Chapter 142: Oft Spring Garden (I)

Bingtang was holding up an aqua silk wrap up to Qin Yining and assessing its measurements. “I heard about it from the serving girl at the Garden of Loving Piety, but she only knows some vague words from when she delivered hot water this morning. She doesn’t know the particulars, and only said that the old dowager is of the mind to take the family out for a walk. She didn’t say anything else.”

“I see. These clothes are fine, no need for further adjustments.” Qin Yining looked at the ivory robe and dress ensemble through the bronze mirror and took it off to have Songlan put it away. She sat down on the embroidered cushion of the bowed legged stool in front of her vanity, and saw that Songlan was coming to her with another pale-pink, padded cotton jacket for her to try on. The Qin fourth miss hastily waved a hand. “No need, it doesn’t matter if they’re tighter or looser.”

“Try it on, miss. What if some part doesn’t fit you well?”

“Why does fit matter? Being able to wear it is fine.” Qin Yining was thoroughly tired of repeated fittings and mirror viewings.

Songlan burst out in a chuckle. “Oh miss. If the other girls in the family knew that a beauty didn’t care about her looks… Those who don’t have your looks are all trying various ways to enhance themselves. The sixth miss doesn’t dare eat her fill because she wants to maintain her figure. The seventh miss washes her face everyday with nectar. But you, you don’t care!” She’d put the clothes neatly away into the redwood drawer on the side as she spoke.

Bingtang handed her fellow maid the wrap, a belt, and other accessories. “Our miss is born with fine beauty.” She smiled. “Besides, everyone goes after different things. Why do you think the sixth and seventh miss do all that? Women beautify themselves for self enjoyment. They’re doing that for their own futures. But our miss is different.”

“That’s right. I don’t have anyone I like and don’t care about about any of this.” Qin Yining was plainly uninterested.

“Nono, I don’t mean this when I say our miss is different.” Bingtang chuckled. “You don’t need to mind that much because of your natural beauty, and even if your appearance and health were weak, there’s still a Prince Pang who is utterly devoted to you, no?”

Qin Yining’s face immediately exploded with a blush and she rolled her eyes at Bingtang. “Why, you!”

Bingtang broke out into hearty laughter, heralding the arrival of Riceball with a twitch and a twist of its little butt. Qin Yining’s heart melted when she saw the bunny’s adorable figure by her feet. She picked it up to place it in his lap and stroked it lovingly.

“Prince Pang has gone to a great deal of thought.” Bingtang covered her mouth as she laughed. “He left Riceball with you so that you’ll think of him whenever you see it! So… would this count as… a token of love?” She pointed at the knotted square on the bunny’s neck.

It seemed to understand Bingtang’s words as it twisted and turned in Qin Yining’s lap, looking for a comfortable position. It placed two claws on Qin Yining’s hand and blinked its large eyes up to the girl, looking steadily up at her.

"Don't be silly, we don’t have a relationship at all! How would we exchange any tokens?” Qin Yining retorted in a mock angry tone and looked down at Riceball with a hidden smile. The snow white bunny was marred only by a circle of black fur around its left eye, making it seem like someone had punched it in the face. The effect was both adorable and comical. The girl burst out into chuckles and brought the palm-sized bunny closer for a cuddle.