Yuan Bi was shocked. In all the time he had followed Sihan, he had never seen him smile so happily. He lowered his eyes to the hand warmer in his lord’s hand. Since the Yunxiang Junzhu had given it to him, he had kept it with him at all times, indicating his lord truly cared about her.
Sihan said, “Send a message to Lumen Pavilion to find someone.”
“Who does my lord want to find?” Yuan Bi asked.
“Gui Wudu.”
“The Poison Saint?” Yuan Bi pondered. “Legends say Gui Wudu has always been elusive. What does my lord want with him?”
“If I’m poisoned with Shi Gu Han, he might be the only one who can cure it,” Sihan said coldly. “Whether he’s human or ghost, tell Lumen Pavilion to find him for me.”
“Yes,” Yuan Bi responded solemnly.
Just as Yuan Bi was about to leave, Sihan asked, “Haven’t seen Yuan Zhu recently. Where is she?”
Yuan Bi replied, “I heard she wanted to play with Mi Yue. She should be at Lumen Pavilion.”
“Call her back. I need her.”
“Yes.”
*
In Suyu Hall, Ning Wanwan massaged Old Madam Ning’s shoulders. Old Madam Ning leaned back, eyes closed, chuckling, “What made you come to my room these past few days?”
She paused, feeling something was off, and stared at Ning Wanwan. “Kindness without reason either harbors evil intentions or seeks a favor. What do you want your grandmother to do?”
Ning Wanwan secretly stuck out her tongue.
True to form, her schemes had long been seen through by her grandmother’s sharp eyes. Yet, she was too embarrassed to admit her desire to inquire about the Fire Lingzhi.
Her grandmother, a knowledgeable first-rank noble, would certainly know more about the precious Fire Lingzhi, which was extremely rare and likely to be found in Biandu City. So, Ning Wanwan offered a smile and said, “Grandmother thinks too much. Wanwan just wanted to chat with you.”
Old Madam Ning playfully teased, “How rare. You’re actually taking the initiative to chat with me.”
Hearing this, Ning Wanwan felt a surge of guilt. In her previous life, influenced by He and Lin Yuetong, she had distanced herself from her grandmother and rarely visited Suyu Hall.
Now, reflecting on her grandmother’s light-hearted remark, she realized how hurt her grandmother must have been during that time.
Turning to kneel before her grandmother, she took Old Madam Ning’s hands and solemnly said, “Grandmother, I’m sorry. I was ignorant before, listened to rumors, and deliberately distanced myself from you. Now I know you are the one who loves me most in this world. I will only listen to your words, please be assured.”
Old Madam Ning was moved to tears, tightly holding Ning Wanwan’s hands, “With these words, grandmother can die without regrets.”
Ning Wanwan pouted, “Grandmother, don’t say such inauspicious things. I don’t like to hear them.”
Ning Laotai suddenly burst into laughter, wiping away tears and nodding, “Good, good, let’s talk about something else.”
Ning Wanwan stood up and returned to Ning Laotai’s back to massage her shoulders. She said, “In a few days, it will be New Year’s Eve. You can host a banquet in the mansion, inviting your friends to gather and liven things up.”
In her previous life, Ning Wanwan hosted a small banquet during the New Year, inviting her boudoir sisters from Biandu City. Everyone came due to the Ning Mansion’s reputation, but there were hardly two truly close friends – it was just for liveliness.
Reborn in this life, Ning Wanwan had lost interest in such excitement. She shook her head and said, “I’ve hosted it every year. This year I’m tired and don’t want to do it.”
Ning Laotai was somewhat surprised, feeling that the child had become quieter recently. Worrying about Wanwan, she tried to help her relax and asked, “Don’t you love polo?”
I just heard that before New Year’s Eve, the Marquess, the Empress’s younger sister, will host a women’s polo match at Yao Dao Willow Path. You can go and play.”
Song people loved polo, especially the nobility who took pride in their skills.
Ning Wanwan smiled at Ning Laotai’s kind face, saying: “Grandmother hoped I would restrain my edge and not show off in public.”
Ning Wanwan’s polo skills were taught by Ning Laotai, but she had never displayed them publicly, only practicing alone at the suburban estate—something even He’s mother and daughter didn’t know.
Ning Laotai patted Ning Wanwan’s hand, speaking earnestly: “I was worried you’d be influenced by He’s mother and daughter, but now I trust your discretion.”
Ning Wanwan considered and shook her head: “I won’t go. The young Marquess is arrogant and competitive. Her event is just to gain fame. If I go, conflicts will be inevitable.”
Ning Laotai sighed in agreement: “What a pity about that excellent Fire Lingzhi.”
Upon hearing “Fire Lingzhi,” Ning Wanwan was energized. She suppressed her excitement and casually asked: “What Fire Lingzhi is Grandmother talking about?”
Fu Yi, holding the crescent moon staff, followed Ning Wanwan and excitedly whispered, “Miss, look, the King Yi is here too,” while pointing at Si Zhan on the viewing platform.
Ning Wanwan looked up and saw Si Zhan. He was initially focused on his tea but suddenly seemed to sense her gaze and looked up at her. Their eyes met, and Ning Wanwan felt Si Zhan’s gaze was different today—aggressive and fiery. She quickly averted her eyes.
Meanwhile, Si Yi, on the main viewing platform, noticed Ning Wanwan’s expression. After seeing Si Zhan smile at her, he felt an inexplicable irritation. He gulped down his tea and slammed the empty cup onto the table.
The empress, sitting nearby, frowned at the Crown Prince’s gloomy demeanor and thought he was still upset about being confined earlier.
At that moment, the female polo team members entered the field from both sides, led by Shao Yin in red robes, riding confidently towards Ning Wanwan and her group.
When the two teams met, Shao Yin was surprised to see Ning Wanwan leading the yellow team, her surprise mixed with hostility.
“Hmph, it’s actually you?” she remarked.
Ning Wanwan knew she would inevitably clash with Princess Shao Yin. Both were princesses of equal status, but Ning Wanwan’s background in the Duke’s mansion and her future Crown Princess title made her slightly more noble. Nonetheless, Shao Yin believed her bloodline was superior, viewing Ning Wanwan, whose father was a poor scholar, as less worthy.
Shao Yin’s family had hoped to marry her to the Crown Prince, but Ning Wanwan’s childhood betrothal thwarted those plans. Shao Yin regarded Ning Wanwan as a thorn in her side, as she believed only her Crown Prince brother was worthy of her.
As Shao Yin grew older, her family organized a polo match to help her choose a suitable husband, inviting young gentlemen from Biandu. Out of politeness, Ning Wanwan offered Shao Yin a faint, courteous smile.
Shao Yin, perched on her ornate saddle, looked down condescendingly at Ning Wanwan and said, “I didn’t expect the delicate Princess Yunxiang to join in the fun.” With a cold sneer, she warned, “But this isn’t an embroidery room. Be careful not to get hurt,” before proudly riding toward the center of the field.
The Marchioness was intent on having her daughter marry the Crown Prince. Since he was already betrothed to Ning Wanwan, she had found no opportunity to interfere. Now that Ning Wanwan had presented herself, she knew Shao Yin would seize this chance to teach her a harsh lesson. The Marchioness anticipated Ning Wanwan’s embarrassment, hoping to show her daughter that not choosing Shao Yin was a mistake.
