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

Lin Qingyue smiled faintly, picked up the white plum blossom beside her, and said, "Let's go."

The stone steps on the mountain bear natural marks, with moss and grass growing between the cracks.

Lin Qingyue actually liked these stone steps very much, as they had a natural, wild charm. However, after a snowfall, even though the stone steps were cleaned very thoroughly, they were still somewhat slippery.

The people at the palace gate all had some martial arts skills, so they naturally weren't afraid to walk on these stone steps.

But this presents a challenge for Lin Qingyue.

She walked carefully, no longer refusing Gong Yuanzheng, and held his hand firmly.

Gong Yuanzheng was secretly delighted. As he helped Lin Qingyue carefully down the stone steps, he thought to himself that he would definitely bring Yue'er here more often in the future.

This mountain isn't high, which is perfect for Yue'er to get some exercise, and it also allows him to get closer to her!

If you get tired of this mountain, there are other mountains. The back mountain of Zheng Palace is also very nice. I'll go there next time!

The palace gates may not have much else, but the mountains are plentiful!

After descending the mountain, the path became much easier to walk on. Lin Qingyue loosened her grip on his hand, but Gong Yuanzheng tightened his hold on hers.

"Where is Sister Zishang now? Let's go find her."

Gong Yuanzheng had no desire to see Gong Zishang at all. Although the two had reconciled, Gong Yuanzheng still disliked Gong Zishang.

"She just became a Blade Master today, so she's probably very busy and won't have time to entertain us."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyue understood. On her first day as a Blade Master, Gong Zishang would be busy enough just getting familiar with the palace's internal affairs, so she wouldn't cause any trouble.

Therefore, the two lingered at the entrance of the Blade Hall for a moment before walking away without disturbing Gong Zishang.

Gong Zishang had just completed the latest defenses of the palace gates, and she handed the blueprints in her hand to the guards.

She stretched and moved her shoulders, the soreness in her joints making her wince in pain.

I didn't sleep a wink last night. After breakfast, I've been busy until now and haven't even had a sip of water.

"Send these to the Horn Palace. If Young Master Horn also thinks there's no problem, then proceed with the arrangements made above."

"Bring me lunch first. I need to eat something; I'm starving!"

The attendant respectfully accepted the blueprints. "Yes, take up the blade." He paused, then continued:

"We just received a report from the gatekeeper that Young Master Zheng and Miss Lin lingered at the gate for a while before leaving."

Gong Zishang, upon hearing the servant's report, surely understood: Gong Yuanzheng was accompanying Qingyue on a stroll through the palace gates!

She angrily threw down the documents in her hand. Why could Gong San happily stroll through the palace gates with his bride, while she had to suffer here dealing with official business?

Why?! That's so unfair!

But she quickly calmed down. Why? Because he has a good older brother! Who told her not to have a good older brother?

Since Gong Shangjiao doesn't have time to deal with these things, she'll have to do them herself!

She really wanted to throw the documents in her hand in front of Gong Shangjiao and tell him, "I'm quitting!"

But the thought only lasted a moment before Gong Zishang resignedly tidied up the messy papers on the desk.

No pain No gain!

Suffer a little more now, and once all the affairs of the palace are sorted out, it will be time for Gong Zishang to enjoy her blessings!

Hey, the handsome young men from the Imperial Guard! Gong Zishang is coming right away!

Regardless of the myriad changes in Gong Zishang's heart, Lin Qingyue followed Gong Yuanzheng unknowingly and ended up near the women's courtyard.

Lin Qingyue was slightly out of breath, and there was sweat on her forehead.

Gong Yuanzheng immediately stopped and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Lin Qingyue's forehead.

"Your palace gates are really big."

Gong Yuanzheng smiled and said, "This is only the front of the mountain; I haven't taken you to the back yet."

"When spring comes and the flowers bloom, I'll take you for a stroll in the back mountain; I'm sure you'll love it."

"There's another snow-capped mountain behind. Even in summer, the snow on the mountain won't melt. There are top-quality snow lotuses there. I'll take you to see them then. If you like them, we can pick a few to take back to Zheng Palace to cultivate."

After saying that, he swept Lin Qingyue up in his arms.

Lin Qingyue gasped in surprise.

"what are you doing?"

Gong Yuanzheng's smile remained unchanged. "You've sweated, and it wouldn't be good if you caught a chill. Let's go back to Zheng Palace first, so you can take a nap. Tonight, your brother is choosing a bride. Would you like to go and watch?"

"Choosing a bride? Can I go too?"

"Of course, if you want to go, I will take you; if you don't want to go, we will stay in Zheng Palace."

As they spoke, Gong Yuanzheng used his lightness skill, and the two figures swept across the courtyard.

Lin Qingyue noticed two pairs of eyes falling on her, and unconsciously tightened her grip on Gong Yuanzheng's shirt.

Gong Yuanzheng followed her gaze and saw one person's eyes filled with scrutiny, and the other's eyes filled with indifference.

It was Shangguan Qian and Yun Weishan who wore the robe.

Gong Yuanzheng also noticed the two of them. He gave them a cold look, then carried Lin Qingyue away.

Shangguan Qian saw this and felt a secret envy in her heart.

The girl's hair bun was ugly and small, and a white plum blossom was stuck in it at an angle, making it look even uglier.

This skill, at a glance, must have come from the young man next to her.

She watched as the young man gently wiped the sweat from the girl's forehead and carefully held her in his arms, as if she were his most cherished treasure.

How wonderful, such pure emotion, without any scheming or trickery.

The smile that had always been on her face, like a mask, disappeared from Shangguan Qian's face.

Such feelings were unattainable for her.

She carries the burden of a blood feud, and she will never find peace in this life until she avenges it.

Just as she was about to return to her room, she saw Yun Weishan standing opposite her. A slight smile appeared on her lips, and her mask-like smile reappeared on her face.

"I never expected Young Master Zheng to be such a devoted lover. I wonder if Young Master Yu and Young Master Jiao are the same?"

Yun Weishan ignored Shangguan Qian; she was currently annoyed.

Her mission target was the young master of the palace, but now that Jiang Lili is in trouble, Gong Huanyu hasn't said whether or not to choose a new bride.

What should she do next? Should she change her target to Gong Ziyu?

If you don't change, you might be sent out of the palace immediately.

If she changes the bride, wouldn't she be making things worse by having to wait for Gong Huanyu to choose a bride again?

Unable to come up with a solution no matter how hard she tried, Yun Weishan went straight back to her room.

Well then, we'll just have to improvise once we get to the main hall.