Chapter 68: The golden hairpin lost in our master

Just hanging up the calligraphic work she gave him as a welcome gesture is bad enough, but he even explicitly wrote that it was from her—what does that mean? He's purely trying to humiliate her!

If it weren't for accompanying Qilin, she wouldn't set foot here at all!

"Senior Sister, why are you still giving him gifts? You don't like him, do you?" Qilin asked, not understanding.

Gu Rongjin beside her kept walking in without pause.

Mu Yuanzhi glanced at Gu Rongjin and told Qilin, "Don't bring it up again."

"Oh." Even if he still had doubts, Qilin didn't ask further.

Only upon entering the Grand Secretary's residence did Mu Yuanzhi discover that Xiao Yichen had actually moved out everything she had given him!

The North Sea's Welcoming Pine, Lianyun Mountain's Ten‑Thousand‑Year Coral and other precious rare treasures, calligraphy and paintings from every dynasty, plus the cold weapons she once made for him—whether fit to display or not, they were all thrown out together, each with a note saying it was from her.

Sick!

Now, the focus of discussion among those at the Assembly of Worthies has shifted from literary pursuits to how much she loves Xiao Yichen!

No matter where she went, she could hear people whispering.

Xiao Yichen, what the hell is he going crazy about?

Mu Yuanzhi wished she could tear him apart on the spot!

"Princess Mu Yuanzhi, Young Master Gu, please have tea." A servant brought two cups of tea.

Mu Yuanzhi looked and saw—again, it was something she had given him! A Southern Dynasty ceramic tea set, with a tag bearing her name tied to the teapot.

It was obvious; Xiao Yichen was doing it on purpose.

Seeing no one pick up the cup, the servant pushed the tray forward again, saying, "The Grand Secretary specially ordered us to bring this. Princess Mu Yuanzhi, Young Master Gu, please have tea."

Even if Qilin was slow, he realized something was off; he picked up a cup with one hand and drank it all, saying, "Just in time—I'm thirsty!"

The servant's mouth twitched imperceptibly.

No matter, there's still another pot of tea.

She thought that, and Qilin went straight to pick up the teapot to pour.

"My junior brother is just like that—unconcerned with trifles," Mu Yuanzhi said indulgently.

After saying that, she glanced again at Gu Rongjin's expression.

She didn't know why, but she was always afraid he'd get angry.

Fortunately, he seemed not to be angry.

But his face was expressionless.

Sure enough, he was still angry?

After all, she is nominally his fiancée, so he ought to be angry.

"Brother Gu Rongjin." Mu Yuanzhi tugged his sleeve and said, "These are just things I used to give him."

Gu Rongjin lowered his gaze to Mu Yuanzhi; her careful explanation brightened his mood, and he patted her head, saying, "Don't worry, my lady—I'm not angry as your husband."

He of course knew how much she used to like Xiao Yichen.

He was afraid she still had lingering feelings for Xiao Yichen.

For the first time, Mu Yuanzhi didn't quarrel with Gu Rongjin over his improper words.

Meanwhile, Qilin was so astonished his mouth could fit an egg.

Senior Sister and Gu Rongjin are indeed very much in love…

"Mu Yuanzhi, you've come."

A discordant low voice rang out; the host, Xiao Yichen, appeared, drawing many sideways glances—especially as he headed straight for Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin.

Anyone could see the atmosphere here was unusual.

This is what happens when rivals meet—eyes turn red with jealousy!

Although Xiao Yichen, the Grand Secretary, is now the fiancé of Princess Yunxi, he was indeed formerly the prospective Prince Consort of Princess Mu Yuanzhi.

Thinking of Yunxi, many people looked around—and sure enough, she had come, even chasing after Xiao Yichen.

Now there's a good show to watch.

Gossip is human nature, especially when it concerns the imperial family.

Today, why exactly did Grand Secretary Xiao Yichen put out all the items Princess Mu Yuanzhi gave him? It gives one pause.

"Mu Yuanzhi." Xiao Yichen called again.

Just as if the drugging incident at the villa had never happened, Xiao Yichen still presented himself as a virtuous gentleman before Mu Yuanzhi, but his tone was noticeably colder and more sinister than before.

Qilin had wanted to step forward to block in front of his senior sister, but Gu Rongjin moved a step faster, so he relaxed.

It was clear that this brother‑in‑law was wholeheartedly protecting his senior sister.

Mu Yuanzhi didn't want to deal with Xiao Yichen; just seeing his face made her nauseous.

What exactly did she used to like about him? His looks? His talent? His martial prowess? Being a boy genius?

But now she only sees his stupidity and pettiness, his shamelessness—she's ashamed to have ever liked him!

After doing such shameless, low‑class things, he still has the cheek to come over and greet her—relying on the emperor's backing?

Mu Yuanzhi's undisguised hatred stabbed Xiao Yichen's heart—once, she reserved that gaze only for Gu Rongjin, and now she directs it at him!

Does he regret it? Yes, he regrets not succeeding that day; he should have been more careful—then she would already be his.

But Xiao Yichen believes liking isn't something that changes overnight; she will surely fall for him again—she's just confused right now.

"Mu Yuanzhi, how do you find today's Assembly of Worthies? Is the venue arrangement to your liking?" Xiao Yichen asked, knowing full well.

"Brother Xiao!" Pei Yunxi, unwilling to be left alone, grabbed his arm, gave Mu Yuanzhi a sour look, and said, "Why did you rush off without waiting for me?"

A feeling of irritation surged in Xiao Yichen's chest; for the first time he found Pei Yunxi noisy—didn't she see he was talking to Mu Yuanzhi?

Mu Yuanzhi didn't want to see those two annoying people at all—"Let's go, somewhere else."

"All right!" Gu Rongjin pretended not to see Xiao Yichen and Pei Yunxi.

"Princess Yuanzhi, please wait, the golden hairpin you dropped in our master's room earlier has been found." The steward of the Prime Minister's Manor came over, beaming as he presented it.

Mu Yuanzhi's face changed instantly; she naturally recognized the golden hairpin, which she had deliberately dropped in Xiao Yichen's room. At that time, her heart and eyes were filled only with Xiao Yichen, where would a young lady's reserve be? She was always thinking of ways to sneak into Xiao Yichen's room.

That day she finally managed to get in, and when leaving she deliberately dropped it in his room—a foolish, one-sided wishful act, as if doing so made her the mistress of the house.

He must have noticed it, but didn't return it to her; later she thought perhaps he had lost it? But she never imagined he still had it, and would produce it at a time like this!

The steward's voice was loud enough for many to hear, and Mu Yuanzhi gave him a fierce glare.

That damn old fogey—clearly before he relied on his influence to look down on her, every time she came to find Xiao Yichen he would create obstacles and speak sarcastically, but today he came over eagerly of his own accord; he must be acting on Xiao Yichen's instructions.

"Such trinkets, my lady has plenty more; if it's lost, it's just discarded."