Chapter 166 Everyone Knows
A few days later, the ice skating conference was held as scheduled.
Chu Ruohan changed into a simple winter outfit early in the morning, and put on a fox fur coat. She looked both dignified and noble.
Gu Junze was wearing a black brocade robe, with his hair tied up and fixed with a jade hairpin. He looked handsome and extraordinary. Although he had a leg disease, his temperament was not diminished at all.
The two of them rode in a carriage to the ice skating rink.
When we arrived at the place, we saw that a lot of people had already gathered on a wide ice lake.
On the ice, several women were skating lightly, their skirts fluttering, like fairies on ice.
It drew cheers from the people around.
Chu Ruohan pushed Gu Junze through the crowd, and everyone looked at them.
Most of them were curious. After all, Gu Junze had always been a mysterious figure among the noblemen in the capital.
He was frail and had difficulty walking, so he seldom went out, let alone attended banquets.
Now that he is at the top of the list in the Autumn Examination, it is inevitable that he will attract some people's attention.
The two walked towards where Princess Huijia was. The pavilion was tightly wrapped with thick layers of curtains and a charcoal fire was lit, which was completely different from the ice and snow outside.
"Junze, you're finally here. It's been a while since I last saw you."
Princess Huijia sat upright on a brocade cushion, wearing a neat winter outfit, and it looked like she would be leaving soon.
Gu Junze bowed slightly and said respectfully, "It's been a long time since we last met. How is Auntie doing lately?"
"Okay, very good." Princess Huijia nodded with a smile, and turned her gaze to Chu Ruohan, her eyes full of admiration, "This is Ruohan, she is really a beautiful person."
Chu Ruohan bowed and said softly, "I greet Princess Huijia. Thank you for your praise."
"Hurry up, no need to be so polite." Princess Huijia waved her hand and said, "Just call me Auntie, Tongjunze."
The woman next to Princess Huijia's eyes fell straight on Gu Junze, "Cousin." There was a barely perceptible tremor and excitement in her voice.
The word "cousin" made Chu Ruohan notice her.
Chu Ruohan was shocked. Is it her?
In the previous life, it was this woman who went to the Marquis' Mansion and made a big fuss, insisting that Gu Junze was murdered and demanding an explanation from Marquis Anyang.
Shen Qingwan is the only daughter of Princess Huijia. She is beautiful, but at this moment, there is only room for Gu Junze in her eyes.
She naturally knew why her mother held the ice skating feast, but her heart had been set on Gu Junze since she was a child, and she looked down on no one else.
However, Gu Junze was unable to walk, and Princess Huijia felt sorry for her daughter, so she naturally did not agree to this marriage.
Shen Qingwan can be said to be unable to get the love she wants.
She didn't expect that Gu Junze would have a wife so soon, and that this person was the daughter of a merchant.
Defiled her lover.
"Cousin Qingwan." Gu Junze responded lightly and looked away.
Shen Qingwan seemed not to notice Gu Junze's indifference. She took a few steps forward, came in front of Chu Ruohan, and looked her up and down.
There was a hint of sneer on the corner of his mouth: "Are you the new wife of cousin Junze?"
Princess Huijia frowned, and said sternly, "Qingwan, don't be rude. Even if you don't call me cousin, you should still address me as the Crown Prince's wife."
Then he turned to Chu Ruohan and said in a gentle voice, "I've spoiled this child, don't mind. She has been raised in my hands since she was a child, so it's inevitable that she is a little spoiled."
How could Chu Ruohan dare to express surprise at the fact that she was the princess's daughter, not to mention that Princess Huijia was just being polite to her.
Gu Junze frowned slightly, looking unhappy, "Aunt, it's time to discipline him."
When Shen Qingwan heard Gu Junze's ruthless words, her face turned red and white, and her eyes instantly turned red.
She gritted her teeth and looked at Chu Ruohan hatefully.
Cousin, for this woman, he actually said this to her.
She is a merchant's daughter, so how could she be worthy of it?
Princess Huijia looked at her daughter's appearance and felt angry and anxious. What a evil creature!
It would be better if Gu Junze spoke more harshly so that she could completely give up this idea.
Shen Qingwan suddenly thought of the news she received yesterday.
People are saying that my cousin is inhumane and he has adopted two children.
Three years ago, in order to marry Gu Junze, she put drugs in her tea. Although she failed, she was thrown out of Hongmeng Court by Ying Qing.
But she knew that her cousin was capable, just like a normal man.
It seems that my cousin didn't like Chu Ruohan, but he married her only because of his parents' orders.
Laughter echoed from the ice. Shen Qingwan suddenly turned and pointed to the center of the lake in the distance. "The prize for this year's ice skating is a snow jade hairpin sent as tribute from the Western Regions. How about letting my cousin-in-law compete with me?"
"I heard that my cousin's wife is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. This elegant activity of picking plum blossoms on ice will surely not be difficult for you."
Chu Ruohan felt a slight chill on her fingertips. He was really flattering her. Was he determined to make things difficult for her?
Chu Ruohan was thinking about how to respond when Gu Junze spoke first: "Cousin Qingwan, Han'er is not good at ice skating, please don't make things difficult for her."
Shen Qingwan seemed to have not heard Gu Junze's words and continued to harass him: "Cousin, are you going to protect me now? Ice skating is our winter grand event. If my cousin doesn't respond, won't it spoil everyone's fun?"
As she spoke, she looked at Chu Ruohan provocatively, as if she had already seen her making a fool of herself.
A burst of hearty laughter came from outside the crowd: "What's this song? I can hear my niece's loud voice from far away!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Lin Jingchuan walking towards them with brisk steps and a smile on his face.
He was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with a warm jade pendant tied around his waist. He had an upright posture and a free and easy temperament, which instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Lin Jingchuan approached and bowed respectfully to Princess Huijia. "Greetings, Princess. It's been a long time since we last met. You're still as charming as ever. Today's ice skating event is truly lively and exciting!"
Princess Huijia nodded slightly, a smile on her face: "Jingchuan is here, get up quickly. Your skills in ice swordplay are superb, you must show them off in a while."
"OK."
Lin Jingchuan stood up, his eyes swept over everyone, and finally landed on Shen Qingwan. He teased, "Little niece, what are you trying to compete with? You look like you're determined to see who's better."
Shen Qingwan's face froze, a hint of impatience flashed in her eyes, but she still forced a smile and said, "Uncle, you're just in time."
"I was thinking of inviting the wife of the Crown Prince of Anyang Marquisate to compete in picking plum blossoms on ice, just to add to the fun."
Lin Jingchuan raised his eyebrows and looked at Chu Ruohan with a hint of teasing in his eyes: "Oh? Picking Plum Blossoms on Ice is very difficult. If you insist on competing, it would be very bad if you bump into something."
Gu Junze must be heartbroken," he said, turning to look at Shen Qingwan, "niece, don't you think so?"
Shen Qingwan gritted her teeth, feeling unwilling, but it was difficult for her to directly refute Lin Jingchuan, so she could only put on a cold face.
"Alright, alright, I'll play with you..."
Prince Yong is the uncle of the Emperor and Princess Huijia. In terms of seniority, Lin Jingchuan is comparable to Lin Xingyao, while Gu Junze is one generation older.
When Princess Yong received the invitation, she realized that Princess Huijia said she was holding an ice skating event, but in fact it was for her own daughter to meet.
Let Lin Jingchuan join in the fun. If he finds someone he likes, she will send someone to propose marriage. After all, her son is already grown up and it's time for him to get married.
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