An unexpected encounter in 1062

  Three days later, Yuan Yi did not return home. As a secondary wife and having married into the palace, it was originally inconvenient for her to come and go, so it was not unreasonable that she could not return home. Therefore, Zhang Shi did not think much of it, but instead began her daily struggle with Li Shi for power and influence. The gods fought, and the mortals suffered. Having achieved her goal, Yuan Yi wisely handed over the procurement authority and started her days as a married woman.

  In early September, more than ten days before the big wedding, Yuan Yi met an unexpected person.

  There is a garden at the intersection of Xifang and Dongfang, which is not only exquisite but also delicate and elegant. Yuan Yi rarely comes here, recently, for some reason, whether it's about to get married or something else, he has developed some reluctance to leave this mansion where he has lived for over a decade, so whenever he has time, he walks around everywhere.

  Just like today, she came to the garden by chance, at this time it was noon, except for a few servants sweeping, there were no other masters who had the leisure and elegance to stroll in the garden at noon.

  It's already autumn now, the pear blossoms that were in full bloom in June have begun to wither away. Occasionally, on the high branches, there are still some unripe pears. Yuan Yi stretched out her hand and caught a white petal with a hint of yellow, remembering the scene she saw behind the fake mountain, and for a moment, everything in front of her became blurry.

  "Fourth sister, how are you here?" A slightly cheerful voice came from behind, a familiar tone and voice line, as if time had flowed backwards. That day she saw him again on the street, the man was wearing a jade crown and green clothes, with a refined and handsome appearance, elegant and refined, like a pine tree or a bamboo, gentle and warm.

  Yuanyi smiled and turned around, facing Zhang Zhongxu's deep and dark eyes. "So it's older cousin, when did you arrive? I didn't even know."

  Zhang Zhongxi's eyelids drooped slightly, and his voice regained its former clarity and warmth. "I have something to discuss with Zhu Siye today, so I didn't come to visit my aunt; you wouldn't know about it anyway." Zhu Siye was Yuan Yi's fifth uncle, Zhu Changzhi, who served as the administrator of the Imperial Academy.

  "So that's how it is." Yuan Yi replied faintly, but couldn't find anything to talk about. The air suddenly solidified, and an awkward silence spread around them. She clenched her fists in her sleeves, bowed slightly, and said: "I still have things to do, I'll leave first, so as not to delay Big Brother Biao's time."

  "Fourth sister, wait a minute, I have something to ask you." Zhang Zhongxu called out to Yuan Yi, her pitch-black eyes scanning Yuan Yi's face, her thin lips pursed as she asked: "You married Xiao Heng, was it because I rejected you?"

  "Does Brother think I married Xiao Congyuan just to prove a point?" Yuan Yi heard his question and smiled, her beautiful eyes sparkling like crystal as she looked at him with an unreadable emotion. She countered, "Is it or isn't it, Brother? How do you want me to answer? If I say yes, what would you intend to do, rescue me from the jaws of fire?"

  Zhang Zhongxi remained silent for a long time before speaking in a low voice: "I just don't want to see you acting impulsively and regretting it for the rest of your life."

  It seems that he is certain she is a woman who loves him to the point of being unable to extricate herself, and in a huff uses her own marriage as a joke. Yuan Yi couldn't help but sneer at his arrogance, and also at his belittling of her character. "Lately it's been quite strange, one by one they've come to talk to me about regrets, my own future, do I still need outsiders to worry about it?"

  Zhang Zhongxi was stabbed by the outsider in her mouth, gasping for breath, slightly angry, feeling that she didn't know good from bad, why should he waste his heart and soul. Thinking of this, his attitude also cooled down, "Since so, I'll first congratulate you, Fourth Sister, on your bright future and boundless glory."

  Yuanyi didn't seem to notice the sarcasm in his words and no longer maintained a smile or polite conversation, instead saying indifferently: "Thank you for your kind words, I also wish Brother Zhang an early encounter with a good partner, may their love be harmonious."

  Zhang Zhongxi glanced at her lightly and turned away with a flick of his sleeve.