LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 59: Wedding Dress
Chapter 59: Wedding Dress
After saying those words, Xiao Heng left, as if he didn’t care whether Qiao Nian would wear the earrings or not.
But when Qiao Nian saw the little eunuch waiting to guide her occasionally glancing her way, she understood. The little eunuch must have received orders from Xiao Heng.
Thinking about it, it made sense. A small eunuch from Noble Consort De’s chambers had so easily given way to Xiao Heng’s interference, without showing any sign of difficulty!
Hah!
She had heard in the laundry bureau that the current General Xiao had connections everywhere, but she didn’t expect his influence to extend even to the imperial consorts’ chambers!
She took a deep breath and put on the earrings under the eunuch’s watchful gaze.
Seeing this, the little eunuch finally approached, bowed respectfully to Qiao Nian, and continued leading her to Noble Consort De’s chambers.
Noble Consort De seemed to have been waiting for her for a long time.
Before Qiao Nian could even bow, she warmly welcomed her, “We’re going to be family soon, there’s no need for such formalities with me!”
She pulled Qiao Nian up, her eyes full of gentle concern, “I heard from Qi’er that you fell into the water yesterday while saving someone? How are you? Are you feeling better? The imperial physician will be coming to check on me shortly, would you like him to examine you as well?”
Qiao Nian returned a smile, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I’m fine.”
“That’s good!”
As she spoke, Noble Consort De’s gaze was finally drawn to the dark red earrings.
She noticed that Qiao Nian’s attire today was very simple, with only these agate earrings standing out, so she asked, “These earrings are quite unique. Do they have any special meaning?”
Qiao Nian’s expression stiffened slightly, but she still smiled and shook her head, “No, no special meaning.”
Noble Consort De made a thoughtful sound but didn’t inquire further. Instead, she led Qiao Nian to sit down nearby.
“I didn’t call you here for anything special, I was just worried about your health and wanted to see you to put my mind at ease,” she said, then pointed to a table not far away. “It just so happens that today the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau is here to take your measurements. You can choose a festive color – it’s time to start making your wedding dress!”
Following Noble Consort De’s gesture, Qiao Nian saw a table full of bright red fabrics.
Although the Emperor had already decreed the marriage, and she knew she was to marry Prince Ming, it wasn’t until this moment, when Noble Consort De mentioned the wedding dress and she saw so much fabric for it, that she truly felt how close her wedding day was.
Just as she was thinking this, Prince Ming entered from outside, “What is Mother discussing with Nian Nian?”
His tone was cheerful.
Qiao Nian immediately stood up to bow.
Noble Consort De also walked towards Prince Ming, “I was just talking to Nian Nian about her wedding dress! Oh, and Nian Nian’s earrings – look, aren’t they unique?”
Qiao Nian hadn’t yet risen, her eyes fixed on the ground. Hearing Noble Consort De’s words, her brow furrowed unconsciously.
She knew Noble Consort De had mentioned it deliberately.
These earrings – Prince Ming would surely recognize them.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Qiao Nian didn’t look up to see Prince Ming’s expression, but soon, he had walked to her side and helped her up. “These earrings are indeed beautiful, but they don’t do Nian Nian justice at all. I’ll give you a pair that suits you better later.”
Qiao Nian looked at Prince Ming in surprise, unexpected that he hadn’t questioned her about the earrings directly.
Hearing this, Noble Consort De seemed to lose interest in the earrings. She walked to the table and beckoned to Prince Ming and Qiao Nian, “Come and look at these fabrics. Choose the material first, then we’ll take measurements.”
It was as if the matter of the earrings had been merely a casual mention by Noble Consort De.
Qiao Nian felt a slight tension in her heart but didn’t speak.
Prince Ming, however, naturally took her hand and walked towards Noble Consort De. Looking at the fabrics on the table, he casually flipped through them, “Are these the best fabrics from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau?”
“They might not be the very best, but they’re certainly excellent!” Noble Consort De said, then sighed, “You child, who knows what your situation is now, how dare you ask for the best?”
For someone about to be sent to a fief as an idle prince, getting these fabrics was already quite good!
Hearing this, Prince Ming didn’t respond.
But the hand holding Qiao Nian’s unconsciously tightened.
Qiao Nian’s brow furrowed; the not-yet-healed chilblains on the back of her hand hurt from his grip.
But she still didn’t say anything.
Noble Consort De seemed not to notice Prince Ming’s unusual behavior and started selecting fabrics on her own, sometimes holding them up to Qiao Nian, sometimes to Prince Ming. “I think these two are nice, what do you think?”
Prince Ming responded lightly, “Whatever Mother decides is fine.”
Qiao Nian also added, “I defer to Your Highness’s decision.”
“You two!” Noble Consort De glanced at them with a smile. “Do you have to hold hands the whole time? Can’t you choose properly?”
Qiao Nian felt a bit uncomfortable at this teasing and tried to pull her hand away.
Unexpectedly, Prince Ming didn’t let go. Instead, he smiled at Noble Consort De, “I’ve finally managed to hold Nian Nian’s hand, Mother, don’t spoil it!”
Hearing this, Noble Consort De couldn’t help but laugh. Just then, her chief palace maid entered, bowed, and with a slightly troubled look at Noble Consort De, said, “Your Highness, the ladies from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau have all been called to the Empress’s side. They said… they won’t be able to come today…”
Hearing this, the smile on Noble Consort De’s face instantly froze.
Prince Ming’s grip also suddenly tightened.
Qiao Nian winced in pain, unable to suppress a hiss.
The sound drew Prince Ming’s attention.
Qiao Nian also glanced at Prince Ming. He clearly knew she was in pain, yet he still didn’t loosen his grip…
But given the current tense atmosphere, Qiao Nian didn’t speak, silently lowering her gaze.
Seeing her like this, Prince Ming’s gaze also deepened somewhat.
His grip remained tight.
Noble Consort De quickly composed herself, “I just remembered, in a few days it will be the Princess Royal’s birthday banquet. The Imperial Wardrobe Bureau staff must have gone to make new clothes for her. It seems Nian Nian has come for nothing today!”
Qiao Nian finally spoke, “It’s already my good fortune to see Your Highness today.”
Noble Consort De nodded with satisfaction and said, “Good girl.” She appeared as if nothing was wrong, but everyone knew she was suppressing her anger.
As such, Qiao Nian and Prince Ming didn’t linger long before taking their leave together.
However, Prince Ming’s hand remained clasped around Qiao Nian’s the entire time, showing no sign of letting go even as they left Noble Consort De’s chambers.
Qiao Nian felt increasingly uncomfortable and finally couldn’t help but try to pull her hand away again.
This time, her hand slipped out easily.
But this caused Prince Ming to stop in his tracks. He turned around, staring intently at Qiao Nian.
Qiao Nian could clearly see the darkness in his gaze.
Then Prince Ming suddenly smiled, his gloomy eyes fixed on the dark red agate earrings. “Does Nian Nian like these earrings very much?”