Gu Jiangyue was extremely delighted. She couldn't wait to shake off Xie Chengrui, but she couldn't show it too deliberately. Tears welled up in her eyes and fell one by one. She seemed shocked by the Grand Dowager's words or didn't know how to answer. "You..."
"Brother Chengrui, we truly love each other, don't we?"
Gu Zhengwan pulled on Xie Chengrui's sleeve and shook it constantly.
Xie Chengrui seemed a bit irritated by this sudden turn of events. Nevertheless, he was constantly weighing the pros and cons in his heart, considering what would be the most appropriate choice.
"Yes... Yes."
Finally, Xie Chengrui made his choice and stammered out those two words.
The persona he had painstakingly cultivated must not be ruined. He had a betrothal with Gu Jiangyue and was also on ambiguous terms with Gu Zhengwan. If he chose Gu Jiangyue now, he would surely be labeled as a fickle man in others' mouths.
Although Xie Chengrui was out of favor, he was still able to develop his own forces in the capital. It was all thanks to the virtuous and amiable image he had carefully maintained. He had won the hearts of the people, which was why he had a foothold in the vast court.
Gu Zhengwan was not stupid but rather smart. It was true that he liked Gu Zhengwan. Since things had developed to this point and there were so many people watching, Xie Chengrui finally decided to stabilize everyone's hearts first. After choosing Gu Zhengwan, he just needed to explain that he was not willing to marry Gu Jiangyue.
As for Gu Jiangyue, he planned to find another excuse to deceive her.
However, Xie Chengrui miscalculated. Gu Jiangyue had been reborn. In this new life, she clearly knew how greedy Xie Chengrui was and naturally didn't want to give him any chance.
Once the choice was made, there was no turning back.
"In that case, I can't keep the Second Prince. I never had deep feelings for the Second Prince. I just admired him and hoped to live in harmony with him. Since you two are in love, how could I break you apart? I'm just sad because the Second Prince has kept it from me for so long."
Gu Jiangyue put on an understanding look and tactfully made it clear that she didn't like Xie Chengrui either and nothing had happened between them.
Just as Xie Chengrui let out a long sigh of relief, thinking this matter would pass smoothly, Gu Jiangyue's next words were like a bolt of lightning that almost split him apart.
Gu Jiangyue wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and then turned to look at Xie Jiuan, who was watching the show on the side.
"I like the Ninth Prince. I wonder if the Ninth Prince is willing to marry me?"
Gu Jiangyue kept winking at Xie Jiuan, giving him signals. Because she had just shed tears, her eyes were moist and as beautiful as autumn water.
Even the Ninth Prince, who had been a seasoned player in the world of love and never got involved with any woman seriously, was a bit stunned by Gu Jiangyue's heartfelt words.
He suddenly understood what Gu Jiangyue meant by cooperation.
Although Xie Jiuan knew this matter couldn't be promised casually and Gu Jiangyue wasn't sincere, he was very interested in this little girl. Why not play along with her? It would also be nice to see Xie Chengrui, this hypocrite, fail in his calculations.
Xie Jiuan also looked into Gu Jiangyue's eyes. The corners of his lips still wore the same casual smile as usual, but Gu Jiangyue caught a glimmer of true feelings in his unfathomable eyes. She thought she was seeing things.
"Sure."
It was just a simple two - word answer, but it carried a lot of complex emotions.
"As long as you're willing to marry, I'll definitely marry you."
For a moment, Gu Jiangyue was also a bit touched, but she quickly dismissed this thought.
Before Xie Jiuan showed his true feelings, she must always be on guard. She couldn't make the same mistake twice or be deceived again.
Xie Jiuan looked at the stunned Xie Chengrui and the others. He calmly took out a hairpin from his bosom.
The hairpin was not very gorgeous but rather elegant. The body of the hairpin was like it was made of white jade, with delicate and lifelike patterns on it. The blue - green gem on the head of the hairpin showed that this hairpin was of a high price.
This hairpin was called the White Jade Hibiscus Hairpin. Under the sunlight, it emitted a soft yet sharp luster.
Xie Jiuan walked towards Gu Jiangyue. While Gu Jiangyue was in a daze, he raised his hand and put the hairpin on her head himself. Although his technique was clumsy, he was extremely serious. After putting it on, he carefully examined it and then left contentedly. Before leaving, he stared at Gu Jiangyue's head and said,
"My princess is really beautiful."
These words made Gu Jiangyue blush. Even though she thought it was just an act, her heart couldn't help but pound wildly as if it was about to burst out of her chest. Gu Jiangyue lowered her head a bit to prevent Xie Jiuan from seeing her like this.
Xie Jiuan didn't think much of it. He naturally took Gu Jiangyue's hand and pulled her to his side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her.
Xie Jiuan kept holding Gu Jiangyue's hand and showed no sign of letting go. With so many people watching, Gu Jiangyue didn't struggle and just let him hold her hand.
"Jiangyue!"
Xie Chengrui couldn't sit still anymore. He never expected that Gu Jiangyue would like Xie Jiuan. Gu Jiangyue could like anyone as long as he could deceive her back, but why did it have to be Xie Jiuan.
He couldn't do anything to Xie Jiuan. As long as Xie Jiuan wanted to marry Gu Jiangyue, it would be just a matter of a word from the emperor. And he could only watch helplessly, unable to do anything.
Gu Zhengwan, who had just gotten up from his embrace, didn't think so. She just felt happy that Gu Jiangyue wouldn't compete with her for Xie Chengrui anymore. She didn't know that the man she had been longing for was starting to have second thoughts about her.
Gu Jiangyue found it funny to see Xie Chengrui looking heart - broken and hesitant to speak. She didn't notice that the person beside her moved his finger behind his back, seemingly making a gesture. Just then, there was a slight rustle from the tree beside them.
No one noticed except Xie Jiuan.
Not long after the rustle in the tree ended, a stern shout came from the front hall.
"We are here by the emperor's order to arrest the sons and daughters of the guilty minister, Lin Yeran and Lin Qianshuang. Surrender quickly!"
Several officers who looked like leaders followed the sound and came straight to where everyone was gathered.
Lin Yeran and Lin Qianshuang were the legitimate son and daughter of the Lin family. How could they not know what the Lin Mansion had done? Hearing that the government officers were coming to arrest them, they looked at each other and were about to run away.
But they were kicked in the back of their knees by the following officers. Their knees hit the ground heavily, and they were directly kicked to their knees.
"You must have the wrong people!"
Xie Chengrui couldn't sit still anymore when he saw this. He rushed up and tried to stop the officers.