The Princess Dowager got the news first. When she saw Gu Liyue, she wasn't surprised. After Lady Jiang introduced Gu Liyue as her newly - adopted daughter, she had someone bring over a night - pearl the size of an egg. "It's quite a coincidence. It's not our first meeting. Since you've caught Lady Jiang's eye, this meeting gift is a must."
Gu Liyue didn't know the value of the night - pearl. But hearing the whispers around and seeing Lady Jiang's stunned expression, she knew that this meeting gift from the Princess Dowager was extremely generous.
For a moment, she didn't know whether she should accept it or not.
The Princess Dowager smiled and patted her hand. "You saved A Jie. You deserve this."
Gu Liyue quickly replied, "Your Highness, I saved him on a whim back then. Moreover, Your Highness has already rewarded me. There's no reason for me to receive another gift."
The Princess Dowager raised her eyebrows and looked at Lady Jiang. "Your new daughter is quite interesting. She dares to decline my gift."
Only then did Lady Jiang come to her senses. She covered her lips and laughed. "I like her pure heart the most. Liyue, you can't decline a gift from an elder. The Princess Dowager likes you, so she's giving you this night - pearl that was bestowed by the late emperor. How can you go against her kindness?"
Hearing Lady Jiang's words, Gu Liyue immediately took the night - pearl and bowed deeply to the Princess Dowager. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your generous gift."
The Princess Dowager nodded kindly. "A Jie likes you. When you're free in the future, come and accompany him more. My son is a bit aloof. He doesn't like most young ladies and gentlemen from ordinary families."
Gu Liyue quickly agreed.
After the banquet, the ladies gathered in the courtyard to watch a play. The young masters and ladies couldn't sit still and had made an early appointment to play poetry - matching games. Gu Liyue sat obediently on a small stool beside Lady Jiang, watching the play and not going anywhere.
Lady Jiang turned her head. "Liyue, aren't you going to play with them?"
Gu Liyue shook her head with a smile. "Lady, I'll accompany you."
Lady Jiang patted her hand. "I'm with my old friends. You don't need to accompany me. Go to the flower hall and play with the young ladies."
The Princess Dowager glanced at Gu Liyue and said, "If you're not familiar with the place, I'll have someone take you to find A Jie."
Gu Liyue quickly declined and then got up, bowed, and left.
The Princess Dowager smiled. "You, too. Haven't you ever experienced the disputes among young ladies? Her position is rather awkward. There aren't many who truly treat her well. Why put her in such a difficult situation?"
Lady Jiang sighed slightly. "She has to go through these eventually. I can't protect her all the time. After a few more times, she'll be fine."
A lady beside them heard this and asked curiously, "Do you really want to treat her as your daughter? Is the Duke okay with this?"
Lady Jiang shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I'm old. My sons are grown - up and don't need my worry. Now I only have this one wish. What can they do to me? I really like Liyue. She's just like my Yue'er. Why can't I keep her as my daughter?"
Everyone present knew Lady Jiang's obsession, so they didn't say anything more. After all, it was just a daughter. Adopting her wasn't a big deal. In the future, they could marry her off to a poor family with a dowry. It could even gain an in - law to serve the Duke's Mansion. The Duke shouldn't be so fussy.
The Princess Dowager thought for a while. "I don't know why, but I felt she looked familiar the first time I saw her."
Lady Jiang immediately said, "That's right. I also think she looks familiar. Your Highness, don't you think she looks like me? Or, like Yue'er?"
The Princess Dowager sized up Lady Jiang and didn't think so. But Yue'er... She had seen Yue'er before her untimely death. There seemed to be a resemblance. Thick eyebrows, big eyes, a straight nose, and a small mouth. Yes, perhaps it was because she thought that girl Liyue looked like Jiang Yue.
Gu Liyue left the courtyard and found a maid to take her to the flower hall.
Before she reached the flower hall, she saw Jiang Yingyue standing with another extremely beautiful young lady. Jiang Yingyue was already quite good - looking, but in comparison, this young lady made Jiang Yingyue look a lot uglier.
Gu Liyue sighed inwardly. Truly, this was the capital. The young men were extremely handsome, and the young ladies were incredibly beautiful. In these few months, she had seen things that she hadn't seen in the previous decades of her life.
Jiang Yingyue called out, "Liyue, come here."
Gu Liyue didn't like Jiang Yingyue's commanding tone, but the young lady beside her was so beautiful that she couldn't help but walk over. She stared at the young lady with her mouth slightly open. "Miss... You're so beautiful."
Qi Manyan originally disliked Gu Liyue in every way. But hearing this, most of her anger dissipated. She was the most beautiful young lady in the capital and had grown up being praised. But no amount of praise was as sincere as this one from this naive country girl.
She pursed her lips and asked, "Do you know Prince Lu's heir?"
Gu Liyue asked blankly, "Who's Prince Lu's heir?"
Jiang Yingyue said angrily, "Stop pretending. It's Lu Jinchen who's with Young Master Lin. How can you not know him?"
Only then did Gu Liyue understand. She nodded. "Yes, I've met him a few times, but I didn't know he was a prince's heir."
Qi Manyan looked at Gu Liyue like this and wondered how Jinchen could take a fancy to such a young girl. And this girl was so stupid. She was only good - looking in the eyes. Why should she argue with this girl?
"Lu Jinchen is the heir of the Prince of Liang. The Prince of Liang is the emperor's younger brother and the Princess Dowager's older brother. His status is extraordinary." Qi Manyan thought for a while and then warned uneasily, "He's not someone you can have thoughts about. Do you understand?"
So this beautiful young lady liked Lu Jinchen. They really were a perfect match, like a golden boy and a jade girl. For some reason, Gu Liyue felt a pang of sadness in her heart. Then she thought it was ridiculous. Gu Liyue, what do you think you're doing? Do you think that just because that Master Lu is a bit nicer to you, he likes you?
However, everyone likes beautiful things. Master Lu was so good - looking. It was normal for her to have a crush on him. As long as she treated it with a normal heart, it would be okay.
After convincing herself, Gu Liyue nodded to Qi Manyan. "Yes, Liyue knows. Thank you, Miss, for your advice."
Seeing that Gu Liyue was obedient, Qi Manyan was even more satisfied. "That's good. I'm Qi Manyan, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Qi's Mansion. Since Lady Jiang has recognized you, in the future, you'll also be considered our sister. As long as you remember your own status, we won't do anything to you."
"Okay."
Gu Liyue felt heavy - hearted. Why did she feel so guilty? It was as if she was giving up something important just to have friends.
Was it important? Lu Jinchen... They weren't from the same world. She didn't deserve him. Why should she think about such illusory things?
The prince's heir and the duke's daughter were meant to be together.