Chapter 29

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Time flies; a year passed in the blink of an eye, and Yan Xiner is already twelve years old, having reached the age for discussing marriage.

In An Wangfei's courtyard, the Princess Consort was watching her youngest son Yan Jie walk. The one-year-old Yan Jie could already walk, though unsteadily. Yan Jie seemed curious about walking too, toddling back and forth while giggling. At this, the Princess Consort said to Chunxi, "Chunxi, you say Xiner isn't young anymore; she's reached the age for discussing marriage. I've asked her several times if she has a favored Young Master, but she only says no. What to do?"

Chunxi smiled: "Princess Consort, don't rush. The Young Lady is still small; perhaps she hasn't considered this yet. Moreover, with the Young Lady's talent and beauty, she will surely find a satisfactory husband." The Princess Consort nodded, sighing: "Though that's said, I still hope she finds her destination soon. I truly worry she'll miss a good match."

At this moment, Yan Xiner walked in, paid respects, then said: "Mother, your daughter is not in a hurry to marry. Your daughter wants to keep Mother and younger brother company more." The Princess Consort smiled helplessly, stroking Yan Xiner's hair: "Silly child, a grown daughter cannot be kept forever. But Mother also can't bear for you to marry off so early. Still, the matter of discussing marriage must be planned early." Yan Xiner nodded obediently, indicating she would follow Mother's arrangements.

Come evening, the Princess Consort discussed Yan Xiner's marriage with An Wang. An Wang said: "Xiner's age has indeed arrived; Xiner's marriage is fine as long as she herself is willing." The Princess Consort said: "In two days is the Qi Xi Festival; let Xiner take the children out to play, see if they can encounter a suitable match." "Mm, then you tell Xiner tomorrow."

Two days later, dawn barely breaking, Yan Wang was already up early practicing. Meanwhile, Qianqian had slept together with Yan Shuang'er last night. The Princess Consort estimated the time was about right and came to Wufangyuan. Just entering the garden, she happened to see the already-risen Yan Shuang'er stretching lazily in the courtyard, but Qianqian was still lazing in bed; though awake, she just didn't want to get up.

Yan Shuang'er saw the Princess Consort and said with a beaming smile: "Mother coming so early, is something the matter? Today we rest, no need to go to Shangshufang." The Princess Consort replied: "There is a little matter; let's go inside to talk first. What about Qianqian? Has Qianqian gotten up?" Yan Shuang'er replied: "Awake, but not up yet." The two walked into the room together and saw Qianqian lying on the bed, the little quilt kicked to one side, rolling around comfortably.

A silver cat lay lazily beside Qianqian's pillow — precisely Daji, whom Qianqian had bought at the market before. When Daji was first brought back, he still slept in his own cat bed. But after a while, once familiar with the environment, he became increasingly clingy. When Qianqian and Yan Shuang'er slept at night, Daji would lie beside Qianqian's pillow and sleep together.

The rolling Qianqian saw the Princess Consort and immediately sat up, calling out "Mother~" The Princess Consort walked to the bedside; Qianqian hurriedly sat properly and burrowed into the Princess Consort's arms. The Princess Consort looked at the little daughter in her arms and said smiling: "Already such a big person, yet still wanting hugs." Yan Shuang'er, sitting on a chair, said: "Younger Sister is still young; only four years old." The Princess Consort looked at the two daughters' good relationship and felt happy inside.

Yan Shuang'er asked: "Mother, what exactly is the matter?" The Princess Consort explained: "Today is the Qi Xi Festival. Later, after you and Qianqian finish breakfast, go find Xiner, go shopping together to buy a few pretty clothes, jewelry and such. Tonight, dress your eldest sister up nicely. When night falls, go together to view the flower lanterns; there's also a flower float parade!"

Qianqian beside her was excited beyond measure; today she can go out and play — so happy! Yan Shuang'er instantly understood the Princess Consort's meaning. As soon as the words finished, the Princess Consort had servants bring up breakfast. After eating, the Princess Consort returned to her own courtyard.

Yan Shuang'er pulled Qianqian to Xinxiang Yuan. Upon entering, someone told them Yan Xiner was in the study looking at account books. This past year, to cultivate Yan Xiner's steward abilities, the Princess Consort often had her read account books and taught her how to manage the household and handle internal affairs. When the two entered the study, Yan Xiner was sitting at the desk reading accounts.

Twelve-year-old Yan Xiner had grown increasingly beautiful; her skin was fair and tender, like congealed fat. She wore a goose-yellow dress, making her appear even fairer. She was reading the accounts with serious concentration; that focused look made even Yan Shuang'er unable to resist praising: "Eldest Sister is truly beautiful!" Because Yan Xiner's features were grand, plus the Princess Consort's careful teaching, Yan Xiner's whole person exuded a dignified temperament.

Qianqian bounced into the study and said to Yan Xiner: "Eldest Sister, let's go out shopping!" Yan Xiner looked up at the two of them and said: "Sure, just a little bit left to finish; wait a moment." "Okay!" Qianqian answered and ran off to play to the side. Yan Shuang'er walked to Yan Xiner's side, didn't speak, and just read the account books along with her. Before long, Yan Xiner put down the account books, stood up, stretched, and said to the two: "Let's go, we're going shopping!" Qianqian, sitting dazed on the chair, hurriedly stood up and said: "Alright, let's go let's go!"

The three didn't take a carriage but chose to walk. Before long, they arrived at the largest clothing shop. Upon entering, a shop assistant greeted them with a full smile, asking: "What would the several Young Ladies like to buy?" Yan Xiner replied: "Just browsing." Yan Shuang'er then asked: "Do you have any newly arrived clothes?" The shop assistant answered: "Yes yes yes, the new arrivals are all on the second floor; the guests can go up to the second floor and pick for yourselves." So the three went up to the second floor together. Just as they went up, they saw many new styles of clothes, colorful and dazzling.

Yan Xiner took a fancy to a blue skirt embroidered with white jasmine flowers; the whole skirt was fresh and elegant, dignified and generous. Yan Xiner held the skirt and asked in a delicate voice: "Is this dress pretty?"

Yan Shuang'er glanced and said smiling: "Extremely pretty; later buy a set of blue jewelry, headwear to match this dress — perfectly suitable." Even Qianqian at the side nodded repeatedly: "Dress is pretty, Eldest Sister will be even prettier wearing it~" Yan Xiner heard this and bought the skirt without another word.

Next, the three browsed a bit more. Yan Shuang'er had nothing she wanted to buy; Qianqian, however, took a liking to a red small cape. The cape looked a bit large, embroidered with gold thread patterns; the whole cape appeared smart and passionate.

Qianqian liked it at first sight, but this cape was really too large; wearing it was like a child sneaking into adult clothes. She thought a bit, but Qianqian still didn't buy it.

Finally, when the three went to settle the bill, Qianqian asked unwillingly: "Boss, does your shop not have a child-sized version of that red cape?" The Boss smiled and said: "Not at the moment, but if the little Young Lady likes it, it can be custom-made — exactly the same, just smaller, perfectly suitable for the Young Lady to wear." Qianqian heard this and jumped up happily: "Custom-made, custom-made~" "Custom-making requires a deposit," the Boss said.

Yan Shuang'er said: "Fine, can do; how many days until we can pick it up?" The Boss answered: "Three days later." "Good." Yan Xiner agreed, then had her personal maid Linglong pay the silver. The three left the clothing shop and happily walked toward the jewelry shop…