Chapter Seventeen: Infatuation

The moment Jing Hu stepped through the mansion gates, she forced herself to regain composure. It was dinner time, and she was to dine with her mother, the Consort Dowager.

If her mother noticed the worry etched across her face and assumed she had suffered some grievance at the Duke of Dingguo’s residence, it could very well spark another unpleasant incident.

In such a case, her mother and the Princess Consort might clash again, and she alone would bear the consequences.

Besides, she genuinely wished to spend more time with Qing Rou—she felt deeply sorry for her. Father and grandmother only ever concerned themselves with the fifth elder sister; no one spared a thought for her feelings.

They were close friends, and if not even she could comfort and accompany Qing Rou, then what kind of friend would she be?

Lost in such thoughts, Jing Hu made her way toward the Qixue Pavilion where her mother resided. Upon entering the courtyard, she saw her sister-in-law was already seated in the main hall with her mother, and dishes had been served—indicating they were to dine together.

Jing Hu felt no discomfort dining alongside her sister-in-law, so she entered gracefully and greeted both women.

Consort Xu smiled warmly, “You’ve come back quite early today. I thought you might have eaten dinner elsewhere first. Come, sit by your mother’s side.”

She added, “Why have you changed your clothes? This outfit seems unlike your usual style.”

Obediently, Jing Hu sat next to her mother. “I visited Sister Qing today. She wasn’t feeling well, so I didn’t want to trouble her too much.”

“As for the clothes, I accidentally spilled tea on mine, so I borrowed one of Sister Qing’s garments. She’s only a few months younger and smaller in stature, so it doesn’t fit me very well.”

Before her mother could respond, Ke Mingbi spoke up, “Sister Qing is unwell? What’s the matter?”

“It’s strange. Since last year when Aunt fell ill, she has not recovered. Sister Qing is a sensitive child and seems to carry a heavy burden despite her youth.”

Ke Mingbi, Qing Rou’s cousin, seemed unaware of the true situation regarding Qing Rou’s mother. Today, after spending a long time with Qing Rou in the Spring Rain Pavilion, Jing Hu still could not discern the exact nature of what had transpired—only that it was connected to her fifth elder sister, the Lady of Huaiyi.

Who was right or wrong remained a mystery. Did Ke Mingxu know anything of it? All was enshrouded in enigma.

Ke Mingbi noticed Jing Hu staring at her intently and felt a strange unease. “Third Sister, what’s wrong? Did my sister-in-law say something amiss?”

Realizing her indiscretion, Jing Hu hastily smiled, “Nothing of the sort. Sister Qing just came back from the Duke’s residence and felt a bit tired. It’s nothing serious.”

“When I visited her today, I asked about the Duke’s wife’s illness, but even she couldn’t say for sure. That’s why it seemed a little odd.”

“I thought sister-in-law was close to her mother and might know some inside details.”

Ke Mingbi sighed, “Even Sister Qing, her own daughter, doesn’t know. How could I? My own mother has been unwell lately too. My aunt and mother share a deep sister-in-law bond, so perhaps they are quietly worrying for each other.”

“Even my brother likely doesn’t understand. Every time he visits and mentions our mother’s illness, his face pales.”

The last time Jing Hu had met Ke Mingxu in the Ke family’s courtyard, he had appeared somewhat troubled.

Remembering that day, Ke Mingbi smiled and told Consort Xu, “Before the Dragon Boat Festival, my brother came to see me and even met Third Sister.”

“My brother had known her for some time, but he did not expect Third Sister to recognize him. I heard they talked a while in the garden. It seems my brother treats me plainly, but he has a certain bond with Third Sister.”

Their conversation in the garden had not been secret; her mother surely knew. Why then did Ke Mingbi emphasize this?

Consort Xu, aware of the matter but having never asked, now inquired, “Hu’er, what did you and Ke Shilang talk about in the garden that day?”

“I heard you gave him a pot of coral flowers? Aren’t those your favorite?”

Jing Hu replied, “We just exchanged a few casual words. I asked him if he could identify the coral flowers, and surprisingly, he did. Good company is rare, so I was pleased and gave him a pot.”

That seemed harmless enough. Perhaps Ke Mingbi felt this might cause misunderstanding and tried to clarify matters herself—to distance Ke Mingxu from any impropriety.

If any offense was committed, it was solely hers, not the fault of the Ke family.

But such calculated behavior was unnecessary. Indeed, it was overly deliberate. If Jing Hu could see this, how much more so her mother?

Jing Hu looked up at her mother, who smiled gently at Ke Mingbi, though the warmth had somewhat faded.

It seemed her mother was not as fond of Ke Mingbi as Jing Hu had imagined.

She sighed inwardly once more. Would it not be better to be straightforward and open? Ke Mingxu bore no blame in this matter. If her mother asked, she would clear him entirely. There was no need for such complications.

Yet, what Ke Mingbi had said piqued Jing Hu’s curiosity, and she put on an innocent expression.

“Sister-in-law said that Brother Ke had known me for some time, but I have no memory of how or when he met me.”

Ke Mingbi paused before replying, “A few months ago, in spring, my brother came to see me and spotted you running and chasing butterflies under the corridor.”

“Thinking we were family, I pointed you out to him as the cherished Lady Jingling, daughter of our prince.”

“He glanced and smiled, saying he had known the Lady for quite some time. As for the exact moment, he said to ask him next time he visits.”

Jing Hu knew Ke Mingxu had met her before she remembered him, but she had never had the chance to ask when or how.

Whenever she saw him, she forgot everything.

If it had been a formal occasion, and he noticed her, given his striking looks, hard to forget once seen, surely she would remember him better.

Suddenly, she recalled what Liu Huang had told her in the carriage: “Many men and women fall in love at first sight, drawn initially by admiration of each other’s beauty.”

She first saw Ke Mingxu on the tower of Zhengyang Gate.

If it had been just a glance, even if he caught flowers dropped by another woman or smiled at someone else, she might not have fallen so easily.

Could this be called love at first sight?

Then why did Ke Mingxu remember her? When and where did he first encounter her?

Next time they met, she would ask for a clear answer.