Lili had already eaten most of the pea flour cake in front of her. Gu Ziyi glanced at her with a smile, picked up a piece, and chewed it slowly.
He slowly finished a piece of pea flour cake before noticing the two people staring at him in a daze. He frowned, somewhat displeased: "Is my word just for show?"
Gu Ziyi had always been gentle and polite, and this was the first time Lili had seen him express his negative emotions so directly, which she found quite novel.
Even the proud Crown Prince cares about how people evaluate the pastries he makes himself.
Lili chuckled, which earned her a helpless glare from Gu Ziyi.
Bai Weiwei and Yu Siting also came to their senses. Gu Ziyi's gaze lightly fell on them. Among so many people present, only the two of them were standing in the middle of the room. Everyone knew that Gu Ziyi's words just now were aimed at the two of them.
Before Bai Weiwei could recover from the shock of the Crown Prince's unparalleled handsomeness, she was caught in another vortex.
Gu Ziyi's eyes made no attempt to conceal his displeasure.
Bai Weiwei forced a smile, feeling humiliated by this public display of power, especially since the other party was the Crown Prince, whom she had never met before. Somewhat flustered, she silently turned to Bai Yu for help.
Bai Yu naturally received her plea for help. After all, she was his niece. Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with her performance just now, Bai Yu would not let his junior be left isolated and helpless in this situation because of her momentary behavior.
Bai Yu first gave her a warning look, reminding her: "Are you ignoring what His Highness said? His Highness didn't tell you to get up, so why aren't you bowing to His Highness at once?"
Bai Weiwei and Yu Siting immediately went down the steps and performed a kowtow, prostrating themselves on the ground.
Bai Yu was unsure about Gu Ziyi's attitude towards others, but she was certain about his attitude towards Lili.
She had been keeping a close eye on Bai Weiwei and Yu Siting. Their words were intriguing, especially Bai Weiwei's. At first glance, they seemed like unintentional remarks, but in reality, every word she uttered was thought-provoking.
Bai Yu was no ordinary person; he looked down on the mere fighting skills of these two.
These two are young and not yet mature. I originally intended to give them a warning later, but the Crown Prince overheard us.
Fortunately, Gu Ziyi was never one to bully others, so Bai Yu wasn't too worried that Gu Ziyi would cause trouble.
“Your Highness, these two children are still young and outspoken. They couldn’t control themselves for a moment. Please forgive them.”
Gu Ziyi smiled enigmatically, not rushing to speak, but turning to ask Lili, "Too sweet?"
Lili shook her head: "I haven't eaten any other pea flour cakes, so I don't know if it's sweeter than the normal kind, but I quite like sweet things, so it's just right."
Lili wasn't lying; she only drinks full sugar in her milk tea and adds three parts milk to her coffee. She really does have a sweet tooth.
Gu Ziyi raised an eyebrow with amusement, unsure whether it was because of Lili's earlier comment that she "had never eaten any other pea flour cakes" or because she thought the sweetness was just right.
Bai Weiwei bowed respectfully, but her attention remained focused on the young crown prince.
She lay prone on the ground, her head buried in her hands, her eyes only able to see the floor not far from her.
She heard Gu Ziyi seem to smile merrily after Lili answered, and her unease grew.
What's the meaning?
Why does His Highness the Crown Prince seem so familiar with Shen Lili?
Gu Ziyi waved his hand, signaling Bai Yu to step down.
Bai Yu hesitated for a moment, glanced at Bai Weiwei, and then sat down.
She tried to defend him, but he didn't appreciate it and was only interested in settling accounts.
Gu Ziyi asked Lili softly, "Are you hungry?"
Shen Jiahao answered first, "Your Highness, I'm hungry! I helped move a lot of goods this afternoon and haven't had dinner yet!"
After taking on several apprentices, Shen Lao Er's supply speed increased even more. Shen Jiahao had a rare day off today and thought he would go back to Xinghua Village to see his parents, so he helped unload the goods along the way.
Nowadays, the eldest son of the Shen family manages all the shops, while the second son acts as a "supplier." Once the shops are stable, the shopkeepers are basically in charge of running them, and the eldest son only occasionally takes a day to check the accounts.
Lili suddenly remembered that she had sent someone back to Xinghua Village to tell Boss Shen that she wanted to expand the Shen family's business scope. Boss Shen said he would think about it for a few days.
Not knowing if her uncle had figured out anything, Lili wanted to ask Shen Jiahao, "Brother, did your uncle ask you to pass on any message?"
Shen Jiahao: "No."
"oh."
Gu Ziyi glanced at her, guessing that the cook he had brought had already prepared the dishes in the small kitchen, and asked Zhuifeng to instruct the small kitchen to serve the dishes.
Pear immediately shifted her focus: "Oh, my stir-fried clams with garlic are ready?"
"Mm." Gu Ziyi nodded with a smile.
"Great! I'll definitely eat more!"
The dish of pea flour cakes was almost empty. Gu Ziyi had specifically told her not to eat too much, and he wanted to tease her a bit, but Bai Weiwei interrupted him.
"Your Highness." Bai Weiwei cautiously raised half of her head, her eyes seemingly filled with water, glistening with moisture.
Gu Ziyi frowned for a moment, but quickly softened his expression and looked over.
"Your Highness..." When Bai Weiwei met that person's gaze, her heart tightened and her heartbeat inexplicably quickened.
That is His Highness the Crown Prince, the Lord of the Eastern Palace, the current heir apparent, and perhaps the future emperor!
Your Majesty has few children, only three sons. The eldest prince is twenty-three, too old. The second prince is frail and has no interest in the throne.
After much consideration, the only person most suitable for her among them was actually His Highness the Crown Prince.
Bai Weiwei is ambitious, but she also understands that her identity ultimately makes it impossible for her to become an empress.
But this crown prince, whom I have never met, is so handsome, like a sculpture. No jade-faced young man or heroic youth can compare to the extremely noble crown prince in front of me.
Bai Weiwei could hardly contain her heartbeat.
What if?
A tear welled up in Bai Weiwei's eye. She twitched her nose in grievance, and when she met his gaze, she lowered her head nervously, the tear falling to the ground.
Gu Ziyi: ...?
Gu Ziyi felt rather helpless. His mother was the Empress, and the concubines in the harem used all sorts of tricks to compete for the Emperor's favor, so he naturally knew a thing or two about them.
But this person isn't even a teenager...
"Your Highness, what did Weiwei do to anger you?"
Bai Weiwei's body trembled slightly, as if she had suffered some great injustice.
Those present, including Qin Fu and Xia Ning, needless to say, as peers who had exchanged a few blows with Bai Weiwei, naturally knew that Bai Weiwei's appearance was nothing more than an act.
While feeling even more annoyed, I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. They were women, and the same age, so it was perfectly normal for them to be so obvious.
But His Highness the Crown Prince is a man, and this is the first time he has met Bai Weiwei. What if His Highness is unaware of the truth and is deceived by her appearance?
Although Shen Ye and Shen Jiahao never expressed their opinions on Bai Weiwei and Yu Siting from beginning to end, they were naturally on Li Li's side.
They couldn't understand what the two people were saying to each other, but they could sense that something was wrong.
However, since they were boys, and Lili didn't say anything, they naturally couldn't interfere in the girls' conversation. Besides, Lili would never let herself be taken advantage of, so they were quite at ease.
The three ladies, as if they knew everything perfectly well, exchanged meaningful glances and remained silent.
Madam Yang knew that Gu Ziyi would definitely protect Lili, and Madam Qin felt that since the young master's wife hadn't spoken, she naturally wouldn't try to smooth things over.
Bai Yu, on the other hand, harbored a desire to explore.
Because she realized that since Gu Ziqi came into her life, she seemed to have never really gotten to know her niece properly.
The only one present who actually wanted to smooth things over was Qin Renjie, who had missed every single scene.
In his view, Gu Ziyi had just experienced a major event, so he was naturally in a bad mood. Bai Weiwei was meeting His Highness the Crown Prince for the first time, and being young, she made a mistake out of nervousness, which was not intentional.
Qin Renjie looked around, but no one spoke.
Qin Renjie pondered for a moment: "Your Highness, the incident just now was probably not intentional on the part of the two young ladies..."
Gu Ziyi glared at Qin Renjie, and Qin Renjie silently shut his mouth.
Uh, okay, he's not saying anything now.
Gu Ziyi smiled faintly, withdrew her gaze, turned and grabbed Lili's hand as she was about to eat the last piece of pea flour cake, and said with a smile, "We're about to eat, still wanting more?"
Those seven words conveyed a sense of doting affection to Bai Weiwei.
Especially Gu Ziyi's smile, which seemed to have infinite tenderness, and his movements were familiar, clearly showing that he knew her well and there was no awkwardness at all.
One was the esteemed Crown Prince, and the other was the daughter of a lowly county magistrate. The county magistrate's daughter didn't find it strange at all, as if the two were just ordinary friends.
Lili silently complained, "Is it really coming soon? It feels like you're going to be working on it for quite a while."
Gu Ziyi let out a muffled laugh, leaned closer, and whispered, "I stood up for you, and you're blaming me for making you miss your meal?"
Lili pouted: "I clearly didn't care. Is it Your Highness who can't stand it when people say your pea flour cake isn't good?"
Gu Ziyi chuckled softly, and although he tried to hide it, it was still easy to see his joy.
Bai Weiwei, who was swaying precariously, stiffened and stared in disbelief at the nearly empty plate of pea flour cake on the table.
What?
Was the pea flour cake that Shen Lili ate made by His Highness the Crown Prince himself?!
Yu Siting felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
No wonder His Highness the Crown Prince made things so difficult for them; he must have heard what she said!
Yu Siting's confusion instantly turned to panic, and she kowtowed to Gu Ziyi: "Your Highness, please forgive me, I... I..."
Gu Ziyi glanced at him sideways.
Lili frowned slightly and turned her body slightly to the side.
Gu Ziyi sat right next to her, making it seem as if he was kowtowing to her, a gesture she couldn't possibly accept.
Gu Ziyi carefully noticed Lili's movements and said softly, "Get up."
Yu Siting was overjoyed and hurriedly got up to write a note of gratitude: "Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Highness!"
Bai Weiwei got up and started analyzing the situation quickly in her mind.
What is the relationship between these two that makes them so close?
The people around them didn't seem surprised; they were clearly used to it and already knew the two had a good relationship.
Even the one Shen Lili calls "Big Brother" is very familiar with His Highness the Crown Prince. It's not just that the two of them are close, but that they are close to the entire Shen family.
Bai Weiwei couldn't quite explain how she felt.
The initial excitement of meeting her had long since vanished, replaced by endless bitterness.
No, on what grounds?
Bai Weiwei admitted that she was jealous.
Why is it Shen Lili again?
Other things aside, His Highness the Crown Prince?
Your Highness the Crown Prince?
Your Highness the Crown Prince?
Why should I?!
Bai Weiwei almost laughed out of anger, unable to control her expression.
"I heard that the pea flour cakes I make are garbage?"
Gu Ziyi smiled faintly, tapping the table lightly with her left hand. Although she was smiling, the June weather inexplicably made the two of them feel a bit cold.
Yu Siting's relief faded, her face turning deathly pale: "Wh-what? No, how could that be? His Highness is of noble birth, his creations are naturally unparalleled, how could it be, how could it be..."
Yu Siting was drenched in cold sweat, her back completely soaked.
She didn't know how the Crown Prince could have such a powerful aura. He looked about the same age as her, yet he made her legs tremble violently.
Gu Ziyi glanced at her but didn't say anything.
Yu Siting trembled and tugged at Bai Weiwei beside her, seeking protection: "Cousin, cousin, say something! Quickly tell His Highness the Crown Prince that we didn't do it on purpose!"
Gu Ziyi glanced at Bai Weiwei again.
Bai Weiwei has been good at reading people since she was a child, especially in this situation. She naturally understands that the current situation is really unfavorable to her. If she tries to explain herself, it may make the other party even more disgusted.
After thinking for a moment, Bai Weiwei knelt down: "Your Highness, please forgive me. My cousin is just a bit straightforward and doesn't have any bad intentions. Please don't blame her!"
"Oh?" Gu Ziyi rarely replied.
Bai Weiwei was overjoyed, thinking that it had worked, and continued, "Cousin didn't mean anything by it. She just wanted to share the scenery of the capital with Sister Lili. I have already tried to dissuade her, but as you know, I am the younger sister, and it wouldn't be right for her to go too far."
Yu Siting felt that something was off about the statement, but Bai Weiwei had indeed told her not to continue. The statement seemed to make sense in every way, so she couldn't care less about anything else and hurriedly nodded, "Yes! Your Highness, I didn't mean anything by it."
After a pause, Yu Siting gave the leisurely Lili a glare that carried a hint of warning, and said, "Right? Little Lili?"
Lili: "……."
Sometimes she really wondered how Yu Siting had managed to survive to this day.
Hmm... not very bright.
Please, His Highness the Crown Prince is right next to her, what's the point of warning me?
Is your warning more severe than His Highness the Crown Prince's?
Lili sighed and nudged Gu Ziyi's hand, saying, "Your Highness, I'm hungry."
Gu Ziyi glanced sideways, about to speak, when Zhuifeng came in and said, "Your Highness, dinner has been arranged. You may move now."
Lili raised her eyebrows slightly and whispered, "Hmm?"
She wasn't scared, nor was she suddenly kind and didn't care.
She felt that spending so much time on this was simply not worth it.
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