CHAPTER 1611: CHAPTER 1611 LIN XI

The princess’s outing, though discreet, was still accompanied by guards. When the group arrived at the restaurant, the shopkeeper, stunned upon seeing the guards, quickly realized the importance of the guests and arranged for them to be taken to a large private room upstairs.

Despite Zhenyue being a low-key princess, her chin was still held high while walking. The Emperor’s daughter’s gaze upon the common people was different from that of Mr. Guan’s daughter.

Once in the private room, after the girls finished ordering food, they started playing with the delicate wooden puppets they had just bought. The puppets were so beautiful that the girls couldn’t let go of them and wanted to buy more.

Zhulan and Lady Qi exchanged smiles, acknowledging their youth.

Lady Qi rubbed her legs, "Growing old is inevitable; we’ve only walked a bit, and my legs are already sore."

Zhulan looked at Lady Qi’s hair. Lady Qi was much older than her, indeed aged, "You still have to see your great-grandson get married!"

Lady Qi laughed first, then sighed, "Too many children can be a headache."

Zhulan smiled without asking more. The Ran Residence had few concubines, but they had plenty of troubles. It was heard that Ran Xun’s eldest son of a concubine was ill and had returned to the residence from the village.

Outside the restaurant, discussions started. The princess’s brief stay outside the palace wasn’t a secret. Those who recognized Lady Qi knew the princess was inside the private room. The Emperor had two princesses: the eldest princess from a concubine and a legitimate younger princess. Seeing the eldest princess today, how could one not be excited?

Zhenyue had a good appearance, a composed beauty enhanced by the royal temperament, making her quite noticeable.

Seeing the princess today reminded everyone that the princess was already in her teens, not young anymore. The term "prince consort" instantly flashed in everyone’s mind.

No one dared to disturb the upstairs private room. Zhulan’s party quietly enjoyed their meal; after dining, they rested for a while before leaving.

By this time, upon hearing the news, many had arrived at the restaurant, hoping to catch a glimpse of the eldest princess.

Zhenyue felt the gazes but continued walking without looking sideways. Once out of the restaurant, Zhenyue frowned, noticing many onlookers at the teahouse opposite.

Lady Qi frowned, "Let’s leave quickly."

Zhenyue nodded, "Alright."

At the place where carriages were parked at the street corner, the two families parted ways, with Zhulan taking her granddaughter home, while the girls continued to chatter.

Upon returning to the main courtyard, Yu Die said, "The princess tried her best to be low-key, yet still attracted attention."

Yu Wen chimed in, "Why should the princess be so mysterious? Everyone knows the Emperor has two princesses; apart from a few noblewomen who’ve seen them, no one knows what they look like."

It’s curiosity that leads to such attention; after seeing them more often, the curiosity would fade.

Yu Yi thought deeply, "People will discuss the princess’s marriage; marrying a prince consort represents wealth and status."

Though the prince consort holds no real power, marrying a princess is also a protection for the family. Now that the princess has appeared, many will be intrigued.

With no maids present in the room, Yu Wen spoke more casually, "If I were a man, I would marry Lin Xi’s sister."

Yu Wen noticed everyone looking at her and laughed, "Did I say something wrong?"

Marrying a princess brings wealth without power, but marrying the Qin Prince Residence’s Commandery Princess is different; there’s both wealth and the opportunity to enter court and fulfill ambitions.

Zhulan was worried about Lin Xi’s marriage and glanced at Yu Wen, "Lin Xi is still young."

Yu Yi sighed, "Having the princess appear today, the Qin Prince Residence’s Commandery Princess will attract attention too; a little can’t deter ambitious people."

On the other side, Chang Xhong escorted Gu Sheng back to his residence. Gu Sheng felt uneasy under Mr. Zhou’s gaze, "Why is the gentleman looking at me like this?"

Chang Xhong played with the fan in his hand, "We were just at the teahouse; everyone went to see the princess, aren’t you curious?"

Gu Sheng was surprised, then laughed, "Not curious."

He always knew where he stood, understanding his background and identity. The Emperor had only two daughters, showing how much he cherished them. He would certainly not choose a poor scholar as a prince consort; he didn’t even dare to hope for a Magistrate, let alone a princess.

Chang Xhong admired Gu Sheng’s character, which is why he kept associating with him. He was willing to introduce some people to Gu Sheng as he saw Gu Sheng’s residence approaching, "Haven’t you thought of moving?"

Gu Sheng was silent for a while, "It’s close to the examination hall."

Chang Xhong chuckled, still thinking about moving, "Be careful of Mr. Ji; my father told me never to underestimate anyone, and I pass this advice to you."

Gu Sheng’s pupils slightly constricted; he’d already learned a lesson. Recently, Ji Deming had been bothering him frequently, "Even if I move, he’ll find me."

Ji Deming knew many people, making it hard for him to hide. Ji Deming could easily find him if he wanted.

Chang Xhong didn’t respond; this was also a form of training. Once in court, these challenges would be insignificant.

Gu Sheng got off the carriage at the alley entrance. After the Hou Residence’s carriage left, Gu Sheng turned back to his residence. Just after changing his clothes, he heard a knock at the door but remained still. After thinking for a while, he walked to the table and picked up a pen to write a family letter, refraining from hiring servants—at least until the spring exams were over.

The next day, Lady Li came to the main courtyard with a note, "Mother, a letter from Master Zhao’s family."

Zhulan took it and glanced at it, "Zhao Bo?"

Lady Li saw her mother-in-law casually place the note down and understood, "Mother, I’ll go and respond."

"Alright."

No matter why the Zhao family sent over an invitation, the Duke Zhou Residence would not attend to avoid misunderstandings—it’s better to keep things clean.

Lady Li had heard some news, "I’ve heard some news: after Master Zhao entered the capital, many from the Zhao clan followed him."

Zhulan, "Not surprising."

Lady Li grumbled, "If I were Master Zhao, I wouldn’t let people enter the capital, holding you back."

Zhulan laughed, "He comes from the Zhao clan, an inseparable part; since he agreed, it shows he needs manpower. Not everyone from the Zhao clan is bad."

Lady Li still thought the Zhou clan was better.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted a few words, then Steward Ding entered, "The annual gifts from Ningzhou have arrived; here’s the gift list."

Zhulan took the gift list, which included Ningzhou specialties—both food and functional items, "Even fifty pounds of lotus root starch."

Lady Li was also fond of lotus root starch, "That’s quite a bit."

Zhulan nodded to Qing Xue to take some out and make a drink later; she quite liked lotus root starch, though it was difficult to find in the capital requiring trips south to purchase.

Steward Ding retreated, and Zhulan set down the gift list, "The third son’s couple only report happy news in their letters, leaving me always concerned."

Lady Li offered, "Why not let Steward Ding make a personal trip?"

Zhulan was moved but thought of Yu Yi and others, then suppressed the thought, "We’ll see."

In Ningzhou, Lady Dong visited the Ningzhou merchant wives at the residence behind the Government Office. Ningzhou had prosperous river transport, thus many wealthy merchants, giving her a lot of new experiences.

After sending off the women, Lady Dong’s smile faded, replaced by an expression colder than the outside temperature.

Chang Lian’s footsteps paused as he entered the room; thinking better of it, he turned towards the study, "Where are you going?"

Chang Lian cleared his throat as he entered the room, "I saw you were upset, thought not to be near you to prevent making you angrier."

Lady Dong’s anger rose, "You know I’m angry because of you?"

Chang Lian felt falsely accused, "I haven’t had any improper thoughts!"