Any news from Young Master Xu?

In the eyes of the capital's elite, the northwestern frontier, like Liangzhou, is nothing more than an uncivilized wasteland.

Prince Liang has a notorious reputation. When Ning Junruo was originally betrothed to Zhao Shenxing, the Ning family was deeply reluctant. However, as the saying goes, "All land under heaven belongs to the King, and all who dwell upon it are his subjects." How could they, as mere subjects, defy the will of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager?

Though Junruo lacks the breathtaking, kingdom-toppling beauty of a Chen Qinghe, she is, without question, dignified, composed, and possessed of both inner and outer grace. Gifted in virtue and talent, her calligraphy and scholarship rank among the best of any noble daughter. Were it not for the Imperial Board of Astronomy unanimously declaring that the Prince of Liang required a late marriage and a virtuous, sagacious consort capable of keeping him in check to avert impending disaster, she would never have been assigned to Zhao Shenxing, a man eight or nine years her senior.

Back in the Imperial Study, the mischievous Prince of Liang feared no one more than Grand Tutor Ning; it seemed only a daughter of the Ning family could truly rein him in. As Ning Junruo grew, the Empress Dowager realized that her dignified and elegant demeanor made her the destined Princess of Liang—and, more importantly, her birth chart was exceptionally auspicious for Shenxing.

Zhao Shenxing constantly courted trouble in the capital and was never favored by the Emperor, but under the Empress Dowager’s protection, he managed to depart for his fief in Liangzhou with little more than a few close calls. Fearing that Junruo would suffer in such a remote place without support, the Ning family had specially arranged for shops and farmland to be purchased in Liangzhou as part of her dowry. These assets had always been managed by Yuan Wenxiu, a steward born into the Ning household.

Steward Yuan always appeared honest and steady, and Junruo had previously trusted him implicitly, never auditing the books. But one glance proved disastrous—the shortfall was staggering.

Nanny Wei grew angrier as she looked through the ledgers. "How could he have never reported something of this magnitude?"

"No," Junruo said, pointing at the accounts. "There is a hidden story here. I must meet him myself."

"My Lady, you usually loathe leaving the residence. Are you truly willing to go out today?"

"Yes, I must go out and see exactly what is happening with those shops."

Just as Junruo finished reviewing one ledger, Zisu brought over a paper parcel, saying it had been delivered by Old Xu, the head of the guards. Upon opening it, she found a package of preserved green plums. Suspicious, she asked, "Did Guard Xu say nothing else?"

Zisu leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Old Xu said these plums were specially sent by our young master for the young master of the Xu family to bring back. My Lady, you should taste them."

If they were truly brought from the capital, why weren't they sent along with the letters?

Junruo looked at the pristine paper wrapping and instantly understood what was happening. She picked one up to taste it and said loudly, "The preserved plums from the Zhenguo Shop are indeed delicious. Take some loose silver and thank Guard Xu properly on my behalf."

After Zisu left, Junruo picked up the red date hidden among the plums, pried it open, and found a tiny slip of paper inside. Xu Mingyi claimed to have news and was requesting a private meeting. Could it be that he had already made progress?

Junruo felt a secret thrill and quickly shredded the note into pieces the size of soybeans, tossing them into the nearby spittoon. Yet, she soon regained her composure. Master Xu was unmarried; meeting him in private seemed improper.

Another voice in her head argued that since she was already going out, she might as well meet him while attending to the shops, as no one would know. *No, no, no,* she thought. She had finally managed to get out, and who knew how many eyes were watching? She could not take such a risk. Aside from the fact that meeting a man in private was not the behavior of a respectable woman, how could she explain it to the Dowager Consort or the Prince of Liang if they found out?

Noticing her unease, Nanny Wei probed, "Is there news from Master Xu?"

Junruo pondered for a moment before muttering, "He wants to meet in person. What could there be that can't be written in a letter? Perhaps you should go in my stead, Nanny."

"A letter passes through many hands; some things truly cannot be put to paper. If something were to happen, it would be impossible to explain," Nanny Wei said, knowing Junruo was struggling with her conscience. "I have met the son of Xu Cheng; he is a man of discretion. If he insists on a meeting, it must be important. I believe it would be best for you to go yourself, My Lady."

Junruo still hesitated. "But I am a woman of status..."

Nanny Wei sighed. "I caught a glimpse of Mistress Chang from afar; she is no simple character. If she bears a son one day, she will never let you remain. I believe you are right—compared to one's life and standing, reputation is a small price to pay."

A flicker of starlight seemed to dance in Junruo’s clear, bright eyes. She was right. As long as she could preserve her life and protect her family, what did it matter if she discarded a few lofty moralities?

"Seeing you like this, I take it you intend to meet him?" Nanny Wei guessed.

Junruo’s brows smoothed, and she returned to her usual composure. "I have already agreed with Daoist Nun Qingchen to go and offer incense and prayers mid-month. Just let Guard Xu know that."

The two exchanged a smile and silently returned to auditing the ledgers.

"Your Highness, Your Highness! My Lady said she does not wish to be disturbed. Please, wait a moment while I go in to announce you..."

Just as she had found some peace, a commotion erupted outside; it sounded as if the Prince of Liang had arrived. Nanny Wei scrambled to her feet. "I will go and see."

"No need," Junruo said, her gaze fixed firmly on the ledger.

No sooner had she spoken than the sturdy, carved wooden door was kicked open with a loud *bang* by Zhao Shenxing.

"Your Highness!" Nanny Wei curtsied.

Junruo remained seated at her desk, staring straight ahead at her accounts. The furious Zhao Shenxing felt increasingly uncomfortable under her sharp gaze, so he simply barked, "Well, Lady Ning! You dare to make decisions on my behalf!"

The soft sunlight filtered through the window, gilding her jade-white cheeks with a faint, gentle glow, lending her an ethereal, otherworldly air.

Junruo set down the ledger and said calmly, "I have always handled the matters of the residence. I am afraid I do not understand the reason for Your Highness’s baseless accusations."

She was playing the fool while knowing the truth. Zhao Shenxing was incensed. "I know you did this on purpose! That set of kingfisher-feather jewelry was something I bought for Mistress Chang. By what right did you take it upon yourself to give it to Mistress Xiao?"

"Oh, so it was meant for Little Sister Chang? Why didn't you say so sooner, Your Highness?"

Junruo finally looked up at him. "When the side consort heard that Little Sister Chang had moved into the Yunmeng Pavilion, she was quite displeased. I only did this to ensure she didn't feel slighted. If Your Highness finds it improper, I shall have someone retrieve it immediately."

Zhao Shenxing was enraged. "If you have the gall to do it, then go right ahead!"

"Your Highness's will is my command," Junruo said, turning to Nanny Wei. "Please, Nanny, go and tell her that the jewelry was a gift from the Prince to Mistress Chang. I was unaware of this before, but now that the Prince has come to hold me accountable, ask her to return it at once."