It was May. The flowers bloomed, and the willows were all green. The grass and plants were all exuberant.

In the Imperial Garden, peony was blooming. They were beautiful, and their fragrance was floating in the air as if they were competing against each other.

The sunshine was just right. It was not too hot but just mild.

Zhaoyi Yu, Gu Yunyao, was walking among the flowers. She wore a long silk dress with gold thread embroidered flower patterns. With her every move, her hairpins waved. She looked elegant and graceful.

The light red dress reflected her snow-white skin. She raised her eyelashes, and her eyes were gentle like water.

Suddenly, Gu Yunyao glimpsed a person wearing a blue dress in the near distance. She was followed by servants and walked under the willows. The view of her back looked familiar to Gu Yunyao.

"Who is that?"

Gu Yunyao looked back from where the woman disappeared. She turned her head and asked with a frown.

Behind her, Song Qin answered,

"Your Ladyship, that's the new Cairen Jin."

"Cairen Jin... Finally, she came..."

Gu Yunyao looked down. Two surprising lights passed through her eyes.

...

The morning wind was mild. Besides the artificial hill, the dangling willow branches were waving. The water was clear green. The round lotus leaves were layered on each other. It looked like shy girls’ faces that gathered around and were having fun.

In the Chenxi Pavilion, Noble Concubine Wan looked gorgeous and graceful. She leaned on the white jade fences. She was tossing fish food into the river, killing time by feeding the koi fish.

On the east side, there were several jade tea sets on the long wood table. The ball-shaped incense burner on the side was giving out fragrance.

A delicately embroidered shoe with the pattern of two Chinese crabapple flowers on one branch stepped on the stone stair of the pavilion. In the morning light, the silver thread was shining, making the shoes very eye-catching.

Noble Concubine Wan turned back and saw the woman’s dress flying. She walked into the pavilion and saluted in front of Noble Concubine Wan,

“I'm Cairen, Gu Yunjin, of Weiyan Chamber. Greetings to you, Your Grace. Wish you of good health."

Imperial Concubine Wan lifted her mouth corner slightly, putting up a faint smile. She waved her hand and said,

"Get up. Take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Gu Yunjin came in the Palace at the end of April under Ming Lan’s guidance after the Western Depot took over Youzhu Garden. Yesterday, she was chosen by the Emperor. She sat in the carriage and was taken to Chenghuan Hall. She was now a rank-fifth Cairen, living in Weiyan Chamber.

Now she finally fulfilled her dream of becoming a concubine in the Palace.

Imperial Concubine Wan shook her hand and flipped all the fish food out of her hand. Cleaning her hands with the fragrant handkerchief that a maid passed over, she then stood up and sat in front of the table’s center with a maid supporting her. Imperial Concubine Wan carefully looked at Gu Yunjin's young and beautiful face.

Her body was gorgeous, and her look was pretty. Her eyebrows were curved, and her eyes were clean. One tiny mole was on her lip. Wearing a light pink dress, she was indeed beautiful!

The only blemish was that she had an arrogant attitude underneath her beautiful skin. This made her less attractive.

Even though she was a bit jealous, Noble Concubine Wan kept a calm face, holding the grace of an Imperial Concubine.

She squinted at the maid beside her and ordered lazily, "Tea."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Gu Yunjin was flattered. She then smiled. Her eyes were full of joy. Gu Yunjin took over the jade teacup and sipped the tea gracefully while secretly glancing at Noble Concubine Wan, who was also drinking tea.

Noble Concubine Wan was wearing a gold brocade dress with flying phoenix patterns. She combed her hair high up into a bun. The phoenix hairpin was waving on her head. The pearl in the middle was the same size as a pigeon egg.

Gu Yunjin thought what she used, drank, and ate since she was little were the best among all the girls in the Garden.

But now, seeing the Imperial Noble Concubine, she understood that she was too shallow. The Imperial Noble Concubine's food and drink would all be luxurious. Her clothes and jewelry already blinded Gu Yunjin's eyes as they were too shining.

Imperial Concubine Wan noticed the envious look that Gu Yunjin showed. She sneered.

Raising her eyes lazily, she said to Gu Yunjin slowly,

"We're all sisters now. No need to be overcautious. You just served His Majesty last night. You didn't have to get up this early today."

Gu Yunjin hurriedly put down the teacup. She put up an obsequious smile and said respectfully,

"I heard that you like to boil tea with morning dewdrop the most, so I collected some dewdrop from the lotus leaves this morning. I want to present it to you."

After saying that, she raised her arm slowly. A maid came up from behind and handed the long-neck white jade bottle with colored lotus painting to the servants of Yongning Palace.

Imperial Concubine Wan relaxed her look. She deepened her smile,

"Thank you for that. I heard Ming Lan mention you before. Now that I've met you, you're indeed smart and beautiful. You are promising."

Gu Yunjin folded her hands together. She looked down and acted obediently,

"I was very lucky to get recognized by Master Ming and get this chance to serve His Majesty and Your Grace. I will always remember this at heart. From now on, I hope Your Grace can teach me."

Imperial Concubine Wan blinked her eyes. She squinted at Gu Yunjin's flower-like face. Sharp light passed through her eyes.

"We're sisters. That won't be a problem."

She then shook her teacup. She picked up one tea leaf from the cup with her long nail protector and asked carelessly,

"I was with my teaching nanny since I was little. I didn't go to the Garden to study before I came to the Palace, so I'm quite interested in it. Why don't you tell me about the news of the Garden? We can chat and kill some time."

Gu Yunjin smiled. She said quietly,

"Yes, Your Grace. I'll tell you whatever you want to hear."

...

"How dare he!"

With one sharp noise, the jade teacup was thrown out by Noble Concubine Wan. The expensive teacup crushed into pieces on the ground.

Gu Yunjin and all the maid kneeled on the ground.

Standing up, furious Noble Concubine Wan wandered in the pavilion.

"No wonder I felt strange when I first saw that guard. She looked charming, nothing like a servant in the Palace. Leng Qingtang, how dare he go after the Emperor's woman! He wants to marry her? Nice try!"

After finishing yelling, Noble Concubine Wan suddenly thought of something. She humphed coldly with her hairpins shaking. She glanced at Gu Yunjin with blood-fused eyes and a harsh voice,

"Do you think Gu Yunxi is beautiful and charming if she changes back to women's clothes?!"

Gu Yunjin covered her mouth with her sleeve and sneered,

"Women who entered the Garden all have a decent look. She is just weak and knows how to act. And Master Leng has tenderness toward women, so he fell in that doxy's trap."

"Tenderness toward women? He was never tender to me!"

Noble Concubine Wan gritted her teeth in hatred as she was jealous. She clutched her fist under her sleeves,

"Humph! Pretending to be a weak beauty? Sure! Let me see how charming she is! Someone, call Ming Lan to the Palace!"

The Eastern Depot.

Hearing the Master had arrived, Gu Yunxi and some captains came to the main hall. Leng Qingtang was sitting on the top seat, and Yanwan was next to him.

Seeing everyone, Yanwan stood up. She put up a kind and charming smile. Her watery eyes passed through all the captains and guards. Her look then stopped at Gu Yunxi's calm face. At that moment, her smile deepened.

Yuan Qian, the tenth captain, raised his eyebrows. He looked right at Yanwan and smiled faintly,

"I didn't expect chief Madam to come to the Eastern Depot today..."

Calling someone Madam was how to address the high status maid or female officials respectfully in the Palace.

"Call her Madam Leng!"

Before Yuan Qian could finish, Leng Qingtang straightened his pale face. He corrected Yuan Qian harshly.

Everyone was dazed. They all kept quiet.

They remembered that Gu Yunxi was here. They didn't know what she would think.

At this moment, Leng Qingtang was staring at her. But she looked down. No one was able to see through her calm face.

His heart dropped to the bottom. Leng Qingtang felt like cold wind went through his chest. It was cold, and he was lost and miserable.

She was surprisingly indifferent. Did she give up, or did she change her heart?

Sensing the awkwardness, Yanwan smiled and greeted everyone,

"The Master has just gotten better. I couldn't be assured, so I came to the Eastern Depot to look after him and also to see you all. I brought some dim sum and fruit with me. I'll ask the servants to take them to your room later."

Leng Qingtang moved his eyes away from Gu Yunxi. He said to the captains,

"Please take a seat. I come this time because two damsels will come to the capital shortly. We need to plan it in detail to see how we should deploy our man to coordinate."

Everyone gathered around and sat by a round table. Gu Yunxi was right across the Master. They could have seen each other without any blockage if they had looked up.

Yanwan was beside the Master and was too close to him. Gu Yunxi looked up a few times secretly and found her almost leaning in the Master's arms.

She felt like her heart was stabbed. She kept blaming herself for looking at it. But Gu Yunxi couldn't control herself. She had to look!

"Master, we're discussing an affair of the Eastern Depot. Your spouse should excuse herself!"

Halfway through the discussion, Gu Yunxi suddenly spoke. She raised her voice high.

Everyone again fell silent. The atmosphere was awkward and serious. Others felt like they were suffocating.

Leng Qingtang raised his slanted eyes. His skin was so pale that he looked like he was mad because of how unreasonable Gu Yunxi was.

Yet Gu Yunxi stopped hiding. She opened her eyes wide and stared at the Master. Her look was resolute, and she didn't back off.

The Master controlled the Eastern Depot. He always acted carefully and stuck to principles.

Now what he was doing really confused Gu Yunxi.

What was going on with the Master? Was he really enchanted by that woman's beauty?

If he had really liked her, Gu Yunxi would have accepted it. But she still had doubts about Yanwan. Now the Eastern Depot was discussing important matters. Yanwan shouldn't be here listening.

Captains all had complicated expressions. They looked at each other without knowing whether to leave or stay. They couldn't say anything but looked down and kept silent.

Yanwan looked at everyone. She slowly stood up. Her smile was as bright as a blooming flower. Yanwan said calmly,

"It's fine. Lord Yun is right! I am a woman, and I don't know much. I shouldn't be here."

Leng Qingtang suddenly reached out and grabbed her tightly.

Yanwan was surprised. Her eyes opened wide. She turned to Gu Yunxi, looking complacent.

"You stay! You're my spouse, and you don't need to listen to others. I want you here, so you can just sit down."

"Yes. Then I'll stay."

Yanwan smiled. Her eyes blinked. She once again intentionally glanced at Gu Yunxi who was speechless.

She sat down calmly and even held the Master’s arm. She had a happy look on her face. As if unintentionally, Yanwan met Gu Yunxi's eyes. She lifted the corner of her mouth, looking obviously gloating.

They really liked each other!

Looking at them, Gu Yunxi, who was devastated, suddenly remembered how she used to be with a gentle man...

She stood up resolutely and strode out.

Xiao Xiaoshen jumped out and grabbed her before she was about to walk over the threshold. He gave her a look, hinting her not to disobey the Master.

Behind her, two cold lights came directly at Gu Yunxi. The Master yelled with anger,

"Leave her alone! Let her go!"

...

Gu Yunxi went back to the Southern Residence in anger. She lay on her stomach on the bed and cried aggrievedly. Qinger tried to comfort her but Gu Yunxi just ignored it. After the cry, she fell asleep.

When she was half-awake, she felt someone came to the Southern Residence. In the dizziness, she heard the voice of the Master, Yanwan, and Xiaoshen.

After the dinner, Gu Yunxi was dragged to the main hall by Xiaoshen.

In front of the table, she saw the Master and felt surprised.

The hall was all lit up. She could hear the vague sound of fire crackling.

The Master looked particularly pale. Even the brightest orange color couldn't warm up his paleness. There was a circle of blackness around each of his eyes. His lips were without any color. He looked feeble, weak, and without any energy. In this gorgeous room full of light, the Master looked like he didn't fit with the surrounding!

"Is he like this because I pissed him off?"

Gu Yunxi was upset.

She heard the news that the Master's wounds had all healed. Now looking at him, she could only think that she made him so mad that he was ill again!

Leng Qingtang's sharp eyes landed on her face that was without any expression. He stared at her for a while.

Suddenly, he said coldly,

"I need to ask you this. Did you use Jiaozhu Pear Curd to exchange for Fu Danqing's damsel paintings?"

It was not hard to guess.

Days ago, Cheng Wanli told him that she used exquisite food to exchange for the damsel paintings. And before that, Yu Xuanji came to him and mentioned Jiaozhu Pear Curd.

Leng Qingtang just needed to connect the two things. He figured out that Gu Yunxi tricked Yu Xuanji to get Liyu. The Jiaozhu Pear Curd she made was definitely used to exchange the paintings!

The point was why she chose to make Jiaozhu Pear Curd.

Because she had been suppressing for too long and felt aggrieved for too long, Gu Yunxi didn't want to say anything at this moment. She just laughed disdainfully and rebutted,

"Why is that Jiaozhu Pear Curd so precious? Why can't I make it?"

Leng Qingtang hit the table angrily and yelled,

"Did you get my permission to go through my things?"

Gu Yunxi's body shook in his yelling. She had tears in her eyes. She shook her head sorrowfully and shouted,

"Don't care about it so much! Why? Because Pei Rushi left that to you? Even if you have me, you still can't forget about her, can you?!"

"Shut up!"

A roar came out of Leng Qingtang's throat. The main hall shook with it.

Leng Qingtang's breath got quick. He breathed heavily and stared at Gu Yunxi. His black eyes were all red because of anger.

Then he saw her eyelashes shook. Tears fell down her cheeks, leaving some blinking traces on her thin face. At that moment, he felt like his heart was also pierced by a sharp dagger.

Gu Yunxi cried sorrowfully. Her lips shook. She said quietly,

"My only wish is to have someone with me till the end. I didn't expect that you would still keep her things after you have me! We should just let go of each other at peace."

Let go of each other...

She mentioned that again...

Leng Qingtang slowly looked down and numbly nodded. Suddenly he sneered and said,

"Someone reached the end. That's very nice! But have you asked yourself what did you do?"

Gu Yunxi was surprised. She bitterly narrowed her eyes,

"What did I do? Don't you know how I treated you?!"

Leng Qingtang started at her. He reached to his pocket with a cold smile, got something out, and tossed it on the table.

Gu Yunxi looked down and was so startled that she felt like her soul jumped out of her body.

That was the wood hairpin Lu Qiange gave her!