Gong Bao Lei (Zhi Yuan)

Entering the huge hall, the man waited until everyone was seated and took his place with dignity, carefully folding his wide sleeves. A slight smile touched his lips.

— I received a letter from the Head of Bailing Hu. This unsociable person decided to celebrate his birthday. We cannot refuse him and not show up, — he sipped from the cup of wine and continued, — I'm afraid that the heavens will fall to earth before Head Hu ever gathers all the Clans in one place again.

Having carefully observed the assembled people, he continued:

— Ki Bo and… Sheng Li, you and I will go to the celebration. Dae Ming, you remain in the palace. In the evening I will give you what you will need in my absence, — Head Gong waited for a reaction again and caught his wife's eye, — my lady, would you like to walk with me in the garden after the meal?

No, of course, the husband did not miss her closeness, although it is impossible to say that he does not love this beautiful woman. He loves her in his own way, and he is glad that she belongs to him.

Gong Mei Li (Hu An)

Keeping a calm expression on her face was difficult, but necessary. No matter how jubilant she was inside, it cannot be shown. Mei Li looked up at her husband with an unperturbed expression.

— I'll be glad to take a walk with you, my lord, — with a gentle smile, she plunged into the deep green of his beautiful eyes. After all, Bao Lei was incredibly handsome, and anyway, he was her husband. The other women were just bodies to satisfy his needs. 

Shaking off the obsession, she interrupted the flow of thoughts. You can’t give in to feelings, no matter how handsome and charming Head Gong is, you shouldn’t forget who he really is.

A birthday reception is a long-term affair. This means that she has at least another month, the main thing now is not to give herself away.

Gong De Ming (Song Lin)

The young man understood the decision, but making new acquaintances was also important, but nothing could be done. He nodded. It was only a shame that the concubine's son would accompany the Head. Although, perhaps, his father had his own plans, which De Ming was unable to comprehend due to his young age.

Gong Ki Bo (Joon Jae)

— Head Hu decided to hold a reception? — The heir shook a non-existent speck of dust from wide sleeve, — will father have any orders regarding this?

Hiding slight anxiety under a mask of equanimity, Ki Bo looked directly into the eyes of the Head. The entire elite of the most powerful Clans would be at the reception, and he remembered very well how quite recently Gong Bao Lei had talked about his upcoming marriage.

Acquiring a burden in the form of a young girl was not at all part of the young man's plans. This means that will need to take a closer look at everyone and be sure to find flaws.

Gong Sheng Li (Li Xin)

Sheng Li, of course, noticed the hesitation before his own name. His father does not accept him to the extent that he can boldly call himself a son, let alone an heir. The heavens would sooner fall than Gong Bao Lei, much less lady Gong, would recognize him as a son. The thought saddens him, and the young man tries his best to be perfect.

Trying to avoid being seen by lady Gong was the best strategy, but for now, he needed to be here and catch her displeased gaze every now and then.

After Ki Bo's question, he listened to the Head so as not to miss a single word.

Gong Bao Lei (Zhi Yuan)

The tenacity of his eldest son pleases him. The man put another piece of meat in his mouth, finished chewing it, washed it down with a drink, and explained with a smile:

— The birthday of the Head Hu is only an excuse and an opportunity for you. Now you must prepare for the road. You need to collect gifts, carriages and look at the adepts, perhaps someone needs practice outside the walls of the Order.

The Head deliberately did not give a task for Sheng Li, he would never become an heir and he also did not need experience in getting ready for the trip. As a sign that the meal was over, he stood up and turned to his wife:

— My lady, let's leave the children. I really want you to accompany me in the garden today, — pointed with a thin hand towards the exit.

Gong Mei Li (Hu An) 

Mei Li rose from her seat with dignity. And as if not noticing the weight of her own clothes, she easily walked in the direction indicated by her husband.

Even in winter, the gardens around the palace were stunning in their splendor. Skilled gardeners, gathered from all over Shanlu, strictly monitored that everything looked perfect. Like shadows, they glided along the tangled paths, appearing only at the right moment to serve a cup of wine or tea.

Stopping at one of the many pavilions, in a particularly picturesque place at this time of year, Mei Li took a deep breath of the frost-scented air.

— Bao… — smiling, the woman raised her eyes to her husband

Gong Bao Lei (Zhi Yuan)

They walked in silence. Although it would be wrong to say that they walked, rather they soared along the paths, and after a few turns it seemed that some tension between them had gone. He easily inhaled the winter air and, responding to his own name, smiled back…

— My lady, I know I am not the best of husbands. But it seems to me that your life here is no worse than it was in your own home. Even if it is cooler in winter… — the man did not drive the smile from his face and changed the goblet from the servant who approached.

Gong Mei Li (Hu An) 

A slight surprise flashed across Mei Li's face, spreading confusion in her soul. The spellcaster had never said such words to her, and a premonition of something bad lay like a heavy stone on her soul.

— My lord, I am happy that once upon a time your choice fell on me. Any girl can only dream of such a husband. This house has long become my home and... I like cool winters. Our children are already grown up, but when I look at you, I see the same perfect man as the day we met.

Gong Bao Lei (Zhi Yuan)

For a moment, Bao thought the woman's words sounded like a song. He leaned toward the voice and, lifting her thin face with his long fingers, kissed her tender lips. Without breaking away, he whispered:

— Mei Li, I am happy that I can delight your charming eyes with my presence, — then glanced sharply at the sky and continued, — it's getting cold, let's go back to the palace.

Gong Mei Li (Hu An)

Since their marriage, Bao Lei had not often indulged his wife with his touch, preferring to spend his nights in the arms of his concubines. But every time this did happen, she lost her head. And now, not understanding what she was doing, she whispered into a kiss:

— I must tell you, my lord …

Her husband's last phrase destroyed the idyll, bringing her back to earth. Hu An bit her lip, hoping that the man had not paid attention to her words.

Gong Bao Lei (Zhi Yuan)

The Head heard his wife's words, but he had no desire to continue the conversation. His thoughts began to revolve around the celebration, gifts, and the Order. He didn't notice how they reached the palace. Suddenly he spoke coldly again:

— Mei Li, go to your chambers, the servants will bring you tea.

Without waiting for an answer, Bao Lei went to get ready. Only late in the evening did he remember that Hu An wanted to say something, but at that moment a lovely girl came, who dispelled his thoughts with just her appearance.