HCB Chapter 761 Gu Qingchen, let's settle our score today.
Chapter 761 Gu Qingchen, let's settle our score today.
"Princess, everything is ready," Chunhe, the personal maid, reported softly.
Princess Jiahe nodded in satisfaction, a barely perceptible sneer playing on her lips.
Gu Qingchen, you've been too clever for your own good and have led yourself to your doom.
Then we'll see who the real winner is.
Inside the imperial palace, the Golden Throne Hall was brightly lit, and people were singing and dancing.
Officials and nobles, along with their families, took their seats, clinking glasses and exchanging laughter and chatter.
The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his face glowing, occasionally whispering a few words to the empress beside him.
Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an sat at the lower end, behaving with propriety and gentleness, occasionally raising his cup to acknowledge the ministers.
His gaze, however, would always inadvertently drift toward the women's seats.
The seats for the Duke of Zhenguo's family were located near the front. Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan sat side by side, while Gu Qingchen sat beside them.
Today she wore a simple moon-white palace dress, without any makeup, only a simple plum blossom in her hair, which made her look particularly plain compared to the other noble ladies in the palace who were dressed in their finest attire.
However, this aloofness made her stand out from the crowd and attract attention.
Zhao Chen'an's gaze fell on her, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He knew Gu Qingchen's preferences all too well from childhood to adulthood; she loved bright colors, especially red.
But today, she was dressed so simply, as if deliberately trying to stand out from the hustle and bustle of the hall.
"Qingchen, is today's palace banquet to your liking?" Zhao Chen'an raised his cup, gesturing towards Gu Qingchen.
His voice was gentle, with just the right amount of concern. Gu Qingchen looked up, a slight curve to his lips, revealing a distant smile.
"Your Highness is so kind." Her voice was cold and indifferent, without a trace of intimacy.
Zhao Chen'an's smile froze for a moment, then he casually looked away.
He knew Gu Qingchen was still throwing a tantrum. But he had plenty of patience, and he believed that once the imperial decree was issued, she would have nowhere to retreat.
As the singing and dancing intensified and the wine flowed in abundance, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.
At the signal from Princess Yongding, Princess Jiahe rose from her seat, excused herself to change her clothes, and quietly left the Golden Palace. She walked through the covered corridors and headed towards the secluded Imperial Garden.
A cool night breeze ruffled her magnificent skirt. She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a resolute coldness.
Gu Qingchen, let's settle our score today.
At the same time, Gu Qingchen, feigning drunkenness, left the Golden Palace with the help of his maid.
She didn't head towards the Imperial Garden, but instead walked along another secluded path. The night was deep, and her steps were light yet firm.
The hustle and bustle of the New Year's Eve palace banquet will soon be replaced by another farce. And this farce will completely change everyone's fate.
Princess Jiahe, accompanied by her personal maid, quickly walked to a secluded spot behind a rockery. She stopped and glanced back in the direction of the Golden Palace.
The hustle and bustle there seemed to have faded away, leaving only the rapid beating of her heart in her chest.
"Chunhe, wait here," Princess Jiahe instructed in a low voice.
"If any noble ladies pass by, tell them that I am feeling unwell and need to rest here for a while, and ask them to come and keep me company for a moment."
Chunhe accepted the order, bowed, and retreated to the side of the artificial hill, looking around warily.
Princess Jiahe walked around the artificial hill and entered a pavilion surrounded by plum trees.
This pavilion was rarely visited, and now it was completely deserted, with only the glazed tiles on the roof gleaming coldly in the moonlight. She stood in the pavilion, her fingertips clenched tightly into her palms, waiting.
Not far away, Gu Qingchen had also arrived. She did not go directly to the pavilion, but stopped at the edge of the plum grove.
She looked up at the night sky, took a deep breath, and the cold air filled her lungs, allowing her tense nerves to relax slightly.
"Qingchen." A deep voice came from behind. Gu Qingchen turned around, and Qian Zhenyun's figure slowly emerged from the depths of the plum grove.
He was dressed in an ordinary blue robe, which made him stand out in the night.
His face was somewhat pale, but his eyes remained calm.
"You came."
Gu Qingchen's voice was soft, yet it carried a hint of barely perceptible apology.
Qian Zhenyun didn't say anything, but walked to her side and stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
They all knew that once they took this step, there was no turning back.
"Are you ready?" Gu Qingchen asked softly.
"at any time."
He looked at Gu Qingchen, his eyes filled with a complex emotion.
Just then, a series of light footsteps came from not far away.
Princess Jiahe's voice, filled with anxiety and worry, carried from afar.
"Oh dear, what should we do? I think I just saw Sister Gu here. She looked very unwell. Is she feeling unwell?"
Immediately following were several noble ladies echoing, "Princess Jiahe, please don't worry, we'll go and see right away."
Gu Qingchen and Qian Zhenyun exchanged a glance. The time had come.
Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Qingchen took a step forward, suddenly reached out, and grabbed Qian Zhenyun's sleeve.
Qian Zhenyun's heart skipped a beat. He understood Gu Qingchen's intention. His body stiffened slightly, but he obediently did not resist.
The footsteps grew closer, and soon, several figures appeared at the edge of the plum grove.
Princess Jiahe walked at the front. When she saw the two figures embracing closely by the pavilion, a look of disbelief and shock flashed in her eyes.
She stopped abruptly, then let out a suppressed gasp.
"Sister Gu, Mr. Qian... what are you doing!"
Her voice trembled slightly with shock, carrying just the right amount of panic and anger.
The noble ladies following behind her also witnessed this scene.
Their faces froze in shock, confusion, and disbelief.
Gu Qingchen and Qian Zhenyun seemed to only then realize that someone had arrived. They abruptly separated, and Gu Qingchen swayed slightly, his face as pale as paper.
Qian Zhenyun immediately turned around and stood in front of Gu Qingchen, with his back to the crowd.
"Princess Jiahe, you have misunderstood."
Qian Zhenyun's voice carried a hint of panic, yet he tried his best to remain calm.
"Misunderstanding? In broad daylight, you two, a lone man and a woman, were having a secret rendezvous, and... and even holding hands! How can this be a misunderstanding!"
Princess Jiahe's voice suddenly rose as she stepped forward, pointing at Gu Qingchen with eyes full of heartache.
"Sister Gu, you are the future Crown Princess! How could you do such a... such a scandalous thing!"
Upon hearing this, the noble ladies around immediately began to whisper among themselves.
Their eyes darted back and forth between Gu Qingchen and Qian Zhenyun, filled with gossip and schadenfreude.
Gu Qingchen's body trembled slightly. She lowered her head and remained silent, as if she had been caught red-handed and felt utterly ashamed.
Qian Zhenyun pursed his lips tightly, his face ashen. He looked at Princess Jiahe and said, "Princess, please be careful with your words."