She was so stubborn that she stood up straight and refused to kneel down, but was dragged down by Gu Chenshi. All the servants in the Gu Mansion and those who came to celebrate knelt on the ground, including Sun Chongming.
He stared at Gu Wanying's tall and straight back in a daze. Where was the smug look he had just now?
So she had run away from the palace just to see me! She must have come out to celebrate Uncle Gu's birthday.
She must have put in a lot of effort to get out of the palace, and maybe even knelt down in front of the emperor and begged bitterly!
She missed me so much, but she had to endure her longing for him in front of so many people. It must be very uncomfortable, right?
She must have been in a lot of pain, right?
The look she gave him just now carried the same sadness and pain of not being able to love someone as he did!
He can't be wrong!
Gu Wanying must still love him deeply!
After realizing this, Sun Chongming's heart became excited, and he didn't even realize that he was staring at Gu Wanying.
When Gu Wanying saw her parents bending over in front of her, their hair already gray, she felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She wanted to stop them from kneeling, but Prime Minister Gu said that etiquette cannot be abolished.
After the ceremony, everyone followed Gu Wanying into the Gu Mansion.
Prime Minister Gu's birthday became very lively because of Gu Wanying's arrival. Everyone was curious about this legendary woman in the divination of the Imperial Observatory. It was said that she had become the emperor's favorite.
Just looking at her demeanor, you can tell that she must be living a good life.
"It's so fake, who are you doing it for?" Gu Qingqing couldn't help but mutter towards Gu Wanying's back.
Sun Chongming only had eyes for that distant figure, and didn't notice Gu Qingqing's little movements at all.
After everyone entered the main hall, Gu Wanying originally wanted to sit on a chair nearby, but Yuetao and Feicui helped her sit in the upper hall.
This seat is the largest here, and only she, the concubine, can sit on it.
"Dad, I am honored to have the emperor's grace to come out of the palace to celebrate your birthday. This is my gift, I hope you will accept it." As soon as Gu Wanying finished speaking, Feicui came over with a box made of golden nanmu wood.
Once the lid is opened, the contents are clearly displayed to everyone.
It was a large and round night-shining pearl, and the whole pearl was placed on a piece of red silk velvet. When it was opened, the light of the night-shining pearl illuminated the entire room.
Everyone's eyes were about to pop out of their heads. Normally, night-shining pearls were rare, let alone this one that was as big as a baby's fist?
That is truly the best quality that can only be found in the palace!
Gu Xiang's eyes widened suddenly, and he came to his senses after a moment, "The Emperor and the Empress are really thoughtful."
As he spoke, he bowed in the direction of the imperial palace. The emperor's grace was so great that he saluted with dignity and respect, looking a bit solemn.
Prime Minister Gu is already second only to the emperor, and now his daughter, who has married into the palace, has given him such a precious gift. Who wouldn't envy him when seeing it?
The most unhappy person here is Gu Qingqing.
She didn't expect that this lowly woman Gu Wanying could actually live so well and could actually give her such a big night pearl?
She felt like she was going crazy with jealousy!
As a good sister, she should be living a dark life like a stinky rat crawling in the gutter, instead of sitting in the main hall and chatting with everyone like she is now.
Gu Qingqing looked at Gu Wanying's smiling face, as if she had been slapped hard. She clenched her fists and pinched herself hard to keep a clear mind.
All the guests were seated. Gu Wanying had a separate seat. After all, there was no one with a higher status than her. Even Sun Chongming was invited to the outer room.
However, Gu Xiang and his family were still given permission to sit together and dine.
The figure behind the bead curtain was dim, and he suddenly saw tears in her eyes. Her tearful look really touched his heart.
He could hardly walk, and he wished he could go forward and comfort her.
Unfortunately he can't!
Even though he knew very well that Gu Wanying was suffering in the palace, he could not openly listen to her complaints, protect her, or wipe away the tears from her eyes.
As soon as he sat down, others knew that this was Gu Xiang's future son-in-law, and were about to offer a glass of wine to close the distance, but they didn't expect that the other party had already started drinking, and seemed to be getting more and more drunk.
The people around him smiled awkwardly and turned around to drink with others.
Without any outsiders around, Gu Chen held Gu Wanying's hand and said that she had suffered a lot and that life in the deep palace must be difficult.
"Is it a pity to bring such a big night pearl as a birthday gift to Dad? Mom, can you please take a good look at it?" Gu Qingqing's words broke the sad mood among the family members.
Gu Wanying glared at her lazily but did not deny it.
"Mom, I'm living very well in the palace. Look, even Concubine Shu gave me this precious hairpin!" As she said this, Gu Wanying took off the hairpin on her head and showed it to Gu Chenshi.
The hairpin is exquisite and gorgeous, very suitable for young girls to wear.
Gu Chen praised it repeatedly, but before she could see it clearly, it was snatched away by Gu Qingqing.
"Sister, I like this hairpin so much. Can you give it to me?" Gu Qingqing inserted the hairpin into her bun without hesitation. She felt that she was as noble as a concubine and must be dazzling.
Gu Wanying's mouth twitched. When it comes to shamelessness, Gu Qingqing is still the most shameless, but this is exactly what she wants.
Gu Xiang's expression changed, and he glanced at Gu Qingqing. "Your sister finally came back, and you still want to steal her things. Can you change this habit?"
Gu Qingqing was originally complacent, but when she heard this, her face darkened. It was just a hairpin, so what? It wasn't a very expensive thing.
"It's okay, Dad. I think this hairpin is destined to be with my sister, so why not give it to her?" Gu Wanying said generously, "Since my sister likes it, of course I have to give it to her."
"Look at you, you don't have the humility of a lady from a noble family at all. Don't be so presumptuous in front of the Empress next time." Gu Chen glanced at Gu Qingqing, feeling that Gu Wanying only reported good news and not bad news. She then began to instruct Yue Tao again, "Yue Tao, you must take good care of the young lady in the palace from now on."
Gu Chen's love for her daughter made Gu Wanying's eyes warm. She hadn't felt this way about being surrounded by love for a long time.
"Who asked you to pretend to be kind, huh." Gu Qingqing didn't appreciate it and got up and left.
Gu Chen called Gu Qingqing several times from behind, but she didn't respond, and she couldn't help feeling anxious.
Gu Qingqing felt sick when she saw this scene. Gu Wanying, who had always been bullied by her, should have been bullied to death. Why were all of them helping Gu Wanying?
"I think my sister still has some misunderstandings about me. I'll go and persuade her." Gu Wanying knew that Gu Chen was anxious, so she got up and followed Gu Qingqing out.
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