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

The three of them were about to set off with Jin Cheng in high spirits when they heard a burst of hearty laughter.

"Young Master Xue, it's been a long time."

Upon seeing that it was Qi Yan'an, Young Master Xue's expression became somewhat strange.

Over the past few days, he has gradually come to understand many things.

The thirteenth prince before me once wanted to be Zhi Ren's husband, but Zhi Ren refused because he wanted to have a harem...

Daiyu was the first to react, and was about to bow to Qi Yan'an, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Qi Yan'an casually waved his hand, stopping Daiyu from bowing, and also stopping Xue Gongzi and Qingyu from bowing as well.

"Where are Shang Jiao, Sister Zi Shang, and the others?"

Jin Cheng immediately replied, "Your Highness, Young Master Jiao and Zhi Ren are both in the study."

Qi Yan'an nodded, "Okay, I'll go find them. You three go have fun."

Watching Qi Yan'an's departing figure, Daiyu asked with some worry, "Brother Xiaoxue, will the Thirteenth Prince make things difficult for my master?"

Young Master Xue blinked, somewhat hesitantly, "It shouldn't be, Young Master Jiao is here..."

Daiyu sighed, "But my master rejected him..."

Qingyu was somewhat puzzled. "What? He likes Sister Zishang? Isn't Sister Zishang going to have a harem? Does he want to join Sister Zishang's harem too?"

In an instant, everyone's attention fell on Gong Zishang.

Although everyone in the palace knew that their own wielder would eventually establish a harem, they were unsure whether to refuse the prince or bring him into the harem.

What an earth-shattering thing! Wielding that blade, that's really something!

Lying on the soft couch, Gong Liushang stared intently at the sky, his heart filled with complex emotions.

My daughter is truly someone whose appearance doesn't reflect reality! Her ambitions are far too lofty; it's practically setting a precedent for such ambitions.

Shangguan Qian couldn't help but chuckle, her eyes full of teasing as she looked at Gong Zishang, "Sister Zishang is so charming, even the prince is smitten with you."

Gong Zishang felt drenched in sweat, yet also inexplicably confident.

My sister is the one who rejected the prince!

Xue Gongzi and Daiyu both fell silent.

How should they answer this question for a four-year-old child?

Finally, Xue Gongzi said with some difficulty, "Qingyu, he is a prince and it is impossible for him to enter Zhiren's harem."

Qingyu retorted confidently, "Why not? Love is above all else! He's a prince, so we can just have him be the empress!"

"Besides, as long as they love each other, men can be with men, and women can be with women!"

Daiyu's expression tightened, and she looked at Qingyu with piercing eyes, "Where did you hear that from?"

Qingyu, completely oblivious to anything amiss, tugged at Xue Gongzi's sleeve, "I've read a lot of Little Xue's storybooks too."

Daiyu's death ray swept towards Xue Gongzi, and now it was Xue Gongzi's turn to be drenched in sweat.

"I, I, I..."

He bought so many storybooks that he didn't even know which ones he owned.

Inside the Snow Palace, facing Xue Chongzi's strange gaze, Young Master Xue was also drenched in sweat.

He truly experienced what it means to have something to say but no one to say it.

That was something he did in the future; he's completely innocent now.

After glaring at Xue Gongzi, Daiyu said to Qingyu earnestly:

"It's not that I don't want you to read storybooks, it's just that Qingyu, you're too young now, and reading them might corrupt your character."

"When you grow up and can distinguish right from wrong, you will naturally be able to see it."

Then, with a serious expression, he said, "Brother Shangjiao used all his merits to exchange for Master's freedom in his marriage, just so that Master could live the life he wanted."

"Master doesn't like the Thirteenth Prince. Don't say such things again, and never put Master and the Thirteenth Prince together! Do you understand?"

Seeing Daiyu's serious expression, Qingyu naturally obeyed obediently, saying, "Second Sister, I understand. I promise I will never read storybooks again, and I will never talk nonsense again."

Gong Zishang covered her chest.

In just a few words, she had already guessed the gist of it.

The thirteenth prince took a liking to her, but she refused. Shang Jiao used his merit in annihilating Wu Feng to exchange for her freedom to enter into a marriage contract.

No one has ever done what she has done since she was a child.

What merit or ability does she possess to warrant Gong Shangjiao protecting her to this extent?

Gong Yuanzheng glanced at Gong Zishang with a complicated expression, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. His brother was actually being so kind to Gong Zishang.

But he quickly reassured himself: if his brother treats Gong Zishang so well, he must treat him even better!

Didn't you see that your brother wouldn't even let him leave the palace gates for his safety? And wouldn't he even be spared the task of guarding the palace gates to avoid causing him trouble?

Inside the study, Gong Shangjiao unfolded a map, and a rare smile appeared on his usually serious face.

"These are some places I've chosen. The scenery and climate are quite nice. Take a look."

Gong Zishang stepped forward, looking on with great interest. This concerned their lives for the next few decades, so they had to study it carefully.

"Shangjiao, let's visit them all before making a decision."

Gong Shangjiao nodded, "Of course, I chose these places myself. If you have any places you like, you can come and take a look too."

"But we still need to confirm it as soon as possible. Once the miasma spreads to the front of the mountain, it will be troublesome to relocate people."

Those outside the palace gates finally understood why the palace gates had to be moved—it was because of the miasma.

The entire palace was moved, which suggests that the miasma had reached a point where even Prince Zheng couldn't resolve it.

Inside the Snow Palace, Yukishige silently memorized the map, hoping to visit these places in advance if given the chance.

The most important thing now is, "Xiaoxue, pack your things, we're going down the mountain right away!"

He paused, then added, "You're not allowed to bring those storybooks anymore."

Gong Yuanzheng, holding Lin Qingyue's hand, smiled and said to Gong Shangjiao, "Brother, let Xue Zhongzi and Sister Zishang handle this matter."

"Yue'er and I won't go; we'll stay in Yangzhou and help you."

Gong Shangjiao smiled with satisfaction, "There's no rush for the expedition. You should rest for a few days first, and then I'll show you around the affairs of the martial world."

"Speaking of which, I also have something to entrust to you. I've discussed with Yan An the formation of an intelligence organization, and I'd like you to handle this matter for me."

Gong Yuanzheng sat up straight instantly. This was something he had never encountered before, and there was much to learn in the future.

Seeing his nervousness, Gong Shangjiao gently comforted him, "Don't worry, Yuanzheng, I will guide you step by step."

After explaining things to his younger brother, Miyazaki looked at Yukishigeko, his voice instantly returning to normal.

"Yukishigeko, you will accompany Zhiren to explore these places."

Xuezhongzi nodded and readily agreed. It was a great job, and she could enjoy sightseeing along the way, although the time was a bit tight.

Jin Fu rushed into the study at that moment, "My lord, the thirteenth prince has arrived!"

Gong Yuanzheng and Xue Zhongzi's gazes fell on Gong Zishang at the same time.

Gong Shangjiao, however, remained calm, despite the current state of affairs in Yangzhou.

He didn't believe that the thirteenth prince would abandon his duties and come here because of some personal feelings between a man and a woman.

He's only here for serious business.

Gong Zishang clearly shared the same thoughts as Gong Shangjiao. Having spent so much time with Qi Yan'an, she had come to know him to some extent.

She gently smoothed her sleeve. "I know I'm very charming, but you've all guessed wrong this time. He definitely didn't come for me."

"Sister Zishang, you're wrong about that." Qi Yan'an's hearty laughter came from outside.

"What happened today is actually related to you."

Gong Zishang's smile deepened. "Really? Could it be that little brother Yan An really wants to join my harem?"

Qi Yan'an: "......" Okay, I failed to tease him and ended up being teased instead.

He unfolded his folding fan and said, "I won't beat around the bush. I just received a secret order. My brother sent you to the capital."

His expression turned serious. "The weapons that Young Master Hua and Elder Hua have been researching have never been able to reach their ideal state."

"Sister Zishang, the Emperor hopes you can solve this problem."

Well, that's a reason that's really hard to refuse.

Qi Yan'an looked at Gong Shangjiao, "Shangjiao, the martial arts figures we've captured these past few days, the Emperor wants us to bring them back to the capital for trial."

Gong Shangjiao instantly understood his meaning. In order to prevent anyone from trying to break into the prison, they had no choice but to let him escort the prisoners.

It seems that he and Gong Zishang have no choice but to go to the capital.

The siblings exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat helpless.

Plans are subject to change, and the task of finding out the palace gate's new address can only be left to Xue Chongzi and Xue Gongzi.

"Yan An, are you staying in Yangzhou?"

Qi Yan'an unfolded his folding fan again and joked to himself, "I'm just destined to be a hard worker. Leave the task of building an intelligence organization to me. Luckily, I have my brother Yuanzheng to help me."

Gong Shangjiao smiled slightly, "Your Highness will be disappointed. It has been several months since my younger brother Yuanzheng got married, and his wife has not had time to return to her parents' home. Now it is time for her to visit Lord Lin in the capital."