"Oh no, what an utterly heartless thing I’ve done!"
Lying on the couch, Bai Qingqing gasped for breath, pressing her fingers to the acupoint above her lip as if to wake herself from this nightmare. Her personal maid, Zidai, chuckled as she brought over a freshly brewed cup of tea. "Miss, what are you saying? Heartless? You mustn’t speak such nonsense."
Zidai poured the tea. "This was brewed with snowmelt from plum blossoms. Please, have a taste."
Bai Qingqing sat up and took a small sip. The tea was crisp and sweet, light on the tongue. But at this moment, even if it were nectar from the Jade Pool of the Immortals, it couldn’t calm her restless heart.
The more she thought about it, the more she despised her past self—foolish, selfish. For the sake of her own desires, she had forced her doting father to bow and scrape for favors. Worse still, she had ruined Yaoyao’s prospects for marriage.
All of Xuancheng knew that her marriage to Fu Yi had been her own doing, that she had shamelessly begged for it. When it came time for Yaoyao’s betrothal, there was no avoiding the whispers and judgment.
She was truly despicable.
"Zidai, we're going out... bring all my money."
Bai Qingqing recalled that Yaoyao had once adored a particular peony-patterned pearl necklace at Lingyun Pavilion. It had been a one-of-a-kind piece, but someone had bought it before she could, leaving her disappointed for a long time.
If she remembered correctly, that necklace had appeared at Lingyun Pavilion not long after the flower-viewing banquet.
She wanted to buy it for Yaoyao. Though she could never make up for the past, she had to do something.
Lingyun Pavilion was the largest jewelry shop in Xuancheng, constantly stocked with rare and fashionable treasures, making it a favorite among the city’s noblewomen.
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The Bai family had been long-time patrons. The moment the shopkeeper saw their carriage arrive, he hurried out to welcome her. "Miss Bai, what perfect timing! We just received a new collection of designs—pieces like nothing you've seen before."
Bai Qingqing kept her expression calm. "Bring them all out for me to see."
Soon, the shop assistants laid out a dazzling array of jewelry. Each piece was exquisite, eye-catching, and unique, but among them, she didn’t see the necklace she was looking for.
"Do you have any new peony-patterned pearl necklaces? Something never seen before."
"As a matter of fact, we do. We were planning to display it in a few days. Please wait a moment."
The shopkeeper sent someone to retrieve it. While waiting, Bai Qingqing absentmindedly browsed through the other ornaments. After all, no young lady could truly be indifferent to jewelry.
It had been so long since she had last gone shopping…
Bai Qingqing suddenly felt a pang of regret for herself. After marrying into the prince’s household, it was as if a lock had been placed around her. Every action had to follow strict propriety—managing household affairs, attending banquets, maintaining the perfect balance of decorum and restraint. Strolling through the market ? That was not something a prince’s wife should do. The manor provided her with everything she needed; why would she ever need to buy anything herself?
But now, faced with this endless array of jewelry, Bai Qingqing felt an unexpected thrill. She was admiring a delicate gold filigree hairpin when a voice from behind caught her attention.
"Sir, what would you like to buy? Lingyun Pavilion has everything—shall I introduce you to some of our finest pieces?"
"I’m looking for a peony-patterned pearl necklace."
Bai Qingqing froze. Her fingers clenched around the silk handkerchief in her palm, her entire body going rigid.
Had she misheard? Why did that voice sound exactly like Fu Yi’s?
She forced herself to steady her breath, set down the hairpin, and took a slow, casual step to the side. As she moved, her gaze flickered toward the speaker from the corner of her eye—then, just as quickly, she turned away, her pupils contracting in shock.
A wave of absurdity washed over her. Why would Fu Yi be here? A place didn’t suit him at all!
This has nothing to do with me, she told herself firmly. Bai Qingqing stood still, treating Fu Yi as nothing more than a stranger.
"Miss Bai, here is the necklace. Do you like it?"
As the shop assistant presented the necklace, Bai Qingqing’s eyes lit up.
It was the very same one Yaoyao had longed for.