A life of ups and downs is pure joy

A festive and peaceful atmosphere permeated the Prince's Mansion in Tokyo City, Dayan.

Tall red lanterns, like ripe persimmons, were hung in every corner of the mansion early in the morning, illuminating the entire mansion with a bright red glow, filled with a strong atmosphere of joy.

The maids in charge of the decoration were busy running around, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

At this time, several maids took advantage of the break between work to quietly gather together and whisper to each other in low voices.

"You said, last time we decorated this mansion so exquisitely, but the future princess actually went to the palace. I don't know if we can really have a wedding this time!"

One of the maids muttered quietly.

Another maidservant quickly shushed her, "Oh, keep your voice down! If the masters hear you, you'll be in trouble!"

She looked around nervously, afraid that someone would discover they were talking in private.

"I won't say any more, but these lanterns look really pretty when they're hung up!"

The maid who had spoken earlier quickly changed the subject, her eyes falling on the brightly colored red lanterns, her eyes full of admiration.

Not far away in the front hall corridor, Gong Kou Shi stood quietly with her hands behind her back.

Her beautiful eyes were always fixed on the lively and joyful scene in the yard, but her slightly furrowed brows showed that she seemed to have a hint of worry in her heart.

"Bu Ci, what exactly is the reason why those people from Da Sheng suddenly want to see my brother?"

Gong Kou Shi asked softly, and the pitiful image of Xiao Qiannan with tears in her eyes, hugging her tightly and crying emerged involuntarily in her mind.

"Your Highness, I truly know nothing about this matter, but since that day, they have stayed in the Tailai Villa every day and have not taken any other actions."

Bu Ci hurriedly stepped forward and answered respectfully.

When Gong Kou Shi heard this, she couldn't help but frown, with a hint of coldness in her eyes, and looked straight at Bu Ci.

"Jinhan City in Dasheng isn't that close to our Tokyo City! They've come all this way, so there must be something hidden. Could it be that they've already noticed something?"

Bu Ci quickly shook his head and responded with a firm tone.

"Your Highness is probably worrying too much. No one will know about Princess Jianing's incident, let alone find out the clues."

Gong Kou Shi relaxed her brows slightly, but still had doubts in her heart, and she muttered softly.

"Did they really come here just because they missed their brother?"

Bu Ci said.

"As for whether they miss their brother, I don't know. However, I did conduct an in-depth investigation into Mr. Jia and his wife, and I have learned a lot about them."

Gong Kou Shi's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly urged, "Hurry up and tell me!"

"Master Jia is a well-known playboy in Jinhan City. He has nothing to do all day long, and his favorite thing is to travel around, eat, drink and have fun. He has been extremely busy recently, and has almost tasted and enjoyed all the delicious food and beautiful scenery in Tokyo City. So it's not surprising that he comes to Tokyo City for fun."

Bu Ci paused for a moment, then continued, "As for his wife... Humph! Your Majesty, she can be considered half a Yan person."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gong Kou Shi looked at Bu Ci with a puzzled look on his face and asked curiously.

"What do you mean by this?"

Without hesitation, he kept the secret and asked softly, "Your Highness, do you still remember Guan Wei, the former head of the imperial physician?"

Gong Kou Shi nodded without hesitation and replied:

"Of course I know. Did my brother pardon the Guan family after ascending the throne? But, what does this have to do with that woman?"

Bu Ci originally wanted to whet Gong Kou Shi's appetite a little longer, but when she caught a glimpse of impatience on her face, she did not dare to delay any longer and hurriedly continued to explain.

"Back then, all adult men in the imperial palace were beheaded; adult women were either forced to serve as humble slaves in the palace or become courtesans."

"Guan Wei's youngest daughter, Guan Lu, hadn't reached adulthood yet, so she narrowly escaped the ordeal and was eventually exiled to a remote borderland. But fate is full of dramatic twists and turns. Who could have imagined that in her desperate situation, she would meet her savior, Lin Mutang, and from then on live in the Yinan area as his concubine."

"Time flies, and the years pass by. Today, that Lady Jia, Lin Mo, is the daughter of Guan Lu. In this way, Lin Mo has half the blood of the Great Yan people flowing in her body."

After Bu Ci finished telling the story in a low voice, he carefully raised his eyes and secretly peeked at the changes in the expression on Gong Kou Shi's face.

Gong Kou Shi was slightly startled, and her originally tense face gradually relaxed, with a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

"Haha, this is really interesting! There is actually such a little-known story."

Then she coughed lightly and continued to ask with a hint of curiosity in her tone.

"So, is there anyone alive in the Guan family now?"

Bu Ci nodded quickly in response.

"Yes, ever since the king issued an edict to pardon the Guanmen clan, they have all left Tokyo City and are looking for new lives."

Hearing this, Gong Kou Shi couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

After a moment, she seemed to suddenly remember something and murmured to herself, "So that's how it is... That day, I heard her affectionately call the emperor 'brother'. No wonder the emperor pardoned the Guan family."

Thinking of this, an indescribable feeling of bitterness suddenly surged into Gong Kou Shi's heart.

After all, he was her dearest and most beloved brother. How could there suddenly be so many so-called "sisters" to take away her love and care?

"Your Highness, I just heard that the Queen will be coming with Princess Jianing."

Bu Ci stood aside, looking around at the entire palace decorated with lights and full of joy, and then spoke.

Hearing this, Gong Kou Shi was slightly stunned, with a hint of surprise on her face.

"Is it unexpected that my royal brother would be willing to let her leave the palace?"

But in a flash, her lively eyes began to roll around, and a sly smile gradually crept up the corners of her mouth.

After thinking for a while, Gong Kou Shi turned to Bu Ci and gave instructions.

"Haven't those people at Tailai Villa been clamoring to see me? Go and invite them right now. Tell them I've specially prepared a sumptuous dinner for these distinguished guests from afar."

"what?"

Bu Ci obviously did not expect that Gong Kou Shi would suddenly give such an order. He was a little confused for a moment. He stood there blankly, staring at Gong Kou Shi, as if he had not fully understood her intentions.

Seeing Bu Ci's slow reaction, Gong Kou Shi couldn't help but frown and said with a slightly dissatisfied tone.

"What? Do I need to repeat such a simple sentence again?"

After being scolded by Gong Kou Shi, Bu Ci came back to his senses as if awakened from a dream and quickly bowed in response.

"Yes, I understand. I'll do it right away."

Knowing his master's temper well, Bu Ci did not dare to delay for even a moment. After hurriedly bowing, he turned around and walked out of the front hall quickly.

At this moment, a small snake with a body as red as fire swam silently to Gong Kou Shi's feet.

This little red snake was the one raised by the poison doctor Red-bellied Snake. It raised its head and gently stuck out its tongue towards Gong Kou Shi, as if it was greeting its master.