Phoenix Cries Return to Court

The beggar gripped Huan'er's wrist tightly, muttering incantations.

Huan'er was terrified and, disregarding everything else, desperately called for help.

Upon seeing this, the servants immediately rushed forward, about to seize the mad beggar.

The beggar, however, seemed to have anticipated this. He suddenly released his grip, nimbly dodged the servant's outstretched hand, and then turned and ran in the opposite direction, disappearing around the corner of the alley in no time.

Huan'er's heart pounded wildly. Just as she was about to speak, her fingertips suddenly touched something strange in her palm.

Her heart tightened, and she suppressed her chaotic thoughts. She pretended to raise her hand to straighten her sleeves, and whispered to the servants to wait where they were. Then she quickly walked into the mansion.

In the secluded orchid garden, a scene of tranquility unfolds.

Tao Qingqing leaned against the chaise longue covered with fox fur cushions, holding a cup of warm milk tea in her hand, her red lips slightly pursed.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps were heard at the courtyard gate. Looking up, Huan'er returned, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"What's the rush?" Tao Qingqing slowly put down her teacup, glancing at Huan'er who was rushing towards her. "Be careful not to drop it."

After speaking, he slightly raised his hand towards the maids and servants serving under the eaves, "All of you, step back. Without my permission, no one is to approach the courtyard gate."

The maids and servants respectfully agreed and left. In a short while, only the master and servant remained in the large courtyard.

Huan'er composed herself and recounted her encounter in the market in detail. Then she took out a small, neatly folded piece of paper and respectfully presented it to Huan'er.

The note clearly stated: "To Princess Ding'an."

Tao Qingqing frowned slightly as she slowly unfolded the paper.

With just one glance, all the languid aura around him vanished.

On the yellowed plain paper, a line of neat, small characters was written with powerful strokes that penetrated the back of the paper:

With the recent heightened tensions, the Imperial Guards have intervened to investigate and are proceeding with caution.

Tao Qingqing's fingers, gripping the note, turned slightly white. After a moment of silence, she looked up at Huan'er and asked, "Where is the messenger?"

Huan'er, "He was a beggar; he's probably run far away by now."

Tao Qingqing frowned slightly, slowly got up from the couch, and walked to the candlestick on the table.

With a gentle lift of her hand, she placed the note into the flickering candlelight.

As she watched the flames grow ever stronger, she said meaningfully, "Only the dead can keep secrets."

……

Shengguo has a mild climate and spring comes early.

It's only March, but the willow branches are already sprouting new green leaves, and the peach blossoms are adorned with pink buds. In Wanhua Valley on the outskirts of Beijing, the flowers are already in full bloom, a riot of colors.

The annual Flower Festival is held in the valley.

The valley was bustling with activity, with people coming and going, all dressed in fine clothes, including the wives and daughters of officials and noblewomen, as well as scholars and literati. The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and people chatted and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere.

Before long, two exquisitely decorated carriages slowly came to a stop at the main entrance, the He family crest embroidered on the curtains particularly eye-catching.

Everyone in the capital knew about He Guangzheng, the Minister of War, and his two wives.

Last year, Princess Ding'an volunteered to marry into the Wen family, willingly sharing a husband with the two women of the Wen family, which was already a sensational topic.

Not to mention that at the wedding banquet, He Wenshi, dressed in her burial clothes, caused a scene and publicly accused He Guangzheng of trying to poison her. Later, in order to get back the dowry that He Guangzheng had seized, she had no choice but to sell the Minister's mansion.

Needless to say, each and every one of these incidents caused quite a stir in the city, becoming a popular topic of conversation among the locals.

Now that the main character has arrived, the crowd that was originally scattered all looked over.

The curtain of the lead carriage was quickly lifted by a large, well-defined hand, and He Guangzheng jumped down from the carriage in a few steps.

He wore a dark blue brocade robe that accentuated his tall and straight figure, with a jade pendant hanging at his waist. With long eyebrows and phoenix eyes, he was the epitome of a gentle and refined gentleman.

He then reached out and steadily helped Tao Qingqing down from behind.

Today, Tao Qingqing is dressed with her hair tied up in a high bun, a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin tucked into her hair, a gold foil flower painted on her forehead, her face plump and jade-like, and her lips painted with vermilion.

A pomegranate-red floral dress accentuated her snow-white skin. With each graceful step, her waist swayed, revealing her captivating charm and allure.

"Greetings, Princess Ding'an." The onlookers bowed respectfully, their tone humble, though their true thoughts remained unknown.

Tao Qingqing considers herself a royal daughter and thoroughly enjoys the feeling of being the center of attention.

As a woman of noble birth, even as a secondary wife, she should be the most eye-catching one.

He Guangzheng was proud of this. Back when he passed the imperial examination, he was not among the second-ranked candidates. There were countless government offices in the capital and officials to handle matters. Even if he had passed the examination, his future would still have been bleak.

But he was also extremely lucky. Back then, he encountered the Wen family. Now he felt radiant. In his middle age, he was not only a minister but also the son-in-law of the royal family.

His slender fingertips gently brushed across the back of the beauty's hand, then he took it in his hand and said affectionately, "Watch your step."

Tao Qingqing felt her cheeks flush slightly as he held her hand, but she became even more flamboyant, deliberately leaning closer to him, her shoulder lightly resting against his arm, her eyes even more smug.

But this sweet romance didn't last long, for suddenly someone in the crowd exclaimed softly, "Such a beauty exists in this world!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several deep breaths were heard, and everyone looked over.

The curtains of another carriage fluttered gently, and a slender, fair hand rested lightly on the carriage shaft. A moment later, a beautiful woman slowly stepped down.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters rippling across the surface, her features were exquisitely sculpted, and with just a touch of powder, she was already ethereal and otherworldly, exuding a cool and aloof aura, as if she had stepped out of a painting.

She wore no precious jewels, only a plain white silk dress, the hem embroidered with a few pale magnolia blossoms. The fabric was extremely light and thin silk, and with her light and graceful steps, she seemed to float like an ethereal fairy descending to earth. Standing at the entrance of the vibrant and colorful Valley of Flowers, all the other flowers in the valley paled in comparison.

He Guangzheng stared at the slender figure approaching slowly, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily, momentarily losing his composure.

Tao Qingqing, who was standing to the side, took in the whole scene. Her heart tightened suddenly, and she gripped her skirt tightly with her fingertips. A strong hatred and resentment surged in her heart.

This morning, when Madam Wen went out, she was clearly wearing that gaudy peach-red brocade dress that she had specially chosen. He Guangzheng had complained about it for quite a while in the carriage. Why did she suddenly change to this outfit?

Lin Xihe seemed oblivious to the gazes and praise around her, her face calm and composed, her steps light and graceful as she approached.

Tao Qingqing stepped forward first, forcing a gentle smile on her face. Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the few guests nearby to hear clearly, "Sister, your attire today is truly an eye-opener. However, I am quite puzzled. When you left the manor just now, the brocade dress you wore was one that I carefully selected for you."

"Although it's not exactly the same as what I'm wearing today, it's similar in style. When the people in the manor saw it, they all laughed and said that the two of us dressed like sisters. Why did you change your clothes on the way here, sister? Could it be that you don't like the dress I carefully chose? Or is it that you don't want to be like sisters with me from the bottom of your heart, and deliberately changed into this plain dress to draw a line between us?"