A life of ups and downs is pure joy

"Hehuan Hall..."

Lin Mo raised his head, staring at the high-hanging plaque, and murmured softly.

She was secretly amazed in her heart, because the Albizia Julibrissin was the tree that symbolized the love between Lin Qinghuan and Gong Heyu.

She was full of curiosity and anticipation about this special place.

"I never thought that this Hehuan Palace would be so close to my second brother's Imperial Book Palace!"

She originally thought that she still had to walk a long way to reach her destination, but she never expected that the gate of the Hehuan Palace would appear before her after just a few steps.

This unimaginably close distance made her utter a heartfelt sigh.

Arriving at the door, Qi Ye gently raised his hand and knocked on the red bronze door. As the crisp knock sounded, the palace maids in the room heard the noise and hurried forward.

When they saw Qiye standing at the door, a look of respect immediately appeared on their faces, and they all bowed and greeted him.

"Greetings to Master Nanaba."

Wan Dong from the inner courtyard also heard the sound and came over, with Xing'er and Yue'er still following behind him.

She saw everyone outside the door at a glance, especially Lin Mo and Xiao Qiannan.

In an instant, she showed a hint of surprise and spoke.

"Huh? Those two girls were the distinguished guests at the Prince's Palace that day!"

Obviously, Wandong was quite surprised to see them again.

"Wan Dong, please lead these two nobles to find the princess. It's inconvenient for me to enter here, so I'll go back and report first."

After Qi Ye finished explaining everything to Wan Dong with a smile, he bowed to Xiao Qiannan and Lin Mo, then turned and left.

"My two nobles, please follow me. The princess is currently playing and having fun alone inside."

Wan Dong turned sideways and made a gesture of invitation, indicating Lin Mo and Xiao Qiannan to follow her into the hall.

So, Lin Mo and Xiao Qiannan looked at each other, nodded, and stepped into this mysterious Hehuan Palace.

Wan Dong thought to herself that since Master Qiye had brought these people with him, they must have received the tacit approval of the monarch. And judging by the situation, perhaps they were the princess's new friends!

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel happy, and led the two of them towards the inner hall with a smile on her face.

Along the way, after passing through the winding corridors and reaching the inner courtyard, Lin Mo suddenly saw a tall and sturdy Albizia Julibrissin tree in front of him, with a crown like clouds.

The lush branches and leaves are like a big green umbrella, covering the entire yard in its shade.

In an instant, Lin Mo seemed to be back in Lengzhu Garden in Luofeng City, as if he could feel the breeze blowing by, and the pink albizzia flowers swayed gently, emitting bursts of faint fragrance.

At this moment, there was a "bang..." and a sharp sound of broken strings suddenly came from the inner hall. Lin Mo's memory instantly returned to reality. He looked up and could not see any shadow of the cassia flower.

Wan Dong was startled by the sudden sound. He quickly turned his head to look at the source of the sound, his face full of astonishment.

Then, as if she realized something, her expression became anxious, and she hurried forward, knocked on the door, and shouted loudly.

"Princess, what happened? Are you okay?"

After hearing the noise, Xiao Qiannan and Lin Mo, who were following behind, also became curious and quickened their pace to catch up.

Not long after, the door slowly opened a crack, and a crisp and slightly dissatisfied voice came from inside.

"What kind of lousy guitar is this! I just used a little force and the strings broke! My fingers were almost broken!"

After a while, the door finally opened completely, and a woman in a gorgeous dress was standing at the door with an angry face.

Wan Dong looked closely and found that blood was oozing out of the princess's fingers, which were originally as white as jade. It looked shocking.

Seeing this scene, Wan Dong's face changed drastically and he exclaimed in surprise.

"Ah... Princess, your hand is injured and bleeding! Quick, Xing'er, Yue'er, go get the imperial physician!"

As she said that, she was about to reach out to check Su Jin's injuries.

However, Su Jin waved his hand nonchalantly and said.

"Oh, don't make such a fuss, it's just a minor injury. Hurry and replace that guqin for me, the quality is too poor!"

Before she finished speaking, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she looked at Lin Mo and Xiao Qiannan outside the door with joy, and exclaimed in surprise.

"Hey, it's you two!"

"Greetings, Princess."

Lin Mo and Xiao Qiannan bowed respectfully to Su Jin together, but were quickly supported by Su Jin, who spoke softly.

"No need to be so polite, please come in quickly."

Su Jin smiled, warmly took their hands and welcomed them into the house.

As soon as she turned around, she shouted to the maid who was still standing there worriedly.

"Wan Dong, go and prepare tea to entertain the two girls."

However, at this moment, all the palace maids in the yard looked at Su Jin anxiously, appearing very anxious.

This is because this princess is the current emperor's favorite. If she gets hurt by any mistake, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Wan Dong said uneasily.

"Princess, your hand..."

When the other palace maids heard this, they all leaned their heads to look into the inner hall, their faces full of worry.

Lin Mo turned around when he heard the voice, and after seeing the injury on Su Jin's hand, he quickly spoke.

"Miss Wandong, do you have any hemostatics or gauze here? I've learned medicine and have practiced as a physician for many years. Let me bandage the princess's wound."

Hearing this, Wan Dong was stunned at first, then nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, I'll get it right away."

After saying that, she hurriedly ordered Xing'er and Yue'er to serve good tea to the guests first, and then she hurried to the side hall with several palace maids.

Soon, Wandong and others returned with the necessary medicines and gauze.

Su Jin sat quietly on the chair, allowing Lin Mo to skillfully apply ointment and bandage her wounds.

Lin Mo's movements were light and skillful, and every step was handled just right, as if he had done it countless times.

Su Jin stared at Lin Mo who was concentrating in front of him and said.

"I didn't expect that Madam Jia is also a female doctor. She is really amazing."

Listening to the unfamiliar face speaking the most familiar voice, it seemed as if I was back to the scene when I first returned to Luofeng City as a child to take Lin Qinghuan's pulse.

"You are a female doctor, what an amazing sister."

At this moment, Lin Mo tried his best to suppress the emotions in his heart and replied gently.

"I have had a keen interest in medicine since childhood, and have therefore devoted myself to studying it. For many years, I have personally cared for my chronically ill sister, not daring to slack off even for a moment."

The woman nodded slightly and spoke softly.

"Oh? I wonder if your sister has recovered now?"

Su Jin heard this and asked with concern.

Xiao Qiannan, who was standing aside, quietly turned her gaze towards the person who was speaking, as if she wanted to find some clues from his face.

The woman being questioned paused for a moment and then answered.

"Okay, okay, she's recovered."

However, just as he turned around to get the scissors, he quickly and unnoticeably adjusted his emotions that were almost out of control and on the verge of choking.

When she turned around again, her face was calm and she carefully cut the gauze.

At this moment, only Xiao Qiannan's exclamation was heard.

"Princess, how could you play the zither so hard that you cut your hands? Look, even the strings are broken!"

Lin Mo also looked curiously at the guqin placed not far away.

Su Jin blushed and explained with a bit of embarrassment.

"Oh, to be honest, this guqin is really not very compatible with me. I just used a little too much strength, and I didn't expect the string to break."

She thought to herself that she must not tell the two ancient people in front of her that she did not understand the art of playing the zither at all and that she had only been fiddling around with it randomly, which led to such a result.

After bandaging, Lin Mo gently extended his jade-like fingers and gently pinched Su Jin's wrist... He skillfully and quickly checked her pulse. Seeing a trace of loneliness flash across Lin Mo's face, she naturally put down the woman's rolled-up sleeves and gave her careful instructions.

"My Lady, don't let your hands get wet these days. Have them apply more medicine on your hands. If you do this, the wound will heal within three days."

"Excuse me, Madam Jia."

Su Jin nodded slightly and responded softly.

She lifted up the finger that was bandaged so delicately and beautifully, and looked at it carefully, feeling a warmth in her heart.

"I wonder why you two suddenly came to the palace today? Do you have something important to discuss with the Lord?"

Su Jin asked curiously, but she knew in her heart that the two women in front of her had a close relationship with Gong Heyu, so it would be better for her not to ask too much, so as not to say the wrong thing and cause unnecessary trouble. After all, she still understood the principle that too much talk will inevitably lead to mistakes.

Lin Mo's expression darkened at first, revealing a hint of loneliness, but he quickly returned to normal and replied with a smile.

"My Lady, my sister and I came to the palace this time specifically to express our gratitude. Thanks to you for interceding for us in front of the prince to get my brother treated..."

As he spoke, Lin Mo's gaze unconsciously fell on the delicate and beautiful flower on Su Jin's forehead.

"It's just a small favor. Madam Jia and Miss Xiao don't need to be so polite."

Su Jin felt a little embarrassed by the compliment, her cheeks turned slightly red, and she lowered her head shyly.

Lin Mo praised.

"My Lady, the flower on your forehead is truly beautiful! It bears a striking resemblance to the flower in my hometown."

"Yes, it's the Phoenix Eye Flower, and it's exactly the same!"

Xiao Qiannan couldn't hide her excitement and curiosity. She stood up from her seat and walked quickly to Su Jin. Her eyes widened, and she leaned in very close, staring at Su Jin's face intently. Then she couldn't help but cry out in surprise.

Su Jin was startled by the face that suddenly appeared so close to her, but when she saw the other person's little face flushed with excitement, she couldn't help but find it a little funny.

After all, in this ancient society, most women considered gentleness and dignity to be beautiful, and it was rare to see a girl like Xiao Qiannan who acted so rashly and so self-familiarly.

"This is indeed the Phoenix Eye Flower. The Lord has mentioned it to me many times. He once lived in a very beautiful place for a long time, and this flower was his favorite."

Su Jin explained softly with a smile.

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Mo and Xiao Qiannan beside her suddenly looked surprised, obviously very surprised by her words.

Su Jin did not notice the expressions of the two people. Suddenly, she remembered something that had been bothering her for many days. After thinking for a while, she gently raised her hand to signal the two people to get up and follow her to the place where Gong Heyu usually handled official documents, with a carved green dragon pear blossom fragrant wood desk.

"Where is it?"

Lin Mo and Xiao Qiannan followed Su Jin curiously, their eyes fixed on the elegant princess.

She came to the desk, slightly raised her injured finger, and carefully searched for something in the vase on the desk, muttering to herself.

Finally, Su Jin let out a soft cry.

"Oh~ I found it, it's here."

Su Jin's face was filled with an unconcealable joy. She carefully spread out a scroll and gently placed it on the antique sandalwood table.

Then, she extended her slender jade fingers and gently pointed at the scene in the painting, pointing to the row of characters she knew and reading in a delicate voice: "Admire the phoenix eyes in front of the Phoenix Pavilion, and the phoenix flies down to the south of Luofeng City."

Lin Mo, who was standing aside, was involuntarily drawn to the painting.

When she saw the contents of the painting clearly, she couldn't help but feel unbelievable.

The scene that couldn't be more familiar was the garden of Marquis Luo Feng's mansion - the beautiful Fengmu Pavilion stood quietly among the flowers, the gorgeous Fengmu flowers bloomed like flames, and on the lakeside next to the pavilion, three innocent children were happily flying kites.

One of the little girls was smiling and pulling the kite string happily. Her lively and lovely appearance was clearly the childhood Lin Qinghuan.

Because the kite seemed to be disobedient and could not fly, Lin Qinghuan gave it a special name, Luo Feng.

“What is this painting…?”

Lin Mo's throat moved, and her voice trembled slightly. She wanted to ask what was going on, but was afraid of getting a bad answer. She could only stare at the elegant woman in front of her with uneasiness.

Su Jin smiled slightly, a hint of tenderness revealed in her beautiful eyes. She pointed to the signature in the painting and explained softly.

"The Lord always tells me about the charming scenery and interesting stories of Luofeng City. I long for it, so I asked him to draw it for me. Look, this painting is specially given to me."

As she spoke, her fingers gently fell on the flamboyant handwriting.

Xiao Qiannan, who had been silent all this time, came forward, carefully looked at the signature, and read it softly.

"Gift Huan'er."

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes widened in astonishment, and her gaze quickly turned to Lin Mo, who also looked panicked.

"Princess, isn't your name Zhuang Ge'er? How could it be..."

Xiao Qiannan's words stopped abruptly, as if she realized she had said something wrong, and she quickly covered her mouth. At this moment, the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense and awkward.

Lin Mo stared at Su Jin with anticipation, her beautiful eyes sparkling with light, as if the answer to a mystery hidden deep in her heart for a long time was about to surface.

At this moment, her heart was beating so violently that it seemed to burst through her chest, and the rapid rhythm made it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Su Jin whispered, "My real name is Zhuang Ge'er. The Lord said he was delighted the first time he saw me, so he personally bestowed upon me the name Huan'er. 'Jia Ning' also carries his hope for a happy and peaceful life for me."

After a brief pause, Su Jin turned his gaze to Lin Mo and Xiao Qiannan and continued.

"Since the two girls are from Luofeng City, I have something I don't understand and would like to ask you."

Lin Mo took a deep breath, trying to calm his turbulent emotions, and spoke slowly.

"Princess, please speak."

Su Jin nodded slightly, and asked with a puzzled look on his face:

"A falling phoenix is flying south of Luofeng City, but I wonder what this 'falling phoenix' refers to?"

To this end, Su Jin had read many books and classics, and also asked all the palace maids and eunuchs in the Hehuan Palace. Even the Queen Wei Lan did not know its exact meaning.

Xiao Qiannan was also confused when she heard this, and also turned her gaze to Lin Mo, waiting for her to give an answer.

For a moment, the atmosphere became a little solemn. Both of them held their breath and waited for Lin Mo to speak and clarify the doubts.

Of course Lin Mo knew that the Marquis of Luofeng's Mansion was in the south of Luofeng City. She had a clear memory of how, when Lin Qinghuan was a child, whenever she felt a little better, she would clamor to go to the lake behind the mansion to fly her favorite kite, Luofeng. She, Gong Heyu, Lin Ancai and Lin Qingyi would often accompany her to fly the "Luofeng" kite, which was particularly difficult to fly and was Lin Qinghuan's favorite.

"Does Mrs. Jia know what it is?"

Su Jin looked at Madam Jia in front of him. She had her eyes slightly lowered, as if she were lost in her own thoughts. She looked like a wise man pondering a profound mystery. This made Su Jin's curiosity burn even more fiercely.

Lin Mo smiled slightly and explained softly to the woman in front of him.

"My lord, these are willow catkins. There are many tall willow trees growing by the South Lake in Luofeng City. Every spring, those trees will spit out catkins that are as white as snow and as light as a dream. When the breeze blows, the flying catkins are like a dreamlike snowfall, which is beautiful beyond words."

Hearing this, Su Jin nodded in sudden realization, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he muttered to himself.

"I see! I thought it was something rare, but it's just ordinary willow catkins. Maybe it's a dialect?"

Seeing this, Lin Mo nodded in agreement.

Su Jin rolled up the painting and was ecstatic. No wonder I asked everyone before, but they didn’t know. Even the Lord pretended to be mysterious and refused to tell me the answer directly.

Now that I finally figured this out, I feel much better!