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

Gong Shangjiao never expected that his younger brother would come to him on the first day of his wedding just for this matter.

But on second thought, I can understand it.

Given how much Yuanzheng's younger brother valued his sister-in-law, he certainly wouldn't want her to be in any dangerous situation.

After thinking it through, Gong Shangjiao nodded slightly, "Alright, we'll go find Zhiren to discuss this matter in a bit."

Gong Yuanzheng smiled, "Brother, I have prepared enough poison in the past few days, and I have also improved the potency of Baicao Cui. We can go there at any time."

As the two brothers were talking, Qi Yan'an arrived at the Corner Palace.

Upon seeing Qi Yan'an, Gong Yuanzheng was slightly taken aback, bowed, and immediately withdrew.

Looking at Gong Shangjiao, Qi Yan'an's expression was somewhat resentful.

"Shangjiao, after all these years of brotherhood, is this how you betray me?"

Gong Shangjiao's expression remained unchanged. "Sister Zishang is my sister."

Qi Yan'an sighed. That was precisely why he had such complicated feelings about Gong Shangjiao.

He hindered his own marriage, making his pursuit of his wife much more complicated and unpredictable.

But he is also a good younger brother who genuinely cares about Gong Zishang.

Qi Yan'an naturally understood the meaning behind Gong Shangjiao's request for this imperial edict.

He didn't want Gong Zishang to marry him with resentment.

Qi Yan'an sighed again.

He was happy that Gong Zishang had such a considerate younger brother.

I feel depressed because I have such a terrible brother.

Gong Shangjiao's gaze remained calm and unwavering. "Your Highness, I only hope that when Sister Zishang interacts with you, she can maintain an equal footing as much as possible."

The emperor's own brother—that's a very high status. When dealing with someone like that, it's inevitable to have to give way and suffer grievances.

Gong Zishang has suffered enough injustices. Everyone in the Gong family has gotten what they wanted, so Gong Zishang's preferences cannot be taken away.

Gong Shangjiao naturally knew how great that merit was, and in exchange for such an imperial edict, it might not seem worthwhile to others.

But for Miyazaki, family is the most important thing.

He is confident and capable, and will earn even greater credit in the future.

Only with such a guarantee can Gong Zishang interact with Qi Yan'an without any worries or need to compromise herself.

"If she is willing to spend her life with you after spending time with you, I will naturally offer my blessings."

Gong Shangjiao didn't say the last sentence, but Qi Yan'an could guess it.

If, after spending time with him, Gong Zishang still refuses to marry him, Gong Shangjiao hopes that Qi Yan'an can let go readily.

Qi Yan'an smiled and unfolded his folding fan, his smile containing both melancholy and unrestrained joy.

"A fair maiden is the object of a gentleman's desire; if he cannot win her over, I will let go without hesitation."

Qi Yan'an also has his own pride, but he cannot force others to do things against their will.

Just as he had told his elder brother, Gong Zishang was a woman like that.

We should soar through the heavens and earth, and live a carefree life.

He had never met such a carefree person, so he wanted to protect this carefree spirit even more.

He has already used both cunning and calculated tactics.

If he were to use any other means, he would despise himself.

Oh well, let it be.

He waved his folding fan, his smile relaxed and carefree.

"Shangjiao, now that Yuanzheng's younger brother's wedding is over, we should return to Yangzhou."

Gong Shangjiao nodded. "It will take a few more days. There is still one matter in the palace that has not been resolved."

Qi Yan'an raised an eyebrow. "Do you need my help?"

Gong Shangjiao smiled faintly, "No need, it will be resolved soon."

Although it was strange, Qi Yan'an did not ask any further questions.

"Then I'll go to Yangzhou first. Once you're done with your work, come over as soon as possible."

After seeing Qi Yan'an off at the palace gate, Gong Shangjiao immediately rushed to the Zhiren Hall.

Now everyone in charge of things in the palace has arrived, including Lin Qingyue.

The former Young Master Yue only had white hair at his temples, but now his hair is completely white.

The lark's death took away half of his life.

Elder Yue, who died at Wu Feng's hands in an attempt to save him, took away the other half of his life.

Even if he were alive now, he would be nothing more than a walking corpse.

He sat in the far corner with an indifferent expression; he had not attended Gong Yuanzheng's wedding banquet yesterday.

He originally didn't want to attend today's meeting, but Elder Xue approached him directly.

He made it clear that today's meeting concerned the future of the palace, and he could not afford not to attend.

On the way here, Elder Xue had already told him about the strange person in the back mountain. Although it was the first time he had heard about it, he was not surprised at all.

He had long since disregarded life and death; what did the strange man have to do with him?

"What? You're going to go straight into the maze? No way! It's too dangerous!"

Elder Hua was the first to voice his opposition.

Gong Zishang patiently explained to him, "Elder Hua, no one knows when the strange people will rush out of the back mountain. Why don't we take the initiative?"

"Although it's somewhat risky, it's the best way for us."

"With the Boundless Flowing Fire, we can control the supernatural beings!" Elder Hua said.

Gong Zishang's smile remained unchanged as she directly countered, "Why leave this difficult problem to our descendants?"

The two elders fell silent. Why leave it to their descendants?

Because it's always stayed like this.

Gong Shangjiao spoke calmly, “The miasma in the mountains is getting worse and worse. The effects of the herbal extract we take are constantly increasing. All the elders should be aware of this.”

"Every medicine has some side effects, and we can't keep taking Baicao Cui (a traditional Chinese medicine) all the time."

Elder Xue was startled. "Shang Jiao, what do you mean by this?"

Gong Shangjiao looked at him calmly without saying a word, but Elder Xue instantly understood his meaning.

Elder Xue's hands began to tremble uncontrollably. He pointed at Gong Shangjiao, his eyes filled with undisguised heartache and disappointment.

Gong Shangjiao always valued the Gongmen most highly, and he believed that Gong Shangjiao would always protect the interests of the Gongmen, which is why he agreed to let Gong Zishang make the blade.

Now, even Miyazaki Sho has the idea of ​​rebelling against the palace.

"Shangjiao, you are simply... simply..."

"You have no right to blame my brother!" Gong Yuanzheng said coldly. "Within the Gong family, you are the least qualified to criticize my brother!"

Elder Xue looked at the indifferent Gong Yuanzheng, then at the calm Gong Zishang.

He closed his eyes; he understood what they meant.

Elder Hua watched all this in silence. His mindset had changed greatly after his trip outside.

He looked at Gong Shangjiao and said in a deep voice, "Shangjiao, just tell me, what are you planning to do now?"

Gong Shangjiao remained silent, his gaze fixed on Gong Zishang.

Gong Zishang understood immediately. She stood up and said, "Moving away from Old Dust Valley is imperative."

“If you agree, we will go into the illusion, destroy those strange beings, and leave together.”

“If you disagree, then you can stay and guard the Boundless Flowing Fire. Shangjiao, Yuanzheng, and I will leave the Old Dust Valley.”

The Hall of Blade Masters fell into a deathly silence.

Elder Xue and Elder Hua remained silent.

This is forcing them to make a choice: either they leave together, or the three palaces leave the palace.

Gong Ziyu has already dismissed the Feather Palace. Gong Shangjiao, Gong Yuanzheng, and Gong Zishang have all left.

The mountain in front of the palace gate exists in name only.

Without Gong Yuanzheng's Herbal Extract, how long could they last?

It seems like there are choices, but in reality, there are no choices.

Yukishi stepped forward. “Zhiren, Shangjiao, Yuanzheng, I will go with you.”

Elder Xue looked at Xue Zhongzi, his lips trembling.

Young Master Xue stepped forward, about to speak, when Xue Chongzi said directly, "You stay outside."

Young Master Xue was unconvinced, but Xue Chongzi sighed, "Your martial arts are a bit weak. If there's an emergency, I won't be able to take care of you."

Young Master Xue became dejected and silently retreated to the back.

Young Master Hua was eager to try, but Elder Hua stood in his way.

"I'll go with you."

Elder Xue closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her eyes had returned to calm.

"I'll go with you!"

Gong Zishang curled the corners of his mouth. The reason for holding this meeting was also to improve the combat strength of the two elders.

In the midst of this maze, no one knows what's inside, so the more experts the better.