Chapter 698 I even suspected that I had picked up the wrong child
In the Duke Zhenguo Mansion, Chu Ruohan’s courtyard was brightly lit.
The Duke's wife, who was always known for her shrewdness and competence, was now facing the account book with her fingertips on the rosewood abacus, but she was hesitant to move the next bead.
The door curtain moved slightly, and Gu Junze walked in with a chill.
Without even raising her head, Chu Ruohan snorted coldly and pushed the account book beside her to the side, making a light "pop" sound.
"Your good daughter is really stupid."
"If I hadn't seen her crawl out of my belly with my own eyes, I would have suspected that I had taken the wrong baby!"
Gu Junze walked over to her and poured himself a cup of warm tea. There was no anger on his face, but instead a helpless smile.
"You've known her temper for a long time." He took a sip of tea. "The more you go against her, the more excited she gets. Just let her hit you. Once she gets her head broken and bleeding, she'll naturally feel the pain."
"Does it hurt?" Chu Ruohan raised her eyebrows. "I think her elbow has been bent and moved to someone else's house a long time ago!"
"Lin Jiayou has her hooked and hooked, and now she's even attending some ridiculous poetry gathering for him. Is she truly unable to discern the Third Prince's intentions?"
Chu Ruohan sighed without comment, too lazy to worry about her daughter's stupidity.
She shuffled the beads on the abacus and changed the subject.
"The princes are all grown up, and their hearts have become wild. It's a pity that the current emperor is still in his prime."
She paused, then spoke of another matter, "Speaking of which, Lu Ge'er is not young anymore. In a few days, Li Shangshu's wife will hold a chrysanthemum viewing banquet. Then, it's time for him to have a good look at her."
Gu Junze's movement of holding the teacup paused slightly, his eyes a little absent-minded.
"What are you thinking about? I'm talking to you." Chu Ruohan noticed that something was wrong with him.
Gu Junze came back to his senses, put down the teacup, and said in a voice without emotion: "Nothing."
However, Chu Ruohan was not so easily fooled. She stared into her husband's eyes and said slowly, "Brother Lu has been back for some time, but he has never visited his grandfather."
"Third Uncle sent someone to deliver a message today, and his words, both implicit and implicit, expressed disapproval of Lu'er."
"Lü'er has official business to attend to." Gu Junze simply replied, "The Emperor has other plans for him."
As for what the arrangement was, he didn't reveal a single word to Chu Ruohan.
Chu Ruohan didn't ask any further questions.
She knew Gu Junze too well, and she also knew that Gu Lu's sudden transfer back from Jinguan City was definitely not just a superficial promotion.
She didn't want to ask too much about what was happening in the court.
On the other hand, Gu Qingchen was completely unaware of his parents' worries.
After putting on the newly cut hibiscus-colored long skirt, the ankle injury had almost healed and she no longer limped when walking.
The poetry gathering was held on the shores of Lanyue Lake in the suburbs of Beijing. Painted boats were floating on the water and the music of stringed instruments was pleasant to the ears. Those invited were all prominent sons of aristocratic families and famous ladies in Beijing.
When Gu Qingchen and Lin Jiayou arrived together by car, they immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"Isn't that the eldest daughter of the Gu family? Who is the scholar next to her?"
"You don't know? It's Lin Jiayou who blocked the bear for her during the hunting in Xishan!"
"So it's him. He looks so weak, but he's actually quite courageous."
"It's more than just courage. I think it's ambition. Climbing the tree of the Zhenguogong Mansion means you have access to everything. You can even attend the Third Prince's poetry gathering."
Lin Jiayou seemed oblivious to the gazes around him.
Gu Qingchen straightened his back, like a proud peacock, and stood in front of Lin Jiayou, responding to those unfriendly glances with his eyes.
"Ignore them," she whispered.
Lin Jiayou smiled at her.
The two were about to find a place to sit down when a gentle voice came from not far away.
"Sister Qingchen, Master Lin, please come this way."
The speaker was the Third Prince, Zhao Chenyu. He was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, holding a folding fan, and his smile was as gentle as a spring breeze. Unlike the cold and majestic appearance of Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an, he always had an approachable and friendly aura.
"Your Highness the Third Prince." Gu Qingchen and Lin Jiayou hurried forward to salute.
Zhao Chenyu gave a false helping hand, his eyes falling on Lin Jiayou, praising him, "I have heard about the incident at Xishan a long time ago. Young Master Lin may be frail, but he possesses the courage of ten thousand men. This is truly admirable."
"Your Highness, I am very grateful for your praise. I do not deserve it." Lin Jiayou bowed humbly.
"Hey, don't be so modest." Zhao Chenyu smiled and patted his shoulder, his attitude close. "Talented people should not be buried. At today's poetry gathering, I am looking forward to Master Lin's excellent work."
These words were said flawlessly, praising Lin Jiayou while giving face to Gu Qingchen.
Gu Qingchen was very happy and felt that the third prince was much more pleasing to the eye than his unkind prince.
After the greetings, the poetry reading officially began.
After writing several poems with lofty artistic conception and gorgeous language, the whole room applauded and he was the talk of the town.
"This child should only exist in heaven!"
"Mr. Lin's talent is beyond our reach!"
Gu Qingchen sat in the women's seat, listening to the praises coming from all around him, and felt proud.
She straightened her back proudly, looking at Lin Jiayou who was shining in the crowd, and couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.
See, she wasn't wrong.
Amidst everyone's praise, Lin Jiayou maintained a humble smile on his face, but his eyes looked past the crowd and accurately found Gu Qingchen, giving her a look that only the two of them understood.
However, amidst the cheers, an inappropriate and cold voice was clearly heard.
"The Third Prince's poetry gathering is still so lively."
When everyone heard the sound, they turned around and saw a more magnificent ship slowly approaching the shore.
On the bow of the ship, Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an stood with his hands behind his back, wearing a black python robe, which made his face look even more stern. His eyes were as calm as water, and he was lightly scanning the people on the shore.
Behind him, Qian Zhenyun followed.
The arrival of the prince brought total silence.
The more magnificent houseboat slowly approached the shore, and the boatman quickly put up a thick wooden board to connect the two pleasure boats.
Zhao Chenan's gaze passed over the crowd and fell precisely on Gu Qingchen.
"come over."
Everyone's eyes suddenly focused on Gu Qingchen.
It was no longer a secret that the prince rode on the same horse with her at the Xishan hunting ground.
Gu Qingchen's cheeks instantly burned, not because of shyness, but because of anger. She stood there, her feet rooted to the ground, motionless.
Why did they drag her into the fight between these two princes? Why did they have to let her be summoned and dismissed like an object in front of so many people?
She cursed in her heart, but just pursed her lips stubbornly.
The third prince, Zhao Chenyu, took in her reaction, and gently closed the folding fan in his hand. The smile on his face remained, but there was a hidden meaning in his words.
"It seems that Sister Qingchen doesn't want to go. My royal brother is being a bit unreasonable."
In one sentence, Gu Qingchen's hesitation turned into a blatant defiance of the prince.
Everyone knows what the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo represents.
Whichever side she goes to, it will determine which side the backer called "Duke Zhenguo's Mansion" will lean towards.
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