Chapter 183

Gu Ying did not have many opportunities to enter the palace, and she did not have much interaction with the other young ladies in the mansion.

His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress rewarded her with a fine set of Changhu Mountain View inkstone and Huzhou Purple Tip brush. It was said these two items were hard to find even if one searched the whole world, and even her maternal grandfather's Ye family did not own them.

Other people were jealous and disliked her even more. Worried that she would have a difficult life after getting married, Auntie Qin took the opportunity to give her a long heartfelt talk.

After finding out that the Crown Prince still cared for her quite a bit, Lady Qin stroked Gu Ying's soft and delicate little hands, pursed her lips and smiled. "I see you look quite well. As I've always said, a woman needs a good man to protect her so she can blossom like a flower."

Gu Ying smiled shyly. In front of elders, she still had to maintain some childlike innocence to put their hearts at ease.

Lady Qin then asked, "Have you noticed anything going on between the Crown Prince and Huo Qiyun after you married into the household?"

Gu Ying truthfully replied, "No."

Lady Qin felt something was odd. Could all those rumors out there be false?

"Then what's the Crown Prince's attitude towards Huo Qiyun?"

Gu Ying slowly said, "Nothing much really. He just treats her like a close relative."

Lady Qin flared up instantly. "What? Lover?"

"Cough cough, Auntie, I said close relative..."

Only then did Lady Qin pat her chest to extinguish her rage. "I was saying, if she really was his lover, I'd be barging into his residence right away."

Gu Ying tugged at Lady Qin's hand coquettishly, rubbing against her obediently. "Auntie, you really don't need to worry about me. The Crown Prince treats me very well."

At least as a husband, he was much better than Jiang Yin by leaps and bounds.

Ye Qingchi gave a gentle chuckle, looking at his lovely and rosy little cousin with a face full of affection.

As a man, with one glance he could tell Gu Ying's current glow was bestowed by Zhao Changdu.

That blasted man actually deflowered his little sister right after the wedding. He took a deep breath, keeping an awkward yet humorous smile on his face.

Nevermind, nevermind.

After all they were husband and wife. Not consummating the marriage would be stranger.

But if Zhao ever failed to cherish Gu Ying, he would definitely make him...

Cough cough, forget it, although he could not touch the Crown Prince's status, at least he could make some trouble for him at the Censorate right?

Gu Ying was perfectly fine earlier, but after being probed by Auntie left and right, her face grew hot with embarrassment. "Auntie, stop talking..."

"Hahaha, the little lady is shy now?" Lady Qin laughed merrily. "What's there to be shy about telling Auntie these things? Gu Ying, you have to answer me truthfully."

"Is the Crown Prince really inadequate as the rumors say?"

Gu Ying smiled awkwardly. Thinking of a certain man's virility in that area, a thin layer of rouge appeared on her cheeks. She did not know how to respond at all. "Um..."

"Don't just um, speak up! This concerns your lifelong happiness. What if you end up like Lady Huo over there, guarding widowhood? Your auntie would be worried to death!"

Ye Qingchi: "......"

It was as if I don't exist huh?

Mother's words are too blunt!

It's nothing but private girl talk from start to finish.

Oh well, I'm leaving.

Ye Qingchi lightly coughed and turned away. Gu Ying became even more embarrassed.

Zhao Changdu was not inadequate...he was too adequate. Sometimes she even felt he had endless vigor on her...

Most times, it would be her begging and crying for mercy.

Lady Qin joked, "Gu Ying, too shy now?"

Gu Ying lowered her long lashes, her pretty little face flushed beautifully. "The Crown Prince is fierce...very good. Don't worry too much Auntie. I may be young but I understand everything clearly in my mind."

Seeing the shy red little face of the girl, Lady Qin guessed seven or eight out of ten. As a married woman herself, she could discern whether another woman was happy or not after marriage from her complexion.

Like Huo Qiyun over there, with one look anyone could tell she was not living blissfully. Gu Ying was different. Her complexion had rounded out quite a bit and she smiled a lot more, looking very lovely indeed. It would seem this marriage with the Crown Prince was a wonderful thing after all.

Lady Qin felt completely relieved, telling Gu Ying to be sure to look for her if anything came up.

Gu Ying quickly said yes.

After chatting with Auntie and older cousin, Gu Ying took Silver Orchid and Rouge for a walk.

The other young ladies all looked down on her and gathered in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing, deliberately isolating her.

If she was truly a fifteen year old girl, she might have felt dejected and unhappy. But the her now was indifferent to the winds and clouds of power, not caring for others' stares at all. It was just that Prince Li Yang's deep and unfathomable gaze that kept falling on her made her rather uncomfortable.

In a remote corner, Prince Li spread open his arms to block Gu Ying's path. The corners of his thin lips contained a kindly, gentle smile. "Lady Gu, long time no see."

Prince Li was dressed in splendid court robes today, wearing a purple golden crown. He cut quite the graceful, refined figure, gentle as jade. It was just that underneath that gentleness hid an unpleasant sharp edge and ambition.

As someone who had lived two lifetimes, if Gu Ying could not discern a man's ambition by now, her previous life would have been lived in vain.

However, she would not blatantly offend this man who had nearly ascended to the imperial throne in her last life. All she had to do was refrain from provoking him. "Your Highness, please watch your words. I am now the wife of Crown Prince Zhao. It is best for you to address me as Lady Zhao."

Li Yang hooked the corners of his thin lips, a trace of sinister darkness flashing through his eyes. "In this Prince's heart, you are no Lady Zhao."

He reached out a large hand, trying to grab Gu Ying's wrist.

Gu Ying frowned and retreated backwards.

Silver Orchid and Rouge immediately jumped in front of her, not permitting Li Yang to come closer.

Gu Ying said unhappily, "Restrain yourself, Your Highness! Or I shall call for help."

Li Yang's lips remained upturned. Seeing Gu Ying's beautiful face turn pale as she reacted strongly as if facing a formidable foe, resembling nothing more than a startled little bunny, the possessive desire in his heart grew stronger.

He wanted to obtain a beauty like Gu Ying far too much. All the women in Bianjing combined could not compare to even one of her slender fingers.

That skin fair as snow, lips red even without rouge, brows dark without need for ink - she was captivating from head to toe.

Not to mention she was skilled in martial arts, had an impressive memory, and was clever, courteous, strategic and caring in serving her lord.

His burning gaze was fixed on her bright, cat-like eyes before sliding down to land on her ample, curved bosom and tiny cinched waist. If he could get his hands around that...

Tsk tsk...

Simply wonderful beyond description.

For some reason, his craving for Gu Ying was like an addiction he could not control. Ever since setting eyes on her face, there was a nagging sense of familiarity.

He stared at her fair, tender cheek, gazing at the alluring hint of red upon the tip of her nose. He smiled indulgently. "Alright, this Prince was merely jesting with Lady Zhao. Why must you be so nervous? Under the eyes of everyone present, this Prince will not do anything untoward to Lady Zhao, so rest your worries."