"Love."
Yun Shu answered decisively.
Ever since their separation and subsequent reunion, when she saw that he, despite having forgotten everything else, had etched her deeply into his very being, she knew she loved this man.
The joy in Princess Ningde's heart had barely had time to bloom when she heard Yun Shu's firm reply, and she immediately straightened up.
Concealing the deep affection in her eyes, she fixed her gaze on Yun Shu and asked, "What kind of person is... your fiancé?"
Yun Shu didn't answer Princess Ningde immediately, but she was curious as to why Princess Ningde was so interested in her fiancé. Would she probe whenever she had the chance?
After a period of silence, she finally spoke slowly, "He is a very good person to me."
Princess Ningde's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. From Ning Ruan's expression, she could tell that Ning Ruan harbored profound feelings for her fiancé.
This was more troublesome than she had initially thought!
Once a woman's heart is captured, it is difficult to fall for another man!
As a woman herself, she knew this to be true.
Princess Ningde lowered her head, contemplating her next move. Her brother already had his heart set on Ning Ruan, and it was with her persuasion that he did.
Making Ning Ruan forget her fiancé and fall for her brother would not be easy.
At some point, it began to rain outside the carriage.
Yun Shu looked outside.
It was not heavy rain, just a fine drizzle.
The sky had also darkened without anyone noticing.
"It's raining?" Princess Ningde withdrew her thoughts and also glanced outside.
Yun Shu gave a soft hum.
"Fortunately, the rain is not heavy. If it were, our return journey might be delayed, and we wouldn't reach the capital until dark," Princess Ningde said.
Yun Shu looked up at the sky. "The rain probably won't be heavy."
"I think so too," Princess Ningde nodded with a smile.
She felt at ease in Yun Shu's company; they didn't need to exchange many words.
Honestly, she greatly admired Yun Shu.
Possessing absolutely exceptional medical skills, yet remaining humble and composed.
Despite lacking a powerful family background, she carried herself with an extraordinary presence.
In the capital, even among young ladies from noble families, some would likely feel a considerable inferiority in aura when standing before Yun Shu.
Unbeknownst to them, amidst the gentle patter of rain, many on the carriage had fallen asleep.
...
The Capital.
Meng Residence.
Qin Yiqing, who had come to inform Meng Xiao that she would bring a friend over in two days, had just finished tea and a feast with Meng Xiao and was about to leave.
As a result, it started raining!
Looking at the drizzling rain outside, Qin Yiqing was about to ask Meng Xiao for an umbrella.
But Meng Xiao spoke first, "The restaurant just sent over a batch of new wine today. Are you interested in helping me taste it and see if this batch is mellow enough?"
Upon hearing the word "wine," Qin Yiqing's eyes lit up. "I love tasting wine the most. Let's go take a look."
The latest wine delivered to Meng Xiao would surely be good, and certainly not fake.
A smile flashed across Meng Xiao's eyes. The butler and the young servant by his side were both astonished, seeing their young master so earnestly trying to keep a woman.
No, no, it was the future mistress of their household.
Qin Yiqing followed Meng Xiao to the backyard.
Upon entering the room, she saw three jars of wine placed on a round table.
Meng Xiao said, "Three different wines, shall we try them all?"
Qin Yiqing, oblivious to the tender gaze Meng Xiao cast upon her, stared at the wine with sparkling eyes and nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes!" The jars themselves were so exquisitely decorated; the wine inside must be even better! She hadn't truly found any wine that completely satisfied her since arriving in the capital of Xixia.
Meng Xiao's eyes were filled with a gentle smile. He opened the wine jars and poured six cups, two for each type.
"Sit down and taste them slowly," Meng Xiao said softly.
Qin Yiqing was very compliant at this moment and immediately sat down. Her nose was exceptionally keen; even though three different wines were placed before her, she could still discern the differences.
"These are all top-notch wines!" From the aroma alone, she could tell they were good wines.
Qin Yiqing's eyes sparkled as she stared at the wine, eagerly picking up a bowl and taking a sip.
Immediately, her eyes were filled with starlight, and she exclaimed to Meng Xiao in amazement, "Good wine! This is the best wine I've tasted since coming to the capital!" She had initially felt that the rain had delayed her return to Prince Pingyang's mansion, as Yun Shu was due back today. To her surprise, even if she couldn't return on time, she could still drink such excellent wine, and returning later in the evening would be fine!
Meng Xiao gazed at Qin Yiqing's smile, lost in thought. When he came back to himself, he realized the woman before him hadn't noticed his infatuation at all. After finishing one bowl of wine, she continued to the next. Her starlit eyes could not hold anything else; at this moment, there was only the fragrant wine.
"Drink slowly, there's no rush," he offered her a handkerchief.
However, Qin Yiqing was so engrossed in tasting the wine that she didn't even notice the handkerchief he was offering.
Seeing a drop of wine on her lips and noticing she hadn't seen the handkerchief, Meng Xiao instinctively reached out to wipe it. The moment his hand touched her lips.
Her tongue darted out. She had intended to lick the wine from her lips, but unexpectedly, in doing so, she licked Meng Xiao's hand!
Both froze.
Meng Xiao felt his hand instantly burn.
Qin Yiqing blinked and asked, "You don't mind, do you?" He liked men, so being touched by a man wouldn't bother him, but being accidentally touched by a woman's tongue... would he find it disgusting? And then quickly wash his hands? She looked down at his hand, which was already stiff and unmoving. She immediately felt very apologetic and guilty, fearing she had given him psychological trauma. She explained again, "I really didn't mean to. I didn't expect you to help me wipe it. How about you go wash your hands right now?"
Meng Xiao felt his heart beating a little faster. When he heard the woman before him speak, he felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. She was truly convinced he liked men.
However, it wasn't the right time yet. He would explain later.
Smiling, he shook his head and said, "It's fine, I was too abrupt." He looked down at his hand. It seemed the touch and warmth were still lingering.
Seeing that Meng Xiao genuinely didn't seem to mind, Qin Yiqing finally relaxed. "That's good. I was just worried you'd be angry! Come, come, let's continue drinking!" Nothing couldn't be solved with a jar of wine! If one jar wasn't enough, then two, or three!
"Alright, drink slowly," Meng Xiao didn't want her to leave so soon. It seemed that as long as she was there, even the darkest sky would turn bright. And the most somber heart would become cheerful.
Just as Qin Yiqing was about to drink her third bowl of wine, a servant, holding an umbrella, arrived at the door and said to Meng Xiao, "Young Master, there is a young gentleman outside who says he is looking for Miss Xiaoqing."
"Looking for me?" Qin Yiqing turned towards the servant at the door.