The Wedding Dress

After Xiao Heng said those words, he left, as if he didn't care whether Qiao Nian would actually wear the earrings.

However, Qiao Nian noticed the young eunuch waiting ahead kept glancing back at her.

She realized that the eunuch must have been instructed by Xiao Heng.

Upon reflection, it made sense; a eunuch from Consort De's palace, facing Xiao Heng's obstruction, had given way so easily, without even a hint of difficulty!

Hah!

She had heard while at the laundry bureau that the current General Xiao was all-powerful, but she didn't expect his influence to extend even into the consorts' quarters in the palace!

Taking a deep breath under the eunuch's watchful eyes, she put on the earrings.

Seeing this, the eunuch approached, respectfully bowed to Qiao Nian, and then continued to lead her to Consort De's palace.

It seemed Consort De had been waiting for her for quite some time.

Before Qiao Nian could even bow, she was warmly greeted, "We'll be family soon, no need for such formalities with me!"

She helped Qiao Nian to her feet, her eyes full of gentle concern, "I heard from Qi'er that you fell into the water yesterday to save someone? How are you feeling now? The imperial physician will be here shortly for my pulse; shall he check yours too?"

Qiao Nian smiled back, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, I am well."

"That's good!"

As Consort De spoke, her gaze was finally drawn to the earrings on Qiao Nian's ears.

Noticing that Qiao Nian's attire was simple today, except for these striking dark red carnelian earrings, she inquired, "These earrings are quite unique, do they have any special meaning?"

Qiao Nian's expression stiffened slightly, but she still shook her head with a smile, "No, no."

Consort De saw through it but didn't press further, just led Qiao Nian to sit aside.

"The reason I called you here today isn't for anything major, just that I was worried about your health and wanted to see you to rest easy." She then pointed to a nearby table, "Coincidentally, today the Clothing Bureau is here to take your measurements; choose a festive pattern, it's time to start making your wedding dress!"

Following where Consort De pointed, Qiao Nian saw a table full of vibrant red fabrics.

Although the Emperor had already decreed their marriage, and she knew she was to marry Prince Ming, it was only now, with Consort De mentioning the wedding dress and seeing all those materials, that she truly felt how close the wedding was.

As she pondered, Prince Ming entered, "What is Mother discussing with Nian?"

His tone was cheerful.

Qiao Nian immediately stood up to pay her respects.

Consort De walked towards Prince Ming, "We were talking about Nian's wedding dress! Oh, and her earrings, look, aren't they unique?"

Qiao Nian, still not fully standing, kept her eyes downcast, and her brows furrowed slightly at Consort De's words.

Prince Ming clearly recognized these earrings.

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Qiao Nian didn't look up to see Prince Ming's expression, but soon, he was in front of her, helping her up, "These earrings do look nice, but they're not nearly worthy of Nian. I'll get you a pair that suits you better."

The last part was directed at Qiao Nian.

Qiao Nian looked at Prince Ming in surprise, not expecting him to not question her about the earrings right then and there.

Consort De seemed not to care much about the earrings anymore, moving to the table and beckoning to both Prince Ming and Qiao Nian, "Come look at these fabrics, choose some before we take measurements."

It was as if the matter of the earrings was just a casual remark by Consort De.

Qiao Nian's heart tightened, but she said nothing.

Prince Ming, however, naturally took her hand, leading her to Consort De's side, and casually flipped through the fabrics, "Are these the best the Clothing Bureau has to offer?"

"Not the absolute best, but very good!" Consort De sighed, "You, child, with your current situation, what best could you expect?"

He was to be sent to govern a remote fief, after all; getting these materials was already quite generous.

Prince Ming didn't respond to that.

But his grip on Qiao Nian's hand tightened, making her wince as the still-healing chilblains on her hand ached.

Yet, she remained silent.

Consort De, seemingly unaware of Prince Ming's mood, began choosing fabrics, comparing them to Qiao Nian and then to Prince Ming, "I think these two are nice, what do you think?"

Prince Ming responded indifferently, "Whatever Mother decides is fine."

Qiao Nian added, "I'll leave it to Your Highness's discretion."

"You two!" Consort De laughed, glancing at their clasped hands, "Must you hold hands all the time? Can't you choose properly?"

Qiao Nian, embarrassed by the teasing, tried to withdraw her hand.

But Prince Ming didn't let go, smiling at Consort De, "I've only just managed to hold Nian's hand; Mother shouldn't spoil it!"

This made Consort De laugh, but at that moment, the head maid by Consort De's side came in, bowed, and with some difficulty, said, "Your Highness, the matrons from the Clothing Bureau have been called away by the Empress, saying, saying they won't be able to come today..."

At this, Consort De's smile froze, and Prince Ming's grip tightened even more.

Qiao Nian winced in pain, letting out a small "hiss."

The sound drew Prince Ming's attention.

Qiao Nian thought it best to remain silent in this atmosphere, maintaining an expressionless face.

For some reason, Prince Ming's gaze also grew darker as he looked at her, his grip not loosening.

Consort De quickly recovered, "I remember now, it's the Princess's birthday banquet in a few days; they must be making clothes for her. It looks like Nian came for nothing today!"

Qiao Nian spoke softly, "Seeing Your Highness today was already a great honor."

Her gentle words seemed to soothe Consort De a bit, but the fact that the Empress had taken the Clothing Bureau staff away on this day clearly annoyed her.

Consort De didn't show it outwardly but after exchanging a few more words with Qiao Nian, she claimed she was tired and needed to rest.

Thus, Qiao Nian and Prince Ming left together.

Throughout, Prince Ming kept holding Qiao Nian's hand, not letting go even when they reached outside Consort De's palace.

Feeling awkward, Qiao Nian finally tried to pull her hand back.

This time, she managed to free her hand easily.

But Prince Ming stopped, turned, and stared at her intently.

The darkness in his eyes was unmistakable to Qiao Nian.

Yet he smiled, "Does Nian like these earrings so much?"