Chapter 4, The Peony Competition

Du Xinyan was infuriated by her manipulation, and finally unable to hold back, he seized her wrist and said with resentment: "I merely wrote a poem, Shen Xiaofei, have you had enough of your revenge?"

Morning glories entwine around the bamboo fence outside the door, encircling a dreamlike garden

She is the one who designed him several times? Fragile and weak, yet she dares to claim to be his rival. He sighed, recalling the Third Prince Gao Rui. Young and handsome, possessing wealth and power, is she so for love?

Du Xinyan sighed inwardly as Ding Qianhe's red figure disappeared from sight. He stood in the tree, forcing a bitter smile: "Miss Shen, could you please call your dog away? I do not wish to harm them."

What?" Du Xinyan exclaimed in shock

Amidst the flowers, Ding Qian's pale face emerged, as she propped her chin and glared at Du Xinyan, gritting her teeth and saying: "Good sister, unleash the dog!"

Du Xinyan became increasingly alarmed as she thought about it, turned over in bed, and opened the door

Xiao Fei laughed heartily and said: "Moreover, I used a self-inflicted strategy, and this time my face is truly red and swollen!"

A flash of red shadow mixed with the sound of the wind shot over, accurately inserting itself into her hair bun. Shen Xiaofei did not even raise her hand, sarcastically saying: "Such a lovely color should be matched with Miss Ding. Rouge immediately becomes a rouge tiger, and the rouge tiger shyly reveals its rouge red."

What about Miss Nadine

Miss! Yanran stared blankly at everything and opened her mouth hesitantly

Du Xinyan glanced at the chessboard, where the white pieces maneuvered skillfully, laying down a delicate trap, step by step enticing the black pieces into the game. The current situation was such that the black pieces had entered the trap but there remained a gap. He was known for his thick skin; since Shen Xiaofei did not drive him away, he naturally would not leave without obtaining the answer he desired. Noticing her observing the game, he smiled and said, "Miss Shen, why do you not block this gap? You must know that the white pieces have the upper hand; once the black pieces manage to stabilize and thrive in this position, the situation could become quite precarious."

Stop! Shen Xiaofei's expression changed, and she said word by word, "After seeing my face, you really want to marry me, Lord Du"

Shen Xiaofei flung her hand, but he gripped it even tighter. She was accustomed to a life of luxury and had never endured such hardship. Du Xinyan deliberately applied some force, causing her wrist to ache painfully. In her extreme pain, Shen Xiaofei did not cry but instead became angry: "Let go of me!"

Du Xinyan's eyes grew brighter as he listened. He smiled and said, "Miss Shen is actually assisting the Third Prince. This is the first time I have heard of it."

Du Xinyan was startled and was about to let go when he saw her eyes glimmering with a hint of playfulness, and a smile appeared on her face: "Indeed, I have long admired Miss Shen, yearning to catch a glimpse of your beauty. It is rare that the peonies in this garden are in full bloom, the sunset is golden, and the beauty is embracing..." As he spoke, his hand brushed against her veil.

Without hesitation, Wu Shuang hurried to prepare the medicine, leaving Du Xinyan to watch over Shen Xiaofei

Du Xinyan smiled and picked up the black piece with two fingers from the food, as if to rob it

There is not the slightest harm intended, how could Miss Shen, such a gentle and courteous young lady, whose father serves alongside General Wuwei in the court, be detrimental to Qianhe? With all sincerity, I had already expressed my feelings to Lord Chen, the governor of Jiangnan, and I have admired and respected the young lady's actions in Jiangnan greatly.

Xiaofei raised her hand to gently stroke her wrist, a hint of surprise appearing in her eyes as she caught a glimpse of the tenderness that flickered in his gaze. She quickly pulled the blanket over her head and giggled. After a moment, she poked out a flushed face and said to Yanran: "Indeed, the strategy of feigning weakness works well! It was worth it for my mind to feel so muddled and my face to feel so hot."

Two individuals, like colorful butterflies, chased each other playfully, one in front of the other. The sunlight illuminated them; one was dressed in a dazzling red, while the other wore a flowing blue robe. The intricate patterns woven with gold and silver threads on their garments occasionally refracted shimmering beams of light, which could inadvertently dazzle the eyes of passersby.

Du Xinyan heard the sound of the wind, pulled Ding Qianhe behind him, and performed a somersault in mid-air, using the tips of his toes to flick away the arrow. Unexpectedly, the arrow was not tipped with a cluster but was tied with a powder of mesmerizing fragrance. A cloud of green mist exploded, and he inhaled a mouthful, feeling dizzy and lightheaded. He then pulled Ding Qianhe and, without looking back, swiftly dodged into a narrow alley.

He looked into Shen Xiaofei's eyes, and despite her having harmed him, she still possessed such a pure gaze. Du Xinyan smiled bitterly. He stood up gracefully and said, "I have been reckless, but fortunately, it is only a minor bruise. Although you appear delicate, your heart surpasses that of a hundred men. Shen Xiaofei, the game is not yet finished. To be your opponent is my fortune!"

Du Xinyan could not help but ask: "Has it always been like this since childhood?"

Ding Qianhe, with her straightforward personality, looked at Du Xinyan in the tree and said: "I knew you suddenly coming to Luoyang had ulterior motives! Sister Xiaofei had already sent someone to inform me. I asked her to design a plan to daze you, just to hear a word of sincerity from you. Little Du, others say you are sweet-tongued and charming, winning the hearts of girls everywhere, but I never fully believed it. Now I know, you, you are simply a flower boy!"

Upon seeing the portrait of the young lady, I could not help but wish for wings to sprout from my sides, so that I might fly to the city of Luoyang and behold her beauty. In the city, I searched high and low for the young lady, and I have long been in a state of great anxiety. Miss Shen truly does not need any charms or potions; I have already been enchanted by her. Du Xinyan spoke these flattery-laden words with an unchanging expression, as if they flowed naturally from him.

Du Xinyan's affectionate voice made Shen Xiaofei laugh so hard that her body trembled like a flower branch. She rolled her eyes and said, "I had no idea that you, my lord, hold such deep feelings for me. However, I clearly heard you repeatedly praise Miss Ding as rosy as rouge, charming and lovely. Are you not just trying to make me happy?"

Shen Xiaofei sighed softly and said: "No wonder the young ladies in the capital all adore the young Du from the capital. Indeed, they have thick skin and audacious desires. However, what you are saying is to prevent me from being detrimental to Miss Ding, isn't it?"

He no longer looked at Shen Xiaofei and left in a hurry

Du Xinyan narrowed his eyes, feeling increasingly alert. It seemed that Shen Xiaofei had been following him for quite some time, as she had overheard every word of his playful banter with Qianhe. He did not show any signs on his face and chuckled, saying: "Miss Shen, your snow-white attire paired with a touch of rosy red adds to your gentle charm. No matter what she wears, that girl Qianhe cannot change her fierce nature."

This statement is incorrect. Miss Shen is not like any other girl. Miss Shen is talented and has long captured my heart. The new lotus porridge served by Miss Qu is fragrant and inviting. The harmonious sounds of the qin and xiao at Luofeng Mountain make us kindred spirits, and a cup of clear tea is even more refreshing to the soul. Enjoying the snow and drinking wine at Jicui Garden, Xiaochun Lake is as intoxicating as the spring breeze. The peonies in the city of Luoyang cannot compare to your beauty in the slightest.

Her tone changed, and her voice shifted. This unexpectedly instilled a sense of panic in Du Xinyan, reminding him of that terrifying face under the dim light. He instinctively loosened his grip, wanting to let go. However, a strange feeling arose within him, preventing him from thinking more clearly, and before he realized it, his hand had already pulled down her veil.

Du Xinyan sat by the side of the bed and looked over, noticing a layer of red rashes on Shen Xiaofei's face, which was already swollen. His gaze fell on her wrist, and he was astonished to find it bruised. Against her pale wrist, it was particularly striking, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. Then he recalled how she had teased him, and with a huff, he turned his head away.

The unparalleled sword pierced towards Du Xinyan, carrying the sunlight

Du Xinyan had been teased by her multiple times, and this time even Ding Qianhe was driven away in anger. How could he easily let this opportunity slip by? He loosened his grip but pulled her into his embrace, noticing the rapid flush of crimson on her face, he realized he had found Shen Xiaofei's weakness. As long as a woman becomes shy, she is easy to coax. Du Xinyan instinctively poured out sweet words like water: "Seeing your face makes me want to marry you. Since I want to marry you, what harm is there in holding hands and taking a look? Ah, are you shy now?"

Have you had enough? Shen Xiaofei did not expect that he would actually dare to take action, and she let out a low growl in extreme anger.

Her slender and graceful figure, along with her delicate hands, gives one a sense of fragile laziness, yet it often leads one to be deceived. He finally understood that one should not judge by appearances, and this is precisely true of Shen Xiaofei

Shen Xiaofei clapped her hands with a smile, and several strong men rushed over to take the dog away. Du Xinyan leaped down from the tree, unable to suppress a sigh; how could he have fallen so miserably?

In the midst of a sea of flowers sat a woman in white, her face veiled with a light gauze. She simply styled her hair into two buns, secured with two silver hairpins, allowing her long hair to cascade down to her waist. She merely sat there, casting a serene gaze, and in Du Xinyan's eyes, the beauty of the peony had faded away.

Who said it, I only want to see you. I traveled thousands of miles to Luoyang, just for the sake of "If you want to see the true color of the peony, in April, Luoyang is full of flowers." Du Xinyan also smiled, lifting her robe and sitting opposite Shen Xiaofei.

Du Xinyan originally intended to take a small revenge. He did not expect that Shen Xiaofei had such a condition, no wonder she rarely went out and always wore a veil when she did. He shook his head in both anger and amusement, picked her up, jumped down from the tree, and followed Wushuang to escort her back to her room

Ding Qianhe, are you out of your mind? Clearly, it was she who mesmerized us!" Du Xinyan exclaimed in exasperation, dodging the attacks of the black dog left and right. She leaped up onto a large tree in the garden, standing on a branch and shouting at Ding Qianhe.

At this moment, Du Xinyan found himself no longer in a hurry. He happily thought, what rumors will people spread this year? If Shen Xiaofei were to find out, what kind of expression would she have? He felt that it was of no consequence if he was schemed against for ten thousand taels of silver, even if it made her stamp her feet.

"Has the doctor seen you?" Du Xinyan was not angry at all; instead, her heart was filled with compassion. A woman who could not even go outside to bask in the sun, yet she herself wrote poetry to mock her. The previous instances of teasing her were indeed deserved.

Ding Qianhe clenched her teeth and threw a punch. Du Xinyan swiftly turned and moved behind her, bending down to say: "Qianhe, your face has turned rosy with anger! Haha!"

Ding Qianhe turned her hand and struck: "Xiao Du! I should have known that Xiao Du from the capital is so glib, I really, really..." Her face turned crimson, and she turned to run behind Shen Xiaofei, pointing at Du Xinyan and saying: "Good sister, drive him away!"

Wushuang said nothing and tidied up the medicine bowl before going out

Du Xinyan held Shen Xiaofei's delicate body, and for some reason, he recalled her figure amidst the misty rain on Xiaochun Lake. Looking down, he saw Shen Xiaofei's face flushed, and her breath seemed to weaken. Startled, he lifted her and leaped up into the tree, shouting: "Wushuang, stop! What happened to your young lady? Can shyness cause this?"

In Luoyang, the flowers in March are as beautiful as brocade. Even the water channels are filled with the fragrance of spring and blooming flowers

Shen Xiaofei took out a token from her bosom. Du Xinyan was certainly familiar with this token. The front bore the golden characters of the Supervisory Court, while the back was inscribed with the three characters of Jiangnan Division. It was indeed the token of the Jiangnan Division's Inspector of the Supervisory Court, one of the thirteen divisions of the Supervisory Court.

Yanran entered with a serious expression, holding a glass of cold water. Without even glancing at Du Xinyan, she wrung out a wet towel and gently placed it on Xiaofei's face, which was burning hot, causing her to shed tears out of heartache

Yanran responded softly, retreating to the door but not going far, watching Du Xinyan with vigilance

He stared at Shen Xiaofei, not missing a single expression on her face. With a low table between them, he could easily reach out and seize her. He was not afraid of her running away

Shen Xiaofei had played this game countless times. With familiarity, she placed a piece on the board. The two of them, one attacking and the other defending, were completely absorbed, oblivious to the passage of time

"A woman should be charming, embodying filial piety. However, being overly plain makes one unapproachable." Du Xinyan thought of the ten thousand taels of silver upon seeing her. His words were laced with sarcasm, genuinely intending to provoke Shen Xiaofei. With a shift of his gaze, he plucked a budding crimson flower and threw it like a projectile.

Du Xinyan was taken aback; how much did this woman know about him

Shen Xiaofei felt a pain in her wrist, her brow slightly furrowed, yet she leaned closer, raising her face with a smile and said: "Young Master Du, it is inappropriate for men and women to have physical contact. Do you wish to hold Xiaofei's hand, or is it that you have developed feelings and wish to say, 'Marry me'?"

Wushuang sheathed her sword and said coldly: "Her skin is delicate; too much sun exposure will cause her to develop prickly heat and a high fever. You must take her down quickly!"

Du Xinyan's fingers gently brushed over the bruised area of her wrist

"Unparalleled!" Shen Xiaofei, though bold, was taken aback for the first time by such frivolity, and she cried out in alarm

After a moment, he could not help but turn his head to look at her. Shen Xiaofei appeared as fragile as a delicate flower, and Du Xinyan could not help but think of Ding Qianhe. One was lively and energetic, while the other was frail and delicate. He had always appreciated Qianhe's vivacity, but at this moment, Shen Xiaofei's fragility touched a chord in his heart, leaving him somewhat bewildered.

"Sir Du, the Supervisory Court has thirteen divisions overseeing the thirteen provinces of the nation. However, the Jiangnan division has two inspectors. The Emperor has stated that whoever solves the case first will be appointed as the chief inspector." Shen Xiaofei's voice turned cold, "Du Xinyan, do you not greet your superior upon meeting?"

Shen Xiaofei gazed at him. His clear face, slightly upturned lips, and a broad forehead were striking. Lies flowed effortlessly from his lips, calm and unhurried. Could such a person easily be trapped? She shook her head and said: "With the situation laid out like this, I can no longer grasp the direction of the black pieces. No matter how arrogant a person may be, they cannot complete another's game. The affairs of the world are unpredictable. Xiaofei should know when to stop and not measure others' thoughts with her own heart. Young Master Du might as well give it a try." No matter how arrogant a person may be, they cannot complete another's game. The affairs of the world are unpredictable. Xiaofei should know when to stop and not measure others' thoughts with her own heart. Young Master Du might as well give it a try.

In a haze, Du Xinyan heard Ding Qianhe's anxious voice. He struggled to open his eyes, and a corner of a white dress appeared before him. He tried hard to reach for it, but could no longer hold on and fell down.

"I dare not, I am completely at Miss Shen's mercy, alas, I humbly concede!" How could she possibly discern what he was thinking? Du Xinyan immediately became alert, his eyes involuntarily narrowed, yet he shook his head in a feigned display of annoyance

"Miss Du from the capital has been mingling in the crowd for so long that she thinks all women will turn to water upon seeing you" Shen Xiaofei casually interrupted his thoughts

Wushuang turned around without even a flicker in her eyes, and directly doused Xiaofei with a bucket of cold water: "If the Third Prince insists on having Wushuang take her own life, Miss, do not intervene."

She was veiled, revealing only a pair of eyes. Du Xinyan was taken aback, astonished that someone with such clear and pure eyes could be so cunning!

With no hands to draw the longbow, a single arrow pierces the air, aimed directly at Ding Qianhe.

A chill ran through her wrist. She opened her eyes in astonishment

He shouted in anger as he rushed towards Ding Qianhe: "You are being taken in by her, and you still speak for her?"

"Take your medicine!" Wushuang brought the medicine bowl in and placed it on the table. Seeing Xiaofei's swollen face, she felt a wave of helplessness. This time when they returned, would Gao Rui make her cut off a hand as an apology? Wushuang felt a bit of a headache.

Yanran mumbled in confusion: "What nonsense is Wushuang talking about?"

"Young Master Du, trapping you at Blackstone Beach is to use your token to kill with a borrowed knife. The water bandits intend to drag you down with them, leaving you without a token and burdened with dozens of lives, rendering you a mute who cannot express the bitterness of your plight. It was my idea to involve the people of the First Prince Xi, because I want to assist the Third Prince Gao Rui. My father is unaware and only thinks that I am in Jiangnan enjoying the spring rain to recuperate. We are enemies, you should leave." Shen Xiaofei said淡淡地, issuing an eviction order. My father is unaware and only thinks that I am in Jiangnan enjoying the spring rain to recuperate. We are enemies, you should leave." Shen Xiaofei said淡淡地, issuing an eviction order.

Although the peony is the national flower, the pale lotus is even more enchanting. Du Xinyan gracefully opened the folding fan, her brows and eyes filled with a smile

Below her eyes, there is not a single blemish. Her face is slender, her skin pale, and her lips are tinted with only a hint of pink. The thin eyelids accentuate the clarity of her gaze, while her cheeks gradually flush with a delicate shade of pink due to shyness. Du Xinyan recalled the pink lotus that Qu Jiang had sent him on that day by the river, so tender it seemed as if it would drip with water.

Du Xinyan, without a moment's hesitation, clasped his hands together and said: "Du Xinyan has met with the esteemed official."

Shen Xiaofei, in a daze, heard them speaking. Her face was cooled by a wet wipe, and she felt much better. She opened her eyes and said, "Yanran, you go out. I have something to discuss with Young Master Du."

Du Xinyan finally felt relieved and laughed, saying: "Not enough, how could it possibly be enough? I have spent 10,000 taels of silver, eaten the castor bean and lotus leaf porridge, drunk the bitter Huanglian tea, consumed poison wine, lost face while investigating the case, and have been led around by the nose. If I don't take a closer look, wouldn't that be even more of a loss?"

Shen Xiaofei expressed some regret and lazily said: "Actually, it is quite simple. It was the secret agents from the Supervisory Yuan in Jiangnan Road who helped me investigate."

Upon examining her forehead, it was indeed burning.

Xiao Fei was stunned

The residence of the governor is not an ordinary household, and it is unknown how many physicians have been consulted. It is said that the young lady has a frail constitution and can only be nurtured. Yanran recalled Xiaofei's thoughts, feeling a surge of resentment, and immediately placed her hands on her hips to chase Du Xinyan away

Du Xinyan placed a piece on the board and let out a long breath. Seeing Shen Xiaofei engrossed in the game, her head slightly lowered, revealing a section of her snow-white skin at the back of her neck, the fine downy hair was touched by sunlight, giving it a golden hue, soft and smooth. His heart stirred, secretly thinking that even if she were disfigured, her beauty and grace were indeed the first he had ever encountered.

Yanran cast a glance at Xiaofei and said, "Feigning injury, Miss, if you do not feel sorry for yourself, Yanran still feels sorry for you"

I do not believe a word of what Young Master Du says. Miss Ding is so wonderful, radiant and charming, graceful and generous. She has been a childhood friend of the young master. How could Young Master Du possibly be infatuated with another woman

Du Xinyan finished the game of chess and stepped out of the control of the white pieces, feeling quite pleased. He was curious about Shen Xiaofei's appearance, but he would eventually see it; missing this opportunity, however, he might not learn the details of the Jiangnan Tribute Rice case. Du Xinyan immediately replied: "I want to know as well. However, what I am most eager to learn is how Miss Shen managed to solve the Jiangnan Tribute Rice case in such a short time."

The faint sound of the piano arose, mingled with laughter like silver bells, carried away by the wind

Du Xinyan's gaze shifted from the white jade plate to the rouge red, and then from the rouge red to Ding Qianhe's face, unable to help but laugh and say: "Rouge immediately becomes a rouge tiger, the rouge tiger shyly reveals the rouge red. Qianhe, do you want to change your name?"

Shen Xiaofei blinked at the stunned Du Xinyan, lightly clapped her hands, and suddenly heard several barks. In the blink of an eye, a few tall and powerful dogs charged towards Du Xinyan with the sound of rushing wind

Du Xinyan opened his eyes and found himself lying in a wooden cabin, with bright sunlight streaming in through the window. Where is Qianhe? He was startled and sat up, feeling no injuries on his body. He furrowed his brows, recalling the corner of the white dress before he fainted, Shen Xiaofei? What does she want? What will she do to Qianhe?

Hehe! Shen Xiaofei laughed so hard that her stomach hurt, pointing at Du Xinyan and saying, "Lord Du, when did you hear that there are two imperial envoys in Jiangnan? This was found on you while you were unconscious."

Upon entering the city of Luoyang, Ding Qianhe joyfully said to Du Xinyan: "Indeed, it is a beauty of national color and heavenly fragrance! Its elegance is beyond description. This trip has not been in vain"

He smiled and stepped aside, and Ding Qianhe left the capital, with no one reporting to her father. No longer needing to pretend to be a lady, she shouted, "Don't run!"

The spring sun shines brightly, and butterflies flutter gracefully. Various exquisite peonies appear to be planted in the garden without intention, blending seamlessly with the rockery and pond.

On the flower stand sits a pot of white jade flowers. The petals are unfurled, pure and flawless. The flowers have just been misted with water, exuding a fresh and enticing fragrance. Du Xinyan's mind drifts to the white figure holding a delicate bone umbrella amidst the misty rain over Xiaochun Lake.

Shen Xiaofei leaned in closer, seriously staring into his eyes and said: "I heard that when Young Master Du squints, someone is bound to have bad luck. Could that person be me"

She grew up with Du Xinyan, immersed in his sweet words. Suddenly hearing Du Xinyan express the same tender feelings for Shen Xiaofei, those familiar sweet nothings poured out like water, leaving her infuriated as she stomped her foot and rushed out of the courtyard

Shen Xiaofei stood on the upper floor of the restaurant, and the scene under the sunlight reminded her of Du Xinyan quietly lying beside her on the sandbar of Heishi Beach. The sun was warm, the wind was warm, and the lush green grass was warm. The sky was high and the clouds were light, and the entire world was so quiet that only she and he remained. A gentle smile appeared in Xiaofei's eyes as she followed Du Xinyan's figure with her gaze. She watched Ding Qianhe raise her smiling face to glance at the restaurant. A design? Who designed it is still unclear. Xiaofei pouted slightly and called out, "Wushuang!"

The sun leans towards the west, casting a warm orange hue over the garden, while the evening breeze gently billows the robes.

Yanran glared at him and said, "Do you think our young lady doesn't like to go out and have fun? Who would want to wear a veil all day long? She's not really ugly. It's all your fault!"

Shen Xiaofei smiled, her eyes behind the veil curving into a crescent moon, "Does Young Master Du wish to meet Miss Ding?"

Shen Xiaofei studied the chess game, looked up and smiled: "Indeed, there are unexpected moves that Xiaofei could not have anticipated. The outcome of this game is unknown, yet it cannot continue. Perhaps there will be an opportunity to resume in the future! Did Lord Shen come to Luoyang to see Xiaofei's true appearance, or is it regarding the Jiangnan tribute rice case? Lord Du can only choose one."

For several days now, this has been the happiest moment for Du Xinyan. He laughed heartily, wrapping his arms around Shen Xiaofei to use her as a shield against Wushuang's sword, skillfully maneuvering through the peony bushes. Wushuang's sword techniques were vicious, and every time it aimed to stab him, it was forced to change its attack upon seeing Shen Xiaofei standing in front of him

Oh? Why are you wearing such a serious face? Am I forcing you to speak? Alas, Xiao Du had no intention of it; had I known it would not be believed. Unfortunately, what was said turned out to be quite pleasant to hear, and even if one does not believe it, one still wants to listen! Shen Xiaofei's eyes sparkled brightly, clear enough to reflect the blue sky and white clouds

Xiao Fei sat up, closed her eyes, and resolutely drank the medicine in one gulp, her small face scrunching up as she said: "Worth it!"

It is rare for a prestigious family to open their garden gates, setting up fruit displays and allowing visitors to wander freely. A servant has already prepared the writing materials. If a talented scholar is inspired to compose a fine couplet, it will be promptly inscribed with silver ink and iron brush, and then sent to the framer to be mounted, proudly displayed high outside the garden gate.

Little Du, this pot of rouge red is truly beautiful

Shen Xiaofei covered her mouth and smiled, then suddenly turned her head and said: "Sister Qianhe, he is so infatuated with me, what should I do?"

Young Master Du, there is no need for pretense. After the Jiangnan incident, you will understand. Did you come to Luoyang City truly just for Xiaofei's beauty? Everything you wish to know, everything you seek to confirm, Xiaofei has already told you. In the future, I will also assist the Third Prince in designing plans against you, Young Master Du, so be cautious. Perhaps one day you will truly drink a poison that is difficult to resolve, and you cannot blame me for it. " Xiaofei spoke with righteous indignation. With her eyes closed, she recalled that no matter what sweet words he said, they were all false, all for Ding Qianhe, and her heart felt indescribably uncomfortable. Perhaps one day you will truly drink a poison that is difficult to resolve, and you cannot blame me for it. " Xiaofei spoke with righteous indignation. With her eyes closed, she recalled that no matter what sweet words he said, they were all false, all for Ding Qianhe, and her heart felt indescribably uncomfortable. She constantly wished for him to hate her more, so that he would remember her a little more.

Xiao Fei disdainfully said: "She has known him since childhood, and she can't even tell when he is nervous or worried about her. How could she possibly compete with me? I will help the Third Prince oppose him, and he will take the initiative to approach me! He will understand me, study me, and by then, he won't be able to ignore me even if he wants to!" After saying this, she looked at Wushuang mischievously, her swollen eyes resembling a rat in the night that has spotted something delicious, emitting a glimmer of excited cunning: "Wushuang, with you by my side, I still ended up liking another man. What do you think the Third Prince will do to you?"

In the more rustic courtyard, many rely on cultivating peonies for a living, hoping to sell them at a good price during the flower festival. Various colors of peonies were brought out one after another, competing in beauty beyond the bamboo fence, their blossoms rich and sweet as honey

Ding Qianhe shot him a glance, blooming into a smile as radiant as a peony, her spirit soaring.

Shen Xiaofei has lowered her head to look at the chess game laid out on the table, no longer paying attention to him