Chapter 73

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 73: Title

Gu Hengbo felt that heaven had not treated her too badly. She had said this once already; now, everything was still possible.

However, what Gu Hengbo did not expect was that just after Lian Rong married a new wife, someone came to pick her up, and it was Qian Yue, the beautiful one.

Qin Qixian leaned against the door, her gaze towards Gu Hengbo filled with interest. “It’s such a pity that such a good girl is being wasted by someone with the surname Lian.”

Gu Hengbo glanced at the person in a flowing yellow long dress at the door, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she remained silent.

Qin Qixian raised an eyebrow. “The one with the surname Lian is darker than anyone. Once she finds a new love, she will definitely abandon you, her old love.”

Gu Hengbo wiped her hands expressionlessly. From her tense body, it was clear that she didn’t care as much as she showed.

“Thank you, Southern Emperor, for reminding me. I am self-aware.”

Qin Qixian smirked slightly. “You shouldn’t marry Lian Rong, and you definitely shouldn’t fall in love with her.” She had seen too many examples with terrible endings. After spending a few days with Gu Hengbo, she felt the girl was decent and couldn’t help but want to offer her some comfort.

Gu Hengbo lowered her eyes and let out a self-mocking smile. “The Southern Emperor must think I’m quite foolish. But feelings are something that not everyone can control. I wanted to appear indifferent, but she actually said she only cared for me.”

Qin Qixian looked at the girl before her, crying uncontrollably. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes. It was undeniable that Gu Hengbo had given her the impression that she had no feelings for Lian Rong, which she had found amusing. However, with the news of Lian Rong’s marriage spreading, she finally realized that the girl was no longer as composed as she used to be.

Qin Qixian understood Gu Hengbo’s near-despairing cries very well. Such a girl could only be described as pitiful. Knowing she was a woman, and still wanting to marry, was she foolish?

When Qian Yue saw her lady’s eyes and nose red from crying as she walked down from upstairs, she felt puzzled but quickly understood; it made sense that the princess was sad about the prince marrying a secondary wife.

“Qian Yue has seen the princess.” Though she had her thoughts, she couldn’t skip the formalities.

Gu Hengbo glanced at her, her expression somewhat indifferent. “Did she send you to pick me up?”

Qian Yue nodded. “Yes.”

“Why didn’t she come herself?” As she spoke, something glimmered in her eyes.

Qian Yue was extremely confused. No matter how the prince bullied her, she had never seen the princess like this. After all, looking so delicate and beautiful, how could the prince not feel pained seeing her?

“Princess, the prince is with the secondary princess right now and cannot come out at the moment,” Qian Yue reported honestly.

Seeing that someone was biting her lip, seemingly ready for another round, Qin Qixian exchanged a glance with a nearby attendant, who nodded and walked over to Gu Hengbo, making a gesture. “This servant respectfully sends off Prince Rong’s princess.”

Gu Hengbo turned to glance again at Qin Qixian leaning against the staircase railing, the playful glimmer in her eyes flashing momentarily before disappearing. She then nodded towards her. “Meisheng, thank you for the Southern Emperor’s rescue and for taking me in these past few days. I will repay you when we meet again. Farewell.”

After sending Gu Hengbo off, Qin Qixian stood at the stairway, not moving. She felt that something was off but couldn’t pinpoint what. Suddenly, a pair of delicate hands reached out from behind her, whispering, “You’re really annoying. If she doesn’t come, are you planning to stand here forever?”

Qin Qixian pulled the girl with the fair arm and roughly pressed her against the railing. With a surprised gasp from the girl, the little fabric she wore was torn away, leaving her bare against the railing, her face filled with panic as she hurried to push the person away.

Qin Qixian tightly grabbed her delicate white neck and coldly stared at her. “Where on your body has not been seen by others? This is just in the hall. I haven’t even sent you to test the streets of Dongyin’s royal city yet.”

Fear shown in the woman’s eyes. “Your Majesty, please spare me.”

Spare you? A cold smile appeared on Qin Qixian’s lips. “The medicine from last night was quite good; how come I didn’t end your life?”

“Your Majesty,” the woman gasped in horror.

“Someone, throw her into the stable! Since she enjoys it, I will let her have her fill this time,” Qin Qixian said and turned away from the woman kneeling on the stairs, swishing her sleeve as she went upstairs.

The moment Gu Hengbo stepped into Prince Rong’s residence, she suddenly stopped, turned, and looked back at Qian Yue. “Do I look like I’ve been crying?”

Qian Yue smiled lightly. “The crown princess looks beautiful even when she cries.”

Gu Hengbo replied with a faint “oh” and said nothing else, walking straight inside.

Gu Hengbo sat silently by the bed until Shui Yan reported that the secondary princess had come to pay her respects. She blinked and moved slightly. “No need, let her go back.”

Shui Yan’s face showed hesitation. “But the secondary princess…”

“I said I don’t want to see her, didn’t you hear?” Gu Hengbo nearly shouted. Perhaps because she had just cried, the bloodshot eyes in her gaze were especially noticeable and frightening.

For a moment, Shui Yan was stunned. It was the first time she had seen her crown princess like this, in a state of hysteria.

At that moment, there was a noise outside the door, and then someone pushed it open. Without thinking, Gu Hengbo grabbed a porcelain cup from the table and threw it.

With a gasp, Gu Hengbo’s attention was successfully diverted. At the door stood Lian Rong, dressed in dark blue robes, looking at her with deep-set eyes.

Gu Hengbo pressed her lips together and turned her head away.

Lian Rong was bewildered by her attitude. What had she done to provoke her?

“Prince Rong, the secondary princess has come to pay her respects to the crown princess,” someone outside announced.

Lian Rong then remembered that she had married a secondary princess.

Gu Hengbo’s expression grew angrier. She quickly sat up in bed and exclaimed furiously, “The Southern Emperor is right; people are all the same. Once there’s a new love, they forget the old. It’s exactly what you Lian family does!”

Lian Rong frowned. What did she mean by forgetting old loves? It sounded as if Gu Meisheng loved her deeply.

“Ah Heng, what’s wrong?” Lian Rong asked.

Gu Hengbo nearly pointed at Lian Rong’s nose. “So marrying a mistress is impressive, huh? Let me tell you, Lian Rong, I’m going back to my family! Don’t follow me, and don’t look for me.” While saying this, she began to pack her things.

Lian Rong glanced at Shui Yan, who silently lowered her head and stepped back. As she walked past her, Lian Rong quietly remarked, “Make sure she comes here less often. If the crown princess is hurt, it will be your responsibility.”

Who that ‘she’ was, did not need to be explained. Shui Yan replied with an “okay” and then left.

Lian Rong watched Gu Hengbo who was busy packing, and finally sighed, walking over to hold her hand. “What are you doing?”

Gu Hengbo shrugged off her hand. “Go find your secondary princess. Don’t bother me.”

Lian Rong chose not to stop her and sat on the bed, watching her sweat as she worked. “Ning Yu was given by my brother. I have no choice but to accept her; otherwise, he will send a whole lot of male concubines into the residence. You know I don’t like men.”

Gu Hengbo paused for a moment and scoffed, “Right, the prince doesn’t like men; you like women. Isn’t it perfect that the emperor sent people to match your heart’s desires? You won’t have to worry about gossip, or fear my father accusing you of abandoning me.”

Lian Rong laughed instead of getting angry. “What are you thinking about all day? How does that relate to abandoning someone? I haven’t left you behind.”

Gu Hengbo continued her packing. “Your understanding of Meisheng’s feelings seems lacking.”

Lian Rong looked at her helplessly. “What are your feelings? Tell me.”

“One life, one world, one partner. Can the prince provide that?” Gu Hengbo retorted, feeling frustrated. Why was she being this dramatic? Even acting needs moderation. It’s sufficient to make her feel nauseated.

"One life, one pair?" Lian Rong was stunned. She had never heard this phrase before, but she understood its meaning.

"I will stay at the Prime Minister’s residence for a few days," Gu Hengbo said clearly, holding her bundle.

Lian Rong took a moment to respond. "What did you say?"

"I said I want to go back to the Prime Minister’s residence for a few days."

Lian Rong stared at her for a moment. "Why?"

Are you foolish?! Gu Hengbo thought angrily. After everything, she still asks why. Of course, it’s because you married a concubine, and as the main wife, I must resist.

"Lian Rong, I am very sad, do you hear me?" So let me go!

"Ah Heng, you—"

"Enough! I don’t want to hear you talk. Please leave first. I will pack my things and leave shortly." Oh, woe is me. Even during my past heartbreaks, I never said such painfully sweet things. Ai!

Seeing Gu Hengbo’s slightly red eyes made Lian Rong feel an indescribable heartache. But she didn’t know how to explain it. Perhaps going back for a couple of days would help.

After Lian Rong left, Gu Hengbo’s eyes sparkled with determination, and she nearly jumped to retrieve the treasures she had hidden away. She had many belongings, so even if she added more, it wouldn’t make a difference.

As the group moved her things outside, Gu Hengbo decisively brought out the carriage she had prepared earlier. With money, anything is possible, including hiring a young servant.

Lian Rong watched people come out of the house, not sure what to say. As she saw Gu Hengbo about to walk past her, she reached out and grabbed her hand.

Gu Hengbo was about to say something when she felt something cool in her hand. She looked down and found it was a jade pendant.

A phoenix, beautifully carved and appearing ready to take flight.

"You, um—" Gu Hengbo didn’t move and quietly waited for Lian Rong’s kiss to end.

Lian Rong’s gaze was tender enough to melt. She gently caressed Gu Hengbo’s lips and, in a soft voice, said, "This jade pendant is yours; now it belongs to you."

Gu Hengbo felt speechless.

"Ah Heng, when you feel better, I will come to the Prime Minister’s residence to get you," and I will explain why I married Ning Yu. After planning for so long, sharing it with just you wouldn’t be a loss… probably.