Chapter 156: Contrast

Princess Anping looked at Su Baihan, whose face was flushed with radiance beside her. Rather than making conversation with her, looking at the ordinary scenery outside made her feel much more at ease.

After walking for a long time, Princess Anping felt a bit tired. Seeing that Su Liiluo's face also looked somewhat pale, she suggested, "Elder Sister Liluo, you must be tired after walking for so long. Why don't we go to the pavilion ahead and rest for a bit? I can have the maidservants bring some tea and pastries so we can enjoy the view while we partake. What do you think?"

Su Liiluo looked at her slowly, and after a long moment, a smile finally appeared on her lips as she nodded and said, "The Princess is most thoughtful." Su Liiluo had no particular feelings about what they did; she had matters weighing on her mind, and the surrounding scenery could not catch her eye for the time being.

Hearing Su Liiluo's agreement, Princess Anping did not turn to ask for Su Baihan's opinion, but instead instructed the nearby maidservants. The maids hurriedly stepped forward to make arrangements, and by the time the group reached the pavilion, steaming hot tea and pastries were already neatly arranged on the table.

"Sit down, Elder Sister Liluo. Put aside whatever is troubling you in your heart for now; don't bottle it up and make yourself miserable," Princess Anping said softly, thinking the other was still worrying about the ice shop, hoping to temporarily cheer her up.

The maidservants placed three cushions on the stone benches. Feeling the warm, soft adornment beneath her as she sat down, Su Baihan put on a pretty smile and praised, "The Princess's maidservants are truly meticulous, considering even the smallest details so thoroughly."

Princess Anping replied indifferently, "Naturally. If the Fourth Young Miss is dissatisfied with how her maidservants perform, she should have the estate's matrons properly train them. I guarantee that without the Fourth Young Miss needing to say a second word, they will be trained to absolute obedience."

Su Baihan's expression stiffened, and she rolled her eyes inwardly. She had merely offered a compliment, yet the other acted as if everyone around her was a priceless treasure. She forced out two dry laughs, smoothed down her ruffled skirt, lowered her head, and said, "There is no need for the Princess to trouble herself; my maidservants are quite good."

Su Liiluo sat to one side, lost in thought, staring blankly at a single spot. She remained silent throughout the dispute between the two. Having been snubbed, Su Baihan turned her head away, took a gentle sip of the hot tea on the table, and breathed in the curling wisps of tea fragrance; the pent-up frustration in her chest finally subsided somewhat.

Noticing the pavilion's decorations, Su Baihan gripped the cup made of fine white jade, the opulence of the Prince's estate nearly blinding her. Turning the jade cup in her hand, she casually asked, "The Princess and the Heir have such a wonderful relationship. To have such a good brother, the Princess is truly blessed."

Princess Anping disliked Su Baihan mentioning her brother, but the compliment about him pleased her somewhat. She raised her chin proudly and said, "Of course. My brother is the finest man in the world. Aside from my father and mother, he treats me the best."

As she said this, Princess Anping hoped Su Liiluo would appreciate the virtues of the Heir of Annan. Regrettably, the other showed no reaction whatsoever. Her indifferent expression caused Princess Anping to sigh inwardly, wondering why Elder Sister Liluo felt not even a shred of interest in her brother—how wonderful it would be if she were to become her sister-in-law.

"Han'er envies you from the bottom of my heart. The Princess must know the Heir's preferences like the back of her hand. If only I had such a wonderful brother," Su Baihan said. Not wanting to arouse Princess Anping's suspicion while desperately trying to probe for the Heir of Annan's preferences, her face flushed slightly, unsure how to make her inquiries discreetly.

Princess Anping looked at her with suspicion. "Su Baihan, what do you mean by that?"

Su Baihan shook her head and asked in feigned astonishment, "What is wrong, Princess? Han'er was merely expressing a passing thought. If I have offended the Princess in any way, I beg your forgiveness."

Princess Anping had no desire to bring matters out into the open, but her vigilance toward Su Baihan had increased. She issued a veiled warning, "My brother belongs to me alone. The Fourth Young Miss would do well not to harbor too many idle thoughts."

Su Baihan's face darkened, yet her fixation on the Heir of Annan only grew more uncontrollable. A flash of resentment crossed her eyes; once she became the Heir's Consort, she would see if the Princess would still dare to speak to her in such a tone.

The atmosphere inside the pavilion fluctuated between pleasant and strained. Su Baihan was neither willing to humble herself before Princess Anping nor willing to give up the opportunity to learn about the Heir of Annan, leaving her trapped in a difficult dilemma.

Just at that moment, a maidservant dressed in pale pink attire walked toward the pavilion. Princess Anping recognized her at a glance as one of her mother's personal attendants. Once the maid approached, she bowed to Princess Anping and said, "Princess, the Princess Consort heard that the eldest young lady of the Su family has come to visit the Princess, and wishes for you to bring the honored guest to see her."

"Mother wants to see Elder Sister Liluo? Elder Sister Liluo, let's set off immediately," Princess Anping said, slightly surprised. Recalling how the Princess Consort of Annan had previously resorted to roundabout ways to inquire about Su Liiluo, she felt it was not entirely unexpected after all.

"Very well, I shall follow the Princess's lead," Su Liiluo replied with a gentle smile, her radiant expression leaving the maidservant momentarily dazzled. The eldest young lady of the Su family was truly growing more breathtaking by the day.

"Please follow this maid, Princess and honored guest," the maid said, walking ahead to lead Princess Anping and the others toward the main courtyard of the Princess Consort of Annan.

Rounding winding paths and passing clusters of blooming flowers, an elderly matron caught sight of the approaching group and hurried inside to report. A short while later, Mother Wei, a senior attendant by the Princess Consort's side, came out to greet them. "The Princess has arrived. The Princess Consort is waiting inside. These must be the Eldest Young Miss and Fourth Young Miss of the Prime Minister's Estate, I presume? Please come right in."

Su Liiluo offered a subtle smile, while Su Baihan's eyes and brows were filled with arrogance. Mother Wei merely shook her head inwardly; she was indeed born of a secondary wife—compared to the Eldest Young Miss, she fell short by more than just a little.

Princess Anping asked as she walked, "Mother Wei, is there an urgent matter for Mother to summon us?"

"The Princess simply felt it has been a long time since she last saw the Eldest Young Miss, and is taking advantage of the Princess's visit to see her. The Eldest Young Miss need not worry; the Princess won't eat you," Mother Wei joked, causing Princess Anping to laugh. Turning to Su Liiluo, she smiled and said, "Indeed, Mother would never make things difficult for Elder Sister Liluo."

Watching Su Liiluo feign shyness, Su Baihan longed to tear away her hypocritical facade. She muttered inwardly, "Since when has Su Liiluo become so close with the Princess Consort of Annan? If I can win the Princess Consort's favor, becoming the Heir's Consort ought to be an easy feat." Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she followed closely behind Su Liiluo, terrified of being left behind.

Entering the inner chambers, Princess Anping threw herself into the arms of the Princess Consort of Annan like a swallow returning to its nest, coaxing softly, "Mother, I missed you so much."

The Princess Consort of Annan smiled from the bottom of her heart, stroked Princess Anping's hair, and feigned annoyance as she said, "Anping, the young lady of the Su family is watching. Get up quickly. Usually, you never cling to me like this—don't let them laugh at you."

Pouting, Princess Anping shook her mother's sleeve in dissatisfaction. "No such thing! Mother is doing this on purpose; Elder Sister Liluo would never laugh at me."

Su Liiluo watched the mother and daughter exchange affectionate remarks with a smile in her eyes. Thinking of her own mother, a trace of loss welled up in her heart, but she was quickly interrupted by Su Baihan at her side.

"How would Han'er dare to laugh at the Princess? The Princess was merely acting out of genuine affection. Han'er greets the Princess Consort," Su Baihan stepped forward eagerly, bypassing Su Liiluo entirely to bow and pay her respects to the Princess Consort of Annan. The smiling expression on the Princess Consort's face stiffened slightly. Exchanging glances with Mother Wei, she said indifferently, "Rise."

Having received such a cold reception from the Princess Consort, Su Baihan had no idea what she had done wrong and wanted to say more to explain herself. Meanwhile, Su Liiluo gracefully curtsied, her skirts spreading out before everyone like blooming petals, and her crisp voice rang out, "Liluo greets the Princess Consort. For failing to pay my respects earlier, I beg the Princess Consort's forgiveness."

The Princess Consort's tone regained its warmth as she smiled, "Get up quickly, Liluo. Do not blame me for being rash; I simply thought of how long it has been since I last saw you, and had someone summon you over."

"Liluo wouldn't dare. The Princess Consort's intentions are kind, and Liluo has likewise been missing the Princess Consort, only fearing to disturb your peace." After rising, Su Liiluo stood beside Su Baihan. Her gentle and poised demeanor caused the Princess Consort to hold Su Baihan in even lower esteem by comparison.