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墨書 Inktalez
Feng Ren stood at the door, bowing respectfully. "My lord has sent me to escort the Consort to Qingfeng Garden."
Gu Qingning remained still, whispering a few words to Feng Ren. He nodded in acknowledgment and turned to leave. Gu Qingning closed the door quietly and waited in silence.
In less than a quarter of an hour, she heard a series of knocks. Opening the door, she saw Feng Ren entering sideways, carrying a woman on his shoulder.
"Throw her onto the bed and make sure all the doors and windows are tightly shut," Gu Qingning commanded coldly.
After a moment of surprise, Feng Ren complied without a word, unceremoniously stripping off the woman's embroidered blue robe and tossing it aside with disdain.
Gu Qingning's calm face was as frigid as an ice cellar, deep and indifferent, causing Feng Ren to shiver involuntarily.
While the common people enjoyed peace and prosperity during the grand feast, disputes continued to brew within the court. The noble families often compared their talented sons and daughters in private, not to mention that everyone had a penchant for gossip. As cups were raised and emptied, the lively atmosphere made it hard to resist indulging in rumors.
"The weather is lovely today; we can head to Yuehua Pavilion to sample various delicacies, enjoy the flowers, and watch the talent competition of the young ladies from the Duke of Qi's residence. It's bound to be a delightful event," laughed a young lord from the Prime Minister's family.
"I've heard that the sisters from the loyal Marquis Gu's family are exceptionally talented, especially Gu Yan, who is renowned for her floral arrangements."
"The second daughter of the Gu family? Is that Gu Yan, one of the three great talents of the capital?" asked the young lord with some confusion.
"Yes! This year's Dragon Boat Festival might not be as lively as in previous years. Next month, both daughters of the Gu family are set to marry into the royal family."
"I heard that the eldest daughter is promised to the Ninth Prince." He then whispered to those nearby, "The Ninth Prince is doomed; it's such a pity for Miss Gu."
Though spoken softly, every word reached the ears of the young lord from the Duke's family.
He had seen Gu Qingning before—her beauty was captivating beyond compare, graceful and elegant, with skin like fine jade that outshone all others.
Song Jiaran, son of Prime Minister Song Jianzhong and favored by Emperor Jing as his sister's son-in-law, had lived a life of privilege without worry since childhood—a true embodiment of wealth.
Ever since he laid eyes on Gu Qingning, he found it hard to eat or sleep. For his beloved son, Song Jianzhong had humbly approached the loyal Marquis Gu for a marriage proposal. The Song family thought it was a sure thing but were taken aback when Marquis Gu Changqing rejected it on account of Gu Qingning's youth.
This rejection displeased Prime Minister Song greatly; he repeatedly criticized Gu Changqing in court in an attempt to suppress him.
Later, under the persuasion of Consort An, Song Jiaran fell into despair. Unexpectedly, out of nowhere, Emperor Jing granted a marriage between Gu Qingning and the Ninth Prince.
But it didn’t matter; that frail Ninth Prince wouldn’t live long. When the time came, winning over Gu Qingning would be easy—she would be within reach.
With this thought in mind, an unusual glimmer crossed Song Jiaran's eyes.
"Enough about that; let’s drink!" someone else cheered as they poured wine for him.
In the distance, on the winding corridor of the artificial mountain, a man dressed in a blue robe adorned with cloud and bat patterns stood with his hands clasped behind his back. "Your Highness, the matter has been taken care of," reported a young attendant who approached with his head bowed.
Gu Qingning, if this prince cannot have you, then no one else shall either. Pei Zhirui cast a cold glance at the young masters in the distance, who were toasting each other and exchanging pleasantries.
The Gu family’s vast military power must not fall into the hands of others. Moreover, Gu Qingning's short-lived mother had left behind an immeasurable wealth of treasures for her daughters, which could never be allowed to be taken by anyone else.
Even a person on the brink of death, until their last breath, poses a threat that he would not underestimate.
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