Upon hearing this, Chen Qiong was shocked, "Me?! How is that possible? "
"The Imperial Consort has held many banquets, and you've never been left out. Moreover, she's always been very generous to you. In my opinion, the Imperial Consort has long treated you as her daughter-in-law."
"How is that possible, Cheng Wang, His Highness Cheng Wang …" Chen Qiong was somewhat anxious and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Gu Yan continued, "Doesn't the Imperial Consort always ask His Highness Cheng Wang to talk to you? Think about it carefully, isn't that the case?"
Chen Qiong frowned in contemplation and gradually frowned. Gu Yan said in a low voice, "If the Emperor allows it, I'll have to call you Imperial Consort Cheng Wang when I see you in the future."
Chen Qiong sighed, "What are you saying, Sister? Don't you know what I'm thinking?"
Gu Yan was shocked, "You don't want to be Cheng Wang's Imperial Consort? Could it be … "
Before she could finish, Chen Qiong nodded shyly.
"What should we do?" Gu Yan muttered to herself.
Chen Qiong also fell silent. The two sat quietly with anxious expressions. After a long time, Chen Qiong said softly, "I remember Sister once said that in Nan Hua, if a woman falls in love with a man, she can ask her parents to come forward and mediate. Both parties are willing." Seeing Chen Qiong's hesitant expression, Gu Yan didn't urge her and quietly waited for her to continue.
"But, if both parties are willing, I wonder if His Highness Duan Of Silla …"
"Could it be that Sister is willing to marry Cheng Wang?" Gu Yan asked.
Chen Qiong immediately shook her head and looked at Gu Yan, "Sister, are you willing to help me?"
Gu Yan nodded, "Of course I'm willing, but what does Sister want me to do?"
"Xiao Rong likes Prince Cheng Wang. Others may not know, but I can see it. She is domineering and arrogant. If she knows that Cheng Wang is marrying someone else, she won't be able to hold herself back. Why don't we … "Chen Qiong's eyes sparkled as if he was proud of his idea.
The charcoal fire in the room was burning brightly. The girl's soft voice seemed to come from her nose, revealing excitement and joy.
Gu Yan leaned forward slightly to listen, but his eyes were locked on the pot of charcoal. He watched as it burned fiercely and made a crisp sound.
— — —
There was no master in the harem, so all matters related to the Spring Festival were handled by the Imperial Consort Yi. The New Year's Eve banquet was approaching, and the Imperial Consort Yi had issued an edict early in the morning for the noblewomen in the capital to enter the palace to choose the new fabric styles for the tribute.
Every year, the Lunar New Year Palace Banquet was a major event in Hokuin. The selection of all the ceremonial items and decorations was also extremely important.
Early in the morning, A Nuo helped Gu Yan dress and make up. She skillfully tied up her long black hair, making her look like a fairy.
Gu Ling looked at her and asked her to change her hairstyle. She combed her hair into a simple cross-shaped bun, with only a stone butterfly in the middle of her hair. The aqua-colored satin dress was elegant and dignified. Ah Nuo looked her up and down and frowned. "Princess, this is too plain."
Gu Yan looked left and right and was very satisfied, "Not bad, this is it. Today, we can't steal Qiong meimei's glory."
As expected, Chen Qiong came dressed splendidly. Gu Yan had just entered the Hall of Hanzhang when she saw Chen Qiong sitting in the middle of the powder. She was wearing a brocade embroidered hundred flower dress, the flying fairy bun was lively and charming, and her hair was decorated with a coral flower hairpin. Her face was like a hibiscus, and her eyes were like stars.
Gu Yan bowed to Imperial Consort Yi, then sat down next to Chen Qiong. The two looked at each other and smiled. Nothing needed to be said.
Imperial Consort Yi symbolically explained the importance of choosing new clothes for the Lunar New Year, then had the palace maids bring out the new offerings and begin the selection. Inside the hall, all kinds of colorful brocades were lined up in a line. Everyone casually looked at the pattern they liked.
Chen Qiong and Imperial Consort Yi seemed to have the same opinion. They chatted happily in front of a bolt of brocades.
Gu Yan looked around casually and stopped in front of a bolt of cloth. He then raised his eyes and saw Xiao Rong at his side. He smiled slightly and nodded, "Miss Xiao."
Xiao Rong returned the greeting, "Madam Yi."
Gu Yan touched the brocades in front of him and said, "Miss Xiao also likes this material?"
Xiao Rong nodded and said, "En, the color is gorgeous and suitable for the Lunar New Year. When I saw Madam's plain clothes, I thought Madam didn't like this kind of bright color. "
"The color of the Lunar New Year clothes is ultimately decided by the Imperial Consort. I'm guessing that the Imperial Consort likes this color. Otherwise, why would she look at Miss Chen differently?"
When Xiao Rong heard this, she unconsciously looked at Imperial Consort Yi and Chen Qiong. "It's hard to guess Aunt's thoughts."
Gu Yan nodded and said, "Gu Yan doesn't dare to lie. However, the Imperial Consort seems to like Miss Chen very much. Every time she enters the palace, she likes to talk to her. Even when His Highness Cheng Wang comes, she always serves him."
Xiao Rong's expression changed slightly when she heard this, but she quickly covered it up. "Madam must be mistaken. Aunt treats everyone the same."
"Miss Xiao is right. Perhaps I'm overthinking." Gu Yan's lips curved slightly as he spoke softly.
As the two were talking, a palace maid announced that His Highness Cheng Wang had arrived. Imperial Consort Yi nodded to let him in. Xiao Rong's expression stiffened as her gaze locked onto the door.
Huan Xuan arrived in his court robes. It was obvious that court had just ended. He entered the room and directly greeted Imperial Consort Yi. Then, he saw Chen Qiong beside the Imperial Consort Yi and said with a smile, "I think today's selection isn't for new satin, but for beauties."
When Imperial Consort Yi heard this, she said, "Don't speak nonsense." However, her expression was one of joy.
Huan Xuan turned his head to look around the hall. His gaze only briefly swept past Gu Yan before he turned back to speak with Imperial Consort Yi. The Imperial Consort Yi smiled and said that she was tired. She turned back to the main seat to rest and let him speak with Chen Qiong.
Chen Qiong turned around and pointed at the cloth in front of him as he spoke with Huan Xuan. Huan Xuan also nodded from time to time.
Gu Yan's lips curled into a smile as he withdrew his gaze. Xiao Rong, who was beside him, was clearly absent-minded. He didn't know what she was thinking.
— — —
More than half of the long winter had passed. In the blink of an eye, it was already the New Year. However, snow was still falling in Hokuin.
Recently, Gu Yan had been summoned to the palace by Imperial Consort Yi because of the New Year's Banquet. Yesterday, he was exhausted. When he woke up, the sun was already high up in the sky.
A Nuo had a new flower in her hair. She was wearing a new peach-colored dress and had put on some makeup. Her entire person was filled with the joy of the New Year.
As she helped Gu Yan get up, she said happily, "Princess, His Excellency has sent someone to bring a letter."
Gu Yan had never received a letter from home since she had been married for more than half a year. Now that she heard that her father had brought a letter, she couldn't believe it. "Really!?"
A Nuo smiled and said, "When have I ever lied to you, Princess? It was delivered early this morning by the courier. "
"Where's the letter?" Gu Yan hurriedly asked.
"It's with the General. He's still in the study discussing matters with others."
Gu Yan couldn't hold back any longer. She got up, picked up the red fur cloak that she had placed on Mu Shi, and left the room. A Nuo saw this and hurriedly followed behind her, calling out, "Princess, come back and change. It's cold outside."
How could Gu Yan listen to her? She left the courtyard and went straight to the study. Her steps were hurried, as if she was afraid that she wouldn't see the letter if she slowed down.
When she reached the door of the study, she had long forgotten that there were outsiders around. She directly pushed the door open and said, "General, I …" Halfway through her sentence, she froze at the door. Yi Ling and two other unfamiliar men in the study turned to look at her in surprise.
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