"What does Madam Situ mean by that?"

Chu Qianlan frowned; she also disliked Madam Situ.

She had heard that the Empress Dowager had previously taken a liking to Situ Mingji, the daughter of the Situ family, and wanted her to be the Crown Princess.

She was angry about it for a long time.

The Crown Princess was clearly her daughter's, but she was replaced because of a single sentence from Emperor Rongcheng.

But of all the people to choose for the Crown Princess, they had to choose the Situ family.

The Situ family is not a proper aristocratic family.

His ancestors were just farmers, but by some stroke of luck, Situ Qinghe gained the favor of a powerful figure and entered officialdom.

In his early years, he was just a minor official in the Censorate, organizing documents, but in recent years, for some reason, he has gained the favor of Emperor Rongcheng.

Not only was he promoted three ranks, but his mouth was like a spray bottle, spraying everyone he met.

Now, there is no one in the entire imperial court who hasn't been impeached by him.

As a result, the Situ family offended many people, and even Madam Situ was not well-liked among the ladies of prominent families.

However, as Situ Qinghe's official position rose, so did his wife's status.

Therefore, although the ladies were not close to her, none of them broke off relations with her, and they all maintained a facade of harmony.

But Chu Qianlan is different.

After all, her status was among the highest of the noble ladies.

At ordinary banquets, the ladies of noble families would treat her with the utmost respect, which fostered Chu Qianlan's arrogant and self-important personality.

Now that Madam Situ had humiliated her in public, she was still angry and her reply was cold.

For a moment, the atmosphere between the two became awkward, and the ladies present dared not say anything more.

Madam Situ smiled.

"Madam Gu's words are strange. What could I possibly mean? I'm just stating the facts."

"After all, everyone here knows the Third Prince's situation. When you learned that your daughter was going to marry the Third Prince, your expression was quite unpleasant."

Now you're saying it's her good fortune to be favored by the Third Prince?

Chu Qianlan sneered.

"Madam Situ is mistaken."

"To be able to marry the Third Prince and be included in the royal register is indeed an immense blessing."

I was merely surprised to receive the news that day; how could I not be happy!

"Moreover, if the Third Prince takes a fancy to another woman today, I will certainly persuade my lord to plead with the Emperor to rescind his decree and grant the Third Prince's wish."

After she finished speaking, Madam Situ laughed even more heartily.

"If I understand correctly, Madam Gu means that no matter who the Third Prince takes a fancy to today, Madam Gu will give her full support, right?"

"That's natural."

Chu Qianlan replied immediately.

This was the result of her many days of planning. The fact that the Third Prince had taken a liking to Gu Jingchun was something she had been longing for, so how could she give up this opportunity?

Not only would she not give up, but she also planned to have the Empress Dowager and the ladies present bear witness in front of her.

In this way, even the Emperor could not refuse directly, let alone Gu Jingchun.

So she raised her voice and bowed to the Empress Dowager, saying:

"Your Majesty, you can be my witness today. I guarantee that whoever the Third Prince chooses today, I will grant his wish without any complaints."

The Empress Dowager did not look well.

After all, the third prince was also his grandson, and it concerned the face of the royal family. Now that he was being disliked in people's words, it was not a good look for him.

However, she wasn't an unreasonable person.

She was well aware of the Third Prince's special circumstances, and it was understandable that others were unwilling. Therefore, after Chu Qianlan said these words, she did not refuse her request.

Instead, he slowly nodded.

Madam Situ then added a sentence.

"Madam Gu, but... what if the Third Prince takes a liking to your daughter?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Qianlan paused for a moment and subconsciously looked towards Madam Situ's position.

Since Lady Situ was positioned on the outside, she must have been able to see the woman the Third Prince was holding.

Thinking of this, Chu Qianlan felt much relieved. After looking around again and confirming that Gu Jingchun was not there, she was completely at ease.

"What Madam Situ said is even stranger."

"Wouldn't it be even better if it were my daughter? She and the Third Prince are already engaged."

I was worried before that the Third Prince wouldn't approve of my daughter, but now that he has, the wedding preparations can be accelerated.

After Chu Qianlan finished speaking, the Empress Dowager nodded approvingly.

My previous prejudice against her has also dissipated considerably.

Madam Situ nodded and said loudly, "I have long heard that Madam Gu is a woman of great integrity and righteousness. She is not only the right-hand woman of Marquis Yong'an, but also a model of a noble lady."

"I was somewhat skeptical about this before, but after hearing what Madam Gu said today, I wholeheartedly agree."

"It seems I misunderstood Madam Gu before. Madam Gu is indeed a model of a noble lady, and we are convinced of her virtues."

As he spoke, he slowly gave Chu Qianlan a half-bow.

The ladies present echoed this sentiment.

Even the noble ladies around her gathered around, casting admiring glances at Chu Qianlan.

Madam Situ's words were a great compliment to Chu Qianlan. If Chu Qianlan did not act as she was told, she would be slapping herself in the face.

Chu Qianlan was now being flattered and looked quite pleased with herself, her face full of self-satisfaction and pride.

Just then, a timid voice suddenly came from the crowd.

"Mother...Mother..."

Chu Qianlan narrowed her eyes and turned her head with a smile.

Then I saw Gu Jingchun's timid face.

She shrank her neck, looking visibly frightened and timid.

Chu Qianlan suddenly stopped, staring at Gu Jingchun in shock.

She looked Gu Jingchun up and down, then looked in the direction she came from, and exclaimed in surprise.

"You...how did you get here?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun took a step back, somewhat frightened, and said timidly:

"Mother... I... I accidentally fell asleep in the pavilion."

Her eyes were slightly red, and she looked terrified.

"Mother, your daughter is so tired. I just wanted to sit in the pavilion for a while, but I fell asleep."

The daughter also didn't see the Third Prince; she's probably caused trouble for her mother again.

She then knelt down.

"Mother, I was wrong, Mother. Please don't hit me. I didn't fall asleep on purpose to prevent the Third Prince from finding me. I was just too tired from copying Buddhist scriptures for you last night."

"Mother, please, don't hit me, I really didn't mean to."

After he said that, everyone present was stunned.

What does that mean?