ways of the rich to spend money were truly diverse...
"Miss Li, long time no see."
Princess Chengping slowly walked out from behind the screen.
Today, she was wearing a long goose-yellow brocade dress embroidered with delicate patterns of auspicious cranes. The embroidery was so detailed that the cranes looked almost alive. The hem of the dress was trimmed with glittering cat's-eye stones, shining brightly with every move.
Over the dress, she wore a thick snow-white mink fur cloak. The fur was smooth and shiny, both warm and lightweight, adding to her elegance and nobility.
"Greetings to the princess."
Li Wanming withdrew her gaze and obediently bowed her head.
The last time she saw Princess Chengping was at the flower-viewing banquet in the princess's mansion the year before.
At that time, her impression of the princess was not very good.
She thought this princess was a petty person who always sided with Lu Songyuan and others to bully her. If it weren't for her unparalleled gambling skills and the ability to turn the tables, she might have made a fool of herself at the banquet.
Later, when Xiao Jingnan told her about his aunt's character and past, Li Wanming realized that Princess Chengping had actually been guiding and helping her all along.
By letting her experience the strife and rivalry among the noble ladies in advance, the princess was giving her a gentle reminder and preparing her for her future life in the prince's mansion.
"If you encounter difficulties in the prince's mansion in the future and I'm not around, your aunt will be the most reliable person for you."
Xiao Jingnan had said so.
His words were quite thought-provoking.
He didn't mention the prince, the princess consort, nor Uncle Zhong or Nanny Yu. He only mentioned Princess Chengping - the most reliable person for her.
When she heard these words, Li Wanming was not without shock.
But after a moment's thought, she understood.
Princess Chengping had met her twice, and neither time was she very amiable. However, upon closer examination, she had always helped her.
Even at the flower-viewing banquet the year before, although the princess was testing her, she had given her the endorsement of the princess's mansion, allowing her to enter the circle of noble ladies in the capital.
Li Wanming was not stupid.
As soon as Xiao Jingnan said those words, she had an idea in her mind.
She also developed a bit of respect for this widow of General Xiao, the female general who had once fought in the southern border.
"Come, sit down."
Princess Chengping walked to the pear-wood table in front of the cabin and slowly sat down.
The pleasure boat on the lake gently swayed, and the copper bells on the boat's eaves tinkled.
Li Wanming sat down nervously.
Princess Chengping was an elder and the person Xiao Jingnan respected the most.
In front of her, Li Wanming didn't dare to be presumptuous and couldn't help but feel a bit constrained.
More importantly, thinking of the words she had said in front of the princess's mansion the year before, she couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
"Princess, I..."
Princess Chengping pushed a celadon tea cup in front of Li Wanming. The silver and jade belt around her waist glinted coldly.
"This lake may seem calm," she suddenly said, her fingertips brushing along the rim of the celadon cup. "But over the years, it has caused many storms and taken many lives."
Her words were rather abrupt.
But after a careful thought, one could understand the meaning behind them.
With these words as a prelude, Li Wanming suddenly felt at ease.
Mrs. Yuan was right. The princess had invited her to go boating on the lake today to give her some instructions.