RPAGF Chapter 31 What kind of prince is he? He's just a sickly man on the verge of death.
Chapter 31 What kind of prince is he? He's just a sickly man on the verge of death.
Even a princess of noble birth is required to undergo a tea ceremony on the second day of her marriage.
Although Prince Yong was not the emperor's biological brother, he contributed significantly to the struggle for the throne, and Prince Yong's heir was highly regarded by the emperor.
Therefore, this tea ceremony was different from the one held on the day Chu Ruohan.
Even distant relatives of the Gu family who were normally completely unrelated came to join in the fun.
Most of them were hoping to curry favor by giving gifts, eagerly hoping to leave a good impression on the princess and find a reason to climb the social ladder later.
Only a handful of people could be offered tea by the princess.
Madam Gu, dressed in her finest attire, arrived early, her head adorned with dazzling pearls and jade, and her brocade robes made her look exactly like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.
"Junze's health is getting worse and worse. How are you taking care of him, niece-in-law?" The tone was sarcastic and drawn out, full of provocation.
Chu Ruohan sat upright in the chair, not putting down her teacup, but taking a small sip, the steam rising gently from her cool face.
Even though she was sitting so far back, this Fourth Madam Gu still wanted to cause her trouble.
When Madam Gu saw that Chu Ruohan did not answer and clearly did not take her seriously, she became even angrier.
The daughter of a merchant family has no manners at all; she treats me with such disrespect. Doesn't she even know her own limitations? Does she really think that just because she's the wife of a prince, she can do whatever she wants in the marquis's mansion?
At that moment, he didn't care about the occasion, raised his voice, and completely ignored the astonished looks from those around him.
"I'm telling you, niece-in-law, not that I'm criticizing you, but Junze's health is deteriorating day by day. He's so sickly, it's heartbreaking to see him like this!"
"Judging from this situation, how long can he hold on? His position as heir apparent probably won't last much longer either. There are many uncertainties ahead..."
Chu Ruohan slowly put down her teacup, making a crisp sound, and looked directly at Madam Gu, her voice as cold as ice.
"Aunt, please be careful with your words. My husband's position as heir apparent was personally decreed by the Emperor. Do you have any objections?"
These words struck Madam Gu like a heavy hammer, leaving her stunned. She opened her mouth, trying to refute, but couldn't utter a single word.
Everyone who saw this had a subtle, mocking smile on their lips. Madam Gu's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, feeling incredibly stifled.
It's all because her husband is such a good-for-nothing; he idles away his days and goes to brothels.
The countess was arrogant and aloof. Although they lived under the same roof, she never paid any attention to her. So she had to curry favor with the Marquis of Anyang.
In her eyes, Gu Junze was a sickly man. The second son born to the Marquis's wife was clever from a young age and had married a princess. The position of Marquis of Anyang would definitely fall into his hands in the future...
Lin Xingyao stepped in gracefully, followed by a group of maids and servants.
Everyone in the room quickly straightened their clothes and looked at the princess. The princess was indeed beautiful and had an extraordinary temperament.
"Greetings, Father and Mother." Lin Xingyao bowed slightly, performing a graceful curtsy.
With a beaming smile, Madam Gu quickly rose to greet her, saying, "Princess, you needn't be so polite. From now on, we're all family."
"Calling me Princess is too formal. Mother, please just call me Yao'er from now on."
"Oh, alright." The princess was so kind and respectful in front of everyone, and Gu's mother smiled like a flower, her wrinkles piling up.
She was extremely satisfied with her daughter-in-law, who was intelligent, sensible, polite, and of noble birth.
"Cheng'an, why didn't you come with me?"
Lin Xingyao paused, seemingly wanting to speak but unable to. The old woman behind her, as if she had been holding back for a long time, knelt down with a thud.
“That woman came to cause trouble early this morning and called the second young master away.”
Lin Xingyao frowned slightly and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about? Get up and leave now."
She then looked at Gu's mother and the others, her expression returning to normal, "My husband just has something to take care of, he'll be here soon."
Most people knew that Gu Cheng'an had become infatuated with a maid, who even went to the gate of Prince Yong's mansion and made a scene, which was truly shameful.
Gu Cheng'an was out of his mind. How could a lowly maid be compared to a graceful and noble princess?
Marrying a princess is like clinging to the powerful Yong Prince's mansion, finding a ladder to heaven, and having unlimited potential for the future!
Look at Marquis Anyang. He was just an unwanted illegitimate son in the Earl's and Marquis's mansions. He only became famous today after marrying Princess Anyang. With such a ready example in front of you, why don't you cherish it?
Since the princess was so magnanimous in letting the matter pass and saving face for everyone, Gu's mother was furious, but she could only suppress her anger for the time being and wait until this matter was over before settling scores with that little prostitute.
Then, Marquis Anyang calmly said, "It's getting late, let's begin serving tea."
Next, Lin Xingyao successfully served tea, and Gu's mother even gave her a valuable jade bracelet, unlike how stingy she was with Chu Ruohan back then.
Everyone presented their gifts, and soon the table was filled with a dazzling array of silks, satins, and rare antiques. Lin Xingyao maintained a gentle smile throughout, her demeanor elegant and graceful, displaying the poise and grace of a princess.
The maids carefully and methodically put away the gifts one by one.
When Chu Ruohan arrived, since the two were of the same generation and sisters-in-law, there was no need to serve tea; instead, they exchanged greeting gifts.
Chu Ruohan only prepared a set of ordinary gold jewelry, which was not impressive compared to what Lin Xingyao had given her.
A sharp sneer suddenly broke the brief silence in the hall.
Madam Gu half-covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her eyes and brows filled with undisguised contempt. She sneered sarcastically, "You really are from a merchant family, all you know is to flaunt these vulgar things like gold and silver. You reek of money and are utterly uncouth!"
Chu Ruohan's expression instantly turned cold, while Lin Xingyao seemed not to have heard Madam Gu's harsh words.
"Sister-in-law, I really like the gift you prepared. It's exquisitely designed and clearly carefully chosen. Thank you for your thoughtfulness." After saying that, she affectionately took Chu Ruohan's hand.
Chu Ruohan felt very awkward. In her previous life, although she and Lin Xingyao were not exactly enemies, they were not exactly on good terms either.
She had never had such a kind face before. In my memory, she was always smiling in front of others, but with a cold face behind their backs, treating the suffering she had endured as insignificant and ignoring it completely.
In her past life, Lin Xingyao was a high-ranking princess and the wife of the heir, while she was just a speck of dust in the Marquis of Anyang's mansion.
"Yao'er, there are many complicated matters to be handled in this Marquis's mansion. From now on, I will have to trouble you to manage them. You are meticulous and reliable, and you will surely be able to manage this large family in an orderly manner."
Madam Gu solemnly handed the housekeeper's key to Lin Xingyao.
Some people's eyes fell on Chu Ruohan. She was clearly the wife of the heir of the Marquis of Anyang's mansion, but the power to manage the household had fallen into the hands of someone else.
Let whoever wants to take on this role take it; Chu Ruohan will definitely not. Let Lin Xingyao handle this hot potato!