Hearing this, Shen Hechuan's expression softened considerably.
A moment later, Gu Jingchun slowly walked in.
Today she wore a light-colored palace dress with subtle patterns of the same color. The style was light, understated yet elegant.
It neither steals the spotlight from others nor is it too plain; it's just right.
"This humble woman pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, His Highness the Crown Prince, and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager..."
Gu Jingchun bowed in greeting, but before she could finish speaking, Shen Hechuan hurriedly went down and personally helped her up.
"No need for formalities."
As she spoke, she pulled Gu Jingchun to sit next to the Empress Dowager.
Gu Jingchun shook his head silently with his eyes.
Her current status is merely that of a palace lady-in-waiting, so how could she sit beside the Empress Dowager? Wouldn't that be a clear indication of her being criticized?
However, at this moment, Shen Hechuan was determined to have Gu Jingchun sit next to him, just to tell everyone in front of him Gu Jingchun's identity and his place in his heart.
The Empress Dowager sighed as she looked at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince was so impatient it was almost unbearable to watch. He sighed and called out, "Jingchun, come here."
She said, extending her hand.
"I am getting old, and it is thanks to your help today that I was able to organize this banquet."
Today, you are my hero, so you shall sit beside me.
Gu Jingchun quickly refused.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Majesty. However, I am aware of my own status and am not fit for this position."
Before she could finish speaking, Shen Hechuan interrupted her.
"In that case, come and sit beside me."
Gu Jingchun had already refused once, so naturally he couldn't refuse this time.
He simply nodded and sat down next to Shen Hechuan.
As soon as she sat down, Shen Hechuan put some food from his plate onto Gu Jingchun's plate.
The noble ladies seated at the lower level exchanged bewildered glances.
Chang Zhaozhao and Ding Jiaojiao, in particular, were so angry that they gritted their teeth, wishing they could drag Gu Jingchun away from Shen Hechuan right now.
Chang Zhaozhao, being a straightforward person, immediately said, "This young lady looks unfamiliar, may I ask who she is..."
Seeing Shen Hechuan's anxious expression towards Gu Jingchun, fearing he might say something inappropriate, the Empress Dowager spoke first to explain Gu Jingchun's identity.
"Her name is Gu Jingchun, she was the daughter of the former Marquis of Yong'an, and now..."
Before the Empress Dowager could finish speaking, Chang Zhaozhao interrupted her, speaking in a cold voice.
"The Marquis of Yong'an is a rebel, so how could his daughter preside over a palace banquet and sit beside the Crown Prince?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan glared fiercely at Chang Zhaozhao.
"Who are you from?"
Chang Zhaozhao was delighted to see the Crown Prince inquire about her, and quickly bowed, saying, "I am the legitimate daughter of the Grand Chancellor, and I am fifteen years old this year..."
Before she could finish speaking, Shen Hechuan snorted coldly and spoke in a sinister tone.
"The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat has truly raised a fine daughter!"
"Go back and tell your father to come to the palace to see me in person tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Chang Zhaozhao was overjoyed, completely failing to grasp the meaning behind Shen Hechuan's words. She even felt smug, thinking that Shen Hechuan must have taken a liking to her, which was why he sent her father to the palace to discuss making him the Crown Princess.
However, the other women clearly understood that Chang Zhaozhao had offended His Highness the Crown Prince and had even implicated the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. They wondered what would happen to the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat tomorrow.
The reason for all this was that she questioned Gu Jingchun's identity.
Madam Chang, who was sitting next to Chang Zhaozhao, was not present at the table at the moment because she was feeling unwell.
Otherwise, upon hearing these words, she would naturally be so angry that she would faint.
The Empress Dowager had not expected Chang Zhaozhao to be so foolish. She continued to explain after Chang Zhaozhao sat down.
"Although Miss Gu is the daughter of the Marquis of Yong'an, she has done a great service to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Back then, when the rebels besieged the capital, it was Miss Gu who came up with the plan, which successfully intimidated the rebels and saved His Majesty.
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, everyone present started discussing it.
After all, everyone knows that during the rebellion, it was Shen Hechuan who turned the tide with a very small number of people, and everyone praises His Highness the Crown Prince as a military genius.
Little did they know, these methods were all devised by Gu Jingchun.
The Empress Dowager was very satisfied with everyone's reaction. She opened her mouth, wanting to say that she would marry Gu Jingchun after the mourning period ended.
Gu Jingchun spoke up at this moment.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I am honored to attend this banquet today and to see so many beautifully dressed sisters."
Seeing her sisters all looking radiant and beautiful, she couldn't help but recall the scenes of widespread suffering she had witnessed when she accompanied His Highness to Qi County for disaster relief. A wave of emotions washed over her.
"How about we play a game today? The loser has to take a valuable item and donate it to the people in the disaster area, what do you say?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately agreed.
"This is a good thing, and it is thanks to you that you have not forgotten the people in the disaster area. This is all the good deeds you have done for the people."
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, everyone present secretly cursed Gu Jingchun in their hearts.
After all, Gu Jingchun took this opportunity to tell everyone that she had gone to Qi County with the Crown Prince to provide disaster relief.
This suggests a deep friendship between the two.
Moreover, without losing a single soldier or spending any money, they managed to curry favor with the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince by presenting their belongings.
They were also given a luxurious label.
Who would be happy in this situation?
But now that the Empress Dowager has spoken, who would refuse?
Naturally, they would obey without question.
His Highness the Crown Prince smiled slightly, his affectionate eyes unwilling to leave Gu Jingchun.
"Jingchun, what game do you want to play?"
Gu Jingchun curled the corners of his lips and glanced at Shen Hechuan, causing Shen Hechuan to feel a surge of desire.
"Your Highness, what do you say?"
Shen Hechuan naturally understood Gu Jingchun's thoughts and immediately nodded indulgently.
"Okay, whatever you say."
Then, Shen Hechuan explained the rules of the game.
Actually, it's very simple; it's just a competition between two people.
As for what to compare and how to compare, it's all up to them to decide.
However, after deciding what to compete in, both of them had to bring out a valuable item as a prize.
When the competition ends, the losing side must give the winning side double the bet as a prize.
The winner can donate all the prize money to the people.
This game is based on the methods Gu Jingchun used to exploit wealthy merchants back in Qi County.
Upon hearing this rule, the noble ladies all frowned.
"In other words, regardless of whether we win or lose, we need to contribute one valuable item; if we lose, we need to contribute three valuable items?"
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