Chapter 27

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Chapter 27: Title

Qingfeng looked at Gu Hengbo in surprise. It was the first time she had seen her dressed so formally, in a light blue robe with flowing clouds. Her long hair, though simply styled, was meticulously done, making her appear elegant and graceful, and her usually bare face was adorned with light makeup today.

"Miss, you look really beautiful."

"Really?"

Qingfeng paused, then snapped back to reality. "Are you going out? Where to?"

"To Prince Rong’s residence."

Prince Rong’s residence? Qingfeng was momentarily taken aback. "What do you need to go there for?"

Gu Hengbo’s eyes expressed a hint of impatience. "To see Lian Rong."

Seeing that Gu Yuanqing was about to send her into the palace, and with Madam Dou unwell, Lian Chen was nowhere to be found. For the first time, she felt a deep sense of helplessness, as if she were a clown, to be watched and manipulated.

After getting off the carriage, Gu Hengbo glanced at the gilded plaque of Prince Rong’s residence, feeling a mix of emotions. She never expected to step into Prince Rong’s residence under such circumstances.

Forget it; a strong person can bend and straighten. She, a girl from the 21st century, has faced many challenges; this small setback would not defeat her.

Although she had prepared herself mentally, Gu Hengbo was still quite shocked when she saw the pavilions and rockeries inside. It seemed that Lian Rong was not a modest person at all; typically, the richer someone is, the more discreet they tend to be, right? This person seemed to throw money around as if she were afraid others wouldn’t know how wealthy she was! Even the stones on the road were made of white jade. If she casually pinched an ant in the yard and said it came from Prince Rong’s residence, it would probably sell for a good price.

Qian Yue smiled at Gu Hengbo, "Second Miss, the prince is taking a nap. Would you rather go back or wait in the reception hall for him to wake up?"

Gu Hengbo smiled slightly, "Meisheng, let’s wait for the prince to wake up."

Qian Yue nodded, "Very well, please follow me, Second Miss."

Following Qian Yue through the twists and turns of Prince Rong’s residence, they walked for nearly an hour. Just as Gu Hengbo began to silently complain, Qian Yue finally stopped. "We’ve arrived at the reception hall. Second Miss, please rest here for a moment. I will certainly inform you when the prince wakes up."

Gu Hengbo nodded, "Thank you for your trouble, Steward Feng."

After Qian Yue left, Gu Hengbo sat alone in the empty hall. She sat on a chair and stretched her sore legs. This Prince Rong’s residence was not only large but also unbelievably luxurious. In modern times, how many people have to struggle for several years just for a piece of land?

Inside the octagonal pavilion, where the curtains fluttered, Qian Yue looked at the person lying on the soft couch with closed eyes, a smile in her eyes. "The prince is truly mischievous; this residence is so big, and he won’t even prepare a palanquin for Miss Gu. Luckily, Qian Yue is a martial artist; otherwise, she might be exhausted."

After a moment, a soft laugh came from the couch. "Are you worried about her, Qian Yue?"

The smile in Qian Yue’s eyes deepened. "How could I dare, I’m worried about the prince."

Lian Rong half-closed her eyes, a beautiful curve forming at the corners of her lips. "It seems that the medicine was not strong enough; she can come to find this king in perfect health."

Qian Yue slowly walked closer to the couch, bending her legs to help massage the person while saying with a smile, "How long does the prince plan to make her wait?"

"Not in a hurry; let’s see how patient she is. If she doesn’t show some sincerity, all the effort I spend will be in vain."

Qian Yue sighed, "If the prince is putting in so much effort, I’m quite curious about Miss Gu."

The person on the couch smiled without responding.

Gu Hengbo was already dozing off in the chair. Still no sign of Lian Rong, and the day was gradually darkening. She couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious. "Why can he sleep so soundly, from dawn until dark? Is he a pig?" Complaining aside, she had to wait.

"I heard the Second Miss’s voice from outside; it seems that you are quite dissatisfied with this king’s tardiness~" The deep, gentle tone and carefree manner could only belong to Lian Rong.

What a great man, always speaking in such a strange tone!

Gu Hengbo nearly jumped from her chair the moment she heard his voice. She stared at the figure appearing at the door, feeling a bit awkward as she curtsied, "Meisheng greets the prince."

Lian Rong smiled slightly, "Does the Second Miss have a strong opinion about this king’s sleep?"

Gu Hengbo lowered her head and quietly said, "Meisheng does not dare."

Lian Rong leaned closer to her. "You don’t dare? Ha! If you don’t dare, then no one would dare."

Gu Hengbo stood there blankly, not understanding why Lian Rong was stuck on this matter. She adjusted her mindset and forced a smile. "Meisheng is here today to ask for the prince’s assistance."

Lian Rong turned and sat in the main seat, not even glancing at Gu Hengbo. "Did this king ask you what you came for? You have quite the nerve."

Gu Hengbo was taken aback, not knowing what to say. Lian Rong was behaving strangely today. Right, she had forgotten—Lian Rong was there when she and Gu Cheng were tangled up in bed. No wonder she was disgusted with her and wouldn’t show her a good face; the prince’s airs were quite high.

"Why are you silent? Did you not come to seek this king’s help? Last time, when this king assisted you and your mother, Miss Gu didn’t even say thank you," Lian Rong glanced at the silent Gu Hengbo.

"It is my rudeness, and I hope the prince will be magnanimous. As long as you agree to help me this time, I can meet any condition you have," be it madness or folly, she could wait, but Madam Dou could not.

Lian Rong’s eyes sparkled with mockery. "So, this is how one pleads for help."

Gu Hengbo was surprised, her gaze lifted to meet Lian Rong’s enchanting face, but her heart was no longer filled with admiration. Judging by her attitude, if she didn’t do something today, she definitely wouldn’t help her.

Thinking of Madam Dou, Gu Hengbo smiled bitterly. The people of this world had nothing to do with her; why should she belittle herself? Yet, she was so contradictory. Whatever she did, it had to be worthy of her conscience.

No matter what, how could she maintain her soft heart?

Lian Rong looked at Gu Hengbo, who was kneeling before her, her stubbornness strikingly apparent. "What’s wrong? Now that you are kneeling, what kind of expression is that? Do you find it humiliating to kneel before this king?"

Gu Hengbo tugged at the corner of her mouth and said, “Does the prince need Meisheng to bow down a few more times?” Just as she was about to bend down, her head barely touching the ground, Lian Rong’s voice stopped her.

“Speak, how can I help you?”

“Marry me.”

Lian Rong raised an eyebrow, as if she had heard a huge joke. She looked at the kneeling Gu Hengbo with a strange expression, “You want me to marry you?”

Gu Hengbo nodded, “Yes, my father plans to have me enter the palace. Once I go in, it doesn’t matter if my mother lives or dies; now, only the prince can help Meisheng.” To be selfish, first, she really didn’t want to enter the palace. Second, Prince Rong’s residence would be freer, which should help her if she needed to run away in the future.

Lian Rong leaned back, thoughtfully gazing at Gu Hengbo. Wasn’t the current situation exactly what she wanted? But this was happening too fast. “Have you thought about the consequences of marrying me?”

“I have thought about it. Once my mother gets better, the prince can grant Meisheng a divorce, and I can still fulfill the prince’s conditions as an outsider,” Gu Hengbo said, her face expressionless.

Lian Rong smiled slightly, “What makes you think I will help you?”

Gu Hengbo looked straight into her pitch-black eyes, “The prince seems to get along well with my father.”

Lian Rong chuckled, “You, a little girl, are quite thoughtful.”

Gu Hengbo hmphed in her heart but remained calm on the outside, “With someone as handsome, wealthy, and powerful as the prince, how many people are queuing up to marry him? Meisheng has no regrets.” She could flatter too.

Lian Rong’s smile deepened, “Gu Meisheng, are you sure you want to marry me? It’s not too late to regret now.”

“I said I won’t regret it,” Gu Hengbo looked at her through gritted teeth, as if wanting it to end.

Lian Rong let out a light laugh and stood up, walking outside, “Then the Second Miss should wait at home. My betrothal gifts will arrive soon.”

Gu Hengbo sighed, rubbed her numb legs, and was about to rise when a pair of hands gently helped her up. “Qian Yue congratulates the Second Miss.”

Gu Hengbo smiled bitterly at the congratulatory remark; it felt like a jab.

Qian Yue smiled sweetly at Gu Hengbo’s bitter face, “The prince ordered that Qian Yue must personally escort the Second Miss back to her residence.”