The Lord God is kneeling on the washboard again

On a sunny morning, Yu Yixuan tidied his clothes and prepared to go to the Regent's Palace with firm determination.

He rode a splendid horse, the sound of its hooves echoing crisply across the cobblestone streets of the capital. Shops on both sides of the street gradually opened for business, and people began their busy day. Yu Yixuan had no time to think about these things; his mind was completely focused on the upcoming meeting.

Along the way, he recalled his past friendship with the Master of the Regent Palace, the happy times they had spent together, and the hardships and dangers they had faced together. Now, for the sake of brotherhood and trust, he embarked on this journey without hesitation.

The Prince Regent's Palace was located in a prosperous area of ​​the capital. Its tall gates were majestic and solemn, and the guards at the gate stood tall and straight. Yu Yixuan dismounted at the gate and handed the reins to the servant who came to greet him. He straightened his clothes and walked steadily towards the gate.

The guard at the gate saluted respectfully upon seeing him arrive. Yu Yixuan nodded slightly, then stepped over the threshold and entered the palace. The scenery within the palace was well-arranged, with pavilions, towers, rockery, and ponds, all of which demonstrated the palace's nobility and grandeur.

Yu Yixuan walked along the bluestone path, feeling both anticipation and a touch of nervousness for the upcoming meeting. After all, this visit was a matter of great importance, and he was fully aware of the responsibility he shouldered.

After passing through several archways, they finally arrived at the main hall of the palace. At this moment, the sound of conversation came from the hall. Yu Yixuan took a deep breath and walked slowly into the hall, ready to face everything that was about to happen.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) was working in his study, his brow furrowed and his expression slightly exhausted. Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door, followed by a servant's announcement: "Your Highness, Master Yu Yixuan has arrived."

When Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) heard this, a smile of surprise instantly blossomed on his face, and his frown suddenly relaxed. He quickly stood up and strode towards the door.

As soon as he walked out, he saw Yu Yixuan's familiar figure walking towards him. Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) excitedly shouted, "Second brother, you're finally back!"

Yu Yixuan quickened his pace and came to Yun Mohan (Nangong Han), and the two of them clasped their hands tightly together. Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) looked Yu Yixuan up and down, his eyes full of joy: "Second brother, you've been away these days, and I've missed you so much."

Yu Yixuan smiled and said, "Third brother, how are you? I'm back now."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) took Yu Yixuan's hand and walked into the study, saying as he walked: "Second brother, you don't know, during the time you were away, a lot of things happened in the mansion. I was really overwhelmed to deal with it all by myself."

Yu Yixuan patted Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, third brother, tell me slowly."

The two sat down in the study, and Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) began to talk incessantly about his experiences during this period, from the disputes in the court to the trivial matters in the mansion. Yu Yixuan listened carefully, nodded from time to time, and gave his own suggestions and ideas.

In the study, the conversations between the two brothers could be heard one after another, and their strong friendship permeated every corner.

Just then, Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) arrived at the study with graceful steps. She wore a lavender silk dress, her sleeves fluttering like a fairy descending from the earth. The jeweled jewels on her head swayed gently, adding a touch of graceful beauty.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) had a gentle smile on her face, with curiosity and concern in her eyes. She whispered to Yun Mohan (Nangong Han), "Han, I heard that there are guests." The voice was as clear and pleasant as the sound of a yellow oriole singing in a valley.

When Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) heard her voice, the smile on his face became even brighter. He quickly stood up and went to greet her, holding her hand and saying, "Li'er, you're here. This is my second brother Yu Yixuan, he just came back."

Yu Yixuan also stood up, bowed to Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li), and said with a smile: "Hello, sister-in-law."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) bowed slightly in return and said, "Thank you for your hard work along the way, second brother."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) pulled Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) to sit aside and said, "Li'er, I'm so happy that Second Brother is back this time."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) looked at Yun Mohan (Nangong Han)'s excited look and said with a smile, "Look how happy you are, like a child."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) scratched his head sheepishly and said, "Second brother hasn't come back for a long time. I've been looking forward to seeing you."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) turned to look at Yu Yixuan and said, "Second brother must have gone through a lot of hardships outside. Now that he's back, he needs to rest well."

Yu Yixuan said, "Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law. I'm relieved to see that my third brother is doing well after coming back this time."

The atmosphere in the hall was warm and harmonious. The three of them were chatting happily and laughter could be heard from time to time.

After Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) left, the atmosphere in the hall quieted down a bit. Yu Yixuan looked at Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) with a serious expression on his face, and said to him earnestly, "Third brother, don't lose your sister-in-law again this time."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) was slightly startled when he heard this, a trace of guilt flashing across his face. Yu Yixuan continued, "Third brother, you must know what a wonderful woman your sister-in-law is. She is gentle, kind, considerate, and devoted to you. I'm sure she's suffered a lot from all the previous setbacks."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) lowered his head, lost in thought, thinking of the ups and downs he had experienced with Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li), his heart filled with regret. Yu Yixuan gently patted Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) on the shoulder and said earnestly, "You are blessed to have such a wonderful partner in your life. You must not let your negligence or impulsiveness make her sad and upset, or even make her leave you."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) raised his head, his eyes full of determination: "Second brother, you are right. I was too confused before and didn't cherish Li'er well. From now on, I will never make the same mistake again."

Yu Yixuan nodded. "I'm glad you understand, Third Brother. A woman's heart is delicate and fragile, and needs your careful care. You should pay more attention to her feelings, spend more time with her, and let her know that your love for her is unwavering."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) clenched his fists: "Don't worry, second brother, I will definitely treat Li'er well and won't let her get hurt again. This time, no matter what, I will not lose her."

Yu Yixuan looked at Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) with a smile: "That's great. I hope you can keep your promise and walk through life with your sister-in-law happily."

The next morning, Yun Mohan hosted a banquet for his three good brothers.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) and his three good brothers came to Wangyue Tower, a famous restaurant in the local area, which has always been praised for its unique flavor and exquisite dishes, and is always crowded with guests every day.

The four of them took their seats in the quiet and elegant room, chatting and laughing with each other in a harmonious and cheerful atmosphere. Soon, the well-trained waiters brought one delicious dish after another to the table. However, at this moment, Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) looked at the sumptuous dishes on the table, and a look of confusion gradually appeared on his face. His sharp eyes slowly swept over the dishes, and he wondered in his heart: "Why is the cuisine of Wangyue Tower exactly the same as the one Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) prepared for them and their son at home?"

The similarities extended beyond the dishes themselves; the cooking techniques and even the presentation were strikingly similar. Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) couldn't help but furrow his brows, lost in deep thought. He couldn't help but recall his dining experiences at the mansion, the distinct flavors of each dish still lingering on his tongue.

His gaze grew deeper, as if to penetrate the mystery, and the doubts in his heart grew like a snowball. Was it pure coincidence? Or was there some hidden connection between Wangyue Tower and the chef in the mansion? Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) tried to search for clues in his tangled memories, but he could not untangle the complex threads.

At this moment, his brothers were happily savoring the food in front of them, devouring it with relish, not noticing Yun Mohan (Nangong Han)'s unusual behavior. However, Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) had no intention of eating at this moment. He was completely immersed in thinking about the secrets that might be hidden behind this strange coincidence of dishes, trying to uncover this mystery.

At this moment, Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) was in a private room at Wangyue Tower. The room was elegantly and exquisitely decorated, yet still private. She sat at a table, carefully flipping through a stack of intelligence, her expression focused and serious.

The subordinate knocked softly outside the door. The knock was very soft in the quiet corridor, but it was enough to attract Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li)'s attention. She put down the paper in her hand and said softly, "Come in."

The subordinate gently pushed the door open, walked into the box, and quickly closed the door, fearing that outsiders would see the scene inside. He came to Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) and saluted respectfully.

Wangyue Tower may seem like an ordinary restaurant, but it is actually a key base for gathering intelligence. The bustling crowds of people, both good and bad, provide an excellent cover for gathering all kinds of information.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) looked up at her subordinates, her eyes filled with inquiry: "How is it? Is there any new news?"

The subordinate lowered his voice and said, "Master, we just received a tip that several groups of unidentified people have recently arrived in the city. Their actions are very secretive, and our people are still tracking and investigating."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Keep watching. Don't miss any clues. Also, check their background and purpose."

The subordinate nodded and replied, "Yes, Master. However, the situation this time seems to be more complicated than before, and we have encountered some resistance during the investigation."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) stared intently: "Oppression? Is someone deliberately blocking us?"

The subordinate hesitated for a moment and said, "It's not certain yet, but it feels like there's a powerful force behind it."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the bustling street below, thinking secretly. After a while, she turned around and said, "Increase the manpower and make sure to investigate as soon as possible. Also, be careful not to alert the enemy."

The subordinate saluted again: "Understood, master, I will arrange it right away." After that, he hurriedly left the box to carry out Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li)'s order.

After the subordinate left, the room fell into a brief silence, as if time had stood still for a moment. Soon, a gentle, rhythmic knock on the door broke the silence, followed by the shopkeeper's respectful voice: "Master, I'm here."

"Come in." Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) responded calmly.

The shopkeeper quietly opened the door, stepped into the room, and then bowed deeply and respectfully, saying, "Master, everything has been arranged. Master, the prince and his companions have been arranged in the ground-level box."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) looked indifferent and just replied softly: "Yeah!"

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Master, there's something I'm not clear on. Why didn't you tell His Majesty that Wangyue Tower was your property?"

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) raised her eyes slightly, her gaze as calm as an ancient well, and she slowly said, "The time has not come yet. If I tell you rashly, it may not be a good thing."

The shopkeeper looked puzzled and continued, "I don't quite understand. The prince and you are deeply in love. If I tell him about this, perhaps I can get his strong support and strong protection, which will definitely be of great benefit to the future development of Wangyue Tower."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) shook her head slightly and said, "You only see the possible benefits on the surface, but haven't considered the complexities involved. Don't let him worry about this matter. If he knew I was running this business, it would inevitably attract close attention and unwarranted speculation from all sides, and it might even bring many unexpected troubles to His Majesty."

The shopkeeper nodded thoughtfully and said, "Master, you have considered everything. It is I who am short-sighted and ignorant."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) sighed slightly and said, "In this treacherous and volatile situation, every step we take must be extremely cautious. Wangyue Tower is not just a simple business, but a key stronghold for us to obtain important intelligence and firmly grasp the situation. We must not easily expose it because of a momentary impulse."

The shopkeeper's expression became extremely serious, and he said, "I understand. I will definitely not mention this matter again."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) waved her hand and said, "Go down. If necessary, lend a hand to the prince, but remember not to let anyone know."

The shopkeeper bowed respectfully once more, then left the room, carefully closing the door. Silence returned to the room. Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) frowned slightly, lost in deep thought.

A sudden commotion erupted from the lobby downstairs; someone was arguing loudly. A young girl in a green dress, with a pretty face but a hint of savagery, pointed angrily at the restaurant's maid.

The maid was neither humble nor arrogant, and she always maintained a decent smile on her face. She said in a light tone: "Miss, I am really sorry, but the private room is full today. Please forgive me."

The woman in green, however, wasn't convinced. Her eyebrows arched, and she pointed her slender fingers towards the Heavenly Class Box. She shouted, "Isn't there another one? I want that one!"

The maid still smiled and patiently explained, "Miss, that box has been reserved. I really can't arrange it for you."

The woman in green snorted coldly and said, "I don't care. I want to dine in the best private room in Wangyue Tower today. If you don't let me, I'll have my father destroy your restaurant!"

The diners around looked at her sideways, dissatisfied with the girl's arrogant behavior, but they only talked about it in a low voice and did not dare to offend her openly.

The maid's smile was a little stiff, but she still tried to be polite and said, "Miss, it's really not possible. I hope you understand our difficulties. Otherwise, I will arrange a good seat for you in the lobby?"

The woman in green stamped her feet and said, "Lobby? How can I be in the lobby? What kind of shabby restaurant is this? You can't even arrange a private room!"

At this moment, the shopkeeper came running over after hearing the noise. He first apologized to the woman in green, then said, "Miss, how about this, you wait a moment, and when a private room becomes available, I will definitely give you priority."

The woman in green glared at the shopkeeper and said, "How long do we have to wait? I don't have that much patience!"

The situation was at a stalemate and the atmosphere in the entire lobby became tense.