A moon hung in the pitch-black sky, though it was no longer as bright as in previous days.
After sneaking out of the ancestral hall, Jiang Ning stood in the moonlight for a moment, contemplating where to go next.
Nangong Muyan was dead. So were Ma Steward, Dongmei, and even Xiao Qing, the maid who had kept silent about what she knew.
It's all over now, Jiang Ning told herself.
A subtle fragrance wafted through the air. Jiang Ning turned her head to see several red plum trees in full bloom by the wall. The hazy moonlight fell upon the vibrant petals, as if draping them in a thin veil.
Liu Ming'an.
The name suddenly surged into her mind. Jiang Ning envisioned that handsome, gentle face, and longing crashed over her like a flood bursting through a dam, leaving her defenseless.
She wanted to see him.
Go see him!
Jiang Ning walked to the wall, about to climb over it when she glimpsed the blooming red plums. She paused, walked to the branches, and stood on tiptoe to break off a few stems.
Gathering the broken flowers together, Jiang Ning looked around, found a pliable blade of grass, and used it to tie the stems into a bouquet. She then tossed it into her spatial storage.
Having completed this, Jiang Ning stepped back, about to take a running start when a surprised voice called out from behind: "Third Young Miss?"
Jiang Ning turned at the sound. Jin Yao stood by the path holding a lantern, apparently just coming from the study.
It was normal for the boss's secretary to greet the boss's daughter, so Jiang Ning nodded to Jin Yao, planning to act once he left.
Unexpectedly, Jin Yao stood still with his lantern, looking as if he wanted to chat with Jiang Ning.
"Has the Third Young Miss had dinner?"
"...Yes."
"Is the Third Young Miss here to admire the plum blossoms?"
"...Mm."
"The plum blossoms in the mansion are especially beautiful this year. Does the Third Young Miss enjoy them as much as the Madam does?"
"...Mm."
"Where is your maid, Xiao Ru?"
"..."
"Third Young Miss—"
Jiang Ning lost patience and stared directly at the man before her. "Jin Yao, what exactly do you want to ask?"
Jin Yao wasn't usually talkative. This stream of small talk was just preamble, meant to close the distance between them so he could ask his real questions without seeming abrupt.
Unfortunately, Jiang Ning wasn't playing along.
Jin Yao was taken aback. Seeing the cold detachment in Jiang Ning's eyes, he finally believed what Jin Hui had told him about how different the Third Young Miss had become.
"Third Young Miss, how have you been these past few months?"
As soon as Jin Yao finished speaking, he saw Jiang Ning's lips curl into a mocking smile.
"If you want to ask, Nangong Ya should come ask in person. If you're just curious, why don't you investigate yourself?"
Nangong Ya?
The Third Young Miss referred to her own father this way?
Before Jin Yao could process this, Jiang Ning, tired of talking to him, took a running start and nimbly scaled the wall right in front of him.
Jin Yao stood stunned for a good while before reacting. He climbed the wall after her.
The street outside was empty, with no sign of Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning no longer had any expectations of Nangong Ya, that biased and incompetent father. She didn't care what Jin Yao might report to him, and thus didn't even bother to put on an act.
Once out of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Jiang Ning's thoughts returned solely to Liu Ming'an, the earlier interruption quickly forgotten.
Without pause, she made her way to Late Winter Road. The closer Jiang Ning got to that courtyard, the faster her heart raced.
"Having seen my love, how can I not be joyful?"
Jiang Ning had only half-understood this line of poetry before. Now, deeply immersed in these feelings herself, she realized how aptly the ancients had captured the essence of "emotion."
In the courtyard on Late Winter Road, Liu Ming'an had finished dinner and his evening wash. He carried a lamp as he stepped out of the house. Just as he crossed the threshold, a soft thud came from near the wall, as if something had fallen.
Liu Ming'an sensed something and looked up. There stood the girl he'd been thinking of day and night, holding a large bouquet of plum blossoms, smiling brightly at him.
"Liu. Ming. An."
Jiang Ning enunciated each syllable of his name. Though just three simple characters, they seemed to have echoed a thousand times in her heart before being spoken. To Liu Ming'an, it sounded like a voice from a dream.
Liu Ming'an stood motionless, staring at Jiang Ning, as if trying to determine whether the scene before him was real or imagined.
In the moonlight, the two gazed at each other silently, time seeming to stand still.
Jiang Ning waited a moment. Seeing Liu Ming'an still in his dazed state, her smile deepened. She pretended to sigh and complained, "Ah, I thought you'd come over and hug me..."
As she spoke, Jiang Ning began walking towards Liu Ming'an with her flowers.
If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain.
Jiang Ning had only taken two steps when that previously frozen figure suddenly moved. Like a gust of wind, he rushed over and pulled her into his embrace.
"The plum blossoms—mmph!"
Jiang Ning tried to move the flowers aside, but her chin was tilted up, and a passionate kiss descended upon her lips.
"The flow—mmph!"
Jiang Ning attempted to struggle, but Liu Ming'an's lips and tongue thoroughly sealed her words.
Oh well, it's just a bunch of flowers.
Jiang Ning gave up on other thoughts, closed her eyes, and surrendered to the kiss filled with infinite tenderness.
The bouquet of blooming red plums, caught between their young bodies, was crushed and trampled, though neither paid it any mind. Crimson petals scattered on the ground at their feet, as if a red rain had fallen. The lingering floral fragrance hung in the air, adding a touch of amorous sensuality to their surroundings.
The fervent kisses spoke of their longing more eloquently than words. After what seemed an eternity, the joy of reunion gradually settled in their hearts through this passionate embrace.
"Ah Ning," Liu Ming'an gently caressed Jiang Ning's face, his forehead pressed against hers, his entire being consumed by her presence. His voice hoarse, he said, "I've missed you so much."
After the kiss, Jiang Ning's lips were even more alluring than the fallen plum blossoms. Liu Ming'an watched as those lips parted, and heard her softly reply, "So have I." His throat bobbed involuntarily, his eyes darkening.
Ah Ning, you're too enticing.
His body had long since reacted. Liu Ming'an lowered his gaze, no longer daring to look at the person before him, and tried to step back. To his surprise, Jiang Ning held him tightly.
"Why are you retreating?" Jiang Ning chuckled softly. Due to their recent kiss, a thin mist of desire clouded her eyes. When she laughed, her gaze rippled enticingly, like a bewitching spirit.
"I'm not... not retreating..."
Liu Ming'an's ears turned red, his eyes darting about nervously. Seeing this, Jiang Ning felt a mischievous urge to tease him.
Her hands, originally around Liu Ming'an's waist, moved up to encircle his neck. Jiang Ning slowly leaned towards his ear and breathed, "Liu Ming'an, if I wanted to sleep with you, would you resist?"
The next moment, Jiang Ning was satisfied to see that patch of skin turn from light pink to deep crimson, as if about to drip blood.