Phoenix Cries Return to Court

Tiangong Pavilion, inner room.

The floor was covered with a carpet of blooming flowers, and the four walls were adorned with splendid landscape paintings. On a tall table made of golden nanmu wood, there was a celadon plum vase with a few crabapple blossoms inserted at an angle, their subtle fragrance wafting through the room.

Dong Yiyun wore a light purple gauze dress with light pink roses embroidered on the hem. Her black hair was tied up and a pearl hairpin was inserted diagonally. Sunlight streamed into the room through the window of the Ice Plum Blossom Pavilion, falling on the beautiful woman who was drinking tea with her head down on the rosewood chair.

Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she had something on her mind but couldn't say it, her eyes fixed on the steaming white jade teacup in her hand.

Suddenly, a servant rushed in to report, "Miss, a distinguished guest has arrived."

It's him!

Dong Yiyun's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly got up to greet him, subconsciously smoothing the wrinkles in her skirt and tucking a stray hair behind her ear. She looked longingly toward the doorway.

But then, beside that tall, elegant figure in moon-white robes, came a graceful woman. The two walked side by side, like a perfect match, like a golden couple.

Her steps abruptly halted, her smile froze on her face, and a wave of bitterness welled up in her heart. She gave the newcomer a slight bow, then sat back down on the rosewood chair.

"What wind has blown the young Grand Secretary here?" she asked leisurely, twirling the rose handkerchief in her hand.

Shen Jueyan seemed unaffected, and simply nodded slightly, saying in a deep voice, "I've come here today because I have important matters to inquire about from Miss Dong."

"Oh?" Dong Yiyun casually picked up the white jade teacup on the table, gently blowing away the floating tea leaves. She didn't even glance at the two people in front of her. "What has made the young master so anxious? Why don't you introduce the beauty beside you to Yiyun first?"

"Miss Dong." A clear, cool, yet somewhat familiar female voice came from inside.

Dong Yiyun suddenly looked up and gazed at the woman's face. After scrutinizing her for a moment, she realized that the person beside Shen Jueyan was none other than Wen, the wife of the Minister of War! Instantly, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly calmed down, and her jealousy subsided considerably.

She let out a long sigh, the aloofness on her face instantly vanished, and she quickly stood up, bowing respectfully to Lin Xihe. Her tone became much warmer, "So it's Madam He. It's all my fault for being so blind and not recognizing you. I was very rude just now, please forgive me, Madam He."

After speaking, she hurriedly made a gesture of invitation and said with a smile, "Yiyun is a little flustered to see you two distinguished guests. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality. Please have a seat."

She turned to the maid standing nearby, her tone suddenly rising several notches, "What are you still standing there for! Quickly serve tea to the two esteemed guests!" She paused, her gaze sweeping over Shen Jueyan, who was already seated, a blush rising to her cheeks. She added to the maid's retreating figure, "Remember to serve the guests their favorite 'West Mountain White Dew,' make sure it's not too hot, be careful!"

He quickly responded and hurried back.

Lin Xihe caught a glimpse of Dong Yiyun's joy and shyness, and then looked at Shen Jueyan's indifferent expression. She understood what was going on, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

But the next second, she caught a glimpse of the man looking at her with a puzzled expression, and she couldn't help but calm herself down, thinking to herself, "What a silent devil!"

After Dong Yiyun took her seat, she looked at the young Grand Secretary and said softly, "Young Grand Secretary, I wonder what brings you here today that you need to ask me? As long as I know the answer, I will tell you everything without reservation."

"Miss Dong, do you know if you have ever seen this?" Shen Jueyan asked calmly, taking out a plain handkerchief from his bosom and slowly unfolding it to reveal the white powder inside.

Upon seeing this, Dong Yiyun quickly took the handkerchief with both hands, carefully held it, and examined it closely. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her expression gradually became serious.

She gently picked up a speck of powder with her fingertips, sniffed it lightly, and after a moment, said seriously, "Young Grand Secretary, this is Xi Ning Powder, a special product of the Xi Kingdom. This powder is extremely light, floating like dust. It disperses easily in the wind and is difficult to gather. If it is mixed with water and you want it to condense into a shape, it is as difficult as climbing to heaven. The required dryness and the kneading force must be just right. Too much and it will be overdone, too little and it will fall apart. If an ordinary craftsman makes even the slightest mistake, it will be completely ruined."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe frowned slightly and asked, "Miss Dong, do you have any craftsmen in your Tiangong Pavilion who can process this kind of powder?"

"This powder is extremely demanding on the craftsman's skill. Even among the veteran craftsmen in my Tiangong Pavilion, few dare to attempt it lightly." Dong Yiyun pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "However, in my pavilion, only one master craftsman surnamed Chen has ever used this powder to make headdresses."

"Where is he now? Can we see him?" Lin Xihe pressed.

"Master Chen is getting old, and his health isn't as robust as it used to be. He's been recuperating at home for half a year now. In my Heavenly Craft Pavilion, we generally don't ask him to come out of retirement unless there's a particularly difficult order." Dong Yiyun's gaze swept over the two people in front of her, finally settling on Shen Jueyan. She said softly, "Young Master, has something happened?"

"This matter is of great importance and cannot be discussed in detail at the moment. Please tell us, Miss Dong, how we can find this Master Chen," Shen Jueyan replied in a deep voice.

"That's easy." Dong Yiyun said, getting up and walking to the table. She picked up the purple brush on the table, and with a light flick of her wrist, wrote a few lines on the Xuan paper. Then, she walked to Shen Jueyan and handed it to him, "Young Grand Secretary, this is Master Chen's address. You can find him by following this address."

She paused, looked at the person in front of her, and added in a low voice, "Master Chen is a bit stubborn. If he refuses to help, show him this piece of paper. He recognizes my handwriting, and out of respect for me, he will definitely lend a hand."

Shen Jueyan took the Xuan paper, folded it, put it in his pocket, and nodded. "In that case, I'll trouble Miss Dong."

Dong Yiyun's face flushed even more. "Young Master, you're too kind. I'm just happy to be of help."

Shen Jueyan didn't reply, but turned to look at Lin Xihe and said, "Let's go." After saying that, he got up and walked out.

Dong Yiyun stood there, watching the man's back, hesitant to speak, but finally suppressed her reluctance, gave a slow bow, and watched the two leave.

"It seems we need to pay a visit to this Master Chen." Lin Xihe quickly followed the man. "But before that, I need to return to the Minister's residence to investigate further. Since it's related to the Ministry of War, He Guangzheng can't possibly be completely uninvolved!"

"I'll go check." As soon as she finished speaking, a man's hoarse, deep voice came from beside her, "Don't put yourself in danger again. If I'm not by your side, I won't be able to save you..."

Lin Xihe looked at his evasive eyes and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Shen Jueyan blushed even more and hurriedly added, "I mean, investigating in the name of the Cabinet will be faster."

"Does the young Grand Secretary have someone he admires?"