Wang Qiqi returned home to find it spotless. She plugged in the water heater, closed the windows, and turned on the air conditioning. “So cold. I really can’t get used to the South’s weather.” Even though the temperature, just above freezing, was much higher than Beijing’s sub-zero cold, Qiqi had been shivering the moment she stepped off the train. “I’ll take a hot bath and then rest.” In the North, a shower might suffice, but back home, Qiqi felt a long soak was the only way to truly warm up, especially since the bathroom was only slightly warmer than a walk-in freezer—at least it was draft-free.

After taking care of everything, Wang Qiqi noticed the fridge was already stocked with plenty of food and drinks, and there were even some fresh leafy greens in the kitchen. She knew Aunt Luo must have taken care of the shopping.

Wang Qiqi lit three more sticks of incense and looked again at the very fresh fruit, knowing Aunt Luo changed those frequently too. “Mom, Dad, I’m back. Are you two doing well down there…?” Wang Qiqi sat on the cold floor, unsure how long she had been speaking before the home’s air conditioning finally kicked in, slowly warming the room.

Even so, after recounting her situation over the last six months, Wang Qiqi tried to stand up only to find her legs completely numb. She had no choice but to move on her knees to the phone near the sofa, then slowly drag herself up onto it. “Sigh, I’ve officially become a disabled person…” Wang Qiqi sighed as she massaged her pins-and-needles thighs.

Wang Qiqi picked up the handset and called Song Yao. Song Yao was surprised Qiqi had returned so quickly. She had fully expected Qiqi to stay until New Year’s Eve when everyone gathered. Though Song Yao was eager for her to come over sooner, a small matter had held her up. She reminded Qiqi to remember to come over for dinner that evening.

Wang Qiqi inwardly thought how such a nice meal would likely lead to terrible stomach pain later. She politely declined, saying she needed to rest well at home.

Hearing Qiqi’s explanation, Song Yao dropped the subject. Frankly, if it weren’t for the young child, she would have preferred to go back to her own home with Gong Peixing—at least then no one would bring up unpleasant things during dinner.

For the next few days, Wang Qiqi either bought a few necessities or spent time at the library. Occasionally, she met up with Shi Man for some shopping. Although both had lived abroad, they hadn't bought many clothes there. Now, looking at domestic fashion, neither could find anything that truly caught their eye, so slowly even Shi Man had developed a habit of only browsing, rarely purchasing anything.

Wang Qiqi held up a coat. “Manman, what do you think of this?” Qiqi found it strange; usually, Shi Man was an avid shopper, but today she kept pulling out her pager to check the time. If Qiqi didn’t know Shi Man had a boyfriend and was still working in the capital, she might have suspected she was newly in love.

Shi Man noticed Wang Qiqi looking at the pager in her hand and let out an awkward laugh. “Uh, uh, he said he’s coming to visit my parents.” Honestly, Feng Xuanxiang’s sudden move had startled Shi Man too; it was completely beyond her expectations.

What? Feng Xuanxiang was coming, and to visit Shi Man’s parents? Wang Qiqi’s mind was struggling to process it. “He’s meeting your parents? Do they know?” Qiqi knew Shi Man’s parents weren't overly demanding, but they certainly hoped their daughter would find a boyfriend with a solid background who could take care of her. Feng Xuanxiang, while having a decent job and a promising future, and being kind to Shi Man, was, to put it bluntly, nowhere near the standard of son-in-law her parents desired.

Shi Man nodded. Since receiving Feng Xuanxiang’s call, she had certainly considered telling him not to come. But then she thought about how he might react if she refused. He had explicitly said on the phone that he wanted to get everything done that needed doing before he went abroad. Shi Man knew many people who went abroad never returned, leaving their girlfriends back home with nothing more than a breakup letter. This made Shi Man hesitate. She felt that whatever turbulence happened in university was a private affair, but introducing him to her parents carried a serious, formal weight. She was truly conflicted... The problem was, the man had already bought a train ticket and was arriving that very evening, which made Shi Man panic. She had no idea what to do. At this moment, Shi Man intensely envied Wang Qiqi, who could date whomever she pleased without the complication of parental approval.

Wang Qiqi looked at Shi Man’s distressed expression and hesitated. “You haven’t told your parents yet?”

Shi Man suddenly remembered Wang Qiqi was right there. She quickly shook her head. “I talked to them a few days ago and told them about Feng Xuanxiang’s situation…” though the outcome hadn't been exactly satisfactory.

“Your parents disagree?” Wang Qiqi thought this was the most realistic answer.

Shi Man let out a small sound of affirmation. “I asked him if he could postpone his visit, but he told me yesterday that he had already bought his ticket and would arrive this afternoon.” Shi Man was currently furious at her boyfriend’s high-handed behavior.

Wang Qiqi sighed. “Are your parents home today?” Although Shi Man’s parents weren’t in top-tier positions anymore, they still held minor official posts and had social engagements. They weren't people you could just see whenever you pleased, especially with the New Year approaching—they were busy rushing to banquets.

Shi Man shook her head, then a memory struck her. “I told my parents I was staying at your place tonight, so…” Shi Man wanted to use this evening to talk with Feng Xuanxiang again. It wasn't that she didn't want to be responsible; rather, she felt that discussing their relationship with her parents right before he left the country would send the wrong message. Her father, though not thrilled about her dating in college, hadn't explicitly forced a breakup. But when he asked about their future plans, he became furious, arguing that someone about to go abroad might never return, and even called Feng Xuanxiang a bad person.

Wang Qiqi noticed the awkward expression on Shi Man’s face. “Why don’t you both come over to my place for dinner tonight?” One man was determined to meet his girlfriend’s parents; the other was reluctant to have her boyfriend visit because of parental opposition. If they communicated in this state, Wang Qiqi genuinely worried they would end up parting on bad terms, and that would be the end of it. Both were proud individuals: one grew up surrounded by the praise of elders, parents’ friends, and colleagues; the other, despite modest family means, had excelled academically, rising through school years with teachers’ commendations and classmates’ envy. After graduation, she landed a good job. Though lacking connections, she managed well through her own ability. Faced with an issue, especially one they saw as determining the future course of their relationship, they were sure to feel the other person wasn't being considerate.

Dinner at Qiqi’s place? Shi Man’s eyes lit up, but then she reconsidered. “Maybe not. We should just talk it out ourselves.” If Qiqi were involved, the issue might be resolved smoothly, but Shi Man felt that she and Feng Xuanxiang would inevitably have many disagreements in the future. She couldn't rely on Wang Qiqi to intervene every time. Was the goal to have Wang Qiqi smooth over conflicts with temporary fixes that would just resurface later?

Since the principal party wished to handle it herself, Wang Qiqi did not insist further. She patted Shi Man’s shoulder. “Talk it through properly, and don’t get angry. Some things must be faced together. Besides, I actually think it might not be a bad thing if Feng Xuanxiang meets your father for a talk now.” Men often find common ground. Letting Feng Xuanxiang discuss his future plans with Shi Man’s parents might convince them that the young man was responsible and had foresight.

Shi Man thought Wang Qiqi’s idea was terrible. How could she let Feng Xuanxiang confront her father face-to-face? That was guaranteed to be a collision of worlds, potentially making everything much worse. “You always come up with such terrible ideas. What if…”

Wang Qiqi knew Shi Man wouldn't take her advice and stopped arguing. “Help me look at this coat. I haven’t bought a new outfit for the New Year yet.”

Shi Man rallied her spirits to help Wang Qiqi choose. If she didn't offer suggestions quickly, this friend might cook up another ridiculous plan. Plus, if they sorted out the clothes soon, she could send Wang Qiqi away and go meet Feng Xuanxiang alone. Shi Man worried that if the two men met, Feng Xuanxiang might not be persuaded, especially since he was adamant about meeting her parents, and Wang Qiqi might even be encouraging him. But as Shi Man closely examined the coat Wang Qiqi had chosen, “Qiqi, why did you pick red?” It seemed too vibrant, completely unlike Qiqi’s usual style.

“It has a New Year atmosphere, perhaps,” Wang Qiqi admitted she hadn't worn anything this youthful in a long time. Between her parents' passing and her current mindset, she doubted she could pull off colors typically favored by younger girls. “I think my parents would like it.”

Shi Man considered this. Qiqi was clearly past girlhood, yet she always wore dark colors. While the loss of her parents was a factor, it still felt strange. “When your Aunt was alive, she loved buying you brightly colored clothes, dressing you up like a flower. But now…” Still, this austere look had earned her the title of a talented scholar. Sigh, if someone is pretty and has a gentle smile, they rarely suffer setbacks wherever they go.

“I’ve been through too much, and I haven't felt like dressing up. But seeing this coat reminds me of when Mom used to shop with me.” Wang Qiqi recalled how her mother always bought her bright clothes, especially red ones, saying they brought good fortune. During the Spring Festival, new outfits were always bright red, rose red, or deep crimson—never without some shade of red. “That’s why I think this coat is nice.”

Shi Man studied it. “The style is simple enough. Go try it on. But I suspect you’ll end up wearing this coat mostly at home.” Shi Man was certain Qiqi wouldn't wear such a vibrant color when visiting her aunt for the New Year; it would likely be a darker shade. “It’s better to wear something a bit brighter when visiting for the New Year,” Shi Man advised pragmatically.

Gong Mou (Palace Schemes) Short Summary: A humble concubine’s daughter enters the palace gates, scheming not just for power, but also for love.