Chapter 68

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Chapter 68: Title

Gu Hengbo was puzzled. How is it that no one is surprised that a female prince married a woman? That little girl over there is quite amusing, sneaking glances at them. Lian Rong could even be her mother, and she is still a woman.

This truly is a magical world!

Oh my, who touched me? Gu Hengbo turned to see Lian Rong looking at her as if she were a monkey at the zoo. “What are you doing? We are in public, please mind your image,” she purposely emphasized the last word.

Lian Rong stared at her, as if thinking, “Do you mean my head has been kicked by a cow?”

“No, it was a donkey. Thank you,” little Gu countered without reservation.

Lian Rong nodded and reminded her, “You have something on your mouth.”

Gu Hengbo was startled, instinctively reaching for her sleeve to wipe the corner of her mouth. After rubbing for a while without success, she looked back at Lian Rong, who was leaning to talk to a cabinet minister. At first, Gu Hengbo didn’t pay much attention, but when she took a closer look, she realized the man talking to Lian Rong was none other than Liu Yu, the man who had kicked their door at Yaoyue Pavilion.

Clearly, Liu Yu noticed her too, and when their eyes met, they both felt a little awkward. To be fair, both have thick skin. In just a moment, Gu Hengbo fully displayed her skills at showing off. She lifted a cup from the small table and tilted it toward Liu Yu, drinking it all in one gulp.

Liu Yu paused, glancing sideways at his companion, “Your princess is quite bold.” Although he said this, he raised his own cup.

Due to the special situation, Gu Hengbo was in a good mood today, especially with the emperor and empress present. She accidentally drank just a bit too much.

Lian Rong noticed that a pink hue had spread across Gu Hengbo’s face. Though she was still awake, it wouldn’t be appropriate to stay here like this.

Without asking for Gu Hengbo’s opinion, Lian Rong stood up to bid farewell to the emperor and empress and the King of Xiliang. Gu Hengbo hadn’t even realized what was happening when Lian Rong had half-embraced her and dragged her away.

“Royal Uncle,”

Just as Gu Hengbo wanted to express her dissatisfaction, she heard a sweet voice from behind.

Lian Rong looked at Lianqing, who was running towards her, a hint of a smile on her lips. “Why are you here alone? Where is the Fourth Prince?”

“Qing’er called for Fourth Brother. He is too timid to come,” Lianqing said as her small body leaped into Lian Rong’s arms, wrapping her little arms around Lian Rong’s neck.

Lian Rong squatted down, holding Lianqing on her lap and lovingly pinching her little nose. “Tell Royal Uncle why he didn’t dare to come.”

Lianqing wiggled her body while sitting on Lian Rong’s lap, “Fourth Brother said he is most afraid of Royal Uncle and would not dare to come for anything.”

Lian Rong smiled softly, “Does Qing’er not fear Royal Uncle?”

Lianqing furrowed her little brows and thought for a long moment before shaking her head. “Qing’er is not afraid. Royal Uncle loves Qing’er the most.”

Lian Rong couldn’t help but laugh as she stood up and pulled Helan Yin towards Gu Hengbo. "Do you know who this is?"

Lianqing tilted her head, examining Gu Hengbo. "I know, she is royal aunt." Since the royal uncle got a new bride, he had not come to Mingluan Palace to see her again. The only time she saw him was in the empress’s bedroom, where she witnessed the royal uncle hugging the empress from behind. She didn’t know what they were doing but wanted to go inside. As soon as she stepped into the hall, the royal uncle gave her a look that scared her back. From that day on, she felt like the royal uncle wouldn’t treat her kindly anymore. Until today, when she saw him, he didn’t even glance at her; his eyes were completely on the new bride. Seeing the two of them leave their seats, she couldn’t help but run out after them.

Lian Rong patted her head, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Gu Hengbo could see that Lian Rong truly liked the child, and she smiled as well. "You know, you two do look quite alike."

As soon as she said that, both Lian Rong and Lianqing turned to look at her, leaving Gu Hengbo stunned and uncertain about where she had gone wrong. After a moment, she regained her composure and awkwardly waved her hand. "I was wrong, I meant uncle and niece."

Seeing the two of them still staring at her, Gu Hengbo looked exasperated. "I just misspoke! You two are really something, it’s so confusing."

"Isn’t it you who’s confused?" Lian Rong replied lightly.

"Hey, what did I do? Lian Rong, let me tell you, don’t…"

"I thought you two were gone! Now that you’re here, will you take me out to play? This is my first time in Dongyin, and you must be Gu Meisheng, right? You should take me with you," Helan Yin suddenly chimed in.

Gu Hengbo thought to herself, wow, this girl really knows how to make herself at home. If she likes that show-off, why doesn’t she go seek her out instead of bothering me? Oh, well, she could only think that in her mind.

Silently mourning for herself for three seconds, Gu Hengbo put on a smiling face. "You are a lady of great status; it’d be unrefined for you to follow us. There’s also that person, Lian Yue. Right, Lian Yue? My big nephew has even opened a gambling house in the royal city; he’s really something. He knows this place well, so let him take you around the royal city. I know you’re shy, but it’s alright; I’ll handle it."

As Gu Hengbo spoke, she pretended to walk away.

Helan Yin felt quite awkward, having not been able to get a word in for a while. Suddenly, as if she had made a decision, she bowed deeply to Gu Hengbo and Lian Rong. "Helan Yin is unaware; if I offended the prince and the crown princess in the woods today, I hope you will forgive me."

Wow, that was a quick change. Gu Hengbo gasped internally as she tugged on Lian Rong’s sleeve, giving her a nudge. Suddenly, she burst into laughter like she’d gone crazy. "It’s no big deal! As they say, ‘the unknowing are not to blame!’ It’s fine, it’s fine!" Really, Your Highness, you are a princess after all; show a bit of pride. I won’t say anything. Facing your crush, the truth doesn’t matter at all. If even this little child understands that, then when she grows up and marries into Prince Rong’s residence, she would have everyone in that manor in line. Unlike me, I can’t keep it together at all.

Sure enough, Helan Yin’s eyes brightened after hearing Gu Hengbo’s words. "Then, Crown Princess, shall you take me to the streets?" Of course, if that person is free too.

Seeing this, Lianqing quickly joined in. "I want to go too! I want to go too!"

Gu Hengbo looked at the lively pair with a headache. She shot Lian Rong a pleading look, but Lian Rong chose to casually avoid her puppy-like gaze.

"A-Rong~"

"I have to stay in the palace this afternoon to discuss matters with brother, so I’ll have to trouble you."

"A-Rong~ Xiao Rong, Rong Rong," someone persisted stubbornly.

The other two teenage children watched this, decisively judging: how can you lower your worth like this?

Finally, under the relentless nagging from someone, little Rong obediently yielded.

Lian Rong realized she had one issue; ever since meeting Gu Hengbo, her maturity seemed to be declining. For example, now she was holding one child with her left hand and another with her right (no misunderstanding, she was only holding her wife). Behind her was an undecided one. She was thirty-three years old and had these children swirling around her, some not even fully grown yet.

Gu Hengbo peeked at Lian Rong’s face. It looked normal, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. This person usually didn’t let her feelings show on her face and always pretended to be calm and collected. "Are you sure you’re okay?"

Lian Rong gave her a look. "I’m fine."

"I cannot stand this fake modesty of yours! Speak honestly! If you don’t want to go, just say it!" Someone finally snapped; she hated this part the most. (Hey, comrade, isn’t it you who forced her?)

Lian Rong sighed; sometimes, a little gentleness goes a long way. "If you don’t spar with me, you won’t feel happy, will you?"

"Hey! Which one of your eyes saw me sparring with you?" someone responded defiantly.

Lian Rong: "…"

Lianqing: "…" Royal aunt is quite fierce; her eyes are nearly popping out. She wouldn’t dare look at the royal uncle like that. The royal uncle seemed not at all angry. She might try it next time.

Helan Yin: "…" Is this really the Second Miss of the Gu family? How is she the same as the strict nannies in the palace? This can’t be true. It must be that silly author getting carried away again.