As the Lunar New Year approached, colored lanterns adorned streets and alleyways.
This year had been tumultuous for both officials and commoners alike, and everyone hoped the festive spirit of the Spring Festival would help dispel the bad luck of the past year.
Hui'an and Nan Yujin's wedding was finally set to take place.
The border war between Da Li and Lin Yuan had not hindered the pre-arranged marital alliance between the two countries. However, the princess of the defeated nation received less respect from the populace. Of course, no one would openly humiliate her, as a great nation was expected to exhibit magnanimity.
The Prince's manor was bustling with activity. The Princess Consort had been unwell some time ago, confined to Xin Yuan Pavilion and rarely venturing out. However, in recent days, her health seemed to have fully recovered, and she often visited the Prince's study, staying there for an entire day.
Later, the Prince simply moved into Xin Yuan Pavilion, and the Princess Consort no longer left the courtyard.
The Princess Consort rarely managed the affairs of the manor. If servants were negligent, she would only send her sister, Lu Wan, to reprimand them. Unless a grave mistake was made or malicious intent was involved, she would handle the punishment herself.
In short, the Princess Consort was doing very well.
The Princess Consort, who was fondly remembered by the manor's servants, was currently lounging on a chaise lounge, engrossed in a picture book that Xuan Yi had procured.
Not long ago, she had stood against the Emperor in the great hall, facing the fearsome "Living Yama" revered by many officials. He was now burying his head in his desk, peeling grapes. He placed the glistening, translucent grapes one by one onto a nearby saucer. After peeling an entire saucerful, he began to remove the seeds from each grape. Only when the grapes were peeled and seeded, leaving only the flesh, did he place the plate beside Nan Shiying.
He then handed her a bamboo skewer, preventing her from soiling her hands.
Nan Shiying held the bamboo skewer, picking up pieces of grape and popping them into her mouth.
The picture book Xuan Yi had found was quite interesting. It was by some rebellious scholar who had blended Buddhism and Taoism, positing that, in essence, Buddhism was Taoism.
After finishing peeling the grapes and washing his hands, Ji Jinmo picked up a memorial from the side.
The official transition in Langlin Commandery was complete. The Dark Pavilion's Qian Wei had seized the trade routes that Hu Yan Jue had opened over the years. As for the merchants who had cooperated with Hu Yan Jue, Ji Hong did not implicate them, unless they were spies from Liao Jiang or seditious individuals who knew Hu Yan Jue's identity.
The imperial court's treasury—or more accurately, Ji Hong's private coffers—had expanded once more.
Ji Jinmo read the memorials at a glance. Seeing that the turmoil in Langlin Commandery had subsided, he closed the memorial and set it aside, picking up the next one.
As he opened it, his hand paused.
The Medicine Master was gone.
Feng Quan of the Bureau of Investigations had been 'invited' by the Ghost Fiend Sect. The renowned constable of the Supreme Court of Justice, Luan Wencheng, had led a team to investigate, only to become embroiled in the case of the murder of the West Ling Commandery governor and subsequently be declared a fugitive. Given these circumstances, it was highly likely that any imperial envoy sent to investigate would meet a similar fate. Therefore, before Ying'er embarked for Chang Ming Mountain, they had deliberately revealed Feng Quan's whereabouts to the Medicine Master, luring him to West Ling Commandery.
Now, the Medicine Master was missing. It was unknown whether the Ghost Fiend Sect was responsible or if he had sensed something and gone into hiding.
"What's wrong?"
Nan Shiying shifted her gaze from the picture book. Seeing Ji Jinmo frown slightly, she was curious about the contents of the memorial.
"The Medicine Master is gone." Ji Jinmo put down the memorial in his hand and relaxed his brow. The Medicine Master was not truly important. What mattered was who had coveted Ying'er's past life's body during that incident. Although those people were unlikely to know that the Empress Dowager of the Great Yuan was the current Ying'er, Ji Jinmo still dared not be careless. He could not allow any danger to approach Ying'er.
"Gone?"
Nan Shiying sat up straight.
"Wasn't he in West Ling Commandery?"
"Did he rescue Feng Quan?"
Nan Shiying had almost forgotten about the matters in West Ling Commandery.
Ji Jinmo shook his head. "Not yet!"
The Ghost Fiend Sect was difficult to attack and easy to defend, situated atop a high mountain. Even with an army's siege, it could not be taken in a short time. Those who were not members of the Ghost Fiend Sect could not reach the summit.
"Is that so!"
Nan Shiying put down the picture book she was holding and instead picked up the plate, sitting cross-legged on the chaise lounge.
She ate grapes, contemplating the Ghost Fiend Sect.
"During the Martial Arts Tournament, should I appear as Feng Luan?"
Lu Wan entered with several plates of steaming, freshly baked pastries. As soon as she entered, she heard the Mistress mentioning the Martial Arts Tournament. She recalled that the Mistress had been absent from the manor during this period, and to conceal her whereabouts, they had used the excuse of the Mistress being ill and weak. For several banquets held midway, this excuse had been used to decline invitations. The Mistress and the Prince had been married for half a year, and she had not yet conceived. While the manor servants dared not gossip, the ladies and young ladies of the capital had not refrained from privately ridiculing the Mistress, calling her an unlucky, sickly invalid.
The Mistress had only just returned to the manor and was now eagerly anticipating the Martial Arts Tournament. When would the important matter of having children be put on the agenda?!
Alas, it was truly vexing!
However, Lu Wan only dared to think these thoughts. She put down the pastries, turned, and left. After closing the door, she sighed again.
Ever since the Prince began residing in Xin Yuan Pavilion, he had forbidden them from entering the room to serve. In the past, peeling grapes and removing seeds for the Mistress were tasks performed by her and Lan'er and a few others. Now, the Master had taken over all of them.
Did the Master dislike them, feeling they obstructed the intimate moments between the two?
But they were truly worried. Could the Master... take good care of the Mistress?
Bai Zhi grabbed Lu Wan's hand and asked her, "Did the Master peel fruits for the Mistress? And the tea, is it refilled regularly?"
Lu Wan pursed her lips. The fruit was peeled, but as for the tea, she wasn't sure.
"Listen, listen to what they're saying!"
Thirteen was perched on a branch. He didn't intentionally eavesdrop, but the conversation between the two women kept drilling into his ears. He couldn't block his ears, could he? Putting aside the other servants in the manor, these senior maids in Xin Yuan Pavilion had completely rebelled. Did they still have even a shred of regard for the Master in their hearts?
"The tea wasn't refilled!" Xuan Yi said.
"What?"
Thirteen's mind went blank.
"I said, the Master didn't refill the Mistress's tea!" Xuan Yi elaborated.
"Damn it!"
Thirteen grumbled and exited the chat group.
"It depends on the situation!"
Although Feng Luan's identity was suitable, Feng Luan was still associated with the imperial court, and might not be qualified to participate in the competition for the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
Nan Shiying hummed in response and asked no further questions.
Ji Jinmo stood up and walked over to Nan Shiying's side. The chaise lounge was quite small, and he had to squeeze in. However, he held a memorial in his hand, giving the impression that he was presenting it for her to read personally and was merely sitting down because he didn't want to stand. This left Nan Shiying momentarily speechless.
Nan Shiying took the memorial and was about to read it when her body suddenly lifted into the air and then settled down. She had been pulled into Ji Jinmo's embrace.
"Squeeze in!"
Ji Jinmo's words were concise, and his shamelessness was truly remarkable.
He lowered his head, resting his chin on Nan Shiying's shoulder. His breath fell on her ear, causing a tingling, ticklish sensation. Nan Shiying twitched her neck, only to be met with Ji Jinmo's stern "Don't move," making her roll her eyes.
You tell me not to move, but you should hold your breath!