"Your Highness flatters me. Shi Yi only wishes to resolve this matter peacefully, live in harmony with the brothers in the courtyard, and share Your Highness's burdens."
Leng Qingning looked pleased. "Mm."
An hour later, Leng Qingning got up and returned to the Rose Garden.
Xiao An helped Lu Shiyi up and brought him a soft cushion.
With a fawning smile, he said, "My lord, you are so clever. You saw through their scheme and turned the tables on them. Now His Highness is so considerate and obedient to you."
Lu Shiyi chuckled, "Why not take advantage of an opportunity that's been delivered to your door?"
If we're going to compete, why not take advantage of every opportunity?
"It's just a pity that our master was already under the influence of medicine, and then he was exposed to the cold wind every night, which made him catch a cold and worsened his condition."
"If we're going to put on an act, we need to make it convincing. The more miserable he is, the more His Highness will feel sorry for him. At least we can temporarily resolve the issue of Lang Yue, right?"
Xiao An said with resentment, "It's a pity that the lord didn't order Lang Yue's death. He only removed him from his position as head of the household, gave him a beating, and confined him to his quarters for half a year. He got off too easily."
A cold glint appeared in Lu Shiyi's eyes: "After all, he is the master's personal male servant. Moreover, this time the master is not seriously injured and will not be beaten to death."
Xiao An was somewhat dissatisfied, but more than that, she was worried.
“My lord, your poison flared up last night, ruining His Highness and Lord Cheng’s wedding night. I wonder if Lord Cheng will hold a grudge. I heard that he is the legitimate son of a second-rank general’s family, and His Majesty even bestowed upon him a special title. He is a head higher than us.”
Lu Shiyi was confident: "Don't panic. Even if he wanted to hold a grudge, he couldn't hold it against us. This matter was started by Hemian Garden and Tingfeng Pavilion."
"Yes, I'm just worried that this matter might be leaked..."
"It's alright. Since the two emperors have bestowed them upon me, I believe they will keep their mouths shut."
"yes."
…
Leng Qingning had many thoughts on her mind, and for the next few days she did not go to Cheng Shijun's courtyard, focusing instead on writing her book.
Before they knew it, it was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the day of Leng Qingning and Gu Nanshu's wedding.
Although this marriage was not as grand and solemn as the one with Wen Yanche, the young king's concubine was still comparable to the principal wives of other ministers' daughters, with at least as many advantages.
Leng Qingning gave an extra hundred loads of betrothal gifts. She wanted to make it up to Gu Nanshu, who was the first man she liked when she came here, but she spent the least amount of time with him.
Because he was a concubine, the Empress and the Emperor did not leave the palace to sit in the main hall. Therefore, after the wedding procession received Gu Nanshu, the carriages circled the city and returned to Langya Mansion.
The wedding ceremony was presided over by Ximei, with the tea ceremony omitted.
Wen Yanche greeted the guests and managed the banquet throughout.
That evening, Leng Qingning and Gu Nanshu, led by Master Ximei, drank the nuptial wine and ate the congee of unity.
As the hustle and bustle faded, only the young couple remained in the quiet bedroom, gazing into each other's eyes.
"Nan Shu, are you hungry?" Leng Qingning asked awkwardly, her face flushed.
Gu Nanshu smiled gently, still appearing polite, but his bright red ears betrayed him.
"My lady, I'm not hungry."
"Then... let's go to bed."
"good."
Leng Qingning lay down on the inside and heard rustling sounds. When she turned her head, she was immediately captivated by his mesmerizing abs, with even and smooth lines and fair and smooth skin. Leng Qingning was stunned.
Gu Nanshu chuckled softly as he looked at Leng Qingning's dazed expression. Then he leaned down.
The night breeze was gentle, intoxicating!
Beneath the trees at Guanyun Pavilion, branches and grass were scattered everywhere, leaving the ground in a mess...
Lin Xianzhi stared blankly out the window, muttering to himself.
"The deer's cry..."
"Master, it's late, please rest."
"Little boy, why do you think Her Highness never stays overnight when she comes? She..."
"Your Highness, please don't overthink things. She cares about you."
"Yes, she cares about me, I can tell. But I was the first to enter the palace, and to this day, His Highness has not yet consummated our marriage."
"Perhaps the master should take the initiative."
Lin Xianzhi's face was full of gloom.
The young servant felt sorry for him. How many times had his master been distressed already? But how could a mere servant like him understand what His Highness meant?
…
Backyard Flower Hall
"My lord, please have some tea."
After drinking his tea, Wen Yanche instructed Changfeng to bring the Wangyue Qin (a type of zither).
He spoke gently: "Nan Shu, this zither has been with me for ten years. Now I bestow it upon you and call it the Moon Gazing Zither."
Gu Nanshu took the Wangyue Qin and played it lightly. The sound of the qin was crisp and clear. The qin was elegant and antique, and it was obviously a top-quality instrument.
"Thank you, my lord." Nan Shu bowed respectfully.
Gu Nanshu was well-mannered and spoke with affability. All the husbands present watched him intently, inwardly admiring him as a truly elegant and refined gentleman. No wonder he was a noble young man from a prominent and scholarly family.
Even Chi Yan, unusually, didn't have a dark expression.
Lin Xianzhi felt a sense of goodwill towards him. She hadn't spoken much with Young Master Gu the last time they met, but now they were practically family. A thought suddenly popped into Lin Xianzhi's mind: perhaps they could become friends?
Thinking this, I couldn't help but ask the question out loud.
"My lord, I still remember the little tune you played when we last met. It was melodious and beautiful. I wonder if I could exchange a few notes with you?"
Gu Nanshu smiled when he saw that it was Lin Xianzhi: "Minister Lin, there is no need to call me Your Excellency, just call me Nanshu. I also greatly admire your singing voice. Why don't you come to my Wangyue Pavilion this afternoon?"
Lin Xianzhi was delighted. Gu Nanshu was different from others; every time they met, he felt incredibly close to him. Moreover, Gu Nanshu was very approachable and friendly towards him, even taking the initiative to invite him out.
"Thank you for your praise, I am sure I will come to visit you."
"Then I'll go sit down too, since I have nothing else to do anyway."
Lin Xianzhe genuinely wanted to befriend Gu Nanshu, as for Chi Yan…
Cang Yuan saw through it at a glance, his face remained calm, and he said lightly, "Young Master Chi, today is the auspicious opening of Sansheng, and my wife must attend. Didn't you know that?"
Chi Yan glanced at Yuan Shan, who quickly shook his head. How come their Tingfeng Pavilion hadn't received any news about the opening of Sansheng Luokai? Were they being isolated?
Chi Yan forced himself to save face: "It's alright, it's fine to go and listen to the concubine and Minister Lin play the zither and sing."
"In that case, Young Master Chi, please come along," Gu Nanshu invited.
"Can I come along?" Meng Xu smiled, revealing two dimples. Everyone had a good impression of him.
"Of course. Nan Shu eagerly awaits the arrival of all gentlemen."
On the other side, Leng Qingning sat cross-legged in the courtyard, her mind constantly flashing through mental techniques and moves, over and over again.
One hour later.
A burst of dazzling white light shot out, completely enveloping Leng Qingning.
Biluo rubbed her eyes: "Your Highness, you...?"
As the white light gradually faded, Leng Qingning raised her eyelids, her eyes clear and bright.
"I made a breakthrough, that's great!"
Leng Qingning was overjoyed; she had actually skipped the second and third stages of the entry-level realm and successfully broken through to the cultivation realm.
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