Jiang Nianzhu considered for a moment. Jiang Wan had just finished listening to Xitao and wanted to go find the Regent King, clearly trying to shake her off. She had to follow Jiang Wan. But this Gu Chen... Jiang Nianzhu seemed to have made a decision. For the greater plan, she'd push ahead. Today, she had to bring Jiang Wan to meet her "Quan gege".
"Let's go together, Sister."
Jiang Wan wanted to curse Jiang Nianzhu, but she had to force a smile.
"No need. I'll go alone. I shouldn't delay your shopping."
"Sister isn't married yet, going alone might attract gossip. I should accompany you."
Jiang Wan just wanted to scream, who can save me? She was on the verge of a breakdown.
"Then let's go…"
The guards at the door saw the two women approaching and assumed they were young ladies admiring the Regent King. They crossed their swords, blocking their path, and glared.
"Which young lady is it? Trespassing further into the Regent King's Mansion will not be tolerated."
Xitao, seeing this, put her hands on her hips and raised her chin, retorting,
"Open your eyes and take a good look! This is the future Regent King's Consort, the future mistress of this mansion. How dare you block her? You've got some nerve!"
The guards, hearing that the woman in front of them was the future consort, felt somewhat guilty. They put away their swords and bowed, saying:
"Greetings, Consort. However, as the Consort has not yet married the King, and without the King's orders, we dare not let the Consort enter."
Xitao was so angry that she walked forward and pointed at the guard who spoke.
"You're such a blockhead! You're infuriating me."
Jiang Nianzhu was overjoyed upon hearing this. Great! Jiang Wan can't get into the Regent King's Mansion. This is perfect; she can take her to Yun Jia Lou to meet with Brother Quan.
"Sister, it seems we can't enter the Regent King's residence. It's noon now; how about I treat you to a meal at Yun Jia Lou?"
Jiang Wan felt a bad premonition. Jiang Nianzhu wanted to take her to Yun Jia Lou, likely at Shen Quan's behest. If they couldn't enter the Regent King's mansion, Shen Quan and Jiang Nianzhu probably wouldn't let it go today. Jiang Wan's mind raced, and she suddenly remembered the Ring Gu Chen had given her. She didn't respond to Jiang Nianzhu and walked straight forward, extending her hand to reveal the Ring.
The guards knelt immediately upon seeing the Ring, their heads bowed to the ground.
"This subordinate deserves to die a thousand deaths. Please, may the Regent King's Consort forgive me."
Jiang Wan's heart trembled slightly. Was Gu Chen truly that formidable? She, as the future Regent King's Consort, couldn't even enter the mansion, yet with just one of Gu Chen's Rings, the guards were this terrified.
"It's alright. Get up quickly. I need to see the King about something."
"Please, Regent King's Consort, follow me."
The guard led Jiang Wan and her group to the main hall of the Regent King's residence and respectfully said;
"Please wait here, Consort. I've sent someone to inform the Regent King."
Before the time it would take to finish a cup of tea, Gu Chen arrived. He was dressed in a frost-colored, narrow-sleeved, stand-up collar brocade robe, a blue dragon-carved belt around his waist, adorned with a white feather, carved jade pendant. A simple white jade crown completed his look, giving him an overall air of coldness.
Seeing Gu Chen enter, everyone rose and respectfully greeted him.
"Greetings, Regent King."
Gu Chen hadn't expected Jiang Wan to seek him out and was initially pleased. However, seeing Jiang Nianzhu, an instant wave of annoyance washed over him.
"Do you need something from me?"
"I don't have anything urgent, but since the wedding with the Regent King is approaching, I thought I'd get to know you better to avoid awkwardness. I also have some questions about the wedding banquet."
Gu Chen's heart felt like a little deer was running wild, but he couldn't bring himself to drop his haughty facade.
"This King has never heard of a woman bringing other women along to get familiar with her future husband."
Jiang Wan choked on Gu Chen's words. He was truly a cold-faced and sharp-tongued fellow.
"I came alone initially. My sister was worried about me being troubled by rumors, so she came along with me."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chen cast a cold glance at Jiang Nianzhu, which made her shudder. She quickly explained,
"It was this one's lack of understanding. Also, because Sister hasn't married into the Prince's Mansion yet, if she came alone, it might harm her reputation. Please, Your Highness, understand."
Gu Chen was already displeased with Jiang Nianzhu for causing trouble at the Prime Minister's Mansion the last time. Now, she was at it again, so he naturally didn't have a good attitude towards her.
"In front of me, you should address yourself as 'Chen-daughter' or Jiang Nianzhu. We are not familiar, so do not call me by my name."
Jiang Nianzhu felt extremely depressed. She couldn't help but think about how she would torment Gu Chen and Jiang Wan when she became the Empress. The more Jiang Nianzhu thought about it, the angrier she became, but she dared not show it and could only restrain her tone.
"Your subject understands."
Gu Chen saw the hesitant look on Jiang Wan's face and understood. If it was related to the wedding banquet, she wouldn't come to find him personally.
"Follow me. I have something for you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Jiang Nianzhu saw Jiang Wan and Gu Chen leaving, and she couldn't follow. She could only give a gentle reminder.
"Sister, don't forget that Zhuer still wants to have a meal with you."
Jiang Wan didn't reply, as if she hadn't heard. Gu Chen led Jiang Wan to his study. Jiang Wan didn't expect a study to be so large, not only filled with books, but also equipped with a tea table, a bed, and a side couch. This Regent King's Mansion was indeed imposing.
"Why did you come to find me? It shouldn't be about the wedding banquet, trying to get closer to me, right?"
"Your Highness is wise. I didn't want to disturb you, but Jiang Nianzhu has been following me, and I couldn't shake her off. I intended to use you as an excuse to make her retreat, but she followed me in."
Gu Chen frowned slightly when he heard Jiang Wan's words, feeling puzzled.
"Why is she following you? Does she have ulterior motives? And what are you trying to do? If you're acting openly, why are you afraid of her following you? Just go back to the mansion."
Gu Chen's rapid-fire questions made Jiang Wan look at him with new eyes. This Gu Chen was truly perceptive, as if nothing could escape his notice. Otherwise, how could he be the Regent King!
"Jiang Nianzhu has mentioned three times inviting me to Yun Jia Lou for a meal. I feel something is amiss. If I didn't come to seek your help, I probably wouldn't have been able to return to the mansion safely today."
"You suspect Shen Quan is setting a trap for you at Yun Jia Lou?"
"Your Highness is indeed perceptive and sees things clearly. That's precisely what I suspect."
Gu Chen clenched his fingers, his eyes filled with a chilling intensity.
"I'll send someone to take you back, and then you don't need to worry about anything."
"Regent King, that won't do. If I don't go to the Yun Jia Lou banquet, I won't know what Shen Quan and Jiang Nianzhu are thinking. I won't be able to guard against them. Besides, Shen Quan is the Emperor's son, and I don't want you to get into a conflict with him."
Gu Chen couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration when he heard this. This Jiang Wan was truly interesting, not at all like other women. Only a woman like this was worthy of being his, Gu Chen's, woman.
"Are you afraid something will happen to me? Or are you afraid something will happen to Shen Quan?"
"Naturally, I'm afraid something will happen to you."
Jiang Wan's voice was urgent. As her words fell, it seemed only her and Gu Chen's heartbeats and breaths remained in the room.
"You go as normal later, and I will send someone to protect you."
"Thank you, Regent King. Let's go then. Jiang Nianzhu is still waiting."
"Wait, I said I would give you something. If you go back empty-handed, wouldn't that arouse suspicion?"
With those words, Gu Chen took out a bracelet, clear as water and pure as snow, and handed it to Jiang Wan.
"I've only known the Regent King for a few days. When did you buy this?"
"I seized it from the enemy during a previous expedition to the Frontier. This bracelet is cool to the touch in summer and warm in winter. I give it to you."
"Such a treasure. Then, thank you, Regent King."
"Let's go!"
Jiang Nianzhu saw that Jiang Wan and Gu Chen had finally come out and immediately walked towards Jiang Wan.
"If you're finished talking, Sister, then let's go first."
"Since that's the case, Wan will head back first."
As soon as Jiang Nianzhu and Jiang Wan walked out of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Jiang Nianzhu couldn't wait to find out what Jiang Wan and Gu Chen had talked about.
"When did elder sister become so familiar with the Regent King? I wonder if the gift the King gave you, elder sister, can be shown to Zhuer?"
"The Regent King and I are naturally newly acquainted, how could younger sister not know? It's just a bracelet."
After saying this, Jiang Wan showed the Bracelet to Jiang Nianzhu. Jiang Nianzhu didn't suspect anything, after all, Jiang Wan was so beautiful, even if Gu Chen was cold, he was still a man.
"Then, elder sister, let's go to Yun Jia Lou for a meal."
"Since younger sister is treating, then I'll order a bit more food."
"As long as elder sister likes it."
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