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

Gong Shangjiao frowned almost imperceptibly and waved for Jin Fu to drag the person away.

Soon more servants came in and quickly cleaned the floor.

Tea and snacks were served to everyone again.

Gong Zishang sat back down in her chair and looked at Qi Yan'an: "Thirteenth Prince, have you found any other information during the interrogation?"

"There really is some news," Qi Yan'an said leisurely, fanning himself with his folding fan. The events of the past had not affected his mood at all.

"Manager Jia will take action within the next two days, but his son doesn't know exactly when or what he will do."

"After all, he was not a member of the palace, and Steward Jia was quite tight-lipped, never revealing the news to his family."

Lin Qingyue's body stiffened slightly. She glanced quickly at Gong Shangjiao, then lowered her eyes.

Manager Jia's son was indeed unaware of Gong Huanyu's plan, but she had already used the excuse of a precognitive dream to tell Gong Shangjiao and Gong Yuanzheng about it.

Judging from Qi Yan'an's current behavior, he is clearly unaware of this matter.

She hesitated before telling Miyazaki about this.

But she was just a sheltered young lady with no strength to even kill a chicken. Against Shangguan Qian and Yun Weishan, they could easily strangle her with one hand.

The only way is to turn them into wolves in the open.

Her biggest challenge was figuring out how to convince Miyazaki Shojiro of the news.

In both her lives, she wasn't a particularly intelligent person; the only method she could think of was precognitive dreams.

Otherwise, how could a sheltered young lady like herself explain knowing these secrets of the martial arts world?

Is it said that Lin Ruhai found out? There wasn't enough time to set up such a scheme.

She was also gambling that Hisakazumi would not tell the royal family about it.

Fortunately, her bet was right.

"That's a real pity." Although Gong Zishang was disappointed by the answer, she was not disappointed. Steward Jia was doing something that risked his life, so naturally the fewer people who knew about it, the better.

"Shang Jiao, so what are your plans for dealing with Steward Jia now? Are you going to arrest him and torture him to extract a confession?"

“No need.” Gong Shangjiao’s expression remained unchanged, but his gaze deepened. He picked up his teacup, skimmed off the foam on it, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

“I’ve already arranged for someone to keep an eye on him. Now that we know Yu Gong has extended his reach into the pharmacy, let’s see what Yu Gong’s purpose is.”

Gong Zishang remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was somewhat hesitant. With Gong Yuanzheng watching over Jiao Gong and Zheng Gong, he wasn't afraid of the people from the pharmacy causing trouble.

No one in the Shang Palace understands medicine. If the Yu Palace's target is the Shang Palace, how should she deal with it?

“Brother Yuanzheng,” Miyazaki called out.

Gong Yuanzheng took out a bottle of medicine from his pocket, and was about to throw it to Gong Zishang when he remembered that Lin Qingyue was sitting next to him.

Would she, a person who is so polite and courteous, find him to be rude and vulgar?

Gong Yuanzheng withdrew his raised hand, stood up and walked quickly to Gong Zishang, placing the medicine bottle on the coffee table next to Gong Zishang.

"This is Baicao Cui (a traditional Chinese medicine formula). You can give it to the people in the Shang Palace first. I'll give you more when they run out."

The matter concerning Steward Jia will be resolved soon. Giving Gong Zishang this bottle of herbal extract was merely to make the performance in front of Qi Yan'an more convincing.

The fact that Lin Qingyue had a precognitive dream must never be revealed.

Gong Zishang gladly accepted, "Then thank you very much, Brother Yuanzheng."

Gong Yuanzheng silently rolled his eyes.

With all her concerns resolved, Gong Zishang put the medicine bottle into her sleeve, and now she could just sit back and wait for her turn to wield the blade.

He stood up, curtsied to Qi Yan'an and Gong Shangjiao, and was about to take his leave to return to the Shang Palace.

There was a knock on the door.

Jin Fu hurried out and soon returned to his study.

"Young Master, Zhi Ren summons you and Young Master Zheng to the Zhi Ren Palace."

Gong Yuanzheng and Gong Zishang's expressions changed slightly. Gong Hongyu knew about their plan so quickly?

Qi Yan'an's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression. He turned to look at Gong Shangjiao, his gaze calm yet carrying a subtle air of authority.

Gong Shangjiao remained calm and composed. "It was lunchtime. After Yuanzheng and I finished our meal, we headed to the Zhiren Hall."

Jin Fu immediately accepted the order and went out to report.

Gong Shangjiao glanced at everyone's expressions and rarely showed a slight smile. "No need to worry. Yu Gong offended your sister-in-law last night. Gong Hongyu must have come to us about this."

Qi Yan'an's expression softened slightly. "This matter involves too many things; we cannot afford any mistakes."

"Your Highness can rest assured." Gong Shangjiao nodded, and seeing that Gong Zishang's face still showed lingering fear, he said, "Let's stay at Zheng Palace for lunch today, and have a taste of the chef's cooking."

Gong Zishang was about to refuse when she caught a glimpse of Gong Yuanzheng's reluctant expression, and she immediately changed her mind.

Since Shang Jiao has invited me, I'll stay and have a taste.

Sure enough, Gong Yuanzheng's face darkened even more, but since it was his brother who spoke up, he didn't care; it was just a matter of adding another set of chopsticks.

Gong Zishang felt somewhat uneasy that Gong Yuanzheng did not object.

"Forget it, I'll just go back to the Shang Palace. Everyone knows that Gong San and I don't get along, so it's not appropriate for me to stay here for a meal."

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it.” Gong Shangjiao said calmly. “Young Master Qi is a major customer of the Palace Gate. He comes to the Palace Gate to purchase medicinal herbs and weapons. As the head of the Palace Gate, you should accompany him. After all, you are the only one who knows about weapons.”

Gong Zishang immediately understood Gong Shangjiao's meaning. She gracefully sat back down in her seat. "That's right, Yuanzheng brother. It seems I'm destined to have a taste of this Zheng Gong lunch today."

Gong Yuanzheng turned his head away, too lazy to pay attention to Gong Zishang.

Gong Shangjiao stood up and gestured to Qi Yan'an, "Please."

After Qi Yan'an and Gong Shangjiao left the study, Gong Yuanzheng was about to invite Lin Qingyue to walk together when he saw Gong Zishang leap to Lin Qingyue's side and take her arm.

"Qingyue, let's go together~"

He didn't forget to give Gong Yuanzheng a provocative look.

Gong Yuanzheng: ......

I'm so angry! He should have just kicked Gong Zishang out of Zheng Palace.

The food at Zheng Palace was decent, neither particularly delicious nor bad, but just ordinary.

Although Qi Yan'an was born into royalty and lived a life of luxury since childhood, he spent many years wandering the martial arts world and did not care much about food.

Lin Qingyue noticed several of the dishes, and if she wasn't mistaken, they were medicinal cuisine.

Gong Yuanzheng felt a little embarrassed. These dishes were medicinal meals that he had specially instructed the kitchen to prepare, and they were specially made for Lin Qingyue.

"Your spleen and stomach are weak, and taking medicine directly will affect your appetite. It would be better to use some medicinal cuisine instead."

Lin Qingyue was deeply moved. They had only met yesterday, and it was truly rare for Gong Yuanzheng to go to such lengths.

She stood up, bowed deeply, and sincerely thanked him: "Thank you, Young Master Zheng."

Gong Yuanzheng immediately helped her up, saying, "We'll get married sooner or later, so there's no need for such formalities in the future."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people present varied.

Gong Zishang raised an eyebrow, while Gong Shangjiao lowered his eyes. For the first time, the siblings' thoughts were aligned: Yuanzheng's younger brother was in for a tough time.

Only Qi Yan'an smiled sincerely, "What Yuanzheng said is right. It is also written in the imperial decree that after Yuanzheng has completed his coming-of-age ceremony, a wedding will be held for you. At that time, I will definitely have my elder brother send you generous gifts!"

His gaze shifted to Lin Qingyue, his smile unchanged, but with a hidden warning, "Sister-in-law, we're all family, so let's not stand on ceremony anymore."

Lin Qingyue understood his meaning perfectly well. Her smile froze slightly. "Qingyue understands."

During a meal, each person has their own thoughts and feelings.

Gong Shangjiao checked the time; it was about time to head to the Blade-Holding Hall. But what should be done with Qi Yan'an?

It wouldn't be appropriate to have Lin Qingyue accompany him, and he was afraid to have Gong Zishang accompany him.

Then let him stay by himself.

Gong Shangjiao turned to look at Qi Yan'an, about to speak, when Qi Yan'an's gaze fell directly on Gong Zishang:

"I have long heard of the exquisite mechanical weapons crafted by Miss Zi Shang. I wonder if I would have the honor of having her personally introduce them to me?"

Gong Zishang was slightly surprised, but still readily agreed, "Of course, Thirteenth Master, then please come with me to the Shang Palace."

Qi Yan'an smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Gong Shangjiao before following Gong Zishang out of Zheng Palace.

The two moved very quickly, giving Gong Shangjiao no time to speak.

"Brother, shall we go too?" Gong Yuanzheng urged.

Gong Shangjiao closes his eyes, opens his eyes, exhales, and inhales.

Finally, he stood up, looked at his innocent-looking younger brother, and said, "Let's go."

Gong Yuanzheng followed his brother out, not forgetting to tell Lin Qingyue, "Go back to your room and rest first, I'll be back soon!"