Chapter 30

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Chapter 30: Title

As the young Gu entered the main hall, she found dozens of eyes staring at her. She raised her eyebrows slightly. With Lian Rong here, it was best if the old turtle didn’t get scared to death.

"You’ve arrived," Lian Rong was sitting in Gu Yuanqing’s usual spot, wearing a robe made of qilin brocade. The first time Gu saw her, she was also in this long robe, looking like an upright gentleman.

Gu Hengbo looked at her smug expression. Others might not see it, but she could tell that Lian Rong was putting on an act. Look at the old turtle’s face, it was so dark.

“Meisheng has met the king.” Regardless of her inner thoughts, Gu Hengbo still properly bowed to Lian Rong like paying respect to an ancestor.

Lian Rong smiled slightly. "Prime Minister Gu, I came personally to propose. Are you dissatisfied with the dowry from Prince Rong’s residence?"

Gu Yuanqing bowed quickly. "I wouldn’t dare, but my daughter already has a betrothal with the Second Prince, which was personally approved by the Emperor. It’s just that…"

Lian Rong looked at him with surprise. "Such a thing exists? A Che."

A guard named A Che stepped forward and handed a bright yellow scroll to Gu Yuanqing. Lian Rong’s lips curled up slightly. "What Prime Minister Gu said, I did not know. This edict was personally issued by the Emperor. Oh, it has the royal seal. Prime Minister Gu will know when you look at it." (PS: This is not a marriage decree; Lian Rong only requested a decree.)

Gu Yuanqing looked at the words on the scroll in shock. How could this be? How could the Emperor agree? "Your Highness, this, this is not possible."

Lian Rong showed her displeasure. "Prime Minister Gu means that this king is not worthy of your daughter."

"No, no, no! The old minister does not mean that. It is my little girl who is not worthy of the prince. Please think again, Your Highness."

Lian Rong raised an eyebrow. "Think again about what? Do I need to ponder whether to marry the woman I love? Prime Minister Gu, you clearly do not want to give this king any respect, right? Huh?"

Gu Yuanqing looked troubled. "Uh, uh, Meisheng…"

Gu Hengbo, who was enjoying the drama, was startled when Gu Yuanqing called her name. "Father!"

Gu Yuanqing glared at her. "The prince is waiting for your response."

Gu Hengbo met Lian Rong’s unfathomable eyes, and in her mind, she gave a disrespectful gesture. She smiled slightly at Lian Rong and tossed the difficult question back to Gu Yuanqing. "For such an important matter as marriage, let father decide."

Gu Yuanqing was stunned, staring at her and unable to speak.

The smile in Lian Rong’s eyes deepened as she turned her gaze back to Gu Yuanqing. "How much longer does Prime Minister Gu need to think? The people in this king’s residence are still waiting outside."

Lian Rong’s voice was not loud, but each word carried pressure, making the entire hall so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

"I disagree!" A male voice from outside shattered the silence in the room.

Everyone looked in surprise at the doorway where Gu Cheng stood, looking disheveled and significantly thinner. Madam Qin’s heart raced. Gu Cheng arriving at this moment was like stepping onto a blade.

"Someone, pull Eldest Son out! Can’t you see the prince is here?" Madam Qin shouted.

Gu Yuanqing’s expression changed when he saw Gu Cheng.

Several servants moved to surround Gu Cheng. Gu Hengbo glanced at the person at the door and noticed how much he had suffered in just a few days.

As the servants dragged Gu Cheng out, he turned his gaze to Gu Hengbo, his eyes filled with guilt and sorrow. "Meisheng, you cannot marry." Gu Hengbo forced a smile but said nothing.

"Wait…"

Madam Qin’s face changed as she looked anxiously at Gu Yuanqing, nearly ripping the handkerchief in her hands apart.

Lian Rong stared at Gu Cheng, her voice cold. "What right do you have to say that?"

"…"

"What you did to this king’s crown princess, I have not pursued yet, Prime Minister Gu?" Lian Rong’s tone suddenly shifted as she walked closer to Gu Yuanqing, her indifference clear in her eyes. "Tell me, how should I handle this matter?"

The sudden pressure made it hard for Gu Yuanqing to breathe. At his age, he had not yet enjoyed a comfortable life, so why provoke her over such a matter? She was just a woman. What could she do to him? He could settle the scores later.

"Since the prince thinks so highly of me, then let the prince decide the date," Gu Yuanqing said, and everyone in the room sighed in relief.

Gu Hengbo scoffed inwardly, realizing that the old turtle was indeed quite shameless. Without much hesitation, he had agreed, happily selling his daughter. But she found it strange; typically, the relationship between the old turtle and Lian Rong should be good. Had she miscalculated?

This sudden realization sent a chill down Gu Hengbo’s spine.

Lian Rong maintained her calm expression. "So, Prime Minister Gu has agreed. Then let it be the day after tomorrow, what do you say?" The last part of her sentence was directed at Gu Hengbo.

Gu Hengbo stared blankly at Lian Rong. "Whatever is fine."

Lian Rong watched her stunned expression and chuckled, suddenly leaning in to give her a quick peck on the lips. "Then it’s settled for the day after tomorrow. Wait obediently for me at the residence."

That bastard kissed her in front of everyone, and Gu Hengbo felt her face flush red, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Even after Lian Rong left, she stood there like a foolish person.

Gu Cheng was taken away, and she noticed that Qingfeng had vanished again. Wasn’t she supposed to be nearby at this time?

As Madam Qin left, she glanced at Gu Hengbo with a strange expression, lacking her usual arrogance and disdain. Instead, there was curiosity and confusion.

Gu Ran looked at Gu Hengbo and smiled, "You are so lucky, sister! I never expected that Prince Rong would take a liking to you. Hehe, getting into Prince Rong’s residence is much harder than entering the palace. You must cherish this great opportunity."

Gu Hengbo felt that there was a lot of sarcasm and schadenfreude in her words. Normally, a wealthy and beautiful man like Lian Rong would have many people wanting to marry him, so why did everyone have that expression, making her feel like she was going to be a widow?

"Sister, don’t say that! The prince mentioned you to me a few days ago. It seems he likes you too," said Gu Hengbo. As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Ran’s face changed, and she froze in shock. Gu Hengbo looked at her in confusion. Was her reaction really that exaggerated? Was Lian Rong a husband killer? Or perhaps he had some kind of problem, like being impotent?

Even though it wasn’t modern and it wasn’t a formal wedding, there still had to be some sort of ceremony. Gu Hengbo felt emotions she had never experienced in over twenty years. Did she have a fear of marriage? She knew it wasn’t real, but she was still quite nervous. She purposely left the Prime Minister’s residence alone, saying she wanted to clear her mind.

Since she had been roaming around with Gu Cheng before, she knew where to go. She found a cool spot by the lake and sat on the ground, clearing her mind. Just as she was considering lying down, someone pressed her head down.

Gu Hengbo turned around, "I told you not to follow me! Huh? How is it you?"

"I missed you, so I came to see you."

Gu Hengbo looked at the person in front of her, dressed in a flashy red robe that shone brightly in the sunlight. She lazily leaned back, saying, "Let me tell you, you missed your chance. I am getting married the day after tomorrow."

"Oh? Who are you marrying?"

Gu Hengbo squinted; the sunlight filtered through the leaves, making it hard for her to open her eyes. "The richest man in Dongyin, of course, the beautiful Lian."

"Sounds good."

"Good my foot!" Gu Hengbo sat up straight, staring intently at the eyes behind the mask. "To be honest, I’m a bit regretful."

"Why?"

"I don’t know. It feels a bit strange, and I’m a little scared. Maybe I have a fear of marriage," Gu Hengbo said with some frustration.

"Then don’t marry him."

Gu Hengbo shook her head. "You don’t know. Lian Rong is quite strange. Her temper is unpredictable. If I go back on my word, she might be the first to take me down."

"Hehe, you know her quite well."

"I can’t say I know her, but she’s just a weird person. Honestly, when she came to my house with a huge group today, she acted like a big shot, sitting in a chair while everyone had to stand. Even the old turtle was stunned. I really don’t know what makes her so special, acting so mighty. I can’t stand it," Gu Hengbo mumbled, with a look of indignation on her face.

"That just means she cares about you. She came to propose!"

Gu Hengbo waved her hand dismissively. "Come on, if you say Gu Cheng cares about me, then I might believe it, but her? I wouldn’t believe it even if she killed me."

"Speaking of which, you and Gu Cheng…"

Gu Hengbo looked up at her. "You know about that?"

"If I wanted to know, I would have found out."

"Alright, it’s like you’re really in love with me. But seriously… I always feel like there’s something off about this. That day, I didn’t lose my virginity. So, let me ask you, do you believe me?"

"I believe you." Of course, she believed her. It was good to know that there was something suspicious about it.

Gu Hengbo gave her a grateful smile. "Suddenly, I think you’re not so bad. Since you admire me, I’ll point you to a clear path."

"……"

"Just find a good person and get married."

"…… Thank you."

In Changning Palace

A woman dressed in a light yellow palace outfit sat at the head of the table, her willow-like eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Brother, what does Lian Rong mean by this? Isn’t she clearly trying to embarrass you?" The speaker was Gu Wan, the noble concubine in the palace.

Gu Yuanqing’s expression was not much better. "I have no idea what she is plotting. Why is she fixated on Meisheng?"

"No wonder over the years, every time the Emperor has brought up marriage, she has found all sorts of reasons to reject it. It seems she has such preferences. However, I haven’t heard of any male concubines or servants in her residence apart from the maids. What does Meisheng say about this?" Gu Wan did not particularly dislike Gu Meisheng, but she didn’t have strong feelings of affection either. When Gu Meisheng entered the palace, she was still a child and lived in a different courtyard, so Gu Wan didn’t have a deep impression of her.

Gu Yuanqing snorted coldly. "That girl has changed a lot since recovering from her illness. She’s become quite temperamental and causes trouble for me every day. If she gets married, it will save me some worries."

Gu Wan’s beautiful eyes darted. "I heard Meisheng has recovered. She and Cheng’er… never mind, let’s not talk about that. Actually, marrying her into Prince Rong’s residence wouldn’t be a bad thing. From what you just said, Lian Rong seems to like her. Brother, why not use this opportunity and get closer to Lian Rong? The benefits in the future will surely be plentiful."

Gu Yuanqing nodded thoughtfully but suddenly seemed to remember something. "But if she really enters the prince’s courtyard, wouldn’t that disrupt your family hierarchy?"

Gu Wan was also taken aback. Indeed, as Gu Yuanqing said, Gu Meisheng would now have to call her sister-in-law instead of aunt. "Brother, let’s not worry about that. We just need to make our next move."