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

Gong Yuanzheng felt uneasy and tugged at Gong Shangjiao's sleeve.

"elder brother......"

Gong Shangjiao closed his eyes briefly, and when he looked at Gong Yuanzheng again, he had regained his composure.

"Go in first."

Lin Qingyue put in a lot of effort and finally managed to calm Qiu Lan down.

Footsteps sounded behind her. Lin Qingyue turned around and saw a handsome young man striding in.

Lin Qingyue sized up the newcomer. She had already met Gong Huanyu and Gong Ziyu last night. The newcomer was not the Palace Master of the First Palace. Judging from his aura, he could not be a guard. Could he be from the back mountain?

Qiulan whispered a reminder from the side, "Miss, he is the thirteenth prince."

Lin Qingyue's expression softened slightly. She took half a step back and bowed respectfully to Qi Yan'an.

"Greetings to Your Highness."

Qi Yan'an watched with admiration, thinking to himself that she was indeed a well-bred young lady from a prominent family. Although she had not yet reached marriageable age, her demeanor and etiquette were absolutely impeccable.

With her family background and looks, she would be more than qualified to marry a prince.

Gong Yuanzheng looked at Lin Qingyue as she bowed, then leaned close to Gong Shangjiao's ear and whispered:

"Brother, her bowing gesture is so beautiful!"

Miyazaki: "..."

Qi Yan'an swiftly opened his folding fan, concealing the slight upturn of his lips.

Lin Qingyue and Qiu Lan couldn't hear Gong Yuanzheng's words because they lacked internal energy, but Qi Yan'an heard them clearly.

What a silly boy! It seems that what my brother is worried about is unlikely to happen.

That's wonderful, wonderful!

“Miss Lin, there’s no need for such formalities. Shang Jiao and I are sworn brothers. Since you are his sister-in-law, you are also my sister-in-law. Just call me Brother Thirteen.”

Gong Yuanzheng's lips curled up and then fell back down, his eyes and brows radiating joy.

But Lin Qingyue's demeanor and expression remained largely unchanged.

Gong Shangjiao led everyone to Zheng Gong's study.

After everyone was seated, the servants quickly served tea.

Qi Yan'an casually placed a yellow scroll on the table.

"This is the Crown Prince's decree of marriage; you can keep it."

While he could be casual, Gong Shangjiao dared not be too casual. He picked up the imperial edict on the table, held it with both hands, and handed it to Gong Yuanzheng.

"You must keep this imperial edict safe, brother, on your expedition."

Gong Yuanzheng stood up, carefully took the scroll, opened it, and saw that it was clearly written on it.

He can get married after he comes of age.

Gong Yuanzheng's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Lin Qingyue, his face slightly flushed, and his grip on the scroll tightened.

Gong Shangjiao simply couldn't bear to look at him like this. No matter how much he planned, he never expected that his younger brother would fall in love with the Lin family girl at first sight.

Qi Yan'an used the act of drinking tea to cover the smile on his lips, but the smile in his eyes could not be hidden no matter what.

Setting down his teacup, Qi Yan'an said solemnly to Lin Qingyue, "Miss Lin, you can rest assured that the court will give the Lin family an explanation for yesterday's humiliation."

Upon hearing this, Gong Yuanzheng became somewhat uneasy, while Gong Shangjiao remained calm.

Lin Qingyue remained calm and composed, and rose to greet him.

Qi Yan'an closed his folding fan and slightly raised it in Lin Qingyue's direction.

"We're family, no need for such formalities."

Lin Qingyue felt an invisible force coming from her knee, stopping her from making any further movements.

Lin Qingyue was secretly shocked. This was internal energy? It was truly amazing.

"I won't call you Miss Lin anymore, it's too formal. I'll just call you sister-in-law."

Qi Yan'an reopened his folding fan. Although he was a member of the royal family, he appeared more unrestrained and carefree than any martial arts practitioner.

Regardless of Gong Shangjiao and Gong Yuanzheng's reactions, Lin Qingyue couldn't help but twitch her lips.

"The people of the Feather Palace are no longer suitable to serve as the palace gate guards."

Qi Yan'an said with a smile.

Gong Yuanzheng's eyes lit up, "Brother, you make this blade!"

"You were the one who passed the trial in the back mountain back then."

"It's only because Old Blade Master and those old men in the back mountain are biased that Gong Huanyu became the young master. The position of Blade Master should be inherited by you!"

“That won’t do.” Qi Yan’an shook the folding fan in his hand.

Gong Yuanzheng panicked, "Why not! No one in the Gong family is worthy except my brother!"

"Shang Jiao has something more important to do." Qi Yan'an didn't care about Gong Yuanzheng's attitude. He still had a good impression of this lively and energetic young man, so he patiently explained to him.

"If the palace gates choose a trustworthy blade wielder, Shang Jiao will be free from any worries."

He's a trustworthy person. His brother trusts him the most in the palace. Does he expect him to be the Blade Master?

Gong Yuanzheng looked troubled. "Brother, I'm not twenty yet. Those old men in the back mountain won't agree. Never mind, if you let me be one, I'll be one!"

At worst, one dose of medicine will cure all those people in the back mountain!

“Don’t worry too much, little brother. We have other options.” Gong Shangjiao looked at his brother and smiled with relief.

Qi Yan'an also laughed heartily, but there was a secret envy in his heart. His brotherhood with the emperor was just as deep, but it was not as pure as that with Gong Shangjiao and Gong Yuanzheng.

“Brother, you are on a distant expedition and cannot leave the palace gates even half a step while carrying a sword. I can’t bear to see you suffer like this.”

Gong Yuanzheng frowned slightly, somewhat displeased that he was called Yuanzheng's younger brother, but seeing that Gong Shangjiao did not object, he suppressed his dissatisfaction.

Lin Qingyue listened to the conversation and her mind raced. Since neither Gong Yuanzheng nor Gong Shangjiao were wielding weapons, the people from Yu Palace were ruled out, so it could only be Gong Zishang.

She looked at Gong Shangjiao and Qi Yan'an, who were sitting in the main seats. Would they agree to let a woman be the blade wielder?

Gong Yuanzheng had obviously thought of this problem as well, and his expression became somewhat strange.

"Brother, you don't mean to let Gong Zishang be the Blade Master, do you?"

“Zi Shang is the eldest daughter of the Shang Palace’s direct line, so she naturally has the qualifications.”

"Brother!" Gong Yuanzheng stood up from his chair in shock. "With her stupid behavior of chasing after the guards, how could she possibly be a wielder of the blade!"

"On the expedition!" Gong Shangjiao's tone became stern. "Sit properly and do not be rude."

Gong Yuanzheng held his breath, looking at Gong Shangjiao's face, and didn't dare to say anything more. He sat back down in his chair, his face full of unhappiness.

"My younger brother is unruly; I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Brother Qi."

Qi Yan'an shook his head with a smile, completely unconcerned about Gong Yuanzheng's attitude. He thought of his brothers, who were the same age, but all were scheming and wore masks on their faces.

Such a vibrant person is a rare sight indeed.

Gong Shangjiao really protected his younger brother very well, which is why he developed such an innocent and guileless demeanor.