Chunhui Palace ––
"Father, do you think Mother Empress is going too far? She gives her all the benefits, the position of Crown Princess, and the Azure Phoenix Divine Jade. And what about her? She has already received a marriage decree from the young lord of Lin Kingdom, yet she still has her eyes on Young Master Gu."
"Father, you must help your daughter! You know I've long admired Young Master Gu, but now, she's even trying to take him away. I have nothing left, Father..."
Min Guijun felt heartbroken looking at his daughter, who was crying with tears streaming down her face, but there was nothing he could do.
His maternal family were only minor officials of the fifth rank. Over the years, he had been extremely cautious in the palace, never taking the initiative to provoke anyone, all so that he could raise his only daughter.
Back then, he was just a humble servant, only one rank higher than a lowly maidservant. His Majesty favored him once, and he was fortunate enough to conceive, and eight months later, Leng Qingning's pearl was formed.
However, the Imperial Noble Consort was domineering and arrogant in the harem, and the Emperor was too lazy to pay attention to her.
Fearing for the safety of his child, he hid in his palace for a whole year, claiming to be ill and not venturing out, until Leng Qinghan was born.
After the Imperial Noble Consort found out, she made things difficult for the father and daughter quite a bit, the most serious time almost drowning Leng Qinghan.
Fortunately, the Emperor found out and punished the Imperial Noble Consort, who then behaved herself for a few years.
As Leng Qinghan grew up, His Majesty visited her and her father more often, making it difficult for the Imperial Noble Consort to make a move.
To be honest, the Emperor hasn't made things difficult for the father and daughter over the years, but he hasn't given them any special treatment either.
Therefore, he never intended to be an enemy of the Emperor.
However, ever since her daughter heard that Leng Qingning was going to return to the palace, she has come to Chunhui Palace to complain repeatedly.
He could tell that his daughter was jealous of Leng Qingning. He also knew that it was all because Han'er was too sensitive and longed for His Majesty's care. Although His Majesty used to visit them at Chunhui Palace several times a month, his attitude towards them was always indifferent.
It was different for Leng Qingning. She had only been back for a few days when she got what her daughter had dreamed of for over a decade. No wonder her daughter was angry.
But he always believed that what his daughter wanted belonged to someone else, whether it was Leng Qingning or Leng Qinghuan, he didn't care.
He only hopes that his daughter is healthy and happy every day.
Power and influence are at anyone's disposal. He didn't want to fight for it, nor did he have the means to do so.
All he wanted was to protect his own little world, watch his daughter get married, and have a house full of children and grandchildren—that was his greatest wish.
"Han'er, if you truly like Young Master Gu, you should express your feelings to him. If he also has feelings for you, the young king will not be able to take him away even if he wants to."
Leng Qinghan stopped crying and frowned:
“Father, it’s not that I don’t want to tell Young Master Gu, it’s that that bitch hasn’t even returned to the palace yet, and she’s already spreading rumors that Young Master Gu is her man.”
"Just now, she even blatantly flirted with Young Master Gu, saying things like 'A gentleman as beautiful as jade, a peerless gentleman,' using sweet words to win Young Master Gu's favor."
"Young Master Gu is such a proper and well-mannered gentleman, how could he resist her teasing? In my opinion, it won't be long before Young Master Gu is completely bewitched by her."
Consort Min sighed, "Han'er, the matter between Young Master Gu and the young king was a decision made by His Majesty and the Emperor, and it was spread by the palace servants. How could she have known about it before the young king had even returned to the palace?"
“Father, others are being misled, and you're just going to believe everything you hear? Think about it, the Empress loves her so much. If she didn't like it or want it, how could the Empress let the palace servants talk about it?”
"Besides, don't forget, although she is at Kongmen Mountain, the Emperor sends people to deliver messages, clothes, food and other necessities to her every month. I would never believe she doesn't know about this."
Min Guijun sighed helplessly, wondering why Han'er always seemed to be overthinking things.
"Alright, alright, my dear daughter, even if what you say is true, it still depends on whether Young Master Gu is willing or not. He is the grandson of Grand Tutor Gu, and His Majesty greatly respects her teacher."
Seeing that her father didn't believe her, Leng Qinghan changed the subject:
"Father, that vile woman is good at deceiving people. I wonder how she will deceive Young Master Gu next time?"
"While Young Master Gu is not yet engaged to her, please help your daughter and ask the Empress to grant her daughter and Young Master Gu a marriage."
Min Guijun: "A marriage decree? This..."
Leng Qinghan's anger surged:
"Father, I have nothing left now. All I want is Young Master Gu. Am I not even worthy of him? Leng Qingning already has the young prince of Lin Kingdom, isn't that enough?"
Min Guijun looked at her furious daughter and finally couldn't bear it.
"Alright, your father will plead with His Majesty on your behalf."
The girl's angry face turned from worry to joy:
"Thank you, Father. Then, Father, there's no time to lose. You should go to the Empress's court first thing tomorrow morning."
"Sigh... Alright, Father will grant your request."
As Leng Qinghan left Chunhui Palace, her face was gloomy.
"I really don't know what my father is thinking. Every time I ask him for help, he makes excuses and makes excuses. I really doubt whether I am his biological son or not."
Sesame looked around hurriedly: "Your Highness, you mustn't say that anymore. Of course, the Noble Prince dotes on you."
"If you love me so much, why don't you plan things for me? Other people's fathers scheme for their daughters at every turn, and the Imperial Noble Consort suppresses me openly and secretly, isn't it because he's afraid I'll surpass Leng Qinghuan?"
"The Emperor is the same. On the surface, he pretends to be high and mighty, and doesn't care about anything, but in reality, he wants everything."
"Don't think I didn't see it. Just now at the banquet, when the Empress arranged for Leng Qingning to marry, he was smiling more happily than anyone else. Humph!"
Sesame dared not say anything more.
"Your Highness, let's discuss this further tomorrow after His Highness goes to seek the imperial decree."
…
Grand Tutor Gu's Mansion
Inside Jinshuyuan--
Clad in white like snow, with hair as black as a waterfall, the young master sat upright before the stage, gently stroking the strings of his zither.
Her jade-like fingers played an unknown melody with effortless grace, the sound of the zither flowing like a gentle stream, sometimes melodious and graceful, sometimes clear and pleasant to the ear.
It is as captivating as a babbling brook, drawing people in without them even realizing it.
When the song ended, the maid was so captivated that she forgot herself and it took her a long time to come back to her senses.
"Young master, your musical skills have improved again..."
The handsome young master smiled, his eyes revealing hope.
She should like that, right?
…
The next day.
Inside the side hall of Lingxiao
The Empress had just finished her court session when the Imperial Noble Consort rushed into the side hall.
"Your Majesty, good things should come in pairs. If the young prince and Huan'er were to get married together, wouldn't that be a joyous occasion for the whole world?"
"Your Majesty, you cannot show favoritism. The young prince has found a good marriage, but my Huan'er has not yet been married. The princess's residence only has two concubines. There is no one more suitable than the young master of the Gu family."
The Empress, still in her court robes, looked impatient.
"Didn't you say last time you were optimistic about Li Cheng'an, the third son of the Right Chancellor? Why are you now eyeing Gu Nanshu?"
“Cheng’an is certainly good, but Huan’er prefers Young Master Gu. A father always loves his child more.”
"Really? When did Huan'er take a fancy to the young master of the Gu family? I feel that it's not Huan'er who has taken a fancy to Gu Nanshu, but rather you who have taken a fancy to the Gu family."
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