Fiddling with the hairpin in her hand and looking at it shine under the sun, an unconfident Heng Yuqing asked, “Xueyan, what do you think about this hairpin? Is it pretty?”

Knowing her grandmother was about to celebrate her birthday, she invited Ning Xueyan out to get her help in picking a gift for her grandmother. They were inside a popular ornament shop in the capital, a shop that spanned eight rooms. All kinds of gold and silver jewelry could be found here, enough to highlight the wealth of the shop.

The aristocrats in the capital liked coming here mostly because of the variety of the jewelry available but also because of its novel designs. The shop would introduce a new series of ornaments and jewelry once in a while, which earned the favor of the aristocratic ladies in the capital.

Heng Yuqing was holding a set of opal ornaments. It wasn’t the most expensive set in the shop but it was valuable for the detailed carving of the word “Longevity” on every ornament. The craftsmanship was immaculate, too. It was a good choice as a gift for one’s elders.

Ning Xueyan glanced at the set of ornaments and nodded with a smile. “This is a nice set. The hairpin is pretty, too. I think it’ll match Madam Dowager very well. The set also looks well-thought and valuable as a gift.”

Hearing her reply, Heng Yuqing immediately nodded and told the shop employee, “Okay, this is it then. Wrap this up for me.”

“Yes,” the shop employee answered. Heng Yuqing’s maid followed him to pay the bill.

Heng Yuqing had been in a good mood lately. One could even say that it started ever since Concubine Yun lost influence. Once Concubine Yun lost her power, Heng Yuqing took Ning Xueyan’s advice and changed the physician attending to her mother. She had her maternal uncle step forward and invite a famous physician. The physician was able to determine that her mother’s persistent illness was the result of taking medicine that exacerbated her condition.

The drugging, as an investigation revealed, was the work of Concubine Yun.

When this matter was revealed, Lord Guardian tried to protect Concubine Yun and demand his wife conceal the matter with the excuse that it was her moral obligation as a woman. Concubine Yun even attempted suicide in the courtyard of the Lord Guardian’s wife, nearly causing the latter to die from anger. Heng Yuqing sought help from Madam Dowager, who launched a powerful countermeasure. She sent Concubine Yun to a nunnery and placed Heng Yuwan on house arrest, putting the matter to an end.

Later on, Lord Guardian’s wife gradually felt better until she was able to sit up and deal with things. It went without saying that Heng Yuqing was able to relax once her mother was fine. She was, of course, grateful to Ning Xueyan from the bottom of her heart. Without Ning Xueyan’s warning, her mother might very well be dead by now.

When she heard about the assassination attempt in Prince Yi’s Manor, she became worried about Ning Xueyan. She used the excuse of choosing a gift for her grandmother to meet Ning Xueyan. When she saw that Ning Xueyan was fine, she relaxed and started shopping around with her.

Having bought her gift, Heng Yuqing pointed to the teahouse opposite her and suggested, “Xueyan, why don’t we rest in that teahouse in front and chat over tea?”

Coincidentally, this teahouse belonged to Ming Manor.

Ning Xueyan nodded. They waited for Heng Yuqing’s maid to finish paying the bill and return with the set of opal ornaments before entering the teahouse opposite.

They went up to the second floor. Upon seeing that it was their young master’s cousin bringing another aristocratic lady with her, the shopkeeper courteously led them to a spacious private room with a window.

“It’s empty today?” Ning Xueyan asked in astonishment after seeing that they were taken to the best private room in the teahouse. She noticed that the first floor of the teahouse was filled with guests. How could such a great private room be left empty?

“Rest assured, Your Highness. This room is indeed empty today. We kept it open for our young master and his guest, but his servant sent word that he won’t be coming here. Isn’t your coincidental arrival just perfect?” the shopkeeper said, smiling.

What a coincidence indeed. Still, Ning Xueyan was disappointed not to see Ming Yuanhua. It had been a long time since she saw him. Although Ao Chenyi told her that her uncle was fine, she missed her uncle and cousin after not seeing them for so long.

She thought she might be able to run into them during this visit, but it seemed that it was fertile. She thanked the shopkeeper and waited until he left before settling down beside the window with Heng Yuqing. The maids took the tea that the teahouse employees prepared at the door and poured two cups for their masters.

“Is this your cousin’s teahouse?” Heng Yuqing asked curiously, twisting the handkerchief in her hands. She knew that Ning Xueyan’s mother came from Ming Manor.

“Yeah, but he’s not around,” Ning Xueyan said regretfully.

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“Let’s visit again next time,” Heng Yuqing said warmly. She had seen Ming Yuanhua from afar once. He was handsome and decisive. She had always preferred decisive men over soft-mannered gentlemen.

“Sure. We’ll visit again next time.” Ning Xueyan smiled sweetly, having understood Heng Yuqing’s enthusiasm. Perhaps it would be nice to have an efficient cousin-in-law.

Heng Yuqing became somewhat uneasy after seeing Ning Xueyan’s smile. Although she was a frank person, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed as if her secret had been discovered by her friend. She immediately brought up another topic and asked, “Is the Lord Protector’s Manor doing all right?”

She was asking about the transfer of the Lord Protector title. Ning Zu’an used to be in his prime but had no choice but to pass his title to his son. His official positions were all taken away and he became a truly idle person. He must be feeling dejected over his fall from the pedestal.

Ning Xueyan, however, was more than happy to see his fall from the pedestal. In her opinion, such an outcome was perfect for a greedy sycophant like Ning Zu’an. Now that he was free from actual power, he would not need to look for the troops of the previous dynasty. He would have all the time he needed to reflect on all the mistakes he made throughout the years.

“They’re fine. My second brother is inheriting the title. He’s the perfect candidate for it.” Ning Xueyan smiled faintly.

The one suffering from the fall from the pedestal wasn’t Ning Zu’an alone. There was also Madam Dowager. Madam Dowager had been sending messengers lately, requesting her return. After Ning Huaijing became the new Lord Protector, Madam Yu was promoted as a wife and became Madam Dowager Yu. Madam Dowager must be upset to be on the same level as a concubine-maid.

Madam Dowager wanted her to return home and support her, but what a pity. She never thought of supporting Madam Dowager. She rejected all of her invitations, saying that she couldn’t leave home after experiencing a fright.

Heng Yuqing was worried, but Ning Xueyan’s sincere words and relaxed smile made her smile. She didn’t care for politics, but everyone in the capital knew that the noble Prince Yi’s Manor was a dangerous place to be in. If the Lord Protector’s Manor made things worse for Ning Xueyan, she would be in a more unfavorable position.

Suddenly, Heng Yuqing’s maid pointed outside the window and said in astonishment, “Huh? Young Lady, isn’t that Second Young Lady Heng?”

They were seated by the window and the street below was the same street that they had just been on. From their position, they could see the whole street, especially everything inside the gold shop opposite.

And the person that the maid was pointing at was standing at the shopfront.

Heng Yuqing took a look, her confused gaze falling on the lady underneath. The lady had a maid with her. Both lowered their heads and looked inside, only revealing half of their faces. Looking at the profile of the lady’s face, she did resemble Heng Yuwan. But, shouldn’t Heng Yuwan be on house arrest?

“That should be Second Young Lady Heng down there!” Ning Xueyan leaned closer to the window for a look and nodded. Though she hadn’t met Second Young Lady Heng much, she remembered her well. That lady downstairs was undoubtedly Second Young Lady Heng. However, she wasn’t familiar with the Lord Guardian’s Manor. She gave Heng Yuqing a confused look. “Can’t she come out?”

“When Concubine Yun kicked up a fuss at my mother’s courtyard, she was there too. She gave us so much trouble, whining and crying like her mother. My grandmother put her on house arrest for it and told her to relearn women’s etiquette. Why is she out today?” Heng Yuqing said, confused.

“She looks like she’s waiting for someone.” Heng Yuwan was still outside the shop. She turned her head to look outside. This time, everyone could see clearly that it was indeed Heng Yuwan.

“What is she up to now? No, I need to take a look. Xueyan, wait for me here. I’ll go down and see what she’s up to.”

Heng Yuqing stood up. It went without saying she disliked Concubine Yun and her daughter. Her mother nearly died in Concubine Yun’s hands and the latter even used her mother’s life to force her into marrying Prince Yi. Their actions angered her.

Thus, she immediately felt suspicious of Heng Yuwan after seeing her here. Were they trying to harm her mother again? She couldn’t sit here and relax anymore.

“Go ahead. I’ll be watching from here.” Ning Xueyan knew from Heng Yuqing’s expression that she couldn’t stop her. She nodded and pointed at her. “Don’t get too close to her lest she should notice you.”

“I understand!” Heng Yuqing nodded, exited the private room with her maid, and rushed down the stairs.

Ning Xueyan continued to sit by the window, watching Heng Yuwan from above. Heng Yuwan seemed to be in a hurry. She looked around but didn’t notice anyone. Thinking that she was being conspicuous, she led her maid into the shop and disappeared from Ning Xueyan’s view.

When she shifted her gaze, she saw Heng Yuqing walking out of the teahouse. Heng Yuqing didn’t enter the shop, but hid in the neighboring shopfront instead, giving the door of the gold shop several cautious glances.

If Ning Xueyan didn’t know that Heng Yuqing was there to keep an eye on Heng Yuwan, she wouldn’t have known what she was up to. A smile appeared on her face. Heng Yuqing looked like a careless girl but she was very careful. Her current performance was proof enough…

Suddenly, someone appeared on the street below. Ning Xueyan couldn’t help but frown. She didn’t expect to see this person here.