The air froze solid.
The Crown Prince sneered inwardly—a mere merchant and an ignorant woman dared to think they could manipulate him?
The man who had stirred up the incident curled his lips secretly—what fools, overestimating themselves by challenging the Crown Prince.
Gu Yu Chen firmly restrained the agitated Song Shiyue and smiled at the Crown Prince, “Since Your Highness finds it difficult to decide, I will enter the palace now and request the Emperor’s judgment.”
Hearing this, Song Shiyue relaxed her stance, and Gu Yu Chen quietly let out a sigh of relief.
In his understanding, this girl was far more troublesome to deal with than the Crown Prince.
Once she was appeased, everything else would fall into place.
As Gu Yu Chen made a move to leave, Prince Rui and Prince Chu quickly stopped him. “Such a trivial matter is hardly worth disturbing His Majesty.”
“Exactly! There’s no need to let the nonsense of a petty person ruin everyone’s enjoyment.”
Prince Chu turned his boyish face, beaming with a smile. “Gu Fu Ren, I’ll host today—consider it a celebration for you and Yu Chen.”
“Fourth Brother is generous. I’ll join in the fun too, so you don’t get all the credit,” Prince Rui teased Prince Chu lightheartedly, while also making it clear to everyone that both he and Prince Chu approved of Gu Yu Chen’s marriage.
He called out to the attendants outside, “Servants! Today, Prince Chu and I are hosting. Bring out the finest wine and dishes, and let the music and dance continue.”
Gu Yu Chen looked at Song Shiyue as if seeking her opinion.
This made everyone realize that Song Shiyue, this woman of “unknown origins,” held significant importance in Gu Yu Chen’s heart.
It wasn’t just out of gratitude but also deep affection.
Song Shiyue knew they couldn’t afford to escalate the situation today and decided to quit while she was ahead.
“Hehe, husband, let’s give face to the two princes today and let it go.”
She appeared magnanimous, yet she had thoroughly trampled the Crown Prince’s dignity.
Gu Yu Chen smiled dotingly, “As my wife wishes. Another day, I will have a proper discussion with the Emperor.”
Implying that the matter was not entirely dropped but merely postponed for now.
Satisfied, Song Shiyue nodded and glanced at the Crown Prince, whose face had turned ashen.
“Your Highnesses, since our mood has been repeatedly disrupted today, my husband and I will host a banquet at Gu Mansion on another day, especially inviting both of you.”
Gu Yu Chen did not object to Song Shiyue’s words and even nodded in agreement, indicating that this woman’s status in Gu Mansion was acknowledged.
The Junior Prince pretended to be dissatisfied, “Sister-in-law, you mustn’t forget about me.”
“Of course, you’re included.”
The Junior Prince was delighted, and the usually quiet Wu Huangzi (Fifth Prince) suddenly spoke up shyly, “May I come too?”
“Of course!”
Gu Yu Chen quickly replied, “I will send invitations to all of you.”
Amidst the laughter and chatter, no one paid any attention to the Crown Prince’s expression.
The others mindlessly joined in the merriment, while only the Crown Prince and his faction watched in silent fury, ignored by everyone, unsure whether to stay or leave.
The Crown Prince clenched his wine cup tightly, imagining smashing it against Gu Yu Chen and Song Shiyue.
He had to endure it because he couldn’t afford to break ties with Gu Yu Chen.
Despite being the Crown Prince of the nation, he did not enjoy as much of the Emperor’s favor as Gu Yu Chen did.
“Your Highness, retreat a step to broaden your horizons,” his advisor whispered in his ear, urging the man who had stirred up the incident to apologize to Song Shiyue.
The man looked at the Crown Prince, who gave a slow nod, and reluctantly approached Gu Yu Chen’s table.
“Master Gu, Madam, I was in the wrong earlier.”
The man had the Star Plucking Tower manager bring over a pot of premium wine, then bowed to the several people on Gu Yu Chen’s side.
“May I request the esteemed princes to intercede and ask Young Master Gu to let this matter rest, and for Madam Gu to calm her anger.”
Prince Chu tossed a peanut at him. “Go on. Do you think Young Master Gu and his wife are petty people who would bother with the likes of you?”
“Your apology should come with tangible compensation.”
Though Prince Rui spoke in jest, he was actually reminding him.
“Yes, yes! I’ll return to my residence immediately to select compensation gifts. They’ll definitely be delivered before Young Master Gu and his lady return home, and will surely satisfy them both.”
Song Shiyue felt nothing but disdain. The Gu family had plenty of treasures – she couldn’t care less about his gifts.
Gu Yu Chen glanced at her. With a stern face, Song Shiyue said, “Fine, out of respect for the two princes. But I reserve the right to pursue this matter later.”
No one understood what “pursue” meant exactly, but combined with “right,” it wasn’t hard to grasp that she meant reserving the right to investigate further.
This woman was trouble.
Seeing this, Prince Rui told the man, “Your compensation must be sincere.”
“Yes, yes! Absolutely heartfelt and genuine.”
Only after Gu Yu Chen nodded did the man bow to the Crown Prince and various princes before retreating from the hall, hunched over.
No one told Song Shiyue the man’s identity – apparently he was insignificant.
Could someone like that even produce decent compensation?
The atmosphere in the hall finally eased again. The Crown Prince, having regained face, continued eating and drinking as if nothing had happened.
How thick-skinned!
Song Shiyue had long understood that the Gu family’s wealth and influence were enough to make many nobles curry favor.
But she never imagined even the Crown Prince would have to yield.
Tall trees catch much wind.
Song Shiyue believed the Gu family understood this principle well, so why would they risk attracting trouble by flaunting their status intentionally?
And why would these royal descendants tolerate it? Was it really just to win the Gu family over for their own benefit?
Yuan Sufang watched everything in astonishment, unable to believe the Crown Prince was being suppressed by a merchant.
Was the Imperial Merchant truly this powerful? To not even give face to the Crown Prince?
Were the other princes circling around him just because the Gu family was wealthy?
Yuan Sufang glanced at Princess Linghui, who never spoke up for her own brother, instead gazing obsessively at Gu Da Shao.
Beside her, Miss Xue and Miss Li also looked at him with adoration.
Shouldn’t they be looking at the princes? Shouldn’t they adore the princes instead?
Looking around, the few women present – except for Madam Gu – were all staring at Gu Da Shao with starry eyes.
How interesting! Why was Madam Gu looking at me instead of her own husband?
Looking at me?
Yuan Sufang belatedly realized this and nervously lowered her head, mistakenly drinking wine as if it were tea.
“Cough, cough!”
Violent coughing brought tears and runny nose.
Miss Li and Miss Xue beside her shifted away in disgust.
“She’s so unsophisticated.”
“And so full of herself.”
Not bothering to lower their voices, Yuan Sufang heard every word and committed them to memory.
Someday, she would trample them underfoot and make them kneel in worship.
The flash of determination and ruthlessness in her eyes didn’t escape Song Shiyue’s notice.
This woman was no good person.
Song Shiyue looked sympathetically at the two young ladies, then at Princess Linghui, shaking her head inwardly.
Birds of a feather flock together – this Miss Yuan wasn’t one of them.
As Song Shiyue withdrew her gaze, she suddenly noticed someone across the room observing her.
Looking around, it turned out to be the legitimate son of Guang Ping Hou.
Caught by her, he showed no shame but merely smiled politely without averting his gaze.
Song Shiyue planned to find an opportunity later to strike up a conversation and ask him why he kept looking at her.
After all, she was a married woman, not someone he could covet.
Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, that Song Zhengyi left early.
Little did she know that Song Zhengyi’s hurried departure and his appearance here were both for the purpose of getting a close look at her appearance.