Jiang Mingwan's words were so tactful that they made Situ Mingji seem a bit impolite, so he couldn't help but smile awkwardly.
At that moment, Gu Jingchun's voice also came over.
"Everyone is saying that the eldest daughter of the Jiang family is righteous and well-educated. After meeting her today, I can see that she is indeed impressive."
As Gu Jingchun spoke, he slowly walked in.
She came in with a large table of breakfast.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Mingwan and Situ Mingji first frowned slightly before standing up and bowing.
Gu Jingchun nodded to them before sitting down in the main seat.
"I had a few drinks yesterday and got up late today, so I haven't had breakfast yet. Please forgive me, ladies."
Jiang Mingwan smiled.
"Miss Gu, please feel free to do as you please."
Situ Mingji snorted coldly in his heart.
This morning, everyone knew that Shen Hechuan had left Gu Jingchun's residence in a hurry to go to the morning court. Yet today, Gu Jingchun deliberately brought up his drunkenness yesterday and his late morning awakening, clearly telling them:
I woke up late yesterday because I was serving Shen Hechuan late.
It seems like an explanation, but it's actually a boast.
Situ Mingji was furious, but he didn't show it on his face.
"Miss Gu's breakfast is quite light."
Gu Jingchun had already sat down, picked up his chopsticks, taken a bite, and then nodded.
"Yes, I like it light."
These words were spoken calmly and frankly, leaving Situ Mingji momentarily speechless.
Since learning that Gu Jingchun was about to be made empress, Situ Mingji was furious, and even his years of upbringing and composure were overwhelmed by jealousy.
His words carried a hint of provocation.
She hoped that Gu Jingchun would become angry and sarcastic, thus breaking down his defenses.
This way, she could openly mock Gu Jingchun for being unfit to be empress.
However, Gu Jingchun remained calm.
Jiang Mingwan, however, smiled slightly.
"No wonder Miss Gu maintains such a good figure. It seems I should learn from Miss Gu and eat a lighter diet in the future."
Gu Jingchun nodded.
"Okay, but my constitution is different from others. No matter how much I eat, my figure will not change. I am eating lightly today because I ate too much yesterday. So, I want to change my taste today."
Situ Mingji's expression changed.
Jiang Mingwan: ...
She paused for a moment, her expression finally betraying her true feelings, and then smiled directly, cutting off the small talk and stating her purpose.
"I apologize for the intrusion today, Miss Gu, and I hope I have brought you a small gift. I hope you will like it."
Gu Jingchun nodded.
Seeing that Gu Jingchun didn't seem inclined to respond, Jiang Mingwan paused for a moment before continuing.
"Actually, we came here today to explain what happened yesterday to Miss Gu."
"Actually, I never intended to become empress. I don't know how those rumors started yesterday..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun slowly put down his chopsticks and stared straight at Jiang Mingwan.
"You mean you don't want to go to the palace?"
"Those rumors weren't your true intentions, were they?"
Jiang Mingwan paused for a moment, unsure of how to begin.
"Well... that's not what I meant either, I just meant..."
Gu Jingchun interrupted her again.
"So you mean you feel you can't be Empress now, so you're settling for second best and want to be a concubine, right?"
Jiang Mingwan's expression changed immediately after hearing these words.
In all her life, she had never heard such direct and unreasonable words, leaving her completely humiliated.
But Gu Jingchun continued to press forward relentlessly.
"Yeah?"
Helpless, Jiang Mingwan could only speak with a stern face.
"This isn't my idea either; it's the idea of the elders in my family. After all, our Jiang family hasn't seen His Majesty for many years..."
"Does not seeing each other for years necessarily mean we have to meet in bed?"
Gu Jingchun's blunt words made Jiang Mingwan's face turn even paler.
How could you talk like that?
Gu Jingchun chuckled softly.
"Now that you've all come here, let's stop beating around the bush and just get straight to the point."
"I do not agree to your entry into the palace."
These words were so blunt that even Jiang Mingwan was so shocked that she stood up.
Situ Mingji spoke directly: "Gu Jingchun, the reason we came to your door early is to give you face. We think that we will see each other frequently when we enter the palace in the future, so we came here to make a good relationship."
"Don't push your luck!"
Gu Jingchun sneered, stood up, and looked at them with arrogance in his eyes.
"No need, none of what you've suggested is necessary!"
"We don't need to maintain a relationship in the future, we don't need to see each other all the time, and we don't need you to give me face."
"Because I can tell you right now that you will not be entering the palace."
"Whether it's you, Situ Mingji, or you, Jiang Mingwan."
"As long as I am here, you will never be able to enter the palace or become imperial concubines."
Upon hearing this, both of their expressions changed, and Situ Mingji immediately rebuked them.
"Gu Jingchun, aren't you overestimating yourself? Whether we can enter the palace or not is not up to you."
Gu Jingchun: "What a coincidence, I really am in charge."
"Let me put it this way: as long as I live, as long as I remain in the palace, there will be no other concubines in the harem, only me!"
This was Jiang Mingwan's first time dealing with Gu Jingchun, and she was completely taken aback by her direct and absolute manner. She paused for a moment before continuing:
“Miss Gu, things shouldn’t be taken too absolutely. I understand that His Majesty likes you now, and he is even willing to go against the court officials for your sake.”
However, nothing lasts forever, and His Majesty has just ascended the throne and needs the support of all officials. Are you really going to put His Majesty in a difficult position for your own selfish desires?
Gu Jingchun shook his head.
"No, no, no, he won't make things difficult for you. He'll hate you women who come to him even more than I do."
As Gu Jingchun spoke, he took a few more steps forward before speaking.
"I'm telling you all this today not for any other reason than to tell you to give up on this idea and not to bother me in the future. After all, no matter what you do, it won't change the outcome of this matter."
After Gu Jingchun finished speaking, he smiled slightly at the two of them and yawned.
"I'm still a bit tired right now and need to take a nap. You guys do as you please, I'm leaving now."
Without waiting for their reactions, he took Lanxin and left.
Situ Mingji gritted his teeth in anger as he watched Gu Jingchun's retreating figure.
"Look at her smug look, it's absolutely despicable."
"We shouldn't have come today."
Jiang Mingwan smiled slightly.
"Sister, don't worry."
Her tone was neither hurried nor slow.
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