"This move of yours, how could my brother fall for it? He's a complete novice in romance. To make him yield, you need to be more direct."
Ever since her brother had carried Nangong Xuanning in, Gu Qianying should have guessed what had happened.
How could someone unconscious feel pain?
Just now, when Nangong Xuanning feigned unconsciousness, she was pricked by the jade pillow and her body trembled from the pain. Gu Qianying had seen it.
"More direct? Am I not direct enough? I even asked him to dinner, and he refused no matter what. I had no choice but to resort to this. Who would have thought your brother would bring me here to you? Gu Qianying, what should I do? I really want to be your sister-in-law, why is it so difficult?"
Nangong Xuanning sat up, tugged at Gu Qianying's sleeve, and swayed it back and forth, acting spoiled.
Facing Nangong Xuanning, Gu Qianying showed rare patience.
"You should have been more direct."
"More direct?"
Nangong Xuanning tilted her head, thinking, "I can't possibly knock him out, drag him back to the palace, and force myself on him, can I?"
"..."
"Hmm... you should still be more subtle. With enough persistence, my brother will understand."
It was indeed troublesome for two people with low emotional intelligence to get involved.
However, precisely because of this, their feelings for each other could be pure, without any ulterior motives.
Bi Yao, who was serving them, looked up slightly. Seeing the Imperial Consort and their Princess interacting like sisters, she was very happy for her Princess.
Although she was chosen by the Imperial Consort for Princess.
In fact, she had never met the Imperial Consort in person, and this was her first meeting.
It had to be said that the Imperial Consort was a beauty who could overthrow cities and nations.
Even their Princess could not compare.
Outside, it was rumored that this Imperial Consort was very resourceful, rising from the daughter of a criminal to a favored consort of the Emperor overnight.
Within a few days, she was also carrying the imperial heir, and her family rose in status.
It could be said to be a period of unwavering favor. Such a person must have a deep mind.
And her new mistress, Princess Xuanning, was a person with a simple mind.
She would surely suffer losses in front of this Imperial Consort.
But now, seeing their feelings more like sisters, Bi Yao felt somewhat relieved.
She served properly by the side.
While treating Princess Nangong Xuanning as her mistress, she also mentally considered Gu Qianying as her mistress.
"Your Ladyship, Princess, this servant dares to offer a suggestion. General Gu is not heartless. If Princess, you show sincerity, I believe General Gu will be able to feel it. As the saying goes, 'Sincerity moves mountains and stones.'
Princess, why don't we make some sachets, or coin purses, or pendants, or men's robes, or something similar? As long as it is personally embroidered by the Princess, regardless of your embroidery skills, it is still a token of your affection.
If General Gu doesn't understand after receiving one, then we will send more, repeatedly, always sending. I believe General Gu will surely understand Princess's intentions.
Regardless of whether General Gu has feelings for Princess, if Princess is so thoughtful, General Gu would not be able to disappoint you."
After speaking, before Gu Qianying and Nangong Xuanning could respond,
Bi Yao knelt on the ground first: "Your Ladyship, Princess, this servant dares to speak out of turn. What I have said concerns the Princess, and it is an offense of overstepping boundaries. I beg Your Ladyship and Princess to punish me. Bi Yao is willing to accept punishment."
Saying this, she bowed her head to the ground with both hands, awaiting judgment.
Bi Yao's words.
Nangong Xuanning found them very reasonable.
Gu Qianying, standing beside her, looked at Bi Yao.
If it weren't for her own people confirming that Bi Yao's background was clean and that no one was manipulating her behind the scenes.
Otherwise, she would have suspected that this maid had an unusual identity.
Such a lengthy speech, seeing things and people so clearly.
Such a maid must have a deeper mind than ordinary maids.
"You said it very well. Why should I punish you? Your mistress will not punish you either. Get up quickly."
Gu Qianying let go of Nangong Xuanning, walked to Bi Yao, bent down, and personally helped her up.
While helping Bi Yao up, she took her pulse with two fingers at her wrist.
No internal energy!
This meant that Bi Yao was not a practitioner of martial arts.
Being personally helped up by the Imperial Consort, Bi Yao was overwhelmed with gratitude. She lowered her head respectfully, not daring to look up.
Hearing Bi Yao's words was like a sudden enlightenment.
That day, Nangong Xuanning returned to her own palace with Bi Yao, stayed in seclusion, and began to learn needlework.
"Lu Zhu, mobilize our people. Have them hide in the shadows and protect the Princess's safety."
Not leaving the palace was also a good thing.
"Yes, Miss. Your servant understands."
When they were alone, Lu Zhu would call her mistress "Miss."
In her eyes, her mistress was not someone else's consort, but her own unique self.
At this moment.
The Grand Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters.
"Grandmother, if we allow that Imperial Consort Gu Qianying to give birth to an imperial prince, then where will our Empress stand?"
Nangong Zhen'er stayed by the Grand Empress Dowager's side, serving her meals.
For the past two days, she had been coming to pay her respects and serve her closely.
The Grand Empress Dowager was very pleased with her filial piety.
Coincidentally, Empress Meng also came to pay her respects today.
The Grand Empress Dowager was in a good mood and kept the two of them to dine with her.
At the dining table.
Nangong Xuanning saw that the Grand Empress Dowager seemed to be in a good mood and spoke a few more words.
Empress Meng, who was dining with them, had an unhappy expression.
She naturally knew that the Imperial Consort was currently the most honored woman in the harem.
It was her stomach that was capable, unlike her own barren womb.
Normally, the Emperor often stayed in her palace, but her womb remained silent. Who was to blame for this?
"Empress, I heard that ever since the Imperial Consort entered the palace, she has never come to pay her respects to you. Such an ill-mannered person, as the mistress of the harem, you should discipline her properly."
The Grand Empress Dowager ate a few bites, then wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. Her sharp eyes looked at Meng Shi.
Nangong Zhen'er was very happy to see the Grand Empress Dowager speak.
She knew that she was not the only one who disliked Gu Qianying.
Even the Grand Empress Dowager felt the same.
However, with the Grand Empress Dowager's noble status, she would never openly provoke an Imperial Consort.
The Grand Empress Dowager would not do such a thing that would diminish her status.
Therefore, the current Empress, Meng Shi, was a good weapon.
"That's right, Empress. You are in charge of the harem. How can you allow that Imperial Consort Gu Qianying to be so arrogant? You should discipline her, otherwise, how will the other consorts obey you?"
Nangong Zhen'er added fuel to the fire.
"She is carrying the imperial heir, and the Emperor has exempted her from paying respects. How can I have the final say?
Furthermore, precisely because she is carrying the imperial heir, we must not be careless at this moment. I believe that any matters that can be exempted should be exempted. It is what the Emperor, and also the Grand Empress Dowager and I, wish to see her give birth safely, isn't it?
This palace has always been quiet. Having a child to liven things up would be very good, wouldn't it?"
Meng Shi's tone was light.
To some extent, she liked children, but she herself was not capable of bearing them.