Chapter 371 Shocked
"Please excuse my poor daughter, these are all betrothal gifts."
Gu Jin had a smile on his face, and his happiness was genuine.
As soon as he said this, everyone's gaze fell on Lu Youming's face. It was bad enough that a prince had come to propose marriage and been rejected, but now he was being offered a betrothal by someone else.
Such humiliation would have been enough for an ordinary person to walk away and simply end the relationship between the two families. But Lu Youming was not an ordinary scion of a noble family; he was a prince who represented the face of the royal family.
If he were to turn and leave now, wouldn't that make others say that the royal family lacks magnanimity?
Lu Youming always thought he was good at hiding his emotions, but at this moment, he couldn't keep up the smile on his face. Today's trip was too humiliating. If he could, he would really like to pretend that he had never been here.
Lu Youming thought he was already in a terrible situation, but things were never that bad; they were only getting worse.
"I didn't expect it to be so fast. I, Your Highness, would like to offer my congratulations in advance."
Lu Youming suppressed his displeasure and tried his best to speak in a gentle voice.
Upon hearing this, everyone else also congratulated Gu Jin.
Before Gu Jin could answer, Yun Yichen, dressed in a long red robe, strode in from outside the courtyard.
Clad in blood-red robes, the warm sunlight bathed him, making Yun Yichen's tall and imposing figure even more dazzling. Although he wore a half-mask, it could not conceal his innate and unparalleled elegance.
The women who had just arrived after hearing the news witnessed this scene as soon as they entered the courtyard, and for a moment everyone was stunned.
"A gentleman as fine as jade, unparalleled in the world," this phrase can only describe a man like Yun Yichen, who is like a spirit of the Ouija board!
Of course, this feeling only lasted for a moment. When Yun Yichen approached the group and they felt the innate chill emanating from him, they couldn't help but shiver.
Indeed, no matter how good-looking a person is, once they become a demon-faced Yama, they become terrifying.
"I didn't expect Miss Gu to have such a high profile. Even the Grand Secretary came to congratulate her personally. Could it be that the Grand Secretary also intends to marry Miss Gu?"
After a moment of stunned silence, Luo Yuying's gaze involuntarily fell on Gu Shuyan. Seeing the undisguised love in Gu Shuyan's eyes as she looked at Yun Yichen, she couldn't help but feel a wave of disdain.
The news of Lu Youming's marriage proposal had already been spread among the women by the servants. Although it wasn't mentioned openly, most people knew about it.
The thought that Gu Shuyan was still flirting with Lu Youming and had her eye on Yun Yichen made Luo Yuying's expression towards Gu Shuyan somewhat unfriendly.
Does this woman think she's some kind of goddess descended from heaven, capable of seducing anyone?
As soon as Luo Yuying spoke, the first person to look at her was not Gu Shuyan, but Sun Ruoyun.
"Miss Luo, there are some things you can't say carelessly."
Sun Ruoyun's face remained calm and expressionless, just as she always had. But Luo Yuying only glanced at her before quickly shutting her mouth.
If you want to live a peaceful life in the Great Zhou Dynasty, you must know that the first person you cannot discuss is the current emperor, and the second person you cannot offend is this flamboyant chief minister.
"I misspoke."
Upon hearing Sun Ruoyun's reminder, Luo Yuying immediately realized what was going on. She smiled at Sun Ruoyun, her expression unconsciously becoming more respectful.
Gu Shuyan watched the two of them quietly from the side, and couldn't help but think more highly of Sun Ruoyun.
It seems that even though Luo Yuying has become the future princess consort, she wouldn't dare to act recklessly in front of Sun Ruoyun. And Sun Ruoyun's high status is certainly not solely due to her status as the fifth prince's cousin.
Lost in thought, Yun Yichen had already walked up to Gu Jin.
Yun Yichen first gave Gu Jin a respectful junior bow before saying to everyone in surprise, "Father-in-law, your son-in-law is late."
With a "boom," upon hearing Yun Yichen's address, Lu Youming's mind seemed to explode, causing his ears to momentarily lose their hearing, and he could not hear any sound at all.
When Lu Youming thought of what Gu Jin said about Gu Shuyan being betrothed, he immediately assumed it was the Marquis of Jinning's family. He never expected that the person who was actually engaged to Gu Shuyan would be Yun Yichen.
If it were anyone else, Lu Youming felt that he could easily sabotage the marriage with a little manipulation, but he really wasn't confident he could do it with Yun Yichen.
Meanwhile, the women were also in an uproar. Rumor had it that Yun Yichen preferred men and was not interested in women, so why was he suddenly calling for his father-in-law, the Marquis of Yi'an?
Luo Yuying looked at Gu Shuyan in disbelief, and the other young ladies belatedly turned their gazes over as well.
"Sister Shuyan, when did you get engaged to the Grand Secretary?"
Xu Shan'er was so shocked that she didn't even notice what was going on and immediately asked Gu Shuyan.
"I am unaware of this matter either."
Gu Shuyan naturally couldn't admit that she knew, since arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers were still very important in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Upon hearing this, Xu Shan'er looked at Gu Shuyan with sympathy and said in a comforting tone, "Sister Shuyan, don't worry too much. With Uncle Gu here, I don't think the Grand Secretary would dare to bully you. If all else fails, you still have me and Mother. We will definitely help you."
Xu Shan'er's words immediately resonated with the group of young ladies, and countless sympathetic gazes turned to Gu Shuyan. Although the Grand Secretary was indeed unparalleled, and they truly admired him, such a dangerous man was best admired from afar; they would never willingly marry him.
Lady Jinning was clearly startled by Yun Yichen's words. She glanced at Lady Ji beside her and saw that she was calm. Only then did Lady Jinning feel relieved.
It seems that Xiang Wan knew about this. Since it was something that both husband and wife agreed to, she didn't need to worry.
"Why is Your Highness here? Is there something you need to discuss with your father-in-law?"
Yun Yichen was usually a man of few words, so it was unusual for him to speak so casually today. However, these words made Lu Youming quite uneasy.
Is he trying to talk to me? This is blatant bragging! We're not even married yet, and he's already calling me "father-in-law" over and over again, as if he's afraid everyone won't know that he's the one engaged to Gu Shuyan?
Most importantly, even if you're going to shout, could you please not include yourself? Don't you know you just proposed to Marquis Yi'an? Where does that leave his face?
Lu Youming felt extremely embarrassed standing there, while Yun Yichen thought to himself: Serves you right for trying to steal my wife, I'll make you furious.
When the arrogant Prime Minister gets sarcastic, Lu Youming is completely defenseless.
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