From afar, Song Nanxin spotted Song Yihuan and Ji Lingchuan standing together. A chill ran through her heart, and she quickened her steps, causing the hairpins on her head to jingle noisily.
When she reached Ji Lingchuan, she cast a fleeting glance at Song Yihuan, then smiled and walked towards Ji Lingchuan, curtsying gracefully.
"My humble self pays respects to the Heir Apparent. May the Heir Apparent be in good health."
Ji Lingchuan replied, "There's no need for such formalities, Princess Consort."
Song Nanxin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned closer to Ji Lingchuan, deliberately standing very close to him. She asked quite naturally, "Has the Princess still not risen?"
Ji Lingchuan naturally noticed her actions and looked away. He responded indifferently and then fell silent, making no response to Song Nanxin's enthusiasm.
But Song Nanxin refused to let it go. She started talking about the Ding'an Marquis Mansion beside Ji Lingchuan, mentioning her younger siblings and some interesting anecdotes from her days in the marquis mansion. Ji Lingchuan responded occasionally, so the conversation wasn't too awkward.
Song Yihuan lowered her eyes and stared at the pattern on the tip of her shoe. Listening to their conversation, a phrase suddenly popped into her mind - "harmonious like a lute and a zither".
Ji Lingchuan had a cold personality and wasn't very enthusiastic towards others. But as a husband, he had always been quite considerate towards her elder sister. On those unspeakable nights, when he mistook her for her elder sister and indulged himself while holding her waist, his actions were also very gentle, and he would take her feelings into account.
He truly kept his distance from women other than her elder sister. Even towards her, he always maintained a distance and had never shown the slightest bit of enthusiasm.
This was enough to prove that he was indeed a good husband. No wonder her elder sister was so eager to get close to him.
But if her elder sister was infatuated with him, why did she have an affair with someone else?
At the birthday banquet of the Duke of Jiang's mansion, she hadn't seen her elder sister having any contact with any man. Who on earth was the man who had an affair with her elder sister? Did they still have contact now?
At this moment, Nanny Chen walked out of the Pine and Crane Courtyard. She smiled at Ji Lingchuan and Song Nanxin and said, "The Princess has risen. Please come in quickly, Heir Apparent and Princess Consort."
After Ji Lingchuan and Song Nanxin entered the courtyard first, Song Yihuan then led Song Yixuan and followed them.
In the Pine and Crane Hall, they respectfully paid their respects to the Princess of Ningqin and had some tea. Song Yixuan was left beside the Princess of Ningqin, and then Song Yihuan accompanied Ji Lingchuan and Song Nanxin on their journey to the Ding'an Marquis Mansion.
The carriage of the Prince of Ningqin's mansion was already waiting outside. When Song Yihuan saw the fragrant sandalwood carriage with a treasure - topped eaves pulled by four horses, she couldn't help but be stunned.
Just one carriage?
Song Nanxin also noticed this. She turned to look at the steward and said, "Why only prepare one carriage?"
Before the steward could answer, Ji Lingchuan said beside them, "We're going to the Ding'an Marquis Mansion. We're all family. There's no need for extra carriages."
Song Yihuan looked up and met Ji Lingchuan's deep phoenix - like eyes. "Song Yihuan, you can get in the carriage too."
The carriage was personally arranged by Ji Lingchuan. Knowing that there was only one carriage and that Ji Lingchuan wanted Song Yihuan to ride with them, Song Nanxin felt extremely displeased. But she couldn't show it in front of Ji Lingchuan. So she had to hold Song Yihuan's hand and smile.
"The Heir Apparent is right. We're family. Yihuan, you can ride back with us in this carriage."
Song Yihuan nodded slightly and said, "Yes, elder sister, brother - in - law."
The carriage of the Prince of Ningqin's mansion was very spacious, big enough to seat four or five people. Inside, there were fur cushions and a small tea table for the noble guests to place their belongings.
Song Nanxin sat in the innermost position on the right side. Song Yihuan sat on the same side but a bit closer to the outside.
Her fingers touched the cushion on the chair. The soft feeling spread from her fingertips. Even in the Ding'an Marquis Mansion before, Song Yihuan had never seen such a luxurious and comfortable carriage.
She heard footsteps, and the light in front of her dimmed. Song Yihuan looked up and saw Ji Lingchuan bending down to get into the carriage.
She was sitting in a forward position, so when the man got into the carriage, his raised sleeve gently brushed against the back of her hand. Although they didn't say a word, Song Yihuan's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
The man sat opposite her and Song Nanxin. At his order, the coachman whipped the horses, and the carriage started moving.
The distance from the Prince of Ningqin's mansion to the Ding'an Marquis Mansion wasn't very far. It only took about the time it took to burn a stick of incense by carriage. Along the way, Ji Lingchuan kept his eyes closed and didn't say a word. Song Yihuan wouldn't take the initiative to do anything to arouse her elder sister's jealousy, so she also lowered her head and remained silent. This made Song Nanxin feel rather stifled.
The news that the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Ningqin was going to visit his wife's family had been sent to the Ding'an Marquis Mansion the day before. So early in the morning, the Marquis of Ding'an, his wife Lady Meng, and Song Nanzhe, the Heir Apparent of the Ding'an Marquis Mansion, were waiting outside the mansion.
From afar, they saw a majestic and luxurious carriage approaching. This grand sight attracted many passers - by on both sides of the road, who stopped to watch, showing envy for the Ding'an Marquis Mansion in their expressions and words.
Lady Meng's willow - like eyebrows relaxed, and her face was full of joy.
But the Marquis of Ding'an beside her didn't show any smile at all. There was a hidden impatience between his eyebrows, and he yawned several times secretly.
Finally, the carriage arrived outside the Ding'an Marquis Mansion. After it stopped steadily, Fuzhou jumped out first and announced loudly to the people waiting outside the mansion, "The Heir Apparent of the Prince of Ningqin and the Princess Consort have arrived."
The Marquis of Ding'an finally put away his lazy and impatient look, assumed the dignity of a marquis, and stepped forward with Lady Meng and Song Nanzhe. He bowed and said, "The Ding'an Marquis Mansion welcomes the Heir Apparent and the Princess Consort."
Amid the welcome cries, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Ji Lingchuan stepped out of the carriage first. His expression was calm, and there was a natural chill between his eyebrows. The imposing aura that made people submit without anger made the Marquis of Ding'an bend his body a few more degrees involuntarily.
It wasn't until Song Nanxin and Song Yihuan got out of the carriage safely that Ji Lingchuan said, "Today I've brought the Princess Consort back to visit her family. Your Lordship and Lady needn't be so formal."
The Marquis of Ding'an helped Lady Meng stand up straight. Song Nanzhe, who was following beside them, also raised his head. The first person he saw wasn't Song Nanxin standing beside Ji Lingchuan, but Song Yihuan behind.
Song Nanzhe immediately shouted angrily, "Why is this seductress here too?"
Lady Meng quickly covered his mouth and secretly glanced at Ji Lingchuan. She scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about? That's your fourth elder sister. You're so rude. Hurry up and pay your respects to your elder sister and brother - in - law."
Ji Lingchuan lowered his eyes and stared coldly at Song Nanzhe, who was obviously a bit rounder than before. Although he didn't say a word, his serious and sharp gaze made Song Nanzhe recall the time when he was scolded by him last time. He shivered violently and finally bowed respectfully.
"Zhe'er pays respects to brother - in - law, eldest sister, and fourth elder sister."
Song Nanxin stepped forward with a smile and said, "Alright, alright. Good boy, get up quickly. Your Lordship, Lady, let's go in quickly. Don't keep the Heir Apparent waiting outside for too long."
"Yes, yes, yes. This way, please, Heir Apparent." Lady Meng greeted.