Chapter 60 A Dilemma
Chapter 57
When Shen Panyan arrived, Gu Jinyan was idly lying on the table, fiddling with his teacup. Hearing the noise from ahead, he immediately sat up and strode towards her, his eyes bright.
"Your Highness, you've finally arrived! Jin Yan has chartered a pleasure boat today; let's go boating on the lake together."
Shen Panyan: "..."
She felt that things couldn't go on like this any longer.
She had no feelings for Gu Jinyan. His persistence was futile, and she didn't want to betray someone's sincerity.
She carefully chose her words, "Young Master Gu, it's best if you don't come looking for me anymore. Many people in the capital have already begun to misunderstand, which will be detrimental to your future marriage..."
“Your Highness, what Jin Yan said yesterday was sincere,” Gu Jin Yan interrupted her.
Shen Panyan pursed her lips, "But I don't have that kind of feeling for you."
Gu Jinyan: "I know, it's because I've been clinging to Your Highness, and Your Highness is kind-hearted, so he's been tolerating me all this time."
Shen Panyan: "Since you know..."
Gu Jin spoke very quickly: "It is precisely because she knows this that Jin Yan is unwilling to let go."
"Your Highness may not know, but although I am the son of the Duke of Rongguo's mansion, I have two older brothers. My parents have never disciplined me or made any demands on me, and I myself have no demands on myself."
“The Duke’s mansion has been passed down for three generations, and it’s in complete chaos.” Gu Jinyan said with disgust. “They say that as long as parents are alive, the family doesn’t separate. But the Duke’s mansion is already overburdened. My second and third uncles have been separated from the family. My eldest brother doesn’t like me. If he inherits the title, I will definitely be separated from the Duke’s mansion in the future.”
"However, I've always been a carefree person, and I don't have any real skills. If I were to be separated from the Duke's mansion, my life would probably be miserable. There aren't many noble ladies in the capital who would be willing to marry me." After saying that, he grinned and leaned closer to her. "Your Highness, just think of it as me seeking a path to wealth and honor for myself. That way, even if my elder brother kicks me out of the Duke's mansion in the future, I won't end up living in a poor, dilapidated house."
Shen Panyan retreated repeatedly, speechless.
He had already said all that; what else could she say?
He spoke frankly, but he only sought wealth and status; he wasn't sincere and unwilling to let go. What could she do?
"Suit yourself!" Shen Panyan replied curtly.
Her attitude turned cold, but Gu Jinyan's expression remained unchanged, and he said with a smile, "Your Highness, would you like to go boating on the lake together? Your Highness doesn't like crowds, so I've booked a pleasure boat, and no one will disturb Your Highness."
Shen Panyan had just gone out with Lin Xiao last night, and given what he had just said, she was even less enthusiastic and listless, saying, "No thanks."
“Alright.” Being rejected was common, so Gu Jinyan wasn’t annoyed. “Then what does Your Highness like to do on weekdays? I’ll accompany you.”
Shen Panyan: "..."
If he stayed in the manor, who knows what rumors would spread outside? Rather than letting others speculate about their relationship, it was better to let them see it openly. Shen Panyan compromised, "Then let's go boating on the lake."
Gu Jinyan paused for a moment, then smiled brightly, "Okay."
"Your Highness..."
“Young Master Gu, please don’t call me Your Highness anymore, just call me Princess.” Shen Panyan couldn’t help but interrupt him.
Every time he called her "Your Highness," it made her feel extremely uncomfortable; only Lin Xiao would call her that.
She didn't want him to call her that.
Gu Jinyan was stunned for a moment, then looked aggrieved, "Why? Yesterday, Lord Lu called you that, and Your Highness didn't refuse."
Shen Panyan: "It's nothing. If Young Master Gu doesn't agree, then don't come looking for me again."
"Alright!" Since Shen Panyan had already said so much, Gu Jinyan didn't dare to really anger her, and said pitifully, "Princess."
*
The third day of the third lunar month is when the willows are swaying in the breeze, and the imperial examinations are just a few days away. Qushenglou, one of the three great restaurants in the capital, held a poetry competition, which was extremely lively.
Shen Panyan was originally heading towards the painted boat, but when she passed Qusheng Tower, she suddenly saw a familiar figure walk in, and her steps faltered.
Gu Jinyan followed her gaze, and his previously happy expression instantly fell.
It's him again!
Shen Panyan stood there hesitating, unsure whether she should go looking for him.
To be honest, she doesn't even understand what she's really thinking anymore.
She was conflicted, unsure whether she should end the relationship or continue down the path.
At the Royal Villa, she had to use him. There were too many things between them, making it impossible for her to face the feelings directly. All she needed to do was abandon them.
But now, he tells her that he has always been willing, that he has never blamed her, and that there have never been that many misunderstandings between them; it was just her feeling guilty and remorseful.
But that's precisely why she doesn't know what to do.
Should she continue their relationship as before, or...? She had a truly enjoyable time last night; her mind was completely captivated by him. She was bothered by others watching him, and she disliked others addressing her as "Your Highness" like he did... Whenever she saw him, her gaze would unconsciously fall upon him...
Forget it, let's not go until she's made up her mind.
It was daytime, and she didn't want to cause him any trouble.
As Shen Panyan lowered her eyelashes and was about to turn and leave, a page approached, looking rather unhappy. "Princess Mingyue, my young master requests your presence."
The moment she saw him, he also saw her.
Shen Panyan stood there, conflicted, while Lin Xiao did not hesitate.
The pageboy was very unhappy. What was this fake young master thinking? His young master was focused on his official career and had no interest in marrying a princess. He was afraid that this would ruin his young master's reputation and make it difficult for him to get married. Otherwise, when his young master returned, he would definitely have a good talk about this fake young master with him.
Invited by the pageboy, Shen Panyan hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she couldn't resist her truest feelings and stepped into Qusheng Tower.
Gu Jinyan looked unhappy, but it was the princess's decision, and he couldn't change it, so he could only walk in with a sour face.
As soon as they entered, Gu Jinyan spoke up, “Lord Lu, you have a good eye. We were just passing by, and you saw us. You know, I invited the princess to go boating on the lake, but you interfered, and now we have to stay in this small place drinking tea.”
Faced with Gu Jinyan's sarcastic remarks, Lin Xiao calmly poured tea for the two of them, "Your Highness, Young Master Gu, please sit down."
He was very calm today. No matter how Gu Jinyan tried to provoke him, he remained composed and responded calmly, as if he were a person without temper, which was somewhat similar to the real Lu Yunqi.
Gu Jinyan felt like he'd punched cotton, his face full of frustration. Not wanting to make a fool of himself, he sat down and drank his tea without saying a word.
With others around, Shen Panyan couldn't show her bias, otherwise it would cause trouble for Lin Xiao. She didn't say anything, but looked at him with worry in her eyes.
She sighed, wishing she hadn't come in.
Lin Xiao smiled slightly at her, indicating that he was alright.
"Today, there is a poetry competition at Qusheng Tower. The students are all very talented and their words are sharp and eloquent. This is a rare event in the capital. Your Highness, why don't you come and watch the fun?"
Gu Jinyan couldn't help but retort, "The princess doesn't like crowds."
Chen Panyan: "..."
She turned to look at Gu Jinyan, but dared not utter a sound.
Lin Xiao said calmly, "We're in the side room; the noise outside won't disturb Your Highness."
Gu Jinyan: "..."
He muttered, "You're the only one who knows how to please the princess."
Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Fearing that the two would continue arguing, Shen Panyan decided to change the subject, "Did Lord Lu come to Qusheng Tower today also to watch the poetry competition?"
Lin Xiao nodded: "Mm."
Actually, he found out who had secretly spread the rumors, and he left the Lu residence last night to go to the palace to report this matter to Emperor Gan Ning.
He came to Qusheng Tower today to keep an eye on that person.
With the imperial examinations approaching, the Crown Prince has been suppressing the rebels for over a month with great success and is now on his way back to the capital. Lu Yunqi has also discovered the whereabouts of the private army, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will be returning to the capital in a few days.
Once Lu Yunqi returns to the capital, he will lose this identity.
At that time, he will no longer have such an open and aboveboard opportunity to sit and stand with His Highness.
Lin Xiao lowered his eyelashes, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and concealed the expression in his eyes.
Shen Panyan didn't notice his unusual behavior and continued to find topics to discuss: "Lord Lu, who do you think will win today's poetry competition?"
The poetry competition held at Qushenglou invited mostly renowned scholars from the capital. Regardless of social status, as long as one was outstanding in scholarship, one could receive an invitation from Qushenglou. The winner would receive a thousand taels of silver, which was a huge sum of money for many poor scholars.
Moreover, it was also a great opportunity to make a name for oneself. Some people were even noticed by the emperor because of this. After being listed, they didn't even enter the Hanlin Academy, but went directly to work in the Ministry of Works.
Therefore, even in poetry competitions that were just folk entertainment, students put in their best efforts to get a good ranking.
After several days of exploration, Lin Xiao already had a good understanding of the famous scholars in the capital. He slowly said, "Among the scholars invited by Qusheng Tower today, most of them are outstanding in their talents. However, the most famous one is a poor scholar named Duan Mo. He is knowledgeable in ancient and modern times and full of learning. I think he is the most likely to win the championship."
"Duan Mo?" Gu Jinyan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up sarcastically, "What kind of poor scholar is he? He eats other people's food, wears other people's clothes, and then he marries their daughter but doesn't treat her well, causing her to be bedridden and near death. I'm afraid that as soon as his first wife passes away, he won't be able to wait to marry a new wife. Such an ingrate, even Lord Lu can praise him as having a wealth of knowledge, ha!"
"Does Young Master Gu know about him?" Lin Xiao was not annoyed by his mockery.
Duan Mo happened to be the person he had investigated.
Gu Jinyan rolled her eyes: "If you want to know, look it up yourself. Why should I tell you?"
Lin Xiao: "......"
"Very well, since Young Master Gu is unwilling to tell me, I will not force him." He smiled gently and lowered his eyelashes.
Seeing his dejected expression, Shen Panyan couldn't help but say, "Since Young Master Gu knows this person's true colors, why don't you tell me so I can hear it too?"
She also wanted to know why Gu Jinyan looked down on him so much.
"Alright." Gu Jinyan was feeling smug after finally getting the upper hand, but then the princess spoke up, so he could only pout, "It was all a coincidence."
"I often go horseback riding in the outskirts of the capital, and that day I happened to run into a lady who was ill..."
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