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Ningguang raises an eyebrow. “So you’re no longer interested?”
“I never said that, just that I won’t be going if it isn’t worth my time,” Beidou says. “Plus, you still have yet to give me a place or a date for the event.”
Beidou perches herself on the edge of the desk inside Ningguang's stuffy office in the Jade Chamber, ignoring the plush chairs that sit in front of the desk. Ningguang sits behind her old, oaken desk, dressed in a loose shawl, hair styled into a messy bun. Her appearance may be outwardly on the more casual side, yet not a hair or thread is out of place, the edge of composure ever sharp. If her appearance is an attempt at deception, Ningguang isn't quite succeeding.
“It’ll be worth your time, have you known me to employ you otherwise?” Ningguang questions. “It should be about a fortnight from here out and I’ll need you to be my bodyguard for the night.”
It was already interesting enough that Ningguang called for an audience outside of their regular meet time, let alone the late hour. The fact that Ningguang would allow Beidou to see her like this, far too casual for their usual exchanges, was rather … amusing.
“If I didn’t know you any better, I would have thought you were sending me to my death,” Beidou comments, crossing her legs. “Not that it’s going to be an issue, right A-Ning?”
“As if I’d ever think to risk one of my greatest assets,” Ningguang waves off. “I must also admit, I have a bit of a personal interest in keeping you around.”
“The generous Lady Ningguang admits to selfishness? The scandal of it all,” Beidou crows. Beidou can finally begin to read between the lines of doublespeak that Ningguang speaks in, the art form she has perfected to keep her footing in the Jade Chamber. Beidou has never been interested in such roundabout ways of discussion, but for Ningguang she’ll learn. “Whatever shall the good citizens of Liyue do now?”
“I have to have my own desires to survive in this petty world,” Ningguang smirks. “After all, I learned this from the best.”
“No need to spoil me so much, Ningguang,” Beidou laughs. The yellow light reflects off the wooden hairpiece in Ningguang’s bun, redwood wound around platinum hair. “Just tell me what I should bring to this event.”
“Whatever weapons you can easily conceal on your person,” Ningguang replies. “You’ll also need to dress up for the night.”
“Darling, you don’t think I'm pretty enough for you?”
“You know what I meant.”
Beidou flashes her a grin. “Whatever you say, love.”
Ningguang rolls her eyes and straightens a stack of paper against the desk, the papers sharply rustling against the table. She reaches under her desk, the drawer rattling as it slides out, and she pulls out a hair pin, a beauty of skinny white jade with flecks of gold running through it.
“I trust you know our terms of service by now,” Ningguang says, handing it to Beidou. Beidou slips it in her thigh holster, the stone cold against her skin.
“Yes, you’ll get it back once the job is done and I get my payment. The less papers for me to deal with, the better,” Beidou laughs.
Ningguang nods and turns back to her work. “I’ll send all the details I have when I receive them all. If you need anything, feel free to stop by.”
Beidou salutes Ningguang with an easy grin, and makes her way out of the office and the Jade Chamber. An event with just the date and the dress code, Beidou muses on the elevator ride down. Not that she needs that much time to scope out the place, but it was odd that Ningguang didn’t already know. Must be someone else organizing the event, or else A-Ning would have already known. She was lucky that Beidou hadn’t made exact preparations for the Crux to go back out yet.
Beidou resolves to set it out of her mind as she exits the elevator, just happy to be back on the streets of Liyue. The crew was happy to extend their stay on land for a bit longer after their last trip, and Beidou wasn’t in a hurry to go back out on the seas. She could take up some commissions and reach out to some of her old contacts before the Crux made their way back out.
The lights have turned on, the moon plump in the sky, and Beidou heads over to Wanmin, the rush hour crowd on the streets all but gone. When she walks to Wanmin, a fairly empty restaurant greets her as Beidou walks up to the attendant at the front and asks for a seat at the bar.
“Is Xiangling the chef tonight?” The attendant nods, and ushers Beidou to an empty seat. “Can you please ask her to come to the front when she can? Tell her Beidou sent for her.”
The attendant bows and walks off to the kitchens while Beidou orders a drink to start off. Beidou is nursing her third drink—she really should have ordered something stronger—before the kitchen doors crash open.
“Beidou! You’ve finally returned!” Xiangling emerges out of the kitchen, cheek smudged with soot and heat visibly emanating off of her.
“Xiangling, I see you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen as always,” Beidou says, amused.
“Of course! After we managed to get those sea slugs on our last trip, I’ve been experimenting with it and was able to introduce a new item to the menu! Here, let me cook it up for you and then we can talk,” Xiangling rambles as Beidou is served another drink. “A-Song, tell the patrons here that we’re closing early tonight and let the hands here know that they can head home early. I’ll take care of closing.”
Beidou chuckles as Xiangling and the server run off to do their respective duties and watches as patrons slowly file out of the restaurant. Once Xiangling is out of the kitchen again brandishing a platter of small plates, all but Beidou are gone as Xiangling slides into the seat next to her.
“So! When do you plan on leaving again? I could definitely use some more ingredients soon,” Xiangling asks, passing Beidou a pair of chopsticks.
“Ever the spirited, A-Ling. I’ve barely been in Liyue for a couple hours, and here you are, trying to run me out again,” Beidou says with faux hurt.
“Nothing of the sort! I just wanted to see how long you plan on staying here,” Xiangling exclaims. “I need to make the necessary preparations depending on your timeline.”
“Probably till the month’s end. I can tell the crew needs it, as well as the ship. You’ll have plenty of time to make due.”
Xiangling nods and they dig in. Archons, Beidou forgot how good the kid’s cooking was. A-Ling will be a welcome addition on the Crux again.
Beidou takes a moment to savor the food and pour them more drinks. She leans back and takes a sip, the edge of the barseat pressing into the shoulderblades. As Xiangling continues to scarf down her food, a thought clicks inside Beidou’s head.
“Say, have you heard of any of the large upcoming events? I’ve heard things here and there of something big coming soon, and if it’s interesting enough, I might crash the party and check it out myself,” Beidou grins. Xiangling contemplates it for a moment before she thumps her fist in her palm.
“Oh, the gala Lady Ningguang is helping to organize? I don’t know all of the details because my father usually deals with that stuff.”
“Will you be going as well?”
“Yes, because we'll be providing the catering! I just don’t know where the event will be hosted and I don’t think my dad knows either yet,” Xiangling says apologetically. “If I hear any more from my dad, I’ll keep you posted.”
Beidou raises her glass in appreciation. “About your father, how is he these days?”
They fall into easy conversation, engaging in surface level gossip as they continue to eat and drink. As they begin to wrap up, Beidou speaks up.
“Before I leave for the night, would you be willing to lend the place for a party for tomorrow night? I want to host a little something for the crew.”
“Of course! I’ll let the staff know too,” Xiangling beams, clapping her hands together. “It’ll be nice seeing everyone again.”
The crew and Xiangling all get horrifically drunk the next night, Xiangling’s new dishes a hit across the board as the older members regale the newer sailors with tales of past journeys. Beidou watches in amusement as a few of them pull Xiangling into a drinking contest, Xiangling tossing back shots of baijiu like water and the sailors dropping like flies.
The kids never learn, Beidou muses, Xiangling could probably ingest toxic waste and still come out the other side stronger than ever.
Beidou continues to slowly drink her whiskey, relishing the woody taste and the way the night comes to a close in a sleepy fashion.
The change in pace is a welcome one. The sea and the Crux are home, but it doesn’t mean she can’t still appreciate the departure from the norm. Beidou luxuriates in the firmness of the bed, appreciating how the floor doesn’t rock at all beneath her as she sleeps.
Beidou picks up commissions, trades with merchants, and gets needled into paperwork by Juza to fill the hours of her day. She tries not to bother the members of the Crux too much, letting them rest up and explore to their hearts’ content. After all, the seas choose their time out there and they’re simply along for the ride. She knows the newer sailors have needed this break so she gives them the space they need.
The quiet is foreign but not unappreciated. Beidou entertains herself by drinking, trying all the new varieties of alcohols that have come out since they’ve been gone, making notes on which ones to take out to sea with her. Beidou is on her way back to her place, just around a week left before the gala, cradling a few bottles of wine she hopes to get wonderfully drunk on when she bumps into Kazuha.
“Captain Beidou. I thought I sensed you in the area.” Kazuha serenely paces towards Beidou, trusty katana strapped to his side. “I trust you have been well on the seas?”
“Kazuha, glad to see you’re still in one piece,” Beidou remarks. “I’ve made it out alive, which is the best I could hope for.”
Kazuha’s face clears with understanding. “If you aren’t too busy, could I trouble you to wander the fields with me for a bit and catch up? We could also go treasure hunting.”
Beidou grins in anticipation. “You know me so well.”
Beidou does go back to her place, but only to gear up and pick up some supplies. She makes sure to take the wine with her before she joins Kazuha.
The city landscape slowly disappears in the background, the fresh smell of grass and the lilting tones of Kazuha’s voice the only things to focus on. Beidou relishes in the easy company of Kazuha as they run around the outskirts of Liyue. She soaks up his calm presence and sword skills, their chemistry whilst fighting still within muscle memory, trading blows tit for tat. They break their days of treasure hunting and fighting hilichurls with easygoing sparring and drinking to end their nights.
As the days pass by and draw them closer to the end of the week, Beidou knows she will have to go back to the city soon and breaks the news as they’re coming down the high of sparring.
“Kazu, not that your presence isn’t a delight, but my presence will be required back at Liyue soon, so we should start heading back soon,” Beidou interjects in the silence. “If you have nowhere to be, wanna come drinking with the crew? I’m sure they’d love to see you.”
Kazuha hums. “I would be happy to come along. Shall we begin returning now?”
Beidou acquiesces after she manages to pull herself off the ground, and they head back to Liyue, the building slowly appearing once more in the distance. They part their ways, the sun high in the sky, and Beidou promises to meet Kazuha at Wanmin an hour after sundown as she goes to round up the crew members.
When Beidou arrives at Wanmin again, she can hear her crew boisterously chattering from the open windows. She waves at the attendant at the front and makes her way to her crew in the corner of the room. They greet her as she slides into an empty chair at the table, appetizers already set out on the table.
“Captain, did you hear? Kazu said he was considerin’ tagging along for our next trip! Oh boy, am I excited for that,” Furong says animatedly. “And Miss Xiangling too! Our next trip is gonna be loads of fun.”
Beidou digs in, letting the flow of conversation wash over her and the crew bantering amongst themselves. When it begins to quiet down too much, she orders a round for the table before someone nervously pipes up.
“Kazuha has been drinking a lot of beer, will he be okay?”
“A-Qing, I know you’re practically a baby in our crew, but lemme let you in on something,” Juza cuts in, calling over a waiter and ordering a cocktail. “Kazu might seem all tough drinking a bunch of beer, but lemme tell you, he can never resist a good cocktail and then the kid goes loopy.”
Kazuha flushes violently while Beidou and the rest of the table guffaws. The chatter comes up once more, drinks flowing freely and discussions splitting off into small groups. Beidou is listening to Furong discussing the shops she’s visited so far when Huixing walks over, handing over a scroll.
“Captain, there’s a letter for you.”
Beidou unfurls the scroll, Ningguang’s elegant script greeting her.
Yujin Terrace. 9pm. Dress smart.
Beidou grins and tucks it into a pocket, making her way to Xiangling. She slings her arm around Xiangling, who crumbles under the weight slightly.
“A-Ling! Looks like we’ll be able to leave anytime after morrow! Get ready for the stormy waters again,” Beidou slurs, the buzz settling into her bloodstream.
“We’re leaving after tomorrow? Captain, that’s definitely not enough time! Oh archons, I still need to get the supply orders in,” Xiangling titters, clapping her palms to her cheeks.
The members make puppy eyes to get another round and even though Beidou knows she shouldn’t, she can’t resist spoiling them. Beidou can’t remember when the night ends, but she luckily wakes up in her own bed, without a hangover and sunlight streaming onto her bed.
She looks at her bedside table, her clock reading just a bit past 1pm. She should go to scope out the place before the event starts, get a feel for the place, so she pulls herself out of bed.
Beidou dresses down, not wanting to catch too much attention, and makes her way to Yujin Terrace. She walks leisurely, appreciating the late morning quiet, picking up some breakfast from the street vendors.
(Archons, she’s really forgotten just how good youtiao is. Having a fryer on the ship would be a safety hazard, not to mention the smell, but if only it wasn’t she could be having youtiao for breakfast every day.)
It takes quite the trek to get there, passing through the ornate walls screaming wealth before she arrives at the outdoor terrace, guards and vendors milling in and around the area. Beidou goes to walk in but before she can go far, a guard walks up to her and stops her in her place.
“Ma’am, do you have permission or the credentials to be allowed here? Because if you aren’t, I will have to ask you to leave.”
He shifts on his feet, on edge. Beidou is feeling magnanimous today, so she won’t terrorize the poor man too much.
“Oh, Lady Ningguang sent me to check up on how the proceedings were going. It’ll be a real problem if it doesn’t get back to her and we don’t wanna anger her, do we? After all, once it gets out that you were the one that stopped me, it won’t be looking too pretty for you.”
The man pales, her name clearly enough for him to leave Beidou alone. Once he’s out of earshot, she busts out laughing. They didn’t need to know what wouldn’t hurt them and after all, it was close enough to the truth.
She begins to walk around, taking in everything that is set up so far. There are tables sparsely populated throughout the space, elaborate bouquets and tablecloths covering them all, banners collapsed on the floor still, and various technicians carting around expensive looking equipment.
The slight breeze allows the smell of florals to drift in the air, and the open entryways make for easy exits. Maybe she should be worried about the lax security, but by the time the sun sets, she knows that without Ningguang, she’d have a very hard time entering.
A girl carrying a vase with a large bouquet darts past her, bumping Beidou.
“I’m so sorry ma’am! Are you okay?” Beidou barely felt it, but perhaps the girl would know something about the event.
“Don’t worry about me. Do you know what tonight’s event will be about?”
“A gala for the Qixing, I think? I’m so sorry! I don’t know much, I’m just here to transport the flowers,” the girl says nervously. Beidou waves her off and she practically runs away, poor thing.
Beidou looks around a bit more before she’s satisfied and ready to leave, yet there’s still plenty of idle time left. She doesn’t have urgent responsibilities to get to, so she lingers around the area, going up and down the staircases and sightseeing through the area.
The smell of delicious food wafts down, and Beidou looks up, spotting Jade Chamber in the distance. She smirks, and heads towards the scent of food, a plan forming in her head.
She makes sure to grab food for two (after all, she needs to eat too) before heading over to the Jade Chamber, humming lightly as she walks.
It would be polite if she sent a correspondence asking for Ningguang’s availability, oh when is your next free period, but when is Beidou one to partake in such formalities? Ningguang did say that Beidou could come when she needed to, and this is something Beidou thinks she does need.
She’s greeted by Buyun at the front, who waves with a smile.
“Captain, how may this one help you today?”
“You really gotta have me ask? Do you sell the moon here?”
He bows before ushering Beidou in. “It certainly has been many moons since I’ve seen you here.”
“If you’re lucky, you might be seeing more of my face around here,” Beidou quips. The elevator door closes and takes her up. She goes straight to Ningguang’s office, surprised when she finds it devoid of life, the afterthought of her presence still lingering in the room.
“Ma’am, I don’t believe you’re supposed to be here. Please leave the premises.”
Beidou turns around, the guard walking towards her with an arm outstretched. Not exactly optimal for her.
“Sir, I’m just doing a delivery for A-Ning, I’ll just wait for her to come and—”
“Well, even if you were, I must ask you to—”
“No need. She’s with me.”
Ningguang walks in, dressed to the nines in her usual outfit, hair tied up in place, tassel resting on her forehead. The guard bows and leaves, eyes clearly distrusting but unwilling to make a scene. Ningguang stops in front of Beidou, frowning.
“What brings you here now? I’m sure you received the missive.”
“Don’t worry, I got it, but more importantly, you’ve got them all wrapped around your pinky, don’t you?”
“Just as we have a mutually beneficial relationship, they find it beneficial to do their jobs to earn their pay.”
Beidou whistles. “Lady Ningguang, such a task manager.”
“Coming from you, a high compliment indeed,” Ningguang smiles. “Now, what are you really here for?”
Beidou lifts the bag, aware of the smugness radiating off of her in waves. Ningguang sniffs the air and sighs, turning around to quickly clear her desk. Beidou grins and sets down the bag, bringing out the food and drinks and setting it on the table, taking a box of food for herself.
“How did you know,” Ningguang says, sitting down with a scallion pancake in hand.
“I know you, darling,” Beidou answers. “After all, someone has too. Knowing you, you’ve probably been swamped with work and losing your mind over the incompetencies of others.”
Ningguang’s mouth twitches, a near smile, but she quickly covers it up by taking a bite of her food.
“Still, not your responsibility.”
“Aren’t I allowed to care for you still?”
Ningguang goes silent, and Beidou takes a sip of her drink, turning back to her food. They eat quietly in peace, the empty boxes piling up on the table. Ningguang finally cracks open her drink and sits back in the chair, her vitality restored and glow back in her face.
“So, can I trouble you to call out for the rest of the day?” Beidou makes sure to waggle her eyebrows up and down, always sure to earn a giggle from Ningguang.
Ningguang laughs and stands up. “I’m sure you’ll come get me at the party, but unlike you, I have work to do.”
Ningguang shoos Beidou from her office, but before Beidou leaves to enter the elevator down, Ningguang stops her in her place.
“Beidou.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you.”
Beidou smiles warmly and goes back down, pleasantly warm and satiated, with just a few more hours left to relax and prepare for the night.
Before long, dusk falls upon Liyue and Beidou is ready and out the door, suit snug in all the right places, heading towards the gala. She arrives a bit early, Ningguang not in sight, so she loiters near the entrance and watches the couples that enter.
She doesn’t really care for all the glamor, but can appreciate the effort put in all the glitzy dresses and sparkling lights. A few minutes pass by before a familiar figure arrives in the distance.
“Don’t you look like a treat tonight,” Beidou admits, breathless. Ningguang has traded her usual white for dark purple, a halter dress that extends to the floor, accented with periwinkle trim that runs up and down the garment.
“It’s only fair I dress to look good enough to stand by your side.” Ningguang offers a shy smile and her hand, and Beidou steps forward, clasping her hand in Ningguang and guiding them towards the entrance. The guard waves them in, and they linger by the bar area, waiting for the bartender to come serve them.
“What’s all of this for anyways? As much as I’d like to think this is all for you, there’s a bit too many people for your liking,” Beidou asks, admiring the decorations. Delicate paper lanterns hang from lines to create a floating effect, and live musicians play soft melodies in the background, a soothing hum under the growing chatter.
“A celebration for the Qixing, but it also celebrates the patrons who have contributed to Liyue in the past year, so we’ll see an interesting mix of people,” Ningguang answers. “Thus, the elaborate atmosphere.”
“If this weren’t a professional setting, you totally could pass this off for a date night,” Beidou muses. “The lights, the music, the company.”
“This a date night?” Ningguang raises an eyebrow. “After five years of big talk from you, I didn’t think this would be the venue you’d choose. You know I wouldn’t be able to listen along well with all the distractions.”
“So the talk keeps you coming back? Good to know that Lady Ningguang can be swayed by my words,” Beidou teases. “Look at us, a new step forward in our relationship, taking it public.”
Ningguang begins to bite back but a wind chime calls for everyone’s attention, and a woman steps up to the elevated platform at the center. She drones on with a small speech and Beidou zones out through most of it, snaking an arm around Ningguang’s waist and only catching something about to another successful year. Finally, the host calls for a toast before those milling around suddenly disperse, a hive of action like horses set free.
Beidou follows around as Ningguang makes rounds around the room, seemingly knowing everyone. Beidou shakes hands with so many people they all become just nameless faces, every other person introducing themselves as just Ningguang’s associate.
Beidou makes sure that Ningguang has something in her hand at all times, whether it be a flute of champagne or one of those ridiculous little appetizers. Beidou makes sure to snag some of the tiny desserts for herself, marveling in the variety and impressive taste. They slow down after a bit, the two of them just mingling on the edge of the crowd when an older woman comes up to them, a flurry of action.
“Oh Lady Ningguang, I’m so happy to see you’ve brought along your significant other for tonight! Glad to see someone is treating you right,” the woman says, pulling into a hug Beidou before patting her arm. “It’s been a pity you’ve been hiding her for so long! Aren’t you just a darling? I’ll have to get to know you soon, dear.”
“Ah, Lady Wenyu, it’s not—”
“Don’t worry, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone now, an old lady like me shouldn’t be bothering you two too much. I’ve got to find A-Xu anyways! Just don’t do anything too scandalous here, not that I’ll be complaining. Toodles!”
She leaves in a hurry, scorch marks in the ground nearly visible, and Beidou and Ningguang grimace at each other before both of them crack smiles. They walk further to the edge of the crowd, arms linked in each other.
“I can’t believe after five years of friendship, I’ve been upgraded to the status of significant other,” Beidou jibes. “Appearing in public once with you was all you needed, wasn’t it A-Ning?”
Ningguang flushes. “Please don’t mind her, she always acts like that and there’s no stopping her.”
“You don’t need to start getting shy now, I haven’t even done anything yet.”
Ningguang swats at Beidou lightly before a waiter passes them with a tray of wine. They both collect a glass, clinking before they drink, and continue to go around making small talk at a much more leisurely pace. Ningguang leaves Beidou’s side to entertain a few private conversations, and Beidou watches from afar.
She knows she should be focused on the job; after all, Ningguang hired her services for tonight, but Beidou can’t find it within herself to look away. An outsider could watch Ningguang and see nothing amiss, smiling and laughing at all the right times, yet Beidou sees how she fidgets on her feet, the forced way she gives each smile. Ningguang soon rejoins Beidou, another drink in hand.
“Don’t think I didn’t feel you staring.”
“When you look so beautiful, how could I possibly look away?” Beidou earns a withering glare for that.
“You don’t need to keep using such honeyed words when you already know you have my attention.”
“It’s still nice to see you get flustered every once in a while,” Beidou grins while Ningguang rolls her eyes. “How were your discussions?”
Ningguang rubs her temples. “Archons, I’ve heard enough people trying to propose atrocious deals and partnerships, I don't want to hear any more of it.”
Beidou nods and steers her away from the main hubbub, past the walls of the main terrace area into a sheltered nook, Ningguang relaxing the more they head away from the main party. Beidou draws closer into Ningguang’s space, sliding her hands around Ningguang’s back.
“What do you want right now then?”
“Who says I want anything else right now,” Ningguang sighs, sliding her arms on Beidou’s shoulders. “Maybe this is enough for me.”
Beidou chuckles. “Don’t lie, this is barely anything.”
“So Lady Wenyu was mistaken and you haven’t been treating me right? Truly getting no love tonight, leaving me to the vultures out there.”
“Ah, but you put them in their place, didn’t you?
“What if I wanted to be saved? The fearsome pirate captain, swooping in to save me.”
“You’d absolutely hate that.”
Ningguang ducks her head into Beidou’s chest and laughs, her voice pleasantly vibrating against Beidou’s skin. As comfortable as the vibrations are, Beidou wants to see her look up, to see her lips crinkle as she laughs openly.
“A-Ning? Look up for me?”
Ningguang lifts her head and Beidou feels her throat dry up. Ningguang’s jewelry gleams in the light, her tears of laughter clinging to her eyelashes, reflecting light like diamonds. Her makeup is slightly smudged, eyeshadow starting to fade and lipstick all but faded, but despite it all, she still looks perfect.
There are a thousand reasons why Beidou shouldn’t ruin the fragile moment, but right now, she can’t think of any of them. Before Ningguang’s expression can grow confused, Beidou leans in, gently pressing her lips against Ningguang’s. All the surrounding noise around them narrows down to Ningguang’s small hitch in breath before she deepens the kiss, a hand drifting up to tangle in Beidou’s hair.
Beidou can feel her hair coming undone, her hairpin sliding down against her scalp, but all she can focus on is Ningguang: the softness of her lips, the aftertaste of alcohol, and the sound of her quiet gasps. Beidou pulls away, both of them breathing slightly labored, and before they can catch their breath, Ningguang grabs Beidou by her tie, stealing a kiss.
“I expect to be romanced properly with dinner and wine in the future,” Ningguang says seriously. “And you’re going to let me sleep over.”
Beidou snorts with a smile. “As if I’ll do anything less.”
Ningguang smiles, and they stand together, the sound of music growing in the distance. Lady Wenyu stumbles upon them, delighted to have found them, and pulls them towards the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the terrace. They slow dance under the stars winking down at them, standing cheek to cheek.
“So do I get to keep the hairpin? Instead of trading it for my payment, I’ll take it as my wedding gift. We can call it my dowry,” Beidou smiles, stealing a kiss and giggling when Ningguang scrunches her nose. “I’ll look so pretty, you won’t be able to look away.”
“Don’t be silly, I have better hair pins to give you and you’ll be getting a proper dowry, no matter what you say,” Ningguang scolds lightly. Slow music plays in the background as they sway in place, the crowds quiet enough for Ningguang to whisper. “Besides, as long as you are by my side, I’ll give you my everything.”