Qu Mianke saw Simei’s expression and knew things had gone awry.
"Let’s just forget about it and go find Sister Mingming!"
Simei nodded and followed Qu Mianke to Yuwen Ming’s courtyard.
Now in the entire Princess Residence, among the girls, only Yuwen Ming was conferred the title of Commandery Princess, and relatively speaking, Qu Mianke still preferred to seek her company for play.
Birds of a feather flock together, after all.
As for others, Qu Mianke held them in disdain.
After dinner, Yuwen Ming had intended to take Yun Jinnian for a stroll in her courtyard, but a maid hurried over and whispered a few words into Yuwen Ming’s ear, causing her brow to furrow slightly.
"What’s wrong?" Yun Jinnian asked.
"It’s nothing, Sister Jinnian, a few plum blossoms have bloomed in the residence, let me take you to enjoy the plum blossoms!"
The two of them got up and left.
No sooner had they left than Qu Mianke arrived, and upon learning that Yuwen Ming had taken Yun Jinnian to appreciate the plum blossoms, she quickly followed.
However, halfway there, Yuwen Ming and Yun Jinnian took a detour to another place.
The Princess of the State had a Lotus Pond, and though now bereft of lotus leaves and flowers, the remaining stems and leaves were still a sight to behold.
"Sister Jinnian, what do you think?"
"It has quite the charm. Next year, when the young lotus leaves emerge and the dragonflies fly about, it will surely be another beautiful scene!"
"Yes, every year when the lotus flowers bloom, they are exceptionally beautiful. I always pick some to place in my mother’s room, and when there are lotus seeds, I gather them to make soup. Grandmother can always have a bowl. But next year, I will be married, and who knows when I can return to pick a lotus flower or harvest a few pods..." Yuwen Ming said, her eyes brimming with tears.
If it were possible, she would rather not marry at all and stay by her grandmother’s side, leading a peaceful life.
Her grandmother wanted her happiness.
So no matter how reluctant she felt, she had to get married!
"If you are set on it, you can always come back whenever you wish. I believe Sister Mingming will find a way to persuade your brother-in-law to accompany you back to the Princess Residence when the lotus blooms, so you can show your filial piety beside the Princess!"
Yuwen Ming smiled, "I hope so!"
But the man she was to marry was the eldest son, raised under stringent discipline from a young age. She had met him; a man of few words, who, even in her company, offered little conversation and was as silent as a wooden figure.
In the end, perhaps he didn’t like her, since she could find no hint of shyness or joy on his face.
"Sister Mingming will see her wish fulfilled!"
The two of them held onto the hand-warming brazier, standing by the Lotus Pond, gazing at the pond covered with withered leaves, each lost in their thoughts.
"Princess Yijia, Mingming!" A refined voice called out.
They turned to look and saw Yuwen Ya, to which Yuwen Ming called out "Brother."
Yun Jinnian greeted with a bow, "Young Master Yuwen!"
"What are you doing here? My aunt has been looking for you!" Yuwen Ya asked.
"We just came here on a whim. My aunt is looking for us? Where is she now? Let’s go find her!" Yuwen Ming replied, naive and whimsical.
Yun Jinnian smiled modestly.
She had not expected Yuwen Ming to be such a girl, a revelation that surprised her.
"..." Yuwen Ya was momentarily taken aback.
He wasn’t a fool and immediately understood.
He also didn’t like Qu Mianke.
Chuckling twice, he pointed in a direction, "Go find her over there, I’m off to find Tianci now!"
Yun Jinnian hurriedly said, "Young Master Yuwen, please tell Tianci for me that we are heading home!"
"Sure thing, I’ll tell Tianci right away. See you at our grandmother’s place!" Yuwen Ya said with a smile, turning to go find Han Tianci.
Since they were leaving, they would take their leave from the Princess of the State and then go, so they missed Qu Mianke once again.