Chapter 187 Shen Wantang's New Friend

After being slapped by Xiao Qingyuan, Chu Yanluo fell silent.

Shen Wantang truly enjoyed a few peaceful days.

Qin Xin would come to tell her about Xiao Qingyuan and Huayi's progress every day, such as how the young master had drawn Huayi's eyebrows today, how he had taken Huayi out to the street the next day, and how he had taken Huayi to meet friends the day after.

Qin Xin was indignant, feeling that these things should have been done by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess together, but now Hua Yi had taken them away from her, which was really frustrating.

Shen Wantang didn't care about any of this. She continued to manage the accounts and take care of her mother-in-law as usual. In her spare time, she continued to read books on astrology, or she would ask the kitchen to make some of her favorite snacks. She would eat some herself and share some with the maids.

Only after the rioting refugees outside were completely suppressed did she write a letter to Gu Qianning, inviting her to go to Fazhen Temple together.

She still wanted to remind Gu Qianning to stay away from the Crown Prince.

Because, although Gu Qianhan was also reborn, he did not seem to separate his sister from the Crown Prince. He couldn't possibly not remind his sister, but Gu Qianning obviously did not listen to him.

Gu Qianhan alone isn't enough, so what about adding her? Could they change Gu Qianning's mind?

Shen Wantang didn't know the answer, but she was willing to give it a try.

On the appointed day, the Duke's carriage arrived early.

Because Princess Ning disliked receiving guests, Gu Qianning did not come in to disturb her, but waited for Shen Wantang in the carriage.

Shen Wantang had told her mother-in-law about going to Fazhen Temple earlier, so after she got ready, she quickly left the palace.

Two carriages were parked outside the gate, one from the Duke's mansion and the other from the Prince of Ning's mansion.

Gu Qianning lifted the curtain and waved to Shen Wantang with a smile: "Princess Consort, come on up quickly. Let's ride in the same carriage and have some conversation on the way. Otherwise, the journey of more than half an hour will be too boring."

Shen Wantang also wanted to find out her attitude towards the Crown Prince, so naturally she wouldn't refuse.

She led Dujuan into the Duke's carriage, and as soon as they entered, they were stunned.

Because Gu Qianning wasn't the only one sitting inside; Gu Qianhan was also there.

Isn't that a bit inappropriate?

Shen Wantang hesitated for a moment, about to speak, when Gu Qianning noticed her hesitation and immediately said, "Second brother, go out and ride a horse, don't squeeze in with us!"

Gu Qianhan got up and got out of the carriage without any hesitation.

Shen Wantang looked at Gu Qianning: "It's so cold, it's not good for your second brother to ride a horse. Why don't I go back to the carriage at the Prince's Mansion?"

Gu Qianning grabbed her arm: "You don't need to worry about him. He's tough and doesn't feel cold at all, really!"

"How about we let your second brother ride in the Prince's carriage? It's quite a distance to Fazhen Temple, and it will be more comfortable and warmer for him in the carriage."

Gu Qianning hesitated for a moment, then lifted the curtain and asked, "Second Brother, are you going to take the carriage from the Prince Ning's residence?"

Gu Qianhan could hear their conversation clearly from inside, and he responded calmly, "No need, riding a horse is fine."

"Really not going to sit?"

"Um."

Gu Qianning clicked her tongue and lowered the curtain: "You really do have principles!"

In the past, her second brother would never have been polite to the people from the Ning Prince's Mansion. If it were Xiao Qingyuan's carriage, he would have refused to ride a horse and would have sat down directly. Even if Xiao Qingyuan refused, it would have been useless.

But now the carriage belongs to Shen Wantang, and he is afraid of ruining her reputation, so he refuses to do anything that is even slightly inappropriate.

Of course, Gu Qianning thought that her second brother's refusal to ride in the Ning Prince's carriage and his insistence on riding a horse might be because he wanted to stay by their side and secretly listen to Shen Wantang's conversation.

The group set off quickly, and Gu Qianning explained to Shen Wantang, "I didn't originally intend to bring my second brother, but he said that the Fazhen Temple recently took in a group of refugees. Although they have been eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures with the monks in the temple these days, who knows if there might be any troublemakers among them? So my second brother was worried about me going alone, so he came along."

Shen Wantang was genuinely unaware that Fazhen Temple had taken in refugees. The explosion caused by the refugees last time was still fresh in her mind, so it was understandable that Gu Qianhan was worried about his sister's trip.

She wasn't petty; her target was Gu Qianning, and having Gu Qianhan as an extra wouldn't make much difference.

"The Second Young Master is very thoughtful. With him by my side, we are indeed much safer."

Gu Qianning breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this: "I'm glad the Crown Princess doesn't blame me for suddenly bringing an extra person."

Shen Wantang smiled at her: "It's nothing serious, why would I blame you? I don't have many friends in the capital, and I'm overjoyed that Miss Gu agreed to come with me to Fazhen Temple to pray for blessings!"

Gu Qianning laughed and said, "If you don't have any friends, then I'll be your friend! Don't call me Miss Gu anymore, it sounds too formal. My given name is Qianning, you can call me Aning, that's what my family calls me."

“A-Ning, my given name is Wantang, you…”

"Then I'll call you Ah Tang, hmm, that sounds much more intimate!"

Looking at the vibrant and happy Gu Qianning, Shen Wantang felt an even stronger urge to persuade her to stay away from the Crown Prince.

Since her rebirth, she felt that she had been blessed by the heavens, so she would help and guide any kind-hearted person she could.

She herself had a new destiny, and she hoped that others would too, such as Du Juan who died in her previous life, and Qin Xin who was once sold to Chi Chun Lane by Chu Yanluo. In this life, she protected them all.

Perhaps she couldn't change the tragic fate of the Gu family's massacre, but at least she could help Gu Qianning marry someone else. That way, even if the Gu family fell, Gu Qianning, as a married-out woman, wouldn't be affected.

Gu Qianning lifted the curtain on the window again, happily showing off to her second brother that she had a new friend.

Shen Wantang looked out the window at Gu Qianhan.

He rode a chestnut horse, wearing a dark blue brocade robe and a black cloak. His perfect profile looked particularly resolute and cold in the cold wind, and his whole person exuded an air of noble indifference.

Because Gu Qianning was talking to him, he turned his head and glanced at her indifferently.

He then quickly looked away.

But Shen Wantang's gaze did not leave him. She was certain that he had been reborn, but she did not know whether he could reverse the tragic fate of the Gu family.

He was so calm and composed, and his wisdom was so outstanding. In his previous life, after the Gu family was wiped out, he hid for so long with two three-year-old children under the strict search of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His character and perseverance were evident.

Perhaps, this time, the Gu family can be saved through his wisdom.

Perhaps she had been staring at him for a while, because while he was talking to Gu Qianning, he also looked at her.

A moment later, he cupped his hands in thanks to her: "Thank you, Princess Consort, for being willing to be friends with my sister. She doesn't actually have many friends."

Shen Wantang nodded to him: "Second Young Master is too kind. I should be thanking A Ning."