Bitter

Madam Su stared at her nephew who was opening the brocade box, her eyes suddenly brightened: "A sword?"

The scabbard was engraved with intricate patterns and the top was inlaid with a medium-sized crimson ruby, which sparkled brightly.

Tan Wenhuai was also slightly surprised and reached out to take it tentatively. He thought it would be very heavy, but he picked it up effortlessly.

But he had never used a sword before, so he naturally didn't dare to unsheathe it. He could only stare at it blankly.

Madam Su sat there and looked at it carefully. Although no one in the Su family had ever practiced martial arts, she could tell that the sword was worth a lot of money. "Ah Huai, tell me the truth. Why did you argue with Master Gu yesterday?"

This Prince Gu has always been arrogant in the capital, so it is really surprising that he would take the initiative to send compensation gifts.

Tan Wenhuai stiffly put the sword back into the brocade box, and then said lightly: "It's nothing, just a small matter, don't worry, aunt."

He didn't want his aunt to worry about this, and he was also afraid that his aunt would start to have concerns about his marriage because of this incident.

Mrs. Su saw that Tan Wenhuai was deliberately hiding the truth and sighed imperceptibly.

Her nephew had been gentle in nature since he was young. He would not dare to fight back when bullied. He even could not stand the sight of blood and would faint at the sight of it.

Yesterday, the Tan family reported that Tan Wenhuai had collapsed at home. She was really scared, but later she found out that it was just a minor abrasion and nothing serious.

Now that all the signs are intertwined, I think it must have been done by Prince Gu.

But according to Tan Wenhuai's personality, he is not used to offending anyone. Is it because...

Just when Tan Wenhuai was feeling extremely nervous, fearing that Madam Su would find out, Su Nianci, who had just recovered from a serious illness, walked in slowly.

Su Nianci glanced at her disappointing cousin and said with a slow smile, "Mom, it's getting late. Ah Huai and I should go to the clinic first."

*

Gu Huaizhi raised his eyebrows, unable to smile: "So cousin, what you mean is that you knew about this a long time ago?"

After he returned home yesterday, he wrote a letter and sent it to the East Palace overnight, and today he got up early to go to the palace.

However, Gu Yihan remained calm throughout, which made his move seem unnecessary.

Gu Yihan, who was sitting at the desk, nodded calmly, his eyes still on the memorial in his hand: "I have already sent someone to follow you, Ah Huai, don't worry too much."

The Jinyiwei hunted down Liang's spies but wiped them out completely. If this were to get out, it would bring shame to the Great Chu. Naturally, he couldn't be unaware of it.

It was indeed unexpected for him that Mu Wan'er would get involved, but he was absolutely sure that he could save her. It was just that he wanted to see what else his fiancée was capable of.

Gu Huaizhi laughed and sat aside, "What my cousin said is true. Miss Mu is not my future wife, so I am not worried."

He glanced at Gu Yihan who was still handling government affairs, and leaned back: "However, cousin, you should still take care of your Crown Princess."

Gu Yihan finally raised his eyes in confusion and looked at his cousin who raised his eyebrows slightly: "Hmm?"

Gu Huaizhi's mind flashed back to the girl he carried on his back last night. His ears couldn't help but feel hot. He didn't look at Gu Yihan and said, "Well, Miss Mu has corrupted Aning these past few days."

If it weren't for Mu Wan'er, Mu An Ning wouldn't be wandering the streets in the dead of night.

Gu Yihan slowly put down the memorial in his hand and nodded in realization: "Okay, I'll listen to Ah Huai and he will take good care of my Crown Princess."

Immediately, a smile appeared in his eyes, but his tone was very ruthless: "However, I heard that the eldest daughter of the Mu family has been engaged. I'm afraid it's not appropriate for Ah Huai to call her like this."

As the Mu family is the maiden home of his future Crown Princess, naturally nothing escapes his eyes.

Gu Huaizhi still had the same posture, and said nonchalantly: "It's just an engagement, not a wedding." He closed his eyes, feeling a little bitter in his heart: "Even if it's a wedding, I..."

Gu Huaizhi did not continue to say the rest, but Gu Yihan heard the hidden meaning of his cousin's words, and his cold eyes finally showed a hint of emotion.

After a while, Gu Yihan spoke in a gentle voice, as if to persuade him kindly: "Ah Huai, why do you have to be obsessed with just one person?"

He could see that his cousin, who was slow in emotions, was really moved, but if it were him, he would definitely not be obsessed with a woman who was about to get married.

In other words, it is impossible for the woman he loves to get engaged to another man.

Upon hearing this, Gu Huaizhi's dark eyes fixed, and he was a little stunned for a moment.

Ever since he realized his feelings for Mur An Ning, his cousin had never said anything to make him give up.

Today was so abnormal. Could it be that Gu Yihan also felt in his heart that there was no possibility for him and Mu An Ning to be together anymore?

This thought was churning in Gu Huaizhi's mind. After a long while, he stood up by himself with a smile on his lips: "Cousin, you are bored in the East Palace. Since I have brought you the message, I will not stay any longer."

Looking at the young man's fleeting back, Gu Yihan shook his head and smiled, but when he lowered his eyes, his light dimmed.

The State of Liang has been acting recklessly day by day. Not only are border conflicts frequent, but now something has happened in Shangjing as well. It seems that it has no intention of caring about the treaty signed between the two countries.

The current situation is like a raging fire. Once ignited, it will be a blaze that is difficult to put out.

The State of Liang has been secretly recruiting soldiers and buying horses in recent years, and I am afraid that both sides will suffer losses in the end.

But the emperor was not at all panicked and did not take these things seriously at all.

To be precise, he did not care about the lives of the people and soldiers at all, and he would definitely not take the lives of his relatives seriously.

Gu Yihan was in a heavy mood in the East Palace, and Gu Huaizhi, who had just left the palace, was not in a much better mood either.

The garden he passed by was filled with the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers, but without anyone to enjoy the scenery with him, he no longer had the slightest interest in appreciating it.

In the past, Mu An Ning would often drag him to appreciate flowers. As impatient as he was then, he regretted it as much now.

She was obviously so good, so why was he blind and not moved at all?

Or...he is attracted to her, but he doesn't know it?

The more Gu Huaizhi thought about it, the more sad he felt.

In such a confused state of mind, the young man who was walking away naturally did not hear the surprised voice of the woman in the garden: "Prince——"

A noblewoman glanced at Liu Qingyue's drooping mouth and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Sister Liu, the prince seems to have something important to do, so he probably didn't hear it."

Another noblewoman also quickly agreed, "Yes, yes." She smiled with her hands covering her lips, and a look of unwillingness flashed in her eyes: "Sister Liu is about to get engaged to the prince, so why would she wait until now?"

Originally, the sisters did not believe it, but Liu Qingyue actually exchanged letters with the prince.

This kind of thing cannot be faked.

After hearing these words, Liu Qingyue finally regained her smile, not hiding the pride on her face at all: "Of course."

She entered the palace today to test the Queen. Although the Queen did not express her opinion due to the emperor's concern, she could see clearly that her aunt was not dissatisfied with her actions.

*

In the dining room, Mrs. Xu was halfway through her meal when she suddenly sighed, "Wan'er is really too much of a worry. She's a girl who's about to get married, but she still stays at other people's houses all day long."

Madam Mu glanced at her daughter-in-law without commenting, and said calmly, "Okay, Wan'er has already reached the age of marriage, so don't worry about it."

Although Mu Wan'er is the daughter of their Mu family, she is also the future Crown Princess.

If she is restricted too harshly, she may become resentful in the future and stop helping the Marquis.

After hearing what Xu said, Mu An Ning and Mu Gui Ling, who was having a rare meal at home today, looked at each other and said nothing.

After returning home yesterday, Mu An Ning also informed Mu Guiling of the matter. After all, he was the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple and had handled many such matters.

After hearing this, Mu Guiling left the house overnight and only returned just now, but there was still no news from Mu Wan'er.

Now we can only place our hopes on the crown prince, but we don't know whether Gu Huaizhi has delivered the message to the crown prince.

Madam Mu, who had a poor appetite, stood up and reminded Mrs. Xu: "You guys eat first. It's rare for Guiling to come back home. Don't talk about this."

After seeing off Madam Mu, Mu Jingyue immediately put down his bowl and chopsticks, and gently comforted the unhappy Xu: "Mother, don't be angry. Second sister is bored staying in the mansion, so it is reasonable for her to stay out for a few days."

She curled her lips and amused Xu: "Even if Jingyue wants to leave the house, there is nowhere to go."

Although the words sounded nice and she seemed to have no complaints at all, her clenched palms under the table revealed her current thoughts.

Why are Mu An Ning and Mu Wan Er both able to be complimented and make friends despite being young ladies of the Mu family?

However, she was looked down upon everywhere just because of her status as a concubine's daughter.

The three young people sitting at the table looked at the two people who were talking, who looked like mother and daughter, and they had different thoughts in their hearts.

*

Mu An Ning was about to leave the house and go to the clinic, but was stopped by a little maid: "Miss, the old lady wants you to go to the front hall."

Mu An Ning couldn't help but be startled, and wondered why her grandmother suddenly called her over. Could it be that she knew about Mu Wan'er?

However, such doubts were soon dispelled because as soon as she reached the front hall door, she heard a conversation coming from inside.

Madam Mu smiled energetically and said, "Princess, you are so thoughtful. It's a hot summer day and I haven't been feeling well these days."

"And this sour plum soup, the chef of the palace learned it from Chef Yu." Luo smiled and said, "If the old lady has no appetite, she can drink a bowl before dinner."

After entering the main hall, Mu An Ning collected her thoughts. Although she didn't know why Princess Anqing had suddenly come to visit her, she still saluted without changing her expression: "Princess, Grandmother."

She paused, then noticed Gu Huaizhi, who was looking at her intently, and called out politely, "Prince."

Luo looked at the girl in a thin green dress with loving eyes: "An Ning is here." As she spoke, she glanced at her son calmly.

The next moment, Luo Madam did not wait for Mu An Ning to respond, and said to Madam Mu: "Madam, let the young people go down and talk about their own things. I don't think they like to listen to us."

Madam Mu's eyebrows twitched, but her smile remained the same: "The princess is right." She turned to look at her granddaughter: "An Ning, treat the prince well."

Mu An Ning glanced at the young man who had already stood up and had to nod in agreement.

*

Inside the pavilion, the two people sitting upright looked at each other, and the first to speak was Gu Huaizhi.

It was very cool here, without the sun shining on him, but his eyes were exceptionally bright: "Aning, I've taken the message to the East Palace."

Mu Anning nodded. It seemed that Gu Huaizhi's visit to the Marquis' Mansion today was because of Mu Wan'er's matter. "Thank you, Prince."

The girl stopped talking and had nothing more to say.

Gu Huaizhi's heart sank again. Although she didn't talk much in the past, she would always find something to talk about when they were together.

Gu Huaizhi thought for a moment, raised his lips and said, "Aning, the flowers in your mansion...are blooming beautifully."

This scene deserved a poem, but unfortunately his mind was blank.

Mu An Ning nodded, and then the two of them fell silent again.

Mu An Ning knew that it would only be a waste of time if she continued like this, and she still had to go to Jishitang, so she slowly stood up and said, "If you have nothing else to do, my Lord..."

Gu Huaizhi interrupted her immediately, as if he was afraid that she would leave immediately: "Aning, I have something to do."

Mu An Ning paused as she was about to stand up, not expecting that he really had something to say: "What else do you want, Prince?"

Gu Huaizhi's eyes flashed with a trace of struggle, and after a while he said resignedly: "Actually, I wasn't the one who saved you when you fell into the water that day."