Five sharp points facing each other

  The lively Lunar New Year has been bustling for ten days, and I haven't recovered from the exhaustion of the noise, and suddenly it's already the Lantern Festival.

  She broke the rules and went out with her lover, wearing a red feathered cloak and a red veil on her head, disguised as an ordinary rich woman. She led her guards and watched the lanterns in Datong, the drum competition, the high stilts, the dragon dance, and the big float parade. They spent the whole day playing outside. Especially at night, the lanterns were even more fascinating. This time, she went out warm and satisfied without any elders present. She could do whatever she wanted, eat whatever she wanted, and no one dared to stop her.

  The servants of the General's Mansion, after being trained by Zhou Mama and Ruqing's ear-pulling and face-to-face orders, finally have a decent appearance. Usually, when encountering disobedient ones, Ruqing would call in Zhiyi, who is a military general. To put it nicely, he is decisive and effective, but to put it badly, he is almost ruthless. Dealing with disobedient servants has become a routine for him, having previously killed Bi Tao by Wan Xue's side and cut down the purchasing servant girl. He has basically succeeded in intimidating them, and when encountering some extremely individualistic and hypocritical ones, just bringing Zhiyi to stand in front of them would make them immediately obedient and self-aware, with cold sweat dripping down their faces.

  Zhiyi wore a rice-colored down-filled long gown, made by his mother's own hands. The style was simple, but the edges of the gown had intricate patterns embroidered with five-color thread, and it was lined with cotton and silk. The outer layer was made of white silk with golden threads, and the design was open at the front, making it suitable for wearing outside or at home. When Zhiyi put it on, he wore a fox-fur hat on his head, and inside, he had clothes in the same color scheme, with a jade belt around his waist and a piece of sheep's fat jade pendant hanging from it. He looked majestic and powerful, like a jade tree swaying in the wind. As he walked through the bustling streets, more than half of the people turned their heads to look at him.

  With a veil covering her face, she could see outside clearly, but outsiders couldn't see her face. She secretly glanced at her own brother, feeling a sense of pride similar to that of having Rong Yu.

  While watching the dragon lantern dance, Zhiyi found a wine house, climbed up to the second floor and leaned on the railing to watch. At the same time, he explained it to Ruqing.

  I have lived in this ancient place for over a decade, but it's still my first time going out to appreciate the scenery outside. At first, I was excited, but gradually, I couldn't take it anymore. If I could just watch the performances below, that would be fine. The problem is that the wine house chosen by Zhiyi has a high reputation locally, and many celebrities and wealthy merchants come here, some of whom recognize Zhiyi and come to greet him, then, like me, I became a monkey in the zoo, on display for all to see.

  It was at this moment that Qing Cai suddenly realized that all the men around her were males, and although Zhi Yi repeatedly made it clear that she had already engaged in a marriage, it couldn't stop these old men and young masters from curiously sizing her up.

  As soon as Li Xiao, who was wearing a pair of black leather boots, a yellowish-brown sable hat with two dragons and a purple robe, came in, she became restless.

  Li Xian was the highest-ranking person in the room, and he naturally sat in the first seat, drinking wine and chatting with everyone. This man is indeed a born socialite, and since his arrival, the scene that was originally dominated by Zhiyi has completely become his territory. The sound of laughter and conversation was magnificent.

  Everyone present was also very enthusiastic about Li Xiao. Whatever Li Xiao said, they would echo it, and Zhiyi remained as usual, not saying much or interrupting.

  Li Xiu, despite his high position and heavy authority, also has a set of rules for dealing with people and things. He doesn't neglect anyone, nor does he show excessive enthusiasm towards anyone. Even when it comes to romantic feelings, he is polite and courteous. However, Li Xiu was clearly uncomfortable, having previously used various methods to send over that batch of medicinal materials. What man wouldn't be angry? But today, Li Xiu didn't reveal any of this, only smiling lightly: "Fang Gongzhu has also come out, how rare, how rare."

  Smiling warmly and politely.

  Li Xiao said, "Miss Fang has always been strict in observing the etiquette of a lady's chamber, never leaving the main gate or stepping out of the second gate. Why is she acting so recklessly today, exposing herself like this?" Without giving Ruyi a chance to respond, he continued, "Aren't you afraid that it will be reported back to the capital and damage your reputation as a lady?"

  Zhi Yi frowned.

  "Your Highness, you truly love to jest. I have always been diligent in observing the etiquette of a lady's chamber, and for over ten years, I have never been remiss. Today, when I went out with my brother, I still remembered the rules that a daughter should not lightly show her face. How is it that my self-respect has become damaging to the reputation of the inner chambers in Your Highness' eyes? I do not understand, please enlighten me."

  Li Xiu grasped his wine cup, staring deeply at her with a gaze that seemed to pierce through the veil, his eyes burning with intensity. The face behind the veil still wore an enigmatic smile, but he gritted his teeth in frustration, only to burst into loud laughter instead. "I've had the pleasure of witnessing your sharp wit many times before, my dear lady. If you must wear a veil every time you step out, what's the point of even living?"

  "Yes, indeed, there's no fun to be had. But, Your Highness, have you forgotten that the one who established this rule was none other than our great ancestor, the Taizu Emperor, your own paternal grandfather?"