A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

The first person to enter was a woman, wearing a dark red and black ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) that accentuated her fair skin and voluptuous figure.

When she raised her head, she revealed a perfectly proportioned oval face. Although her features were striking, her expression possessed a cool and aloof quality that emanated from within.

"This humble servant is Meiying."

The girl gave a slight bow, her expression remaining indifferent.

Gu Xixi thought to herself, "Indeed, the person lives up to their name, truly a red plum blossom blooming in the cold shadows."

Beautiful but not seductive or coquettish.

Everyone has a love for beauty, and An Qinghe couldn't help but take a second look.

He snapped out of his initial amazement and glanced nervously to the side, not wanting Xixi to think he was a fickle person!

However, Gu Xixi did not pay attention to An Qinghe's side.

She was also intently admiring the beautiful woman, her eyes filled with an appreciative smile.

He Jinglan said, "This Jade Dew Fragrance is too sweet and cloying, I don't like it. Miss Meiying is skilled in this, please help us prepare another batch first, something lighter and more refreshing."

Mei Ying nodded, turned around, and knelt down on one side of the tea table.

A maidservant took out the original incense burner and replaced it.

Gu Xixi looked towards the door in confusion. Why hadn't the man named Jianlan come in yet?

He Jinglan leaned closer and said, "Jianlan's talent still needs some preparation, so let's wait a bit longer."

"Let's eat something first."

An Qinghe was already hungry, so he immediately began to eat heartily without any hesitation.

"This steamed lamb with milk is fragrant and tender, and not gamey at all. It's delicious!"

"This yam puree shaped like a begonia is sweet, Xixi should like it."

"The honey-glazed ham is just as authentic as the one I had when I went south!"

……

The maids filled the wine on the table.

The wine is golden like amber, clear and bright.

Gu Xixi couldn't help but pick it up and smell it. It had a rich plum fragrance and was sweet.

He Jinglan chuckled and said, "Iced plum wine isn't very strong; you won't get drunk if you only drink two small cups."

Gu Xixi stared at the wine in her glass, her expression conflicted as she struggled between her craving and her principles.

He Jinglan knew exactly what she was thinking and said, "I'm here to protect you, what are you afraid of?"

She said enticingly, "The plum wine at Shihua Pavilion is exceptional; you'll regret it if you don't try it."

Gu Xixi's expression relaxed, and she let go of her heavy principles.

"Then... just a little bit, just two small cups."

She thought to herself, "This wine cup is so small, I've only drunk less than half a sip. There won't be any problems."

He brought the wine glass to his lips.

As soon as the plum wine entered her mouth, Gu Xixi couldn't help but smile from the bottom of her heart, "Delicious!"

The aroma of plum blossoms fills the mouth, with a sweet and sour taste. Apart from a faint hint of wine, you can't taste any wine at all!

He Jinglan personally took the wine pot, "Another cup?"

Gu Xixi nodded happily, then nodded again, "Mmm, fill it up!"

Just then, a clear, melodious flute tune drifted in through the window.

A man dressed in a frost-colored robe slowly entered to the rhythm of a flute.

Gu Xixi knew that this was the sword orchid.

She held the wine glass and stared intently. She saw the man's sleeves slip down, and a long sword shot out from the air, its light dazzling, revealing his stunningly beautiful face.

Gu Xixi couldn't help but recall the time she first met Mu Nanzhao at the village entrance.

His handsome appearance was breathtaking.

Indeed, it's easy for any ordinary person to have this feeling upon first glance.

However, the woman in front of him, Jianlan, had a softer appearance than Mu Nanzhao, which made the observer feel less oppressed.

The Regent's Palace.

When He Jinghui entered the study, Mu Nanzhao was still processing official documents.

He Jinghui found a chair and sat down. "The two girls took An Qinghe out to play all day."

"Before I came here, I heard from the maids at Yuzhu Courtyard that Jinglan had already sent word that she wouldn't be coming back to stay tonight."

Mu Nanzhao didn't even look up, just said "Oh," and added, "She's been in the capital for so long, she should go and have some fun."

"If you are worried about the money, you can go to my household account office to withdraw it anytime."

He Jinghui rolled his eyes so hard they almost reached the sky. "I know you, Regent, are wealthy and don't lack money."

“But my sister went through a lot of trouble to invite her friends out, and our He family can afford this expense.”

Mu Nanzhao didn't reply, and picked up his pen to write.

He Jinghui glanced sideways in that direction, revealing a sly, mischievous smile.

Then he stopped laughing and said seriously, "Jinglan didn't come home at night, so I was just a little curious and asked her a few more questions."

"I heard she seems to be planning to take Boss Gu to the Flower Shop."

Mu Nanzhao paused in writing with his brush.

He Jinghui didn't even look at him, as if talking to himself, "Although Shihua Pavilion is an elegant place, the beauties there include not only women but also men."

"Among them was a swordswoman named Jianlan, whose sword dance was truly superb. It was both soft and hard, first stirring and fierce, making people feel as if they were on the battlefield. Then it was as tragic as a dream, breaking people's hearts."

"With just this one dance, countless noble ladies in the capital have fallen for him and wished they could hold him in their hands."

"He was also well-read, elegant in demeanor, and eloquent in speech."

Mu Nanzhao continued writing about himself, "He was just an actor."

He Jinghui said, “What’s wrong with actors? They sell their art, not their bodies, and they only sign fixed-term contracts, just like palace maids in the capital. Once they reach a certain age, they have to be released and regain their freedom.”

"I remember this gladiolus only has less than two years left. He has amassed a considerable fortune at the flower shop. What kind of business can he start after leaving the flower shop? He'll truly be a wealthy and leisurely man. What's wrong with that?"

Mu Nanzhao said indifferently, "You seem to know him very well."

"It seems I haven't been giving you enough work lately."

He Jinghui's face tightened, he gritted his teeth and intensified his attack, "When you were in the Northwest, there were some damned madmen in the capital who said that Jianlan's eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to yours."

Mu Nanzhao said calmly, "Are they all dead now?"

He Jinghui choked, was that the point?!

However, he still replied, "More or less. Even those who didn't die were all exiled with their families."

Mu Nanzhao remained silent again.

He Jinghui waited for a while, then glanced at his expression and said, "The maids in Yuzhu Courtyard were blushing and giggling when they were talking about it. I heard them mention Jianlan and say it was a pity that Master didn't bring anyone with him today."

"Don't you think my sister went a bit too far? Taking Boss Gu to the flower shop is one thing, but she had to order that top male vixen, Jianlan."

"It's one thing to order a vixen, but to actually stay overnight?"

With a crisp snap, it was truly heartbreaking to see that Xiangfei bamboo pen holder crumble.

Mu Nanzhao said coldly, "Nonsense!"

He suddenly stood up and walked out from behind the desk.

Ho King-fai was overjoyed at the prospect of a good show, and he frantically added fuel to the fire while trying to suppress his laughter.

"That Jianlan is almost thirty and still looks great. If he really looks like you, and Boss Gu doesn't want you, do you think she'll take the opportunity to find a replacement?"

As they were talking, the study door was suddenly opened, and a gust of wind ruffled He Jinghui's hair.

Looking outside the door, there was no one there.

He Jinghui couldn't suppress his smile any longer and chased after him, "Hey! Wait for me! I know Pingkangfang better than you do, let's go together!!"