"This..." Lord Chen was used to hearing his beloved concubine and Chen Xuan say bad things about Xu Nian in his ear, so he really thought she was a vulgar and ill-mannered person.
Looking at her now, so quick-witted and sharp-tongued, how could she be the arrogant, domineering, and brainless person they described?!
All the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. After stammering for a long time, he finally managed to squeeze out, "Your Highness is too kind. I didn't mean it that way."
"Since neither the county princess nor the general wishes to do so, and given the late hour, I will not disturb you any longer. Farewell."
Ultimately, they still had some sense of shame. After years of navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, they had come to see the deep bond between Gu Zhan and Xu Nian. Staying here under these circumstances would only invite trouble.
He shouldn't have given in to his concubine's pleas today; he's completely lost face!
Chen Xuan, however, refused to give up so easily. As a concubine's daughter, her background was inferior to Chen Lingwei's. Even with her father's love, she would ultimately become a concubine.
Even if one cannot have a wife, a concubine is still good.
As long as she can get into the General's Mansion, she refuses to believe that she can't deal with Xu Nian with her own methods!
"Doesn't the county princess think she's being too domineering?"
Seeing her indignant expression, Xu Nian and Gu Zhan exchanged a glance, looking at the person in front of them with interest without saying a word.
Lord Chen frowned. "What nonsense are you spouting?! Come home with me!"
Chen Xuan trembled at the harsh tone, barely managing to steady herself. She couldn't leave. If she left now, when would she ever have another chance?
Turning her back to avoid her father's gaze, Chen Xuan gritted her teeth and glared fiercely at Xu Nian, "It is only natural for a man to take a concubine. How can someone so jealous and obstruct the marriage before the county princess has even entered the family?!"
"What does it matter to the Third Miss whether she is fit to be a wife?" Before Xu Nian could speak, Gu Zhan glanced at Chen Xuan with annoyance. "Nian'er is my wife. Even if we weren't married, everyone in this mansion would only recognize her as the mistress of the house. Besides, I really don't like having too many people in the mansion. One wife is enough. Not to mention now, I will not have any thoughts of taking a concubine for many years to come."
He stood protectively behind Xu Nian, and his words made Chen Xuan's face turn pale. "It's getting late, Miss Chen, please go back."
"Your words have thoroughly offended Lord Chen." Watching the two figures leave in a disheveled state, Xu Nian tilted her head, recalling Chen Sheng's ashen face before he left, unable to utter a single word in rebuttal.
Before leaving, he grabbed Chen Xuan's hand and dragged her away, not forgetting to give her a sinister look.
It's a pity that Xu Nian isn't even afraid of evil spirits, so why would she be afraid of his empty threats?
Gu Zhan, with his numerous military achievements, enjoyed genuine prestige among the common people and even in the emperor's eyes. Naturally, he was not afraid of Lord Chen. After the man had gone some distance, he said with a teasing tone, "I'm sorry for the offense. But if Nian'er hadn't deliberately kept quiet for a while, she probably wouldn't have come out to see anyone right now."
[The general is so charming!!!]
[Was his earlier silence, which was off-putting, just to tease the streamer?]
This man is really something; he can even fend off unwanted romantic advances himself. Look how angry he made that young lady just now.
Xu Nian blushed and glared at him shyly. "Who said that? Didn't I just come out? Someone wanted to steal my fiancé while I was away, of course I had to show up."
The man's low laughter beside her seemed to have a magical power, making Xu Nian's ears itch. A tingling, numb sensation spread from her ears to her heart.
Feeling awkward, she nudged Gu Zhan, then glanced at the bracelet that the Empress had just bestowed upon her and suddenly remembered the purpose of her visit.
"I'm not going to waste time with you. I've come to see you with important business." She stood up; it was already dark outside. Servants were bustling about, adding lamps and firewood.
It's really not a good place to talk.
Gu Zhan noticed her hesitation and, in front of everyone, took his fiancée's hand and led her to the backyard. The servants of the General's Mansion exchanged knowing glances and continued working with their heads down, not looking at each other.
Following the crowd to the backyard, to Gu Zhan's residence, Shuiyun Pavilion, Xu Nian's face was already flushed red under the scrutiny of others.
Next time, I shouldn't come to see Gu Zhan at this time; it's too easy for people to misunderstand.
She followed the person into the house without stopping, and casually stuck a soundproof yellow talisman on the door. Before she could even utter a word, she heard Gu Zhan's sour voice coming from the door, "I heard you went to the Second Prince's residence today?"
Xu Nian never cared that Liu Yun, who was by his side, was his person.
She raised an eyebrow, giving General Gu a playful look, and placed her arm provocatively on his shoulder. "What? Did you eat something wrong?"
Gu Zhan nodded frankly, which surprised her somewhat. She chuckled twice, "I only went to take his pulse today. His body is severely depleted. If we don't find the right solution, I'm afraid he won't live past thirty."
Subconsciously concealing the fact that the Second Prince was poisoned by Gu, Xu Nian told Gu Zhan that it was just a common illness.
"You seem to really like him?"
"What do you mean by liking him? I just admire his good personality. I think we could be friends. Although Jiang Yuanqing is more unfathomable than Jiang Yuanlang and Jiang Yuanling, he makes people feel comfortable. If I were the emperor, I would choose him as the crown prince."
Gu Zhan chuckled and shook his head upon hearing this, then playfully flicked his fiancée's nose. "You know, it's fine to say these things to me, but don't tell anyone else, lest you get yourself into trouble."
"I know." Xu Nian isn't stupid; why would she tell outsiders about something like this? "Oh, I didn't come here to talk about this."
Suddenly remembering her purpose, she regretfully released her grip on the man's neck and, under Gu Zhan's somewhat disappointed gaze, pulled him to sit down. "Today I went to the palace on the Emperor's orders to match the birth dates of the Crown Prince and Wanting."
"I made an extra calculation out of curiosity." Thinking of what she had calculated today, Xu Nian felt a chill down her spine. "The Crown Prince's destiny is one of great wealth and honor. Although there will be upheavals, they can all be resolved. However, he is not destined to be an emperor."
Gu Zhan's eyes widened slightly. A crown prince without an imperial decree? Doesn't that mean that the princes after him, or even someone else, might usurp the throne?
His body tensed abruptly, and his expression turned serious. "Go on."
Xu Nian saw through Gu Zhan's thoughts and continued, "As the emperor's son, whether a prince or an illegitimate child born into the common people, they all have the imperial destiny. There are also some other people, princes or others, who are born with it. Because they are related to the emperor, although whether they can sit on the throne depends entirely on their abilities, they do have this in their destiny."
Upon hearing her words, Gu Zhan suddenly realized the crux of the matter.
The Crown Prince is the eldest son of the Empress and the Emperor. Even if he does not become the Emperor, he should still have the imperial mandate!
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