Phoenix Cries Return to Court

Lin Xihe walked into the courtyard with an inscrutable expression, under the watchful eyes of the servants in the mansion.

As soon as I entered Zhaohua Pavilion, Chun Ge came to greet me.

"Is something wrong at the manor? Why are there so many people in the front yard?" Lin Xihe asked.

Upon hearing this, Chun Ge replied in a low voice, "Madam, I heard that the managers of Hua Jiao Fang and Ling Long Ge have arrived. They are currently in the main hall with Madam Tao, seemingly discussing the Wan Hua Festival."

Lin Xihe then suddenly remembered that the annual Flower Festival was just around the corner.

On that day, the noble families, officials, and literati of the city will all gather in the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers on the outskirts of the city.

A poetry gathering was set up for the men to compose poems and compete in their talents, while the women enjoyed flowers, tea, and conversation in the inner courtyard.

It was both an elegant gathering and an occasion for women from various families to compete in beauty and showcase their social standing.

She lowered her eyes and smiled softly, a hint of understanding flashing in her gaze.

Although Tao Qingqing was once granted the title of princess by the royal family and enjoyed unparalleled glory, she has never formally moved among the noble circles in the capital after remarrying the Minister of War.

During this Flower Festival, she must be determined to stand out and secure her position as the wife of the Minister of War.

If that's the case, my situation will likely be extremely awkward.

Thinking of this, Lin Xihe's expression darkened, and she slowly stepped into the main hall.

Just then, a soft rumbling came from my stomach; perhaps I was a little hungry from the long journey back home.

She looked up at Chun Ge and said softly, "Chun Ge, go to the small kitchen and get some Jade Dew Dumplings."

Chun Ge froze, her face filled with disbelief. "Miss, you used to dislike sweets, saying they were too cloying. How come you're like this today...?"

Lin Xihe's heart tightened, but when she looked up again, a faint smile appeared on her face. She said gently, "Perhaps life is too bitter, so we have to eat something sweet to comfort ourselves."

These words touched Chun Ge deeply, and she quickly agreed and walked towards the small kitchen.

Lin Xihe was left alone in the room for a moment.

She let out a long sigh of relief. Just as her fingertips touched the hairpin in her hair and she was about to remove her makeup, her eyes inadvertently swept over the corner of the wall, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

There stood a figure in black!

Her heart skipped a beat, and the hairpin on her fingertips clattered onto the dressing table. She instinctively turned her head away.

She saw the masked man in black, who had been acting mysteriously at the last wedding banquet, standing three feet away from her. His aura was frighteningly low, and his eyes, as deep as an icy pool, were staring intently at her.

Before she could react, the man strode forward, his large hand gripping her wrist with an irresistible force, slamming her against the cold wall.

At the same time, a gleaming dagger was pressed against her neck, and a low, husky male voice whispered in her ear, "Where did you get your Eastern Pearl?"

Lin Xi froze for a moment, then looked up into those eyes. The doubts in her heart vanished, and she finally found the answer that was about to be revealed.

She looked calmly at the person before her and asked, "Why are you investigating the Dongzhu? What does the Dongzhu have to do with you?"

"Stop talking nonsense and answer my question!" the man narrowed his eyes and hissed sharply.

Lin Xihe curled her lips into a smile, slightly raised her chin, and deliberately brought her neck closer to the blade. "If you kill me today, young master, then the clues to the Dongzhu investigation will be cut off."

She paused, then added, "Moreover, there are many other issues that you probably haven't figured out yet, such as... Your Excellency."

Upon hearing the words "Grand Secretary," the man's pupils contracted sharply, his narrowed eyes surging with a fierce aura, and the hand on her waist tightened its grip.

Just as the two were at an impasse, a maid's voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, "Madam, Madam Tao has arrived."

The man's eyes darkened, and he was about to speak when Lin Xihe suddenly leaned close to him, her warm breath brushing against his ear, and said in an unyielding tone, "Silence! Disappear!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she raised her hand to break free from his grasp, tidied her slightly disheveled temples, and regained her usual calm expression.

Lin Xihe slowly walked out to greet them, as if the thrilling scene from just moments ago had never happened.

The man stood frozen in place, momentarily lost in thought as memories flooded back.

The woman's composure and calmness in the face of danger, and the resolute command she gave, were strikingly similar to those of the same calm, self-possessed, and unwavering woman she had been in the perilous palace years ago…

Before long, Lin Xihe led Tao Qingqing into the inner room.

The newcomer was dressed in a light pink silk dress, with exquisite makeup, a charming look in her eyes, and a smug smile on her lips.

Lin Xi glanced at her, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Before she could speak, Tao Qingqing said sweetly, "Sister, last year's Flower Festival coincided with the Empress Dowager's passing, and the whole country was in mourning, so we couldn't fully enjoy it. I imagine this year's reopening will be an unprecedented spectacle. I've heard that the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince will both be attending in person. Have you prepared your attire and jewelry for the banquet, sister?"

As she spoke, she deliberately touched the ambiguous red mark on her neck, and said, "My husband told you to stay at home and not to go out and embarrass yourself. But I feel uneasy. How can I not let my sister go just because I'm going to the party? The Flower Festival is so lively, I'm sure my sister wants to see it too."

As she spoke, she pointed to the fabric in Huan'er's hand, her face showing a "thoughtful" expression. Her tone was gentle, but every word was barbed. "I specially picked out some fabric to send to you, sister. You must make two new outfits so that we can go to the party together."

Huan'er understood immediately, stepped forward, and held several bolts of shimmering fabric in her hands. She said urgently, "Madam! This is top-quality Yun brocade that the Minister specially ordered to be found in Jiangnan. There are only a few bolts like it in the entire city! How can you..."

Tao Qingqing waved her hand at the opportune moment, and said sincerely, "As long as you are willing to go to the meeting with me, that would be fine. If we can gain face in front of the Emperor and the Crown Prince and help my husband's future, that would be even better."

Lin Xihe looked at the few pieces of cloth with their gaudy colors and sneered inwardly.

How could she not see through Tao Qingqing's thoughts?

But the moment she thought of the word "Crown Prince," a barely perceptible glint flashed in her eyes.

How could she forget that although she was a beautiful young woman of sixteen, she also had a grandchild who had fallen from the sky, carrying the hopes that she and Emperor Sheng had placed on the future of the nation?

I used to think the Crown Prince was gentle and kind, but after all these years, I wonder how much his learning has progressed.

Her expression remained calm as she accepted Tao Qingqing's kindness, saying lightly, "Thank you for your kind offer, sister. Is there anything else you need?"

Seeing that Lin Xihe had no intention of saying more to her, Tao Qingqing realized that since the matter was already settled, there was no need for her to stay.

He then exchanged a few more polite words, and then happily prepared to leave with Huan'er.

Just then, a gentle breeze blew by, and a breeze drifted in through the window, stirring the gauze curtains and bringing with it a faint, exotic fragrance.

Lin Xihe's nose twitched slightly, and her eyebrows furrowed.

She clearly recognized the scent before, but couldn't quite place it.

As Tao Qingqing's figure gradually disappeared outside Zhaohua Pavilion, Lin Xihe withdrew her gaze, slowly turned around, looked at the screen in the corner of the inner room, and parted her lips slightly, "Come out?"

Silence reigned behind the screen.

Lin Xihe chuckled softly, a slight smile playing on her lips, and called out gently, "Young Grand Secretary~"