NOVEL NEXT Chapter 424 - 424: Proposing On Behalf Of The Crown Prince
Chapter 424: Proposing On Behalf Of The Crown Prince
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Don’t think that she didn’t know that the rumors slandering Xiaoxiao in the Imperial Capital involved the participation of this group of silkpants. Today was the right time for them to feel ashamed of their inferiority.
Of course, he had to inform Gu Chang’an about this. He happened to be talking to the Gu Family when he was talking to the butler, so he did not deliberately avoid arousing suspicion. Other than Grand Secretary Gu, everyone else’s faces were filled with disdain.
“You came uninvited and even caused trouble. Clearly, you haven’t learned the rules seriously at all.”
Grand Secretary Gu glanced at the junior who said this. “Don’t criticize others behind their backs.”
The junior who spoke just now agreed respectfully. He already knew in his heart that he would have to copy a few more family articles when he returned home.
Gu Chang’an said, “He’s a guest. We have to be polite.”
Grand Secretary Gu, who was drinking tea with a cup, frowned imperceptibly. However, Gu Chang’an continued, “Especially when you sing the gift list, your voice will be clearer. Don’t let others think that our General’s Residence looks down on them.”
Grand Secretary Gu’s brows relaxed. His eyes were filled with satisfaction that only his family could understand. “That’s how it should be.”
The rest of the Gu Family were stunned and wanted to laugh.
Changan was really the only one who had inherited his father’s protectiveness.
Others thought that Grand Secretary Gu was cold, fair, generous, and warm. He was a role model for all the scholars in the world, but they did not know that when he was petty, he did not care about the principles of the sages at all.
Those noble ladies had only thought of it at the last minute. How could they specially bring gifts? Who would have thought…
Zuo Xiangling, who was the first to enter, had just placed something on the tray when she heard the concierge sing loudly, “Miss Zuo presents a silver bracelet!”
She felt her face turn red and wished she could cover the concierge’s mouth immediately.
Xiaoxiao, who had heard about this in the house, laughed until she was sprawled out. She held her stomach and cried out, making Xiao Ran feel helpless and doting. “Hurry up and stop laughing. Your makeup is going to be ruined!”
Xiaoxiao continued to laugh as she took the handkerchief from her mother and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. “Aiyo, Mom, I can even imagine the expressions of those noble ladies at that time! Their facial features are distorted, right?”
The maidservant who had reported just now nodded repeatedly. “That’s right. Originally, everyone was squeezing in like a swarm of bees. When they heard this, they stopped in their tracks. Those who were removing jewelry or jade pendants, and those close to home quickly got someone to go home to get their congratulatory gifts!”
No matter what, they were all famous figures. No one could afford to lose face!
Anyway, the Crown Prince’s carriage was outside the General’s Residence. It could be seen that he was inside. It was better to be a little late than to lose face like that person.
Zuo Xiangling was in a dilemma. She could only grit her teeth and remove the hair jewelry she had specially brought out to show off today and place it on the tray. At the same time, she glared at the concierge’s servant and said fiercely, “Why are you in such a hurry! Are you in a hurry to reincarnate? I’m not done placing it!”
The servant was not angry. He bowed obediently and admitted his mistake. When she really stopped, he sang in a higher voice, “Miss Zuo presents a set of ruby hair jewelry, an East Pearl pendant, and a jade pendant!”
Zuo Xiangling was even angrier. No matter what, it would make her look shameless.
Moreover, what did he mean by “a set of hair jewelry”? At least if he read them one by one, it would make her look like she had given a lot of things!
However, this pageboy was too eloquent. Zuo Xiangling could not find a chance to interrupt at all. At this point, she could only flick her sleeves angrily. She wanted to go in and see His Highness the Crown Prince first, but she was dumbfounded when she was brought to her seat. “Why is it so remote?”
The maid who led the way smiled politely, but her words were not so polite.
“Because this table was added at the last minute. We didn’t plan to invite too many people.”
Zuo Xiangling:…
After knowing this segment, Xiaoxiao laughed non-stop. Seeing this, Xiao Ran really couldn’t help but pull her back and hold her down. At the same time, she forbade the maidservant from recounting what had happened outside.
Hence, Xiaoxiao sat down obediently and put on the last piece of jewelry.
Xiao Ran didn’t know if it was because Xiaoxiao was usually too simple or if she was really born beautiful, but she felt that her daughter was so good-looking today that she couldn’t bear to blink. At the same time, the regret of not being able to watch her grow up surfaced in her heart. She suddenly had the urge to cry.
“When I think about how you’re going to get engaged after you come of age and then leave us to marry into someone else’s family, I feel…”
Before Xiaoxiao could think of a comforting word, she changed the topic. “But fortunately, we know the person you’re going to marry in the future and he doesn’t live far away, right?”
Xiaoxiao:…
“Mother, you’ve learned bad things!”
Xiao Ran didn’t deny it and even deliberately continued to tease her. “Aiya, speaking of which, I wonder if Ah Yan is here?”
The person they were talking about was clenching his fists and lowering his head in silence.
The graceful and bright Noble Consort Ji had an impatient expression. “Did you hear what I said?”
“It’s the Crown Prince’s blessing to take a fancy to that girl. Since you’re on good terms with the Xiao Family, you should persuade her more.”
Rong Yan’s good mood for many days was instantly ruined. “What if I say no?”
Noble Consort Ji snorted disdainfully. “It doesn’t matter if you agree or not. Perhaps you’ll have to call her ‘Royal Sister-in-law’ if you see her again after today.”
Rong Yan looked up. “What do you mean?”
Noble Consort Ji said coldly, “Have you ever seen the Yan Family fail to get what they want? How can you not get it?”
Rong Yan left like the wind. A long time after he left, the mocking expression on Noble Consort Ji’s face slowly faded. The nanny who had accompanied her for many years sighed and pried open her fingers. “Your Highness, why do you have to do this?”
Noble Consort Ji took a deep breath and asked instead of answering, “How long has the Empress been gone?”
The nanny replied, “In half an incense stick of time.”
Noble Consort Ji closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she was as cold as ice again. “Send someone to stop her at all costs. Let’s go and see His Majesty.”
The nanny was puzzled. “Why do you want to see His Majesty?”
Noble Consort Ji said, “I’m proposing a marriage on behalf of the Crown Prince.”
In the bustling city of the Imperial Capital, a seemingly low-key but luxurious carriage hit someone and was stopped. On the other side, the guests of the General’s Residence took their seats one by one. The coming-of-age ceremony officially began.
The noble ladies formed their own table. Other than the Crown Prince, they looked down on all the guests present.
The carefree Han Qing, the travel-worn Gongsun Zhongjing, and the slightly chubby Shen Tianci were all targets of their disdain.
“The General’s Residence is really not particular. Why are they bringing everyone in? Forget about the rude boor and that round fatty, are they worthy of eating with us?”
“That’s right. She’s lowering her status!”
At the thought of this, their hearts ached even more for the gifts they had given today.
They called a maidservant over and stuffed an ingot of silver into her hands. “What gift did the Crown Prince give?”
There was nothing to hide. The maidservant replied, “Books.”
The noble ladies thought to themselves, ‘As expected! Xiao Ning is really unscrupulous. Although I don’t know how she hooked up with His Highness the Crown Prince, it’s obvious how scheming she is to coax His Highness the Crown Prince to help!’
“So what if she can please the Crown Prince? Look at those empty seats.. Isn’t this all because she couldn’t curry favor with him?”