01 Nian Nian’s Embroidery

In You Nian Pavilion sat three beautiful women, all lowering their heads doing something.

“Nian’er, you’re wrong again!” Hua Mu Qing speechlessly gaped at the pouch in Lan You Nian’s hand. She always thought she wasn’t good at these things, but seeing Lan You Nian’s embroidery, Hua Mu Qing felt her embroidery was so much better.

Yue Bai Lian put down the outer robes she was making for Feng Xia Qi and picked up the pouch Lan You Nian had thrown down an nth number of times, forcing back a giggle as she said, “This one is much better than the last. Nian’er shouldn’t be discouraged. You can fix it with more care!”

Lan You Nian wailed as she picked up the tragic-looking pouch. Because she wanted to embroider a pouch for Feng Yi Xuan, she dragged Hua Mu Qing and Yue Bai Lian over so she won’t be so lonely. But Lan You Nian didn’t expect her embroidery work was the worst of all three. Even Hua Mu Qing’s embroidery work was several times better than hers.

“Why is it so hard?” Lan You Nian looked at her embroidered pouch and compared it to the embroidery of Yue Bai Lian. This simply couldn’t be seen alright? How can she gift this to Feng Yi Xuan? This pouch was to be worn on the waist. If others saw Feng Yi Xuan wearing such a bizarre pouch, Ming w.a.n.g’s face would be totally humiliated.

Yue Bai Lian was about to have Lan You Nian practice some more but when she saw the holes poked by needles in Lan You Nian’s fingertips, she didn’t feel good inside. She was clearly a cold and apathetic girl but she was willing to do these things for the man she put in her heart. Yue Bai Lian felt such a Lan You Nian made people’s heart ache.

“Nian’er, you are already doing very well. Look at your injuries!” Yue Bai Lian said and took out an ointment. Hua Mu Qing thoughtlessly took a look at Lan You Nian’s hands, and felt blame seeing the pinp.r.i.c.ks. For them, Lan You Nian was already the best, whether or not she can do these things. For some reason, everyone’s feelings toward Lan You Nian was that towards a little sister who needed protection. Hence, everyone was willing to indulge her.

Lan You Nian saw it was becoming late outside and feared Feng Yi Xuan will come back early and had Lan Qu put the things away. She put her fingers on the table allowing Yue Bai Lian to apply the ointment. She felt Yue Bai Lian was becoming more and more of a virtuous wife and mother, despite not being a mother yet.

What Lan You Nian was unaware was that every time Yue Bai Lian came back from You Nian Pavilion, she and Feng Xia Qi would always talk about Lan You Nian that day. Their hearts were full. Though they have already married, their thoughts haven’t changed at all.

“Oh right, Nian’er, I noticed there seems to be something slightly off with the Old Madame!” Hua Mu Qing said curiously. Ever since Hua Mu Qing married into Lan manor, Lan You Nian had Hua Mu Qing manage the entire Lan manor’s residence, for this was Hua Mu Qing’s home. To their delight, though Hua Mu Qing had a rambunctious temper, there was nothing to pick out from her management. After entering Lan manor, with Uncle Lan’s help, Lan manor was managed very well. Hence, Hua Mu Qing would be the first to know if there was something strange with Old Madame.

Lan You Nian looked at the fingers that were rubbed with ointment, feeling much cooler and the pain from the pinp.r.i.c.ks were feeling much better. Unconcerned, she asked, “Oh? What’s strange?” To speak the truth, Lan You Nian didn’t take Old Madame seriously. Hence why she kept her alive. But it seems this Old Madame was feeling restless. She just didn’t know what was the cause.

“Previously, because of you, Old Madame never steps out of her courtyard but not only Old Madame comes out of her courtyard, she goes to drink tea with those matrons from ministerial families. More importantly, Old Madame invites some madams and young ladies to Lan manor. I can’t find an excuse to stop her so I allowed Old Madame to do so. From the looks of it, there’s nothing wrong with Old Madame but I keep feeling something’s wrong!” Hua Mu Qing said. She was aware that this Old Madame wasn’t a good person. The current Lan manor was harmonious, besides that Old Madame.

Lan You Nian frowned asking, “What people has Old Madame had contact with?” Lan You Nian was well aware was dependent on something to do this, or perhaps someone was behind it, so Old Madame will not fear her and had her own ideas.

Hua Mu Qing considered it carefully. Because Old Madame wasn’t a good person, Hua Mu Qing had her servant girl pay attention. But concerning who’s been in contact, Hua Mu Qing thought of many. As she thought, Hua Mu Qing’s eyes brightened, “Not much of contact but after Old Madame’s birthday, Consort Tao of the palace sent a palace maid to compensate a birthday gift for Old Madame. At that time, I felt it was strange. Though Father has a high position in court, Old Madame is merely a old woman of the courtyard. Besides, what status is Consort Tao? It was inappropriate to do so!”

“That Consort Tao again…” Lan You Nian knocked on the table’s surface and asked, “Do you feel that this Consort Tao is familiar?” For some reason, Lan You Nian kept feeling this Consort Tao had too much animosity towards her. From first glance, Lan You Nian felt she knew this woman.

Yue Bai Lian and Hua Mu Qing considered it and shook their head. They didn’t feel there was anything familiar with this Consort Tao. Yue Bai Lian asked worriedly, “Could she be Nian’er’s enemy? If you’re entering the palace, you must come with me. I fear this Consort Tao has bad intentions!”

Yue Bai Lian knew of Lan You Nian’s ident.i.ty as Young Master Wu Qing. She feared Lan You Nian had offended someone and that person came for revenge.

Lan You Nian nodded. Naturally she’ll be wary of this Consort Tao. The enemies on the surface weren’t frightening. What was fearsome was the enemies that couldn’t be seen. Such an enemy will take a bite out of you when you’re not careful. The best method was to get rid of it.

Yue Bai Lian and Hua Mu Qing saw it was getting dark and prepared to leave. Yue Bai Lian was thinking of going back and discussing Consort Tao’s matters. They must protect Nian’er, so this Consort Tao couldn’t stay!

Lan Wu and Lan Qu carried dishes of food into the pavilion. Seeing young miss laying on the soft couch, pondering on some unknown matter, the two didn’t bother her and silently stood by the table. They knew young miss was definitely thinking about things.

Until Lan You Nian was picked up, Lan You Nian returned to her senses and saw Feng Yi Xuan who came back early. Lan You Nian smiled, “Why are you back so early?”

“Wu…” Feng Yi Xuan carried Lan You Nian over to the table to eat, “Missed you!” Feng Yi Xuan’s words weren’t a lie. He really missed Nian Nian. Seeing there wasn’t anything important in the military camp, he came back. The Ming army understood their master’s feelings and sent Feng Yi Xuan ambiguous looks.

“If I have time, I’ll go with you to the military camp alright?” Lan You Nian said. She didn’t care how others looked at her, as long as she could accompany Feng Yi Xuan. Besides, those rough men in the military camp were much easier to interact with than those young ladies of prominent families.

Feng Yi Xuan smiled, “Alright!” As for women not being allowed to enter the military camp, he didn’t care for it at all. In Feng Yi Xuan’s eyes, if Lan You Nian wanted the throne, Feng Yi Xuan will rob it for Lan You Nian without any consideration.

The two of them chatted as they ate but Lan You Nian’s hands that were p.r.i.c.ked by needles were uncomfortable holding chopsticks. Lan You Nian feared Feng Yi Xuan would notice so she acted coquettishly as she said, “I want Xuan to feed me!” Lan You Nian demanded a.s.sertively, her mouth open, very much like a little beast waiting to be fed, making Feng Yi Xuan want to take a few bites.

Feng Yi Xuan hated Lan You Nian couldn’t act coquettish like this every day, loved to feed her every meal. If it were other men, they’d feel annoyed but for Feng Yi Xuan, to be together with Nian Nian, he was very happy and enjoyed himself. Even if it meant serving Nian Nian, he did so with all his heart.

“Have you investigated that Consort ao?” Lan You Nian asked. As for enemies, Lan You Nian wanted to grasp all the clues. Lan You Nian used Wu Qing Pavilion to investigate this Consort Tao but haven’t found anything useful. Hence, she asked Feng Yi xuan. After all, Ghost Realm’s forces weren’t to be underestimated.

Feng Yi Xuan took a few bites and said, “This Consort Tao’s background was simply too ordinary. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong but the more it seemed like there was nothing wrong, the more it meant there was a problem.”

Feng Yi Xuan recalled the information he uncovered. Consort Tao was a child of an ordinary merchant family. Because she entered the palace as a palace maid, the Emperor took a liking to her and favored her and became Consort Tao. It looked like a very ordinary experience but Feng Yi Xuan saw something unusual about it. How could a woman be so clean? So there was something seriously wrong with this Consort Tao.

“He, no matter what, this Consort Tao won’t win!” Lan You Nian mused. Because this Consort Tao didn’t conceal her hatred very well, this Consort Tao was destined to lose. But Lan You Nian had to admit this Consort Tao found the best backer to use.

Feng Yi Xuan grabbed Lan You Nian’s hand, preparing to take a stroll. Every night after the two finished their meal, Feng Yi Xuan feared Lan You Nian won’t be able to digest and so would take Lan You Nian out for a stroll in the courtyard. But as Feng Yi Xuan was going to grab Lan You Nian’s delicate hands, Lan You Nian giggled delicately and walked out of the pavilion first. Feng Yi Xuan’s eyes flashed and swiftly carried Lan You Nian into the pavilion.

“Take out your hands!” Feng Yi Xuan demanded with a stony face. If others were to see it, they would be frightened beyond belief but Lan You Nian merely giggled and didn’t listen. She already knew Feng Yi Xuan was suspicious of her hands, but Lan You Nian really didn’t want Feng Yi Xuan to worry. She hasn’t finished learning embroidery work yet. She still wanted to give Feng Yi Xuan a surprise.

“No!” Lan You Nian put her hands behind her back, very much like a rascally child as she curled up on the bed, refusing to take out her hands. Feng Yi Xuan was extremely worried and was going to yank Lan You Nian’s hand out, but afraid of hurting Lan You Nian; thus, the two played out the scene of one person dodging as the other coaxed.

In the end, Feng Yi Xuan was totally out of his wits as he kissed Nian Nian’s red lips. When Lan You Nian’s legs were softening and everything becoming hazy, he pulled out those small hands. With one look, Feng Yi Xuan’s face turned for the worst, as his voice was stern, “How did this happen?”

Lan You Nian pursed her lips and said, “By accident. In any case, it’s fine. Xuan?”

Feng Yi Xuan took a long look at Lan You Nian. The meaning was clear: he wanted to hear the truth. Feng Yi Xuan heart-achingly kissed Lan You Nian’s red and bruised fingers. Lan You Nian felt ticklish by Feng Yi Xuan’s kisses, wanting to rip her hands out but she wasn’t stronger than Feng Yi Xuan.

“I confess! So ticklis.h.!.+” Lan You Nian giggled as she fell onto the quilt, her cheeks red like an apple.

Feng Yi Xuan kissed Lan You Nian’s hand and took out a fine quality ointment to apply it onto Lan You Nian’s fingers but his eyes remained on Lan You Nian, his voice gentle, “If you don’t confess, I’ll summon Lan Qu and the others!”

“Don’t!” Lan You Nian stopped him and stammered bashfully. Even if Feng Yi Xuan tried to listne, he couldn’t hear what Lan You Nian was saying and could only shout outside, “Lan Wu, Lan Qu, come in!”

Lan Qu and Lan Wu who were outside cleaning up the table trembled, not understanding what’s wrong with this Ming w.a.n.g who didn’t usually talk to them. Still, they walked into the chamber and saw Ming w.a.n.g tenderly applying ointment on their young miss’s fingers and instantly understood.

“What’s wrong with Nian Nian’s hand?” Feng Yi Xuan asked.

“I forbid you from speaking!” Lan You Nian stood up from the bed, “You are my friends, you’re not allowed to sell me out!” Lan You Nian knew for sure if Feng Yi Xuan knew why she became like this, he will definitely want to take a look at the pouch she made him, but that pouch was too tragic to look at!

“Speak!” Feng Yi Xuan demanded and feared Nian Nian will be angry and said, “If they don’t talk, you can tell me alright?” Seeing Nian Nian like this, Feng Yi Xuan felt there was certainly something up with the injuries on her fingers.

As Lan Qu was still hesitating, Lan Wu jumped out to say, “Ming w.a.n.g, young miss’s fingers became like this from embroidering a pouch for Ming w.a.n.g!” Saying this, Lan Wu didn’t look at their young miss’s angry face and directly dragged on Lan Qu, running out.

Lan You Nian curled up in the quilt in embarra.s.sment. Feng Yi Xuan saw Lan You Nian nest like a ostrich, feeling both heart ache and pleasure in his heart. Fearing the quilt will suffocate Lan You Nian, Feng Yi Xuan dragged Lan You Nian out and into his arms, joyously asking, “Embroidering a pouch for me?”

Lan You Nian knew she couldn’t hide it any longer and nodded, “I wanted to make a personal object for you but it seems I’m really not skilled with embroidery.”

“Where is it?” Feng Yi Xuan asked, his voice carried eagerness.

Lan You Nian pointed to the box on the dresser. Feng Yi Xuan held Lan You Nian as he opened the box and saw the embroidered pouch that couldn’t be considered good looking. The pouch was black, embroidered with a spider lily. On the back of the pouch, it was embroidered with a “Xuan”. If it wasn’t for the embroidery work, this pouch would be considered good looking.

“Uh that, I’m just learning to embroider. This is the first one I made. In a few days, I will definitely embroider a pretty pouch and give it to you!” Lan You Nian said, ready to take back the pouch in Feng Yi Xuan’s hand but was evaded by Feng Yi Xuan.

Feng Yi Xuan stuffed the pouch into his chest, his eyes filled with an excited smile, “This is very good. The first one Nian Nian embroidered is the best. Don’t make any more in the future. Seeing the injuries on your hand, my heart aches…”

“But…” Lan You Nian wanted to refute but was stifled by Feng Yi Xuan’s kiss. Hazily, Lan You Nian could only hear whisper in her eyes, “As long as it was made by Nian Nian, I will like it, they’re all the best!”