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

Gong Shangjiao and Gong Yuanzheng fully understood Gong Zishang's feelings. When they learned that Mingwu Ji was Wuming, their anger was no less than that of Gong Zishang.

After venting her anger, Gong Zishang said coldly, "Gong Shangjiao, what do you plan to do?"

"I hope you will become the palace gate guard."

"You're insane!" Gong Zishang really thought this was crazy. She was going to be the Blade Master? How could the elders possibly agree to that?

"Just tell me if you're willing or not?" Gong Shangjiao looked at it.

"The elders will not agree. For so many years, no woman in the palace has ever served as a blade wielder."

Gong Zishang said with difficulty.

"Don't worry about them. As long as you're willing, I can make sure you stay in this position of Blade Master."

Gong Zishang was caught in a dilemma. She didn't even dare to dream of the position of Blade Master, but Gong Shangjiao had directly given it to her.

Gong Yuanzheng crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at Gong Zishang.

"Brother, since she doesn't want to do it, then let me do it."

Gong Zishang glared at Gong Yuanzheng with complicated emotions, remaining undecided.

"No rush, it's still early. Miss Zi Shang can take her time to consider it."

Qi Yan'an looked at Lin Qingyue, "Sister-in-law, we still have things to discuss. Please entertain Miss Zi Shang first."

Lin Qingyue understood the implied meaning in the song: they hoped she would persuade Gong Zishang.

She stood up and took Gong Zishang's hand. "Sister Zishang, I have just learned how to brew tea. Please give me your opinion."

Gong Zishang, filled with mixed emotions, followed Lin Qingyue out of the study.

Gong Yuanzheng was about to follow when Gong Shangjiao called out to him.

"Brother, the expedition plan still needs your cooperation. Stay and listen together."

Gong Yuanzheng could only obediently sit back down in his chair.

Lin Qingyue led Gong Zishang to a pavilion. After the accompanying servants set out the tea-making tools, they immediately withdrew.

Lin Qingyue glanced at the tea leaves brought by the servants; they were all medicinal teas. She then turned to Qiulan and instructed her:

"Qiulan, bring me my jar of fine black tea."

"Yes, Miss." Qiu Lan replied crisply and hurriedly ran towards the storeroom.

Lin Qingyue poured two cups of tea for Gong Zishang.

"Please wait a moment, Sister Zishang."

Gong Zishang nodded haphazardly, not caring what he was drinking, and casually took a sip.

Lin Qingyue observed that the open space of the Zheng Palace was filled with various herbs.

Previously, people would simply appreciate flowers and enjoy tea, but upon closer inspection, they discovered that drinking tea while appreciating herbs also has its own unique charm.

Thinking about it, I couldn't help but smile.

Gong Zishang saw the smile on her face and noticed her pale complexion: "Gong San is quite skilled in medicine, if nothing else. You should have him take good care of you."

Lin Qingyue was surprised, but still accepted her kindness.

“Young Master Zheng mentioned this yesterday; he will prepare a medicinal tea that suits me.”

Gong Zishang was genuinely surprised. "Gong San brought it up on his own initiative? Is he ever this considerate?"

After looking at Lin Qingyue more closely, he understood. It seemed that this little poison child was truly falling in love.

Lin Qingyue smiled slightly, not intending to discuss this topic further with Gong Zishang.

"I have offended you by tricking you into coming to Zheng Palace. I will punish myself with a cup of tea instead of wine. I hope you will not take offense."

Gong Zishang waved his hand, indicating that he didn't care at all.

"The moment you mentioned hidden blades, I knew you were lying to me. I have never made hidden blades."

"The reason I came with you is purely out of curiosity. What is Gong Er up to by coming to Gong San's place as soon as she got back? I don't believe the reason of sending a dowry."

Curiosity really killed the cat; if she hadn't come over, she wouldn't be so conflicted.

But if you don't come here, you won't know the truth.

Thinking of this, Gong Zishang let out another long sigh.

Lin Qingyue stroked the cup in her hand.

"Sister Zishang, I'm curious, do you really like Jin Fan that much?"

"I like it, maybe," Gong Zishang said, a look of melancholy on her face.

“The Zheng Palace is protected by Gong Er, while the Shang Palace is isolated and helpless. I can only rely on Zhi Ren and befriend everyone in the Yu Palace.”

Even the concubines of the Yu Palace treated her with the respect due to an elder, but unexpectedly, years of trying to please her only made the Shang Palace lose more and more influence in the palace.

All the resources allocated to the Shang Palace were at the very bottom of the palace gates.

The only solution she could think of was to tighten her ties with Yu Gong even further.

The closest bond is that between in-laws.

Since she couldn't marry Gong Huanyu or Gong Ziyu, she could only become a guard in the Feather Palace.

She was not content with being just an ordinary guard. After accidentally discovering that Jin Fan was Hongyu's bodyguard, she chose him without hesitation.

Despite trying everything to pester Jin Fan, all she ever got was his impatient expression.

And she became the laughingstock of the entire palace.

Lin Qingyue, seeing Gong Zishang's slightly sad expression, said:

"Sister Zishang, have you ever considered that perhaps you're using the wrong method?"

"What?" Gong Zishang asked, puzzled.

“Sister Zishang, I have never been involved in the affairs of the martial world. What I know is what my father asked someone to inquire about after the marriage was arranged.”

"What I told you is that the Palace Gate's poisons, medicines, weapons, and mechanisms are all unparalleled in the martial arts world. This is not a compliment."

"You've lived in the palace for so long that you haven't heard of these things, but ordinary people can easily find out about them by asking around."

"Although Sister Zishang is a woman, she manages the Shang Palace very well and has even developed some exquisite weapons."

Why do you want to rely on others?

"What?" Gong Zishang looked somewhat bewildered. "Why rely on others?"

“Yes,” Lin Qingyue continued, “The four palaces of the palace gates are inherently interdependent, each with its own responsibilities.”

"If any one palace is missing, the operation of the palace gates will be problematic."

After thinking about it, I felt it wasn't appropriate, so I revised the sentence again.

“It would be better if Yu Gong were missing. He is now Yu Gong without a spearhead, not Yu Gong with a palace gate.”

Despite being filled with sorrow, Gong Zishang was amused by Lin Qingyue's words.

"Qingyue, what you said is really..." So hurtful!!!

"Zheng Palace provides poisons and antidotes, Shang Palace provides weapons and mechanisms, and Jiao Palace is responsible for external operations and provides the necessary supplies to the palace gate. The three palaces cooperate to maintain the operation of the entire palace gate."

"If the Merchant Palace is gone, the Palace Gate's revenue will be drastically reduced. Sister Zi Shang, do you think you are important? Is the Merchant Palace important?"

Important! Extremely important! How could it not be important!

Why would you try to curry favor with the Feather Palace, which offers no benefit whatsoever to the palace?

"More importantly," Lin Qingyue said, a smirk playing on her lips, her eyes turning cold.

Gong Zishang felt a pang of unease from her words, and she gripped the teacup in her hand tightly. "Qingyue, what is it?"

Lin Qingyue looked at Gong Zishang and said slowly, "Things that are offered to you are worthless."