Song Yihuan could feel the man's scrutiny. She didn't dare to raise her head or say a word. Stepping forward, she took the outer robe from the maid's hand, unfolded it, and was about to help him put it on.
Her elder sister was his wife, and it was common knowledge that she should help her husband dress and groom in the morning. Song Yihuan knew these rules well.
Ji Lingchuan remained silent, slightly spreading his arms as he allowed her to approach. At this moment, his nostrils were filled with the faint fragrance of budding apricot blossoms emanating from her.
Song Yihuan carefully helped Ji Lingchuan put on the outer robe and then neatly tied his belt, making him look imposing and handsome.
She picked up the last item from the maid's tray. Just as she was about to hand it to him, she paused. To her surprise, she found it was the money - pouch she had embroidered for him before.
Ji Lingchuan also noticed the money - pouch in her hand. He took it from her, and his finger accidentally brushed against the back of her hand. The familiar touch made her heart flutter.
"Last night, I forgot to ask you. Do you usually do needlework?" Ji Lingchuan asked her in front of all the maids and servants beside them.
Imitating her elder sister's tone, Song Yihuan replied with a smile, "I'm afraid I'll make the heir laugh. I'm clumsy. I can read, write, and play the zither, but I'm not good at needlework."
This was true. Her elder sister disliked needlework and always bought things for her room.
"I'm going to court. If you're still sleepy, you can go back to sleep." Ji Lingchuan put away the money - pouch as if he didn't care about her answer. After giving this instruction, he turned around and left Yixiang Pavilion.
But how could Song Yihuan go back to sleep? The experience last night made her more on guard against "Bai Shao". She was more afraid of this mysterious and somewhat eerie maid than Ji Lingchuan.
If the other party did something while she was sleeping, she would be completely helpless.
Imitating Song Nanxin's tone, Song Yihuan said to those around her, "Nanny and Bai Shao, stay. The rest of you can leave."
In an instant, only Song Yihuan, Nanny Zhao, and "Bai Shao" were left in the room. With Nanny Zhao around, Song Yihuan felt a bit more at ease. She sat in Yixiang Pavilion for a while longer before getting ready to leave.
It was still dark outside, and the moon was nowhere to be seen. When Song Yihuan returned to Tinglan Courtyard, it was completely quiet. Song Nanxin, Song Yixuan, and Chun Xing were still sound asleep, while Fu Ling had been sitting in the yard waiting.
Fu Ling didn't sleep soundly. Hearing the noise, she opened her eyes. Seeing Song Yihuan return safely, she quickly stood up.
Song Yihuan had returned on her own. She had already removed the disguise on her face in Yixiang Pavilion and had returned to her original appearance. Nodding to Fu Ling, she went back to her own room.
Song Nanxin was sleeping soundly in her bed. Song Yihuan sat by the bedside, looking at the face that, after the disguise, was almost identical to her own in the candlelight. A chill ran through her heart.
Her gaze shifted down to the other's neck, which was now blatantly exposed in front of her. As long as she grabbed that neck and tightened her grip, she could be completely free.
But she knew that if she really did that, her life and Xuan'er's would be ruined.
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the other's shoulder and gently shook it.
"Sister, sister, wake up quickly."
It took a while for Song Nanxin to wake up. She had a temper. When woken up from a sound sleep, she instinctively got angry when she opened her eyes, but Song Yihuan covered her mouth and nose.
"Sister, it's me."
Song Nanxin woke up completely, suppressing her anger and gently nodding. Only then did Song Yihuan remove her hand.
Without Song Nanxin asking, Song Yihuan took the initiative to talk about what happened last night. "The heir came last night and didn't notice that I wasn't you. But he didn't ask me to serve him. Instead, he chatted with me for a while."
Learning that Ji Lingchuan didn't ask Song Yihuan to serve him, Song Nanxin felt disappointed but also a bit relieved. She didn't expect that even this little girl couldn't please him. It must be Ji Lingchuan's cold personality.
"What did he ask you?" Song Nanxin asked in a low voice.
Song Yihuan replied, "He only mentioned the autumn hunting. That's all."
Autumn hunting? Song Nanxin knew that Ji Lingchuan would be in charge of the guard for this autumn hunting. The Princess of Ningqin had also mentioned the autumn hunting to her the day before and even planned to take Song Yihuan with them.
Immediately becoming vigilant, Song Nanxin chased after the question, "Did the heir say anything else to you?"
Song Yihuan shook her head. "The heir only talked about the scenery of the hunting ground in Xingzhou. That's all."
"Okay, I see." Song Nanxin responded. Yawning, she got out of bed, giving the bed to Song Yihuan, and was about to leave.
A glint of darkness flashed in Song Yihuan's eyes. Suddenly, she grabbed Song Nanxin's sleeve, hesitating to speak.
Song Nanxin was eager to go back to Shulan Courtyard to catch up on sleep. Impatiently, she said, "What's wrong? Is there anything else?"
Biting her lower lip, Song Yihuan said, "Sister, you... you have to be careful of the maid 'Bai Shao'."
Song Nanxin was shocked. Grabbing Song Yihuan's wrist, she urgently asked, "What's wrong with that maid?"
There seemed to be tears in Song Yihuan's eyes. She said, "I always feel that her behavior is a bit strange. Last night in Yixiang Pavilion, before the heir came, she..."
She stopped there, but Song Nanxin immediately understood what she meant. A surge of anger welled up in her heart. All her sleepiness vanished, and she just wanted to rush back to Shulan Courtyard immediately to find someone and question him about what was going on.
Making up an excuse to fool Song Yihuan, Song Nanxin quietly left Tinglan Courtyard. She didn't notice that after she left, Song Yihuan's gaze turned cold, completely different from the pitiful and helpless look before.
"Bai Shao's" actions last night offended her. She didn't like it and wouldn't let herself be wronged for nothing.
She knew her elder sister's personality well. Her elder sister was jealous and petty. Learning that "Bai Shao" had made a move when she was away, her elder sister surely wouldn't let "Bai Shao" off easily.
However, she didn't expect her elder sister to get rid of "Bai Shao" like she did with Bai Zhi. After all, her elder sister still counted on "Bai Shao" to use the disguise technique to deceive Ji Lingchuan.
This move of using her elder sister to deal with the enemy was worth it if it could make the other party suffer and expose some flaws.
After removing the disguise on her face, Song Nanxin followed the small path back to Yixiang Pavilion. Entering the side room, she saw Cui Muyuan waiting there.
Cui Muyuan stood up and was about to greet her when Song Nanxin strode forward and slapped him across the face.
With a loud "pop", Cui Muyuan's face was turned to one side.
"Good! I was wondering why you came up with such an idea for me and wanted to stay by my side to deceive the heir. It turns out you've been eyeing that little girl secretly! Cui Muyuan, did I not give you enough silver or did I not give you enough benefits for you to play with me like this?!"