The next day, Song Yihuan gave the reply letter to Chunxing and asked her to go out and deliver it to Boss Sheng at Youyang Bookstore.
Sitting in the yard, she looked up at the sky. The weather was excellent that day, and the birds were chirping merrily on the treetops, which lifted her spirits.
Song Yixuan saw the relaxed look on her face, no longer as gloomy as usual. Curiously, he asked, "Fourth sister seems very happy. Did you dream of something good last night?"
Song Yihuan pinched his nose and said with a smile, "Xuan'er, do you still remember the old friend I told you about? The one who joked about my poor handwriting."
Song Yixuan's eyes lit up. "Xuan'er remembers!"
"He's back, and he left a letter for me. We've got in touch again. Of course I'm happy." Song Yihuan's eyes and eyebrows were brimming with joy, adding a touch of playfulness of a young girl to her gorgeous and charming face.
Song Yixuan was simple - minded. He only knew that he was happy when he saw his fourth sister happy. The siblings just sat in the yard, grinning at each other.
Chunxing returned near noon. Fuling stepped forward to take off her veil hat and asked, "How was it? Everything go smoothly?"
Chunxing nodded and said to Song Yihuan, "I've given the letter to Boss Sheng. Fourth miss, please rest assured. By the way, when I was coming back, I saw several groups of people heading to various places in the city, including the Prince Ning's Mansion. The people seemed to be of high status. The common people were stepping aside all the way. I don't know what's going on."
Song Yihuan lowered her eyes and pondered. People coming to the Prince Ning's Mansion at this time and making the common people step aside must be of extraordinary status. She thought of what the Princess Ning had told her the other day and had a hunch in her heart.
It should be that the imperial edict from the palace had arrived to confirm the candidates who would accompany the emperor to Xingzhou for the autumn hunting in half a month.
Sure enough, after a while, someone came from the front yard and asked Song Yihuan to go to the front yard quickly to receive the imperial edict.
Song Yihuan had expected this. After getting the news, she didn't need much preparation. She took Fuling and rushed to the front yard to meet Song Nanxin and others to receive the edict together.
Song Nanxin arrived earlier than her. Seeing Song Yihuan coming over at the porch leading to the front yard, her face didn't look good. She gave Song Yihuan a deep look, hinting that she should follow behind her. Then she led Song Yihuan across the threshold and walked forward.
As soon as Song Yihuan looked up, she caught sight of Ji Lingchuan in the crowd.
He was standing beside the Prince Ning and the Princess Ning. His figure was tall and imposing. His handsome face and majestic aura even outshone the Prince Ning beside him, becoming the focus of attention.
Ji Lingchuan seemed to sense her gaze and looked in her direction. Song Yihuan's heart skipped a beat. She lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze and hid her figure behind Song Nanxin.
Ji Lingchuan had returned to the Prince Ning's Mansion with the imperial edict and had been waiting in the front yard. Almost as soon as Song Yihuan stepped into the front yard, he had sensed her presence.
Looking past Song Nanxin, he could only see her with her head slightly lowered, showing a bit of her side - face and a fair, slender neck.
Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, the eunuch standing beside Ji Lingchuan shrilled, "Everyone in the Prince Ning's Mansion, receive the imperial edict."
A large crowd knelt in the front yard. Even Ji Lingchuan lifted his robe and knelt down.
The Prince Ning was the younger brother of the late emperor, and the Princess Ning was the younger sister of the current empress dowager. They had the honor of not having to kneel when seeing the imperial edict. But out of respect, the Prince Ning still supported the Princess Ning and squatted down slightly.
"By the mandate of heaven, the emperor decrees: For the stability of the world and the peace of the people, and to pray for good weather in the coming year, I will set out on the auspicious day of the first day of August to Xingzhou Hunting Ground for the autumn hunting and heaven - worshiping ceremony. I hereby permit the Prince Ning, the Princess Ning, the Princess of the Heir Apparent Song Nanxin of the Prince Ning's Mansion, Song Yihuan and Song Yixuan of the Marquis Ding'an's Mansion to accompany me on this trip. The Heir Apparent of the Prince Ning, General Weiyuan Ji Lingchuan, shall hold the token of the Tianji Camp and lead the Xuanjia Army of the Tianji Camp and the Beijing Garrison to safeguard the safety of this autumn - hunting trip throughout. So it is decreed!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live forever!"
The Prince Ning stepped forward to receive the imperial edict. He called Ji Lingchuan and led the eunuch who had come to deliver the edict away for tea. The Princess Ning was going back to make arrangements for the luggage needed for this autumn - hunting trip and to settle all the affairs in the mansion for the next few months.
Song Nanxin wanted to talk to Song Yihuan privately, but the Princess Ning called her.
"Didn't the Princess of the Heir Apparent always want to share my worries? Now is the best opportunity. For this autumn - hunting trip, the Princess of the Heir Apparent can learn how to manage the affairs of the mansion."
Song Nanxin's expression tightened. She subconsciously looked back at Song Yihuan. The Princess Ning smiled and said, "Why are you looking at her? There are only a few days left before we set off. Time waits for no one."
Song Yihuan knew why her elder sister was looking at her. She must be panicked after learning that she would handle the mansion affairs with the Princess Ning, afraid that her secret of not knowing how to read the account books would be exposed.
Song Nanxin forced a smile and said, "I was just going to tell her to go back and pack well. This autumn - hunting and heaven - worshiping ceremony in Xingzhou will take two or three months. By the time we return to the capital, it may be winter. Xuan'er has a weak constitution and needs more attention."
Song Yihuan smiled at Song Nanxin and said, "Sister, please rest assured. I know what to do."
Helplessly, Song Nanxin had to follow the Princess Ning away. For a moment, only some maids and servants, as well as Song Yihuan and Song Yixuan were left in the front yard. Learning that he could go to Xingzhou with everyone to watch the autumn - hunting ceremony, Song Yixuan was extremely happy and kept asking Song Yihuan questions all the way.
"Fourth sister, where is Xingzhou? Is it far from the capital?"
Song Yihuan replied with a smile, "Xingzhou is north of the capital. There are snow - capped mountains, grasslands, and groups of cattle, sheep, horses and wild animals."
"Fourth sister, what is autumn hunting? Is it fun? Can Xuan'er play with everyone?"
Song Yihuan answered her younger brother's questions one by one, her eyes full of tenderness.
...
As night fell, a maid walked towards Shulan Courtyard from the direction of the kitchen, carrying a food box in her hand.
She was slightly tall and stocky, no less than an ordinary man. Her face, just like her body, looked very honest and simple.
It was Baishao, the second - class maid serving beside Song Nanxin.
Turning a corner, her figure disappeared into the shadow under the eaves. A gust of wind blew towards her. Before she could react, she fainted.
Just as her body was about to fall, a dark figure dropped from the eaves. He supported her shoulders, caught the food box that was about to slip from her hand, and dragged her into the darkness.