But Gu Yingzhen would not say these words out loud.
Smiling, she pulled Ming Shu along. “You, just rest assured. Everyone knows their limits and wouldn’t dare provoke you.”
Although they knew Ming Shu was only a cousin from the general’s household, they still feared Yan Wei behind her.
He was a formidable figure—who would want to offend him without reason?
This was also why Gu Yingzhen dared to bring Ming Shu along so directly.
Coming from noble families, no one was foolish; it was all about interests.
They encountered quite a few people along the way.
“Miss Gu is here?” This was the daughter of the Vice Minister of Justice.
Gu Yingzhen nodded. “You’ve come too?”
“And who is this young lady beside you?”
“This is the cousin from General Yan’s household, named Ming Shu.”
Ming Shu noticed a fleeting expression in the Vice Minister of Justice’s daughter’s eyes, which quickly vanished. “Miss Ming.”
Ming Shu replied, “Miss Lin.”
Then she heard her ask, “Are you looking for Princess Yiyue?”
“Exactly. Do you know where she is?” Gu Yingzhen took the opportunity to inquire.
“As for her, she’s probably unavailable at the moment. An esteemed guest has arrived today, so she can’t get away for now.”
Gu Yingzhen said, “Thank you for letting us know, Miss Lin. We’ll take a stroll in the garden first.”
Miss Lin also knew it was inappropriate for her to stay, so she left with her maid.
Gu Yingzhen raised an eyebrow slightly. “Could it be that several princes have arrived?”
Ming Shu didn’t want to cause trouble and tugged at Gu Yingzhen’s sleeve. “Let’s go for a walk first.”
Gu Yingzhen nodded. “That’s fine.”
She then beckoned a maid from the princess’s residence to guide them.
Pond pavilions for admiring fish, rustling bamboo shadows, and a pleasant temperature—it was the perfect time to enjoy the scenery.
Ming Shu and Gu Yingzhen walked for a long time.
Coincidentally, they passed by a pavilion and thought of resting for a while.
Suddenly, Gu Yingzhen grabbed Ming Shu’s hand, frowning fiercely at the man and woman inside the pavilion.
In just a few moments, Gu Yingzhen pulled Ming Shu away, wanting to leave.
She was furious—absolutely furious!
Ming Shu keenly sensed the change in Gu Yingzhen’s mood.
Seeing a cluster of flowers ahead with no way forward, Ming Shu tugged at Gu Yingzhen’s sleeve.
Softly, she said, “Sister Gu, let’s take the side path.”
Gu Yingzhen was still angry but remained rational, restraining herself as she forced out a “Fine.”
Meanwhile, the man in the pavilion keenly overheard Ming Shu calling out “Sister Gu.”
He had truly taken it to heart.
Hardening his resolve, he said, “Miss Lin, I… I already have someone I admire.”
Then he strode toward the direction of the voice he had just heard.
Leaving the Vice Minister of Justice’s daughter alone in the pavilion, utterly disheartened.
The man walked all the way but didn’t see anyone.
Ming Shu had only noticed a man and a woman in the pavilion but hadn’t paid attention to which households they were from.
But for Gu Yingzhen to care so much, it was probably the man?
Ming Shu felt as if she had encountered a major dilemma. This… was not easy to handle.
Gu Yingzhen stamped her foot angrily, only to turn and see Ming Shu’s troubled, scrunched-up face.
For some reason, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Did I scare you, A-shu? That’s my fault. Come, let’s go admire the flowers.”
But the man found them and urgently called out, “A-zhen!”
Ming Shu quietly retreated after a few glances back.
Gu Yingzhen was furious at the sight of him. “What are you doing here? Go away. It wouldn’t be good if someone saw us. And don’t call me that again in the future!”
Anyone could tell that Gu Yingzhen was truly angry.
Ming Shu probably guessed something and spoke softly, “Sister Gu, there might be some misunderstanding. Why not clear it up first to avoid any resentment?”
The man stepped forward, clasped his hands, and smiled at Ming Shu. “Thank you, sister, for speaking up for me. May I have a word alone with A-zhen?”
Ming Shu tactfully withdrew.
Gu Yingzhen raised her voice, “No! I have nothing to say to you!”
The man gave Ming Shu an apologetic smile.
Ming Shu left even more quickly.
From a distance, Ming Shu could only occasionally hear Gu Yingzhen’s voice but couldn’t make out what she was saying.
Ming Shu chuckled softly. So this was the vexing matter of love?
Not long after, Gu Yingzhen found Ming Shu. The man was nowhere to be seen—likely he had left.
Ming Shu had initially thought the man hadn’t resolved the issue, but upon seeing the barely concealed joy in Gu Yingzhen’s eyes, she understood.
Wisely, she didn’t ask further.
Gu Yingzhen cleared her throat and instructed, “A-shu, don’t mention what happened earlier to anyone.”
“Sister Gu, I understand.”
Gu Yingzhen muttered quietly, “I haven’t told my mother about this yet.” She sighed. “My mother doesn’t seem to like him much, so I haven’t dared to bring it up.”
Ming Shu looked at Gu Yingzhen with her bright, watery eyes and tentatively asked, “But have you considered, Sister Gu, that Madam Gu might already know?”
Gu Yingzhen’s eyes widened further. “It’s… possible.”
She had wondered why her mother wasn’t in a hurry to arrange a marriage for her. She had thought it was because her mother couldn’t bear to part with her, but it never occurred to her that her mother might already know about her situation.
No, no, she must get to the bottom of this when she returned home today.
Gu Yingzhen made up her mind.
Ming Shu smiled without speaking. If her guess was correct, that man was Ji Hui, the second legitimate son of Marquis Gaoyi.
“We’ve been here for a while now. Let’s go find Princess Yiyue.”
“Alright.”
Gu Yingzhen and Ming Shu walked side by side and asked a maid of the princess’s residence where Princess Yiyue was.
Upon seeing them, Princess Yiyue pouted playfully. “You’ve finally arrived. Did you forget about me because you found someone new?”
Gu Yingzhen approached with a grin. “How could I? I was just thinking you must be busy today and didn’t dare disturb you.”
“Then why are you here now?” Princess Yiyue didn’t believe her.
“To avoid people thinking I’ve been snubbed by Princess Yiyue, I naturally had to make an appearance.”
“Such a glib tongue. Is this young lady from the Yan residence?” Princess Yiyue scolded with a laugh, noticing Ming Shu quietly following behind Gu Yingzhen.
“Oh, I almost forgot to introduce A-shu. This is the renowned, talented, and beautiful Princess Yiyue.”
Ming Shu bowed in greeting, but Princess Yiyue stopped her. “No need for formalities, or A-zhen will blame me for treating you poorly.”
Gu Yingzhen, teased by this, secretly reached out and lightly tickled Princess Yiyue’s waist.
Startled, Princess Yiyue nearly jumped. “A-zhen!”
Gu Yingzhen covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, while even Ming Shu’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
As they were playing around, Guan Wan’s voice drifted over softly. “Well, well, so A-zhen and Yiyue have been hiding here without me!”
A wave of sour jealousy instantly filled the air.
Princess Yiyue was the first to complain. “A-wan, look at her.”
Guan Wan walked gracefully over, her steps light and elegant, exuding an air of dignified nobility.
It was said that the daughters of the Guan family were sought after by many, but no one knew which family would win her hand.
Many speculated that the Guan family’s daughter would enter the palace, but the Guan family had no such plans.
However, none of the suitors presented to Guan Wan had met her approval, so her marriage had been delayed again and again.
Guan Wan sat down beside Ming Shu. “I can’t control her, so you’ll have to fend for yourself.”
She then looked Ming Shu over. “Miss Ming truly looks different from the rest of us.”
Ming Shu carried an innate air of mystery and tranquility, surrounded by an aura of spiritual energy that made her stand out.
No wonder A Zhen had brought her directly to Yiyue’s banquet.