"Miss, your face..."
Nanny Zhao looked at Song Nanxin in surprise.
Perhaps because of the nightmare she had last night, at this moment, sitting on the edge of the bed, Song Nanxin's face had a faint ashen tint, and her lips were also bloodless. She looked as if she was ill.
On closer inspection, one could see some small spots on her cheeks.
But Nanny Zhao remembered that there were no such spots on Song Nanxin's face yesterday!
Seeing Nanny Zhao's expression, Song Nanxin instinctively sensed something was wrong. She got up and quickly walked to the dressing table. When she looked at herself, her eyes widened in shock.
How could she look even more haggard than before?
And what were these spots on her face?
"How could this happen..." She placed her hand on her cheek, looking flustered.
Nanny Zhao stepped forward to comfort her. "Perhaps you had a nightmare last night and didn't sleep well. If you rest in the room for the next two days, you'll surely regain your radiance soon."
"Yes, that's right. It must be because I didn't sleep well last night. As long as I rest for a few days, I'll recover soon." Song Nanxin murmured.
Since she still had to pay respects to the Princess of Ning, the two maids came forward to do Song Nanxin's makeup.
In order to cover up the tiredness and paleness on Song Nanxin's face, the maids did their best to apply makeup on her. Finally, she didn't look so tired, and there was a bit more glow on her face.
However, compared to her glamorous appearance when she went to the Duke Jiang's Mansion for a banquet yesterday, she was like a completely different person.
Nanny Zhao took her hand and comforted her. "Don't worry, Eldest Miss. You're naturally beautiful. You look so pitiful now. I'm sure the Heir Apparent will feel sorry for you when he sees you."
Song Nanxin's gaze fell on the secret compartment of the dressing table. Thinking of the "Beauty Pill" that had made her so charming and beautiful, she felt tempted again.
But at this moment, Cui Yinger's warning echoed in her mind:
"Although this Beauty Pill can make the Princess of the Heir Apparent more beautiful, it shouldn't be taken too often, especially not continuously. It's best to take a few days' break between each dose. If the Princess of the Heir Apparent doesn't listen to my advice, don't blame this maid for not warning you in advance."
Biting her lower lip, Song Nanxin had to force her gaze away from the secret compartment.
Although the maids had used rouge and powder to cover up the tiredness on Song Nanxin's face, the Princess of Ning still keenly sensed something. After Song Nanxin paid respects and served tea, she asked with concern,
"Did the Princess of the Heir Apparent not sleep well last night? Why do you look a bit off?"
Song Nanxin's face froze. She lowered her head uncomfortably and let out a soft sigh. "You've noticed, Mother. I really didn't sleep well last night."
The Princess of Ning twirled the Buddhist beads in her hand and guessed the reason for her poor sleep. "Is it because of that maid named Baizhi beside you? I've also heard about what happened in Shulan Courtyard yesterday."
Song Nanxin knew that she couldn't hide the matter of punishing Baizhi from the Princess of Ning. She sobbed and covered her face with a handkerchief as she cried,
"That maid had accompanied me for so many years. I treated her like a younger sister, but I never thought she would do this to me. And I never expected that twenty strokes of the cane would take her life."
The Princess of Ning said very calmly, "One should make a clean break when necessary. The Princess of the Heir Apparent did the right thing. For a servant who betrays her master, punishment is necessary. If she couldn't endure it, that was her fate. Don't be too sad, Princess of the Heir Apparent. One always has to look forward."
"I know, Mother. I just can't accept it for the moment. You don't need to worry. I'll be able to let it go after digesting it by myself for a few days." Song Nanxin wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"You're short of a satisfactory maid beside you now. There must be someone to serve you in your daily life. How about choosing one from my Songhe Courtyard to take back and serve you? It'll also help you manage the affairs in Shulan Courtyard." As the Princess of Ning said, she clapped her hands, and a row of maids walked in from outside.
Song Nanxin looked at the maids standing in a row in front of her and clenched her fists.
Her marriage to Ji Lingchuan was bestowed by the emperor. After she married into the Mansion of the Prince of Ning, the Princess of Ning had been extremely magnanimous and never interfered in the affairs of Shulan Courtyard. Therefore, all the maids and nannies in Shulan Courtyard were her people. That was why she had the confidence to scheme for Song Yihuan to receive the Heir Apparent's favor and successfully consummate her marriage with Ji Lingchuan.
But if she really took someone back from the Princess of Ning, there would be an informer of the Princess of Ning in her courtyard. Wouldn't all her affairs be exposed?
Song Nanxin dug her nails into her palm tightly, trying not to show the slightest abnormality in front of the Princess of Ning. She replied with a smile, "Since it's your kind intention, Mother, I'll choose carefully among these people."
Seeing that she agreed, the Princess of Ning nodded in satisfaction.
Song Nanxin got up and looked at the maids standing in a row in front of her. She carefully examined their looks and limbs. Finally, she stopped in front of a maid who was much taller than her and looked a bit strong. She said to the Princess of Ning,
"Mother, this one will do."
The Princess of Ning smiled. "You have a good eye. This maid is diligent. She's very skilled at doing hair. Among this group of people, her temperament is the steadiest. With her serving you, I can rest assured."
Song Nanxin asked the maid's age and family background with a smile. She immediately changed her name to Baishao.
Song Nanxin said to the Princess of Ning, "Mother, I learned in the Duke Jiang's Mansion yesterday that the well - known opera troupe in the capital, the Qionglan Troupe, has staged a new play, which is very popular. I plan to choose a good time in the next few days to invite the Qionglan Troupe to the mansion to perform. What do you think?"
The Princess of Ning didn't say much. She just said, "You can arrange it."
Not long after, Song Nanxin left Songhe Courtyard, followed by Baishao, who had just been arranged by the Princess of Ning to be beside her.
Baishao was indeed a steady - tempered person. She didn't say much along the way. After they returned to Shulan Courtyard, Song Nanxin called Nanny Zhao over. She said to Baishao with a smile, "You're new to Shulan Courtyard and not familiar with it yet. In the next few days, learn from Nanny Zhao. After you get the hang of it, then come and serve me."
Baishao didn't dare to disobey. She replied yes and was taken away by Nanny Zhao.
In Tinglan Garden, Song Yixuan's childish voice came as he was reading.
He was sitting upright on a chair with his hands behind his back, swaying his head as he recited the Three - Character Classic.
Song Yihuan was sitting beside him, holding a piece of cloth with a steady color and some silk threads. She was lowering her head to thread a needle.
"Fifth Young Master is so smart. It's only been a few days, and he can recite the whole Three - Character Classic already." Chunxing leaned over to Song Yihuan and said in surprise.
Looking at what Song Yihuan was holding, Chunxing let out an "eh" sound. "Miss, what are you embroidering?"
Song Yihuan's movement paused for a moment. "I'm embroidering a money bag."
Chunxing clapped her hands and asked with a smile, "I know. Did you take a fancy to some young master when you went to the Duke Jiang's Mansion yesterday? So you're planning to embroider it and give it to him?"
Song Yihuan reached out with a smile to tickle her. "You naughty girl, you're always talking nonsense!"
After the mistress and the maid had played around for a while, they stopped. Chunxing seemed to remember something and whispered to Song Yihuan, "Speaking of which, the Heir Apparent has been back from the border for almost two months. The Eldest Miss should have spread some good news by now. But why is there still no sign of it?"