Yin Tang's wailing in Yikun Palace seemed to travel through the inner palace and reach Yuqing Palace.
However, Yinreng was not in a good mood when he returned to Yuqing Palace.
As soon as Tong Wanyan got out of the sedan chair, she went straight to the east courtyard where Shi Xiuzhu lived.
That was a courtyard reserved for the Crown Princess early in the morning. The furniture and decorations were prepared by Guarjia herself, which suited Shi Xiuzhu's taste perfectly.
An unsuspecting person walking into this courtyard might mistake it for Yinreng's residence.
There's no other reason than that it's so devoid of any artificiality; the lush forests, tall bamboos, orchids, and inkstones make it seem like the secluded retreat of a hermit from the Wei and Jin dynasties.
There were no outsiders around. Shi Xiuzhu was wearing a long robe, her hair was braided into a large braid, and two velvet flowers were inserted in her hair bun. She looked simple and comfortable.
Tong Wanyan carried a bunch of books over and smiled when she saw her: "You look good in this outfit."
Shi Xiuzhu held a book in his hand and looked at her with a smile as gentle as spring water: "I knew my sister liked my appearance. Those vulgar people would like to pile all the gold and jade jewelry on my head, as if that's how they can show off their wealth. If it weren't for the fact that it's not proper to have my hair down, I would love to wear a long robe with wide sleeves, my hair down, and wooden clogs."
Upon hearing this, Tong Wanyan snatched the book from her arms and threw the bundle back into her arms.
Tong Wanyan's strength is well-known; she possesses immense power.
Shi Xiuzhu felt a sudden heaviness in his arms, causing him to stagger forward.
"My sister truly cares about me." Shi Xiuzhu happily opened the bundle, hugging the book with a dreamy look in her eyes.
Looking at her elegant appearance with her finely shaped eyebrows and thin lips, Tong Wanyan said, "The Crown Princess is quite similar to the literati of the Wei and Jin Dynasties. Especially her hobbies, which are very similar to those of Ji Kang."
Shi Xiuzhu's little finger trembled slightly, and his voice became inexplicably hoarse: "Is that so? I've read a lot of books from the Wei and Jin periods since I was a child with my father, and the musical scores I learned also tend to be from the Wei and Jin periods. Perhaps because I've been exposed to so much, my temperament is in line with that of the ancients."
She then added, "However, Ji Kang was unrestrained and eccentric, lazy and unconventional. He would often go fifteen days without washing his face, and he had been indulging in this way for a long time. His feelings were arrogant and carefree, and he was too undisciplined. Sister, please don't compare me to him when you praise me."
Tong Wanyan had heard her play Guangling San, and it was slightly different from how the court musicians played it. It wasn't that she was inferior, but rather that her skill was deeper.
"It is precisely because of this that Ji Kang possessed such unrestrained and magnanimous qualities," Tong Wanyan said.
Shi Xiuzhu smiled, but this time her smile was more joyful, lacking the delight of seeing a beautiful woman.
“My sister does admire him. But no matter how well he is remembered in later generations, he was still executed, which implicated his widowed mother and elder brother,” Shi Xiuzhu said with a sneer.
The emotions in her words were so intense; they seemed sarcastic, but were actually filled with heartache.
Tong Wanyan smiled faintly, showing no intention of continuing: "In short, the spirit of the Wei and Jin dynasties is excellent, but unfortunately my knowledge is too shallow. I can't discuss anything more in-depth with the Crown Princess."
Topics involving court politics, even those from as far back as the Wei and Jin dynasties, should not be discussed by people in the inner palace.
Tong Wanyan subtly avoided the power struggle behind Ji Kang's death, and Shi Xiuzhu's eyes flickered as he regained his composure.
“My sister is exceptionally talented; you mustn’t underestimate yourself. I could talk with you for three days and three nights straight and we still wouldn’t run out of things to say. To meet someone as insightful as you, and to be able to see you so often, is truly a blessing from a past life.” Shi Xiuzhu put the book aside and held Tong Wanyan’s hand, speaking with utmost sincerity.
The warm and soft touch stirred Shi Xiuzhu's heart.
What a beautiful woman! She embodies the best qualities of heaven and earth. There is simply no woman in the world better than the concubine.
Why was she born a woman instead of a man? It seems she hasn't accumulated enough good fortune.
Shi Xiuzhu, who was thinking about accumulating more blessings, was unaware that he had become a thorn in someone's side.
Yinreng, with an unfriendly expression, stood not far away, watching Shi Xiuzhu and Tong Wanyan stroll arm in arm in the East Garden.
If Shi Xiuzhu hadn't had clear and honest eyes, free from any filthy thoughts, he would have chopped off her hand that was holding Tong Wanyan's right then and there, and turned it into pig's trotter soup for her to drink that night.
Consumed by jealousy, Yinreng took the tea made with lotus seeds from Deshun and found it bitter.
But his heart was even more bitter.
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