"Where’s Xiaobei?" asked Xin He casually.
"Young Master Xiaobei... is currently nowhere to be found. Perhaps he has gone to see Miss Liu from the Song family," replied Shulan somewhat sheepishly.
Xin He laughed lightly, "This child, never mind him. After all, the marriage has been arranged. It’s good for them to build their relationship in advance to avoid unfamiliarity later."
Shulan stared at Ji Xinhe in shock. What happened to the principle that men and women must not have private meetings? Was it truly alright for the princess to teach a child like this?!
While speaking, Xin He headed to the outer courtyard, intending to send someone to find Xiaobei from the front hall. Then, she planned to return directly to Lian’an Town. Since everything was already done, it made no sense to stay longer.
Just as she emerged from a narrow alley, she saw a stunningly beautiful woman sitting on the waterside pavilion not far away.
Xin He noticed her because her features bore a striking resemblance to Song Yalin’s, even their calm gaze seemed identical. Yet, there was an element of deliberation in Song Yalin’s composure, a stark contrast to the tranquil stillness that rested in the unnamed woman’s eyes. It was as if she had seen through the world’s ebbs and flows.
"Which daughter of the Song family is this?" Xin He asked Xiaoyu, turning her head.
Xiaoyu took a closer look and shook her head in confusion, "This servant is unsure. Judging from her elaborate dress and behavior, she seems more prestigious than other common-born girls."
Xin He paused in thought, recalling that the Song family actually had three legitimate daughters. The Eldest Miss of Song Family is now Consort Shu, while the Third Miss, Song Yalin, has been trained since childhood to become a prince’s consort, even earning her the reputation as the top maiden in Yu State.
The rumors had it that when the Song family had a daughter, a hundred families would seek her out. It seemed to be a given that the daughters of the Song family should be fawned over by countless stars, sitting high above the rest.
Yet, the public only saw the splendid splendor of the Eldest Miss and Third Miss from the Song family, with little mention of the Second Miss.
It almost seemed as if everyone was intentionally forgetting the existence of Second Miss from the Song family.
"Could this be the Second Miss of the Song family?" Xin He asked.
"The Second Miss? Is it possible that she is still unmarried?" Shulan asked uncertainly.
Xiaoyu said in a lowered voice, "The Second Miss of the Song family has been plagued by serious illness since childhood. It’s said her condition has always been very poor, almost on the brink of death several years ago. If care was not taken, she could die anytime. Therefore, she couldn’t get married."
Upon a closer look, Xin He noticed that the woman’s face was indeed pallid, so pale that even the delicate veins on her hands were clearly visible. A gust of chilling wind would trigger a fit of coughing.
Unconsciously, a phrase popped into Xin He’s mind: a doomed beauty.
The woman on the pavilion noticed Xin He’s gaze and turned to look back. Her usually placid eyes contained a rare hint of novelty, and she even curved her lips in a faint smile towards Xin He.
Xin He simply stepped onto the waterside pavilion, "May I know which Miss are you..."
The maid by her side looked somewhat troubled as she responded, "This servant pays her respect to the princess. I’m afraid you might not be aware, this is our Second Miss."
Xin He raised an eyebrow, as expected.
Just as the Second Miss was about to bow, a series of coughs interrupted her.
The little maid hurriedly tried to make her comfortable, suggesting at the same time, "Second Miss, perhaps it’s better not to stay outside too long. You just got a bit better. Please take care not to worsen your condition."
"I’m fine," the Second Miss of the Song family dismissed the maid’s worry with a wave of her hand. She then turned to Xin He, saluting with propriety, "I pay my respects to the princess."
Xin He quickly helped her steady, "Given the Second Miss’s poor health, there’s no need for formalities."
Song Yaqing gave a weak smile, "I rarely meet outsiders. I’m quite delighted to have the fortune of meeting the princess today."
"Second Miss, given your frail health, why are you out in the wind?" Xin He asked.
"I’ve been cooped up inside for so many years. On a rare occasion like today, I wish to stay outside a little longer." Song Yaqing’s voice was faint, showing her weak health.
A wave of sorrow filled Xin He’s heart. Such a woman was unfortunately tormented so severely by illness.
Just as Xin He was about to ask further, the little maid couldn’t sit still anymore. She urgently said, "Second Miss, you really can’t stay outside any longer. If your illness gets worse all of a sudden, this servant won’t dare to bear the consequences. If Lady Song finds out, she might scold me severely. Second Miss, let’s go back quickly."
A momentary look of disappointment flashed across Song Yaqing’s eyes. She could only nod, "Alright."
After exchanging courtesies with Ji Xinhe, Song Yaqing reluctantly turned to leave.
Watching the frail figure fade into the distance, Xin He’s eyebrows knitted slightly. She asked Xiaoyu, "Do you know what illness has befallen the Second Miss of the Song family? If it’s congenital, it’s strange that she suffers from it but Song Yalin does not."
Such a serious illness, one wonders how she contracted it.
Xiaoyu lowered her voice to a whisper, "This servant doesn’t know the specifics. But rumors have it that it seems to be the work of a jealous concubine..."
The light in Xin He’s eyes sharpened, "Where is this concubine now?"
"Of course she was secretly executed. Surely, Princess, you don’t believe that Lady Song would allow a woman who harmed her own daughter to live?"
Xin He shook her head, "So what if she’s dead? Isn’t the Second Miss of the Song family still like this?"
Shulan was shocked by this revelation, "That, that, that is too audacious!"
Xiaoyu spoke coldly, "When has there ever been a lack of such dirty affairs within a large household?"
Xin He scoffed, "Yes, indeed. The dirty affairs of large households have never been few."
An unseen place full of dirty secrets. Ji Xinhe could easily imagine what could happen within such a household.
Shulan shivered with fear as she listened, "This is a legitimate daughter of the Song family. What kind of people would dare to harm her so? Our royal mansion must never bring in any other women. Otherwise, what will happen to our little princess?"
Xiaoyu shot her a look, "What nonsense are you speaking?"
Xin He only said indifferently, "Let’s go."
Shulan awkwardly trailed behind, fearing that Ji Xinhe was angry because of her reckless words just now. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
However, Xin He was not angry. Besides pity for Song Yaqing, she was not affected by any other emotions. She never worried that Ah Guai would be harmed, she would do everything in her power to protect her from being bullied. She would ensure her growth was safe and secure, protecting her throughout a smooth life.
The concerns Shulan had voiced were baseless.
However, Ji Xinhe couldn’t help but develop a strange curiosity towards the Second Miss of the Song family whom she had met today. She wasn’t sure where this curiosity stemmed from or what it was for, perhaps it was a woman’s intuition?
By the time Xin He arrived at the outer residence of the Song family, Xiaobei was already waiting respectfully in the front hall. It seemed that this little fellow knew his place.
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