THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 17: Go Home

No one could guess the contents of Shen Yanzhia's head. The little head had a pattern like a complex and elusive system. The understanding he has is truly a mystery. How could this beloved daughter of imperial first lady Ling be so different from the others?

Lin Zian looked at him for a long time. The woman, who had been in her reading room for two hours. His small, white hands were busy dancing on neatly arranged books, some of which were dusty for long periods of time.

The books he had picked up and he read a little, he just stacked them without wanting to rearrange them. I don't know how many bookshelves the little lady's delicate hand had crossed. Maybe fifteen, twelve, or seventeen shelves. Even so, it seemed that the woman still had not found anything she wanted.

“Until when are you going to mess up my reading room?”

Lin Zian was slightly startled as the woman opened her eyes in response to the question she was asking. Lin Zian felt a hot and tense air coming out from Shen Yanzhia, blazing like a burning fire. Lin Zian had just found out that his wife had good contact with books.

“Rather than you shut up and babble, better help me.”

“I've kindly lent you my reading room. You're the first woman I've allowed in since this residence was founded a few years ago.”

Shen Yanzhia, who was focusing on searching for books, threw her regretful gaze back at Lin Zian. He then took out a book carelessly, then threw it towards Lin Zian.

Brak! The book fell on the edge of the table before touching Lin Zian's facial skin. Shen Yanzhia looked at her husband's naughtiness, mocking him once again. Shit, the throwing energy isn't very strong.

“Ups. Looks like the wind is not on your side,” sneered at Lin Zian. The man then laughed a little.

“Your reading room is so bad! I'll go to Yun's residence to look for him!”

The girl then came out in a hurry. Her face was sour like stale sweets.

“Then who will clean up the mess you made?”.

“You have many servants. They stay here not for hitchhiking sleeping and eating.”

Lin Zian shook his head. Shen Yanzhia's words were never subtle and always sarcastic. He thought Shen Yanzhia's temperament would change over time because the woman had already stayed for quite a long time in this residence. But, who knows? Human nature cannot be changed easily. Let it be, Lin Zian did not want to think about it anymore either. The more you think about it, the more strange the woman will look.

“Young Master, is wangfei angry again?” Xu Chi arrived with a tray of warm tea.

“What else did he do?”

“I saw wangfei catch your pet koi fish.”

“What did you say?”

“Oh yes, he also told the chef of the residence palace to cut and cook it.”

Lin Zian pinched his forehead. Her ears are red.

“Then why didn't you prevent it?”

“I dare not. What if wangfei drowns me again?”

Lin Zian exhaled heavily.

“Already. Ask your mistress to clean up the mess she's done!”

Lin Zian sipped his tea. His ears are not as red as before. He had to take another breath and let it out slowly over and over again. After his mood calmed down a little, Lin Zian walked out of his reading room. He wanted to see how many koi fish were still left in his small pond.

He was shocked when he found the water in the small pond shrinking. Pool water retaining stones scattered, no longer in place. Yes, Shen Yanzhia is really very clever! The girl not only caught a third of the total number of her beloved koi fish, but also leaked the levee of her small pond!

Xu Chi grimaced to see his master's beloved little pond chaotic like that. Previously, no one dared to approach that small pond other than Lin Zian himself and Xu Chi. The koi fish living in the pond was an expensive koi fish that Lin Zian had kept for several years when he took the time to return home to the capital. The price was twice the price of the brocade silk used to make the Emperor's clothes. Now, the fates of the fishes end tragically at the hands of her female employer.

“Where did he go?” asked Lin Zian.

“If it is not wrong, wangfei went to the residence of His Highness Prince Yun. The train has also left.”

“Xu Chi, you stay here. I'll catch up with him.”

Meanwhile, Shen Yanzhia's horse carriage had already reached the residence of Prince Yun. Guards helped him get off the train. Shen Yanzhia then walked into the gate. When he reached the front yard, he was astonished. This residence is deserted. There were not many servants that passed by like the times when he was still living here. Moreover, he also did not see Zhang Qi wandering around here. Not as usual.

A servant approached him in a hurry. The maid seemed to be surprised at the sudden arrival of her third miss like this. The servant then brought Shen Yanzhia inside the living room hall and asked her to wait.

For a moment Shen Yanzhia thought, why is he being treated like a guest? He's not a stranger! She still remains part of the Yun family even though she has married Prince Qin. Shen Yanzhia realized her momentary foolishness. He then walked out of the hall. His feet stepped towards the garden in the middle of the residence, which was located opposite the Prince Yun pavilion.

“Dad!”

Shen Yanzhia quickened her pace when her eyes found the figure of Prince Yun conversing with someone in the gazebo. Prince Yun and that person were slightly startled by his shout, then shook their heads and laughed.

“Why didn't you tell me first? Where's my son-in-law?”

“You are very smart talking.”

“Uncle Zhi! Long time no see!” Shen Yanzhia greeted someone who was in front of Prince Yun.

“Greetings, Empress Qin.”

“Call me as usual. I don't want to carry such a heavy and troublesome title. Where is Hao’er? Is he back?”

“Hao’er will be back next week. Snow in the western part of the capital fell early. He may have to help the population face the beginning of winter first,” explained the person. Shen Yanzhia nodded in understanding.

Marquis Zhi Haoyan, is the father of Zhi Hao’er. He had been Prince Yun's best friend ever since the two were young. Marquis Zhi Haoyan was assigned the Emperor to oversee the eastern border area of the capital. He was in control of two thousand soldiers, and would only move if there was a direct order from the Emperor. This number was smaller than the soldiers that were under Lin Zian's control.

Marquis Zhi Haoyan has two children, Zhi Hao’er as the first child and Zhi Shiyan as the youngest. Shen Yanzhia is not too close to the youngest child of Marquis Zhi Haoyan because since young, Zhi Shiyan has been admitted to Zinwu Academy, an academy that specializes in educating children to become intelligent and qualified scholars.

“I know you're here because you need something, Zhi’er,” Prince Yun said later.

“How did Dad know?”

“You are my daughter. How could I not recognize your nature?

“Dad, can I visit your library?”

“Go.”

Prince Yun stared at his daughter's departure gently. Prince Yun thought after Shen Yanzhia got married, he would lose all three of them. But that thought is not proven. Shen Yanzhia was still his precious and mischievous daughter, childish as ever. The Tatakrama that the Palace Master taught seemed to have never entered the ears of the girl. Shen Yanzhia was still acting recklessly as usual. Somehow Prince Qin faced him, he had no idea.

At first Prince Yun was worried that Shen Yanzhia would make Prince Qin angry. But, ever since he saw the two in the palace, Prince Yun was relieved. The son and daughter-in-law seem to have a pretty good relationship.

A young servant approached Prince Yun respectfully. The servant informed him that Prince Qin had come to visit with a white horse. Shortly after the servant left, Prince Yun saw Lin Zian walking towards him gracefully and modestly. The prince's robe was fluttering by the wind.

“Greetings, Prince Qin,” respect Prince Yun.

“Uncle Fourth, no need like that. I'm also your son now.”

Lin Zian looked at a man in front of him.

“Marquis Zhi Haoyan? You are also here?”

“Greetings, Your Grace.” Zhi Haoyan saluted.

“No need to hesitate, Uncle Marquis. Act as usual.”

Lin Zian sat in the same place as his in-laws and teachers. The Yun residence servant then came to deliver the new warm tea along with a few pieces of sweet snacks. The three nobles chatted warmly like old friends who had only met after so many years.

Many of the changes seen by Lin Zian happened to Zhi Haoyan. The mighty man now had fine sideburns around his face. His skin had also begun to lose its elasticity until it was partially seen slacking under his luxurious robe.

Lin Zian compared the appearance of present-day Marquis Zhi Haoyan to that of Marquis Zhi Haoyan seven years ago, when he was sent to the military barracks to practice martial arts and fight. Marquis Zhi Haoyan was still serving at the border before being transferred to the capital's eastern border three years later.

During those years, Lin Zian gained a lot of rigorous training and martial arts until he managed to become a young noble general of a formidable and great empire of his name as it is now. Marquis Zhi Haoyan also always gave him advice that he should not have any grudges against his royal family.

“Fourth Uncle, I'm here to find my wife who ran away after catching my favorite koi fish. Does Fourth Uncle know where he is now?”

Prince Yun and Marquis Zhi Haoyan laughed.

“Zhi’er is in my library. An’er, go.”

“Thank you, Fourth Uncle. Uncle Marquis, I will visit and see you again later.”

After Lin Zian's departure, the old men resumed their chatter. Occasionally the two laughed crisply as they reminisced about their youth. Then, they were also moody when recalling the bitter incident they had experienced.

Prince Yun and Marquis Zhi Haoyan also alluded to the friendship of their children since childhood, the friendship of Shen Yanzhia and Zhi Hao’er. If the imperial edict did not arrive, Prince Yun planned to marry Shen Yanzhia to Zhi Hao’er when not a single man was willing to marry his daughter

“It seems that our Prince Qin loves his wife so much,” said Marquis Zhi Haoyan.

“Their age is only two years adrift. It is natural that the two are often childish.”

“Wangye, are you going to keep hiding it?” asked Marquis Zhi Haoyan.

“Now, my daughter will soon find out the truth. I don't need to tell him anything,” replied Prince Yun calmly. Marquis Zhi Haoyan simply nodded and hoped that someday, the revealed truth would not pose any problems for this empire. The truth, yes, the truth that was unknown for years.***