Thinking of this, the hatred in Gu Jiangyue's eyes almost overflowed uncontrollably. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Xie Chengrui and found that he was also looking at her. Gu Jiangyue couldn't help snorting coldly.
It was clearly the same people and the same place, but the way Xie Chengrui looked at her this time was completely different. The passion and restraint in Xie Chengrui's eyes were something Gu Jiangyue had never seen in her previous life when she had supported him for more than twenty years.
Gu Jiangyue didn't look at Xie Chengrui anymore. Instead, she walked naturally to Xie Jiu'an's side. With a beaming smile, she grabbed Xie Jiu'an's hand that was hanging by his side.
"With His Highness the Ninth Prince here, Jiangyue is more than happy."
Xie Jiu'an was startled by Gu Jiangyue's sudden action. He looked at her with some confusion but didn't let go of her hand. Instead, he tightened his grip on the hand that was placed in his palm.
Gu Jiangyue raised her delicate eyebrows, wearing a smile on her face. Her skin was as fair as snow, and she was extremely charming.
Gu Jiangyue was wearing a white dress today. There were large silver butterflies embroidered on the hem of the skirt. Under the sunlight, it was clean yet magnificent. The silk waistband was lightly tied, fluttering in the wind, making her waist look even more slender.
Xie Jiu'an was a bit lost in his thoughts. Gu Jiangyue was really acting out of character today. As if he had thought of something, he casually glanced in Xie Chengrui's direction. Sure enough, he saw Xie Chengrui staring intently at their clasped hands.
Xie Jiu'an frowned slightly in displeasure. How could others covet his princess?
Gu Jiangyue had been observing Xie Chengrui and the others' reactions. Suddenly, she felt a warm sensation on her waist. A pair of big hands covered it, and then she was pulled closer to Xie Jiu'an. Gu Jiangyue looked up at the owner of the big hands and saw a smug smile in Xie Jiu'an's beautiful peach blossom eyes.
"I'm glad you're happy. I've missed you a great deal these past few days."
In front of so many people, Gu Jiangyue was too embarrassed to break free. The old matriarch beside them was beaming with joy.
"It's so lively. It seems I'm late, Liu Ru."
A voice sounded. Gu Jiangyue found the voice a bit unfamiliar. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in a light blue long dress walking gracefully towards them.
She had her hair coiled in a flying fairy bun, with a few jade flowers scattered among the hairpin, highlighting her elegant temperament. Her eyebrows were like crescent moons, and her eyes were like stars. She was no less beautiful than Gu Zhengwan. Gu Zhengwan had looked haggard recently, and in fact, she was even a bit more beautiful than Gu Zhengwan.
Although there were great changes, Gu Jiangyue still recognized the person in front of her from her memory. This was Gu Liuru.
"Liu Ru pays respects to His Highness the Sixth Prince and all the other princes."
Gu Liuru curtsied slightly towards Xie Yuwen. When Xie Yuwen looked at her, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
Gu Liuru tried to avoid others noticing, but Gu Jiangyue caught it at a glance. She had stayed in the Eastern Palace for so many years, and the baptism of imperial power and palace intrigues had taught her a lot. Gu Jiangyue was sure that Gu Liuru was in love with Xie Yuwen.
She had been by Xie Chengrui's side for more than twenty years and had seen many people who were in love with Xie Chengrui. Their looks in their eyes were very similar to Gu Liuru's. In fact, it was not strange at all. Gu Liuru had always been high - minded and looked down on ordinary people, while Xie Yuwen was gentle and elegant, which was why Gu Liuru was attracted to him.
While Gu Jiangyue was still deep in thought, she noticed that Gu Liuru had already looked in her direction. The shyness had faded from her eyes, and she looked at Gu Jiangyue disdainfully with her head held high.
"Sister Jiangyue, long time no see. You seem to have changed a lot compared to before."
Her tone was not as gentle as that of an ordinary young lady. Instead, it revealed a hint of arrogance. Gu Jiangyue squinted her eyes. She was already sure that Gu Liuru was not simple. At least, she didn't have a good impression of Gu Jiangyue. Instead, she seemed to be hostile.
Seeing that Gu Jiangyue didn't say anything, Chen Yanqin beside her also slightly raised her head. Her eyes looking at Gu Liuru were full of approval. Gu Jiangyue looked around at the people from the third branch and found that only Gu Zhengwan had no expression on her face, with a gloomy look.
Normally, wasn't Gu Zhengwan the happiest when she saw Gu Jiangyue in a difficult situation? A sense of doubt welled up in Gu Jiangyue's heart. It didn't take long for her to figure it out. Gu Zhengwan was different from ordinary people. She hated others surpassing her the most, especially a younger sister who had grown up under the same roof as her.
It couldn't be said that she hated her, but Gu Jiangyue guessed that Gu Zhengwan definitely didn't like this younger sister, especially at this most desolate time of hers.
"Sister Liuru has also changed a lot."
Gu Jiangyue replied with a smile. Gu Liuru came straight at her with a clear target. It was estimated that Chen Yanqin had told Gu Liuru a lot about Gu Jiangyue through letters.
Xie Jiu'an put his arm around Gu Jiangyue. He glanced at Gu Liuru, seemingly dissatisfied with the way she talked to Gu Jiangyue. He looked at Xie Yuwen and gave him a wink.
After all, Xie Jiu'an had a good - looking face. Just because of his appearance, many women had been in love with him. Xie Jiu'an also saw Gu Liuru's little thoughts.
Seeing that Gu Jiangyue was not affected by her, Gu Liuru wanted to say something more to mock her.
Xie Yuwen was afraid that if Xie Jiu'an was dissatisfied and said something, it would anger the old matriarch of the Gu family again. His ninth younger brother had always been straightforward in his speech, and Xie Yuwen had scolded him for this many times.
"There have been quite a few people coming to offer incense recently. I wonder if there are still any side rooms in the temple."
Xie Yuwen smiled and changed the topic. He had no ill - will towards Xie Jiu'an. Instead, he liked having such a person who could make a ruckus in front of him. So he would agree to Xie Jiu'an's requests as much as he could.
Xie Jiu'an was not very sociable, but he was different in front of Xie Yuwen. Although he thought the cultural treasures and calligraphy and paintings that Xie Yuwen liked were boring, he would still listen patiently to his explanations. Xie Jiu'an was one of the few confidants he had in the palace walls.
Xie Yuwen's words really caught everyone's attention. Xie Jiu'an had only inquired about the news yesterday and then dragged Xie Yuwen here. Xie Chengrui didn't come with them. They all decided to come temporarily, so no one had talked to the monks in the temple in advance.
Fortunately, the Gu Mansion had prepared more side rooms. Everyone took their things and went to their respective rooms.
Gu Jiangyue and Xie Jiu'an were not in the same courtyard. As soon as Gu Jiangyue separated from him and came to the courtyard, she met Gu Zhengwan.
This was not something strange. Gu Jiangyue's room was next to Gu Zhengwan's. Chen Yanqin said that she wanted to catch up with Gu Liuru.
There were a total of three rooms, and Gu Jiangyue's was on the far left.
If the rooms were swapped, Gu Jiangyue's room would be sandwiched between the other two. Although she always felt a bit strange, since they wouldn't be staying for a few days anyway, Gu Jiangyue didn't care.
"Sister, I don't really like the decoration of this room. I've been so exhausted these days and I want to have a good rest. Can you swap rooms with me?"
Gu Zhengwan's face was pale, and even her voice was a bit trembling. But her steps were firm. She walked towards Gu Jiangyue's room step by step, as if she would never leave if Gu Jiangyue didn't agree.