The female supporting role is really here to mess things up

Back to the day when Xue Ji got into trouble, the sun shone through the clouds above the Duke's Mansion, casting a golden halo. After Lu Qingxi accompanied Old Madam Song to finish lunch, she slowly stood up and prepared to say goodbye. She knew very well that she had come to the Duke's Mansion without the permission of her father Lu Xingmu. Although she did not like her father in this body very much, in order to avoid him blaming her, it was better to return home early.

Song Yi watched his cousin approaching the door, and a faint reluctance welled up in his heart. He wanted to keep her but had no good reason. Suddenly he remembered something and hurried forward to stop Lu Qingxi. He took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to his cousin.

"Cousin, this letter was delivered to the mansion a few days ago. It was said that a Mr. Gu sent him to deliver it, and that it was for Miss Li in the mansion. I thought about it and it should be for you."

Lu Qingxi took the letter but didn't open it in front of her cousin. She only saw the words "To Miss Li" written in large letters on the envelope, but the handwriting was neat and tidy...

Since the letter was written as Miss Li on the envelope, she knew that the letter must have been written by that Mr. Gu, Gu Zishu. The man who helped her when she was panicking, although they had only met a few times, left a deep impression on her. But when Lu Qingxi looked at the words on the cover, she always felt that it didn't match the impression he gave her.

She looked at Song Yi, not knowing whether the Duke's Mansion and the Earl's Mansion had any disputes, so she did not mention Gu Zishu's identity, but just said lightly:

"Cousin, this is a letter from a friend I knew before. He helped me some time ago, and we have some friendship."

Song Yi heard this, but he didn't ask any more questions, just nodded to show his understanding. He knew that his cousin was a sensible person, and since she didn't want to say more, he didn't need to ask any more questions. Besides, he already knew almost everything that happened between them. He also had to keep an eye on what happened next. As long as the other party didn't hurt his cousin, he wouldn't interfere regardless of her wishes.

So, Lu Qingxi left the Duke's Mansion with her maid Xiaohuan and set off on the road back home. Along the way, she and Xiaohuan sat in the sedan chair, looking at the letter in her hand, and she felt a little bit of anticipation in her heart. Is there something wrong with this new friend of hers writing to her? He is the second friend she made since she came to this world...

Lu Qingxi stepped into her courtyard, and the breeze blew gently, bringing a hint of fresh air. She gently took out the envelope from her sleeve. It felt as soft as jade, but the wax layer was as hard as stone, making her feel a little confused. Just as she was hesitating, Xiaohuan stepped forward and whispered, "Miss, let me help you."

Xiaohuan carefully took the envelope and placed it above the candle flame. As the flame baked, the wax layer gradually softened and finally melted completely, revealing the envelope inside. Xiaohuan skillfully took off the outer envelope and handed the inner envelope to Lu Qingxi.

Lu Qingxi took the envelope and saw the three words "Wanqing received" written in vigorous handwriting. She was surprised, as the handwriting was completely different from the words on the cover, and her brows furrowed slightly.

Lu Qingxi felt that Gu Zishu seemed to be hiding something, but she just thought that maybe he had some unknown grudge with the Duke's Mansion, so she didn't think about it any further.

She turned her attention to the envelope in her hand. There was no wax seal on the envelope, so she could open it with just a gentle tear. She carefully opened the envelope along the edge and took out the letter inside.

The handwriting on the letter was clear and impressive. Although the number of words was short, it expressed Gu Zishu's invitation. In the letter, he expressed his hope to meet her at the teahouse where they met last time at si hour seven days later, and then go to the western suburbs for an outing. The letter also mentioned that if she was willing to keep the appointment and it was convenient for her, she could place a pot of red flowers at the door of the Duke's Mansion as a response; if it was inconvenient or unwilling to keep the appointment, there was no need to place it. He would send someone to check on the situation the night before the appointment.

After reading the letter, Lu Qingxi felt happy. She felt that Gu Zishu's invitation was respectful and considerate, which made her feel very comfortable. What's more, Gu Zishu had saved her before.

So, she decided to accept Gu Zishu's invitation and go to the western suburbs with him. She called Xiaohuan and asked her to send someone to the Duke's Mansion to pass on a message, asking her cousin to place a pot of red flowers at the gate of the Duke's Mansion in three days as a response.

Xiaohuan nodded and immediately went to make arrangements. Lu Qingxi sat at the table, looking at the letter in his hand, thinking that he could go out and play again.

Song Yi had just finished dinner and was feeling relaxed when he heard his cousin send someone to deliver a message. He immediately felt a surge of anticipation. He thought his cousin wanted to say something to him, or had something important to discuss. However, when he heard the content of the message, he felt a sense of loss.

It turned out that my cousin had sent someone to ask him to put a pot of red flowers in front of the door three days later. She didn't say much else, nor did she tell him the reason for the arrangement.

He knew it must be related to the letter, or more precisely, to the young master surnamed Gu. Song Yi felt uncomfortable, guessing that his cousin must have agreed to something, and the red flower was a response. He unconsciously touched the tassel on his waist with his right hand, pulling it gently, as if looking for some comfort.

After a long silence, Song Yi finally gave an order to A Quan: "Three days later, have someone put a pot of red flowers in front of the mansion gate... choose a small one... don't put it up too early, wait until the evening." His voice was a little low, revealing a hint of impatience.

After saying that, Song Yi strode out, as if he wanted to escape from this place that made him depressed. Ah Quan looked at the sky. The sun was about to set, but his son was still leaving the house. He quickly asked, "Where are you going, son? It's getting dark."

Song Yi stopped but did not look back. He looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and replied, "I'm going to the Ministry of Personnel and won't be back tonight." There was a hint of determination in his voice, as if he was trying to find some relief in the busyness.

After hearing what his young master said, Ah Quan was stunned. He didn't understand what was wrong with his young master. He had said yesterday that he could take a good rest recently. And he hadn't heard that the court was going to start selecting officials recently. What was the Ministry of Personnel doing now that had to work until late at night? But he also knew that his young master could not change his decision, so he could only quietly prepare the things that the young master had ordered before and wait for his return.

The atmosphere at the Duke's Mansion is not very good, and the same situation applies to the residence of the deposed Crown Prince.

Although Xiao Yuebai told Lu Qingxi in the letter that he would send someone to check on the last day, in fact, since he sent the servant to deliver the letter, he would send Ah Zhong to go there every day, pretending to be a passing vendor. He would set up the stall in the morning and close it in the evening.

However, every day's waiting was in vain, and the answers I got were always so disappointing.

As Xiao Yuebai's personal attendant, Wuhen had noticed his prince's abnormality these days. He was no longer the dignified and steady prince who never showed his emotions, but had become a little restless. Sometimes, he would stare at the door for a long time, as if he was expecting something; sometimes, he would suddenly start pruning branches, and every move seemed so absent-minded.

Wuhen looked at the prince like this and couldn't help but feel a little worried. He knew his prince's character very well and knew that he had fallen in love with Miss Li. So he prayed silently in his heart, hoping that Miss Li could put out the flowers as soon as possible so that the prince could feel at ease.

There was only one day left before the agreed date, Xiao Yuebai woke up Ah Zhong who had just laid down to rest. He said solemnly: "You go to the Duke's Mansion early tomorrow morning, and if you don't see the flowers, don't come back."

Ah Zhong felt bitter when he heard this. He knew that his master was a man of his word, and he was clearly angry with him because of Miss Li. If the Duke's Mansion really didn't display flowers tomorrow, then it would be hard to say where he would go in the future.

However, Ah Zhong did not dare to show any impatience in front of his master, so he could only quickly agree and retreat.

Fortunately, God was on his side, and when he pretended to pass by the Duke's Mansion for the tenth time, he finally saw the flower. However, the bud of the flower was smaller than a fist, and the color was almost completely white. It was a little dark in the sky. If it weren't for his good eyesight, how could he see the little bit of pink inside? It looked really shabby, and it looked awkward no matter how he looked at it, placed in front of the majestic Duke's Mansion.

If Ah Quan was here, he would definitely tell him that this was chosen by his master personally after spending an hour! But Ah Zhong did not dwell on this. Instead, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had already seen the flowers, so he could go back and report.

A Zhong returned to Xiao Yuebai and described the flowers he saw in detail.

After listening to Ah Zhong's description, Xiao Yuebai did not feel displeased by the appearance of the flower, but found it somewhat funny instead.

"This flower must not have been picked by Wanqing. I think someone must have carefully selected it. You have been to the Duke's Mansion these days, and you have never seen a woman leave the mansion. It seems that Wanqing should not live in the Duke's Mansion. As for my cousin Song Yi, there is nothing to be afraid of. You have worked hard these days. Go down and receive your reward."

After he finished speaking, he slowly unfolded the folding fan in his hand and gently waved it. The wind blew across his cheeks, bringing a hint of coolness, and seemed to wipe away the irritability in his heart in the past few days. A happy smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and his eyes sparkled with joy.