There was only one night left until the Flower - Seeking Festival.
Zhao Shuning followed Qi Yue to the Jing Hall first.
Although her face was veiled, just by her figure, one could tell she was extremely beautiful.
No one suspected her.
Just to be on the safe side, Qi Yue, disguised as a maid, also came along.
One had to admit that Gu Hanxun's abilities were truly extraordinary. As the daughter of a convicted official, Qi Yue was protected by him against all odds. And now, he managed to transfer her to the Chengxun Hall. His means must be far more than what met the eye.
Qi Yue prepared hot water for Zhao Shuning.
The water was filled with flower petals.
Since it was the Flower - Seeking Festival and they were going to act as the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers, there were no less than a hundred kinds of flower petals in the water.
The pool was quite large.
Not long after Zhao Shuning got in, Qi Yue also entered.
Since Qi Yue would have to take over later, she also had to take a bath to keep the fragrance of a hundred flowers on her body.
The steam rose.
Qi Yue felt a bit dazed.
On the opposite side, Zhao Shuning tilted her head back and placed her hands on the edge of the pool.
She looked so endearing.
"Second Princess Consort, I still don't know where you're from."
Zhao Shuning placed a handkerchief on her face.
Her head was tilted halfway back.
"Gu Hanxun didn't find out, did he?"
Qi Yue's heart raced.
"Yes."
But she still answered Zhao Shuning.
"Forget it. Given Gu Hanxun's personality, if he didn't investigate me, he wouldn't be Gu Hanxun."
Zhao Shuning took the handkerchief off.
Looking through the steam at Qi Yue.
Qi Yue had such good skin. Against the backdrop of the steam, it was like a peeled egg. No wonder with such good skin and a beautiful face, it was only natural for her to be selected as a candidate for the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers.
"Don't you resent the Second Prince?"
Zhao Shuning smiled faintly and replied, "What do I have to resent him for? The relationship between us is just as you've seen. Since it's just a cooperative relationship, I certainly won't pour more feelings into him, let alone resentment."
"Second Princess Consort, aren't you attracted to the Second Prince?"
Zhao Shuning lowered her eyes, a look of confusion on her face.
Qi Yue continued, "Although the Second Prince can't walk, his power and influence will surely dominate the court in the future. Moreover, the Second Prince is so handsome. There should be no one else like him in our Cangwu Kingdom. He treats you quite specially. After getting along for so long, haven't you ever had feelings for him?"
Zhao Shuning smiled faintly.
It seemed that this question was really amusing to her.
After thinking for a while, she couldn't help but laugh.
Qi Yue asked, "Did I say something wrong?"
In Qi Yue's view, Zhao Shuning had an unknown background. She was a maid who came from the Laundry Yard, and there was a shameful mark on her face.
Apart from her strong spiritual power, Qi Yue couldn't figure out why Zhao Shuning didn't take a fancy to the master.
"Xiaoyue, not everyone has to like Gu Hanxun. Look at the memorial ceremony. Despite how handsome your master is, didn't even a single woman dare to step forward to help him out?"
Qi Yue murmured, "I thought you were different from them."
"I'm not like them. They're afraid of trouble, while I have nothing to worry about, so I can step forward. Xiaoyue, I don't know the feud between you and Gu Hanxun, but I know that you must respect Gu Hanxun from the bottom of your heart. Otherwise, with your abilities, you could have been exiled with your father and still made a good living. You wouldn't have to return to this heart - less palace."
Qi Yue said, "I've had no choice since I was born."
Zhao Shuning retorted, "Why?"
Qi Yue shook her head, gave a bitter smile, and said nothing.
Since she didn't say anything, Zhao Shuning naturally wouldn't force her.
The two of them just quietly soaked in the pool. From time to time, someone would come in to add water.
Qi Yue looked at Zhao Shuning.
"Sometimes, I really envy you."
"Envy me?"
Zhao Shuning couldn't help laughing. She continued, "That's because you don't know what happened to me before and haven't experienced all my hardships. If you had, you wouldn't say such a thing."
Qi Yue got up.
They had soaked for a long time.
She helped Zhao Shuning get dressed.
Zhao Shuning obediently let her do it.
"I just want to know, but you never tell me."
"Just like you, sometimes, the old wounds don't have to be shown to everyone. Others won't feel sorry for the pain you've endured. They'll just take your experience as a joke after dinner."
Qi Yue tied the belt for Zhao Shuning.
"Second Princess Consort, if you don't tell me, how do you know I won't feel sorry for you?"
Zhao Shuning didn't beat around the bush. She looked directly at Qi Yue and said, "Xiaoyue, there's no need for such tricks between you and me. I know you're Gu Hanxun's person, but I'm not soft - hearted. If I think you're a good person, then you are. But if you try your best to dig out useful information from me for others, then I can do without this friendship."
Qi Yue's hand paused.
She lowered her head and said in a low voice, "Sorry."
Zhao Shuning didn't say a word.
She knew what kind of person Qi Yue was. Someone who could endure for so long and act as Gu Hanxun's pawn lurking in the capital was not a simple character.
Although Zhao Shuning had been in the Cangwu Kingdom for a short time, she had a general understanding of the affairs here.
Qi Yue's father was a duke who had always supported Gu Xingran. But as the duke's daughter, she was now involved with Gu Hanxun. If someone said she was an innocent girl, Zhao Shuning would never believe it.
Since Qi Yue had never done anything to harm her, she was happy to pretend not to know anything.
After Qi Yue apologized, the two of them didn't say a word.
In the early morning.
It was still dark.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Fairy, the sedan - chair is here."
Zhao Shuning stood up and put on her veiled bead chain.
Looking back and seeing Qi Yue still looking apologetic, she said, "Aren't you coming with me?"
Hearing this, Qi Yue couldn't hide the joy on her face and quickly followed.
The moment they pushed open the door.
Outside the Jing Hall, there was a very long line. Flowers were scattered all the way from the door to the sedan - chair.
Zhao Shuning was dignified and elegant. She gently raised her hand.
Qi Yue quickly took it.
At this moment, she felt that Zhao Shuning was like a lofty empress. The training of the past few days was simply unnecessary.
Zhao Shuning took a step forward.
Holding her head high, she walked towards the sedan - chair.
It was as if lotus flowers were blooming with each step.
She got on the sedan - chair. The light in her eyes was so intimidating that those who came to greet her were in awe.
"Lift!"