Song Nanxin made up her mind. First, she lowered her head, feigning shyness, and nodded. "Yes, Mother Princess."
Then, suddenly, she said, "Mother Princess, can I take my younger siblings along? My fifth younger brother is in poor health. I hope he can receive the blessing of the Bodhisattva and grow up safely and healthily."
The Princess of Ning was in a good mood today. Thinking it wouldn't matter to take a few more people, she agreed and patted Song Nanxin's hand. "I know you're kind - hearted and a caring sister. Let them come along."
On the other side, Ji Lingchuan couldn't help but picture a gorgeous face when he heard his wife mention her half - sister.
The only encounter he had with his sister - in - law was the unexpected meeting outside Yixiang Pavilion that day.
Even though so much time had passed, it was still fresh in his memory.
What was her name?
It seemed... Song Yihuan?
After leaving Songhe Hall, Ji Lingchuan sent Song Nanxin back to Shulan Courtyard. This was the first time for Song Nanxin, and she was extremely delighted.
Just as his wife was about to turn away, Ji Lingchuan called out to her.
"Does your wrist still hurt?"
Wrist? What wrist?
Song Nanxin looked blank. Meeting his sharp phoenix - like eyes, she felt a chill in her heart. She lowered her head and hid her hands behind her back, stammering, "Bai Zhi applied some ointment this morning. It's already okay. Thank you for your concern, Young Master."
In her heart, she cursed Song Yihuan from head to toe.
Ji Lingchuan looked at the hands she hid behind her back. Due to his nature, he didn't step forward to check.
"Have you found that hairpin from last time?" he asked.
Song Nanxin was stunned again. Ji Lingchuan frowned slightly and reminded her, "A few days ago, you said you lost a hairpin. Have you found it yet?"
Only then did Song Nanxin remember what he was referring to. Her mind raced, and she let out a soft sigh.
"I've asked Bai Zhi to search everywhere, but still can't find the hairpin. Forget it. It's gone. It wasn't anything rare."
She didn't specify whether the hairpin was really "lost" or taken away by someone. But both her expression and tone made people think that it was taken by her half - sister, and she was magnanimous enough not to care.
Ji Lingchuan didn't say anything. He nodded slightly and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped and looked at Song Nanxin.
The faint apricot blossom fragrance that came from her body last night during their passionate encounter had deeply intoxicated him. But now, with only one step between them, he couldn't smell any fragrance on her.
His gaze became a bit deeper. He probed, "The fragrance on you before was quite nice. Why didn't you use it today?"
Song Nanxin broke out in a cold sweat again, but she reacted quickly. She immediately bit her lower lip and showed a shy look.
"I sweated a lot last night. Before seeing Mother Princess this morning, I took a bath. If the Young Master likes it, I'll only use that fragrant ointment from now on."
After saying that, she looked at Ji Lingchuan with a hint of flattery, and there was obvious admiration in her eyes.
Ji Lingchuan subconsciously avoided her gaze and said indifferently, "There's no need. Just do as you like."
Then he turned around and left without looking back.
Back in Yixiang Pavilion, Bai Zhi noticed that Song Nanxin's hair on her forehead was completely wet with cold sweat. She took out a handkerchief and was about to wipe the sweat off for her. But Song Nanxin suddenly came to her senses, slapped her hand away, slapped the table, and gritted her teeth.
"Call that little bitch Song Yihuan here!"
In Tinglan Courtyard, Song Yihuan moved a bamboo chair and sat in the yard. From time to time, she instructed Song Yixuan beside her on how to play with the Kongming Lock.
She propped her chin lazily. The dress on her outlined her slender and charming waist. Her posture was casual yet somewhat coquettish, looking as if she had no bones.
Fu Ling accidentally looked up and saw this scene. She couldn't help but sigh that the Fourth Miss was truly a stunner. Even she was attracted, let alone men. No wonder the Eldest Miss was so on guard. If the Fourth Miss were willing to fight...
Bah, bah, bah. What was she thinking? The Fourth Miss had no right to compete with the Eldest Miss. Fu Ling composed herself and constantly reminded herself that she was from Shulan Courtyard. She came to Tinglan Courtyard to monitor the Fourth Miss, not to truly change her master.
Song Yihuan didn't notice Fu Ling's scrutiny. In fact, she was a bit absent - minded.
Last night, she served Ji Lingchuan while being fully awake, so all the sensations were extremely clear.
Just like in that dream, his arms were very strong, and his chest was firm. Even now, she still had the illusion that a man's hand was clasping her waist.
The man's heavy breathing and the sound of his exertion always lingered in her ears and were hard to dispel.
"Is the Fourth Miss here? The Young Master's Wife requests your presence."
Bai Zhi's voice came from outside the yard. Song Yihuan was stunned and frowned imperceptibly.
She thought that after satisfying that man last night, she could gain a few days of peace from her elder sister. But what was she up to now? Surely not in broad daylight...
Song Yihuan took a deep breath, stroked her younger brother's soft hair, propped up her sore body, and walked out with Fu Ling.
Nodding to Bai Zhi, Song Yihuan, along with Fu Ling, came to Yixiang Pavilion again.
Song Nanxin had been waiting in the room for a long time. After Song Yihuan entered the room, she stood up, stared at Song Yihuan with her eyes, and walked towards her step by step.
The coldness in her eyes made Song Yihuan's heart sink.
Walking up to Song Yihuan, Song Nanxin sneered and grabbed her hands. A sharp pain came from her wrists. Song Yihuan let out a muffled groan, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Song Nanxin lifted the clothes on her left wrist and indeed saw a shocking bruise.
Getting closer to her and smelling the faint apricot blossom fragrance on her body, Song Nanxin was extremely angry. She tightened her grip on Song Yihuan's hands. The pain made Song Yihuan frown in discomfort.
"Song Yihuan, how much did you hide from me last night? Hmm? What's with the injury on your wrist and this fragrance on your body? Did you secretly apply some fragrant ointment before serving the Young Master?"
Only then did Song Yihuan understand what her elder sister was angry about. She took a deep breath to keep her voice from revealing any of her true emotions.
"Sister, please calm down. I didn't mean to hide the bruise on my wrist. I got it when I tried to approach the Young Master from behind. At that time, I didn't feel much pain, and the Young Master didn't mention it when he left. I thought he had forgotten, so I didn't pay attention."
"As for the fragrance you mentioned."
Song Yihuan let out a bitter smile and said, "Sister knows that all my silver has been used to buy medicine for Xuan'er. I don't have any extra money to buy fragrant ointment."
Song Nanxin looked skeptical. "Really not?"
"Really not." Song Yihuan was extremely determined.