Figuring out how to properly thank Ning Yan was still a thorny problem Bai Qingqing hadn’t unraveled, but it would have to wait—for now, the upcoming Lunar Festival took priority.

Not just the Bai family, but every prominent household in Xuancheng was preparing for the grand celebration. Shops selling rouge, jewelry, and embroidery bustled with activity; people swarmed in with silver in hand, all vying for the most fashionable, the most unique—price be damned, as long as it dazzled.

Qingxin Pavilion, Bai Qingqing’s own shop, was packed with visitors. Business was so good that the shopkeeper couldn’t stop grinning.

Some with status—or close connections—hoped for something truly one of a kind. They sent word, requesting custom fragrances directly from Bai Qingqing. Among them, one request struck her as especially strange.

“Why would Consort Xian come to me?” Bai Qingqing was puzzled.

Consort Xian was one of the emperor’s favored concubines, from a powerful family, beautiful and deft in social affairs. Her favor in the palace never waned.

But she was also closely allied with Princess Consort Ping. In Bai Qingqing’s past life, the princess consort had visited the palace every month to keep Consort Xian company, always bringing along rare and precious gifts—always saving the best for her.

With a bond like that, why would Consort Xian be reaching out to her? Hadn’t the princess consort said anything?

“Since she’s sent someone to ask, just pick a few good scents from the shop and send them over. For anything else, say there’s nothing more.”

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Having seen to the proper etiquette, Bai Qingqing thought little more of it. But when those few selected fragrances reached Consort Xian, she was clearly not pleased.

“The scent I smelled at Huaifu’s was far more exquisite than these. Is that Bai girl trying to fob me off with something common?”

The Princess Consort of Prince Ping, summoned to the palace as company, let out a faint, knowing laugh. “Your Grace may not be aware, but that Bai Qingqing is rather shrewd. Ever since the prayer gathering at Qinghan Temple, she’s grown close to the Eldest Princess. So many noblewomen were present that day, yet it was she who caught Her Highness’s eye—that says something, doesn’t it?”

Consort Xian’s brow furrowed slightly. “Didn’t you say before that you were considering a marriage alliance with the Duke of England’s family? If that girl is truly like this, perhaps you should drop the idea. Better that than bringing home someone who’ll only make you miserable.”

“Tell me about it.”

The Princess Consort sighed softly, her face tinged with helplessness. “But who knows what trick that girl used to bewitch Yier so thoroughly. These days he listens to nothing but her. Your Grace knows how fond I am of well-behaved girls, but when that Bai Qingqing heard I kept Qingyun by my side, she egged Yier into sending the child away.”

She dabbed delicately at the corner of her eye, expression sorrowful. “You’ve seen Qingyun before, Your Grace—gentle, proper, and sweet. Yet there’s no place for her now…”

“Outrageous!”

Disgust crept across Consort Xian’s face. “Girls like that—silver-tongued, hiding poison behind a pretty face—are the ones I loathe most! I must find an opportunity to teach her what true decorum means.”

The Princess Consort seemed to settle into resignation, her lashes drooping as if the fight had drained from her. “Even so, I don’t want to let Yier down. I went in person to seek a marriage alliance, but the Bai family has refused to give their word. His Highness is angry with me over this, and we’ve been at odds because of it. I… ai…”

“You still want her as your daughter-in-law?”

“I keep thinking—perhaps once she’s married into the family, I can train her properly. After all, she hasn’t wed yet, and a woman always reins in her nature once she’s in her husband’s home. At worst, I’ll just have to work harder, spend more time guiding her. But if this continues to drag on…”

“What’s so difficult about that?”