Gu Qinlan soaked her two scalded hands in snow water. The icy water made her fingertips tremble slightly, but the pain miraculously lessened. She raised her head, her eyes filled with worry and self-reproach, and whispered to the Princess Consort beside her, "Your Highness, have I overstepped my bounds by doing this?"
Princess Duan sat on the stone bench, looking at Gu Qinlan's hands that had been scalded by hot water. Her brows furrowed slightly, but her tone was very gentle: "Silly child, you are just concerned about me. How is that overstepping your bounds? You did very well. How could I blame you?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of gratitude flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes. She gently grasped Princess Duan's hand, her voice slightly choked with emotion: "Princess, my mother passed away when I was very young, so I have always known the preciousness of family. I am truly fortunate to have met such a kind mother-in-law as you today. From now on, I will treat you as my own mother, take care of you, and accompany you."
Princess Duan felt a surge of warmth in her heart upon sensing Gu Qinlan's sincerity. She gently patted Gu Qinlan's hand and smiled, "Good child, I like you more and more because you know how to be grateful. Don't worry, from now on, we are family, and I will treat you like my own daughter."
Upon hearing Gu Qinlan's words, Princess Duan was instantly moved to tears. She tightly grasped Gu Qinlan's arm, her eyes filled with praise and affection. She gently patted Gu Qinlan's hand and said affectionately, "Good child, you have shown me the future of the Duan Prince's Mansion. I will give you this jade bracelet."
Gu Qinlan was stunned. She hadn't expected the Princess Consort of Duan to value her so much, and she felt both touched and uneasy. She said in a low voice, "Your Highness, this bracelet is too precious for me to accept."
Princess Consort Duan smiled slightly, her eyes resolute: "Gu Qinlan, you are the daughter-in-law I have chosen. This bracelet represents the inheritance of the Duan Prince's Mansion, and you are my only suitable candidate."
Zheng Huiyi sat to the side, her face somewhat grim. She couldn't help but speak up, "Mother, this jade bracelet is a family heirloom of the Zheng family. How can we easily hand it over to outsiders!"
Princess Consort Duan turned around, looked at her daughter, and said seriously, "Huiyi, you don't understand yet. This bracelet is not only a family heirloom of the Zheng family, but also the glory of the Duan Prince's Mansion. Gu Qinlan is a good girl, and she can shoulder this glory."
Zheng Huiyi said anxiously, "But Mother, she is not a member of the Zheng family after all."
Princess Consort Duan sighed and gently patted Zheng Huiyi's hand: "Huiyi, you should know that the future of the Duan Prince's Mansion does not only belong to you, but also to our entire family. Although Gu Qinlan is not a member of our Zheng family, she has a kind heart. She will be a good wife and a good daughter-in-law."
Zheng Huiyi was speechless, unable to refute her mother's words. She looked at Gu Qinlan, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
Seeing this, Princess Duan took Gu Qinlan's hand and helped her put the jade bracelet on. With a smile, she said, "Gu Qinlan, I hope you can pass this bracelet down to your daughter-in-law in the future."
Gu Qinlan was moved to tears. She held Princess Duan's hand tightly and said, "Princess, I will cherish this bracelet and live up to your expectations."
Princess Duan suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Qinlan, I wonder if you and Dinglian consummated your marriage on the night of your wedding?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan blushed slightly and gently shook her head: "Mother, we have not yet consummated our marriage."
Princess Duan was somewhat surprised. She looked at Gu Qinlan, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes: "Why is this? Is Dinglian having some unspeakable difficulty?"
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and slowly explained, "Mother, my husband said that the border war is urgent and he does not want to delay the battle and anger the Emperor, so he postponed the consummation of the marriage."
Upon hearing this, Princess Duan's expression immediately turned serious. She frowned and said worriedly, "With the war situation so critical, wouldn't it be even more necessary for Dinglian to stabilize morale in the army? If we postpone the wedding ceremony and the war goes poorly, and the Emperor blames us, our Duan Prince's Mansion cannot bear the consequences."
Seeing Princess Duan's worry, Gu Qinlan quickly comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. My husband is brave and skilled in battle, and he will surely return victorious. When that happens, my husband and I will give you a bunch of big, fat grandsons to make you happy."
Upon hearing this, Princess Duan couldn't help but laugh. She patted Gu Qinlan's hand and said, "You silly girl, you really know how to talk. I'm not worried about your consummation of the marriage, but rather about Dinglian's safety on the frontier."
Gu Qinlan gently held Princess Duan's hand and said softly, "Mother, I know you care about my husband, and I will always pray for him, hoping for his early triumphant return. At that time, our family will be reunited and we can spend wonderful time together."
Princess Duan looked at Gu Qinlan with eyes full of relief and joy.
Zheng Huiyi scoffed, looking at Gu Qinlan with an unfriendly expression, and said irritably, "Don't you feel ashamed of having so many children?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, her expression composed. She looked at Zheng Huiyi and said calmly, "It is a woman's duty as a wife to marry and bear children for her husband's family. I don't feel ashamed of it at all."
Zheng Huiyi's face darkened, and she was about to retort when she was interrupted by Princess Duan. Princess Duan frowned, looked coldly at Zheng Huiyi, and rebuked her, "Huiyi, how can you speak like that? Gu Qinlan is your sister-in-law, you should respect her."
Zheng Huiyi stared wide-eyed at Princess Duan in disbelief, biting her lip, tears welling in her eyes. She lowered her head, silently left her seat, and ran out of the room.
Princess Duan frowned as she watched Zheng Huiyi's retreating figure. She was about to get up and chase after her when Gu Qinlan stopped her.
"Your Highness, there's no need to pursue them," Gu Qinlan said softly, her eyes filled with worry.
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