Seeing Yunxi's confusion, Yan Xiao chuckled softly.
"Sister -in-law, why are you so surprised to see me? Did you think I was really the ghost of this pavilion?"
Yan Xiao stared at Yunxi, who was glaring at him.
"Oh, don't tell me you're the one who spread the rumours about ghosts in this place?"
Yunxi asked.
"Ahh, don't just accuse me, sister-in-law. Those rumours were already circulating even before I made this place my secret headquarters."
"Secret headquarters?"
"Yes, is this place now our shared secret headquarters?"
"No need. If this is already your place, then fine, I'll find another place."
"No... No... Don't be like that, don't make me look stingy. This is indeed my secret place to spend my free time. But actually, I rarely come here myself. You know, I'm busy with royal affairs."
"Really? Aren't you famous as the Palace's unemployed person?"
"What?? Who? Who dares to say that about me??"
"Everyone. Everyone knows it."
"Ahh, never mind, let's not talk about it anymore. By the way, you... Can you paint?"
Yan Xiao asked Yunxi when he saw the complete set of painting tools that had been prepared.
"Yes, I've been painting since I was a child. My mother taught me."
"Hmmm, I see. So, can we say you're a bit of an art lover?"
"Not a bit. I do love art. I love all art forms. Paintings, embroidery, sculptures, and various handicrafts. I love them all."
"Really? I didn't know that."
"Of course. We've never met before. But I know that the Second Prince, Young Master Yan Xiao, is an extraordinary woodcarver. I have several of your works at my father's house."
"Ohooo, really? I'm very touched to hear that."
"What's there to be touched about? Everyone knows that your works are among the best in the empire. So buying your works is not an exaggeration."
Yunxi smiled. She was being honest. And, after all, she only remembered now. In her previous life, she did not remember a single special or memorable moment about Yan Xiao. But, it could be said that this man did not even appear during her most difficult times. Although it was not necessarily a good thing, wasn't it a good thing if Yunxi could be close to Yan Xiao?
At least, in this palace, she could have someone who would objectively take her side. Because, even though she was only the second concubine, Liu Qinmei was able to control the people in the palace with her gentle attitude that invited sympathy.
In the past, she was always the suspect whenever there was a dispute or dealings with Liu Qinmei. If in this life she could have just one person besides Liang Yi who supported her, wouldn't that be better?
"Hahahah, sister-in-law is right. All right, then would sister-in-law mind if I wanted to see the results of her painting later? If it's good, I'll buy it at a high price, hahahaha."
"Don't insult me, brother-in-law, you'll be fascinated by the results of my brushstrokes, just wait and see!"
"All right, I'll wait patiently."
"Hm. So, now we agree that this place is our secret headquarters?"
"Yes, yes, alright. Besides, I'm not a calculating person."
"Alright then, thank you."
Yan Xiao smiled. Then he said,
"In that case, I won't disturb you. Please continue with your painting, sister-in-law. I'll be off."
"Of course, thank you. See you again."
Yan Xiao nodded, then darted away from there as fast as lightning.
"Madam..."
"No need to worry. We should indeed be cautious, but I feel that Yan Xiao has no bad intentions. He is also not close to anyone, not even his own family. So, it's impossible for him to have a good relationship with Consort Liu."
"Let's hope so, Madam..."
Yunxi nodded, then sat down in front of the canvas that the servants had prepared for her to paint on.
While painting, Yunxi's thoughts drifted back to her previous life.
'Uncle Kaibo formed a group that would rebel against Father's clan. Then he formed his own clan. With Uncle's current situation, it was impossible for him to gather strength, because it would definitely require capital. Even though he also earned enough money from his current position in the Golden Star Clan, it was certainly not enough to form a coup group consisting of many strong knights'.
Yunxi monologued in her heart.
In her previous life, her uncle had slaughtered her family and fellow disciples in the Golden Star Clan shortly after she gave birth The Prince Crown's son. This meant that he had formed his forces long before that incident, so they must already be in place now. However, they were too weak, which was why her uncle was still pretending in front of her father.
Remembering that, Yunxi's desire to tell her Father about Kaibo grew stronger.
"I have to start finding out from now on. But, in my current state, I can't possibly make a move personally."
Yunxi remembered that in the past, she and her family had absolutely no supporters.
The Golden Star Clan was one of the strongest and highest-ranking clans among the five clans that formed this empire.
It was the only clan whose disciples could all reach the nascent soul realm. Its ancestors were even in the Transcendent realm, reaching the peak of the first stage of immortal cultivation. For 1,000 years, it had remained the strongest.
However, in her previous life, her father was easily overthrown and framed. This meant that many members of the Golden Star Clan had already betrayed the clan and followed her uncle, Wang Kaibo.
How could he do it? How could he begin?
Yunxi then thought that she had to arrange a time to visit her parents' home. Her father was the leader of the clan, so he must know the ins and outs of his own clan. She had to tell her father about his previous life so that the disaster would not be repeated and her family could be saved.
Moreover, her uncle's power was still at the early golden core realm, while her father had already reached the late nascent soul stage. So, perhaps that was why her uncle had not yet staged an open rebellion.
And yes, her father had fallen ill at that time. Surely, they had planned it very carefully.
Yunxi could not just sit idly by. He also had to act immediately.
"Auntie Mu"
"Yes, Madam..."
"Please arrange a meeting with the Empress. I want to ask for permission to visit my father in the near future."
"Yes, Madam, I will arrange it immediately."
"Thank you. Please get me some red paint."
Sumi nodded, then took the red paint and gave it to Yunxi.
"Madam, what is that painting? It looks like a flower, but it doesn't seem to be one?"
"Your eyes are very sharp, Aunt Mu. It is indeed a flower, a sunflower that is beginning to dry up and its parts are starting to fall off, with only a few petals still attached."
Yunxi explained.
"Is that why it looks incomplete?"
"That's right. This is a depiction of myself right now."
"Ma'am..."
Yunxi smiled.
"It's not something sad, Auntie. Sunflowers do have to dry up, even though it looks tragic and sad, but when they dry up, what falls off are the seeds, and you know that each sunflower petal has hundreds of seeds. When they fall to the ground, they will become new plants, giving birth to dozens of other sunflowers. I will be the same, withering and then growing into a new person. Becoming stronger and tougher. Well, even though it may not be the same as the sunflower I drew."
Yunxi chuckled softly, as did Sumi.
That afternoon, they spent a pleasant time in the Pomegranate pavilion, before something unexpected might greet them.
The long-awaited day had finally arrived. Today, Bao Jia would meet the Empress. A servant from the Empress's pavilion had just come to invite Yunxi to have tea together.
Yunxi was now walking with Sumi and his servants towards the Empress's pavilion.
Upon arriving there, Sumi was momentarily stunned to see so many people already there.
What kind of tea party is this?
In addition to the Empress, who was already sitting gracefully in the main seat, Yan Ling and his favourite concubine, Liu Qinmei, were sitting side by side, and Yan Xiao was sitting with the emperor's third son from Concubine Yun, who was the emperor's second wife.
Yunxi glanced at Yan Xiao, who was smiling broadly at her, then frantically looked away.
In the end, Yunxi chose to sit at an empty table located right next to Yan Xiao, opposite her husband's table. After all, her husband already had company. Just look at Liu Qinmei's face, which continued to provoke her. Although she appeared to be smiling, Yunxi knew that secretly Liu Qinmei definitely did not want her to sit with Yan Ling.
"Consort Wang, why are you sitting there? Sit next to your husband, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Or are you two fighting?"
The Empress asked. Yunxi replied frantically,
"Oh, no, Your Majesty the Empress, we are not fighting. I think it's because of my pregnancy. I don't want to be close to His Highness the Crown Prince, because I might get nauseous."
"What?"
"What did you say?"
Everyone was shocked to hear Yunxi's answer, especially Yan Ling. More precisely, Yan Ling felt humiliated. He stared sharply at Yunxi. Meanwhile, Yunxi pretended not to see him.
"Hahahaha, it is true, Your Highness the Empress. I also felt that way when I was pregnant with the third prince, Yan Che. I didn't want to be near the Emperor at all, hahaha."
Concubine Yun explained with a laugh, yet her elegance did not fade in the slightest.
"Really? Is there such a thing?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, the Empress, don't you feel it?"
Concubine Yun asked.
Hearing that question, the Empress's face changed slightly.
"Fufufu, coincidentally, I don't feel it.
"Well, since everyone is here, let's start the tea party. It's rare for us to be able to gather like this. Moreover, Yan Xiao is here, who hardly ever appears at the palace."
The Empress said.
"Fufufu, Empress, I'm embarrassed to hear that. I am studying medicine and... poisons, so I have been a little busy. But, in the future, I will attend the palace banquets more often."
Yan Xiao Answered and smiled.
"Medicine and poisons? Ohoo! Very good. As the second prince of this kingdom, mastering medicine will certainly be very helpful to your brother's duties when he inherits the throne."
"Of course, Your Majesty, that is my goal in learning many skills, so that I can help my brother when he becomes the leader of this empire."
Yan Xiao said with a smile as he looked at the Empress.
Yunxi watched the interaction between the two. Although they seemed close, there was actually a palpable aura of hostility between Yan Xiao and the Empress.
But how could a mother and daughter be hostile towards each other? Was it because of power? Or...
Because she was too focused on the Empress and Yan Xiao, Yunxi did not realise that the appetisers and herbal tea that could only be served in the Empress's palace had been placed on her table.
"Wow, this food is really beautiful, and the aroma is very appetising," Yunxi muttered. Then, after the empress invited her to start enjoying the meal, Yunxi began to eat the food enthusiastically.
'Amazing, the taste of palace cuisine is really different. Hahh, if only the food in the Peach Pavilion was this delicious!' Yunxi screamed inside.
Although the food provided for her was of high quality, of course the food for the empress was on a different level, like the law of the Pyramid. Among the wives, the Empress was at the top of the caste.
"Sister-in-law, you seem to be enjoying it very much. Would you like to have some of mine too? I don't really like it."
Yan Xiao, who was sitting right next to Yunxi, offered in a whisper.
"Really? You don't mind?"
Yunxi asked with her mouth still full of food. Seeing this, Yan Xiao chuckled and nodded. He then handed the bowl of appetisers to Yunxi. That young pregnant woman accepted it cheerfully. This scene was witnessed by everyone, including Yan Ling.
However, no one commented because Yan Xiao was known to be very picky about food. But giving it to Wang Yunxi, who was his brother's wife, did seem a little inappropriate. However, everyone chose to remain silent.
Yan Xiao was known to be even more cruel than Yan Ling. Although he appeared friendly, Yan Xiao was not a forgiving person. Anyone who angered him would not live long.
The tea party was finally coming to an end. Before closing, Yunxi approached the Empress and conveyed the purpose of her visit that day.
"Your Majesty, I heard that my father is not in good health. I would like to visit him, with the Empress's permission."
"Your father is ill? Why didn't I know about this?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty the Empress, my younger sister just sent me a letter yesterday, so... I..."
"Very well, after all, you are the eldest daughter of the Wang family. You must continue to show your devotion even though you are now part of the imperial family. I grant you permission."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty the Empress!"
Yunxi bowed respectfully.
"When will you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning, Your Majesty."
"Hm, be careful. Give my regards and those of the Emperor to Lord Wang."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Will Prince Yan Ling accompany you?"
The Empress asked while looking at Yan Ling. But before Yan Ling could answer, Yunxi spoke first.
"There is no need, Your Majesty. I have already discussed it with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He is very busy with matters at the palace. Besides, I am only going to visit my father, so there is no need for an escort. Sumi and several servants will accompany me."
"When did you discuss this with me?"
Yan Ling asked coldly. He did not expect Yunxi to dare to lie in front of the Empress.
"Your Highness, have you forgotten?"
Yunxi looked at him with a smile, but her eyes seemed to warn Yan Ling.
Seeing the slightly awkward atmosphere, the Empress said,
"All right, you can arrange it later. Let's enjoy the last dish before we part."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Everyone replied in unison.
After the last dish, the tea party was over.
Yunxi did not immediately return to the Peach Pavilion, but headed to the Pomegranate Pavilion.
"No one saw us come here, right?"
Yunxi asked Sumi to make sure.
"No, ma'am."
"Thank goodness. I have to finish my painting. I will give it to Father as a gift!"
Yunxi exclaimed enthusiastically. She entered the Pomegranate Pavilion and headed to the back garden.
"Fufufu, look who's here, hello sister-in-law."
Yunxi was surprised to see Yan Xiao there with a brush in her hand.
"What are you doing...!"
"Isn't this a dried sunflower? I'm just trying to perfect it!"
"You... How did you know these were dried sunflowers?"
"Of course, from their shape!"
"Really? But even Sumi and the servants here had difficulty recognising that these were flowers."
"Hahaha, you forgot that I am an artist."
"Aha! Yes, I forgot!"
"Besides, I've seen paintings like this before. It's similar to an ancient painting in the Zhijin Museum."
"Amazing. You know about that painting? I didn't expect your knowledge to be so extensive!"
"Really? You're the first person to doubt me so much."
"Fufufu, I'm sorry. But thank you. I'll give this painting to Father. I'll write my name at the bottom!"
Yunxi took the brush from Yan Xiao's hand and wrote their names on the painting with their initials.
"Xi-Xiao? Hahahaha, that's a funny name!"
"Hahahaha, yes, it
is funny. Oh, by the way, you said that you studied medicine and poisons?"
Hearing that question, Yan Xiao immediately stopped laughing.
"Yes, why?"
Yunxi took a breath, feeling a little nervous. But she felt that Yan Xiao could help her find out why her father was often ill now.
"I need your help."