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

Jia Xichun glanced indifferently at Jia Baoyu's back, her eyes filled with icy indifference.

When he looked at Wang Xifeng and Gong Zishang, a hint of warmth appeared in the depths of his eyes.

She bowed slightly and performed a curtsy.

"Sister Feng, Lord Marquis, I'll head back now."

"Fourth Sister!" Looking at Jia Xichun's somewhat frail figure, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but call out to her.

Jia Xichun paused for only a moment before returning to the carriage without looking back.

Gong Zishang saw through Wang Xifeng's thoughts at a glance, "You want to help this young girl?"

Wang Xifeng looked troubled. "The Ningguo Mansion is a different story, as you know, sister."

“In the past, Fourth Sister could find some peace and quiet in the Rongguo Mansion, but now that the Rongguo Mansion is in such a mess, who cares about Fourth Sister?”

“In the past, she was somewhat delusional, and I was just worried that now that she was staying in Ningguo Mansion, her personality would only become more and more withdrawn.”

But Wang Xifeng was powerless to do anything; now that she was divorced, she probably wouldn't be able to get into the Ningguo Mansion.

Not to mention bringing Jia Xichun out.

Gong Zishang, however, was confident and gently patted Wang Xifeng's hand.

"As long as you have the will, there will naturally be a way."

"If you learn more from me now, once you take over the affairs of the palace, will you still be afraid of the Ningguo Mansion?"

Bullying others by abusing one's power is something Gong Zishang despises most, but for certain people and certain things, it is the most direct and brutal method.

"That would be perfect. If Fourth Sister were to spend her whole life as a Buddhist nun, she would be wasting her life."

A smile spread across Wang Xifeng's lips, making her already stunningly beautiful face even more dazzling and captivating, drawing everyone's attention.

Gong Zishang was completely stunned and couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Is Jia Lian blind? With such a beauty constantly by his side, how could he still have the mind to look for other women?

Wang Xifeng, supporting Gong Zishang's arm, said, "Sister, the sun is getting stronger and stronger. Let's go back first."

Gong Zishang, supporting her belly, said, "It's time to go back. Shangjiao should already be waiting for us at the manor."

Wang Xifeng was somewhat surprised, "Didn't Young Master Jiao go back to the yamen? Why is he at the manor?"

Gong Zishang revealed a mischievous smile, "That's just his excuse. Aren't you afraid your good cousin will pester you?"

Wang Xifeng couldn't help but chuckle.

Child molestation was not uncommon among the wealthy, but it was never brought to the forefront.

But she also heard that Jia Baoyu had several "good brothers" in his family school.

To her surprise, the men in the palace were so virtuous and self-disciplined.

None of the young masters had maids or servants by their side.

The guards who accompanied them were only there to handle trivial matters and protect their safety; they would never engage in any intimate acts.

Of all the young men getting married in the entire palace, only Lin's brother-in-law was present.

That young master, now past thirty, is still all alone.

Whenever she thinks about these things, Wang Xifeng is filled with countless emotions.

Back then, everyone lamented that Lin Daiyu had married into a den of wolves and tigers, but now we realize it was a blessed place.

The carriage swayed and rocked, and soon arrived at the mountain villa.

Just as Gong Zishang had said, Gong Shangjiao had already returned to the manor, and even Gong Yuanzheng and Lin Qingyue were there.

The clear laughter of children could be heard from time to time in the courtyard, with Ping'er and Xiao Hong attending to them.

Under the magnolia tree, Lin Qingyue was teaching Qiao Jie'er and Xiao Ge'er how to draw.

Gong Yuanzheng sat with his knees bent under the eaves, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes never leaving Lin Qingyue.

They have been interacting like this for the past two weeks.

Wang Xifeng and Gong Zishang were familiar with palace affairs, so Qiao Jie'er and Xiao Ge'er helped Lin Qingyue and Gong Yuanzheng take care of them.

Upon noticing the arrival of Gong Zishang and Wang Xifeng, Gong Yuanzheng lazily raised his head.

After glancing at Gong Zishang's expression, he casually said, "You're finally back. Your brother is waiting for you in the study."

Upon hearing this, Gong Zishang looked at the two children, and seeing that they were both focused on what they were doing, she then looked at Wang Xifeng.

"Fengfeng, let's go straight to the study."

Wang Xifeng glanced at the two children and nodded with a smile.

Inside the study, Gong Shangjiao had changed into casual clothes, removed his hair crown, and let his long hair, simply braided into a few small braids, fall loosely behind him.

His sharp edge had largely dissipated, replaced by a more gentle and refined demeanor.

Gong Zishang looked at Gong Shangjiao with a worried expression, "You've lost a lot of weight in the past few months."

"Shangjiao, are you really not going to let Yuanzheng go and help you?"

“No need.” Gong Shangjiao refused decisively. “Since he has already broken free, there’s no need to drag him in.”

At first, he did need Gong Yuanzheng's assistance.

But now that everything is on track and he himself is planning to withdraw, there is really no need to let Gong Yuanzheng get involved.

Gong Zishang understood his thoughts and nodded silently.

"Shangjiao, this is Miss Feng. You have already met her at the dock."

Wang Xifeng stepped forward to give Gong Shangjiao a curtsy, but Gong Shangjiao raised his hand to stop her.

Wang Xifeng felt a gentle breeze blowing, which steadily supported her knees.

She was secretly alarmed. Was this the legendary martial arts?

“Miss Feng, since we will be working together from now on, let’s not stand on these formalities.”

Wang Xifeng was not one to be coy, and immediately laughed heartily, "Then it's settled."

"Young Master Jiao, this is my first time dealing with matters of the martial world. If I do anything wrong, please forgive me!"

Gong Shangjiao glanced at her. He had heard about this Miss Feng's behavior and conduct, and only after meeting her did he realize that the rumors were indeed true.

With such a cheerful and straightforward personality, it shouldn't be too difficult to get along with her in the future.

"Then I'll be frank. Zhi Ren is responsible for many things, and Yuan Zheng will take over those related to the martial arts world."

"Miss Feng, you will be in charge of the shops near the palace gates. However, there is also trade between the palace gates and the imperial court, so you must pay attention to these matters..."

The scroll slowly closed as Miyazaki Shokaku softly narrated.

Gong Zishang stood up contentedly, having eaten and drunk her fill and even finished viewing today's painting.

She can now focus on handling palace affairs without any distractions.

"Go ahead and get busy! We'll be moving out of Old Dust Valley in a month and a half at most. So go wherever you want to go these days."

The last sentence was clearly addressed to Young Master Xue.

For some reason, Xue Gongzi felt a surge of reluctance.

He had never properly explored this place where he had grown up since childhood, and now that the restrictions had been lifted, he was about to leave immediately.

Looking at his expression, Yukishigeko said, "We will go to farther places in the future and see more scenery."

Young Master Xue said, "No matter how beautiful the scenery outside is, it is not the Old Dust Valley."

One sentence silenced everyone present.

They had reasons to leave; the scroll had shown that the miasma was unavoidable, so leaving was the only option.

While everyone was still grieving, Young Master Xue immediately perked up.

"I need to bring an artist with me and have him paint down the scenery of Old Dust Valley so that I can look at it whenever I want in the future!"

After saying that, he grabbed the painter and rushed out of the Blade Master Hall.

Gong Yuanzheng stood up and said to Gong Zishang, "The poison is not enough. I'll go and refine some more."

With that, he nodded to Xue Zhongzi, then leaped out of the courtyard.

Gong Zishang hurriedly shouted at him, "Don't forget to come here for lunch!"

Xue Zhongzi said calmly, "Zhi Ren, I'm going to practice martial arts. I'll bring Xiao Xue over for lunch."

The once bustling Zhiren Hall was now empty except for Gong Zishang and Jin Mao.

Gong Zishang didn't feel lonely at all. She walked towards the study with a smile. This was the life she longed for, and she was sure that the future would be even better.