After that evening the prestige of the Bai estate once again soared. Not only did Bai Xiang'er won splendidly, but the third placer was also the young lady from their family, Bai Xingmei.
Though skills and technique-wise, Bai Xiang'er won hands down, however, the third young lady had truly made them feel startling emotions through her playing.
As the capital gossiped and told tales about the banquet, the palace was also very busy at that moment.
The emperor made two successive edicts all in one night and they are all for the Prime Minister's estate. So with haste, the eunuchs in charge of delivering the will of the emperor, made their way to the ever-so-popular house.
A steward ran towards the study where the patriarch was at. He looked like he was being chased by a hell-hound just by the way he breezed through the servants along the way.
"Prime minister, the king had sent edicts. The Eunuchs are waiting for master and the young ladies to receive it." Barely recovering his breath, the steward reported in one go.
The surprised prime minister then made his way to the front gate and summoned servants to call on the third young miss and the di daughter.
"Eunuch Li and Eunuch Fang, this Prime Minister greets you!"
"Greetings to you as well prime minister, this servant was tasked to deliver a decree, wishing for the righteous minister's daughters to receive it." The old Eunuch Li stated respectfully.
As if on cue, the two daughters that were summoned arrived thus they then received the imperial edict.
Eunuch Li called out in a solemn and clear voice. "The Di daughter of the prime Minister estate, Bai Xiang'er, step forward to receive this imperial decree."
Bai Xiang'er then stepped forward and kneeled.
"His majesty has bestowed upon the Di daughter of this kingdom's Prime Minister, a marriage as a princess consort to the crown prince. The lady will be awarded with 5 bolts of fabric from the West, 10 pearls from the northern sea and 100 taels of gold for being virtuous and talented."
"This lady receives the imperial decree. Thanking the emperor for his grace." Bai Xiang'er then stood up with her head down, received the edict then walked backwards.
"The third young miss of the prime minister estate, come forward to receive the imperial decree." Bai Xingmei stepped forward then kneeled down, following proper protocols for receiving imperial bestowals.
"His majesty bestowed upon the third young, lady Bai Xingmei, a marriage to the second prince, Long Yixuan as a concubine. As the lady was sensible and had a good temperament the emperor will gift her 3 bolts of fabric from the west, 5 pearls from the northern sea, and 50 taels of gold. Come forward and accept the edict."
"This young lady accepts the royal edict. Thanking the emperor for his grace."
As this went on, people gathered outside the estate to bear witness to the bestowal of marriage. Heaven truly favors those who are talented.
Xiao Hua who was watching all this unfold, ran back towards the abandoned courtyard where the little hut was at.
"My lady! The third young miss will be getting married!" Xiao Hua excitedly exclaimed as she made her way towards her young lady who was, at that moment, crouched down, busying herself planting her herbs.
Ying Yue hummed, letting her know she heard her while she still kept fiddling with plants.
Xiao Hua who didn't care if her master was listening or not, babbled on, "The third young miss is very blessed ah! She will be a concubine of the second prince. I think they will look good together!"
Ying Yue who finished planting the last batch of her seedlings, stood up, patting the dirt off of her robe. "Yes, but I do hope that Mei'jie would be happy with this marriage."
"Of course I will be happy! It is still a good marriage you know." A gentle voice sounded behind Ying Yue. Bai Xingmei made her way to the hut to share the good news but never expected for this little maid to beat her to it.
"Mei'jie, you're here! Come in. Xiao Hua prepare some tea and snacks." Ushering Bai Xingmei at the little garden she busied herself with, she then asked, "Mei'jie, are you truly happy with this?" If Bai Xingmei didn't want this marriage, she will help find a way for her to be free.
Bai Xingmei understood the unspoken words and felt warm. This little girl truly knows how to touch a soft spot. With a gentle smile, she patted Ying Yue's head. "Yueyue, I am thankful to all the gods that I have played the zither that night when I met you. Now I feel very happy unlike before."
Gazing at the other's eyes she continued, "So no matter what happens in the future I will accept them all and besides, the second prince does have a good reputation. With this, jiejie would finally be able to help you out if you want to be out of here in the future."
Ying Yue was shocked. She never thought that Bai Xingmei was actually doing this for her. Her nose soured all of a sudden.
"Mei'jie, if that's what motivated you to go through this then I don't want it! As much as you want me to be happy, I also want that for you. So how can you expect me to just sit by and agree with your thoughts?"
"Don't worry little one, although that is my plan for the future, this jiejie will tell you a secret." Bai Xingmei then smiled, looking down her lap as if revisiting a cheerful memory.
"When I was the same age as you, I once got lost in the capital. I was scared so I cried. Then out of nowhere, someone came and rubbed my head, asking me what was wrong. I told him I was lost and if he could send me back home. He agreed and led me along the street, holding my hand as to not lose sight of me. As he thought that I was still scared, he stopped by a stall to buy me a hairpin," Bai Xingmei then reached at the back of her head retrieving a wooden hairpin that looked well polished despite being old.
"After that, I have always remembered him. I learned from the steward that the person who sent me here was the second prince." She then stared at Ying Yue showing a bashful but nonetheless happy smile.
Ying Yue needn't ask more. Holding her hand that held the hairpin, she just smiled to show that she sincerely feel happy for her.
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That evening, Ying Yue thought back to everything that has happened so far. Although the timeline still followed through, there was a huge factor that deviated, Bai Xingmei. Her marriage was not arranged by the first lady but an edict bestowed by the emperor.
Would this deviation cause a huge butterfly effect or would this be just a tiny ripple on the vast sea? If only Bao'er has all the timeline already. Sighing dejectedly, Ying Yue just decided to wait and see.
"Yueyue!" A childlike voice drifted to her ears.
Ying Yue gasped at this happy surprise, "Bao'er you're back! I'm so glad! I have missed you so much!"
"Bao'er missed Yueyue as well so Bao'er worked hard to return as soon as possible!" The blob of light then flew at Ying Yue's arms, rubbing itself.
"Yes, my Bao'er is really hardworking!" Ying Yue patted it gently. She truly missed this little blob.
"Yueyue I was able to absorb the hostile fragment, but I would still need more time to piece them all together to make a relevant timeline."
"It's okay Bao'er as long you are safe. Anyway, now that you're already here, it's just a matter of time for us to know what happened in this plane."
Those broken fragments and the hostile one, the hibernating world's consciousness and those unanswered questions… added up together simply doesn't bode well.