The maid whispered, "Miss, what are you doing? If the old lady and madam find out, you'll be punished."
"Shh, keep your voice down. How will you know what's going on in the manor if you don't eavesdrop? They all treat me like a child, hiding everything from me. How can I stand it?"
Gu Baozhu crept quietly under the window and heard Qin Yuan inside say, "Mother, there's a big matter I can't make up my mind about. This matter should be discussed with both Sixth Brother and the Marquis, but it's not only a big matter for the Marquis's mansion, but also concerns Sixth Brother's family affairs. I think it's best to get some answers from you first."
Gu Baozhu was quick-witted and wondered to herself, "Could it be that the Xu family is up to something again?"
Madam Gu also asked the same question.
Qin Yuan was speaking inside, while Gu Baozhu listened outside, completely absorbed in the conversation, her fists clenched and her teeth clenched.
Just then, she felt a sharp poke in her waist. Realizing that something important was happening, Gu Baozhu shifted slightly and whispered, "Stop fooling around."
But instead of stopping, I got hit on the head again, and this time it was even worse than before.
Gu Baozhu could no longer tolerate it and shouted, "How dare you! What are you doing?"
Upon hearing that cry, Gu Baozhu knew something was wrong.
Sure enough, the talking inside stopped, followed by a loud shout from Old Madam Gu: "Gu Baozhu, what are you doing outside?"
"It's nothing, Mother."
Gu Baozhu stood up, moved her slightly numb feet, and angrily turned to look at the little maid who had ruined her business, only to find a cold and dark face.
Although his face is exceptionally handsome, it's so cold it's freezing you to death.
Gu Baozhu's legs suddenly went weak, and she stammered, "Third...Third Brother, you...you, what are you doing here?"
Gu Jinghui said coldly, "It's not strange that I'm here, but it's strange that you're here. I ask you, what are you doing crouching under the window, acting so suspiciously? You don't look like a girl at all."
Caught red-handed, Gu Baozhu couldn't come up with any sophistry and could only say, "I was eavesdropping under the window."
A soft laugh suddenly came from the side, the voice was very clear and melodious. Only then did Gu Baozhu realize that there were other people besides her third brother. She stiffly and slowly turned her neck to look over.
What comes into view is His Highness Prince Qi, the renowned Prince Yulang of the capital.
Today, King Qi was dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, wearing a white jade crown, with a moon-white ribbon tied around his chin. He looked elegant and otherworldly, and his eyes were looking at her with a slight smile.
"Qi, Qi, His Highness King Qi has arrived..."
Gu Baozhu wished she could disappear into the ground.
"I, I really, this is the first time I've ever eavesdropped, really, do you believe me?"
Gu Baozhu wanted to cry but had no tears.
Why?!
Why did eavesdropping have to be discovered? And if it was just about being discovered by someone else, why did it have to be discovered by Third Brother? And even if it was just about Third Brother, why did His Highness Prince Qi have to see it...?
How could Gu Baozhu ever face anyone again after this?
His Highness Prince Qi couldn't help but smile again. A spring breeze seemed to caress his fair and elegant face, and his pupils seemed to focus only on the person in front of him.
"I believe it."
Gu Baozhu stood awkwardly to the side.
From inside the house came Old Madam Gu's booming voice, "Gu Baozhu, you get your ass in here!"
Gu Baozhu looked awkwardly at Prince Qi and then at her third brother, her steps hesitant, unsure whether to go forward or retreat.
"Aren't you going in? Your mother is calling you," came Gu Jinghui's cold voice.
"oh."
Gu Baozhu lowered her head and followed the two inside.
As soon as Prince Qi entered, Madam Gu stood up and said with a smile, "How come such a big Buddha has come to this old woman's little temple today?"
Qin Yuan also quickly stood up, respectfully lowering her eyes and standing by her side.
King Qi hurriedly stepped forward to greet her, and after exchanging greetings with Madam Gu, he said, "Madam, are you blaming me for not coming often enough, and for us becoming too distant?"
Madam Gu smiled and said, "Your Highness knows you haven't come often enough. Please come more often in the future."
King Qi looked at Gu Jinghui and said, "I would like to come more often, but someone has to be willing."
Gu Jinghui didn't respond; his expression remained grim.
Qin Yuan then knew that the Prince of Qi had come to visit with a request, and he referred to himself by his courtesy name repeatedly to appear more intimate, while Lord Gu seemed somewhat reluctant.
King Qi greeted Qin Yuan again. Qin Yuan wanted to perform a grand ceremony, but King Qi stopped her, saying, "I call the Marquis Third Brother, and I will also call you Third Sister-in-law. We will simply greet each other according to our seniority."
Qin Yuan looked at Lord Gu, who nodded and said, "You may agree with him."
After the two exchanged greetings, King Qi smiled and said, "Third Sister-in-law, this is our second meeting."
Qin Yuan said softly, "I am very grateful to Your Highness Prince Qi for saving me last time. I have not been able to visit your residence to express my gratitude until now. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Prince Qi glanced at Gu Jinghui again before saying, "How could I be offended? I hope Third Sister-in-law won't blame me. If my men hadn't been so reckless last time, Third Sister-in-law wouldn't have been implicated. I should have apologized to Third Sister-in-law, but thankfully Third Brother has already forgiven me, otherwise I wouldn't dare to enter the gates of the Marquis of Dingbei's residence again."
Qin Yuan then realized that Prince Qi had already discussed the matter with Marquis Gu, and it seemed that Prince Qi's act of saving her life was indeed just a pretense, so she smiled slightly.
After exchanging greetings, everyone took their seats according to their status as host and guest.
At this point, no one pursued Gu Baozhu any further, so Gu Baozhu felt at ease and huddled to one side, openly listening to their conversation.
Gu Baozhu was still quite curious about this handsome and refined Prince Qi.
After exchanging pleasantries, Madam Gu asked, "May I ask what brings Your Highness here?"
King Qi hesitated for a while before saying, "Madam, to be honest, I have been searching for a rare fragrance. I have searched all the incense shops in the capital, big and small. I have even asked Manager Leng of Ranxiangju many times."
Madam Gu then knew that this matter was related to Qin Yuan's incense, and said with a smile, "I wonder what kind of rare incense Your Highness is looking for. This old woman is getting on in years, but I still have some knowledge."
King Qi laughed and said, "I knew the old lady was knowledgeable and experienced; she might know the answer."
Gu Jinghui said coldly, "So what if my mother remembers? There still needs to be someone who can match her."
King Qi sighed, "Third Brother is the biggest spoilsport."
As he spoke, he casually glanced around and saw Qin Yuan sitting at the lower seat with a normal expression.
King Qi sighed again.
Qiuju came up to serve tea. Prince Qi picked up the teacup, took a sip, and praised, "The tea here, Madam, is indeed the best. It's much better than the tea I had in my third brother's study."
Madam Gu laughed and said, "Of course, Hui-ge'er is a rough fellow. He was fighting in the north and didn't have time to be particular about these things. He was surrounded by rough men who only liked to drink and eat meat. He probably drank more alcohol than tea in his whole life. Before he got married, he was served by servants, and his clothes and clothing were all taken care of by Sixteen. How refined could they be?"
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