Tacit understanding, jealousy
After finishing her business at the tea plantation, Gu Jinning didn't have time to catch up with Hua Lingchen. She quickly gave Zhao Yi a few instructions and hurried home on horseback.
Outside the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, Qinglian waited anxiously. As soon as she saw Gu Jinning's horse return, she hurriedly went forward to take the horse.
"My little darling, you're finally back! Master has already drunk two bowls of hangover soup and has been waiting impatiently."
Gu Jinning dismounted and asked, "Have you prepared the things?"
Qinglian stuffed the prepared brocade box into Gu Jinning's hands and urged her to hurry up and go.
Gu Jinning was made nervous by her. Carrying the box, she rushed to the banquet hall and strode into the hall with a brisk pace, calling out, "Grandfather, I'm back."
Gu Weiju, who was enjoying drinks with Xiao Heng'an, glanced at Gu Jinning and said sarcastically, "Oh, you still remember to come back. I thought the princess was just being willful and left like that."
Gu Jinning sat down next to him, hugged his arm and said coquettishly, "There are guests here, how could I dare to be presumptuous? Look, I went to buy this."
Gu Jinning walked around to Xiao Heng'an, opened the brocade box and presented it, "Your Highness Prince Jin, would you like to try this on and see if it fits?"
Inside the brocade box was a pair of gold-threaded cufflinks, the most popular accessory among the military generals of the Xiao Kingdom. Wrapping them around the wrists served to secure clothing, add aesthetic appeal, and, by virtue of their different materials, highlight status and rank.
Gu Jinning explained to Gu Weiju, "Your Highness's cuffs were stained with tea and couldn't be wiped clean, and there were no cuffs of the right size in the mansion to replace them. I remembered your teachings and dared not neglect our distinguished guest, so I immediately went to the market to look for them. I ran around several streets before I finally found one. It's made of pure gold thread."
Xiao Heng'an cooperated by removing the cuff from his wrist and trying on the gold-threaded sleeve, saying, "It fits perfectly. Thank you for your trouble, Princess."
Gu Jinning raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome. It's my pleasure."
The two sang in perfect harmony, their voices complementing each other perfectly.
Gu Weiju hummed in agreement, "You've worked hard, girl. Look at all this mud and dust on you. Did you spread out that jewelry on the wall?"
Gu Jinning chuckled and said, "No, I was just in a hurry and accidentally brushed against it."
She pretended to pat the white dust off her sleeves and returned to her seat.
As you walk around, a faint aroma of tea wafts through the air.
"Oh dear, I'm starving! I'll eat first, you guys chat." Gu Jinning rubbed her stomach, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating voraciously, finally managing to cover up the incident.
Gu Weiju knew perfectly well what was going on, but in front of Xiao Heng'an, he didn't press the matter further. Instead, he scolded, "A young lady like you has no manners at all, whether you're sitting or eating. It's shameful."
Having said that, he stood up as if he couldn't bear to watch any longer, and invited Xiao Heng'an to play chess in the study. Gu Xueshu followed suit, gave Gu Jin Ning a helpless smile, told her to eat slowly, and then left with the guest.
After Gu Xuewen finished eating, she was led away by the nanny to take a nap. Only Gu Jinning, who was still eating voraciously, and Liang Xiaoqiao, who was keeping her company, remained in the hall.
"Oh dear, you child, eat slowly, don't choke." Liang Xiaoqiao was startled by the way she ate and kept bringing her soup and patting her back.
Gu Jinning took a big gulp of soup and complained, "Auntie, you don't know, the food in prison is really awful. I've lost weight from hunger."
Liang Xiaoqiao said with concern, "That's right, look how thin you are, you're almost unrecognizable. Son, you should stay home and rest well these days."
Gu Jinning waved her hand and said, "Even if you tell me to run, I won't. I'm going to sleep with him for three days and three nights."
Liang Xiaoqiao chimed in, "That's fine too. Then I'll tell everyone that you caused trouble at the teahouse today, angering the old Duke, and you're being punished with three days of confinement for reflection. That'll be an explanation to the Sun and Hua families."
Gu Jinning hugged Liang Xiaoqiao, "Auntie is the best. She always thinks of me. She even made it sound so nice that Grandfather punished me by confining me to my quarters for three days."
Liang Xiaoqiao said sweetly, "He's doing this for your own good. You should rest at home. I'll send someone to deliver apology gifts to the Sun and Hua families first, and then invite them to come to our mansion for a gathering in three days. That will settle the matter."
Gu Jinning was reluctant, "Ah? There's no need for a banquet."
Liang Xiaoqiao said, "You've been making quite a stir lately, so we need to make a statement. Not just them, all the noble ladies and gentlemen from prominent families in the capital are coming. Getting closer to them will benefit you in the future."
Gu Jinning knew that Liang Xiaoqiao was paving the way for her, and she couldn't bear to refuse her good intentions. However, she didn't want a large group of people to come to the mansion and cause trouble, so she came up with a compromise.
"Since it's a banquet, it would be too noisy at home and disturb Grandfather's peace. It would be better to hold it at the Princess's residence."
Compared to the Duke's Mansion, the Princess's Mansion has more artificial rocks and water features, lush flowers and plants, and a quiet environment, making it a good place to enjoy the scenery and cool off.
In addition, Gu Jinning is about to get married, so it would be good to go to the Princess's mansion to add some liveliness first.
Liang Xiaoqiao thought that since the guests were all young masters and ladies, and there were no elders in the Princess's mansion, it would be more relaxed, so she agreed.
"Very well, I'll have someone make preparations in the next couple of days so you can stay wherever you want in the future."
Gu Jinning snuggled into Liang Xiaoqiao's arms and said coquettishly, "Auntie is still the best to me. Everything is arranged by Auntie."
"You," Liang Xiaoqiao patted her back affectionately, "you have to be more careful next time, at least don't hit people in the face. Every time you beat someone up so badly, I feel so ashamed when I have to apologize."
The thought of Sun Xianzhu's swollen head made Gu Jinning burst out laughing. She leaned on Liang Xiaoqiao's shoulder and laughed, "I'll remember that. I'll go easy on them next time and make sure to avoid their vital organs so they can't show their faces in public."
One sentence made Liang Xiaoqiao both laugh and cry: "I really don't know what to do with you."
After letting Gu Jinning ramble on for a while, Liang Xiaoqiao told Gu Jinning that because of her disturbance at the palace, the old Duke, despite his advanced age, was "invited" to the palace by the emperor for a good "greeting," and even her aunt, the Empress, was reprimanded. The rivals also mocked the Gu family for quite some time.
Gu Jinning felt bad after hearing this, so she took the initiative to apologize to Gu Weiju. But halfway there, she thought again that Xiao Heng'an was still there, and she couldn't show weakness in front of him. It would be better to wait until he left.
Thinking this, Gu Jinning had already walked to the outside of the study. Inside, Gu Weiju sighed, "It is truly pitiful that the Crown Prince's tutor has suffered such a calamity in his old age. But since His Majesty has already made his judgment, there is no need for others to argue further."
"But grandfather..."
Gu Xueshu was about to say something when Gu Weiju waved his hand to interrupt him and turned to Xiao Heng'an, saying, "Prince Jin, you should let Prince Qin make the decision. The court is not like war; think things through before you act, and you will not go wrong."
Xiao Heng nodded, humbly accepting the instruction. "Yes, thank you for your guidance, Duke."
The Crown Prince's tutor is the Crown Prince's teacher. He is strict and almost harsh. Gu Jinning lived in the palace when she was young and often caused trouble. She was scolded by him and would avoid him whenever she saw him afterward.
Who would have thought that Gu Jinning would bump into him while playing in the palace last year? As a result, she was not only reprimanded, but the Crown Prince's tutor also personally selected her to study at the palace, preventing her from graduating to this day.
The thought of that strict, white-haired old teacher gave Gu Jinning a headache. She had cursed him more than once, wishing him a thwarted career and that he would retire to his hometown. She never imagined that he would end his career in this way.
It is truly laughable to accuse a scholar as upright and honest as him, who was dedicated solely to educating people, of forming cliques for personal gain and plotting to assassinate the emperor.
Unfortunately, the charges had already been settled, and even the Crown Prince dared not speak out. The Gu family was in an awkward position, so they chose to remain silent in order to distance themselves from the matter and avoid criticism.
Gu Jinning wasn't interested in the matter of the Crown Prince's tutor; what troubled her now was that her grandfather seemed quite pleased with Xiao Heng'an.
No, we must break off the marriage with Xiao Heng'an as soon as possible to avoid further trouble. The only way out right now is through Ji Lin.
At the Prince of Jin's residence, Ji Lin was also waiting anxiously.
She had just successfully regained her identity and moved into the Prince of Jin's residence when she heard that Xiao Heng'an had dined at the Duke of Dingguo's residence. This made her uneasy, fearing that the protection she had gained would be gone.
She personally made pastries and delivered them to the study, and then lingered outside Yunshu Courtyard, just to see Xiao Heng'an as soon as possible.
"Miss, let's go back first."
Ji Linsu kept churning her handkerchief with her bare hands, then shook her head and said, "Wait a little longer."
Suddenly a strong gust of wind blew by, causing the green leaves to rustle and tremble, swaying and falling from the branches, fluttering and drifting into the distance.
Xiao Heng'an raised his hand to block the falling leaves, and amidst the fluttering of his robes, the brown sandalwood gourd swayed gently.
A faint, delicate scent of sandalwood wafts over, lingering subtly around the tip of the nose.
Xiao Heng'an slowed his pace, gently pressing down on the gourd, his expression softening unconsciously.
"cousin."
As Ji Lin looked around, she spotted Xiao Heng'an and happily lifted her skirt, rushing towards him with both eagerness and elegance.
That familiar posture and voice startled Xiao Heng'an for a moment, filling him with doubt.
"Cousin, you're back."
Ji Lin stopped three feet away from Xiao Heng'an, bowed respectfully, and looked down with tenderness in her eyes.
Xiao Heng'an stood there steadily, his gaze lingering on her, and asked with a hint of inquiry, "Have you been here the whole time?"
Ji Lin raised her eyes slightly, then nodded shyly and replied softly, "I originally came to pay my respects to my cousin, but I was so engrossed in admiring the blooming lotus flowers in the pond that I didn't realize half an hour had passed."
However, from just a few words, Xiao Heng'an concluded that this was the real Ji Lin, not Gu Jinning in disguise.
Even though her demeanor and voice were exactly the same as before, in his eyes, she was completely different.
"cousin."
Ji Lin called softly, trying to get closer, but Xiao Heng'an stepped aside and called to Song Ming and Song Hui, who were about to slip away, saying, "You two come with me to my room to discuss matters."
Ji Lin stood awkwardly in place and smiled, "Cousin, please go ahead with your work. I won't bother you any longer."
Xiao Heng'an nodded, walked past her and strode away without saying another word.
As Ji Lin watched the departing figure, her heart pounded with anxiety.
She had confirmed with Guifang that Ji Lin had indeed helped her solidify Xiao Heng'an's relationship. Why the sudden coldness after just one visit to the Duke's mansion?
Could it be because of Princess Jin Ning?
His marriage to the princess is imminent; it must be the Duke's mansion putting pressure on him.
Ji Lin unconsciously tightened the handkerchief between her fingers, her eyes gradually darkening.
No, this is her lifeline; no one can take it away from her.
Song Ming and Song Hui followed behind Xiao Heng'an, feeling that the wind was a bit strange today, and seemed to be getting cold.
Inside the study, Xiao Heng'an sat by the window, his mind inevitably turning as he glanced at the pastries laid out on the table.
He asked, "Did you all eat the pastries Yang Yuduan gave you a few days ago?"
Song Hui and Song Ming nodded in unison. Song Hui said, "We ate it, and it was quite delicious."
Xiao Heng'an looked up and asked, "What's that smell?"
Song Hui scratched his head and replied, "I can't really describe it. It's sweet, and a little bitter, like tea powder. I don't know exactly what it is. We've been fighting on the border, we've never eaten such fine chaff before."
"It is made by grinding bitter tea leaves into powder, roasting them, and then adding them to glutinous rice flour."
Yang Yu strode in, one hand on his waist knife and the other holding the scroll.
"Bitter tea." Xiao Heng'an carefully pondered these two words, as if savoring their flavor.
After a moment, Xiao Heng recognized it and said, "This is it."
The tea and snacks, the scent she had that day, and the smell she carried when she returned today—all smelled of bitter tea.
Even though it was a predetermined answer, Xiao Heng'an still felt a sense of irritation, more so than the oppressive summer weather outside.
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