Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

Seeing the man frown, A-Qing, who was standing to the side, felt a pang of unease and quickly explained, "Second Master, Miss Cousin went back as soon as she woke up this afternoon. I couldn't stop her."

Zong Xian calmly withdrew his gaze without saying anything.

That evening, Steward Chang Yu led two servants to Shuangxu Garden and brought some expensive tonics.

Steward Chang explained that one of the hundred-year-old Ganoderma lucidum was a gift from the Emperor, which Zong Xian had just obtained from His Majesty. It was extremely rare and precious.

Mingyi was going all out in feigning illness. At this moment, she was leaning against the couch by the window, one hand lightly touching her forehead, and said gratefully, "I am so grateful that you went to the trouble of making this trip, please convey my thanks to the Second Master."

Chang Yu's expression became more respectful as he smiled and said, "Please rest well, Miss. The Second Master is very busy with court affairs these days and may not have time to come often, but he said that he will come to visit you as soon as he has the time."

Shi Miao thought it best if he was always busy, and even better if he died suddenly.

He didn't show it on his face, but spoke in a gentle and considerate voice: "The court is of utmost importance. Tell Second Master not to overwork himself and to take good care of his health."

The girl's concerned words reached Zong Xian's ears without missing a single one.

His expression softened slightly, and the pent-up frustration he had felt from her leaving without saying goodbye vanished instantly.

She still knows how to care about him; that shows she's sensible.

...

Mingyi delayed until the next day before preparing to pay her respects to Madam Zong.

Before leaving home, she made sure her maids dressed her up beautifully, wearing brightly colored clothes and various pearl and jade jewelry.

After dressing neatly, Mingyi walked up to Granny Feng, turned around, and smiled, "How am I? Am I beautiful?"

"The girl is beautiful; even without makeup and dressed simply, she is breathtakingly beautiful, but..."

Seeing that Granny Feng hesitated, Mingyi raised an eyebrow. "But what?"

Granny Feng carefully advised, "Miss, your status is different now. It would be better if you didn't dress so ostentatiously when you went to see the Old Madam."

Mingyi smiled, "You mean to say I'm dressed up too much, right?"

Granny Feng lowered her head and said timidly, "This servant is worried that the old lady will be dissatisfied with you."

"How could that be? You think I dress ostentatiously? That's because you've never seen the concubines in the manor."

The aunt she was referring to was none other than Madam Yu.

Mingyi raised her hand and adjusted the hairpin, her eyes sparkling. "Besides, Second Master dotes on me and gave me these jewelry and clothes, aren't they meant for me to use? If I just leave them unused, wouldn't I be letting Second Master down?"

Granny Feng couldn't argue with her, so she had no choice but to let her be.

"Ah Zhe is here."

Mingyi turned her head and saw her younger brother come in. She smiled casually and asked, "Am I pretty, sister?"

Ji Mingzhe stared at her intently. "Beautiful, but older sister doesn't seem happy."

The boy was insightful and immediately saw through the forced smile behind Mingyi's expression.

Mingyi's smile froze slightly, almost failing her. She feigned cheerfulness and said, "Not at all, Sister is very happy. No woman dislikes beautiful jewelry. Come, let's go with Sister to pay our respects to the Old Madam."

After saying that, she reached out and took Ji Mingzhe's hand, and together they stepped out of the house.

As they walked through the familiar corridors, the servants of the Zong family saw the brother and sister and their expressions varied.

"See? I told you she wasn't one to stay put."

"Look at her smug face, she's finally showing her true colors. I really don't understand what the Second Master sees in her; she's so petty and vulgar!"

"Hmph, the old lady won't let her in. She won't be smug for long. Just you wait and see!"

"..."

She didn't seem to hear these harsh comments, and even if she had, she wouldn't have cared.

This is exactly the effect she wanted.

Before long, the siblings arrived at Madam Zong's Yongshou Hall at a leisurely pace.

When Madam Zong saw her attire, which was completely different from her usual simple and plain appearance, her brows furrowed, which showed how dissatisfied she was with her.

A group of servants stood in the hall, their eyes all fixed on Ji Mingyi, their expressions filled with undisguised contempt and disdain.

Mingyi ignored everything, as if she hadn't noticed anything. She stepped forward with a smile, curtsied, and said, "Mingyi greets the old lady."

It must be said that she is truly beautiful, with delicate features and outstanding bone structure, which perfectly complements her jeweled outfit.

The light shimmered and dazzled. Even the most favored concubines in the palace would pale in comparison standing here.

Ji Mingzhe followed closely behind, bowing and paying his respects. He had also changed into a brocade robe.

Madam Zong now has many complaints about Mingyi and her attitude has become much colder.

She deliberately didn't offer Mingyi a seat, and instead probed indirectly, "Where are you and the Second Master at now?"

Mingyi understood what she was asking, but she didn't want to answer, nor did she know how to answer, so she showed a shy expression.

The old lady took in her shy and evasive demeanor and understood everything.

The two had already transgressed the bounds of propriety and had consummated their relationship.

The old lady was a woman who adhered to etiquette and self-discipline throughout her life, and she always despised women who had no status or identity but engaged in illicit relations with men.

Even though that person was her most favored second son, she still looked down on Ji Mingyi's behavior.

In any case, her son was not wrong.

Considering that Zong Xian was currently infatuated with her, the old lady Zong did not make things difficult for her. After giving her a reprimand, she let the two siblings go back.

Once outside, Mingyi immediately put away all her expressions.

Just as he stepped out of Yongshou Hall, he encountered Aqing.

Ah Qing had been waiting for a long time. She stepped forward and said, "Miss, the Second Master wants you to go to Songhe Garden."

Mingyi frowned: "Isn't he very busy?"

Aqing felt that her tone shouldn't be like that; shouldn't the young lady be happy?

Mingyi had no choice but to let her younger brother go back first. Aqing didn't think much of it and led the way.

As Ji Mingzhe watched his sister's departing figure, his fist, hidden in his sleeve, slowly clenched.

He was now certain that his sister had been forced into it.

What can he do to help his older sister?

...

It was just past noon, and the autumn air was crisp and clear.

A-Qing stopped at the study in the waterside pavilion, raised her hand to knock on the door, and respectfully announced, "Second Master, Miss A-Qing has arrived."

A moment later, a steady male voice came from inside, "Let her in."

Mingyi pushed the door open and entered, while Aqing closed the door behind her without going in.

Mingyi stepped into the room and saw Zongxian standing by the window, writing with a brush.

Wearing a silver-gray robe, with her hair half-down and secured with a silver crown, she exuded an air of nobility despite her relaxed and languid demeanor.

"A beast in human clothing," Mingyi cursed inwardly.

Just then, Zong Xian suddenly raised his eyes, his dark, black eyes seeming to see right through people's hearts.

Mingyi's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly composed herself.

Zong Xian said, "What are you standing there for? Come here."

Mingyi walked over, her eyes lowered, and asked, "Second Master, what brings you here... Ah!"

Before she could finish speaking, he pulled her into his arms. Caught off guard, Mingyi let out a soft cry.

The red-gold hairpin at the girl's temple trembled slightly with the sway.

Zong Xian sat lazily on the desk, one arm around her slender waist, the other hand raised, his fingertips casually fiddled with the beads on her hair ornament, and said, "It's rare to see you dressed up like this today. Have you changed your ways?"