HLnovel Chapter 39 Performance
Chapter 39 Performance
“Miss Gu, please don’t be sad. It’s only because Prime Minister Gu doesn’t forget his love for his children that such a woman is like this. In my opinion, she should be sent far away to live on a country estate. When she reaches marriageable age, she can be married off to a family with a generous dowry.” Xiao Yuheng spoke up for Gu Hanjiao.
Xiao Yuheng thought to himself, this Gu Qingwan was the woman his mother had mentioned to him repeatedly before, saying that she had the Ning family as her backer. But did the Ning family really like this granddaughter? If they did, how could Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning have raised such an unreasonable and domineering person?
Xiao Yuheng was increasingly reluctant to marry Gu Qingwan. After much thought, he realized that Gu Hanjiao was more to his liking. However, his mother's concerns were not without reason. At present, he had virtually no military power at his disposal, so there was not much he could fight for.
“What the Third Prince said makes sense. Father is kind-hearted and always hopes to have his children by his side. However, my sister is just straightforward. Miss Meng just said that she likes people like my sister very much. She doesn’t hide anything and is much better than the young ladies in our capital.” Gu Hanjiao continued to sigh while holding her handkerchief, as if she really envied Gu Qingwan’s carefree attitude.
Upon hearing Miss Meng's name, Xiao Yuheng immediately had some thoughts: "Jiao'er... Miss Gu, you don't mind if I address you like this, do you?"
“Third Prince, isn’t this inappropriate? This is her maiden name. If someone hears it…” Gu Hanjiao blushed and lowered her head, stammering in response. As she lowered her head, her fair neck was revealed, and the whiteness of her neck seemed so delicate to the touch. Xiao Yuheng couldn’t help but swallow.
"I was being presumptuous. But Miss Gu, rest assured, one day..."
Gu Hanjiao thought to herself that this matter had taken a successful step forward. It turned out that the Third Prince still liked her. As long as he had her in his heart, everything else was easy to talk about.
"By the way, Miss Gu, is the Miss Meng you just mentioned Meng Yanran from the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion?"
"Yes, what's wrong?" Gu Hanjiao was a little unhappy, wondering why the Third Prince was inquiring about Meng Yanran at this time.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just wanted to give Meng Yanran a lecture on your behalf. She shouldn't openly oppose you like this. Opposing you is going against this prince."
"Isn't this a bad idea?"
"I know what I'm doing. I'll have my sister-in-law send someone to summon Meng Yanran later. It's always good for her to reprimand her."
"Then I, Jiao'er, will thank the Third Prince for his protection."
Xiao Yuheng smiled and helped Gu Hanjiao up, shaking her hand. "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."
The guests had all arrived, and the Second Prince announced the start of the banquet. The Second Prince's wife, having received the news, led everyone to the lakeside and instructed the servants to set up the tables and prepare to serve the food.
The decorations here are exquisite. Everyone is dining in a large waterside pavilion, surrounded by all kinds of flowers, which is very beautiful. Gu Qingwan sat down with Madam Ning, and Madam Ning instructed Siqi to move the flowers off the table.
"It's alright, Aunt. The prince's wife would be displeased if she saw it."
"But you..."
"It's nothing." Gu Qingwan shook her head.
In fact, Gu Qingwan is allergic to some pollen, which is congenital and cannot be changed later in life. Therefore, she does not keep many flowers and plants in her house, and even if she does, they are the most common kind. So, Gu Qingwan's pollen allergy is not that serious.
At this moment, Gu Hanjiao also arrived late. Chunlu, who was waiting next to her, saw the look in Gu Hanjiao's eyes and immediately responded. Gu Hanjiao understood and sat down in her seat with a smile.
"It's rare for everyone to gather together. Springtime is the best time of year, and all the flowers in the courtyard are in bloom. The Imperial Concubine has even specially gifted us with several kinds of palace flowers so that we can have a good time," said the Second Prince's Consort.
"Your Highness is so kind, thank you, Your Highness," the crowd echoed.
"Look at all the girls, they are all so beautiful, they even outshine all the flowers in my courtyard." The Second Prince's wife looked at the budding young girls below and felt a pang of emotion. She had once been one of them, but time had passed and she had gradually aged and lost her beauty. "Alright, I heard that everyone has prepared a talent, why don't you show it here? To show your sincerity, Hui'er, bring it up."
The maid Hui'er brought over a tray and lifted the red cloth covering it, revealing a boy's hairpin with pearls as big as a baby's fist.
Everyone was quite surprised when they saw this.
"Isn't this the one from the Imperial Concubine?" one of the ladies said. "If I remember correctly, this is the one His Majesty gave to the Imperial Concubine when she was promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine, isn't it?"
"Madam Qian has a good eye! This is indeed the Noble Consort's possession. The Noble Consort said it was a great pity that she couldn't come today. Let this hairpin represent her to admire the flowers. The one who wins first place today will be the owner of this hairpin," the Second Prince's wife said with a smile.
"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine is so generous." The crowd began to murmur among themselves, and the noble ladies from various families were all eager to try their luck.
You should know that today it might really be the Imperial Concubine looking for a match for the Third Prince. Otherwise, she wouldn't have sent her personal maidservant with this hairpin. It's probably just a pretense to give the Prince's wife a gift to save face, but the real reason is to have this maidservant come and take a look.
The Third Prince is so handsome and dashing, who wouldn't want to be his consort? Everyone has worked hard at home to prepare for this day.
Gu Qingwan couldn't help but smile at everyone's reactions.
"It didn't mention this step, did it? Wanwan, you..." Madam Ning looked at Gu Qingwan with some concern.
"Aunt, don't worry. Wanwan never intended to show off. As long as she's safe and sound, that's all that matters. Let's just treat this as a trip to enjoy the flowers, have a meal, and watch a performance."
"Alright, everyone go and get ready. We ladies can sit here, chat, have some tea, and wait a bit. I heard the Third Prince is also preparing some performances; the maids will come and tell us about the exciting ones later."
"Your Highness, is it necessary for every young lady present to perform?" Li Jingge asked.
"There are no hard and fast rules, but everyone should have some special skills, so show them to us."
"Then... I wonder what Miss Gu has prepared?"
Hearing her name called, Gu Qingwan did not back down. She stood up and replied generously, "I wasn't prepared."
"Why didn't Miss Gu make any preparations?" the Second Prince's wife asked.
"Sister, why don't you join my group? Let's put on a performance for the Princess Consort together." Gu Hanjiao gently stood up, seemingly to help Gu Qingwan out of the situation. Everyone watching thought that this second young lady of the Gu family was truly kind-hearted.
"Thank you for your kindness, sister. In reply to Your Majesty, Qingwan is indeed penniless. If it weren't for the opportune timing of my return this time, coinciding with your banquet, and my aunt bringing me along to broaden my horizons, Qingwan would probably still be like a frog at the bottom of a well, completely unaware of my own ignorance."
The Second Prince's wife was secretly delighted to see that Gu Qingwan was beautiful but also self-aware. She said seriously, "Very well, Madam Ning has already explained that Miss Gu has been in poor health since childhood, and Old Madam Ning cherishes her and has only sent an invitation to Madam Ning this time. Let's leave it at that this time. Next time, Miss Gu must be prepared and cannot refuse again."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gu Qingwan turned to Gu Hanjiao and said, "Sister has been preparing for a long time. Don't let me disrupt your plans. Hurry up and get ready. I believe you will definitely win first place today."
Upon hearing this, Gu Hanjiao was initially quite proud and pleased with herself, but when she saw the murderous looks in the eyes of the other young ladies around her, she immediately wished she could sew Gu Qingwan's mouth shut.
Gu Hanjiao's title of "the most talented woman in the capital" is well-deserved; she is indeed talented, beautiful, and from a good family—her father is the Prime Minister. Therefore, many young ladies are jealous of Gu Hanjiao.
Now the blame has been shifted eastward, and even Li Jingge no longer cares whether Gu Qingwan should perform or not; all she can think about is how to surpass Gu Hanjiao.