C12 Shen Xin
Mo Ruyan's face was hidden in the shadows cast by Xiao Zhen and Nan Ying, making it hard to see, but Nan Yanwu could still feel Mo Ruyan's gaze on her. She took a moment to steady her emotions, keeping her eyes lowered, but slightly raised her head and bowed again, saying, "Father, it's been a while since I last saw Consort Shen. There's a banquet at the Glass Hall today, which is close to her quarters. May I go visit her?"
Nan Ying pondered for a moment, feeling a bit uneasy, and said, "It's good to have such intentions, but with important guests here..." He glanced at Xiao Zhen, clearly considering his opinion.
Xiao Zhen smiled warmly and said, "It's rare for the princess to show such filial piety. There's no need to worry, Your Highness."
"Go ahead. Just be sure to return early and don't neglect the guests," Nan Ying said, seeing that Xiao Zhen had made his stance clear, he couldn't argue further and allowed Nan Yanwu to leave, though he couldn't help but offer a few reminders.
"Yes," Nan Yanwu replied, already heading back in the direction they had come from.
As she passed by Xiao Zhen, he caught a glimpse of the green hem of her dress and suddenly paused. Could Nan Yanwu be the woman he saw on the city tower today?
Mo Ruyan noticed Nan Yanwu's "unintentional" glance at him but pretended not to see it, slightly curling his lips in silence.
"Consort, the princess requests an audience," a maid announced.
"Yanwu? Isn't she supposed to be at the banquet? Why is she here? Never mind, let her in," Shen Xin said, surprised.
Though Nan Yanwu and Shen Xin got along well, they didn't often meet. With the banquet about to start, her visit surely meant something was up.
Nan Yanwu took a deep breath to steady herself before entering the hall. She gracefully bowed to the person seated, saying, "Greetings, Consort."
"Get up, why are you here?" Consort Shen's voice carried a hint of reproach toward Nan Yanwu for being inconsiderate and carefree. "I recall there's a banquet today to welcome the Crown Prince, and it should be starting soon. Yet, here you are."
"Please forgive my intrusion, Consort," Nan Yanwu replied, looking slightly hesitant. "I got caught up in my own amusements and completely forgot about the banquet. By the time my maid came to fetch me, there wasn't enough time to get ready properly. I feared I might appear disrespectful, so I told my father I was coming to visit you. I hope you don't mind..."
"I understand," Consort Shen interrupted. "Luer, take the princess to freshen up and let her choose an outfit to change into. I'm not sure if my clothes will fit her or match the elegance of her own wardrobe."
Turning to Lvyu, Consort Shen instructed, "You're the princess's maid. Go to her quarters and bring back something suitable, in case my clothes don't fit. Be quick, so we don't waste any more time."
"Thank you, Consort," Nan Yanwu said as she followed Luer to freshen up.
After getting ready, Luer selected an outfit from Consort Shen's collection. Nan Yanwu changed out of her green silk dress and into a light blue skirt with a delicate floral pattern, topped with a moon-white robe. She thanked Consort Shen and headed straight to the banquet hall.
As she walked, the sound of music filled the air, but her heart felt heavy. She couldn't help but remember the music that played during Su Yilan's coronation as Empress, a celebration that never seemed to be for her. The thought left her feeling melancholic.
Right now, she had no desire to see Xiao Zhen. She wished she could escape the palace and the city, but that was just a foolish dream. She felt like a moth drawn to a flame, knowing it would lead to her downfall, yet unable to resist.
Out of control.
This dinner party, in a previous life, had ended in disaster because of her stubbornness, leaving everyone unhappy and turning her and Nan Yuvyi into bitter enemies. In this life, she didn't hope for Xiao Zhen to notice her, nor did she aspire to have the skill to protect anyone through careful planning. She only wished to get through the evening peacefully.
