Volume One, Chapter 17: The Pink Little Dress

Bishui stood aside, both startled and anxious. She thought to herself that the heir apparent must have sensed the consort’s feelings upon hearing her murmurs in her sleep. Now that the consort had openly admitted to calling out "big brother" in her dream, how could the heir not be furious?

“Consort, shall we take a carriage to go after the heir?” Bishui suggested. There was still time to catch up if they left now.

Mei Lingxi shook her head firmly. “No, we won’t go.”

Why rush to explain? It would only make her seem guilty. She and her elder brother had nothing between them.

Turning away, Mei Lingxi returned to the Rainfall Garden. He was nowhere to be seen even by nightfall. Checking her message book, she yawned and prepared to rest.

Bishui, however, was worried. “Consort, I just checked—Lin Mu isn’t in the study either. The heir must truly be upset today.”

Lying on the bed, Mei Lingxi said coolly, “If he’s angry, does that mean I have to soothe him?”

But isn’t this all because of you? Bishui thought bitterly. Seeing Mei Lingxi indifferent, she sighed helplessly and said no more.

Two days passed without a trace of Ye Jianxun. Mei Lingxi found it strange; the heir’s anger this time seemed utterly inexplicable.

Then she realized that if she hurried to find him now, it would only give him room for speculation. The agreed three-month separation meant they had to maintain distance.

Spring Wu had noticed the tension as well and privately asked Bishui if the heir and consort had quarreled.

Bishui was troubled. “It’s more than a quarrel. If they don’t reconcile this time, the wounds will be hard to heal.”

Spring Wu, a year younger than Bishui, knew little about matters of the heart, but having been instructed by Lady Wang to make the heir utterly devoted to the consort, she had devised a plan.

Bishui scolded sharply, “No! What kind of low tricks are you thinking? The consort will surely fly into a rage.”

Spring Wu snorted coldly. “Bishui, do you know where the heir has been these past few days?”

“Where? Some pleasure district, perhaps?” Bishui asked.

“You guessed right.” Spring Wu winked. “The boy who cleans the study is acquainted with me. When he tidied up today, he found this in a corner.”

She pulled out a piece of pink fabric. Bishui was shocked and hesitated, “Is this a woman’s undergarment?”

“Yes, and not the consort’s,” Spring Wu added.

Bishui sniffed; the fabric reeked of cheap rouge and powder. Furious, she spat, “So the heir is a flirt! Madly devoted to the second young lady one moment, showing interest in the consort the next, and still lingering in pleasure quarters. Ugh!”

She threw the garment to the floor and stomped on it in frustration.

Spring Wu picked it up, shaking off the dust, angry, “What madness! What if you damage it?”

“Why keep such a thing?” Bishui demanded.

Spring Wu smirked triumphantly, “To keep for the consort. This is the key to controlling the heir.”

Bishui frowned, puzzled, but Spring Wu went on proudly, “First, a nobleman frequenting pleasure quarters is a disgrace. Later, if the consort and heir quarrel, she’ll have leverage over him.

Second, don’t you think this is pretty?” She carefully spread out the undergarment.

Only then did Bishui take a closer look. The fabric was no ordinary cloth, barely covering the chest with a single strap looping from front to back. The light, sheer material was embroidered with tiny flowers.

Bishui blushed, “What’s so pretty about it?”

Spring Wu blinked. “I think it’s beautiful. But more importantly, the heir truly likes it—otherwise, why would he hide it on himself and bring it home?”

“So if the consort wears this secret weapon, the heir will surely fall at her feet,” she said with a sly smile, imagining the consort seducing the heir. It was so thrilling it made her want to applaud.

Bishui spat at her, “You only know such low tricks.”

Spring Wu, seeing her disapproval, snorted and put the undergarment away, ignoring her.

On the third day, the Princess Consort of Ning suddenly arrived at Rainfall Garden.

Mei Lingxi thought the princess consort must have heard rumors and come to urge reconciliation with the heir.

Sure enough, after sitting a while, the princess consort said, “The heir hasn’t returned these past few days. Have you two quarreled?”

Mei Lingxi smiled lightly, “No, he’s been out on official business. Tomorrow is the New Year’s festival, so he will surely return today.”

The princess consort relaxed slightly. “I usually manage the New Year’s preparations, but my health has been poor these past two years, so I had Lady Liu handle things.

Since you’ve come, please assist her.”

Mei Lingxi nodded slightly. Just then, Lady Liu’s voice came from outside, “What the princess consort said is just what I wanted to hear.”

Mei Lingxi rose and bowed. Lady Liu smiled, “I’ve been so busy lately. I was hoping the consort could help me a bit this year.

After all, managing the household affairs will eventually fall to the consort.”

Mei Lingxi felt overwhelmed but maintained a respectful tone. “I’ve only just arrived at the manor and still have much to learn.”

“Don’t worry, consort,” Lady Liu said. “Since time is tight, I thought you could preside over tomorrow’s ancestral rites.”

Mei Lingxi asked, “What will I need to do for the rites?”

“Our lord and the emperor share the same mother. The day after the festival, they go to the ancestral temple. Tomorrow is the manor’s ancestral ceremony.

Your main tasks will be arranging the offerings and ensuring everyone performs the kneeling bows according to seniority.”

Lady Liu produced a genealogy book and handed it to Mei Lingxi. “This is the Ning family genealogy. We don’t have many members, so you won’t need long to memorize it.”

The genealogy was only two thin pages, and Mei Lingxi was already familiar with most names.

She took the book, recalling Lady Liu’s covert actions earlier, and cautiously said, “After I prepare everything tomorrow, please kindly review it for me to avoid any mistakes.”

“Of course,” Lady Liu replied with a smile.

Early the next morning, Mei Lingxi rose to prepare the offerings. Lady Liu had given her a checklist, so she only needed to verify that the offerings in the kitchen were intact.

During brief moments of leisure, her thoughts lingered on Ye Jianxun.

She did not know where he had gone, and he had not returned last night. But since today was the festival, he would surely come back.

She followed the steward to the ancestral hall to arrange the offerings. Lady Liu came by to inspect, finding nothing amiss.

At the appointed time, the household gathered promptly. Mei Lingxi glanced around anxiously until she finally saw Ye Jianxun.

He wore a moonlit brocade robe and approached slowly, his features stern, head bowed solemnly.

Prince Ning led the incense offering and deep bows, followed by everyone else. The ancestral rites concluded smoothly, and Mei Lingxi finally relaxed.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Ye Jiansi suddenly pointed behind a tablet. “What is that pink thing?”

Ye Jiewen was curious too and whispered, “Looks like a lady’s handkerchief.”

Ye Jiansi stepped forward to retrieve it. Being short, she accidentally knocked over a tablet while reaching.

The fallen tablet struck its neighbor, triggering a domino effect. One by one, all the tablets toppled with a loud crash.