Feng Qingyi's summer vacation was very fulfilling. Apart from the required courses she had to study, she would visit the Peng Lai Residence every day.
Because she had mastered the method of making ice cubes, coupled with the recently introduced cold drinks, the Peng Lai Residence once again became popular in Shengjing.
Every day, there was a group of people queuing up to buy cold drinks at the entrance of the Peng Lai Residence. Most of them were servants from the houses of officials and nobles.
Feng Qingyi heard many gossip stories about Shengjing from them, including some about Qin Yuchuan.
Although most of the stories related to Qin Yuchuan were rather far-fetched.
Some said that when he was ten years old, he encountered a venomous snake on the mountain and fought with it for three days and three nights, eventually exhausting the snake to death.
Others said that he was particularly stupid before the age of three, but after falling into a lake and being rescued at the age of three, he suddenly became intelligent, able to recite the Four Books and Five Classics fluently, and speak eloquently.
It was said that the lake was the same one where Xuanyuan Yan fell in and regained his sight after coming out.
Besides these, there was also gossip about Qin Yuchuan and his close friends, with Xuanyuan Yan appearing most frequently, though most of it was rather improper.
But they spoke with such conviction and intrigue that Feng Qingyi found herself listening with great interest.
Xu Linghe couldn't understand why Feng Qingyi enjoyed listening to these bizarre gossip stories.
"Qingyi, they're all talking nonsense. How can you listen so intently?"
Feng Qingyi replied, "Don't you find these stories interesting?"
"They're pairing your man with other people, and you still find it interesting!" Xu Linghe was even more confused.
Feng Qingyi said, "I find it quite novel to hear about him from other people's mouths."
"Are you missing General Qin?" Xu Linghe asked.
Feng Qingyi retorted, "What's there to miss about him? You should think about your brother Yiqing instead!"
Xu Linghe said, "I made the peach oolong tea I learned from you yesterday, but he said it didn't taste good. I don't want to talk to him anymore."
Feng Qingyi replied, "You two are so childish. One day you coax me, the next day I coax you, just like little kids."
"To be honest, I always thought Zhao Yiqing would be the type to strictly adhere to etiquette, a bookworm who's inflexible. I didn't expect him to change so much after meeting you."
Xu Linghe smiled and said, "As long as I don't bother him when he's reading or handling official business, he actually doesn't get angry. Let me tell you a secret, he likes pink and cute things. Every time he gives me something, it's always pink."
"When I went to the Wenyuan Pavilion yesterday, I caught him secretly embroidering a pink skirt. When he saw me come in, he quickly put it away. I really didn't expect a grown man to know embroidery."
"I think in the future when my father asks me to embroider, I can ask him for help. These days my father has been strange too, finding a lot of embroidery pieces for me every day from who knows where, claiming it's for me to learn."
Feng Qingyi said, "That pink little skirt must be prepared for you!"
"I don't know, maybe it is. But he's already given me a lot of hairpins recently. All the ones I'm wearing are from him. I think I should give him something too. Do you have any good suggestions?" Xu Linghe asked.
Feng Qingyi shook her head, "I think the thought counts when it comes to gifts. If he likes you, he'll like even a blade of grass you give him."
"What gifts have you given to General Qin?" Xu Linghe asked.
Feng Qingyi thought for a moment, "I think the most meaningful gift was a small lion I carved myself for his birthday. The others were just randomly chosen."
Xu Linghe said, "I think I'll give him something I made myself too. I'll ask my mother when I get back what she used to give to my father."
Feng Qingyi looked at her watch, "Bai Wei came yesterday and asked me to go to the General's Mansion today. I need to head over now. Can I borrow your carriage?"
"I'll go with you!" Xu Linghe stood up.
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Let's go then!"
Upon arriving at the General's Mansion, Feng Qingyi and Xu Linghe were led to the Qinghuan Courtyard by Bai Wei.
Feng Qingyi was a bit confused, "Bai Wei, why are we going to the Qinghuan Courtyard? Wasn't it said that your mistress wanted to see me?"
"The Princess is waiting for you in the Qinghuan Courtyard," Bai Wei replied.
As they entered the Qinghuan Courtyard, Feng Qingyi was pushed into a room.
Xu Linghe was about to enter but was stopped by Bai Wei, "Miss Xu, let's wait here for a while. We'll go in later."
"What did she go in for?" Xu Linghe asked curiously.
Bai Wei smiled and said, "The Princess has finished embroidering the wedding dress for Miss Qingyi. She called her over to try it on. We'll see if it fits well and if any adjustments are needed."
"Wedding dress? Has the wedding date been set?" Xu Linghe asked.
Bai Wei shook her head, "That will have to wait until the General returns to check for an auspicious date. The Princess thought it would be good to have the wedding dress ready first, so any necessary alterations can be made in time. Miss Qingyi is always busy, and we don't know if she'll have time to come over later."
The two waited outside the door for a long time before Feng Qingyi was pushed out.
She was wearing a red wedding dress that complemented her flower-like face. Her hair was all pulled up and coiled on top of her head, adorned with a pure gold phoenix crown that swayed slightly as she walked.
Golden flower patterns were pasted on her forehead, and her makeup was heavier than usual, making her look exceptionally beautiful and charming.
"This is too beautiful!" Xu Linghe walked forward.
Xuanyuan Xi also came out of the room, "Qingyi, do you think there's anything that needs to be improved?"
Feng Qingyi pointed to the phoenix crown on her head, "This is too heavy. It's not comfortable to wear, my neck hurts."
Bai Wei said, "In our Shengjing, the phoenix crown worn by women on their wedding day is always made of pure gold. It's only worn once in a lifetime, so you just have to endure it for a while."
Xuanyuan Xi helped Feng Qingyi take off the phoenix crown, "If it's too heavy, I'll have them make a new one. Take another look at the wedding dress, is there anything else that needs to be changed?"
Feng Qingyi turned around, "I think the wedding dress is very good. There's nothing that needs to be changed. I really like it."
Xuanyuan Xi looked carefully again, seeming a bit unsatisfied, "The waist can be tightened a bit more, and some decorations should be added to the back. Otherwise, it looks too plain."
Feng Qingyi turned her head to look at the train dragging on the ground behind her. How could the phoenix embroidered with gold thread be considered plain?
"I think it's fine like this. No need to change it."
Xuanyuan Xi insisted, "That won't do. This dress is only worn for one day, so we can't be careless. I'll make some more adjustments. Let's see what else we can add to this phoenix."
"Aunt, did you embroider this dress yourself?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Xuanyuan Xi replied, "I'm idle every day anyway, and knowing that you still have to study, I thought I'd help with the embroidery. It's just that I haven't done it for many years, so I'm a bit rusty. Qingyi, if there's anything you're not satisfied with, just say so."
