Chapter 83

Outside, snow fell heavily, quickly covering the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Yining sat quietly by the bed, a cup of tea in hand. Through the latticed window, Zhenzhu and Daimao could be heard whispering.

Yining had no time to pay attention to what they were saying, she was thinking about something.

In her previous life, she was eliminated by Lu Jiaxue. If he knew she was not dead, or even knew that she still remembered his shameful past completely... would he want to kill her again?

She silently sipped her hot tea, thinking that she would have to be more careful in the future. One flaw could be called accidental, but too many flaws would inevitably lead to suspicion.

After leaving court, Wei Ling came to Yining.

The girl untied his cloak. Wei Ling, who was covered in the damp, cold air of snow from the outside world, sat beside Yi Ning and asked her with a smile, "You look rather downhearted. What's wrong? Did Ting-ge'er make you angry?"

Seeing that his hands were pale, Yi Ning handed him her hot water bottle to warm them: "Don't worry, it's nothing."

Wei Ling is actually not afraid of the cold. He doesn't think it's a big deal when the border is extremely cold in winter and a layer of frost forms on his armor.

He took the hot water bottle the girl handed him. The outer lining was made of a pink-purple velvet material, embroidered with floral patterns. It was something a girl would use, reeking of feminine hues.

Wei Ling held the hot water bottle in his hand and changed the subject, saying to her, "I went to the palace to pay a visit to the Empress Dowager. She learned that I had just found you. She rewarded you with some things." Then he asked someone to bring the things in to her, including several pieces of kesi silk and Shu brocade materials, and many boxes of different sizes.

Yining looked at him: "You... the Queen also knows me?"

"Of course. Daddy will take you to meet her later." Seeing the girl's eyes widen, Wei Ling smiled and said, "The Duke of Ying's family has been a family of nobles for generations. Your great-grandfather was a founding minister. Our family has always been favored. And you are my only daughter, so the Empress will naturally reward you. But the Emperor is seriously ill now, and the palace is under tight security. Otherwise, I would have taken you with me today."

He beckoned, calling for someone to bring up a box. He opened it and showed it to her: "This hectoliter of pearls is the most precious, each one as big as a fingernail. Daddy will give it to you to make jewelry, okay?"

Wei Ling placed a handful of pearls in her hand and told her to play with them. The pearls rolled between her fingers and landed on the Luohan bed. They were indeed top-quality pearls, soft in color, smooth and round. Yi Ning remembered that Zhao Mingzhu's gold necklace had one of these pearls embedded in it.

Wei Ling actually brought her a bucket of rice.

Holding these priceless things, Yi Ning remembered that Lin Hairu had treated her in the same way. Her mood improved a little, and she said to Wei Ling with a smile, "Thank you, father."

Wei Ling was startled. Her voice was naturally soft and clear. It was the first time he had heard Yi Ning call him father. Did this really please her? Seeing that the girl had leaned over to look at something else, he picked up the pearls on the Luohan bed and said to her, "Your grandmother's birthday is coming soon. When you have it made, you can wear it and accompany your grandmother to meet guests."

Yi Ning nodded, and then heard Wei Ling ask calmly: "Is Mingzhu good to you?"

Zhao Mingzhu...it's good that she doesn't confront her. Yi Ning simply stated the facts: "Sister Mingzhu is not easy to talk to, but there's nothing else to it."

Wei Ling sneered in his heart after hearing this.

Zhao Mingzhu had always been proud and arrogant. He had originally given her to the old lady as a pet to entertain her. But now, within the aristocratic circles of the capital, and even Zhao Mingzhu himself, she was considered a proper daughter of the Duke of Ying. This was something he could not tolerate.

He put the box away and said, "Daddy will find someone to make jewelry for you." Then he took his people out.

Old Madam Wei was instructing the servants to spread out mats in the yard and collect some clean snow water to make tea when she saw Zhao Mingzhu and a few maids approaching, laughing and noisy. Seeing that she was covered in snow, Old Madam Wei hurriedly pulled her to sit down and personally covered her hands to warm them, saying, "What are you doing playing outside? Your hands are freezing!"

Zhao Mingzhu smiled and came up to her: "Grandma, Jiarou and I had a competition to pick plum branches. Whoever picked the most beautiful branch would get a bag of golden beans! I won two bags of golden beans from her, and she went back angrily."

Old Madam Wei continued, "It's just two bags of gold beans, right? I don't know how many gold items I gave you on a daily basis!"

Zhao Mingzhu said: "I don't really care about that, but I always find it fun!"

At this time, Mother Song came in through the curtain and told Old Madam Wei that the snow water had been stored. She looked at Zhao Mingzhu, who was drinking tea next to Old Madam Wei, hesitated for a moment and said, "Old Madam, the maid who serves Ting'er in the outer courtyard just came over and told me about something that happened today..."

Mrs. Wei nodded. "You decide." She had a bowl of peeled pecans brought out for Mingzhu. Pecans were fragrant and crisp, and Mingzhu quite liked them, though they were difficult to peel. She had someone peel a small half bowl for Zhao Mingzhu every day. Zhao Mingzhu, however, was growing tired of them, nibbling at them intermittently, then looked up at Mother Song.

Mother Song then continued, "The Duke... invited Master Cheng to teach Ting'er, but he taught at the young lady's place. Master Cheng was there the whole time and only came out in the afternoon."

Mrs. Wei's hand paused slightly. Zhao Mingzhu also stood up from Mrs. Wei's body. "Cousin Cheng Lang is here today?"

Mrs. Wei remained expressionless. She pressed down Zhao Mingzhu's hand and asked Mother Song, "What does Wei Ling mean by this? Is he trying to bring Yi Ning... and Cheng Lang together?"

Mother Song shook her head in embarrassment. "That shouldn't be the case. The Duke already knew you were planning to marry Miss Mingzhu and Young Master Biao. Even if he had such a plan, he would have come to you to discuss it."

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