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

At this moment, the Lin family mansion was also shrouded in gloom and despair.

The Lin family, who had recovered most of their health after consuming Baicao Cui, were plunged into even greater sorrow upon hearing that Lin Qingyue had married into the palace.

Upon learning that Lin Qingyue had volunteered for the marriage to save their lives, Jia Min fainted.

This is her eldest daughter. After giving birth to her, she didn't experience any joy for a full ten years.

Jia Min thought for a moment that this would be her only child, and she truly loved Qingyue to the core.

Now, it is because of her that her daughter has fallen into such a dangerous situation.

Lin Ruhai looked at Jia Min, who was lying on the bed sobbing, and couldn't help but sigh.

“Madam, for the sake of Yu’er and Qingyu, you must eat something.”

Jia Min turned over and looked at Lin Ruhai, her pale face covered in tears.

She clutched her collar, her voice filled with sorrow.

"How could you let Yue'er marry into such a place? You're tearing my heart out and ripping out my flesh!"

"Thinking about Yue'er's current situation, I wish I could die right now!"

"Madam!" Lin Ruhai shouted sharply to stop her. If these words were to get out, she would likely be charged with a serious offense of disrespect.

He grasped Jia Min's hand. "I've made up my mind. Once this matter is settled, I will ask the new emperor to grant us a divorce."

Jia Min looked at him with tears in her eyes, "Will the new emperor agree?"

"I will resign and retire; the new emperor will agree," Lin Ruhai said in a low voice.

A look of astonishment flashed across Jia Min's eyes, followed by a burst of tears.

Outside, Daiyu sat with Qingyu at the dining table.

Hearing her mother's cries, Qingyu nervously put down her spoon, her face filled with worry.

"Second sister, what's wrong with Mother?"

Daiyu tugged at the corners of her mouth, wanting to laugh, but she couldn't manage to.

"Mother is fine, Qingyu, please have your meal first."

Qingyu shook her head, looking worriedly at her mother's room, ultimately losing her appetite.

He looked around, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

"Second sister, where is eldest sister? I haven't seen her for several days."

Daiyu burst into tears, startling Qingyu into a state of panic.

He frantically wiped away the tears on Daiyu's face.

"Second sister, don't cry. Your crying makes Qingyu want to cry too."

Daiyu tried her best to stop her tears and forced a smile at Qingyu.

"Big sister went to Tianning Temple to pray for blessings and fast. She will come back when Qingyu recovers."

"Really? Then Qingyu must recover quickly!"

--------

When Gong Yuanzheng arrived at the palace gate, he saw Gong Shangjiao directing a group of people carrying dozens of boxes tied with red cloth towards the direction of Zheng Palace.

"Brother, what are all these things?"

Seeing his younger brother, whom he had doted on since childhood, Gong Shangjiao smiled.

"This is all Miss Lin's dowry."

Gong Yuanzheng was shocked, "So many?"

Gong Shangjiao smiled slightly, without explaining that this was only a very small part of the Lin family's dowry.

To avoid suspicion, most of the dowry is still stored in the Lin family's warehouse.

Once the matter is settled and the engagement is dissolved, there's no need to bring those things in.

He pointed to the little maid beside him who was staring intently at Gong Yuanzheng.

"This is Miss Qiulan, Miss Lin's personal maid."

As soon as Gong Yuanzheng arrived, Qiulan kept looking him over and secretly evaluating him in her heart.

He's good-looking, but his personality is too unruly. How can someone like that take care of a young lady?

"This servant, Qiulan, greets Young Master Zheng." Out of personal reasons, she did not want to address him as "son-in-law."

As soon as Gong Yuanzheng arrived, he noticed her critical gaze.

Because she was someone her brother brought with him, Gong Yuanzheng suppressed his anger and did not lash out. If it were anyone else, he would have gouged out her eyes long ago.

Upon hearing that she was Lin Qingyue's personal maid, Gong Yuanzheng suppressed his impatience and nodded to her.

"Miss Lin is having breakfast now, why don't you go find her directly?"

Qiulan's eyes lit up, and she bowed to everyone.

"This servant will take her leave now."

After saying that, he caught up with the group and hurriedly headed towards the Zheng Palace.

Gong Shangjiao pulled Gong Yuanzheng aside and introduced him to Gong.

“Brother Yuanzheng, this is Young Master Qi.”

Gong Yuanzheng clasped his hands in a respectful bow, "Young Master Qi."

Qi Yan'an put away his folding fan and looked Gong Yuanzheng up and down with admiration. Although he was young, he had a dignified bearing and was no less impressive than the scions of noble families.

He exclaimed sincerely, "Shang Jiao, your younger brother is truly a perfect match for Lord Lin's daughter!"

Gong Yuanzheng's expression changed slightly. "Lord Lin, is he Lin Qingyue's father?"

Gong Shangjiao smiled slightly but did not respond. He understood Qi Yan'an's meaning; the Crown Prince did not want the Gong family and the Lin family to break off their engagement.

But how could his engagement to his younger brother, Miyazaki, be used as a bargaining chip?

"Young Master Qi, please."

Gong Yuanzheng noticed that this young master Qi was followed by a number of guards, all exuding a murderous aura. Although they had changed into the uniforms of palace guards, their demeanor was completely different from that of palace guards.

They were also holding several other people under their hoods; it was unclear who they were.

"Brother?" Gong Yuanzheng looked at Gong Shangjiao.

Gong Shangjiao did not intend to explain here. "Brother Yuanzheng, let's go to Zhenggong first."

Although Gong Yuanzheng was puzzled, he would never listen to his brother and did not ask any further questions.

When Qiulan arrived at Zheng Palace, panting, Lin Qingyue was staring blankly at her breakfast.

"Miss!"

Lin Qingyue turned around in surprise, "Qiu Lan!"

"Miss, sob sob sob..." Qiu Lan looked at Lin Qingyue in front of her and burst into tears.

"You've lost weight and look haggard. Waaah, it's all Qiulan's fault. I shouldn't have left you yesterday."

"Waaah, Miss, you've really suffered."

Lin Qingyue was both amused and exasperated. How much could she have changed in just one night?

"Okay, okay, don't cry, I'm fine. Have you had breakfast? Have some with me."

"I've already eaten Miss, sob sob sob..."

Gong Shangjiao, Gong Yuanzheng, and Qi Yan'an are all people with profound internal strength.

The three of them heard everything Lin Qingyue and her servant said.

Upon hearing the word "suffering," Gong Shangjiao and Qi Yan'an had not yet reacted, but Gong Yuanzheng's face darkened.

Qiulan's crying was unintentional, but she inadvertently revealed the truth.

"Brother, there's something I need to tell you." Noticing Qi Yan'an beside him, Gong Yuanzheng shut his mouth.

Gong Shangjiao said, "Is it related to Miss Lin? Just say it directly."

Gong Yuanzheng glanced at Qi Yan'an. This man knew Miss Lin's father. If this got back to Lord Lin, he would probably have a very bad impression of the Gong family.

He didn't want to leave a bad impression on Lin Ruhai.

Seeing Gong Yuanzheng's expression, Gong Shangjiao's heart sank. It had only been one night. Could it be that something had really happened to Miss Lin?

He emphasized, "Speak freely about your brother's expedition."

Under his brother's watchful eye, Gong Yuanzheng recounted everything that had happened the previous night in detail.

Gong Shangjiao's face instantly turned ashen.

Qi Yan'an's expression was equally unpleasant. He snorted coldly, "Shang Jiao, this is not something you can easily explain to Lord Lin."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked into the Zheng Palace.