It was a summer season in April. The time was just right.

Since the Wan clan collapsed, plenty of officers were dismissed from the feudal dynasty one after another.

Influenced by Wan Li’s extravagant Nanyuan mansion, some main officials led by Leng Qingtang united to submit memorials to the emperor, suggesting that Emperor Jingxiao should abolish the original policies, weaken the privileges of nobilities and official contributors, and perform the Land Reform, the Army and Politics Reform and the Fedual Examination System Reform.

Having experienced the accident in Spring Banquet, Emperor Jingxiao became feebler and feebler. With Jindan Pills becoming his only interest, he spared no time for political affairs, so the right of which was completely handed over to the Eastern Depot.

By contrast, Gu Yunxi lived a leisure but enriched life. She went into the Imperial Palace several times to visit Gu Yunyao and the Seventh Prince. Every time she went there, she brought them some delicate handmade foods.

The two sisters, Gu Yunxi and Gu Yunyao had endless words to chat about. And they often sat face to face all the day, talking, crying, and laughing.

Gu Yunyao always talked more about Concubine Xu than any other topics.

She thought, even if she hadn't killed Concubine Xu in person, Xu’s death would have been somewhat blamed on her.

In the beginning Gu Yunxi chose to comfort her once in a while. But with time going by, she got used to being a good listener.

At long last, Gu Yunxi understood that the overwhelmingly repeated words of Gu Yunyao were in fact a way of releasing herself, and a kind of self-redemption.

Only if she talked with her most believed sister about that, Gu Yunyao would feel less guilty to some extent.

Gu Yunxi told her that currently Minister Xu and his families lived very well.

After they were proved innocent and released, Minister Xu resigned. And now he was about to back to his homeland.

At the day when Wan and his son were paraded in public before being sentenced, Xu and his families stood in the crowd and witnessed the scene.

Gu Yunyao instructed that Gu Yunxi should sometimes visit the Fourth Princess at her convenience. It was because the Fourth Princess stood up for Gu Yunxi and always said good words for her to the emperor and empress, that they believed in her story. Gu Yunxi once lurked in the Rebel Organization in Mount Yin as a secret guard in the Eastern Depot, and to gain the rebels' trust, she destined to obey the order of changing face with another person among them.

Having earned the trust from the emperor and empress, it would be much smoother for Gu Yunxi to change back to her original face and identity.

Speaking of Emperor Jingxiao, Gu Yunyao seemed to be kind of worried.

According to a eunuch who served him, Emperor Jingxiao rapidly ate Jindan Pills more and more times a day. Besides, the dose of Jindan Pills was so large.

Gu Yunxi clearly knew the truth.

It was the effect of Wangyou Gu Poison. Presumably he had already been squeezed by the Gu Worms and could not live for months.

Then there came another message. The maid called Lanxin in Chuxiu Palace was eventually found.

One day, Fan Lin suddenly came to the Eastern Depot to visit Gu Yunxi, claiming that he finally got news of Lanxin after spending a lot of money. At that time, she was in the Custody Office, doing the worst chores including scrubbing toilet bowls.

He begged Gu Yunxi to find a way to get her out.

Finally, Gu Yunyao lent a hand.

In the name of Concubine Yu, she transferred Lanxin from the Custody Office to Jingyang Palace, and appointed her as her maid. Then she awarded Lanxin to Fanlin, a guard in Tiger Battalion of Honour Guard, as wife. In addition, she awarded her a box of treasures as her dowry.

Lanxin was so grateful to Gu Yunyao and Gu Yunxi. With a box of treasures carried in vehicle, she and Fan Lin happily went out of the Palace Gate, hand in hand.

All going well, days were quickly spent in happiness and sweetness.

Often, there were military reports coming from Southern Jiang…

Soldiers of Lang Army were brave and strong, also assisted by abundant arm reservations in the home front. Therefore, it was far stronger than the feudal officials had imaged.

The battle of annihilation should last for a period of time.

It was in May 6th, a day when everything was fine in Chinese Calendar.

The Eastern Depot and Fusi Mansion in North Town were decorated with lights and ornaments.

Because it was the day when Qinger got married.

It was not more than five o'clock when she got up and put on her phoenix coronet and robes of rank. Then she sat in front of the dresser, being combed and dressed by a chaperon.

Gu Yunxi quietly stood by and looked at her. This young and delicate girl wore a fiery-red suit of bride's clothes and looked into the bronze mirror, smiling at ease.

"The first combing represents the beginning of your marriage; the second combing wishes you a harmonious marriage; the third combing blesses the couple with longevity."

While combing her hair, the chaperon blessed. Her voice seemed to be happy with smile.

Gu Yunxi held the head cover decorated with tassels in hand, admiringly came up and genuinely praised,

"Qinger, you are so beautiful today!"

Qinger turned around. Her eyes were like ripples in the water, stirring round and round.

Suddenly, like a spoiled child, she hugged Gu Yunxi and fawned in a little pettish,

"Miss, I don't want to leave you."

"Don't say those silly words. When a girl grows up, she should live with her husband in the future."

Smiling like a warm wind in June, she pushed Qinger away and stared at her seriously,

"Take my advice. Serve your husband and look after your mother-in-law earnestly."

Qinger blushed and nodded slightly.

At that moment, Gu Yunxi saw the clear tears beaming in her eyes.

Qinger always followed her faithfully, whenever she walked into Jiangan, asked for Liyu or explored Mansion of Ming. Even when Gu Yunxi and Leng Qingtang were sown dissension by instigators, Qinger still appeared to uphold her absolutely.

Gu Yunxi regarded Qinger as her own little sister. Now she sent her sister to be married in person. In a full sense of achievement, she also suddenly felt a little reluctant and sad because they would be set apart from each other.

In the yard, the air was filled with the sound of bursting firecrackers and the din of clashing gongs and cymbals.

Then the chaperon announced that the blessed moment was coming.

Gu Yunxi blinked her wet eyes, dressed Qinger in the head cover, held up her in hands, and went out of the gate.

In the yard, there were plenty of people, including ten captains in the Eastern Depot, and some headmen in the Court of Patrol of North Town where Qinger was authorized to work.

Dressed in a suit of wedding clothes, Xiao Xiaoshen stood on the porch. When he saw Qinger, his wife, he instantly felt excited. With eyebrows raised as high as the morning sun, Xiao Xiaoshen lifted his lips and smiled happily.

Step by step, he walked up to Qinger and grabbed her hands. Then he smiled to Gu Yunxi innocently, happily saying,

"Hahaha, Yunxi, please trust me. I will never be bad to Qinger. What's more, we look forward to you and the Master's marriage."

"Miss..."

Covered with the head cover, Qinger was held by Xiao Xiaoshen in one hand, and took by Gu Yunxi in the other. But she delayed leaving the porch. With trembling voice, Qinger called her over and over again,

"Miss, miss...Miss..."

Seeing the scene, Lanxin smiled,

"Just be at ease, Qinger! Your miss will be looked after by me from now on."

As Qinger got married, Gu Yunxi would lack assistance. Hearing that, Lanxin volunteered to help her. In some senses, Lanxin got a new job in the Eastern Depot.

The chaperon smiled, comforting and advising Qinger,

"Time is up. The wedding sedan must be carried forward. Bride and bridegroom please go to the lobby first to meet the Master and pay respect."

Qinger was bought as maid in Master's Mansion at an early age. She had no parents so that the Eastern Depot and Master's Mansion were home to her. As a result, Leng Qingtang, Gu Yunxi and all kinds of guards were her families.

Sitting on a high-backed chair, Leng Qingtang looked at Gu Yunxi and softly smiled,

"Yunxi, come and sit beside me. Let's accept their salutes together."

Gu Yunxi felt amazed instantly.

Leng Qingtang bowed to grab her, genuinely looking at her in his star-like eyes,

"As I’ve said before, you are necessary in their wedding ceremony. Come on, sit beside me."

Among so many expecting sights, Gu Yunxi slowly sat on the chair beside Leng Qingtang, feeling so excited.

Qinger and Xiao Xiaoshen kneeled and kowtowed to Leng Qingtang and Gu Yunxi.

After the salute, Cheng Wanli bent down to help Xiao Xiaoshen up. He looked at this young bridegroom, with a kind of commonly serious expression in his face, only said one sentence,

"From now on, enjoy your life."

He clapped one shoulder of Xiao Xiaoshen, and his words seemed to be either an order and or a suggestion.

On the street there was a parade of horses, being guided by the honor guards.

Their new house was located in Shili Street. It was a marriage gift bought by Leng Qingtang.

Half a month ago, Xiao Xiaoshen sent for his old mother and little sister from his homeland Xiuhe. Henceforth, the families could finally live in a happy life together.

After sending the new couple away, a feast was held in the Eastern Depot. The captains sat around Leng Qingtang and Gu Yunxi, drinking and eating at ease.

In this feast, a lot of people were drunk. Yuan Qian bubbled more than anyone else.

Perhaps since Captain Jiang died, they had been quietly depressed.

Now the Wan clan and the Western Depot were collapsed; no devils escaped punishment. Eventually people in the Eastern Depot avenged themselves.

As the twilight turned to a deep darkness, people became drunk or left there. Only two persons, Leng Qingtang and Gu Yunxi, left in the feast.

In the dark shadow of light, the banquet room without so many people suddenly appeared quiet and vacant.

Gu Yunxi fiddled with an empty flagon and tightly stared at more and more shadows of leftovers, nasally shouting,

"Qinger, the wine is out, please..."

All of a sudden, she found that Qinger was married today and has left the Eastern Depot.

Lanxin walked up to her carefully, took the flagon quietly, and inquired Leng Qingtang with her eyes.

Leng Qingtang smiled and shook his head.

Lanxin understood and bowed to leave there.

But Gu Yunxi didn't think that she was drunk, as she was clearly conscious.

In the blurred eyes, she seemed to see people gathering around the table, and Captain Jiang. It seemed that the time had come back to that Double Ninth Festival...

Gu Yunxi tried to grab him in the air, but later she was tightly surrounded by a puff of warm fragrance.

Pleasantly the cold fragrance fulfilled her senses and made her eyes wet and red.

Leng Qingtang hugged her in his arms, softly coaxing,

"Yunxi, let me hug you to the bed."

She raised her head and tried to take a clearer look of his handsome expressions, sadly saying,

"I don't want to see more death...If only we could always live a life like today..."

Eyes of Leng Qingtang became as soft as the spring water. He picked her jaw up, comforting her in a soft voice,

"Yeah, I promise to you, no more death..."

Then he bowed his head, pressing her a vigorous kiss.

Gu Yunxi turned to be innocent. With swaying and silly eyes, she suddenly asked,

"Master, I love you. But will you love me forever? Even if I were old and became uglier than now, would you still love me forever?"

In his dark eyes, a flash of stark was burning more and more. Staring at her swollen delicate lips kissed by him, Leng Qingtang stood up suddenly. And then he held her horizontally in his arms and walked to Southern Residence. In the way, he answered,

"I will reply to you in action."

Walking into the house, he threw the drunk girl in the bed, removing her clothes fiercely. Gradually their bodies became more and more intimate.

Gu Yunxi indulged in his kisses occupying and spreading around her body. Tremble and fear flooded her shoulders in waves, instantly spreading over the whole body.

In drunk, she reacted to him madly and fervently.

At that wedding night of others, they were also indulged in endless excitement and sweetness.

Until an ill-timed voice broke out,

"Master, here comes a critical military report of Southern Jiang..."