Before the Gu family could plead their case to the emperor, the Liang Prince came to the Gu Mansion that night with generous gifts to offer an apology. As a prince, even though Marquis Gu was displeased, he couldn't show his annoyance in person. So, he still invited the prince in with courtesy and offered him the seat of honor.
The Liang Prince didn't mince words. He clasped his hands and said, "I've heard about what happened today. It's really my wife's fault. She was so ignorant that she made such a fool of herself and troubled you, Marquis. These humble gifts are my token of apology to you and Miss Liyue. I'll surely discipline her strictly in the future so that such things won't happen again. Please forgive me, Marquis."
Being so humble, the prince left Marquis Gu with little to say. He simply replied, "Speaking of today's incident, it's partly my fault too. It all started with a verbal argument. But please understand, Marquis. Liyue has had a hard life before. It's only recently that we found her. If she wants the moon in the sky, I'd try to get it for her. How could I allow others to bully her? Besides... As the saying goes, it's always difficult for a daughter - in - law and her mother - in - law to get along. My father's idea is that to avoid future troubles for Liyue after she marries into your mansion, perhaps it's better to... call off this engagement."
The Liang Prince was greatly shocked and quickly waved his hands. "No need, no need. What are you talking about, Marquis? How could we call off the engagement just because of a few words?"
Marquis Gu explained, "Your Highness knows that Liyue is a gentle - natured girl. She needs a kind - hearted mother - in - law. Since the princess is already dissatisfied with her before they even get married, I... Your Highness, don't worry. My father and I will go to the emperor in person to plead our case. We won't put your mansion in a difficult position."
Even so, since today's incident had made a big stir, the emperor would surely find out sooner or later. This engagement was personally requested by Lu Jinchen from the emperor and bestowed by him. It was the princess who had messed it up. What would happen then...
The Liang Prince was extremely troubled. He shook his head and said, "Marquis, you don't need to worry. For ordinary women, the relationship with their mother - in - law does matter. But Jinchen is the son of my late wife and the heir apparent. My current wife has no right to interfere in his family affairs. Moreover, Jinchen already has his own family. He'll only visit during festivals. It won't have much of an impact..."
After much discussion, Marquis Gu finally reached an agreement with the Liang Prince. The engagement would not be called off, but the wedding date would be postponed.
"After all, Liyue has only been back for a few months. It's too soon to set the wedding date. My parents were already unhappy about this engagement. I managed to persuade them by saying that Liyue is old enough and it's time for her to get engaged. For such an important event as marriage, let's delay it a bit so that Liyue can spend more time with my parents."
The Liang Prince was reluctant at first, but since things had been said to this extent, he had no choice but to nod.
Marquis Gu accompanied the Liang Prince outside the mansion. Just as the prince was about to get into the carriage, Marquis Gu said, "Your Highness, please don't take offense at my words. Your status is extremely noble, and you're highly regarded by the emperor. You're truly extraordinary. But as the saying goes, a harmonious family leads to success in everything. What's the point of having great power if your family falls apart? Right? The heir apparent would rather go to the palace to plead with the emperor than be honest with you. This..."
The Liang Prince shook his head and said, "Jinchen is a very stubborn child and quite disobedient... Of course, he's a good boy in essence and can tell right from wrong. It's just that there's a long - standing grudge between us that hasn't been resolved yet."
Marquis Gu knew that the latter part of the prince's words was meant for him, fearing that he might misunderstand Lu Jinchen as an unworthy person. As a father of sons himself, he understood the Liang Prince's feelings. So, he patted the prince on the shoulder and said, "Your Highness, since there's a grudge, you should try your best to resolve it."
The Liang Prince returned home with a heavy heart. He saw his wife with her hair down and her hairpin removed, kneeling in front of the bedroom door, looking at him tearfully.
"Your Highness, it's all my fault. Please punish me," the princess pleaded.
The Liang Prince was extremely exhausted. He waved his hand and said, "What are you talking about? You're the princess..."
The princess placed her hand on her chest and shook her head. "I'm the princess, that's true. But I'm also your wife and the mother of our children. I made a big mistake today. Jinchen will surely misunderstand me, thinking that I did it on purpose. Your Highness, I don't care about myself, but I definitely don't want Jinchen to misunderstand you anymore. Please punish me severely."
The Liang Prince suppressed his annoyance and helped her up. "You're really... The Gu family is not easy to deal with. What you did has only put Jinchen in a difficult position. This matter is over. Since I've resolved it, there should be no more problems."
The princess felt extremely guilty. "I... I was just speaking from the bottom of my heart. I didn't expect that the marquis's wife would overhear me. Alas, I wasn't careful enough. It's all my fault. I'll surely go and apologize to Jinchen later so that he won't misunderstand you..."
The Liang Prince gave a bitter smile. "If Jinchen were obedient, I wouldn't be so worried. We'll talk about it later."
After hearing the news, Gu Chengzhi didn't react strongly. He just sneered and said to Gu Liyue, "Sister, don't worry. The Liang Princess is not a good person. She clearly wants to ruin this engagement. She's afraid that if Jinchen marries you and has the support of our Gu family, it'll be even more difficult for her to control him."
Gu Liyue was a bit curious. "Fourth brother, why are the princess and the heir apparent on such bad terms?"
Gu Chengzhi explained, "It's a long story. Jinchen's mother was the principal wife before, while the current princess was just a concubine back then. The Liang Prince and his principal wife grew up together and had a deep affection for each other. The concubine was from the Shu family. She was saved by the Liang Prince during an outing and was taken in as a concubine. Later, this woman from the Shu family was very good at understanding people's hearts and managed to make the prince dote on her and neglect his wife. How could the principal wife, with her strong - willed personality, tolerate this? In the end, she was so depressed that she died, leaving behind a young Lu Jinchen..."
Gu Liyue frowned slightly. Although Lu Jinchen had relatives, he sounded really pitiful. His father doted on the concubine and neglected his wife, and his mother died early, leaving him all alone...
Gu Chengzhi added, "That woman from the Shu family is very good at putting on an act and has the prince wrapped around her finger. If you marry into their mansion in the future, you must be careful and don't be deceived by her."
Gu Liyue asked in surprise, "Fourth brother, do you mean it's all the principal wife's fault? And the Liang Prince was just deceived?"
Gu Chengzhi was slightly stunned. After a long while, he took a deep breath and said, "Jinchen refuses to forgive the prince. But... The Liang Prince is truly an admirable person. Back then, there was a flood in Jiangxi. The disaster was so severe that everyone was at a loss. The local officials and soldiers abandoned the common people. It was the Liang Prince who came in person and worked tirelessly with the people to fight against the natural disaster. After the flood, there was a plague. The Liang Prince never gave up on any of the people and even risked his own life... This is just one of his many deeds. There are many similar things. He has dedicated himself to the country and the people."
Gu Liyue shook her head. "He's a good prince to the people and a good subject to the emperor. But for the late princess and the heir apparent, he's definitely not a good husband or a good father. Is it the concubine's fault that he doted on her and neglected his wife? No, it's just that men don't understand the truth of listening to both sides. His son suffered the pain of losing his mother, but what did the prince do? He just left his son to the concubine without any guidance."
"I've been in the capital for so long and have heard rumors about the Liang Prince's Mansion. They all say how upright the prince is and how gentle the princess is, but the heir apparent is a dissolute and ignorant person. But even I know that a son's misbehavior is the father's fault. The prince has shifted all the blame onto the heir apparent. Isn't this ridiculous?"
There was a slight noise from the courtyard. Gu Liyue turned around and saw Lu Jinchen standing there.