Chapter 64

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Chapter 64: Title

Shuiyan said something, and Gu Hengbo got up and walked over. Sure enough, in an inconspicuous corner, there was a tiny round hole the size of a finger. The wall already had poor soundproofing, and through this hole, she could even see a few people sitting next door.

Gu Hengbo leaned against the wall and thought for a moment. She felt that eavesdropping was very unethical, but she couldn’t help but want to know what they were discussing. Just as she hesitated, she heard another voice.

“Father is still investigating the grain store in Xishu. The Duke of Xiyue is still such a worry. If Father wants to use this matter to remove him, it would be as easy as flipping a hand,” Lian Yue’s voice sounded somewhat irritated.

Gu Hengbo had seen him once from a distance before. He appeared calm and composed, and he was incredibly handsome. Compared to Lianyang and Lian Chen, he seemed slightly superior, with a unique aura she had also seen in Lianhua. Both of these men were extraordinary and clearly inherited their charm from the Empress.

If Lianyang belonged to the understated and inconspicuous type, Lian Yue was the kind of person who was hard to forget once seen. However, from his voice, he seemed a bit different this time.

“Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. No matter how capable the Duke of Xiyue is, he only manages a small territory. When the Duke of Beiyuan proposed several conditions before, we should have considered them carefully,” another voice said.

“I have thought about this too, but the Duke of Beiyuan is too powerful. He has always been a hidden danger for the Emperor. Allying with him is still too risky. He controls sixteen cities in the north and has close connections with the northern tribes, making him a poor ally,” replied another voice.

“Indeed, Your Highness. It’s known that the Duke of Beiyuan is ruthless and a rough man, always engaged in fighting and killing. Trading with him might ruin our plans,” another added.

“Though the Duke of Beiyuan is a brute, he is not as tactless as you say. He is quite clever; otherwise, he wouldn’t have directly mentioned the position of Prime Minister.”

Gu Hengbo did not know who they were discussing, but she understood the general idea. She glanced at Shuiyan opposite her, who was keeping her head down in silence. Just as Gu Hengbo was about to sit back down, her toes accidentally kicked the corner of the table. The noise was just enough for the people next door to hear. Without saying another word, she pushed Shuiyan aside and walked inside, whispering, “Quick, hide. Don’t come out without my permission.”

Indeed, not long after Shuiyan hid, their door was pushed open. Leading the group was the man Gu Hengbo had seen through the small hole earlier, dressed in court attire. She inwardly cursed, a bunch of fools, wearing court clothes as if hoping everyone would know they were officials. If they were planning a rebellion, they sure were making a lot of noise. Had their brains grown on their backsides?

While Gu Hengbo grumbled internally, she looked at the people entering. She paused with her tea cup at her mouth, “What brings you here?”

One of the young men, seeing Gu Hengbo sitting there, frowned. “Who are you, and why are you here?”

Gu Hengbo leaned back in her chair and took a sip from her tea cup. She glanced at them indifferently. “This is Yipin Tower. I naturally came to eat. But you all barging into someone else’s room for no reason is quite inexplicable.”

“You…” The young man wanted to say something more but was stopped by another arriving person. This man looked to be around thirty-four or thirty-five and, despite being serious, did not seem like a bad person. He looked at Gu Hengbo, his tone extraordinarily calm. “Please don’t be angry, Miss. Our young master wishes to meet you. He is next door. Would you be willing to see him?”

Gu Hengbo’s lips curved into a smile. He wants to meet her? Ha! Today she, Gu Hengbo, is the Crown Princess of Prince Rong. If it were an ordinary person, they would likely be in danger by coming in here. Luckily, she had just kicked the table corner; had it been a porcelain vase or a jar, they would have clearly heard their conversation. Now she could come up with a good excuse.

She smiled lightly, “I am just a young lady. You want me to meet your young master? What do you take me for? Since he wishes to see me, let him come personally. I want to see what kind of person can raise a group of uncouth subordinates like you.”

“You…”

“Ma Chao!” the man called, turning around to meet Gu Hengbo’s gaze. He had grown impatient, and his tone hardened considerably. “My young master has a special status, so please move along. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude.”

Gu Hengbo remained calm, sitting there leisurely with her tea cup, completely disregarding their words. Just as the man was about to step closer, a pleasant male voice called out.

“Changshun.”

Seeing the newcomer, the group hurriedly bowed in greeting.

When Lian Yue wanted to say more, he noticed the person sitting in the chair and his heart skipped a beat. His expression shifted several times, but in a moment, he returned to normal. He stepped forward, bowed, and clasped his hands. “Royal nephew greets royal aunt.”

Gu Hengbo feigned great surprise and stood up, “Lian Yue? Why are you here?”

Lian Yue did not know if Gu Hengbo had truly heard his previous words, but looking at her expression, it didn’t seem fake. He respectfully replied, “Royal nephew came to Yipin Tower with several dignitaries and heard some commotion in the room. We thought there might be some trouble, so we let someone come in to check. I didn’t mean to offend you, royal aunt. Please don’t hold it against us.” After a pause, he turned to the people behind him. “What are you still dawdling for? Quickly greet the Princess of Prince Rong.”

The previously tense group nearly bowed down to her in fear. Gu Hengbo smiled, “It’s fine. I was actually meeting someone, but they barged in just now.”

The group, upon hearing Gu Hengbo’s words, simultaneously clasped their hands. “Please forgive us, Crown Princess.”

Gu Hengbo waved her hand, “Alright, since there’s nothing going on, you should all return to your tasks. No need to mind me.”

As Lian Yue led the group away, Gu Hengbo sat back down in her chair. She stared at the door for a while, feeling uneasy. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Lian Yue wouldn’t easily believe her, but this matter must absolutely not be told to Lian Rong without any evidence.

When Shuiyan came out, Gu Hengbo pulled her to sit down and said seriously, “You know what I want to tell you, right?”

“Crown Princess, this matter shouldn’t be kept from the Prince,” Shuiyan said, looking very serious.

Gu Hengbo had no friends here, and her relationship with the servants of Prince Rong’s residence was just that of a master and servants. She had never thought of taking the relationship further. Qinfeng was the same way; as for Shui Yan, although they usually wouldn’t bother with such matters, today’s incident involved her as well. Since Shui Yan had heard it, so had she. Without evidence, what good would telling Lian Rong do? She felt it was just not the right time.

With Gu Hengbo’s encouragement, Shui Yan finally agreed to keep this matter secret for now, but once Lian Yue did anything, she must be the first to inform Lian Rong.

Gu Hengbo was quite puzzled inside. Given Lian Yue’s high status, he had a greater chance than anyone else to become the crown prince. Why did he need to do this? The emperor was still young, and it was normal not to appoint a crown prince yet, but he was skipping a crucial step, which seemed too urgent.

*

Gu Hengbo went to the Prime Minister’s residence and happened to find Gu Yuanqing there. It was rare for the father and daughter to sit together. In just a few days, Gu Hengbo noticed that the old turtle, whom she often scolded in her heart, had a lot more gray hair.

“What kind of person does he have to marry? Of all people, he insists on marrying a woman from a brothel. If he didn’t hold an official position, I could at most bear a few laughs from others, but what is this? Does he want to darken my old face even more? First, my daughter marries a female prince, and now my son is going to marry a fallen woman. None of you three are making it easy for me!” Gu Yuanqing sighed while speaking. “At least Prince Rong has power and influence. What is he after? Over the years, I’ve allowed him to do whatever he wants, but even if he finds a child from a normal family, as long as they are healthy and upright, it should be fine. Yet everything he does goes against my wishes.”

Gu Hengbo sat next to him, saying, “Father, Meisheng understands your feelings. As long as my brother is happy, it doesn’t matter what others say.”

Gu Yuanqing shook his head. “It’s useless to say anything now. I don’t want to manage it anymore. Let him be.” He could not push his son any further regarding this.

“I heard my brother say he would move out once he gets married.”

Gu Yuanqing nodded. “I’ve already given my silent agreement to this. Getting married is fine, but allowing that woman to move into the Gu family is out of the question.”

Gu Hengbo remained silent. Although he was greedy for wealth and power, he was, after all, just a father. He had his own difficulties. In the court, such people often faced being courted or reported by the censors. At home, he was just a man trying to provide for his wife and children.

Actually, she was quite kind. Gu Hengbo told herself that in her heart.

Gu Yuanqing was not good to her at all, yet she felt a bit of sympathy for him. Of course, she did not regret stealing back her dowry. Compared to them, including Lian Rong, she was truly poor. If she could escape smoothly in the future, she would keep her distance from these people and tend to pigs by herself. She had to think carefully about the farm.