Chapter 239: Watching the Show
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Have you all forgotten? At the martial arena, she orchestrated the downfall of Third Young Master Gu and Fourth Lady Gu. If it hadn’t been for the Crown Prince’s interference, one can only imagine what fate the members of the Gu family would have suffered. This First Lady Gu is quite remarkable,” remarked someone with a tone laden with sarcasm.
The people around changed their gazes toward Gu Qingluan upon hearing his words.
After the selection compet.i.tion, the gossip quickly spread throughout Tianjing.
Everyone was speculating about the deep grudge between Gu Qingluan and the Gu family. Some thought Gu Qingluan was excessively ruthless, while others believed she must have her reasons.
Regardless, it was an internal matter of the Gu family, and outsiders had no right to interfere.
Now, she was facing the most distinguished member of the royal family, the outstanding Fifth Prince. How could she dare to make such a request to the Fifth Prince?
Qitian Yu adjusted his emotions a bit and looked helpless. “Qingluan, don’t be like this.”
“Can’t the Fifth Prince kneel down? Since we’re acquaintances, let me help you.” Gu Qingluan showed a slightly reluctant expression, and with a flick of her finger, a white light flew towards Qitian Yu.
Qitian Yu tried to dodge, but he couldn’t avoid it in time. He felt a pain in his knees, let out a m.u.f.fled groan, and his kneecap slammed heavily onto the stone floor.
“Whoa!”
The onlookers were startled.
The guards brought by Qitian Yu immediately drew their weapons. “Outrageous! How dare you harm His Highness the Fifth Prince!”
Seeing this, Feng Yuanxi was about to rush out to help his mother, but Gu Xiaonan swiftly caught hold of him. “Relax, Mother’s really formidable. These clownish antics won’t stir up a storm. There’s no need for Mother to intervene; Uncle Su Lie can take care of them. Let’s just enjoy the show in peace.”
As he spoke, Gu Xiaonan offered him a bowl of melon seeds. “Here, crack some seeds; it’ll make watching even more interesting.”
As he spoke, he deftly cracked a melon seed with his front teeth, rolled the seed into his mouth, and spat the sh.e.l.l into a nearby bucket.
He was so proficient, as if he had done it thousands of times.
Feng Yuanxi was speechless.
“Who dares to step forward! Your master hasn’t said anything yet, and you want to act on his behalf?”
The guards turned to look at Qitian Yu, who was still kneeling on the ground.
This…
“Your Highness?”
Qitian Yu’s face turned pale.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to stand up, but he simply couldn’t!
An invisible pressure was weighing heavily on him, like a great mountain.
Fury surged within him.
He stared at Gu Qingluan with dark eyes.
He wished he could tear apart her smiling face.
But thinking of his plan…
He restrained himself.
Since he had already kneeled, he couldn’t let it go to waste. Instead of wasting this opportunity, he might as well genuinely apologize. Once Gu Qingluan’s anger subsided, he could marry her and then deal with her later!
He ordered the guards back and looked at Gu Qingluan with a gentle expression. “I’ve knelt down. Qingluan, have you calmed down?”
Gu Qingluan was taken aback by his audacity, as his demeanor remained unshaken even after being compelled to kneel publicly.
He’s quite a character!
She lifted the corner of her lips, smiling playfully, “Not yet.”
Qitian Yu’s breath caught, and after a moment, he suppressed his anger and asked, “What do I need to do for you to calm down and agree to marry me?”
Her fingers, delicate as jade, brushed against her silky chin as Gu Qingluan contemplated. After a brief pause, she inclined her head slightly and suggested, “Why not enlighten everyone with the tale of your collaboration with Gu Lingxue to tarnish my innocence? I’m certain everyone is intrigued by that historical event.”
Amidst the crowd, numerous voices buzzed with discussions about the Fifth Prince’s profound affection and Gu Qingluan’s complex history. Her rejection of the Fifth Prince’s proposal left them perplexed.
Her hearing was keen, and she heard those conversations clearly.
She wanted them to see what kind of person their outstanding Fifth Prince really was.
It would also conveniently enhance Gu Lingxue’s “good reputation” a bit more, otherwise, it would be a disservice to the enjoyable moments she generously provided to the other party.
Unable to take revenge in a timely manner, she felt a tight sense of regret within her.
She casually mentioned it, but Qitian Yu’s pupils suddenly contracted, and a flicker of panic flashed through his eyes.
How do you know?
The words almost slipped out of his mouth, but he managed to stop himself in time.
He pretended to look puzzled. “1 don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
People around them were whispering, baffled by Gu Qingluan’s words.
“What is First Lady Gu implying? Could it be that she had undisclosed circ.u.mstances during her unmarried pregnancy?”
“Why is Gu Lingxue being dragged into this? Isn’t she the Second Lady of the Gu family, the one who received a special admission to Qiankun Academy?”
“Why would Second Lady Gu want to cause harm? Five years ago, First Lady Gu was completely insignificant. How could she be compared to Second Lady Gu? There’s no logical reason for Second Lady Gu to target her.”
Ignoring the speculation of the crowd, Gu Qingluan said lightly, “Bring that person here!”