Chapter 39
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Chapter 39: Title
Gu Hengbo jumped off the carriage and stretched. The inside of the carriage was covered with thick, soft bedding, and the ride hadn’t been too bumpy, but sitting for a while still made her feel a bit tired. She looked around at the scenery. Is this what the royal tomb looks like?
Two rows of towering ancient trees stood beside the road. Not far away, the sound of flowing water could be faintly heard. The road stretched on, leading to a green horizon, and everything around gave a feeling of being full of life. The air was also exceptionally fresh.
“Are we not going to the royal tomb?”
Lian Rong walked over, saying, “What do we need to go there for? Come on, this place is my courtyard house. Let me show you.”
“Oh.”
The two walked for a while, leaving behind the towering old trees, replaced by shorter trees and some brightly colored flowers that Gu Hengbo couldn’t name. The sound of water grew closer, and suddenly, the view opened up for Gu Hengbo. A scoop-shaped spring appeared in front of her, with water bubbling up from it.
“The water here is warm in winter and cool in summer,” Lian Rong noticed Gu Hengbo’s curiosity and spoke up.
Gu Hengbo nodded, marveling in her heart. “Wow, is it natural?”
Lian Rong nodded.
After walking around the spring, Lian Rong led Gu Hengbo further and soon, they saw a woman in a white dress approaching them. As she got closer, Gu Hengbo could see her face—she was a stunning beauty, even more enchanting than Qian Yue. Without thinking, Gu Hengbo compared the two women.
“Wuyang has been waiting for the prince and the crown princess for a long time,” a clear voice welcomed them, sounding very pleasant.
Gu Hengbo noticed that Wuyang did not bow to Lian Rong, even though she knew Lian Rong had high standards for the appearance of the servants in Prince Rong’s residence. Though she hadn’t seen many others, she had certainly seen many beauties, and this one was exceptional.
Along the way, Lian Rong occasionally exchanged a few words with Wuyang. Gu Hengbo couldn’t understand and didn’t want to eavesdrop; it was a matter between master and servant, unrelated to her.
In the distance, a courtyard house came into view. Gu Hengbo glanced at it and then looked around; indeed, this was the only house nearby. Given Lian Rong’s extravagant nature, it was strange for her to live in such a simple tile-roofed house.
It turned out they were indeed going there. While Gu Hengbo kept her thoughts to herself, anxiety filled her heart. Was Lian Rong here to engage in something secretive to avoid drawing attention?
There were no guards at the entrance, so the three of them walked in. The yard was not large, and it didn’t have luxurious stones or decorations—on the contrary, it looked quite shabby.
A lone pomegranate tree stood in the courtyard, and Gu Hengbo noticed some unremarkable flowers and plants. She felt increasingly uneasy, and her footsteps slowed considerably.
Watching Gu Hengbo walk ahead, Lian Rong asked Wuyang beside her, “Do we have any clues?”
Wuyang frowned. “Though it was said to be at Taihe Hall that day, the palace has tight security. For a large group of assassins to conceal their presence and succeed in entering, the chances are too low. I believe, unless—”
Lian Rong’s gaze remained fixed on Gu Hengbo, who was walking more slowly.
“Forgive my boldness, but if this matter is truly investigated, it may not be good for the master.”
“Unless what?” Lian Rong asked.
“Unless… it is someone from the emperor.”
“Wuyang, that statement could cost you your life.”
“Please forgive me, my master.”
“No, no, you should have turned left,” Lian Rong suddenly called out to Gu Hengbo ahead. As she spoke, she quickened her pace to catch up, saying, “This matter ends here.”
Wuyang clenched her fingers tightly, her fingertips turning white.
Lian Rong caught up with Gu Hengbo, smiling and asking, “What’s wrong? You seem troubled.”
Gu Hengbo kicked a small stone and replied, “You’re not planning to sell me, are you?”
Lian Rong paused in surprise, then burst into laughter. “You think too highly of yourself; what benefit would there be in selling you?”
Gu Hengbo thought about it and agreed, “Maybe I was overthinking it. Are you sure this courtyard house is yours?”
“Of course.”
Wuyang also followed from behind. Hearing the laughter, the corners of her lips curled up. It was rare for the master to be happy, so she didn’t want to interfere. As she slowed her pace, she glanced at Gu Hengbo, recalling their first meeting and feeling curious. She never expected her master would marry a woman like her.
Gu Hengbo sat in a chair, bored, flipping through a book in her hands. “Why did the prince bring me here?” It wasn’t fun at all.
Lian Rong took a sip of tea and said, “To build feelings, of course.”
Gu Hengbo paused while flipping through the book; this person really said anything. In the 21st century, that would be a disaster. So, does this count as a honeymoon?
“I feel very honored,” Gu Hengbo replied coolly.
“Pretty good.”
“…….”
“What are we having for dinner?”
“I ate too much at lunch, so I’m not very hungry. How about cooking noodles for dinner? You don’t know how, but I do,” she said, noticing there wasn’t much help around.
“You can cook?” Lian Rong asked curiously.
Gu Hengbo waved her hand dismissively, “I’m not a master or anything, but I can stir-fry a little dish and cook some noodles.” It’s a joke; otherwise, how could she live?
Lian Rong’s eyes turned, “That’s fine, you can make dinner.”
“…….”
When Wuyang entered, Gu Hengbo was busy and sweating. That troublesome Lian Rong decided to eat fish, bringing in a big live fish, making her struggle.
Steamed bass, stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat, and vinegar-flavored lotus slices. “Hey? Does your prince have any food restrictions?” Gu Hengbo asked the curious Wuyang.
Wuyang paused for a moment, “No, the prince eats everything.”
Gu Hengbo nodded, “Is there eggplant?”
“There should be, we usually have everything here,” Wuyang replied.
“Isn’t there anyone else here? Is it just the two of you?” Gu Hengbo asked again.
“No, there are servants, but they are few.”
“Don’t you all eat?”
“We do! There is a cook.” The cook was someone her master took from Nanyin’s palace.
Gu Hengbo stopped her movements, her tone changing slightly, “With you all, why do I have to cook?”
Wuyang was stunned; her master said she wanted to cook herself. At the time, she looked up to the new crown princess. But what was going on now?
At the dinner table, Gu Hengbo served delicious dishes with a frown. Lian Rong looked at the rice she placed in front of her and asked in confusion, “Aren’t we eating noodles?”
“Does your family stir-fry so many dishes when eating noodles?” Gu Hengbo replied irritably.
Lian Rong looked at her in confusion and then at Wuyang, who shook her head and planned to quietly leave, but Gu Hengbo called out, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and sit down to eat. No one can leave until we finish!”
Wuyang, looking troubled, sought help from Lian Rong. Lian Rong sighed, “Just sit. It’s not every day the crown princess shows such goodwill. I ate quite a bit at lunch too, so you should eat more.”
Gu Hengbo shot her a sideways glance, “Did you eat lunch today?”
Lian Rong awkwardly smiled, “Yes, I had dinner.”
Gu Hengbo played with the grains of rice in her bowl, watching the two eat ravenously. “Why are you eating so fast? No one is competing with you.” Such oddballs.
“Didn’t you say we can’t leave if we don’t finish?”
“Isn’t it the crown princess who said we can’t leave if we don’t finish?”
Lian Rong and Wuyang almost said in unison.
Wuyang’s face turned slightly red. She had to admit, she had never felt so embarrassed in her life and had never seen her master humiliated before.
The way they puffed their cheeks almost made Gu Hengbo laugh; she asked, "Is it delicious?"
They both nodded at the same time.
Gu Hengbo nodded with satisfaction, almost reaching out to pat their heads. "Look, I have worked so hard for so long. It would be a pity if you don’t finish it, right?"
"……"
"……"
Gu Hengbo smiled and said, "There is still some rice in the kitchen. You should eat it all; don’t waste it."
Both of them were taken aback, but Lian Rong reacted first. She took a sip of water to clear her throat, and the previous awkwardness vanished instantly. She looked seriously at Wuyang, "Since this is the crown princess’s first visit and she is not very familiar with this place, I have eaten enough. Let’s go rest now."
Wuyang was stunned.
Lian Rong pulled Gu Hengbo out, adding at the end, "No wasting food, or I will deduct your salary for three months."
Wuyang looked at the fish head left in the plate, her eyes slightly red. Who knows how long it had been since she had eaten fish brain? The thought of that soft and smooth feeling almost made her cry. Running around all day, she was so exhausted that she could hardly eat. It was all the author’s fault for writing her as cold, noble, and elegant; she made it seem like she could live to two hundred fifty without food. At least the new crown princess knew she was suffering.
