As Gan Qiongying approached, the girls' laughter gradually subsided, and the atmosphere became awkward in the blink of an eye.
They looked at Gan Qiongying with different expressions. In the past, some looked down on her and others mocked her, but after last night, most of them were now afraid.
Gan Qiongying didn't care about the awkward silence at all. She even began to like the foundation that Princess Duanrong had laid for her, which was to ignore these noble ladies and treat them as if they were invisible.
Gan Qiongying walked straight to the opposite side of Princess Hui'an and bowed respectfully.
Then she began by apologizing, but her words were tinged with a coquettish tone: "Aunt, please forgive me. I tossed and turned all night, thinking about you and the foolish things I've done in the past. I didn't fall asleep until dawn. The maids below were so oblivious; they didn't wake me up, and I slept until now..."
"Aunt, please don't blame me," Gan Qiongying said with a fawning smile. Her clothes were not particularly bright, but Princess Duanrong's features were striking, and her face was radiant with a smile that made spring flowers bloom and her eyes sparkle.
This overshadowed the elegant and dignified young ladies from noble families, making them pale in comparison.
Gan Qiongying's coquettish behavior sent chills down Wen Xueling's spine.
Who stays up all night thinking about an old woman and tosses and turns in bed?
Even a dog wouldn't believe it.
However, Princess Hui'an believed it.
She hadn't slept well last night either, as she kept thinking about Duanrong.
For so many years, Duanrong had been avoiding her. Princess Hui'an was not unaware of this, nor was she unmoved.
After the initial joy of reuniting with her family yesterday had subsided, Grand Princess Huian couldn't help but wonder why Duanrong had suddenly reconciled with her.
Could it be that he's encountered some difficulties, or... wants to take advantage of her?
As the head of the imperial clan, Princess Hui'an is now over fifty years old. She has her own son and daughter to take care of. Princess Hui'an longs for family affection, but she is also afraid that Duanrong will destroy the newly repaired family affection between them.
Therefore, Princess Hui'an was both happy and worried, tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep.
Princess Hui'an did not show her worries on her face.
Upon hearing this, she immediately stretched out her hand: "Come here, you just got up? Haven't eaten yet? I already had Wu Mei prepare it for you."
Princess Hui'an smiled gently: "The prince consort has already come to apologize on your behalf, saying that you didn't sleep well last night because you were taking care of him. The two of you have a very good relationship, tacitly taking the blame for each other and making excuses for one another."
Gan Qiongying went along with it and chuckled.
While Aunt Wumei went to fetch food, Gan Qiongying chatted with Princess Hui'an. They talked about everyday things, and once they started talking, all the noble ladies around them, including Wen Xueling, became mere background figures.
Everyone felt superfluous and quickly stopped surrounding Princess Hui'an, taking their leave to do other things.
Wen Xueling, however, remained awkwardly there. Since the Grand Princess of Hui'an wouldn't speak to her, she turned to talk to the Grand Princess's well-behaved granddaughter who was sitting quietly beside her.
This little girl is well-behaved and adorable. At just over ten years old, her youthful appearance is like a tender sprout, radiating youthful energy. Moreover, she is very well-mannered, maintaining a dignified posture throughout. She has been sitting for quite some time without changing her posture, always with a smile on her face. She responds politely to everyone who speaks to her, clearly having been well-educated by the Grand Princess Huian.
Gan Qiongying searched through Princess Duanrong's memories and remembered that the little girl's name was Gan Huiyue. As her name suggested, she was indeed as gentle and bright as the moonlight, making people happy to see her.
However, as Gan Qiongying ate, she thought about the gentle and bright young girl in the story. Because she was in love with the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue, her reputation was damaged. Her fate could not be described as tragic, but rather miserable.
She hadn't initially looked down on the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue for falling from the high platform and ruining his career; the two families had even started discussing marriage. But then... what was that son of the Vice Minister of Revenue's name again? Gan Qiongying really couldn't remember, and Princess Duanrong didn't remember either.
Anyway, that bastard liked Wen Xueling, and even chose to break off the engagement for her, thus betraying Gan Huiyue.
That's not all. When he broke off the engagement, he had already taken advantage of the situation by "saving the beauty" and had taken Wen Xueling's virginity.
Yes, in this book, the first person Wen Xueling slept with was not the popular Zhong Lizhengzhen, nor the powerful regent, but the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue, a seemingly handsome but actually ruthless man who became disabled because of Wen Xueling.
Gan Qiongying could understand; after all, in a novel with five male protagonists, the female protagonist's first time had to be gentle and not too brutal.
Gan Qiongying didn't think there was anything wrong with it when she watched it.
But thinking about it this way, it was precisely the promise of annulment that moved Wen Xueling, making her feel that he was not only willing to risk his life for her, but also willing to defy his family's arrangements for her.
The first car scene was quite sensual.
The more erotic it seemed before, the more it feels like a lump in my throat now.
Gan Qiongying couldn't even eat.
Seeing Wen Xueling and Gan Huiyue huddled together, seemingly having a pleasant conversation, and remembering how Gan Huiyue's reputation was damaged after being jilted and how she ended up marrying a seemingly handsome but actually abusive man, she was immediately filled with anger.
According to the timeline in the story, Wen Xueling and the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue have been seeing each other frequently. They often exchange poems at their gatherings to express their feelings. The son of the Vice Minister of Revenue has not hidden his admiration for her and is one of Wen Xueling's many suitors.
Wen Xueling should also know that the Grand Princess of Hui'an favored the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue as her grandson-in-law.
What did she want to do by approaching Princess Hui'an?
At this moment, as she shamelessly laughs and talks to Gan Huiyue, does she secretly think that Gan Huiyue is her defeated opponent?
Will he be so proud that he treats Gan Huiyue's affection as a joke on the spot?
Upon thinking of this, Gan Qiongying slammed her hand on the table, her face darkening.
He said to Wen Xueling, who was still laughing, "Didn't your father teach you manners? What were you laughing about while others were eating? Hehehe, is this a sign of you going crazy?"
Wen Xueling's smile froze on her face as she stared at Gan Qiongying with utterly innocent eyes.
She was genuinely afraid of Gan Qiongying, so she didn't refute her at first, nor could she think of anything to say in rebuttal. Liuli, who could come up with bad ideas and speak up for her master, had already been killed. Now, Wen Xueling didn't even have a close and considerate maidservant by her side.
Moreover, even if Gan Qiongying usually makes things difficult for her, she will at least maintain a respectable facade on the surface.
Unlike now, Gan Qiongying's face had truly darkened, her gaze towards Wen Xueling was extremely cold, and her violent aura was undisguised, as if if Wen Xueling dared to say anything unpleasant, Gan Qiongying would rush over and beat her up.
Wen Xueling's lips trembled as she glanced at Gan Huiyue.
Gan Huiyue maintained the same expression, her face gentle and mild, as if she hadn't heard Gan Qiongying suddenly go crazy and start cursing.
Moreover, Princess Hui'an acted as if she hadn't heard a word. Despite Gan Qiongying's harsh reprimand, Princess Hui'an didn't say a word in her defense.
Wen Xueling felt extremely wronged, her eyes reddened, she stood up, bowed to the Grand Princess Huian, and hurried away.
After everyone had run far away, Gan Qiongying said directly to Gan Huiyue, "You should stay away from Princess Xue'e. She is wicked and hypocritical. Her specialty is stealing other people's lovers. Be careful she doesn't steal your future husband."
Gan Huiyue was also stunned and turned her head to look at the Grand Princess Hui'an.
Princess Hui'an shook her head, rubbed her forehead, and said, "She is, after all, the only daughter of the King of Jingxi. The man she marries in the future will surely be rich and noble. Why do you keep making things difficult for her?"
"Duanrong," Princess Hui'an hesitated for a moment, having heard Gan Qiongying say that Princess Xue'e was most adept at stealing other people's lovers, and thus she asked with suspicion, "Do you really like the Jin Chuan hostage?"
This is something that everyone in the entire Nanzhao Yin capital knows.
Duan Rong's pursuit of Zhong Li Zhengzhen has become a laughing stock throughout the Southern Dynasty.
Princess Hui'an looked at Gan Qiongying with a complicated expression. She was genuinely afraid that Gan Qiongying would reconcile with her and ask her to help her marry the hostage prince of Jinchuan.
That's absolutely impossible.
Jin Chuan was ambitious, and although the court appeared calm on the surface, undercurrents were surging.
Wen Xueling's arrival in Yindu has sparked a bidding war among the young masters of clans and even the royal family, which is irrefutable proof of the King of Jingxi's disloyal intentions.
Princess Hui'an had many concerns, but as she grew older, she was powerless to do anything about the affairs of the court.
Gan Lin, a child in the palace, was born weak and timid, yet she stubbornly endured being a puppet in the hands of others for the sake of Duan Rong.
However, Duanrong has repeatedly done foolish things. If she is really so foolish as to use her relatives for personal reasons, then the Grand Princess Hui'an's heart will truly turn cold.
Princess Hui'an's gaze turned sharp as she looked at Duanrong, a hint of fierceness creeping into her eyes.
Back then, Duanrong went mad and broke off her relationship with the emperor because she was infatuated with him. When the Grand Princess Huian found a suitable woman for the emperor, Duanrong was driven to madness.
Princess Hui'an feared that after so many years, she would still be filled with nothing but love and romance.
If Duanrong says "yes", even if she doesn't sever ties with Duanrong in the future, she will definitely not help her resolve any issues.
Upon hearing Princess Hui'an's question, Gan Qiongying immediately put down her chopsticks, quickly swallowed the food in her mouth, and then gulped down a mouthful of water.
Only then did he kneel properly before Princess Hui'an and retort, "Of course not!"
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