Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 821 - 657: Slap in the Face

Gu Chengyu silently cursed, truly, the aristocracy has its privileges!

"Your Highness! Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu have come to visit!" Nanny Chang, already with a respectful expression, softly announced into the room.

"Nanny Chang, Your Highness invites Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu in!"

A maid wearing a green satin jacket emerged from the door, her attire suggesting she was a personal maid.

"This servant Qing Yuan greets Mr. Gu! Greets Mrs. Gu!" Qing Yuan did not look around, paying her respects to Gu Chengyu and company. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Miss Qing Yuan, no need for such formalities!"

Lv took a deep breath, wearing what she considered a proper smile on her face.

Gu Chengyu and his companions followed Qing Yuan into the room and finally saw the Eldest Princess, seated at the front, elegantly dressed, exuding a powerful aura.

"This official Gu Chengyu pays respects to the Eldest Princess!"

"This humble one, Lv, pays respects to the Eldest Princess!"

Gu Chengyu and Lv did not perform the kneeling bow, after all, they held positions of rank.

Besides, this wasn’t some grand court assembly requiring such a grand ritual.

"Quickly, dispense with the formalities! I boldly invited Mrs. Gu and Mr. Gu for a chat; I hope I am not disturbing you both?"

The Eldest Princess sat at the front in a simple turquoise silk gown, paired with a floral embroidered skirt. Though here to offer incense, her attire was somewhat subdued.

However, the intricate gold phoenix hairpin on her head was extraordinarily lavish, with a large red gemstone in the phoenix’s beak, not to mention the gold bracelet with a cat’s eye stone she wore on her wrist.

Just these two pieces of jewelry alone showcase the aristocracy’s heritage.

Gu Chengyu had only glanced earlier, silently noting it was good he had given his mother a fine item.

If it were of lower quality, his mother would have been embarrassed, causing a loss of face.

Gu Chengyu had been observing the Eldest Princess, unaware she was sizing him up as well.

It cannot be denied, this young man has a jade-like face and a charming demeanor.

His dark-collared ice-blue satin robe accentuated his handsome face, making him truly a fine figure, with a distinguished and elegant bearing!

The Eldest Princess scoffed coldly in her heart, dismissing him as merely having good looks, a glib tongue, and a bit of cunning.

Born in the countryside, though now an official, he seems to have grand ambitions in her eyes.

"Mrs. Gu and Mr. Gu, please have a seat!"

Gu Chengyu had just helped Lv sit down when a maid came to serve tea.

"Last time, I invited Mr. Gu to my mansion for a banquet and had Mr. Gu paint for me. On that busy day, I didn’t get a chance to properly thank you!"

The Eldest Princess smiled, her thoughts well concealed.

"Your Highness, you overpraise me. It was just a small matter, not worth mentioning!" Gu Chengyu reluctantly stood up and bowed.

He had already sent a thank-you gift, so what the Eldest Princess said was just a formality!

This is the result of unequal power; when the Eldest Princess calls you today, you must come, no matter if it’s during a meal.

"Is Mrs. Gu accustomed to living in the Capital? It seems you don’t often go out; it was quite a coincidence today. If not for meeting at Bao En Temple, it would have been hard to see you."

The Eldest Princess smiled amiably, addressing Lv, who was about her age, as "Mrs." without any pressure.

Lv, although not very old, held a high status and was already a grandmother, so the title "Mrs." was appropriate.

Gu Chengyu’s expression remained unchanged, but he was not pleased at heart.

What does this mean? Immediately presenting a challenge, isn’t this saying his mother hides in the mansion, not daring to socialize?

He didn’t believe the Eldest Princess was unaware of his mother’s background; unfamiliar with the Capital, it was impossible for her to integrate into the circle of aristocratic women so quickly.

Gu Chengyu intended to respond for his mother, but unexpectedly, Lv spoke up.

"Replying to Your Highness, I was not accustomed to the water and soil upon arriving in the Capital. Recently, I’ve begun to feel better, which is why I came to Bao En Temple to offer incense today."

Lv felt nervous, not having the time to consider the implications of the Eldest Princess’s words, hurriedly standing to reply.

"I didn’t know Your Highness was at the temple today; otherwise, I would have visited Your Highness earlier."

Lv remembered her son’s words earlier and quickly added this, avoiding displeasure from the Princess.

Gu Chengyu glanced at Lv, silently noting that the rules taught by the Dumb Granny had indeed been remembered by his mother.

The Eldest Princess raised a playful smile, originally expecting an illiterate peasant woman and finding, unexpectedly, a hint of aristocratic demeanor.

"I see. Then Mrs. Gu should frequently go out and about in the future." The Eldest Princess assessed Lv, lifting her teacup to hide a sneer.

This Lv is quite the beauty, just unfortunate she’s with a peasant widower.

Lv was about to respond when the Eldest Princess spoke again.

"It’s said that Mrs. Gu has ties with Lord Jiang, just appointed as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry. I recently met Old Mrs. Jiang, and she still thinks fondly of you!"

The Eldest Princess set down her teacup, her words seemingly casual but chilling to Lv.

Lv was taken aback by this, her face suddenly darkening. Her hand holding the handkerchief trembled involuntarily, and seated beside her, Gu Chengyu felt a surge of anger.

Behind the screen, Princess Rong Jia bit her lip tightly. Why must her mother do this?

This not only wounded the face of the Gu Family’s matriarch but also Mr. Gu wouldn’t be spared.

Mr. Gu must have already harbored hatred toward her mother, and Princess Rong Jia felt a bitter taste in her heart.

She intently watched Gu Chengyu’s face, noting his impassive expression, but his lips were tightly pressed.

Princess Rong Jia clutched her handkerchief, her breath slightly quickening.

Gu Chengyu originally knew the Eldest Princess’s intentions in summoning them but hadn’t anticipated her audacity to publicly humiliate him.

Anyone familiar with him knew his mother had once been a maid for Old Mrs. Jiang; it was common knowledge easily discovered with a bit of inquiry.

But knowing is one thing; discussing it openly is another matter entirely.

To bring it up publicly, one must either lack social grace or intend to make enemies.

The Eldest Princess, tutored rigorously from a young age, couldn’t lack understanding of social propriety.

Perhaps Princess Rong Jia’s interaction with him had greatly angered the Eldest Princess, leading her to tear the veneer of civility now.

Lv’s face paled, yet a fierce indignation arose within her.

Could it be the Eldest Princess was here with ill intent? What grievance did Xiao Bao commit against her?

"It’s true that mother has ties with Old Mrs. Jiang from the Jiang Mansion; she has always thought highly of her and planned to visit shortly."

Gu Chengyu, smiling, continued the conversation.

Since it was widely known, he had no reason to hide it, else he’d be looked down upon.