The thought calmed Gu Zhihua down gradually and relieved her rage and frustration from being defeated by Gu Qiang and Shen Zhongbai. Then she went away.
Gu Qiang turned around and saw Shen Qianshan sitting in the pavilion with something in his hand. He was looking at the lotus pond in front of him and seemed to be feeding fish.
When she walked to him and saluted, Shen Qianshan put down what was in his hand, stared at her for quite a while, and said, “You don’t need to stand on ceremony.”
He pointed to the opposite stone bench. Though surprised, Gu Qiang sat down on it obediently.
“Your Highness, I am glad to see you here and I need your help. Could you please…” Gu Qiang gazed at Shen Qianshan with expectation while saying. He looked around and seemed to enjoy the view of the mansion. She thought he would ask what he could do for her, but unexpectedly, he nodded directly and responded, “OK.”
“Your Highness, do you just
The master of the palace winked at his servant. After a slight hesitation, the servant led Shen Qianshan and Gu Qiang through the corridor and headed towards the higher mountain behind.They walked through the long corridor and stopped before a wall and a closed rustic gate. The servant couldn’t help telling them, “Honestly, you don’t need to get Suxin Grass by yourselves. Some herbs are left in the palace. So long as you can have a good talk with my master, he will give them to you. You don’t know how rough the path is behind the gate.” The servant looked reluctant to see them off. It seemed that he was sure they couldn’t survive if they entered.Gu Qiang turned around, gave a faint smile to him, and said, “Even if we have a good talk with your master, he may not give it to us. Since we are here now we have to enter.”The servant lowered his head and gave the herb in his hand to Gu Qiang.Gu Qiang took it over. It wa
Luckily, it was getting light. They went down the mountain along a path by the pool. There were many winding tracks on the mountain which were produced by people collecting herbs here. They could descend the mountain along any track.Shen Qianshan grasped Gu Qiang’s hand along the way. Even though she had been rescued, his heart trembled at the thought of her confrontation with the big snake. He didn’t know how scared she was when she faced it, but she didn’t call him.He wasn’t sure whether it was because she was used to being independent or because she was not used to being accompanied by him.It was light. The surrounding was shrouded in white mist which had the smell of water. The sun rose and shone on the plants covered with dew. The plants glistened with colorful light.Gu Qiang was exhausted after the tiring night, but she managed to trudge down the mountain. Entering the gate, they returned to Suxin Palace. The whole palace
Gu Qiang turned around to look at the two servant girls and asked calmly, “What’s up?”Gu Qiang has got used to Chui Xue’s fluster, but Ting Feng was restless too, which made Gu Qiang feel strange.Ting Feng glanced at Gu Qiang carefully and found her extremely dirty. Thus, Ting Feng realized something must have happened to Gu Qiang. She served Gu Qiang to have a comfortable bath immediately. After cleaning and dressing Gu Qiang, she uttered her worry.While combing Gu Qiang’s hair, Ting Feng said, “My Lady, Gusu Liang left in a hurry soon after you went away. We were not familiar with her, so we didn’t ask where she was going.”Gu Qiang’s eyes glittered, and she looked at herself in the mirror. Gusu Liang was so weird. She appeared suddenly and then came to the Prime Minister Manion with Gu Qiang inexplicably. All seemed to be arranged and pushed secretly by someone.That girl couldn’t have such a simple background as
Without noticing Gu Qiang’s expression, Prime Minister Gu was joyful and told her, “Someone will pick up Zhihua to the palace. Qiang, you can go and visit it with her.”Gu Qiang was confused about why Gu Zhihua could be allowed to go into the palace, but Prime Minister Gu didn’t explain the reason, and she didn’t think it proper to ask. She just nodded and responded, “I got it.”Soon a beautiful sedan chair was parked at the gate. Gu Qiang put on clean clothes and got into the sedan chair with Ye and Gu Zhihua. The mother and the daughter almost danced with joy. Immediately after they left the Prime Minister Mansion, Ye turned around to look at Gu Qiang and asked in a low voice, “Do you know why we enter the palace this time?”Gu Qiang turned around to look at Ye without any expression on her face. She didn’t respond to Ye, because she could see clearly that Ye and Gu Zhihua would probably enter the palace for a reward. She was accustomed to th
Gu Qiang appeared calm as if she couldn’t hear what Shen Zhongbai said. Therefore, Shen Zhongbai didn’t continue.The Emperor said, “Zhongbai, this is the second daughter of the Gu Family, who contributed to Mr. Liu’s donation of food. Because of what she said, Mr. Liu was determined to donate food. I’ve decided to offer her a reward. What do you think about it?”Shen Zhongbai looked at the Emperor in surprise. Though feeling confused, he responded with a smile, “I agree. Now that she did a good job, it’s a good idea to give her an award.”The Emperor gave an embarrassed smile and told Shen Zhongbai, “The reward that she asks for is to marry you.”Shen Zhongbai was about to drink his tea when these words brought him up short. He frowned and couldn’t help asking, “Why me?”Hearing this, both Gu Zhihua and Ye looked up at him surprisingly. He has shown his attitude clearly. Does it mean that he doesn’t like Gu Zhihua and
As soon as Prime Minister Gu was done, Ye and Gu Zhihua turned around to look at him. He was right, but how could he say that at this moment to hurt Gu Zhihua?Ye was sulky. She turned around and said to Prime Minister Gu, “Zhihua has always been tender, warm-hearted, and thoughtful since her childhood. Our whole family is proud of her, so she is absolutely worthy of the Third Prince. She can’t be degraded just because she isn’t the first daughter of our family. Don’ you think so?”Prime Minister Gu turned around to look at Ye. Perhaps too many things happened today, so she was too busy to change her clothes. She and Gu Zhihua were still wearing fancy clothes, but they looked dispirited.They meant to show off to Gu Qiang during their visit to the palace for the reward, but it went on in a surprising way and thus gave her a chance to watch a good show for free.Gu Qiang sat nearby and looked calm. Liu Shichu stood by Gu Zhihua this
Gu Qiang’s eyes became wet, but Gu Huaian didn’t seem to notice that. He continued, “If you are bullied in Gu Family, do tell me. I will back you up.”Gu Huaian took a pouch out of his clothes. It was bulging and there apparently was much money inside. He gave it to Gu Qiang and told her, “Take it. If you don’t have yummy food in Gu Family, buy some outside. Don’t starve yourself.”Gu Qiang smiled, returned the pouch, and said, “Brother, I’ve become thinner because I was too busy instead of lacking food. Anyway, I’ve got the prescription and will have more leisure. Remember what I told you. Don’t travel far. Do you hear me?”Gu Huaian couldn’t help asking, “Why do you remind me of it each time you come here? Is it very serious?”Gu Qiang took over the prescription from Gu Huaian with a smile and put it in her pocket carefully. Then she stood up and answered, “Yes, it is very serious. You must look out for Shen Zhongbai, and…”
Shen Qianshan, who had a drowsy look, saw Gu Qiang standing at the door with a white robe. The long hair covered her shoulders casually. With no expression on her face, she looked like an ice sculpture and even her eyes were icy.On the ground before the room, the girl was in a faint from fear. Shen Qianshan went over, lifted her up, and pressed her philtrum. Finally, she came round just like a fish returning to the water.Gu Qiang stood there with a cold face. After coming round, that woman saw Shen Qianshan and burst into tears, “Brother Qianshan, why did you give my room to another woman? She almost scared me to death.” She pretended to wipe tears with her hand and then turned around to glare at Gu Qiang. The girl was pretty and elegant, but she looked fragile.Maybe a girl couldn’t help being fragile before the man she loves. Gu Qiang looked the girl into her eyes. Gu Qiang’s eyes were cool and calm because she had a clear con