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

The heavy snowfall that morning finally stopped, and the snow on the road was swept away, leaving only the eaves and branches covered in white snow.

Previously, upon entering the palace gates, Qi Yan'an followed Gong Shangjiao directly to the Zheng Palace, and had not had a chance to properly observe the palace environment. Now, with Gong Zishang, he can take the opportunity to observe it properly.

The entire palace gate stands amidst the mountains and forests, making full use of the natural landscape, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, following the natural order.

Pavilions, terraces, towers, verandas, and boats, arranged in a harmonious and orderly manner.

It possesses both the grandeur of northern gardens and the delicacy of southern gardens.

The small hills scattered among the palaces were not artificial mountains, but real forests.

Having traveled the world for many years, Qi Yan'an had seen quite a few gardens and buildings, and he couldn't help but admire in his heart that this palace gate was truly a masterpiece.

“Miss Zi Shang, this is my first time at the palace gates and I don’t know much about this place. I’d be so grateful if you could give me a brief introduction.”

Once outside the Zheng Palace, Gong Zishang immediately reverted to his original demeanor.

Her smile was radiant, and her actions were bold. "Of course, it would be an honor for Zi Shang."

Qi Yan'an's smile froze, but he immediately understood Gong Zishang's intention.

The traitor within the palace has not been eliminated, and the Feather Palace is responsible for defense. Who knows if any of the patrolling personnel on the road are Wu Feng?

A hint of sympathy unconsciously appeared in Qi Yan'an's eyes. Having grown up in the palace, he too had always worn a mask.

If it weren't for his elder brother entrusting him with the affairs of the martial world, he probably would never have had the chance to take off that mask.

"Walk further into the Zheng Palace, and you'll find the medical clinic. My Shang Palace is just on the other side of the palace gate..."

The environment around the palace gates wasn't bad, but the winter was too cold and gloomy, giving it an inexplicable sense of desolation.

After leaving the Zheng Palace, they had only walked for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea when they encountered two patrols of guards, a level of security comparable to that of the imperial palace.

Qi Yan'an observed the guards' skills and concluded that they were not weaklings in the martial arts world.

The palace gate has been able to withstand Wufeng for so many years, and it's not just because of its terrain advantage.

The two of them got along quite well, one giving a detailed introduction and the other listening attentively.

As I passed a corner, I unexpectedly encountered two men in the corridor.

The handsome man wearing a headband and holding a bowl of medicine was stunned when he saw the two of them. It took him a while to come to his senses. "Gong Zishang? You are Gong Zishang? Where did you get your clothes? What's with your outfit?"

Behind the handsome man, a young man dressed as a guard looked on with amazement. When he noticed Qi Yan'an standing next to Gong Zishang, a look of hostility and vigilance flashed in his eyes.

Gong Zishang's smile faded slightly. After talking with Lin Qingyue, her feelings towards her younger brother had been completely overturned.

Although I didn't really want to talk to these two people, I still had to maintain appearances since the important matter wasn't settled yet.

"This dress was a gift from my younger sister Qingyue. What do you think? Isn't it nice?"

"Sister Qingyue?" The handsome man's eyes lit up. "You mean Miss Lin? You saw her? How is she? Last night, Gong Yuanzheng brought her directly to Zheng Palace. He really has no manners at all."

Gong Zishang's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes were icy cold. "Qingyue is Gong San's fiancée and a princess of the court. It would be a real disrespect to have her stay in the women's quarters."

The handsome man said indignantly, "Living in Zheng Palace is truly dangerous. Who knows if Gong Yuanzheng will use her as a test subject for poison..."

"Gong Ziyu!" Gong Zishang shouted to stop him, her tone no longer flattering or playful as before, but filled with anger and disgust.

Gong Ziyu and Jin Fan were both stunned.

When did Gong Zishang ever speak to them like that?

"Gong Zishang, have you gone mad?"

Gong Zishang turned her head away, secretly gathering her courage. Why was she so impatient? A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. She had been acting for ten years, how could she let her guard down now?

After closing her eyes briefly, Gong Zishang smiled again and looked at Gong Ziyu.

“Brother Ziyu, you should be careful with your words in front of guests. Your quarrel with Brother Yuanzheng was just a childhood squabble. Why hold a grudge now?”

She presents herself as a kind older sister who protects the palace in front of outsiders.

Gong Ziyu felt that her words were strange, but couldn't quite put her finger on why, so she turned her gaze to Qi Yan'an, who was standing next to Gong Zishang.

"Who is he? What is he doing at the palace gate?"

“This young master is a major customer brought by Gong Er. He has already selected a lot of medicinal herbs at Zheng Palace. I am about to take him to see Shang Palace.”

"Young Master, these two are Young Master Yu of the Feather Palace and his guard Jin Fan."

Qi Yan'an remained calm, put away his folding fan, and bowed to Gong Ziyu, saying, "Young Master Yu."

Upon hearing that he had already been to Zheng Palace, Gong Ziyu's expression turned cold. "Poisons and hidden weapons are all inferior. People in the martial world should be upright and honest to follow the right path."

Gong Zishang's expression turned cold. What did Gong Ziyu mean by those words?

Qi Yan'an raised an eyebrow. Was he a major customer now? Gong Ziyu was saying this without any fear of offending him. Wasn't he worried that the deal would fall through?

Jin Fan frowned. In front of the young lady, Young Master Yu's words were a bit too much.

Gong Ziyu was aggressive. He took two quick steps, walked up to Gong Zishang, and handed her the medicine bowl.

"Did you know that the prescription for the Angelica dahurica and golden herb tea sent to the female guests' courtyard has been changed!"

Gong Zishang slightly curled the corners of her mouth. Of course she knew. It had been changed countless times. Only this good-for-nothing who only knew how to seek out women didn't know.

But what does it have to do with her? Why should she explain it to him?

“Brother Ziyu,” Gong Zishang said quietly, “the money you spend visiting the Wan Hua Lou (Ten Thousand Flowers Brothel) comes from selling poison and hidden weapons.”

Gong Ziyu's expression froze, and he almost couldn't maintain his angry look.

Gong Zishang ignored him and turned to Qi Yan'an, saying, "Young Master, let's hurry to Shang Palace."

Qi Yan'an nodded happily.

The two walked past Gong Ziyu and Jin Fan directly towards the direction of the Shang Palace.

Only after she was far away from the two men did Gong Zishang's expression improve slightly. She looked at Qi Yan'an, somewhat embarrassed, "I've made the Thirteenth Prince laugh at me."

Qi Yan'an waved his folding fan dismissively, "What's the big deal? You only have one troublesome younger brother, but I have more than a dozen troublesome brothers."

Gong Zishang was amused by his words. Thinking of the princes in history books who fought for power, Qi Yan'an was indeed more troublesome than her.

Thinking about it this way, my mood miraculously improved.

"Thirteenth Prince, please come to my Shang Palace for a cup of tea, and I'll show you around the palace gates."

"I would be honored to accept your invitation! Miss Zi Shang, please!"

Gong Ziyu stared blankly as Gong Zishang disappeared down the corridor. He looked at Jin Fan and asked, "Is Gong Zishang angry?"

Jin Fan nodded, his face full of helplessness, "Isn't that right? Only the eldest young lady in the palace knows how to make hidden weapons. Aren't you just pointing your finger at her and scolding her, saying that what she makes is inferior?"

Gong Ziyu looked embarrassed. "I was targeting Gong Yuanzheng, not her."

"I know."

"Never mind, I'll go apologize to Sister Zishang later. The most important thing now is to figure out the matter of Baizhi Jincao Tea. Gong Yuanzheng has really gone mad to dare to touch the medicine sent to the female guest's courtyard. He actually used the bride to test the medicine."

"Then where are we going now?"

"Go to Zheng Palace to find Gong Yuanzheng, and while you're at it, visit Miss Lin."

The two rushed to Zheng Palace, only to be told that Gong Yuanzheng had already gone to Zhiren Hall with Gong Shangjiao, and Lin Qingyue was already taking a nap and was not available to receive guests.

Gong Ziyu immediately took Jin Fan to the Zhiren Hall, just in time to see how Gong Yuanzheng would try to argue in front of his father.