Chapter 48: Folding Flowers

Wen Wanyu tried her best not to cry, but her heart was almost filled with bitterness.

After returning to Chang Lixuan, I could no longer control the sadness in my heart, and tears fell down.

Qing Dai didn't know what was going on and was shocked. She asked hurriedly, "Young Master, what's wrong with you?"

Bai Su shook her head. Qing Dai didn't ask any more questions and closed the door.

Wen Wanyu couldn't control her emotions at all. Her heart was as tangled as a ball of wool.

The first time we quarreled, the first time we had a disagreement, the first time we spoke harshly to each other.

Bai Su advised: "You and Cheng Zhaorong have known each other since childhood. You should know that she is a straightforward person. Don't take it to heart."

Wen Wanyu only knew that she and Cheng Shuyi had known each other for more than ten years, and that Cheng Shuyi could break up with her for an outsider, even if that was probably just a rant.

She said these words simply to make Cheng Shuyi more vigilant and not to be so heartless and trust others. But in Cheng Shuyi's eyes, it was still her fault, she was just fooling around...

The more Wen Wanyu thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Her heart was filled with frustration. "So what if we've known each other since childhood? How could you break up with me for someone you've known for less than three years?"

Bai Su patted her back gently. "My lady, I have followed you since I was a child and know that you and Cheng Zhaorong have a special relationship. Do you really want to break up with Cheng Zhaorong?"

Wen Wanyu remained silent. How could a relationship built up over so many years be severed so easily? They had once agreed to be best friends.

"I know, young lady, you are just speaking in anger. I believe Cheng Zhaorong is the same. Why don't you take the initiative..."

Wen Wanyu wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and returned to her usual expression. "What's the point of me taking the initiative alone?"

"She's obsessed with the Queen. Everything I say is wrong."

"Besides, why should I take the initiative? Bai Su, do you also think it's my fault?"

After a long time without hearing a response, Wen Wanyu's mouth corners turned down and tears welled up in his eyes again.

Bai Su hurriedly coaxed, "This isn't your fault. I'm just afraid you'll regret it. You're throwing away all the feelings you've had for so many years just because of such a small thing."

A teardrop fell on the back of her hand, and the mist blurred her vision.

Wen Wanyu uttered a few words with trembling lips: "I don't know..."

Bai Su sighed and took her into his arms: "Master and Madam always say that you are cold-hearted, but I don't think so. I know that you are very sentimental, but you always suppress your feelings. My lady, cry."

She felt sorry for the young lady, and sometimes it would be better to cry.

She burst into tears the next moment. Wen Wanyu hugged Bai Su, and her warm tears flowed into her collar.

On the other side, Cheng Shuyi was not much better.

I returned to Yihua Palace and cried for a long time.

She regretted saying such harsh words, but at the same time she hoped Wanyu would calmly agree to break up with her.

For the next two days, Wen Wanyu and Cheng Shuyi didn't contact each other.

Even if they met, they would not speak. If their eyes met, they would look away quickly at the same time.

At the end of one of her visits to the emperor, Concubine De sarcastically said, "Wen Deyi and Cheng Zhaorong, who used to be inseparable, are no longer speaking to each other."

Cheng Shuyi's eyelashes trembled when she heard this, and she took the initiative to say something to Wen Wanyu.

Even so, Wen Wanyu just responded lightly.

Almost everyone with a discerning eye noticed something was amiss between her and Cheng Shuyi. They had discussed it privately many times, but no one had a definitive answer.

The Queen also asked Cheng Shuyi what was going on between the two of them. Cheng Shuyi avoided the question and said she didn't want to talk about it.

——

Concubine De called Wen Wanyu to Qixiang Palace on the pretext of apologizing to her.

"Greetings, Her Majesty the Virtuous Consort."

De Fei warmly helped her up: "No need to be so polite."

"You look unwell, I see. What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Defei was too warm, and Wen Wanyu felt it was fake. She said, "I have been suffering from the summer heat. Thank you for your concern, Defei."

"I see." De Fei said, "This palace, I called you here this time so that Jin Fangyi can apologize to you."

"apologize?"

"Last time, the Queen strictly investigated Honghua, and Jin Fangyi's outspokenness offended you, Sister Wen."

After saying that, he winked at Jin Fangyi who was standing beside him and said, "Why don't you apologize to Wen Deyi quickly?"

Jin Fangyi stepped forward reluctantly.

"I'm sorry, Wendy. I shouldn't have said that to you last time."

Wen Wanyu smiled and said, "Nothing."

Defei accused Jin Fangyi: "Look at you, you and Wen Deyi are both fourth-rank officials, and both just entered the palace this year. But when will you learn to emulate Wen Deyi's virtues?"

These words praised Wen Wanyu and belittled Jin Fangyi.

In the past, Jin Fangyi would have been intolerant. She would have been making a scene by now.

It was obvious that Concubine De forced Jin Fangyi to bow her head.

Wen Wanyu said slowly, "Your Highness, Concubine De is too kind. I, too, have many shortcomings, and there is much I need to learn from Jin Fangyi."

Concubine De smiled faintly.

Jin Fangyi thinks Wen Wanyu is a real good actress.

"Is this the reason Her Majesty the Virtuous Consort summoned me here?"

Wen Wanyu acted very hard and asked the key questions anxiously. The long conversation before was just to pave the way for what was to come.

"I do have one more thing to do."

De Fei was silent for a while, "What does Wen Deyi think of Concubine Yang?"

Wen Wanyu: "Empress Yang is straightforward and bold. What's wrong?"

"Sister, you and I are both smart people. I will be frank with you. Concubine Yang is straightforward, but also ruthless."

Concubine De smiled meaningfully, walked to the window, and stroked the most beautiful flower with her hand.

"How about we pick the most beautiful flower together?"

"Thank you very much, Her Majesty, De Fei, for your favor." Wen Wanyu glanced at De Fei, then lowered her head, her eyes flickering slightly:

"But my principle is that no matter how gorgeous or beautiful a flower blooms, it has nothing to do with me. As long as it doesn't affect me, why should I bother to cause trouble?"

Defei was silent for a while.

Jin Fangyi couldn't help but sarcastically said, "Wendeyi, you and your father are quite similar. You are both independent and noble."

Hearing this, Wen Wanyu frowned and asked, "Jin Fangyi is always making things difficult for me. Does she look down on me or is she jealous of me?"

"I..." Jin Fangyi choked. To be honest, she herself didn't know whether she looked down on Wen Wanyu or hated her.

Wen Wanyu took a deep breath and said, "Empress Defei, if there is nothing else, I will go back first."

Their business was their own, why did they mention her father? She didn't understand why corruption in the officialdom was rampant and it was the fault of people like her father who were unwilling to follow.

Concubine De looked at Wen Wanyu's resolute back and glared at Jin Fangyi: "Why are you always picking on her?"