A more suitable person?

"No, I don't want anyone but her," Gu Nanshu said firmly.

Leng Huaichuan was surprised and fell into deep thought…

From what he said? Could it be that he's willing to be a concubine?

Leng Huaichuan never imagined that Gu Nanshu would give up the position of the legitimate emperor. Not to mention him, probably no one else thought that Gu Nanshu would be willing to be a concubine.

After all, Gu Nanshu was the head of a prominent family, and his reputation as a talented scholar was known throughout Dayue. Everyone thought he and his younger sister were a match made in heaven, but fate had other plans.

But to make him a sidekick would be too much of a waste.

Leng Huaichuan couldn't bear it and decided to say a few more words of persuasion, but before he could speak, Gu Nanshu grabbed his wrist with a firm look in her eyes:

"Huaichuan, after the banquet, take me to see the young king. I have something to say to her."

Leng Huaichuan couldn't bear to refuse and said, "Mm."

…

As the palace banquet drew to a close at 9 PM, Leng Qingning and Biluo were walking back to the palace when Leng Huaichuan arrived in a hurry with Gu Nanshu. Gu Nanshu's maid, Junzhu, followed closely behind her mistress, carrying a brocade box.

"Sister, slow down."

"Fifth Brother? What's going on?"

"Little sister, this is Gu Nanshu, the younger brother of the Gu family head of the Grand Tutor's Mansion. He has something to say to you."

Leng Qingning was shocked, as if she had heard something unbelievable, and pointed at Gu Nanshu.

"Is he Gu Nanshu? Gu Nanyi's younger brother?"

"Yes, little sister, you know him?"

Biluo and Baiyu took a step back in tacit agreement... Chaoxi and Hansu were puzzled.

"I don't know him, I've only heard of him..."

If looks could kill, Biluo would have died ten thousand times over by now.

Leng Qingning calmed herself down and faced Gu Nanshu:

"Young Master Gu, I've long admired you."

Um, it's really awkward, I don't know what to say...

Gu Nanshu smiled gently and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Young King. May the Young King enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

"Please rise, there's no need for such formalities."

Leng Qingning had a very good impression of this gentle young man, and her tone softened unconsciously.

Leng Huaichuan gave Biluo and the others a look, and they understood, retreating in unison…

When Leng Qingning saw that they had all left, a hint of unease appeared on her face.

No, why should I be shy?

"Ahem, Young Master Gu, may I ask what business you have with me?"

Seeing that Leng Qingning was so approachable and friendly, Gu Nanshu felt a surge of joy, which eased his earlier tension.

"Your Highness, what are your thoughts on today's marriage alliance?"

What do you think? What else can I think? If I said that I mistook you for someone else and only wanted to get rid of you, which is why I decisively agreed to the marriage alliance with Rin Kingdom, would you think I'm brain-dead?

"The marriage alliance with Lin Kingdom is a good thing, and I believe we cannot refuse it."

"Your Highness, that's not what I meant."

"Actually, I just wanted to ask what Your Highness's impression of me is? Your Highness has just returned to the palace, have you heard anything about you and me?"

"You mean, people in the palace are saying that you will be my rightful husband?"

"Hmm, I wonder if Your Highness has considered this before... or whether you are willing?"

Why would he ask that?

"And what about you? Have you thought about it, and are you willing to?"

Gu Nanshu stopped in his tracks, as if gathering his courage:

“I’ve thought about it more than once. At first, I didn’t believe the news and thought it was a rumor. Later, my uncles from various families came to congratulate me, and my sister also said that His Majesty had not ordered any punishment of the palace servants, so I believed it.”

At first, I was just looking forward to it, but then I gradually got used to everyone's blessings for me. Until today, when I saw Your Highness at the banquet, I... I think Your Highness is wonderful, the wife I've always dreamed of.

Therefore, I would like to ask Your Highness, what are your thoughts on me?

Is he confessing his feelings?

A blush instantly spread across Leng Qingning's face, and a burning flame seemed to flicker in her chest, the Azure Phoenix Jade radiating warmth...

"I think you are very good too. Your smile is captivating. You are like jade on the road, a peerless gentleman!"

"Does Your Highness truly believe so?" Gu Nanshu felt his heart race, a strange and tender feeling quickly welling up in his heart, and his ears instantly flushed red.

"Indeed, to be honest, this is the first time I've met you, but this is not the first time I've met Gu Nanshu."

"Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"

Leng Qingning patiently recounted the story of another "Gu Nanshu" and expressed her apologies to the Gu Nanshu in front of her.

"It's all my fault. I agreed to the arranged marriage without clarifying the situation. Nan Shu, I'm sorry."

Gu Nanshu found it amusing; His Highness was just too adorable…

"Your Highness, this is not your fault. The marriage alliance was the will of the two kings. Even if you did not mistake the person, His Majesty approved the marriage alliance at the banquet, so you could not refuse."

This matter concerns the peace between the two countries, and Gu Nanshu knows which is more important!

"Thank you for understanding, Nan Shu."

"Your Highness, please don't stand on ceremony with Nan Shu. Since I admire you, I will naturally understand."

"Um."

Huh? What! He said he's in love with me? Then I have to show my feelings.

"I, too, love you!"

The two looked into each other's eyes and couldn't help but smile. The atmosphere became ambiguous, and a sweet scent filled the air.

The people hiding behind the tree were shocked; Chao Xi and Han Su gaped in astonishment! Bi Luo covered her mouth and chuckled, truly worthy of her master! Bai Yu leaned against the tree, listening intently with her eyes closed, while Jun Zhu was both surprised and delighted, genuinely happy for her master, only regretting that her master couldn't be the rightful ruler…

Only Leng Huaichuan murmured to himself: "A gentleman as handsome as jade, unparalleled in the world!" What a beautiful line!

Under another tree, the Fourth Princess gripped her skirt tightly, veins bulging on her forehead, her eyes filled with resentment as she stared at Leng Qingning.

Why do you always have to take everything from me?

"Hmph, just you wait!"

He stormed off in anger.

…

Anning Palace —

Leng Qingning sat on the edge of the bed soaking her feet, while the four little ones stared at the luminous pearl in the brocade box.

Han Su: "Young Master, this is the first time I've ever seen such a large luminous pearl. Fifth Young Master is so kind to you."

Chao Xi: "Didn't you hear what Young Master Gu said? This luminous pearl comes from the East. It was Fifth Young Master who asked him to search for it for two whole years before he finally found one this big."

Bai Yu: "Indeed, it is priceless and invaluable."

Biluo: "The Fifth Young Master is willing to spend money, and Young Master Gu is willing to put in effort. I think they both genuinely care about the young master."

Chao Xi: "Sister Biluo, how dare you say that? If you hadn't been so sure yesterday that you could tell right from wrong and that the person next to Gu Nanyi must be Young Master Gu, our young master wouldn't be so distracted today. He was already exhausted after a long day."

Leng Qingning: "Who said I was out of my mind?"

I'm really tired, both physically and mentally!

Biluo: "That's right, that's called double happiness. If it weren't for that young master's support, how could our young master have readily agreed to the marriage? And how could he have so quickly expressed his feelings for Young Master Gu? In one day, our young master gained two handsome husbands, isn't that a double blessing!"

Han Su: "Young Master is mighty."

…