Don’t Call Me Your Wife (GL)

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Chapter 29: Title

As Gu Hengbo stepped into the Prime Minister’s residence, Gu Ran followed closely behind, looking surprised. "Sister, why didn’t you go to the flower appreciation banquet today?"

Gu Hengbo paused. "What flower appreciation banquet?"

Gu Ran was taken aback for a moment. "Today is the day for all the young ladies from the royal city to gather. Didn’t Mrs. Lin invite you?"

Gu Hengbo glanced at her sideways. "You know, you’re quite a pretty girl. Why do you always try to get my attention? I’ve already walked in, yet you insist I look back at you. Is it really that interesting?"

Gu Ran was a bit confused. "I…"

Gu Hengbo sighed, "Good sister, Lady Lin didn’t invite this unwelcome younger sister of mine. Can I leave now?"

Just as Gu Hengbo was about to walk away, Gu Ran stepped forward and grabbed her. "Meisheng!"

Gu Hengbo turned around, slightly annoyed. "Are you bored or what?"

Gu Ran lowered her head, biting her lip, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Gu Hengbo pushed her hand away. "You’re so annoying," she said, trying to leave again, but Gu Ran grabbed her once more.

"Gu Ran, are you done yet?" Gu Hengbo instinctively pushed back against Gu Ran. As soon as her hand touched Gu Ran’s clothes, Gu Ran fell to the ground.

Gu Hengbo laughed. "What kind of act are you pulling now?"

"Tsk, Second Miss is still as spoiled and stubborn as ever," came a teasing voice from behind.

Gu Hengbo didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. She looked up at the sky. "Yeah, this girl has been a bit too hands-on lately, can’t resist touching beautiful women. Got a problem with that?" With that, she turned around.

Gu Hengbo was momentarily stunned. It wasn’t just Lian Chen. The young man beside him was polite and gentle, like jade—wasn’t this the handsome guy who helped her find her way in the palace the other day? "You’re not—"

"Meisheng, this is my second brother," Lian Chen said.

Second brother? The Second Prince, Lianyang.

"Miss, Yunluo will be back soon. How did you end up on the ground?" the little maid asked worriedly as she helped Gu Ran up. "Are you hurt?"

Gu Ran shook her head. "I’m fine; I just tripped."

"How could you trip for no reason?" Yunluo asked, puzzled.

Lian Chen waved his folding fan with a smile, chiming in, "Exactly, how could she trip for no reason?"

Yunluo looked up at Lian Chen and then at Lianyang, her face flushing with panic. "Greetings, Your Highness the Second Prince, Your Highness the Third Prince."

Lian Chen smiled. "You should hurry and help your lady back to rest. If something happens, it won’t be good."

Yunluo replied, "Yes," and helping Gu Ran, they left.

Gu Hengbo watched the master and servant walk away, feeling a pang of guilt. Was she being a bully?

"Let’s talk," Lian Chen suddenly said.

Gu Hengbo knew exactly what he wanted to discuss. The old turtle wanted her to marry that powerless Second Prince—wasn’t that the guy right in front of her? Lianyang, noticing Gu Hengbo staring at him, realized she recognized him. He hadn’t expected her to be the woman in purple he met in the palace. Lian Chen patted Gu Hengbo’s shoulder and asked softly, "What’s going on between you and Gu Cheng?" It was an odd question for Lian Chen to ask. Gu Hengbo glanced at him and replied bluntly, "It’s exactly what you see."

Lian Chen was taken aback.

Gu Hengbo appreciated Lian Chen for still choosing to believe her and Gu Cheng at this moment. She smiled at him. "Do we really have to talk about this in front of the Second Prince?"

The emperor definitely knew about her situation with Gu Cheng, yet still wanted Lianyang to marry her. Wasn’t it obvious? Lianyang was the only prince without power, and Gu Yuanqing acted like he was doing her a favor. She couldn’t understand it—why would the emperor want his son to marry a woman who had lost her purity? Wasn’t that reason enough?

Lian Chen understood the underlying reasons. He nodded with a smile and turned to Lianyang. "Second Brother, if there’s nothing else, let’s head back to the palace. If we stay out too long, Father will be upset."

Lianyang nodded. "Alright."

Gu Hengbo tugged at Lian Chen’s sleeve. "Did my father send you here, or did you come on your own?"

Lian Chen glanced at her and said nothing, turning to speak with Lianyang before leaving.

From start to finish, Gu Hengbo didn’t say a word to Lianyang. She actually wanted to thank him—he had genuinely helped her that day. But he didn’t bring it up, not even giving her a glance. Suddenly, she felt pretty pathetic.

Back in her courtyard, Gu Hengbo didn’t see Qingfeng. She leaned against her bedside, finding Madam Dou still fast asleep. She sighed; even if Madam Dou woke up now, it wouldn’t change anything. No matter whom she married, it was still marriage, right? Just to clear her conscience? She didn’t owe anyone anything. Since she arrived here, she had been constantly on the defensive, with no real choices. Did she ever have any before?

Woken by Qingfeng, it was already dinner time. She stretched lazily and yawned. "Qingfeng, is dinner ready yet?"

As Qingfeng tidied up, she answered, "Hmm, will the Miss no longer go to the front courtyard from now on?"

Gu Hengbo lazily murmured in response, her eyes half-closed.

After eating, Gu Hengbo lay back down on the bed to catch some sleep. The good thing about being here was that she didn’t have to work, and someone was there to take care of her. Although life wasn’t perfect, having meals without having to work was something she could only dream of.

Lying on the bed, Gu Hengbo thought a lot about the past and the future. Sometimes, she felt that maybe if she just blinked or slept for a while, she could go back. Although her past days were tough, she lived quite freely. But every time she woke up, she realized it wasn’t a dream; she had truly left the place that had accompanied her for over twenty years, forever gone, increasingly distant, so far that she couldn’t touch it at all. Sometimes, she let many things fill her mind, trying hard to avoid thinking about those people and matters, but now, she was forced to face the reality.

She became indecisive and hesitant.

Early in the morning, Gu Hengbo was awakened by the loud noise outside. She turned over, intending to continue sleeping, but the sound was too annoying. She suddenly sat up in bed and yelled outside, "Qingfeng, why is it so noisy outside?"

After waiting for a while without a reply from Qingfeng, Gu Hengbo, dressed only in her inner clothing, went outside. As she reached the door, she bumped into a flustered Qingfeng rushing in. "What’s wrong? Are you being chased by someone?"

Qingfeng pulled the sleepy Gu Hengbo back into the room. "Miss, I have to tell you, it’s bad news! Prince Rong is here!"

Gu Hengbo nodded, "And then?"

Qingfeng paced anxiously in the room. "Prince Rong came with a huge procession to propose at the Prime Minister’s residence. Miss, we need to run!"

Gu Hengbo glanced at her, "Are you in such a hurry?"

Qingfeng nodded vigorously, "Of course! How can you marry Prince Rong? Didn’t we agree to go to the palace?"

Gu Hengbo sighed. Even going to the palace was better; she preferred going to Prince Rong’s residence instead.

"Hey, is Qingfeng there?" A clear female voice rang out from outside.

Qingfeng froze. "It’s Huanhuan’s voice! Oh no, she must want you to go." "Huanhuan, what’s the matter?"

The junior maidservant named Huanhuan shouted from outside, "Qingfeng, hurry and get Second Miss ready! The lord is waiting for him in the main hall, and the master and mistress are here too. Quick!"

"Alright!" Qingfeng rushed out, but by then, Huanhuan was already gone.

Qingfeng hurriedly walked back into the room. "Miss, quickly get dressed! We need to run!"

Gu Hengbo turned around to put on her clothes. "Run? You think we can run away? I don’t mind, but if they catch you, it’s better to be beaten to death than to let them get you back!"

Qingfeng shivered, "It’s not that serious."

Gu Hengbo nodded, "If I say it is, it is. Stop talking nonsense and quickly help me get some water to wash my face. I’ll hurry over."

Qingfeng pouted, looking helpless as if she was the one being forced. Finally, she couldn’t withstand Gu Hengbo’s look and gave in.