Yun Jinnian watched Qu Mianke as she took his hand, as her insincere laughter echoed, and as the light of jealousy gradually tainted her eyes.
"Hmm, it really is fate!" He responded indifferently.
He showed little emotion.
Qu Mianke was a Commandery Princess, and so was he.
Qu Mianke’s title of Commandery Princess came through her mother, while his was earned through his own efforts.
He had no need to flatter or fawn over Qu Mianke.
A detached coolness was best maintained until the end.
Qu Mianke leaned on Yun Jinnian with a smile, but her smile was tainted with jealousy.
Yun Jinnian’s hand was so soft, as if boneless, the skin was silky smooth, slicker than fine silk, touching it felt like the highest quality Hetian Warm Jade, irresistibly delightful to the touch.
His brother often said, beauty lies in the bones, and the Yun Jinnian in front of her was one whose beauty shone from within, surpassing all others in appearance.
It made her jealous and it made her anxious.
The cousin seldom visited the Princess Residence, yet this time he did come, supposedly to deliver an inkstone for another cousin. But an inkstone could be delivered anytime. Why choose this particular day, and just when Princess Yijia was here as well? Was it really just about delivering an inkstone?
She didn’t believe it.
"Then we must visit each other more often from now on!"
Yun Jinnian nodded lightly.
Qu Mianke let go of his hand and sat next to the Commandery Princess, coquettishly taking her arm, "Aunt, Princess Yijia is really beautiful!"
The Commandery Princess smiled, "Mianke is also very beautiful!"
"Hehe!" Qu Mianke laughed and took a hand warmer she had allegedly made from her maid, "Aunt, this is a hand warmer I made myself. Please try it on, does it fit your hand?
"You’ve put in the effort!"
The Commandery Princess had no intention of calling out Qu Mianke’s lie.
Who made the item was immediately obvious, and Qu Mianke’s needlework wasn’t all that great, yet she loved to show off, making trinkets to please others.
She still preferred Yun Jinnian’s straightforwardness.
She did not engage in these lowly tactics, thinking she was the smartest and everyone else fools.
This trait was very much like Ning An’s; no wonder they were mother and daughter.
Qu Mianke smiled joyfully.
The Commandery Princess signaled for Yun Jinnian and Chu Yu to sit down. After the maid served tea and sweets, Chu Yu finally said to Yun Jinnian, "Princess Yijia!"
Yun Jinnian responded earnestly.
He looked at Chu Yu with a faint smile.
Chu Yu felt an inexplicable sourness in his heart.
He still liked how Yun Jinnian looked at him with a subtle smile, no words needed for him to know her affection.
But not like now, so serious, hiding her feelings behind a facade of seriousness.
"Find some time to take my pulse too!"
Upon hearing this, Qu Mianke recalled something and hastily said, "Princess Yijia, thank you for helping my cousin detoxify. I’m not good with words and don’t know how to express my gratitude, so please allow me to bow to you!"
As she spoke, Qu Mianke stood up and walked in front of Yun Jinnian, preparing to bow.
Chu Yu’s voice suddenly sharpened, "Mianke, sit back down!"
"Cousin?" Confused, Qu Mianke looked at Chu Yu.
She would eventually be his wife, his Princess; what was wrong with her standing in for him?
"Sit back down!" Chu Yu’s voice was stern once more.
This was between him and Yun Jinnian, and he did not want Mianke to get involved.
And with Qu Mianke residing in the Prince Rui Residence, it had already caused enough misunderstandings.
Qu Mianke’s face turned pale, then flushed.
She turned with a look of hurt toward the Commandery Princess, who said with a smile, "Mianke, come here. Auntie will have a good talk with you later."
"Yes, I’ll listen to Auntie!"
Qu Mianke stepped down gracefully and sat down beside the Commandery Princess, secretly resenting Yun Jinnian in her heart.