Life is but once, like the first meeting (Part 1)

  The Yi Qin Wang Fu's carved beams and painted buildings are a given, the interior decorations are extremely thick and elegant, with a steady and majestic atmosphere. Although it is already autumn, the garden is filled with flowers of all seasons, dotting the pavilions, towers, corridors, and lotus ponds. Along the way, you can see osmanthus trees with their delicate fragrance, tall ginkgo trees, fragrant camphor trees, and even Yulan trees that Yunzhu loves...

  "Ah, there's a magnolia tree here too." Yunzhu's expression was one of great joy. Before the apocalypse, her favorite flower might not have been the magnolia, but after it, she felt that she and the magnolia had become one, so naturally she would put it in first place.

  She brought her to the garden, Yu Ya smiled and said: "You really like Yulan trees." Not only did she plant full of Yulan in her own courtyard, but also named the courtyard Xinyi Valley. Now, even Yulan flower tea has come out.

  "Don't you think it's beautiful? Just after the severe winter, with the arrival of spring breeze, it starts to bloom in thousands of branches and millions of flowers, pure, elegant, beautiful, edible, and medicinal..."

  "Well said, 'The purple pencil tip contains flames, the red rouge stains the small lotus flower.' This jade orchid has the beauty of a lotus, yet it does not emerge from the muddy water like a lotus... It is indeed a very noble flower." Along with the soft voice, two women emerged from behind the rose bushes.

  The one walking on the left is a beauty in her early twenties, wearing a light yellow cheongsam with purple flowers. Her face is as white as a silver plate, her eyes are like bright stars, her eyebrows are long and slender, her lips are full and red, although her nose bridge is slightly low, it's made up by her subtle makeup, looking very elegant and refined.

  Standing next to her was Nala, the Haona who had met Yunzhu at the Zhuang Sheng Wangfu. She was smiling and staring at Yunzhu, with a look of familiarity on her face, but Yunzhu could see the faintest glimmer of jealousy in her eyes.

  She herself, whether it was her family background or appearance, talent, and artistry, wasn't inferior to others. It was normal that she would be envied, as long as those people didn't harbor malicious intentions. Yunzhu smiled back at her, although she had heard that the one who spoke just now was her, but she also didn't open her mouth. After all, she hadn't forgotten that they were currently guests in the Yi Qin Wang Fu. Moreover, the last two lines of the poem recited by Hai Hona earlier, "How much do you know about the feelings of love and longing? It's annoying enough to make a mountain monk regret becoming a monk!" weren't suitable for speaking out loud.

  "It's actually Big Sister." Yu Ya said with a smile, "Nala girl is also here."

  "Excuse me." Hai Hona made a bowing gesture, "I was just thinking of going to pay respects to Fu Jin, didn't expect there would be guests."

  "Too kind of you, how have you been lately, Madame Nala?" Yaya evaded her question.

  Hai Hona still replied in a gentle voice without changing her expression: "Please ask Dr. Wang to take the pulse and prescribe medicine, it has improved a lot..."

  It was originally Hongchang's wife, Nara, whose father was Qi Duwei Selmin. Her family background was not high, but at the time of the arranged marriage, Yongzheng had not yet ascended to the throne, and Hongchang was only a prince (at that time, the Prince of Yi was still only a Beizi) and a son, so it was a match.

  As soon as Yongzheng ascended the throne, Yunxiang, who had always supported Yongzheng, was not only promoted to be a prince but also appointed as a minister of politics. As a result, Nalan's status in her family was greatly enhanced, and she knew how to win over forces, gradually getting along with Haihena, daughter of the leader of the third battalion of the clan, Santai.

  With Hai Hona's family background and talent, it is highly likely that she will be appointed to the imperial clan or even the prince's concubine, which would be a good investment for Nara.

  Almost instantly, Yunzhu figured out the connection here.

  "Yes, unexpectedly so coincidental, Zhen Guo Gong Fu Jin also brought Fu Cha girl to visit as a guest." Nala Shi had never put this sister-in-law in her heart, after marrying into the mansion she knew that Hong Tun, this eldest son, would not live long. Fu Jin's background was not much higher than hers, and there were no children yet, what was there to be proud of? Under the pretext of taking medicine... wasn't it just wanting to get closer to Ma Qi? Everyone was equal."

  "Yes, my mother-in-law posted a notice to invite guests, and I'm here to bring Yunzhu for a walk in the garden as ordered. It's almost time to go back." Juan Ya seemed to not hear the sarcasm in Nala's words and replied lightly.

  Nala's face stiffened for a moment, then she smiled again: "Is that so? Just in time, I was just thinking of going to pay my respects to Mother."

  Although his own grandfather was the eldest son, he was also a concubine's son. How could his legitimate mother, who had her own legitimate sons, care about him? Na Lashi thought indignantly that even if Hongtun was a short-lived medicine jar, his legitimate mother still relied heavily on Fucha Shi, humph.

  Yue Ya glanced at Yunzhu and saw that her face was expressionless, so she smiled lightly and said: "Alright." She also couldn't guess whether there was something important to discuss when her mother-in-law invited the wife of Zhen Guo Gong over.

  Hai Hona was also on the side, but she didn't say a word. She's smart and wouldn't interrupt even if she saw something, and would only interact with this cousin because of Prince Yi's sake.

  Nala was about to say something, when a white shadow suddenly pounced over, she let out an "ah" and her body flashed, the flower pot tilted, almost falling to the ground. The white shadow landed on the ground, but it was a cat with a snowy white body and a pair of beautiful golden brown eyes, it lightly stepped onto the side of the elm tree.

  "Luna!" A youth in a sky-blue robe darted out, bent down to pick up the little white cat, gently stroking its fur, and turned to bow to Naraqi and Junya: "Greetings, elder sisters."

  Jingya hadn't spoken yet, but Nala hastily said: "Hong Chen, you've let this beast out again to scare people. Luckily I'm fine, or else what if I got hurt?"

  I've been scared by these words more than once, full of resentment.

  Hong Jin looked at Yu Ya beside him with an innocent expression and said to Na La Shi, "Big sister, isn't it nothing? Luna didn't do it on purpose, she likes you that's why she teases you every time."

  Yunzhu almost burst out laughing, but she didn't miss the sly glint in his eyes. Nala was so angry that she almost rolled her eyes, "Who wants to play with it? Don't think you can protect it every time... Fortunately, we didn't scare off our guests..."

  "Are you scared?" Hong Jin turned his head to look at Hai Hona, who had let go of his hand after stabilizing herself at the Naqi Station, and then shifted his gaze to Yunzhu, who was smiling faintly but not speaking. Hai Hona paused for a moment before responding somewhat irrelevantly, "It looks quite intelligent, is it usually obedient?" The snow-white cat, which was lazily narrowing its eyes and docilely nestled in Hong Jin's arms, still had a strong appeal to the little girl.

  "It's mischievous, but it won't intentionally hurt people," said Hong Chen, his eyes looking towards Yunzhu.

  Discussing whether it's intentional with a cat? You're kidding. Yunzhu remembered a familiar phrase from her past life: "Scaring the flowers and grass is also not good." The implication being, figure it out yourself.

  Everyone was stunned, and then couldn't help but burst out laughing. Hong Zhen's face lit up, "You're Fu Heng's sister, aren't you? Fu Heng is really formidable, I've never won a fight against him. You're also very interesting to talk to." Her delicate eyes stared unwaveringly at the girl in front of her, who was about the same age as herself, and suddenly discovered that she was so beautiful, with such a elegant and refined temperament, slender and smooth skin, like a lotus flower, fragrant like wine, requiring careful observation and appreciation to fully understand her true charm.

  Although Manchu people don't care about this, after all, she is an unselected Eight Banners noblewoman, Junya hurriedly said: "Alright fourth brother, we are going to the main hall now, do you have anything else?"

  Hong Jin slightly stunned, shook his head: "Sisters go by themselves." He also said to Na La Shi: "Just now scared big sister Hong Jin owes an apology to big sister." Although this big sister always likes to ride on their heads and show off her seniority, making people look askance, but on the surface of etiquette, Hong Jin is not willing to have a place where people can talk. He also involuntarily glanced at Yunyun's beautiful standing cloud pearl, his heart slightly hot for the first time.

  When they returned to the main courtyard, Prince Yi's wife had already returned to her residence. At that moment, she was chatting with Fu Jin and Fucha at the head of the table. Yunzhu and others were taken aback, so they stepped forward to pay their respects and ask after her well-being.

  "No need for formalities, sit down." Yi Qin Wang Yunxiang had been a king since the Yongzheng Emperor ascended to the throne and also became the Minister of General Affairs. Over the years, his prestige grew heavier, and no matter how gentle his words were, he still had an aura that was unapproachable as a superior. Yunzhu could handle it, after all, she was someone who had experienced two lifetimes and had seen Yongzheng before, so her tolerance for pressure was strong. But Hai Hona couldn't help but feel a bit constrained after the initial surprise and joy.

  Yi Qin Wang asked a few questions about their family in a gentle tone and then got up to return to his study. It wasn't that he was not enthusiastic enough, but rather it was the mistress's job to entertain the female guests, and as a man, he shouldn't interfere too much. Of course, this time he returned with a purpose, wanting to see what kind of girl could win the emperor's appreciation.

  I didn't expect to see the girl from the Nara family too. Compared to the girl from the Fuca family, this girl from the Nara family is quite well-received in the Eight Banners families of Beijing. I've also heard Madame Fu mention before that she's got a good appearance, temperament, and skills in domestic work, but today when I saw her, her demeanor wasn't as good as that of Fuca Yunzhu, who doesn't have much of a reputation. It's rare for someone so young to be respectful yet not stiff, with a natural and smooth demeanor like flowing water, clear and sincere... it's only natural that she would be curious, given the emperor's brother is being so attentive to her out of kindness.

  Big brother's eyesight is quite good this time...

  It's said that Yongzheng had a discerning eye for people, but he didn't comment on Xiangxiang. Those he favored, whether it was Tian Wenjing, Long Kodo, or Nian Gengyao... were indeed capable and strong-willed, but it's unclear if this was due to their natural character or Yongzheng's overindulgence. Tian Wenjing was somewhat better, but Long Kodo and Nian Gengyao eventually became arrogant and overstepped their bounds, ending up with a tragic fate of having their families' properties confiscated and dying in prison. Originally, he thought that Li Rongbao's daughter might also be cunning and manipulative beneath her gentle appearance...