621 The Secret About the Past 239

She came down only after about half an hour. Wearing a new set of clothes and fresh makeup on her face, she looked especially alluring.

The maid passed her the milk. "Princess Consort, your glass of milk."

Lin Shishi took the glass from her and finished the milk in one gulp. As they were about to leave, Tuoba Danxue asked as she entered the house, "Brother, Sister-in-law, where are you both going?"

"We're going back to A City."

Tuoba Danxue immediately asked, "May I tag along?"

Lin Shishi covered her mouth as she grinned. "Are you going to see Minxing?"

Tuoba Danxue's face flushed into a bright beetroot color. "Umm. Anyway, I want to go out as well. I don't want to be cooped up here."

"Alright, let's go together."

Tuoba Danxue immediately followed the couple out in high spirits.

A total of three cars left the Autumn Palace one after another.

In the car, Tuoba Gucheng enquired, "I seldom go to A City, are there any fun places there?"

"Yes." Lin Shishi chuckled. "I'm the most familiar with that place, there are many fun places there."

"The university you previously went to was in A City?"

"Umm. But then I married you, right? So I won't be going back to the university in the future. A teacher will be coming to give me private lessons from now on. I can't let my studies rot away." Lin Shishi rolled down the car window slightly, allowing some wind to enter. "Look at the weather, it's turning cold. If only it was spring or summer. With all that greenery and flowers blooming, everywhere will be bursting with life."

As she did not get an answer, Lin Shishi turned and noticed that he was looking out the window, appearing to be troubled. She nudged his elbow and asked, "Why do you look upset today?"

"That's why I wanted to get out, to ease my mind."

Lin Shishi showed a look of understanding. "I'll show you around when we arrive."

"Okay."

—

An Xiaoning destroyed that ugly-looking face mask. To be more specific, she burned it.

Amongst everything that must be burned, that was the first on her list.

At the present moment, she still had the beautiful face mask that resembled human skin. When it was needed, she would still use it.

But right now, she still wanted to go out in her actual looks.

She wanted to be in her actual skin, enjoying the sunlight, the air, the breeze — to experience everything.

After eating, she went to get a full package at the beauty parlor, then went to get her hair done.

This took up her whole morning.

With her newly-permed hair flowing over her shoulders, along with her dainty face and exquisite features, nobody could guess that she was already a thirty-year-old woman.

No matter who it was who guesses her age when meeting her for the first time, the oldest age they would guess of her was always about twenty-three to twenty-four years old.

Having visited the beauty parlor and hair salon, she proceeded to go shopping for furniture, lifestyle products, and clothing in the afternoon.

She only gave herself one afternoon's time to finish shopping for everything.

With money, things were easily done. This saying was very true.

She went to the furniture store to pick out all the furniture she needed in one go and instructed for them to be delivered to her house.

Even though everything had been taken care of, she did not intend to move into her new house at the present moment.

Since she had not seen her other set of godparents for quite a long time, An Xiaoning headed to the Jin family in the evening carrying gifts in her hands.

Upon seeing her sudden arrival, Commander-in-chief Jin and Madam Jin were at first shocked, then elated by her presence.

"Wow, Xiaoning's here." The couple welcomed her heartily, and Madam Jin remarked when she saw the gifts she was carrying, "Why did you buy things when you're back home? It's a waste of money."

"They're not worth much anyway. I bought them to show some respect to Father and Mother." She grinned as she scanned the living room. "Minxing's not at home?"

"No, the Second Prince and Princess Consort have returned home, and the Princess came over as well. Minxing went along." Madam Jin dragged her to sit down and continued, "Your father and I were going to head over, but since you're here, it's fine if we go there a bit later to have a chat."

"I'll head over in a few days as well. I haven't seen the two of you in so long, I actually missed you all quite a bit."

The couple was overjoyed upon hearing her words and, at the thought of her divorce, Madam Jin carefully said, "We wanted to visit you when you were overseas, but you refused. Xiaoning, are you feeling alright now?"

An Xiaoning understood what Madam Jin was referring to. She nodded. "I'm fine now. I'm still young, such setbacks don't amount to anything."

"You have a strong heart, that's good. I think you don't have to head over there tomorrow. You can come along with your father and me later. You didn't attend the Second Prince's wedding. Since the Princess Consort is also back, the two of you can have a chat."

An Xiaoning rejected her immediately. "It's fine, I'll go there another day."

She was not stupid. She had just come out of the Autumn Palace, and if she had to run into Tuoba Gucheng and her sister now, wouldn't she be asking for death?

"Alright, sure. Since you didn't attend the Second Prince's wedding, you must make sure to attend Minxing and the Princess' wedding in December."

Hearing this, An Xiaoning sighed heavily inside. It was only a matter of time for her to have to see the Tuoba family.

She nodded. "Alright, if I'm well and fine, I'll definitely attend."

"What are you talking about? Of course you have to be well and fine. Your father and I would hate to see anything happen to you." Madam Jin stood up. "Wait a moment, Mother has something to give you."

"What is it?"

"You'll know in a moment."

Madam Jin hurriedly ran into her bedroom and came out very soon.

She held a box in one hand and broke into a warm smile as she passed it to An Xiaoning. "Quick, open it and see if you like it."

An Xiaoning took the box and exerted some force to open it. Contained inside was a Buddha figure made from a crystal clear piece of jade.

It was of an azure green color, and attached to it was a piece of red string so it could be worn as a charm necklace.

"Xiaoning, do you like it?"

"I like it." She nodded and removed the piece of jade Buddha from the box, asking, "Mother, where did you buy this?"

Madam Jin grinned. "This jade Buddha may look the same as any ordinary piece of jade stone, but it's a birthday gift I received. When I saw it, I told your father that it didn't suit me but it would suit you, so I kept it for you. I saw you wearing a jade bangle before, I think this matches that bangle quite well."

"This is a birthday gift you received, Mother, how can I take it?" An Xiaoning felt that it was not right.

Madam Jin held onto her hand. "Mother doesn't have much to give you, but I just think this suits you. Xiaoning, you must accept Mother's sincerity. They say jades have a spiritual aura to them. If you wear it long enough, it will be no different from a protection charm. Mother hopes that this piece of jade will keep you safe."

"Mother, thank you." An Xiaoning hugged her tightly. "I'll accept it then. Can you put it on for me?"

"Of course." Madam Jin took the jade Buddha and hung it around An Xiaoning's neck, then she turned to ask her husband, "Do you think it looks good on our daughter?"

"Naturally," Commander-in-chief Jin answered heartily.

"I told you my judgment won't be wrong," Madam Jin said with a laugh.

"…"

After leaving the Jin residence, An Xiaoning headed back to the Gu residence.

She took out the jade bangle she had carefully stored and looked at it, deep in thought.