She's just an ordinary person, doing ordinary things every day.

That year, the pear blossoms in the suburbs of Beijing were particularly beautiful. She will always remember that the sky was exceptionally bright, a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, and occasionally a few petals.

She asked, "Sister, which of the talented men in the capital do you think is the best?"

"Naturally, it's Young Master Gu of the Gu family. He's exceptionally talented, dashing, and handsome. Most importantly, he's a true gentleman." Lin Xiuxue's smile was even more beautiful than a pear blossom, her eyebrows dancing with delight.

She looked at Gu Chongxuan, who was thin and frail among the group of young men, and couldn't really see what made him stand out from the others. She just thought he was a handsome young man, and that he was definitely not worthy of such high praise as a true gentleman.

"Does your sister have taken a liking to that young master of the Gu family?" she asked.

“No, I think the young master of the Gu family is a good match for my sister. Most of the talented men in the capital are aloof. You are a princess, and you will not be happy with such a talented man. Young master Gu is different; he will be considerate of you.”

Marriage is a major life event arranged by parents and matchmakers. Zhao Shu didn't have many thoughts about it at first, but she always ran into Gu Chongxuan whenever she went out, and she always managed to have a conversation with him.

Lin Xiuxue would always mention this person in front of her, and her words were always full of praise.

Over time, this person became more familiar to others than to others.

Until one clichéd hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress incident, she secretly fell in love with him, and from then on, misfortune began.

Now that I think about it, why did I run into Gu Zhongxuan every time I went out? It couldn't be such a coincidence.

In this life, she will never let them succeed again.

She didn't expect to get a satisfactory answer to what she just said. She had already given her heart and was hurt. Asking why after that would not heal the wound in her heart, no matter what answer she got.

Why bother?

"Green Ivy, you did a good job today, here's a treat for you." The more she looked at the treats on the table, the more upset she became. In a fit of anger, she picked up the plate and handed it to Green Ivy.

Green Ivy was startled and immediately knelt down, trembling with fear.

Zhao Shu shook her head. "She's such a coward."

Lin Xiuxue was so angry that her heart was pounding. The handkerchief was twisted out of shape. This was a disgrace! How dare Zhao Shu humiliate her! Who gave her the guts!

“Ah Jun, even if you don’t like hearing these words, I still have to say them. Good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice is hard to swallow. A woman’s reputation is of utmost importance. You can’t be indifferent to it.” Lin Xiuxue wanted to make one last attempt. She couldn’t let all her efforts over the years go to waste.

I used to think Zhao Shu was easy to deal with, but I never expected her to become so unruly, and she wouldn't even listen to me anymore.

She had someone investigate these past few days, and no one had spoken ill of Zhao Shu. She wondered who was behind it all.

“I understand what you mean, but filial piety comes first. I am first and foremost the daughter of Prince Yong, and only then do I consider myself. I do not want anyone to speak ill of my father in the future. Alright, Miss Lin, you should go back now. I am tired and want to rest.”

Although Zhao Shu did not intend to continue to feign politeness, she did not want to offend Lin Xiuxue completely, since they would be living together in the capital in the future.

Such an abrupt rejection of Lin Xiuxue would not be conducive to her plan. She hadn't yet found Lin Xiuxue's Achilles' heel.

Lin Xiuxue also breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid that Zhao Shu would lose her temper and act recklessly. After all, she had put in a lot of effort over the years to gain Zhao Shu's favor.

"Alright, if anyone speaks ill of the Prince in the future, I will definitely help you. Well, I'm going to hold a tea party on the Qixi Festival, Ah Jun, remember to prepare well." She patted Zhao Shu's hand and said gently.

Zhao Shu nodded, "Okay."

All the unhappiness from the past was forced out of proportion and treated as a quarrel between close friends. Lin Xiuxue suppressed her displeasure and left the Yongwang Mansion with her entourage.

She achieved half of her purpose in coming to Prince Yong's mansion today.

Granny Guo personally escorted Lin Xiuxue out of the mansion, and when she returned, she saw Zhao Shu looking at her with a cold face.

"The old woman is really kind to Miss Lin."

“Princess, your nanny feels sorry for you. All those noble ladies in the capital are blind. They don’t want such a good princess. Only Miss Lin is willing to be close to you. Princess, you must not become estranged from Miss Lin.” She said the same old thing, not noticing Zhao Shu’s gloomy face.

"What Granny says is true." Zhao Shu looked at her with a half-smile, glanced at Green Ivy standing to the side, and walked out.

At this moment, Granny Zhuang, carrying a food box, hesitated, unsure whether she should come in.

Granny Zhuang was over sixty years old. She was part of the dowry of the Empress Jiang, and was loyal but somewhat timid.

At the manor, Uncle Fu respected her greatly and allowed her to manage the main courtyard, thus giving her a place in the Prince's manor.

However, Zhao Shu used to dislike Granny Zhuang very much, thinking she was too old, too ugly, and also too talkative.

He also frequently mentions the deceased princess.

Zhao Shu happened to walk out and her eyes met those of Granny Zhuang. Granny Zhuang lowered her head timidly.

"Princess."

"Does the old woman want to see Ah Jun?"

Granny Zhuang already knew from Bi Qiao that the princess had asked her for help with something. She was happy, but she couldn't believe it was true.

“Old sister, what are you doing here? You are getting on in years. The princess is kind and gentle. You should just stay in your room and enjoy your retirement. If you come out and get tired, outsiders will inevitably say that the princess mistreats her servants.” Granny Guo spoke up first.

Zhao Shu glanced at Granny Guo strangely. It was the same old story. Every word she uttered was for the good of her, the princess. It was a pity that she had been spoiled all these years and had forgotten that she was just a servant.

If it were before, when she still disliked Granny Zhuang, Granny Guo would have immediately lost her temper and driven Granny Zhuang into her room if Granny Guo had said those words.

However, it turns out that Granny Guo was wrong.

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