Chapter 591: Chapter 591: The Empress Arrives

The Crown Prince is using Third Young Master You like a dog to bite Gu Baoshu, clearly intending to target the Gu Family’s daughter.

There’s no avoiding it.

But what solutions could possibly be effective?

As Qin Yuan pondered, she sensed a gaze secretly glued to her face. Suddenly turning her head, she met the burning eyes of the Crown Prince.

While conversing with Madam You, the Crown Prince, who was surreptitiously watching Qin Yuan, was startled and hurriedly withdrew his gaze, disguising his discomfort by covering his mouth and coughing lightly.

Madam You quickly inquired, "Is your Highness unwell?"

The Crown Prince dared not glance at Qin Yuan again and replied hoarsely, "It’s nothing, don’t worry, Madam. Just a slight itch in my throat that’ll pass soon."

After pondering for a moment, he added, "These years of rest have improved my health considerably, making my body no different from an ordinary person’s."

"Indeed," laughed Madam You, "The other day, the Empress mentioned your improving health and anticipated the joy of holding a legitimate grandson soon. Wonder which young lady will have the fortune of being chosen for the Eastern Palace."

At this, the Crown Prince sighed internally but smiled, "I do not know. Not only is my mother concerned with this matter, but my grandmother is also consulted."

Madam You beamed even more, "With the Empress’s arrangement and the Empress Dowager overseeing, the Crown Princess Consort will certainly be a woman of both beauty and virtue. Becoming the mistress of the Eastern Palace is not a fortune any ordinary girl can bear."

The Crown Prince smiled slightly and stole another furtive look at Qin Yuan.

The irresistible beauty he had haunted his thoughts was right in front of him, yet he was a step too late, snatched by that brute, Gu the Third. Though the Sacrificial Officer’s rank was a bit low, having someone with such looks and elegance in the Eastern Palace would surely deserve the title of Lady or even Concubine.

A Concubine wouldn’t be impossible either.

Alas...

The aristocratic families were unwilling to offer their legitimate daughters, so he sought an unparalleled beauty. However, the beautiful women presented were far lacking compared to the Dingbei Marquis’s wife. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

What was even more unsatisfactory was that to build ties with the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, his mother was actually considering the crude and savage Gu Baoshu as a concubine.

The Crown Prince glanced at Gu Baoshu, feeling emotionless and indifferent. Her thick brows and intense eyes—if not for the skirt and jewelry she wore—truly seemed as if she might head out for a fight at any moment.

During her previous spar with You Sanlang, the Crown Prince’s brows knitted in displeasure at seeing a proper young lady being so rough, enough to swell half of You Sanlang’s face. With her skirt hem tucked at the waist, kicking her legs around, she left footprints all over the walls and beams.

No matter how much she pretended to be a lady of the family, inside she was a wild monkey yet to be tamed.

Always proclaiming the need to find someone who can fight, disdainful of scholars who can’t even truss a chicken—it’s frustrating!

The Crown Prince lost the words to speak.

Being trained in martial arts brought great sensitivity, so Gu Baoshu had long noticed the Crown Prince watching them, secretly rolling her eyes. "That sickly ghost is plotting again. If he provokes me once more, I might just lose my temper and punch him."

Disrupting her grand business of courtship would truly be like an old turtle climbing a tree—fed up with life.

Qin Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "I think the Crown Prince probably doesn’t dare to provoke you anymore."

"Why? Does that sickly one look down on me?"

Gu Baoshu’s remark left Qin Yuan at a loss for words.

Several individuals outside rushed in, scarcely looking to see who was in the hall before announcing, "Her Majesty the Empress is arriving, and outside, Lord the Duke and the gentlemen are all kneeling. We’ve been ordered to promptly invite the Old Ancestor."

Madam You was taken aback.

Normally, before the Empress arrives, little eunuchs would have delivered the message. This sudden arrival caught her off guard.

"How can we keep Her Majesty the Empress waiting—such impropriety."

The Crown Prince hurriedly rose, "I assume Mother did not wish to disturb your good day, which is why she arrived so swiftly with such a simple entourage. Let us go and welcome her together."

Madam You and others quickly helped Madam You move forward, and the other ladies closely followed.

Qin Yuan and Gu Baoshu stepped back, and as everyone paid respects and knelt, just as they rose, Empress Lin spoke, "Old Madam Dingbei Marquis, have your daughter-in-law and daughter arrived?"

Qin Yuan: ... She came so directly.

"Replying to Her Majesty, they have arrived. It may be my daughter-in-law’s first visit as a guest, making her shy and hiding behind,"

laughed Old Madam Gu in response.

Madam You promptly said, "Her Majesty the Empress specifically named her, yet she’s not hurrying over to greet Her Majesty—a unique fortune not available to others."

Empress Lin laughed, "No rush, no rush. So long as they’re here. With everyone gathered, wouldn’t the child be even more shy? But Baoshu is bold, so why would she be shy now?"

Outsiders listening in might assume Empress Lin was very familiar and fond of Gu Baoshu.

The Ninth Princess approached, holding Empress Lin’s hand and laughing, "Mother, you might not know, Baoshu isn’t shy at all. I’ll tell you later about the good deeds that startled big brother Crown Prince into saying he’d never underestimate Little Sister Baoshu again."

The Crown Prince, supporting her other hand, nodded and said, "Mother, I truly didn’t know Little Sister Baoshu was so remarkable, embodying quite the heroic spirit. After all, she is a daughter of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion."

Qin Yuan felt relief in her heart.

It seems the Crown Prince is either unwilling or too afraid to have designs on Gu Baoshu.

Empress Lin glanced at the Crown Prince and said, "As the saying goes, ’The tiger doesn’t father a dog.’ Baoshu, as the Old Marquis Gu’s youngest daughter, is naturally exceptional. Let us talk inside; it’s not right to keep the elderly ladies standing outside."

With that, the ladies guided the Empress and others towards Rongxi Hall. Once seated according to seniority and exchanging cordialities, Empress Lin had her attendants present birthday gifts to Madam You, then remarked, "I’ve felt bored within the palace and, upon hearing of the Old Lady’s birthday, decided to come and visit. You all needn’t be formal; today is the Old Lady’s day, and it should be lively and cheerful."

The room was filled to the brim with ladies.

Empress Lin ordered a female official at her side to summon Gu Baoshu and Qin Yuan over for a chat, and everyone understood clearly; it was Empress Lin extending goodwill toward the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.

Currently, tension prevailed between the Crown Prince’s faction and Prince Qi on court matters. The tax silver case during the Former Crown Prince’s time resurfaced, with prisoners recently confined by the Capital Governor Mansion being broken out. Although those responsible haven’t been caught yet, the aristocratic families have begun pushing to overturn the charges against the Former Crown Prince’s maternal family.

The Dingbei Marquis was the Former Crown Prince’s companion and now holds military power and oversees the Capital Inspection.

Neither faction of Prince Qi or the Crown Prince is willing to relinquish this potential support.

Among the Gu Family, only Gu Baoshu remains unmarried.

Song Wenyu hid behind her mother, fearing Empress Lin might notice her. Under usual circumstances, being called to speak before her is an honor, but now, the farther away, the better.

Amidst various thoughts and gazes, the two sisters-in-law gracefully followed the female official to the front, and paid their respects with grand ceremony.