Moreover, why did he have that expression when mentioning her mother – a mix of surprise and slight mockery? She was skilled at reading people’s expressions, but she couldn’t fathom the Rui Prince’s inner thoughts, which made her head ache.
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Gu Qingtong lost interest in wandering and had Lüguo buy some cassia seeds before returning to the Flower and Moon Pavilion. As soon as she crossed the threshold, a servant from Ruan Niang rushed up to her.
“Gu Qingniang, you’re back!”
“What’s happened?”
“Oh my! It’s big news. I heard that the Linlang Princess from the old prince’s mansion is about to marry the Fan family’s young master and specifically requested Gu Qingniang to attend the ceremonial rehearsal the day after tomorrow.”
“The princess is marrying into the Fan family?” Gu Qingtong suddenly remembered Fan Xifeng, who was taken away by Han Yuan’an – could it be him?
Gu Qingniang, eat well at noon. This afternoon, I’ve invited Master Yan from the Jingyun Opera Troupe to teach you.”
“Teach me what?” Gu Qingtong was truly without a moment’s leisure, feeling somewhat frustrated.
“Although you’ve learned some movements well, something still seems to be missing.”
Gu Qingtong thought that perhaps because of her modern identity, she always felt somewhat out of place in this era. However, due to her strong imitation skills, Ruan Niang found something off but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.
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Gu Qingtong nodded, no wonder Lin Lang Junzhu, with her impatient temperament, was willing to delay for a day. It seemed to be because of going to the palace.
Ruan Niang looked at her and her expression turned melancholic. She touched the back of her hand: “Tong Tong, some things, once past, should not be dwelled upon.”
Gu Qingtong saw a hint of moisture in her eyes, with a motherly expression, and was surprised that she had called her “Tong Tong” for the first time: “What matter?”
Ruan Niang was stunned for a moment, then laughed: “Nothing, it’s best if you think that way.”
“Think what way?” Gu Qingtong knew there was more to her words but couldn’t understand what made her worried, suddenly feeling confused.
Ruan Niang covered her eyes momentarily, then immediately let go, revealing a smile: “Nothing. Let’s go eat. I’ll have someone bring you a stewed fish.”
“Thank you, Ruan Niang.” Unable to get more information, Gu Qingtong bid farewell and left, but remembered Ruan Niang’s unusual behavior. Just as she closed the door, she heard Ruan Niang murmur: “One the supreme of the world, one the most lowly, what a human tragedy!”
Gu Qingtong didn’t understand, nor did she know whom she was referring to, and shook her head as she left.
“The princess’s attire is not a big problem, but I wonder about her eating and drinking. Why don’t we go and practice eating?”
The Lin Lang Princess heard her words and touched her stomach: “Hmm, I’m actually hungry.”
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“Let’s go eat something.”
Gu Qingtong watched her change her mind in an instant and rushed back to the room where the maids were serving desserts. If she were to go to the Fan family looking like this, she would definitely see everyone’s bitter faces; but if she didn’t go like this, when the princess married into the Fan family, she would surely cause a commotion and blame her.
“Come quickly, I’m starving!” The Lin Lang Princess saw the maids bring out plate after plate of pastries, already grabbing two pieces and stuffing them into her mouth while calling out to Gu Qingtong.
Gu Qingtong stood beside her, slowly shaking her head.
“What?”
“Is the princess always like this?”
“Can’t I eat when I’m hungry?”
“Princess, won’t your eating manner scare people?”
“Me? Do I have to eat like in the palace, using silver chopsticks for vegetables and gold chopsticks for meat? Do you want to drive me crazy?”
“Princess, it’s not about that. It’s just that your eating manner is far from elegant.”
“Do you mean the Fan family won’t like me like this?”
Gu Qingtong nodded.
“Do I have to follow all these rules when I marry into the Fan family, just like entering the palace?”
“The Fan family’s rules aren’t as many as the palace, but they’re not few either.”
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And the princess’s manner, it seems most families wouldn’t be able to handle it,” Gu Qingtong said hesitantly, as the Lin Lang Princess looked increasingly sad, her mouth growing more and more pouty.
“The Fan family is so troublesome, I won’t marry!”
“…” Gu Qingtong was momentarily speechless.
“Can I make him marry into my family?”
“…” Gu Qingtong continued to remain silent.
The Lin Lang Princess thought this idea was good and pulled her head maid over: “Has mother returned? I want to tell her I want Fan Xiliu to marry into our family!”
“Princess…”
“Has my mother returned!” The Lin Lang Princess saw her hesitation and heavily patted her shoulder.
The head maid replied: “Princess, the Wang Fei should be back soon.”
“Okay, I’ll go find her.” The Lin Lang Princess said this, stuffed two more pastry pieces into her mouth, and grabbed Gu Qingtong, “Come with me to see her.”
Gu Qingtong thought what did Fan Xiliu’s marriage have to do with her, but the Lin Lang Princess clearly wouldn’t listen to her muttering and was walking so fast she was almost flying, so she could only run to keep up.
“Yunxiang, has my mother returned?” The Lin Lang Princess called out before even entering the Wang Fei’s courtyard.
“Wang Fei just returned and is currently in
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The Lin Lang Princess’s foot that was about to cross the threshold suddenly stopped, and she turned to leave, “I hate meeting these palace people the most. I’ll come back after she leaves.”
“Is the princess here?”
Before the Lin Lang Princess could walk away, a maid from inside called out to her.
“I wasn’t here!” The Lin Lang Princess definitely didn’t want to awkwardly accompany Xin Fei, firmly denying her presence.
That maid chuckled: “Princess, Xin Fei Niang Niang already knows you’re here and requests you to come in and talk.”
The Lin Lang Princess instantly became dispirited, hanging her head as she entered the courtyard.
Gu Qingtong had nowhere to go and stood in the courtyard waiting for her.
“Is this Gu Qing Niang?”
Gu Qingtong was lost in thought when a maid suddenly called her: “Yes.”
“Xin Fei Niang Niang requests you to come inside and talk.”
“Me?” Gu Qingtong never expected to meet a palace noble while entering a royal residence.
“Yes.” The maid smiled and led her inside.
The Princess Consort saw this and hurriedly drove out the maid and the princess, leaving only an old wet nurse by Xin Fei’s side.
Gu Qingtong did not know what connection she had with this Xin Fei and just lowered her head.
“Tong’er!” Xin Fei called out but was stopped by the wet nurse behind her.
“Your Highness, one must not disregard rank and status.”
Xin Fei glared with reddened eyes: “What rank and status, that is…”
The wet nurse’s voice was louder, cutting her off before she could finish: “Your Highness, you must remember, you are Xin Fei!”
Xin Fei instantly wilted like a frost-beaten eggplant, lowered her head, and stammered: “Yes, I am Xin Fei, I am Your Highness, so she doesn’t recognize me anymore.”
Gu Qingtong remained silent, watching the old Princess Consort hold her hand: “Xin’er, she is doing well now, so please let it go.”
