Chapter 748: With the support of the Crown Prince, he is obviously more courageous than before

The carriage slowly stopped in front of the tall vermilion gatehouse of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. It was almost dusk, and the lanterns hanging in front of the gate were lit one by one by the servants.

Just as Gu Qingchen was about to get off the car, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing in the shadow of the stone lions in front of the door.

The man was wearing a dark suit, his figure was as straight as a pine tree, and he stood motionless in the rising cold wind, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

"Brother?" Gu Qingchen paused, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Qian Zhenyun also followed her gaze, then lifted the car curtain and got out with her.

The figure walked out from the shadows, it was Gu Xuan.

His face looked even more weathered than the last time they met, but his eyes remained sharp and calm. He held a parcel wrapped in oil paper in his hand and handed it directly to Gu Qingchen.

"The New Year is almost over, bring this to mom." His voice was low, with a barely noticeable hoarseness.

Gu Qingchen looked at the package but did not reach out to take it.

She looked at her brother's face, which seemed so close yet so far away, and her nose felt a little sore. "Brother, are you still not going in?"

Gu Xuan's gaze passed her and looked at the open door of the mansion. The lights inside were brightly lit. It was the place he was most familiar with.

He shook his head, his eyes firm and stubborn: "One day, I will walk back home with dignity. But now, it's not the time yet."

These words were like a thorn that instantly pierced Gu Qingchen's heart. The clarity and determination that he had just built up by the lake were now thrown into chaos by this familiar family conflict.

She became angry and turned her head away stubbornly.

"I don't care! This is something you gave to your mother, take it in yourself!"

After saying that, she didn't even look at Gu Xuan, lifted her skirt, walked straight up the stairs, and walked quickly into the mansion.

The atmosphere was a little awkward for a moment.

Qian Zhenyun looked at her angry back, sighed helplessly, and turned to Gu Xuan.

He reached out and took the package from Gu Xuan.

"Brother, don't worry, I will leave it to my aunt."

Gu Xuan's tense shoulders relaxed a little. He nodded and his eyes fell on Qian Zhenyun.

"Zhenyun, Qingchen has a hot temper. You'll need to take extra care of him from now on." He paused and lowered his voice. "Also, keep an eye on Lin Jiayou."

Qian Zhenyun's heart trembled slightly, and he responded solemnly: "I'll remember it."

Gu Xuan said no more. He just took a deep look in the direction of the mansion gate, turned around and blended into the twilight, and soon disappeared at the end of the street corner.

Qian Zhenyun walked into the Duke's Mansion carrying the package in his hand.

As soon as he walked around the screen wall, he saw Gu Qingchen standing at the corner of the corridor, seemingly waiting for him.

Next to her stood a woman dressed in plain brocade clothes, with a dignified and graceful temperament. She was the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, Chu Ruohan.

Chu Ruohan's gaze fell directly on the oil-paper bag in Qian Zhenyun's hand.

She said nothing, but walked forward silently and took the package from Qian Zhenyun.

Gu Qingchen and Qian Zhenyun looked at each other and saw helplessness in each other's eyes.

Seeing his mother turning around and leaving with the package in her arms, Gu Qingchen couldn't help but whisper to her from behind, "Mom, how long are you going to be so awkward with me?"

Chu Ruohan paused for a moment, but ultimately did not turn back.

She just held the package and walked into the deep courtyard step by step.

Under the swaying light of the lantern, the back figure seemed a little desolate and yet indescribably stubborn.

"Look, that's it!" Gu Qingchen stared at the corner of the corridor where his mother disappeared. His chest heaved and the suppressed anger emerged again.

She turned around and spoke to Qian Zhenyun, her voice full of powerlessness and irritability.

"Each one is more stubborn than the other! Neither of them is willing to give in first! They both clearly care about each other, yet they insist on acting like they will never have anything to do with each other again!"

Qian Zhenyun looked at her eyes, which were red with anger, and stated the facts calmly: "Auntie accepted the things."

One word is more effective than any comfort.

Yes, my mother accepted the gift. If she was truly heartless, how could she have accepted it?

Gu Qingchen took a deep breath and suppressed her impatience. She knew that a three-foot-thick ice didn't form overnight, and family matters couldn't be rushed.

She rubbed her brows and said to Qian Zhenyun, "Let's talk inside. It's cold outside."

The two walked one after the other through the corridor and entered the small flower hall where Gu Qingchen usually read books...

next day

The fireplace in the flower hall was burning brightly, dispelling the chill in the room.

Gu Qingchen held a cup of hot tea, his mind still lingering on the silent stubbornness of his brother and mother last night, and he felt a little depressed.

Qian Zhenyun sat opposite her and was about to say something when a servant came hurriedly from outside the door to report.

"Miss, Master Qian, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Twelfth Prince have arrived and are already in the front hall."

Gu Qingchen paused holding the teacup, and looked at Qian Zhenyun, both of them seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.

You're here so soon.

The two of them stood up and went to the front hall together.

Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an was seen standing in the hall in a dark blue uniform, holding the hand of the twelfth prince Zhao Heng.

Zhao Heng changed into a brand new royal blue brocade jacket with a circle of snow-white rabbit fur on the collar and cuffs, which made his chubby face look even more delicate.

Seeing Gu Qingchen, Zhao Chenan smiled gently, let go of Zhao Heng's hand, and took a step forward.

"Qingchen, I know everything about yesterday. Thanks to you and Zhenyun, otherwise Heng'er would have gotten lost outside and the consequences would have been disastrous."

"You're too kind. It's just a small favor." Gu Qingchen bowed, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

The little guy who was so scared that he hid behind her yesterday, now has the support of his brother the Crown Prince, and is obviously much braver.

He poked his head out from behind Zhao Chen'an, staring at Gu Qingchen with his dark eyes. He pouted his lips and shouted in a soft yet accusing tone, "You! Bad guy! Give me back my rabbit!"

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Zhao Chen'an's face. He turned around and grabbed Zhao Heng, gently scolding him, "Heng'er, don't be rude. What did I teach you? You should call me Sister Gu."

"I don't want it!" Zhao Heng refused to give in. The fat boy pointed at Gu Qingchen and said, "She is the bad guy! My royal brother, she stole my rabbit yesterday!"

Gu Qingchen only felt the blue veins on her forehead twitching. She took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound kinder.

"Your Highness, I didn't eat your rabbit. Didn't the rabbit leg end up in your hands intact?"

"But you robbed it! And you even scared me!" Zhao Heng stiffened his neck and made excuses one after another, "You scared me, so you have to compensate me!"

These childish words made Qian Zhenyun, who was standing by, couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

Zhao Chenan rubbed his eyebrows with a headache, feeling helpless towards his youngest brother.