Gu An'an was treated to delicious food and drinks.

If I weren't unaware of where I was, I would have enjoyed a stolen half-day of leisure.

The maid who brought the food saw her weaving something and couldn't help but stare a few more times. She seemed mesmerized and couldn't help but ask, "What is this?"

"Just something I made casually, for you to play with."

The maid suddenly remembered her responsibilities and waved her hands repeatedly, "No, I can't accept your things."

As if there were a raging flood or ferocious beast, they hurriedly put down the delicious food and ran away.

Seeing this, Gu An'an shook her head helplessly. When did she become so unlikable?

However, with such delicious food before her, she had no reason to refuse.

Two refreshing side dishes, plus a delicate stir-fry and soup.

Gu An'an couldn't help but laugh as she looked at the food. "The food is alright."

She ate slowly and deliberately; it was just a few side dishes, but it took her a full half hour to finish.

When the maid came to tidy up, Gu An'an asked, "Didn't your master say when he would see me?"

The maid who was tidying up the dishes looked at Gu An'an upon hearing this, her eyes revealing a hint of unease.

"Tell your master that if he doesn't intend to see me, then I'll be leaving now."

"You can't leave."

"Oh." Gu An'an smiled. "Did the Fourth Prince give you that confidence?"

The maid's eyes widened instantly upon hearing this, as if she couldn't believe that Gu An'an would say such a thing.

“I’m not stupid. There are only a few people I’ve had grudges against. The Chen family doesn’t want their young masters and misses to get close to me, but they have some unrealistic ideas. Since they can’t settle scores with their own grandson, they’re taking it out on me.”

As she spoke, Gu An'an couldn't help but laugh, "This is truly the style of an aristocratic family. They look glamorous on the surface, but in reality, they are full of scheming and can't be presented in a respectable way."

Besides the Chen family, the Fourth Prince was also the one who harbored resentment towards her.

Not to mention that the marriage was a done deal in the original book, now that the news is flying everywhere, how could the Fourth Prince let her off so easily?

There's always someone to vent your anger on.

The Chen family is not to be messed with. Even the Longqing Emperor had to be extremely careful with the art of rulership, let alone the Fourth Prince, who is just a prince.

I naturally became that easy target.

Gu An'an sighed, "I have no intention of being enemies with the Fourth Prince. Please pass this message on for me, thank you."

The maid left, still shaken. When she saw her handsome master, her eyes were still filled with fear and unease.

Tell me in detail what you did to her.

The fourth prince's eyes held a hint of uncertainty; he wanted to know exactly where that young woman had seen through the flaw.

...

Gu An'an didn't have to wait long; she soon met the Fourth Prince.

If Gu An'an saw him on the street, she would think he was a scholar from some family, after all, he had a fair complexion and looked like a promising young man.

"I apologize for the intrusion in inviting Manager Gu over."

Gu An'an looked at the seemingly nice guy and said, "What if I don't forgive Your Highness?"

Perhaps because he had never encountered such an ungrateful young woman before, the Fourth Prince's eyes sharpened for a moment, then softened slightly. "Manager Gu, are you trying to make trouble for me?"

"No, it's just that Your Highness sent someone to invite me here, which suggests that you have some issues with me."

The Fourth Prince's smile remained unchanged. "My men just happened to be passing by and saw that Lady Gu was in trouble, so they lent a helping hand."

"Helping me knock on the head?" Gu An'an laughed. "Then the Fourth Prince's relatives and friends should be careful. So this is how His Highness helps? This isn't helping, it looks more like a grudge to me."

She was very sharp-tongued, leaving the Fourth Prince speechless for a moment. "No wonder Manager Gu's business is so big; that mouth of hers is truly not to be trifled with."

"I'm just a small business owner, and I've just been lucky enough to know a few important people." Gu An'an looked at the royal nobles in front of her. "I wonder if Your Highness has any other instructions? If not, please allow me to take my leave. I'm afraid my family will be very worried if I disappear like this."

The Fourth Prince did not answer, but simply looked at Gu An'an quietly for a while before saying, "Could Lady Gu answer my question?"

“Alright, one hundred taels of silver.”

The fourth prince was taken aback by the deal, but then he laughed, and soon someone handed him the money.

Several silver ingots were placed there, and Gu An'an smiled as she rubbed them. "Your Highness knows how to enjoy life. I only know that I haven't offended many people, and even fewer people can make such exquisite dishes in their daily meals. Of course, it doesn't matter if I'm wrong, but your maid is really too impatient."

Bold speculation, coupled with keen observation, confirmed that this was a villa belonging to the Fourth Prince.

Accepting the silver ingot, Gu An'an looked at the prince with a smile, "Now, Fourth Prince, can you let me go?"

"Manager Gu let my fiancée go. Don't you think you should compensate me?"

Gu An'an was surprised by his request. "Alright," she said, immediately placing the hundred taels of silver she had just collected in front of the Fourth Prince. "I'll compensate you. Your Highness, can you let me go now?"

The fourth prince couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the silver ingot. "Is my wife only worth a hundred taels of silver?"

"There is no actual engagement; it's just idle gossip. Your Highness doesn't dare to cause trouble for General Chen, but instead comes to bully a weak woman like me. I'm quite impressed."

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