Chapter 19: He is the Gentleman Admired by All, the Noble Orchid of Yuanchai Lilan.

Regarding the second male lead, Mo Yunsheng, the novel provided little description of his personal details, merely briefly outlining his appearance and personality. He was a rare handsome man, described most aptly as a gentleman with jade-like elegance, peerless in the world.

He was the gentleman admired by all, the noble orchid of Yuanchai Lilan. Born into wealth, he studied diligently and accumulated vast knowledge, earning scholarly honors and official titles. He was the undisputed white moonlight in the hearts of noble young ladies across the Great Sheng Dynasty.

In the novel, due to the overwhelming aura of the male and female leads, Mo Yunsheng was only depicted through his unrequited love for the female lead—a deep, devoted infatuation—and their shared plotlines. Thus, Su Yingxue truly knew very little about Mo Yunsheng. Moreover, the information the System provided her was also scarce.

Fortunately, Qiushuang lived up to her reputation. She efficiently brought Sidong. Su Yingxue had seen him before—he was the gardener in the small flower garden of the Eldest Princess’s Palace.

Last time when she passed by the flower garden, the gardener was watering the pots in the yard. She had been in a hurry and accidentally bumped into him. But now, seeing Qiushuang bring him to kneel before her, she was truly impressed.

“Sidong pays respects to Her Highness the Eldest Princess. What orders does Her Highness have?” Sidong said, kneeling. His attire was simple and unadorned as always, like a stone that would go unnoticed even in a crowd.

Su Yingxue felt somewhat doubtful. Could this person truly possess exceptional skills? After all, her System was still dormant, and she lacked the original Su Yingxue’s memories. If she entrusted him with such a task, would she truly get what she wanted?

Perhaps sensing Su Yingxue’s hesitation, Qiushuang was somewhat puzzled. She had felt that since the Eldest Princess woke up after falling into the lake, not only had her personality changed, but she seemed like a different person altogether.

This Sidong—Her Highness knew him well. He was one of the Shadow Guards assigned to her by the late emperor, having protected her in the Princess’s Palace since childhood. Being a gardener or a stable hand was merely a cover. Sidong was among the finest of the late emperor’s Shadow Guards—highly skilled in martial arts, adept at using dual blades, and exceptional in lightness skill.

He was experienced, thorough, and meticulous in handling affairs, and well-versed in the art of disguise. Such a remarkable figure was not even assigned with such care by the current emperor’s side, illustrating the late emperor’s deep concern for the Eldest Princess.

After the late imperial consort passed away, the late emperor personally arranged this hidden piece. This matter was known only to the four loyal maidservants of the Eldest Princess, Cao Dewang, and the Eldest Princess herself. But now, the Eldest Princess seemed not to recognize Sidong?

Could it be, as rumors outside suggested, that the Eldest Princess had injured her head when she fell into the lake? Hence these changes?

Qiushuang frowned slightly but soon smiled gently and explained, “Your Highness, it must be that you haven’t seen Sidong for so long that you’ve grown unfamiliar. He is the most capable Shadow Guard assigned to your side by the late emperor. In the entire capital of the Great Sheng Dynasty, few can match his martial prowess.

Not to mention gathering intelligence—even if Your Highness feels that some noble family has offended you and wishes to take action, there is nothing he cannot accomplish if entrusted with the task.”

Sure enough, as Qiushuang spoke, she smiled and observed the changes in Su Yingxue’s expression. Quickly, she saw Su Yingxue’s reaction, which seemed to confirm her suspicions.

“In that case, Sidong, this palace wishes for you to secretly investigate someone—Mo Yunsheng, the legitimate son of the wealthy Mo family in the capital,” Su Yingxue said calmly.

“This matter must be carried out discreetly. This palace wishes to know everything about Young Master Mo, including his daily habits, preferences, interests, and interactions with his family—every detail, no matter how trivial. Moreover, it is best not to let others know that this palace is investigating him.”

“Since it is a task assigned by Her Highness the Eldest Princess, Sidong will certainly handle it properly.” Sidong looked up. He appeared to be in his early thirties, thin and unremarkable—the kind of ordinary person who would blend into a crowd. He had a faint scar on his right eyebrow and looked like an honest, lowly laborer. His eyes were neither large nor small, and there was not a hint of fierceness in his gaze.

Such an unremarkable appearance might be a testament to his skill in disguise. From the very beginning, Su Yingxue had never doubted that he was a gardener. But since Qiushuang had mentioned it, it meant that even a gardener in the Princess’s Palace was not to be underestimated. Truly, it was a place where hidden talents and extraordinary individuals abounded.

Yet, if Su Yingxue had so many capable people at her disposal from the start, why did she end up in such a tragic situation? Could it be because of the later scheming and strategies of the male lead, Chu Xingchen, and the vast disparity that had already emerged between the Great Qi Dynasty and the Great Sheng Dynasty? Was that why Chu Xingchen’s conquest of the Sheng Kingdom was so swift and unstoppable?

Su Yingxue couldn’t help but ponder. It seemed that, for now, she still needed to take advantage of the fact that Chu Xingchen had not yet fully matured. She would have to show him favor and protect him as much as possible in his presence, aiming to build goodwill and avoid hostility.

Otherwise, as in the Original Work’s ending, once Chu Xingchen unleashed his full power, she would become the most prominent cannon fodder—like a monster in the wilds of a game, used by the big boss for practice, providing buffs and nourishment with every strike!

After Sidong accepted the order and left the palace, Chunfeng and several palace maids skilled in needlework brought in the new brocade quilt that had been hastily completed overnight, along with some well-fitting, comfortable new cotton clothes, brocade garments, and undergarments, delivering them to the hall.

Seeing this, Su Yingxue smiled warmly as she looked at the clothes before her. The craftsmanship was excellent, the materials were of high quality, and the embroidery was outstanding. Su Yingxue couldn’t help but marvel at the efficiency of the palace maids in the Princess’s Palace. These ancient palace maids were truly dedicated—she had only mentioned it yesterday, and today these beautiful clothes and luxurious garments were already finished. In modern times, wouldn’t they be considered model workers with a 996 schedule?

“Qiushuang, Chunfeng, go to the hall and fetch some silver rewards to distribute among the palace maids who contributed. This matter was handled to this palace’s satisfaction—they shall be rewarded!” Su Yingxue said with a smile.

The palace maids who received the silver rewards beamed with joy. After all, they were still at the charming age of young palace girls, and they happily expressed their gratitude before departing.

“Your Highness the Eldest Princess, we have delivered the clothes and quilts for you. Does Your Highness plan to visit the Side Hall to deliver them to Chu Huangzi?” Chunfeng, who had long served by Su Yingxue’s side, gently reminded her with a light smile.

“I heard from the palace maid serving in the Side Hall that Chu Huangzi woke up this morning, had his meal and medicinal soup, and seems to have improved somewhat.”

Upon hearing this, Su Yingxue thought to herself, indeed, wasn’t she doing all this precisely to make Chu Xingchen less hostile toward her? As the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face—she had eagerly approached him with gifts, and she refused to believe Chu Xingchen would dare do anything to her on her own turf. After all, this was the Eldest Princess’s Palace, where even an ordinary gardener was a Shadow Guard with exceptional martial prowess.

Thinking this, Su Yingxue instructed the palace maids to quietly bring the exquisite garments, luxurious attire, and brocade quilts into the Side Hall.

She forbade the servants from bowing and merely gestured for them to gently place the items on the table in the Side Hall before waiting outside.