Chapter 13 Thank you, Your Highness

She made sure that Aunt Zhang sent that garment to Gu Qiang.

Why did it end up being worn by Gu Zhihua?

Recalling Princess Changning’s words, Ye got even infuriated at Gu Qiang and was dying to rip her apart.

“Yes. Didn’t you know that, Madam?”

Gu Qiang smirked, eyes filled with amusement. “Normally, the Princess would only be unhappy when someone violated her peacock taboo. Do you know why she was extremely enraged today?”

She leaned closer to Ye’s ear before continuing her sentence in a whisper, “Because yesterday, the Princess heard someone mentioning that servant from her memory. Thus, she became raving mad when she saw a peacock today.”

“You! you!”

Ye’s eyes were filled with disbelief and resentment. However, she could not vent her anger as the Princess’s maid was still waiting aside. She could only swallow all her displeasure and threatened, “We’ll see who will have the last laugh.”

“Sounds great.”

Gu Qiang smiled gracefully while standing up from her seat. With the vibrant spring flowers as a picturesque backdrop, her smile was even brighter than the flowers, and it was beautifully complemented by her simple and elegant dress. With just an unintentional glimpse of this scene, Shen Qianshan was mesmerized by her, forgetting about the wine in his hand which he was about to drink.

“What’s the matter?”

Changning noticed his odd behavior. But when she was about to follow his sight, Shen Qianshan shifted his gaze quickly and smiled faintly.

“It’s nothing.”

“Check if Young Lady Gu is here.”

Suddenly, Changning recalled her invitation a few moments ago. She then frowned while asking someone beside her, “Why isn’t that girl from Gu Family here yet?”

Compared to the ill-mannered second daughter of Gu Family, Changning felt that Gu Qiang was smarter.

She knew that the imperial members had intentions to connect with the Gu Family in marriage. In fact, she attended this Spring Feast with the same intention.

Right after her question, Gu Qiang who was in plain attire came into her sight. With her lively steps, her dress remained elegantly quiescent. Even her bow was natural and poised. “Forgive me for coming late, Your Highness.”

Changning nodded with satisfaction. She was actually impressed with Gu Qiang’s good manners. She then smoothened her knitted eyebrows and invited Gu Qiang to sit beside her for a little chat. On the contrary, Shen Qianshan was sipping his tea in silence, not even a word could be heard from him. Luckily, Changning was used to her younger brother’s silence, so she was not bothered about that.

However, it did not mean that Gu Qiang was not bothered even though Princess Changning did not mind it.

Therefore, when Changning went to the restroom with her maids, Gu Qiang seized the opportunity to speak softly with Shen Qianshan. “I am truly thankful for your help in escorting me back previously, Your Highness.”

Shen Qianshan glanced at her upon hearing her words. Apart from the sincerity on her face, he noticed that she was holding back her words, so he said, “Young Lady Gu, you may speak up directly.”

Having his consent, Gu Qiang tucked her lips. There were traces of hesitations flickering across her eyes, but in the end, she voiced out her request. “Your Highness, with the utmost respect, I hope that you can watch over my elder brother when he’s out. There are many Spring disasters this year, so I hope you won’t let him travel to somewhere far. I will be sincerely grateful for your deed!”

No matter how many times she thought of it, she still felt uneasy.

With the approaching dates of the previous life, her fear grew stronger every day. She was afraid that their fates might repeat.

She would not allow Gu Huaian to be in danger this time.

However, it was not convenient for her to go out now, and she could not look after her elder brother every second. Therefore, she had no choice but to seek help from the Ninth Prince.

After all, he was the most possible person who would ask Gu Huaian to go on a long journey judging from the present situation.

Gu Qiang was begging for his aid sincerely, but Shen Qianshan was slightly stunned in bewilderment. He could not understand why Gu Qiang was so anxious and unsettled, yet he could clearly see the concerns and earnestness in the girl’s eyes.

It seemed that she and Gu Huaian’s relationship was indeed close.

Only the genuine care toward her elder brother would make her beg him at all cost for her brother’s sake.

With this thought, Shen Qianshan nodded. There was a tinge of tenderness in his eyes without him realizing, yet his voice was still bland. “I promise that I won’t ask him to leave the capital city in these three months.”

After all, he had nothing else to worry for the rest of this year since he had that herb now.

“Thank you very much, Your Highness!” Gu Qiang expressed her gratitude gleefully.

She did not expect that the Ninth Prince would agree to her request easily. With his promise, there would hardly be any possibility for Gu Huaian to travel out of the capital city. Out of extreme gratitude, she immediately got up to refill Shen Qianshan’s tea personally when she noticed his cup was empty. She then served the tea reverently to him.

“Your Highness, please enjoy the tea.”

An Ye, who was hiding in the dark, looked at the tea which was poured by Young Lady Gu and sank into silence at once. Obviously, he heard the conversation between Young Lady Gu and his master, and he could understand her excitement at this moment.

However…