Mu Xi Yao dispatched Chun Lan to send lady Zhang the brocade from Sichuan bestowed by the palace. There, Chun Lan found two imperial guards keeping a watch at the gate. All the coming and going objects were needed to be inspected.

Since the two have returned to the palace from the villa, as if in tacit understanding, they haven’t mentioned what had happened. Like everything was the same and nothing has changed.

Mu Xi Yao nurtured her fetus in Danruo courtyard, enjoying life to her heart’s content. Each day, she didn’t forget about sending food to Zhong Zheng Lin at the front yard. She was very thoughtful as she didn’t even once miss his meal.

Mu Xi Yao let out a sigh of relief when she learnt that Zhong Zheng Lin has again gone elsewhere. That was exactly the right thing to do; what this man was supposed to do. That hint has been given for a few days. If Zhong Zheng Lin didn’t make a move soon, she would start to suspect she has misjudged. Now it seems that everything was under the control. The conclusion she has previously arrived to was still quite reliable. She needed only to patiently manage their relationship. 

Today everyone gathered in one place to have a drink. Zhong Zheng Yun lifted his brow and smiled as he looked at the first prince Zhong Zheng Chun, “Eldest brother, today I, the fourth brother, have heard that your estate has taken in a beautiful concubine.” His eyes indicated his neck, “It seems that eldest brother is very satisfied with her.” Only when he finished did everyone discover the two scratches on the side of the first prince’s neck. They immediately understood what those scratches implied. They couldn’t help but jokingly make fun of him.

The following few days of the first lunar year, Mu Xi Yao traveled back and forth between various palaces and residences. She was busy meeting those arriving and sending those departing¹. 

When Mu Xi Yao arrived to the front with her people, she discovered that Zhong Zheng Lin was already waiting in the courtyard. He was attired in the blue-green gown, handsomely standing there, his prominently defined side profile cold and solemn.

On the second day of the lunar month, generally there weren’t any visits in the palace. Everyone stayed in their quarters, taking proper rest. Mu Xi Yao was all relaxed as she has assigned down all of her works. In few days, she only needed to make some visits.

When Mu Xi Yao woke up in the morning and discovered that her bedside was untouched, she knew that Zhong Zheng Lin rested in the study yesterday night. She got up and had people attend to her with grooming. As she was using the breakfast, she caught the sight of the sixth Highness lifting up the curtain and coming in with a stony face.

Mu Xi Yao got up early on this day. As soon as she sent Zhong Zheng Lin off, she began to trim ginkgo bonsai in the courtyard. Just as Ruo Lan passed her the scissor, Zhao momo came over along with Shu Tao.