Chapter 4: Clothing

Despite having no idea what game the Crown Prince was playing, Shi Yuning resolutely chose to seek out Xie Zhaoran rather than deal with Prince Yu’s pestering.

In front of Xie Zhaoran’s tent stood the two guards Shi Yuning had seen earlier, with Qiangdi now guarding the entrance as well.

When she spotted Shi Yuning, Qiangdi looked quite surprised.

“Miss Shi, are you here for the Crown Princess?”

Shi Yuning nodded. “Did I arrive too early? Has the Crown Princess not gotten ready yet?”

“Huh? Ready for what? The Crown Princess just lay down to rest. If Miss Shi has business—”

Before Qiangdi could finish her sentence, Xie Zhaoran’s voice drifted out from inside the tent.

“Please invite Miss Shi in.”

Shi Yuning had heard Qiangdi mention that Xie Zhaoran had only just settled down to rest, so she had not intended to enter. But Qiangdi lifted the curtain flap for her anyway.

With no choice, Shi Yuning stepped inside. Rounding the screen, she saw Xie Zhaoran seated on the edge of the bed, dressed in moon-white nightclothes.

Her hair was loosely done up, cascading naturally. Whether she had only just risen from bed, her nightclothes hung a bit slack, revealing the graceful curve of her butterfly bones.

“I’m sorry, Crown Princess. The Crown Prince summoned me to accompany you on the hunt but gave no specific time. I must have come too early. Perhaps I should return later and wait.”

Shi Yuning felt terribly awkward. She really should have asked for more details earlier.

“No need. I’ve rested well and was just about to rise.”

Xie Zhaoran tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear and invited Shi Yuning to sit nearby for a moment. She then called for Qiangdi to help her dress.

Everything unfolded with such natural ease, as if it had been meant to happen all along.

Qiangdi felt a little dazed, wondering if she had misremembered. Hadn’t the Crown Princess been on the verge of resting? Or had she already finished?

She followed Xie Zhaoran to the vanity table and picked up a comb from nearby. Glancing into the mirror, she saw Xie Zhaoran let out a small yawn, her expression weary.

Indeed, she had not misremembered—Xie Zhaoran had been about to rest.

Bored while waiting off to the side, Shi Yuning glanced around idly. Xie Zhaoran’s tent was far larger than her own family’s, yet remarkably simple.

Aside from the essential furniture, there were no decorations at all. It was so austere that it hardly seemed like a young lady’s quarters.

Dressing did not take long—less than a quarter of an hour, and all was in order.

Lifting her gaze, Shi Yuning saw that Xie Zhaoran had tied her black hair high, just as she had that morning. She wore no ornaments, her slender face bare of powder, with no stray locks on her forehead. This made her features stand out all the more sharply.

“Miss Shi, which of these do you think suits me?” Xie Zhaoran asked suddenly.

Shi Yuning noticed that Qiangdi had laid out several outfits on the bed. Xie Zhaoran appeared troubled, unable to decide.

“I don’t know much about clothes and such. This ensemble I’m wearing was put together by my mother. If you’re asking me, I have no good advice to offer.”

As she spoke, Shi Yuning recalled the striking figure atop the platform that morning and added impulsively, “The Crown Princess looks good in red.”

Qiangdi paused in her arranging of the skirts and eyed the three pale outfits on the bed. She thought to herself that Miss Shi must not realize Xie Zhaoran disliked red clothing above all else.

The morning’s attire had been made specially for the ceremony, much like Xie Zhaoran’s bright red Crown Princess wedding robes. She only wore red when there was no avoiding it.

Xie Zhaoran pursed her lips and glanced at the three light shades before asking Qiangdi, “What about the one from this morning?”

Qiangdi was taken aback but quickly regained her composure. “That riding outfit got some stains on it… It wouldn’t do to wear it again.”

Xie Zhaoran nodded and turned to Shi Yuning.

Shi Yuning hastily pointed at the ginger-white riding outfit laid out in the middle of the bed. “The Crown Princess looks good in white, too.”

Xie Zhaoran pursed her lips again, nodded, and instructed Qiangdi, “That one, then.”

Qiangdi assented at once, fetched the clothes, and helped Xie Zhaoran dress.

Shi Yuning watched as Xie Zhaoran cinched a leather belt around her waist, strapped on forearm guards, and slipped into a pair of lightweight deer-leather boots suited for travel. The Crown Princess now looked full of vigor.

She truly seemed ready to make a show of her prowess.

Gazing at Xie Zhaoran’s lithe and perfectly proportioned figure, Shi Yuning felt a sharp twinge of envy.

Xie Zhaoran was remarkable—poised and elegant in skirts, bold and heroic in riding gear. No matter the occasion, she always seemed ethereal and breathtaking.

The Capital’s air and water truly bred fine people.

Standing before her now—a full head taller—Xie Zhaoran made Shi Yuning wonder for the first time if Linzhou’s feng shui was at fault.

How had she never met a girl this tall back home?

“What are you thinking about?”

Xie Zhaoran had drawn within arm’s reach of Shi Yuning. Seeing her stare blankly ahead, clearly lost in thought once more, she prompted her.

“How you grew so tall,” Shi Yuning answered honestly, her voice brimming with admiration.

Xie Zhaoran was caught off guard by the reply. “Do you want to be tall that badly?”

Shi Yuning’s eyes went wide. “Of course! Who wouldn’t? If I could grow tall, why would I want to be a little potato?”

Sadly, next to Xie Zhaoran, she felt just like one. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was looking, she quietly rose onto her tiptoes to appear a bit taller.

Xie Zhaoran took in the subtle motion, pursed her lips, and turned her head away.

Hidden from Shi Yuning’s view, she fought back a laugh, the corners of her mouth curving upward.

Qiangdi saw it all clearly and felt her heart stir. What a rarity—her lady holding in laughter. She would have to tell the other personal maids back at the estate about this. They would be just as astonished as she was.

“Qiangdi, go ready the horses.”

At Xie Zhaoran’s command—and noting the slight crinkle at the corners of her eyes—Qiangdi fled the tent in haste.

With her gone, only Shi Yuning and Xie Zhaoran remained.

Perhaps their earlier exchange had dispelled Shi Yuning’s awkwardness. She found the Crown Princess surprisingly approachable. Enthusiastic by nature, she warmed right up to the polite overture.

“Crown Princess, shouldn’t you add another layer? My mother always says spring mornings and evenings are chilly. The breeze might feel gentle at first, but it bites after a while.”

The words reminded Shi Yuning of her first direct encounter with Xie Zhaoran.

It had been during the New Year’s audience in the palace, where Xie Zhaoran was also present.

Bundled up like a fluffy dumpling by her mother, Shi Yuning had entered the Empress’s Palace and seen Xie Zhaoran in her Crown Princess wedding finery—without so much as a scarf or hand warmer.

Even the Empress had asked if she was cold.

Recalling Xie Zhaoran’s response, Shi Yuning remembered it clearly: one simply grew accustomed to it.

Shi Yuning could not fathom it. Why force herself to endure the cold when she had every means to stay warm?

While Shi Yuning drifted off, Xie Zhaoran had already fetched a small jacket.

“How about this one?”

Shi Yuning snapped back and examined it. There was thin fleece lining the inside. “That looks quite warm.”

Xie Zhaoran put it on herself without calling for assistance.

Only then did Shi Yuning notice the issue. Now they looked like sisters dressed by the same hand.

Both wore riding outfits beneath sleeveless jackets of nearly matching hues.

Hers was pear-blossom white with a pale pink jacket; Xie Zhaoran’s was ginger white paired with a peach-pink one.

From a distance, they could pass for siblings.

“Isn’t it a bit too matchy?” Shi Yuning hesitated. In the Capital, ladies dreaded outfit clashes—especially when compared.

“Do you mind?” Xie Zhaoran glanced down at their similar ensembles, amusement flickering deep in her eyes.

Shi Yuning shook her head. “Not at all.”

“Then let’s go.” Xie Zhaoran led the way out of the tent.

By then, Qiangdi had the horses prepared. Spotting the figures emerging, she hurried over. “Miss—”

She swallowed the rest upon recognizing Xie Zhaoran.

“Crown Princess…” Qiangdi’s gaze shifted to Shi Yuning trailing behind.

These two—their outfits were far too alike.

“Bring A-Li here,” Xie Zhaoran directed.

Qiangdi schooled her surprise and went to fetch the horse.

Xie Zhaoran turned to Shi Yuning. “You’ll ride A-Li. Come here—I’ll help you mount.”

Shi Yuning eyed A-Li: its coat sleek and glossy, its build sturdy and plump, its eyes bright and alert.

No one in the Capital was unaware that, at the Crown Princess’s wedding, Duke Xie had gifted her not only the one hundred and eight dowry processions but also a rare treasure horse from the Desert North.

Because of its pure white coat, the Crown Princess had named it A-Li—like pear blossoms in full bloom.

Shi Yuning approached cautiously, stroking its head ever so gently. A-Li responded like a affectionate kitten, nuzzling into her palm.

“Ah, it nuzzled me!” Shi Yuning whipped her head around, beaming at Xie Zhaoran in delight.

Her grin stretched wide, crinkling her eyes and sending her little pear dimples dancing with light.

“Can I really ride it?” Shi Yuning could scarcely believe the sudden windfall.

Xie Zhaoran said nothing. As Shi Yuning continued petting A-Li, she stepped to her side. “Do you know how to ride?”

Shi Yuning nodded, then shook her head. “Ordinary horses, yes.”

Xie Zhaoran let out a soft chuckle, and Qiangdi could not suppress a laugh of her own.

“That’s an amusing way to put it, Miss Shi. A-Li may not be ordinary, but mounting any horse is much the same.”

Shi Yuning saw nothing amiss with her words. This was A-Li, after all—surely mounting it so casually showed insufficient respect for such a peerless steed.

Word was that Duke Xie had ventured deep into the snowy peaks of the Desert North himself, spending three days and nights to capture it.

“I’ll help you up.”

Xie Zhaoran’s amused voice came from overhead. Moments later, warmth bloomed at Shi Yuning’s waist. She glanced down, only to feel heat at her ankle next.

Looking further, she saw Xie Zhaoran’s slender fingers clasped around her ankle, deftly slipping her foot into the stirrup.

Shi Yuning was aghast. This would not do—how could she let the Crown Princess help her mount? But before she could protest, Xie Zhaoran had settled her securely astride the horse.

She could only stammer her thanks.

The commotion drew plenty of eyes. Xie Zhaoran was always a center of attention, and now the entire hunting ground buzzed with shocked whispers over what they had witnessed.

“Did the Crown Princess just personally help Miss Shi onto her horse? Do they have some prior acquaintance?”

“Not that I know of. I heard she never spared Miss Shi a second glance before.”

“Exactly. Why the sudden closeness? Could it be Prince Yu?”

Everyone’s minds turned to Prince Yu’s morning provocation toward the Crown Princess—and his recent flashy pursuit of Shi Yuning.

Speculation ran rife: Perhaps the Crown Princess did not wish Shi Yuning to wed Prince Yu. Or maybe she intended to recommend her as a side consort for the Crown Prince.

The murmurs carried on the wind straight to the Crown Prince’s tent.

The flap hung half-open as the Crown Prince watched Xie Zhaoran and Shi Yuning ride off into the distance, a smile playing on his lips. He clearly found the scene most entertaining.

Supporting the Crown Prince, Eunuch Xiaolin could not help his curiosity. “This servant wonders, too—what is Your Highness’s aim here?” Surely he had not taken a fancy to Miss Shi.

In high spirits, the Crown Prince had him drop the flap and escorted him deeper into the tent. Rather than answer directly, he remarked on something else.

“Zhaoran always plans every move with care, but some things defy planning.”

The Crown Prince reflected that feelings, for instance, were often most precious in their raw, clumsy sincerity—ignorant and improper though it might be.

Seeing Xiaolin’s baffled look, the Crown Prince laughed and bid him grind some ink. He meant to write to his Imperial Sister about the day’s revelation. The two of them had long speculated on who held Zhaoran’s heart.

Little had they known the answer was right under their noses. How intriguing—truly intriguing.

While the Crown Prince brimmed with excitement and good cheer, Prince Yu’s camp resembled the eerie calm before a storm.

“Has everyone taken position?”

“Rest assured, Your Highness. They’re all concealed in the woods, awaiting their approach.”

“Good. One thing: This Prince wants Shi Yuning taken alive. As for the rest—life or death is of no consequence.”