“Big sister is dressed so beautifully today, I suppose you wish to steal the spotlight among all the young ladies.”
Although Gu Mingyue came to reconcile with Gu Qianying, her words were filled with jealous bitterness.
She had initially thought that after receiving her gifts, Gu Qianying would, as always, respond with humble words.
After all, preparing these gifts with so much silver had been quite a sacrifice.
She thought that hearing some pleasantries before her plan was executed would at least soothe her temper.
However, Gu Qianying acted contrary to her expectations, deliberately saying something infuriating: “Second sister speaks truly. Among the guests visiting the manor today are not only young ladies of similar age to us, but also esteemed ladies of high status. Furthermore, I heard from brother and grandfather that several princes from the palace and the Crown Prince Nan Rong Qi will also be attending. For such an important occasion, I naturally have to dress up beautifully. After all, I, elder sister, am not yet married. Although my relationship with Ninth Imperial Uncle is somewhat unclear, I am not officially Ninth Imperial Consort yet, so my choices are naturally more numerous.”
As she spoke, Gu Qianying looked at Gu Mingyue, her lips curling slightly, and continued, “Unlike you, sister, who is already marked with the stain of being pregnant before marriage. While this special status may be more esteemed than that of ordinary women, you can only be the Crown Prince’s concubine.”
*Crack!*
Gu Mingyue’s expression instantly froze.
Her face, like a palette, was extremely unsightly.
The handkerchief in her hand was twisted into a knot.
“Big sister, I, second sister, came today to reconcile with you. Why are you speaking to me like this!”
Gu Mingyue could no longer hold back her anger.
Gu Qianying, with a faint smile, looked at her and said, “What? Do you think I’m wrong, second sister? Is this not the truth? The truth is as it is. Could it be that you, who already belong to the Crown Prince, are still yearning for another man?”
“I did not!” Gu Mingyue became flustered.
“If that is the case, then it is as I, your elder sister, say. You, second sister, only need a little tidying up for today’s occasion. Or rather, it wouldn’t matter even if you didn’t attend, as your belly is more important than yourself. Second sister, you must be careful.”
“Gu Qianying, you…!”
Gu Qianying’s sharp tongue left Gu Mingyue speechless.
Gu Mingyue was so angry she felt like spitting blood.
Just as she was about to erupt, the governess beside her quickly entered, stopping her in time. She smiled and spoke on Gu Mingyue’s behalf, “Eldest miss speaks very true. Originally, for such an occasion, our second miss should be recuperating in her room. However, yesterday, the Crown Prince specifically sent someone to convey his oral message, saying that many ladies will participate in today’s flower viewing banquet, and second miss has been recuperating in her room all day. It would be good for her to come out and walk around more. The Crown Prince also wishes to take this opportunity of the flower viewing banquet to see our second miss and spend more time with her.”
The governess’s words not only smoothed over Gu Mingyue’s situation but also subtly implied how much the Crown Prince doted on their second miss.
Gu Qianying glanced at her and then smiled, saying, “So, it seems our Crown Prince truly cherishes second sister, coming specifically to see her.”
Gu Mingyue slightly raised her chin, remaining silent, but her expression was one of immense pride.
“Oh, in that case, I, your elder sister, am relieved. From this, it appears that second sister will surely be favored by the Crown Prince in the future. When that day comes, after second sister gives birth to a prince and gains status through her son, do not forget to bring more good fortune to our Gu manor. Do not forget your roots.”
“That is natural. No matter what, I am the second miss of this manor. If I achieve prosperity in the future, I will naturally not forget our Gu manor.”
“Indeed, second sister is truly understanding. Then, after marrying into the Eastern Palace, when you often share a bed with the Crown Prince, you must often whisper in his ear.”
“Hmph! That is natural. Do I need you to say that!” Gu Mingyue glared at Gu Qianying provocatorily.
Gu Mingyue failed to grasp the hidden meaning in Gu Qianying’s words, still maintaining a condescending demeanor as if seeking favor.
Beside them, the governess inwardly cursed Gu Mingyue for her foolishness.
A lowly concubine, who had to be taken into the Crown Prince’s manor due to pregnancy, trying to whisper in his ear?
Hmph, such overestimation of oneself, being mocked by others yet remaining oblivious – what else could she be but a fool!
“In that case, I, elder sister, wish second sister success in her endeavors, so that she may soon bring good fortune to our Gu manor.”
With that, Gu Qianying looked at Lu Zhu and said, “Lu Zhu, take the jewelry second miss sent and return it to her.”
She dared not accept jewelry that had been poisoned!
The precious jewelry Gu Mingyue had sent was returned to her by Gu Qianying, still in its original packaging.
Gu Mingyue’s expression changed slightly, and she quickly said, “No, no, no, these jewelry were sincerely given by second sister to elder sister. How can second sister take them back?”
“It is not a matter of taking them back, but rather elder sister sincerely gifting them. Please do not be polite, second sister. Oh, and also, elder sister has heard that a few days ago, second sister often sent people to find sweet pastries and desserts that pregnant women enjoy. While such trivial matters are not wrong, second sister has not yet officially moved into the Crown Prince’s manor, and some of your actions should be more discreet.”
“You…”
“Yes, eldest miss’s advice is extremely pertinent. Henceforth, this old servant will certainly restrain second miss more. The hour is late, and the banquet is about to begin. We shall take our leave.”
Gu Mingyue was about to retort, but the governess immediately held her back.
The governess forcibly pulled Gu Mingyue along, and they left with the box of jewelry.
As they departed, Gu Mingyue was extremely unwilling.
She had intended to give Gu Qianying a box of poisoned jewelry.
However, in the end, not only was the gift not delivered, but she also endured a barrage of infuriating words. She was naturally filled with great resentment and anger.
“Damn slut, she actually sent these things back to me again. Could it be that she already discovered something?”
The governess rolled her eyes inwardly but advised, “Eldest miss may still harbor some animosity towards you, so she naturally wouldn’t accept your gift without reason. This old servant said before, second miss’s actions were ill-advised.”
Fool!
She often opposed others, yet now she eagerly presented them with gifts. Although the intention was reconciliation, there was no sign of submission or reconciliation in her words or actions.
Thus, only a fool would believe that their actions today were genuine reconciliation, rather than a wolf paying respects to a chicken, harboring ill intentions!
“What is there to do or not to do? If that slut had accepted the poisoned jewelry, then even if we did nothing further, that slut would still not survive. If that slut doesn’t keep that jewelry, then we still have our next plan. In any case, that slut won’t be triumphant for long. Hmph, what is there for us to fear?”
Saying this, Gu Mingyue casually broke off the bud of a vibrantly colored narcissus that had been meticulously cared for, and threw it away. “Are you sure you’ve put that thing away safely?”
“Second miss, please rest assured, this old servant has made arrangements.”
“Very good. Then, let us watch closely how Gu Qianying, that damned slut, ‘steals the spotlight’ today!”
As she spoke these words, a fierce glint spread in Gu Mingyue’s eyes.
She refused to believe that Gu Qianying, that damned slut, could escape unharmed this time!
After Gu Mingyue and the governess returned, while Gu Mingyue was changing her clothes, the governess secretly went to the old courtyard alone.
She did not take long, moving swiftly and stealthily, so much so that no one noticed her unusual actions.
Meanwhile, after Gu Qianying saw Gu Mingyue and the governess leave, she sent Lu Zhu to the third miss, Gu Ziran, to retrieve something.
After Lu Zhu returned, Gu Qianying waited in her room for a while longer before finally rising and heading towards the front courtyard where the First Madam was hosting the banquet, accompanied by Lu Zhu.
On the way, she encountered Nangong Mo.
“I knew it, you wanted to accompany me.”