Transmigrated Female Official

Just as everyone at the renowned clothing store was gathered admiring Tongmu's masterpiece, Luo Lifei unexpectedly arrived, bringing fruit with her.

"Look what I brought you!"

"Lord Luo is here—" August, who was closest to the door, went to greet him first: "It's pears! Perfect for quenching our thirst."

Chu Qingluo took the opportunity to steal a glance at Tongmu's expression. He looked on calmly and composedly, but he was probably overjoyed.

"Everyone come and eat pears, they're refreshing and thirst-quenching," Luo Lifei warmly invited.

Chu Qinglu walked over, put his arm around her shoulder, and said in a cheeky tone, "Oh my, Fei, you're being so virtuous today—"

Luo Lifei awkwardly twisted her shoulders, shook off Chu Qingluo's hand, and said, "I came here to comfort you, didn't I?!"

"Yes, I know you came all this way just to see...me! That's why I called you 'Beautiful Fei'." Chu Qingluo teased her with a mischievous smile, then called out to Ling Nan, "Come and eat the fruit Beautiful Fei brought—"

Ling Nan then walked over and formally bowed to Luo Lifei.

After not seeing each other for several days, Lingnan became slightly more distant and polite.

After everyone had finished eating, Chu Qingluo gestured for them to go about their own business, deliberately creating some private space for Luo Lifei and Ling Nan.

Seeing that no one was around, Luo Lifei took something out of her sleeve and handed it to Ling Nan, saying, "I received your sachet last time, so I should give you a gift in return. This is something I made myself."

Ryonan stared at the object in front of him, stunned, and asked, "A gift for me?"

Luo Lifei hummed in agreement, then raised the object in her hand slightly in front of him, saying, "I, Luo Lifei, don't like owing people anything."

“…Thank you.” He quickly took it, holding it in his hands, staring at it intently. It was a black purse, embroidered with bamboo leaf patterns in gold thread, very neat and elegant.

"You did...it was really excellent," he praised softly, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

“Of course, I’m the best craftsman in the clothing workshop!” Luo Lifei said, head held high. Even though Ling Nan’s craftsmanship was superb, she had no intention of being modest with him.

Ryonan nodded in agreement: "Lifei's work is naturally the best."

Chu Qingluo secretly observed the two from the side, and was truly gratified to find that Luo Lifei and Ling Nan, a man of few words, could chat so happily. If this trend continued, wouldn't Chu Yilin be in dire straits?

……

Yao Man arrived outside the Changxuan Hall, deeply moved.

She felt like she hadn't stepped into this place for half her life! Especially after seeing Ji Qiran waiting for her in the main hall, that long-lost joy welled up inside her.

"Qi Ran—" she exclaimed happily as soon as she stepped into the hall, "It's been so long since I've seen you!"

"You've arrived." Ji Qiran smiled and invited her to sit down.

"You have no idea, I've wanted to come see you for a long time, but Princess Anyang just wouldn't let me." Yao Man had just been at the training ground when she received the message from Ji Qiran's attendants and rushed over immediately. She saw a cup of tea placed in front of her, picked it up and drank it. "Perfect timing, I'm thirsty too."

"Sixth Sister has always been cautious in her actions, as you know," Ji Qiran said in a calm tone.

“I understand that, but Pan… that matter happened a long time ago, and I don’t think there will be any changes.” She deliberately omitted Pan Yin’s name, and after speaking, she glanced at Ji Qiran before muttering, “In the palace, besides you, there is no one else who can drink with me. I’m getting so bored.”

Speaking of drinking, Ji Qiran couldn't help but think of Chu Qingluo again. Her boldness was probably comparable to Yao Man's. Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

"Did you summon me here today because you have some rare wine to share with me?" Yao Man asked.

Ji Qiran smiled sheepishly: "We really don't have any rare wines... Let's use tea instead of wine today."

"Tea tasting?" Yao Man looked at him suspiciously: "This isn't like you."

Ji Qiran raised an eyebrow; he himself had only just realized it. "I haven't touched a single drop of alcohol recently."

"That's really strange. Isn't Chu Yilin also in the palace? Logically speaking, you should be together every day, drinking until you drop."

“He returned to the Chu residence a couple of days ago.” He felt a surge of secret joy when he mentioned Chu Yilin’s expulsion from the palace. But since he had invited Yao Man over today, it wasn’t for casual conversation, so he straightened his posture and said seriously, “There’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you.”

Seeing his sudden serious expression, Yao Man immediately realized that what he was about to say was definitely not what she wanted to hear. She deliberately looked away and said, "It's been a long time, and now that you've opened your mouth... if it's not good news, it's better not to say anything."

"..." Ji Qiran stared at her helplessly, but still forced himself to say, "Yao Man, I'm sorry. I've always kept a distance from you, but I've never told you the truth..."

"Stop talking!" Yao Man resisted him from the bottom of her heart. "Since it's something that hasn't been said clearly for so long, there's no need to say it now."

"Dragging this out any further will do you no good."

"Does telling you really bring me a lot of benefits?!" Yao Man couldn't help but start to get excited.

"...At least, you don't have to waste your time on me anymore."

She stared intently at him, as if trying to see right through him. "Is it because of Chu Qingluo?"

This question startled Ji Qiran. He hadn't expected that Yao Man already knew his feelings for Chu Qingluo.

Seeing his silent acquiescence, she smiled bitterly and said, "Back then, you were single-minded and did not hesitate to befriend me for the sake of Princess Anyang. I thought that as long as I put in more effort, I would definitely impress you. But now it seems that I was too presumptuous. The one who can sway you is Chu Qingluo."

When did you find out?

"...That day, we went boating on the lake."

The look of panic on his face when he saw Chu Qingluo fall into the water that day... that fleeting moment of panic and helplessness was so glaring to Yao Man. "You didn't even care about your own life!"

It turned out that she had discovered it even earlier than he had. Ji Qiran chuckled self-deprecatingly and said, "I only realized it later myself."

"I know." But she was still unwilling to accept it! "Chu Qingluo is indeed beautiful and exceptionally intelligent, but I heard that you were indifferent to her before. I want to know, what exactly made you suddenly change your mind?"

She wanted to know what Chu Qingluo had accomplished that Yao Man had failed to do.