The Cloud Feather of the Red Chamber: A Marriage Arranged with Gong Yuanzheng at the Start

A charming dragon-shaped lantern was soon placed in Gong Shangjiao's study.

Next to it was the lantern with a missing corner.

Both lanterns were placed within easy reach of the palace corner.

The combination of new and old doesn't seem out of place at all; on the contrary, they complement each other perfectly.

Today, the palace gates were blessed with a rare snowfall, which thrilled Qingyu, who was seeing snow for the first time. She refused to go back to her room and insisted on watching the snow from the corridor.

Qingyu was always well-behaved and sensible, and Lin Qingyue really couldn't bear to refuse his request.

He then had Gong Yuanzheng hold him, watching the snow while channeling his inner energy to dispel the chill and ensure that Qingyu would not catch a cold.

Daiyu had seen snow before, but this was the first time she had ever seen snow this heavy.

Watching the snowflakes dance in the air, she was inspired to write a poem. She ran excitedly to her desk and began to write furiously.

For now, I don't need to worry about it.

Lin Qingyue thought for a moment, then gave Qiulan a look, signaling her to stay with Daiyu, while she went to find Gong Shangjiao.

Upon hearing Jin Fu's report, Gong Shangjiao was somewhat surprised. As far as he knew, Yuanzheng and Miss Lin were almost inseparable. Why would Miss Lin come to see him alone?

"The expedition really didn't come?"

"Yes, Young Master Jiao, Young Master Zheng is currently holding Young Master Qingyu while watching the snow."

Gong Shangjiao put down his brush. "Then please let Miss Lin in quickly."

Upon entering the house, Lin Qingyue was preparing to bow.

Gong Shangjiao gently interrupted her, "Sister-in-law, we're all family, there's no need for such formalities."

Lin Qingyue readily agreed, "Yes, brother."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "I came to see you today because I hope you can do me a favor."

Gong Shangjiao's smile remained unchanged. "Sister-in-law, please speak freely."

"I hope my brother can help me get away from the expedition for a day tomorrow."

Gong Shangjiao's smile faded slightly, not understanding why Lin Qingyue would suddenly make such a request.

Could it be that they're already getting tired of expeditions?

Lin Qingyue was unaware of Gong Shangjiao's emotional change. She glanced at the two lanterns not far away and a smile flashed across her lips.

“Yuan Zheng also gave me a lantern, and I want to give him a gift in return.”

“Yuan Zheng has been with me the whole time, so I can’t prepare a return gift.”

"So that's how it is," Gong Shangjiao's heart immediately settled, and he revealed a relieved and contented smile.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I will take the expedition to do other things tomorrow."

As usual, Gong Yuanzheng had breakfast with Gong Shangjiao. Just as Gong Yuanzheng was about to go find Lin Qingyue, Gong Shangjiao called out to him.

“Yuanzheng, didn’t you want to participate in the trial in the back mountain ahead of time? I’ll accompany you to the Snow Palace today.”

Gong Yuanzheng looked surprised and delighted. During their conversation that night, his brother hadn't given in until the very end. He had thought that he could only go to the back mountain when he came of age, but he never expected that his brother would actually agree.

"Brother, wait for me a moment. I'll have Yue'er pack her things, and she'll come up with us."

Miyazaki: "???"

"Wait, Yuanzheng!" Gong Shangjiao hurriedly called out to Gong Yuanzheng, who had already run to the door.

Seeing Gong Yuanzheng looking at him with a puzzled expression, Gong Shangjiao quickly came up with an explanation.

"The Snow Palace is covered in ice and snow all year round, and I'm afraid my younger siblings will find it hard to withstand the cold up there."

Just as Gong Yuanzheng was about to say that he could help Lin Qingyue dispel the cold, Gong Shangjiao immediately said:

"When you were undergoing the trial, no one provided her with internal energy to dispel the cold."

Gong Yuanzheng fell silent. There wasn't a single female guard with profound internal strength inside the palace. He wouldn't be willing to let another man transfer internal energy to Yue'er, not even her brother.

"Brother, I'll go comb Yue'er's hair first, I'll be right back."

Watching Gong Yuanzheng's retreating figure, Gong Shangjiao breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that no matter how many reasons he came up with, none would be as effective as this one!

They thought they would have to wait a long time, but to their surprise, Gong Yuanzheng returned before Gong Shangjiao had even finished a cup of tea.

He seemed a little listless. Before Gong Shangjiao could ask, Gong Yuanzheng spoke up.

"Yue'er was afraid that her brother would wait too long, so she didn't want me to do her hair in a bun today. She just let me braid her hair into the simplest braid."

Miyazaki: Don't say it again, I don't really want to hear it...

On the night of the Lantern Festival, the entire valley was bathed in brilliant lights.

Houses and streets are adorned with colorful lights, which, like twinkling stars, illuminate the night sky.

The curfew at the palace gates has been lifted tonight, and everyone except the guards on duty is free to enter and exit the palace.

The valley was exceptionally lively tonight, with people dressed in their finest clothes flocking to the streets to enjoy this rare and wonderful evening.

Children, holding various lanterns, laughed and chattered among the crowd, their joyful voices filling the air.

Daiyu and Qingyu had never seen such a scene before, and were already overwhelmed by what they saw.

Gong Yuanzheng gently squeezed Lin Qingyue's hand. "Yue'er, let's go for a walk somewhere else."

Lin Qingyue hesitated for a moment, then looked at Daiyu in Gong Shangjiao's arms and Qingyu in Gong Zishang's arms.

Gong Yuanzheng whispered in her ear, "Yue'er, don't worry, your brother and sister Zishang will take good care of your younger brother and sister."

Gong Shangjiao had obviously heard Gong Yuanzheng's words. He turned to Lin Qingyue and smiled slightly, his meaning clear: she could rest assured.

Indeed, all the peaks in the valley are now in the dungeon, and the palace gates are now safer than anywhere else.

After all, there are human traffickers outside, but not inside the palace gates.

Lin Qingyue was completely relieved and walked away into the distance with Gong Yuanzheng's help.

The lion dance troupe slowly approached, attracting many people to stop and watch. Afraid of crowding Lin Qingyue, Gong Yuanzheng simply pulled her into his arms.

The streets were lined with stalls, and the shouts of vendors and the cheers of tourists mingled together.

The aroma of candied hawthorn, glutinous rice balls, wontons, and other delicacies wafts through the air.

Lin Qingyue couldn't resist and dragged Gong Yuanzheng to buy two strings of sugar paintings.

The old man's skills are excellent; with just a few simple strokes, he captured the essence of Lin Qingyue and Gong Yuanzheng.

Before they knew it, the two had walked to a lamp stand, which was filled with all kinds of lanterns.

Gong Yuanzheng had thought his palace lantern was very beautiful, but when he saw the lifelike lotus lantern, he blushed a little.

"Yue'er, let me buy you another lamp."

Lin Qingyue smiled and shook her head, "I like the lamp you made for me. From now on, will you make me one every year?"

Fireworks burst across the night sky, illuminating the entire valley, and the cheers of the crowd reached their peak at that moment.

Gong Yuanzheng could only see the smiling face in front of him; under the fireworks, his girl was so radiant.

Her words made his heart start pounding.

“Okay, I’ll make you a lantern every year.”

When they returned to the palace gate, Daiyu and Qingyu were already fast asleep. After settling the two children, Gong Yuanzheng was about to help Lin Qingyue take off her hair.

Lin Qingyue took his hand and led him to the outer room, where she took out a scroll and handed it to him.

Gong Yuanzheng accepted the scroll, unaware of what was going on.

"This is a Lantern Festival gift I prepared for you."

Gong Yuanzheng looked at the painting in his hands with great surprise. He never expected that he would receive a gift from Yue'er.

Although he knew nothing about writing, he would like anything given to him by Lin Qingyue, no matter what it was.

Lin Qingyue looked at him expectantly, "Take a look, do you like it?"

"I love it! I love it!" Gong Yuanzheng hurriedly opened the scroll, and the moment he saw the contents, his expression changed.

On the painting, a boy dressed in blue sits with his knees bent on an ancient tree.

He lowered his head, intently weaving the lantern in his hands—an unfinished ephemeral lantern.