Chapter 65: A Favorable Turn of Events

Having sent a formal visiting card to the Duke of Dingguo’s Manor yesterday, she did not receive a reply until late in the evening. Be that as it may, she and Qingrou were friends, and she had to at least try to communicate.

Early the next morning, after paying her respects to Noble Consort Xu, Jinghu took Liuhuang and set off for the Duke of Dingguo’s Manor. Lately, her stepmother seemed unusually open-minded; having just returned from Jianye yesterday, she was allowed to go out again today without a fuss.

Could it be that some joyous event had occurred at home?

Not knowing, she would simply wait to ask when she returned. For now, she needed to ponder how she would speak with Qingrou. She had spent the entire previous night tossing and turning without finding any clarity, and had even begun to regretsending that visiting card.

Fearing she might lose her nerve again today, she had forced herself to rise early, dress and adorn herself, and bring up her outing as the very first thing when meeting her stepmother. That way, even if she wanted to back out, it would be impossible.

She truly did not want to lose Qingrou as a friend.

The Prince of Yongning’s Manor was not far from the Duke of Dingguo’s Manor, and she arrived before long.

With November fast approaching, autumn had given way to winter. Although the Xihe Garden was beautiful in all seasons, some parts were naturally more striking than others. Being in low spirits today, the scenery failed to capture her interest, appearing all the more dreary.

Qingrou was waiting for her in the Chunsuo Tower where she resided, having prepared her favorite iced plum beverage from the summer months. After such a long separation, compounded by their last parting on less-than-pleasant terms, meeting now felt somewhat awkward.

Jinghu promptly dismissed Liuhuang outside. Seeing this, Qingrou likewise dispersed her own maidservants.

With only the two young maidens left in the room, the awkwardness grew even more palpable.

After another moment, Jinghu sought to break the silence, but Qingrou spoke at the exact same time, "I..."

Qingrou had always been yielding. "You go first, little county princess."

Since she was to speak first, she would speak. Having mustered her courage with such difficulty, she could not let it dissipate. "Qingrou, I apologize for the joke I made last time. I shouldn't have teased you about your cousin."

Qingrou lowered her gaze. "I wasn't angry with you. Because you kept your distance for so long, I thought you were the one who was angry."

She was not angry, nor did she wish to sever ties—that, of course, was the best possible outcome. Even if they fancied the same person, and Jinghu was utterly determined to win Ke Mingxu, the choice did not rest solely in their hands.

Jinghu took Qingrou’s hand in hers. "I wasn't angry. How could I ever be angry with you? No matter what, we are friends first and foremost. Nothing can ever change our friendship."

Qingrou raised her head as well. She understood what Jinghu meant, and indeed, she had always understood why Jinghu had been avoiding her these past days.

The only reason she had not explained earlier was because she herself had not yet sorted out her own thoughts.

She squeezed Jinghu's hand in return. "Actually... actually, it isn't what you think. I don't harbor feelings for my cousin; it was all just a misunderstanding."

Jinghu had found it awkward to spell things out, yet Qingrou, who had always been the quintessential obedient maiden, was the one to voice it. But if she did not like her cousin, why had she blushed so deeply on that day over what was merely an ordinary jest?

She cast a puzzled gaze at Qingrou.

Qingrou still looked somewhat troubled, as though unsure how to proceed. Jinghu did not rush her, waiting quietly for her to reveal the reason.

"The reason I reacted that way that day was because, the afternoon prior, my mother told me she wished to betroth me to my cousin. She doesn't fully trust my father and grandmother, fearing the husbands they might choose for me in the future would treat me unjustly, which is why she wanted to arrange it this way."

"My eldest maternal aunt, who is my cousin's mother, has always been closest to her. Since my mother brought up the matter, my aunt naturally wouldn't object."

"Later... later I heard my eldest aunt say that my cousin has no intention of marrying anytime over the next few years. When the matter was broached to him, he merely replied that he would consider it a few years down the line."

She hastily added, "Of course, he wasn't considering me. I have no romantic intentions toward my cousin, and he has none toward me. For all these years, he has only ever regarded me with the affection of an older brother."

"He views me as a child and has never overstepped his bounds. He merely used a delaying tactic to ward off my eldest aunt's urging."

Once Qingrou finished, Jinghu took a moment to piece everything together in her mind.

The reason Qingrou had blushed that day was not because she shared her infatuation with Ke Mingxu, but because the marchioness had spoken to her about her future marriage.

After all, being a maiden secluded in the inner chambers and hearing such matters mentioned out of the blue, without having time to process it, made her shyness and embarrassment entirely natural.

Moreover, Ke Mingxu's mother was clearly willing to consent to this match, meaning she did not insist on Ke Mingxu marrying immediately within these next few years; at the very least, she could wait until Qingrou reached cap-age.

Jinghu and Qingrou were of the same age.

As for Ke Mingxu himself, he clearly had no wish to marry in the immediate future, leaving time for her to grow up.

Every single one of these circumstances boded exceptionally well for her. Her friendship with Qingrou was preserved, and since Elder Madam Ke and the marchioness had a prior understanding, they would not rashly press Ke Mingxu into marrying someone else.

At least for the present, Ke Mingxu had no intention of marrying, leaving her ample opportunity.

Unable to contain herself, Jinghu leaped up and threw her arms around Qingrou, nearly lifting her off the ground. She truly was the best of friends! With these words spoken, the worries that had weighed heavily on her heart for so long vanished completely, and she could once more be a carefree little county princess.

Qingrou, ever prone to shyness, turned crimson all over again being embraced so enthusiastically.

After a moment's thought, Qingrou asked her, "Did you enjoy yourself at the Jianye imperial lodge this time? And what happened to my fifth sister and fifth brother-in-law getting injured? I heard my brother-in-law was hurt quite severely, though I was too embarrassed to ask my eldest sister-in-law. Is he doing any better now?"

After all, the Lady of Huaiyi was her sister.

Jinghu answered, "It was indeed very severe. Ke Shixiong and I happened to be there that day." She omitted the detail about her fainting. "Your brother-in-law was struck by an arrow and sustained sword wounds as well; he was covered in blood."

"Your fifth sister even fainted afterward. Since there were no physicians around at the time, Ke Shixiong stepped in to take care of them. Though he remained unconscious for several days following that, he ultimately woke up, so he is all right now."

"I heard he went to have an audience with the Emperor on the very second day after waking. It's just a pity that the mastermind behind the assassination still hasn't been caught."

Discussing poetry and literature with Qingrou was fine, but talking about state affairs was asking too much of her. In truth, there was no need for her to know; these matters always involved struggles among those standing at the very pinnacle of power, bearing no relation to young maidens like them.

She possessed neither the capabilities of Wu Zetian nor her grand ambitions.

She much preferred remaining blissfully ignorant. Total ignorance was the most effortless state of being. With her father and older brothers shouldering the collapsing heavens, she could remain a wealthy and idle aristocrat—an existence she would trade for nothing in the world.