Without the branding mark, Qi Yue was truly breathtakingly beautiful.
Forgive Zhao Shuning, for at the moment, this was the only adjective that came to mind.
Sure enough, beauty could be a distraction. When Zhao Shuning first met Qi Yue, she thought Qi Yue was a delicate and gentle young woman from a fallen family.
Unexpectedly, Qi Yue was actually one of Gu Hanxun's people.
Thankfully, she hadn't said anything bad about Gu Hanxun in front of Qi Yue.
Right?
Zhao Shuning felt a bit guilty and shrank her head.
"Ningning—"
At this moment, Qi Yue's demeanor was completely different from before.
When Zhao Shuning saw Qi Yue reaching out her hand, she involuntarily took a step back.
Although she knew that Qi Yue had never harmed her, before, Qi Yue always pretended to be so weak and pitiful in front of her. This made Zhao Shuning not dislike her, but she didn't have a good impression of her either.
Recalling Qi Yue's conversation with Miss Jin before, Zhao Shuning also thought there was something fishy about it.
People who worked under Gu Hanxun shouldn't be as kind as she thought.
Seeing Zhao Shuning distancing herself, a flicker of disappointment flashed in Qi Yue's eyes.
During her long time in the Laundry Bureau, she had endured so many cold looks. But since Zhao Shuning came, her life had added a touch of color.
She didn't want to deceive Ningning, but she really had no choice.
Zhao Shuning forced a smile and said, "Miss Qi Yue, you look really good like this."
Before, Ningning always called her Xiaoyue. Now, was she being distant from her?
Zhao Shuning's eyes flickered.
Thinking about the people around her, she felt a chill run down her spine.
She thought the people she met were all genuine, but unexpectedly, Qi Yue had such a deep secret.
"Second Princess Consort, are you blaming me?"
Seeing a hint of sadness on Qi Yue's face, Zhao Shuning said, "I'm not blaming you. I don't have the right to blame you either. I wasn't completely honest with you either. It's just that now that I know your true identity, it's inevitable to feel a bit scared. Miss Qi Yue, you're a good person. It's just that I'm easily charmed by beautiful women, so sometimes I might say some nonsense to you. Please don't take it to heart."
Qi Yue lowered her head.
Shadow said, "The Second Princess Consort is really amazing. Deputy Envoy Qi has hidden her identity for so many years. I've never seen her so heart - broken over someone."
Zhao Shuning glanced sideways.
Sure enough, she saw tears in Qi Yue's eyes.
"I said, you don't need to cry. It was you who hid the truth from me first. Now that you're crying, I feel like it's my fault."
Gu Hanxun watched the interaction between the two women in front of him, and a hint of melancholy flashed through his heart.
According to normal thinking.
After he brought a new person into the mansion, as the Second Princess Consort, shouldn't she be jealous and give Qi Yue a cold shoulder?
But now.
It seemed that he was the one feeling jealous, while the two women were being affectionate in front of him.
Seeing Zhao Shuning trying to comfort her, Qi Yue stopped crying and laughed.
"I'm sorry, Ningning. Actually, I really wanted to tell you, but I have my own mission."
Seeing the beauty smile, Zhao Shuning felt relieved.
She joked, "If I said something bad about Gu Hanxun in front of you, would you tell him?"
Qi Yue looked up at Gu Hanxun, and Gu Hanxun was also looking at her, as if he was very interested in her answer.
"Tell me, would you tell Gu Hanxun?"
Qi Yue withdrew her gaze.
In front of everyone.
She shook her head.
Zhao Shuning laughed heartily and said, "Alright, alright. Just for your answer, I'll forgive you."
"Come on, Xiaoyue, sit next to me."
Qi Yue sat down nervously.
Zhao Shuning turned to look at Gu Hanxun and asked, "Didn't your mother dislike you getting too close to Qi Yue? Why is she willing to let you bring her into the mansion now?"
Gu Hanxun didn't say a word.
But Shadow spoke up.
"Now that the Second Prince has welcomed you into the mansion, Concubine Xiao thought this was already the worst result. So she might as well let Deputy Envoy Qi enter the Chengxun Hall. It could also please our Second Prince."
Well.
She felt like a fool.
What did it mean that welcoming her into the mansion was already the worst result?
She wasn't that bad—right?
"You don't need to take Shadow's words to heart. He's always outspoken and doesn't think before he speaks. He doesn't know how to be tactful."
Big brother? Are you being tactful now? Aren't you just stabbing me in the wound again?
The group talked and laughed, and time passed quickly.
"By the way, Xiaoyue is the daughter of a guilty official from the Duke's Mansion. If she becomes the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers, will it arouse the dissatisfaction of the Queen Mother?"
Qi Yue replied, "Second Princess Consort, you don't need to worry about me. The Fairy of a Hundred Flowers is elected by the common people. It has little to do with the palace. So even if I become the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers, the Queen Mother can't be angry with all the people in the world."
"Moreover, Deputy Envoy Qi was the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers in previous years. This will be her third year."
It was obvious.
Among the women Zhao Shuning had met since she came to the State of Cangwu, Qi Yue was one of the most beautiful.
Without the branding mark, she was even more beautiful.
It made sense for her to be elected as the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers.
"That's good."
"Next, to avoid being exposed, Ningning, you need to learn the procedures of the Flower - Searching Festival from Deputy Envoy Qi. Also, learn about makeup from her."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"I'll go back and change my clothes first. I'll come to find Xiaoyue later."
"Okay."
Zhao Shuning left.
Qi Yue stayed in the main hall.
There was still a hint of a smile on Gu Hanxun's face.
Seeing this, a sense of loss welled up in Qi Yue's heart.
"Second Prince, it seems that you've become much happier since the appearance of the Second Princess Consort."
Hearing this, Gu Hanxun put away his smile.
Qi Yue could be considered Gu Hanxun's confidante.
"Deputy Envoy Qi, you've had a hard time in the Laundry Bureau."
"It's not hard. The days with the Second Princess Consort were very fulfilling."
"She and I are just acting. After this is over, she should leave."
Qi Yue looked at Gu Hanxun and said, "My lord, you've really fallen in love with the Second Princess Consort, haven't you?"
"No."
Gu Hanxun lowered his head and took a sip of tea, denying Qi Yue's speculation.
Qi Yue naturally didn't expose him.
She had seen all of her lord's changes.
Over the years, he was the first person to tolerate someone with a branding mark on their face calling him by his first name without any reaction.
To indulge a woman who was just acting? That wasn't something Gu Hanxun would do.
"My lord, if the Second Princess Consort leaves, won't you miss her?"
Gu Hanxun turned around.
Qi Yue was looking at him with an inquiring look in her eyes.
A sudden panic welled up in his heart.
If that girl left? Would he be reluctant? Would he miss her?
The answer was obvious, because just hearing this question, an uncomfortable feeling had already risen in his heart.
"No. The most important thing to this prince is the State of Cangwu."