Sitting in the carriage An Qing Ran let out a long sight of relief. Listening to the sound of the horseshoes her tumbling heart quieted down.
In her past life, she had sat in her carriage daydreaming about her encounter with various celebrities of the capital. But today she was only thinking about one thing. How she would have to face her enemy again!
What would when they finally come face to face?
"We arrived at Ding Yuan Fu". Said the coachman.
A ballet of carriages was passing in front of the estate, however, one could barely hear any noize. Attesting to the fact that most of the guest were nobles.
An Qing Ran's and An Yan Ran's carriages paused in front of the main gate. After what, the girls were carried in small sedans to the second entrance. A group of beautiful maids were standing at the moon gate, waiting to guide guests. After one of the maids checked their invitation, the two girls were led inside.
DingYan Hou Fu was in no way inferior to the general's estate. The architecture was more detailed. The corridors were connected by pebble path.
In the distance across a stone bridge, you could distinguish some flowers beds. When the wind blew, it brought the faint fragrance of plum blossom.
A small handmaid came to great them.
"My lady is waiting for the two young miss in the small pavilion. The road is slippery so the young miss should walk slowly...".
It was the moment An Qing Ran realized that her refusal to let AnYan Ran ride the carriage with her made the girl dissatisfy. From the moment they stepped out of their carriages she had not uttered a word. Yan Ran quietness made Qing Ran uncomfortable.
However, she kept her calm and carefully walked on the slippery bluestone bridge in a trance. This place... All her past life sorrows began here!
The stone bridge allowed one to cross the artificial lake of the Ding Yan Hou Fu. The ice had started to melt and it looked like the water was covered by small iced scales. From a fare, you could notice small waves blown by the wind.
An Qing Ran's heart tighten. In her past life, she had fallen into the cold water and got afflicted with her cold disease here. Once more she got lost in memories. Suddenly An Yan Ran stopped and called.
"Jie Jie, watch the ice her has turned into..."
It was the same words!
When Qing Ran heard these words her mouth turned dry but still nodded.
"Yes"
"Jie Jie look! Is that a fish? Can fish swim in such cold water?"
An Yan Ran asked her in a cheery voice. Leaning forward she pointed toward the lake.
The little maid that was leading the way had already turned at a corner and stopped there silently waiting.
An Qing Ran walked torward bridge side and looked down in the direction that Yan Ran's small finger was showing.
"Yes the fish is really swimming"
An Yan Ran slowly took a step back and a wicked light shot in her eyes. She had endured for such a long time... Now she would let that person in front of her suffer!
Her Niang was locked up in her courtyard because of this girl's mother. These past few days her words were strange and cold... Which reminded Yan Ran of her mother's words. If this girl wasn't with father on that day things would not have ended up as it is. Earlier too ... she used the Emperor as an excuse so she (Yanran) wouldn't ride the carriage her(Qingran).
An YanRan stood next to Qing Ran.
"How nice it would be to feed the fishes!"
"This isn't our house, where are you going to find fish food?"
AnQing Ran replayed the dialogue of her past life.
AnYan Ran sighted, but all of a sudden she slipped and lost her shoe. That was it! In her previous life, she had tried to get the shoe back and slipped into the lake. At that time it was Kang Wang that rescued her...