C601

Facing Duan Cheng Xuan, Duan Feng's prideful appearance from before vanished, and her smile was filled with extreme courtesy. "Imperial Uncle joking, that was only a misunderstanding. Black Wind, I'm willing to give this Your Highness an apology."

"That's for the best." Duan Chengxuan walked up to Gu Danyan and saw that her hair was a little messy and she did not raise her hand. Moreover, he was unwilling to touch her in front of the Ninth Prince to avoid trouble, so he could only speak gently: "Qing is looking for you."

Gu Liu Yan nodded her head, her peach blossom eyes still slightly hazy.

She seemed to never put these Imperial Clans in her eyes and came and went as she pleased, even rubbing her sore waist and neck when she passed by Duan Feng. She could only blame Duan Cheng Xuan for getting too excited last night and even gritting his teeth to endure.

However, before he could step out, he heard Duan Feng walk beside him. "Your Highness, it's better if you put on a scarf to cover yourself."

Her eyes were fixed on her collar, where small patches of powder were half-revealed.

Even Gu Liuyan could not keep her face hidden as she instructed someone to get a white scarf while she stood still on the spot. She turned her face to the side and grabbed her neck as she glanced at Duan Chengxuan. Her beautiful eyes, however, contained a trace of reproach.

"I still have to deal with the matter of returning to the city." Duan Chengxuan continued to walk into the study with a faint smile on his face.

"In that case, Qing Qing will be following me today." Gu Danyan took the white veil from the maidservant and wrapped it around her neck, covering nearly half of her face. Only the tip of her nose was exposed, but it was still cute without the biting cold.

Even Duan Feng couldn't help but take a few more glances. Gu Pingyan was the most beautiful woman in the past few years.

Watching her leave, Duan Feng had some thoughts in her heart. While Duan Cheng Xuan was busy, she found Duan Chenrui by herself that had prepared for the Crown Prince's grand ceremony. Although the two brothers' biological mothers were different, they were rather similar.

"I can't possibly come here today to eat with elder brother, right?" Duan Chengrui was wearing a demure, bamboo chrysanthemum striped gown as usual. It was as warm as jade, and every move he made was filled with noble aura. It was hard to tell that he had even the slightest bit of martial prowess.

On the other side, Duan Liusheng had a high nose bridge, thin lips, long narrow eyes, and a cold appearance. However, when she sat down, it could be seen that the two of them were brothers, and it was only because of her scholarly air, that she was even more liked by women than Duan Chengrui.

As he sat down, his gaze landed on Yue Qing, who was sitting beside him. "The ladies by third brother's side are all so beautiful. Why do you pick on Princess Aldan?"

It was the first time that Yue Qing had seen someone criticize Gu Pingyan for his unsightly appearance. At this moment, a smile appeared on her face as she poured some tea for him. "The Ninth Prince's nonsense. Amongst all the girls, that prince is also very good-looking."

"Let me see, Third Sister and you are the two who are the most attractive." Duan Feng had a puzzled expression on her face when she saw Duan Chenrui. She only thought about how the Third Prince had no mother to rely on and had kept a low profile before only appearing in the imperial court with no noble woman by her side. She naturally thought that the Third Prince knew nothing about this, so she said, "Taking the princess is just taking a position of power."

A trace of light flashed through Duan Chengrui's eyes, but he said in a low voice, "That's not the case, I truly love her."

"Really?" Duan Ling Tian lightly laughed.

"I am serious. She is not a willful and arrogant person. In fact, she is much more intelligent than Yiqin. I have already fallen for her after meeting her for so many times. However, she happens to be part of the Alchemy faction. Perhaps it is due to my good luck." Amongst the princes, Duan Chengrui had always been like this as a bosom brother. Anyone would believe that he would say something like that with such affection.

Beneath the table, Duan Feng unconsciously clenched her fists. On the surface, however, she looked indifferent as she continued: "Third Brother, this morning, I saw her coming out from Imperial Uncle's courtyard. How can you fall in love with such a woman?"

Duan Chengrui's actions paused, and the astonishment in his eyes was completely captured by Duan Feng.

Yue Qing also revealed an expression of surprise, but in her heart, she knew that this part of the beacon was like a frog at the bottom of a well.

"Perhaps there is something important that we need to discuss with him. After all, His Highness Duke Jing wants to settle this matter with foreign officials." Yue Qing said.

"Maybe." Duan Feng let out a few hollow laughs, then she only brought up this matter slightly, with the purpose of leaving a knot in Duan Chengrui's heart.

After she finished eating and drank her fill, Duan Feng left.

Duan Chengrui's gaze was now like an eagle's as he put down all the chopsticks in his hand. Helpless, he said, "If it wasn't for the numerous powers behind this scene, I wouldn't even want to act."

"Indeed, Third Prince, how can you be an easy target for others to provoke when you've climbed to your current position?" He truly thought that Duan Chengrui relied on luck to walk so far and truly thought that he didn't know the reason why Duan Ling Tian married his wife and didn't marry into wealth, but in reality, when compared to wealth, Duan Chengrui only thought that the woman beside him was enough to trust and conceal his ambitions for him.

"I'm afraid that he is not being used as a knife by the court officials. If he were to ascend to the throne, then those ambitious court officials would be able to properly control the government." Duan Chengrui stood up. "Inform Imperial Uncle about this matter, and ask him to stay out of contact with Gu Daiyan. After all, words are to be feared. Even though Duan Feng is stupid, I wonder what the Empress will do."

"Yes." Yue Qing nodded and left.

After lunch, Gu Daiyan carefully handed the wooden sculpture she had carved over the past few days to Qing Ze.

She did not carve an animal or anything else, but instead had the appearance of a longevity lock. Although she did not carve very well with the patterns, Qing Qing was still happy. "Only for me?"

"Not even father." Gu Danyan held her in his arms and smiled: "You have to keep this properly, don't drop it."

"Is this something very important?" Qing Qing opened her eyes doubtfully.

"It's especially important." There was a long crack that was difficult to see with the naked eye. He pointed at the crack and said: "Inside is the agreement that I have with my father. I must wait three years before I open it."

Qing Shui rubbed his fingertips against the narrow crack and became more curious. "Can I take a look then?"

"I hope that you can keep this a secret for your mother and father." Gu Liuyan made a gesture of silence, and with her other hand, she circled around Qing Ze's arm. She gently held his hand: "In the winter three years from now, would Qing Ze be willing to keep Mother's secret?"

"Can dad tell me?" Qing Shan frowned.

"You can't. If you take it out, the agreement will not work." Gu Liuyan shook his head seriously: "Can you keep this a secret for me?"

No one had ever believed that a child could keep a secret. They were always under the control of their parents, and could tell anyone at any time. However, Qing clenched her hands and seriously asked Gu Mingyan, "I'm afraid I can't keep this secret."

"When you feel that you can't keep it a secret, tell your parents that you have an agreement." Gu Danyan rubbed his head, but his eyes were full of nostalgia, "But mother would rather you keep it a secret."

"I will." Qing threw herself into Gu Danyan's arms with a smile, not noticing Gu Danyan's fingertip behind his back.