Bai Qingqing hurried toward the palace gates, while Bai Yaoyao was already at a loss for how to explain things to Madam Qiao.

“Where’s Qingqing? Weren’t you two in the same carriage? How can a whole person just vanish?”

“She had something to take care of midway and went elsewhere. She said she’d be right back and wouldn’t miss the time to enter the palace.”

As Bai Yaoyao spoke, she shot a sharp glare at Ning Zhao. Didn’t you say my sister had gone ahead into the palace? Then where is she?

Ning Zhao quickly stepped forward. “That’s exactly it—something came up that required Miss Bai’s attention. Please don’t worry, Madam.”

Madam Qiao had a favorable impression of Ning Zhao and had met him a few times. Seeing him speak so seriously, she didn’t panic, though her brows remained furrowed. “Even if something urgent came up, she should’ve told us first. Do you know how worried we were? What could possibly be so urgent that she had to be found in such a rush?”

“It’s just… well, it’s just…” Ning Zhao was racking his brains for an excuse when suddenly his eyes lit up. “She’s back! Miss Bai is back!”

At those words, Madam Qiao and Bai Yaoyao turned around at once. It really was Bai Qingqing—but why was she coming out from inside the palace gates?

“Well, now that Miss Bai is safe and sound, I’ll take my leave.” Ning Zhao disappeared in a flash—this little episode had exhausted him more than running errands ever could.

Bai Qingqing rejoined them. Madam Qiao looked her over carefully, only relaxing when she was sure the girl was unharmed. Still, she gave her a light slap on the arm. “What exactly happened? How could you just wander off like that? And without anyone accompanying you—what if something had happened?”

Bai Qingqing smiled sweetly and coaxed her for a while, then linked arms with Yaoyao and entered the palace with Madam Qiao.

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On the way, Bai Qingqing hesitated several times about whether to tell her mother about the imperial marriage edict. The words reached the tip of her tongue more than once, but in the end she held them back. With her mother’s fierce protectiveness, she might just charge ahead without thinking once she knew—and that would be a small matter. If it delayed the Summer Festival, that would be far worse.

They followed the ceremonial steps to offer their prayers. The deep tolling of bells echoed through the vast heavens, as if carrying their most heartfelt wishes to the ears of the divine—prayers for the people of the world to be spared from the suffering of natural disasters.

This year’s palace banquet following the prayer ceremony was held in the Ziwei Garden within the Imperial Garden. The crape myrtles were in full bloom, blazing with color—so dazzlingly beautiful it was almost blinding.

Add to that the noble ladies of Xuancheng, delicate and dainty, adorned in gold and silver, their fragrant hair coiled high like clouds, and the scene became an overwhelming display of splendor.

With so many gathered together, conversation flowed like water. Some went to pay respects to the palace consorts, others played the part of obedient juniors before elders, and many clustered in groups to exchange gossip about Xuancheng’s latest intrigues.

Bai Qingqing, burdened with secrets, stayed close to Madam Qiao and didn’t stray far. Yet even so, she attracted a fair share of admiration and chatter.

“Just look at the eldest Miss Bai—truly worthy of the title ‘First Beauty of Xuancheng.’ Sister Bai, have you found a fine match for Qingqing yet?”

Madam Qiao, ever skilled at deflecting with grace, merely replied that they were still looking around. Qingqing was young—there was no need to rush.

Suddenly, two palace maids approached, announcing that Her Highness, Consort Xian, had summoned them.

Madam Qiao and Bai Qingqing exchanged puzzled glances. In particular, Madam Qiao was baffled—she’d hardly had any dealings with Consort Xian before. Why would she go out of her way to invite them?

Sensing Bai Qingqing’s fingers tighten around her arm, Madam Qiao gently patted the back of her hand and whispered, “Don’t be afraid, Mother is here.”

That one sentence made Bai Qingqing’s eyes grow hot with emotion. There was nothing more comforting in the world—so long as her mother was by her side, she feared nothing.

Only after arriving did they realize that Consort Xian’s quarters were already filled with guests. Out of the corner of her eye, Bai Qingqing caught sight of the Princess Consort of Prince Ping seated beside Consort Xian, her face kind and serene, like a benevolent bodhisattva.