Rebirth and Marriage: I am the Mistress of the Palace

A few days later, the news that Gu Qianhan had injured Xiao Qingyuan and snatched Chu Yanluo away to keep her as a concubine had spread widely.

Gu Qianhan's reputation plummeted. Before, matchmakers who came to the Duke's Mansion to propose marriage almost broke down the door, but now no one came.

Noble families all want to preserve both face and substance, and their legitimate daughters are carefully nurtured. They would never let their daughters marry and suffer such grievances.

The families of small and medium-sized families didn't care if a nobleman like Gu Qianhan had a mistress, but they simply couldn't afford to marry into the Duke's Mansion.

Gu Qianhan was called to the palace and scolded several times. Today, even the prince talked to him alone.

East Palace.

Crown Prince Xiao Qingxuan, dressed in jade-colored clothes, spoke earnestly, "Qianhan, I thought you were calm and steady, and would not be trapped by love or be seduced by women. How come you are now like Qingyuan, fighting for a woman?"

Gu Qianhan glanced at the prince, who at this moment had a look of deep sorrow on his face, as if he really cared about him. There was no sign at all of his fear of the Gu family and his ruthlessness in wanting to get rid of them.

He said calmly, "Your Highness, Miss Chu is different from other women. I fell in love with her at first sight and couldn't bear to see her continue to struggle in Prince Ning's mansion, so I saved her from the fire. I had no choice but to beat Qing Yuan because he forced Miss Chu to stay, which was really too much."

The prince seemed a little curious: "Is Miss Chu really so good? She has caused you and Qingyuan to fight for her regardless of your status."

Gu Qianhan said firmly: "She is the most special and proud woman I have ever seen."

The prince nodded, and after persuading him a few more times, he gave up when he saw that he was unwilling to give up Chu Yanluo: "I have persuaded you as my mother asked me to, but you are so sincere about your feelings for that girl, so I can't break you up any more."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."

After expressing his gratitude, Gu Qianhan left the hall.

The prince looked at his leaving back and looked much more relaxed.

The staff flashed out from behind the screen and whispered, "Your Highness, it seems that the Gu family is not a monolithic entity. Among the younger generation of the Gu family, the most threatening one is Gu Qianhan, but I didn't expect that he was bewitched by a woman and lost his sense of proportion. As long as we control that woman, Gu Qianhan will not be a concern in the future."

The prince nodded: "I never thought that someone as resourceful and cold-tempered as Gu Qianhan would not be able to resist the temptation of beauty. I am really curious about what kind of beauty Chu Yanluo has that she could even charm Gu Qianhan."

"Your Highness, I went to Qingyun Tower to eat the snacks invented by Chu Yanluo. I also met her in person. She is pretty and indeed very unique. She wears no makeup and wears all white. Her long hair is draped behind her head. She doesn't wear gold or silver hairpins like other women do, so she looks a bit ethereal."

The prince said in a calm tone: "Being unique? Gu Qianhan and Qingyuan both like this tone?"

"I think that's just the image Chu Yanluo deliberately created for herself. Gu Qianhan and Xiao Shizi were probably deceived by her, so they both think she is very special and become more and more obsessed with her."

The staff had obviously investigated Chu Yanluo and knew the inside story: "Your Highness doesn't know, this woman is very cunning. She has lived in Prince Ning's mansion for so many days, but she has never slept in the same bed with Prince Xiao. She has been keeping Prince Xiao in suspense, and she has kept his appetite full, but she just won't satisfy him."

"She used the same method on Gu Qianhan. She always showed her kindness but would not let him take advantage easily. If necessary, she would turn the tables and accuse Gu Qianhan of bullying her."

"Gu Qianhan was first slandered by her, and then treated as a guest of honor by her. It can be said that he went from hell to heaven. It is normal for him to be unable to control himself and be moved for a while."

The prince sneered: "So that's how it is. Gu Qianhan is no better than that."

The Gu family is a major concern to him and his father, and Gu Qianhan is the biggest concern among the major concerns. Now that he hears that he has also been deceived by a woman, the prince feels that the threat from the Gu family does not seem that big.

As he was speaking, a eunuch walked in and said, "Your Highness, the Queen wants you to come down."

The prince looked cold: "What's the matter?"

"Your Highness, it's Miss Gu from the Duke's Mansion who has arrived."

The prince was silent for a long time, and finally stood up: "I will go right away."

After hearing his words, the eunuch went back to report to the queen.

However, the staff followed behind the prince and whispered to him, "Your Highness, just keep Miss Gu steady. I dare to advise you not to get emotional. You have seen the consequences of getting emotional. Gu Qianhan and Xiao Shizi are a lesson for you."

The prince frowned slightly, said nothing, and walked out.

-

Prince Ning's Mansion.

Without Chu Yanluo, Shen Wantang had a very peaceful and comfortable life these past few days. Princess Ning was in a very good mood, and even her complexion became rosy.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted while drinking tea and eating snacks, completely forgetting that Xiao Qingyuan's illness was getting better and worse.

The maid Qiu Shui walked in and said, "Princess, the Crown Prince's family has sent a letter saying that the Crown Prince's father is ill and seems to be seriously ill. They want the Crown Prince to go back to her family."

Princess Ning's smile faded: "Lord Shen is ill? Tang'er, then you can go back and take a look, and bring back some medicinal herbs and supplements."

"Yes, thank you mother."

Shen Wantang responded, left her mother-in-law's yard and returned to her own yard.

Because they were going back to their parents' home, Nanny Chai and Qin Xin specially prepared many gifts, because if a woman goes back to her parents' home without bringing enough things, she will be laughed at.

After Shen Wantang looked at what they had prepared, he said, "You don't need to bring so much. Just bring some medicinal herbs. Put down the rest."

Nanny Chai knew that she didn't have much contact with her parents' family in private. The Shen family sent letter after letter to the mansion, but the Crown Prince's wife never replied. She would just glance at the letter casually and then burn it.

But when she goes back to her parents' home, she can't be too shabby, otherwise the Crown Prince's Consort will easily be looked down upon.

She gently reminded him, "Princess, it's better not to be careless about etiquette, otherwise outsiders will gossip about you."

Shen Wantang didn't want to bring anything back with her. If she did, it would all go to her ruthless stepmother. She said calmly, "Mammy, my father is seriously ill. I am anxious to return home. It is normal that I don't have time to pack my things. If I bring too much, people will think that I care too much about face and don't care about my father's condition!"

"This... seems to be the case."

"Then hurry up and leave. Don't clean up."

Shen Wantang didn't even change her clothes as she took her maid and nanny out of the yard. When she got in the carriage to leave the palace, there were servants and guards in front and behind her, which looked quite impressive.