"I heard that he presented His Majesty with a powerful musket, and he also helped His Majesty solve problems in time. He also invented the thirteen-character algorithm that is currently in use." A noble lady said enviously, and suddenly stood up excitedly, pointing at Lu Yanzhao and saying to Princess Fuyang, "Your Highness, look at him! He is so young yet has such skills. Not only is he very talented, but he is also in good health. Look how well he plays Cuju (ancient Chinese football)."
Sure enough, Princess Fuyang stood up, her eyes filled with interest: "I never expected there to be such a talented young man in the capital. Looking around, there isn't a single man as spirited as him."
Zhou Wan secretly gave the lady a look, and the lady sighed and said softly, "What a pity that Lord Lu has to marry a merchant's daughter whose face has been disfigured. It's like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung."
Princess Fuyang glanced at her sideways, as if bestowing a favor: "Who would dare to steal the man I've set my sights on? If she knows what's good for her, I can reserve a concubine position for her after my brother bestows the marriage upon her."
Although Princess Fuyang was a bit old, she had made contributions to the court, and the emperor would not be stingy with requests from those who had made contributions.
Zhou Wan suddenly turned her head and glanced at Gu Nanjiao, and the two made eye contact.
Gu Nanjiao stared straight at her and even winked at her.
Zhou Wan quickly turned around, a cold smile playing on her lips.
Gu Nanjiao, let's see if you can still laugh later?
At this moment, the sound of a gong rang out again, as if the team led by the Crown Prince and Lu Yanzhao had won.
During a break, Gu Nanjiao said to Cui'er, "I need to use the restroom. Come with me."
"Yes." Cui'er quickly helped her up.
Zhou Yu pushed Cui'er away and straddled Gu Nanjiao's arm: "I'll go with you." Then she pointed to Lu Fu: "You stay with Cui'er."
Gu Nanjiao “…”
Just as the two passed the platform for the women, Zhou Wan blocked their way. Zhou Wan smiled, the smile in her eyes not reaching her eyes: "Oh, Madam Lu, where are you in such a hurry to go?"
Gu Nanjiao bowed and said, "Your Highness, I need to relieve myself!"
Before Zhou Wan could reply, the lady from before spoke up disdainfully: "As expected of a lowly merchant, always talking about convenience, truly shameless and utterly ill-mannered."
Gu Nanjiao frowned. Who was this person? Had she offended her? Why was she spewing such foul language?
Looking at Zhou Wan, who was all smiles, it was clear that the lady had been acting on her orders.
Gu Nanjiao smiled and said, "Madam, I was just answering the Crown Prince's concubine's question truthfully. You keep talking about manners in front of royalty. Are you implying that the Crown Prince's concubine is ill-mannered?"
"you!"
Zhou Yu stepped forward and took Zhou Wan's arm, saying affectionately, "Big sister, let's go to the restroom. You wouldn't say that going to the restroom is ill-mannered, would you? Everyone has to relieve themselves sometimes. Even as a concubine, you have to take care of your needs."
Zhou Wan pursed her lips without answering, then suddenly chuckled, "Madam Lu, Lord Lu is quite good at playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football). His spirited appearance has attracted the attention of many young ladies. You'd better keep a close eye on him, lest he end up crying later."
Such a gentle voice, how can the words spoken be so barbed? It's unpleasant to listen to at all.
Gu Nanjiao nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Consort."
At this moment, Princess Fuyang looked over in the direction of the voice. The lady from before pointed at Gu Nanjiao with disdain: "This is Scholar Lu's wife, an ugly merchant."
Princess Fuyang glanced at Gu Nanjiao once before turning her head away. She didn't take Gu Nanjiao, an ugly merchant's daughter, seriously at all, so she didn't bother to look at her again.
After Gu Nanjiao left, Zhou Wan approached Princess Fuyang and said, "That is Lord Lu's wife. She is not to be underestimated. She owns the Jiaoniang Pavilion in the capital. After presenting farm tools, she was even personally granted the title of Sixth-Rank Lady by His Majesty."
Princess Fuyang ignored Zhou Wan's words and stood up, her eyes searching the area: "Where's Lu Yanzhao? He was just here."
Zhou Wan choked. She had said so much that her mouth was dry, but Princess Fuyang was only looking at Lu Yanzhao.
It wasn't that Princess Fuyang didn't hear Zhou Wan's words, but rather that she genuinely didn't take Gu Nanjiao seriously.
In Fu Yang's eyes, Gu Nanjiao was like an insignificant ant; she could crush her without even lifting a finger.
Gu Nanjiao came out of the outhouse and, by sheer coincidence, ran into Lu Yanzhao coming out of the men's restroom on the other side.
Lu Yanzhao smiled and said, "Jiaojiao, I just..." Before he could finish his sentence, Gu Nanjiao snorted and turned to leave.
Zhou Yu was stunned for a moment, then caught up with Gu Nanjiao: "Hey, Manager Gu, wait for me."
Finally catching up, Zhou Yu said breathlessly, "Manager Gu, your husband is too eye-catching. In my opinion, Princess Fuyang has probably taken a liking to him. It was Zhou Wan who acted as matchmaker."
It has to be said, Zhou Yu was right.
Gu Nanjiao stopped in her tracks, and Zhou Yu almost bumped into her.
Zhou Yu continued, "Although Princess Fuyang is old and a widow, she is a princess who has made contributions by marrying into the Northern Kingdom. If she takes a fancy to Lord Lu and asks the emperor for a marriage decree, you might have to abdicate."
Gu Nanjiao narrowed her eyes: "Miss Zhou, we're in the same boat now. The reason Zhou Wan schemed against me is probably because I made a few sarcastic remarks about Qingci at the shop entrance. You slapped Qingci, which is to slap her face. The next person to be schemed against will be you."
Zhou Yu paused, of course she knew. Don't let her seemingly weak and helpless appearance fool you, she's actually incredibly cunning inside.
They stole so much from her before, who knows what they'll do to her later?
"Then what should I do?" Zhou Yu's voice trembled slightly. Zhou Wan was now the Crown Prince's concubine, and dealing with her was as easy as crushing an ant.
Gu Nanjiao patted her shoulder and comforted her, "It's alright. Isn't Consort Yue your aunt? Go ask her for protection, send a letter to the palace to visit your aunt, and give her the Liuxian dress."
Zhou Yu hesitated. Consort Yue looked down on her concubine's background, so naturally she would look down on her as well. She wasn't as clever as Zhou Wan, who could please Consort Yue. She was afraid that even if she sent the invitation, Consort Yue wouldn't see her.
Gu Nanjiao continued to offer suggestions: "You have plenty of money, so spend more and have the First Madam deliver the invitation for you. Besides, you are the only unmarried daughter in the Zhou family. If you go to pay your respects to the Imperial Concubine, I'm sure no one will object."
Zhou Yu's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea!"
"When the time comes, take me to the palace and say that you brought a tailor to design a flowing fairy dress for the Imperial Concubine. I guarantee that the Imperial Concubine will fall in love with you."
"good!"
Gu Nanjiao couldn't directly present her visiting card to Consort Yue, lest it arouse suspicion.
She is currently feigning cooperation with Consort Yue, but secretly they are mother and daughter. Since her own daughter's husband is about to be stolen, she has no choice but to step in and help.
Gu Nanjiao didn't wait for Lu Yanzhao before returning to the Lu residence with Cui'er.
Lu Yanzhao waited and waited at the venue, only to be told that Gu Nanjiao had already gone back.
He didn't want to participate in the Cuju match, but Chu Luoxun kept pestering him, insisting that he play.
He had no choice but to take the field.
While studying at the academy, the students often played Cuju (ancient Chinese football). Lu Yanzhao was not the kind of person who only studied; he often participated in Cuju matches with Lin Ji.
Because of his good skills, he was greeted with cheers from the ladies as soon as he entered the arena, and Gu Nanjiao was probably jealous of that.
Thinking of this, Lu Yanzhao was in a good mood and was about to go back when a little palace maid blocked his way.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com