To outsiders, Pei Yunlu seemed to have nothing to do with the Prince's Mansion.
Moreover, Yan Zhao hadn't truly given his consent, while Gu Xiao was harboring the thought of making trouble in the muddy water.
And Pei Yunlu was afraid of her elder brother in her heart, so she was at a standstill for a moment.
As the host and someone who knew the inside story,
In the presence of Gu Xiao and Nanny Wang's stunned looks, Ning Yuwang affectionately held Pei Yunlu's arm. "Young Prince Gu rarely returns to the capital. He has taken you as his friend. Miss Pei, please give him some face and come into the Prince's Mansion to take a rest for a while."
Where no one could see, she whispered in Pei Yunlu's ear, "Why not have a good talk with the Prince today?"
About what?
Naturally, it was about the matter between Pei Yunlu and Lu Jin.
Yan Zhao had never given his approval on this matter. He wasn't willing to let his own delicate cabbage be taken by the "pig"!
Even when Ning Yuwang occasionally probed, she was always stopped by him.
She looked at Lu Jin beside Pei Yunlu. He was well - behaved and modest, no wonder Pei Yunlu liked him.
When meeting Ning Yuwang's gaze, Lu Jin was a bit shy but still bowed his head.
Then he fixed his eyes on Pei Yunlu.
Ning Yuwang raised her eyebrows. Their feelings were mutual, and they should be together.
"Then I won't decline."
Pei Yunlu bowed and followed Ning Yuwang into the Prince's Mansion.
Then came Lu Jin, and finally the others from the Prince's Mansion.
The snow was falling in a flurry, and soon the steps in front of the Prince's Mansion were covered in silver.
Across from the Prince's Mansion, a crack quickly closed, and at the same time, an ambiguous look was intercepted.
Inside the mansion.
While waiting for the meal to be served, Gu Xiao was playing chess with Lu Jin.
Originally, he was going to play a game with Yan Zhao, but Yan Zhao casually said, "I've heard that Miss Pei is excellent at chess. As her friend, Mr. Lu should also be good at it, right?"
The hesitation on Lu Jin's face disappeared, replaced by determination.
Why?
Gu Xiao shouted in surprise in his heart, watching helplessly as Lu Jin sat opposite him.
He glanced at Yan Zhao's actions. "Cousin, a true gentleman doesn't comment during a chess game."
Yan Zhao calmly placed a black piece on the chessboard for him. "I didn't say anything. You're just too slow."
But he couldn't...
Gang up on Lu Jin!
Gu Xiao complained silently in his heart. "Why don't you play, cousin?"
"You play."
Yan Zhao paused. "If he plays against me, there's no way he can win."
It meant that since his chess skills were a bit worse, Lu Jin could compete with him.
Gu Xiao pursed his lips. Why did he feel that his cousin's attitude towards Lu Jin was a bit strange?
Looking at Lu Jin opposite, he was clearly going all out.
Did his cousin really take a fancy to Pei Yunlu, so he was always against Lu Jin?
Did Lu Jin also notice his cousin's intention and was trying to fight against the fate of the powerful with his frail body?
For a moment, Gu Xiao shook his head. His cousin shouldn't be such a fickle person.
Although Ning Yuwang was a bit arrogant and domineering, it was obvious that she was respected by the servants in the Prince's Mansion.
This was enough to show that she was a good Princess Consort.
Moreover, besides her management skills, her beauty was also something that men all over the world yearned for.
How could Yan Zhao be distracted?
Maybe he was distracted, and Gu Xiao almost lost.
Fortunately, with Yan Zhao's "occasional" deliberate guidance, he gradually turned the situation around and faintly suppressed Lu Jin.
But Lu Jin didn't object to Yan Zhao's interference. He put all his mind into the game and gradually turned the defeat into a draw.
"Tsk."
There was a soft snort from Yan Zhao. Gu Xiao felt guilty for no reason.
It was all because of his poor chess skills!
"Thank you, Young Prince Gu, for your mercy."
Lu Jin cupped his hands. There was no arrogance on his face. He really seemed to have met a worthy opponent.
He didn't mention Yan Zhao at all, as if it was really just a game between him and Gu Xiao.
"Where, where."
Gu Xiao forced a smile. "Mr. Lu's skills are really superb."
He got up awkwardly. "I don't play chess very often on weekdays."
It was also an excuse for himself.
Ning Yuwang came with Pei Yunlu to serve tea. Before she even looked at the chessboard, she asked, "Young Prince Gu and Mr. Lu, who won?"
"It's a draw."
Yan Zhao's expression was as cold as the snow outside the window.
Pei Yunlu stepped forward and took a look at the chessboard. She saw that the white pieces faintly suppressed the black pieces, but then gave up the chance to win and stopped in the middle.
Actually, it wasn't really a draw.
She could tell, and so could Ning Yuwang and Yan Zhao.
As the player, Gu Xiao could also tell that Lu Jin had been letting him.
This young man was kind - hearted.
If it was his cousin, he would have defeated him completely.
Sure enough, Yan Zhao coldly glanced at Gu Xiao. "Stay in the Prince's Mansion these days and practice chess more."
If it was about battlefield strategies and leading troops to fight, Gu Xiao wouldn't be afraid at all.
But when it came to this kind of intellectual competition, he felt a headache just hearing about it.
"No need. I'll go back to the old mansion these days."
Although the Marquis of Wu'an had left the capital, there was still an old mansion in the capital.
Yan Zhao's voice and expression were cold. "A chess game is like a battlefield. A moment of slack can lead to a complete defeat."
His meaningful look was fixed on Lu Jin, but the latter clearly understood his meaning and didn't argue.
He just took the fragrant tea that Pei Yunlu offered, smiling gently and obediently. "Thank you, Miss Pei."
Yan Zhao was extremely angry in his heart, but he managed to hold it back.
Gu Xiao, who was scolded for no reason: …
He always felt that this anger wasn't directed at him.
Ning Yuwang gently pulled Yan Zhao's sleeve and offered him a cup of tea. "Getting angry is bad for your health. Your Highness, have some tea to calm down?"
The softness returned to Yan Zhao's eyes, and his tone also became gentle. "I'm not angry."
"Really?"
Ning Yuwang didn't believe it. Even though their identities weren't public, Yan Zhao almost showed his disgust openly.
No wonder Gu Xiao and Nanny Wang had strange looks just now.
If she didn't know the identities of Yan Zhao and Pei Yunlu, she might be jealous too.
"Okay, I was angry."
Yan Zhao drank the tea as she offered and calmed down his anger to please his wife.
The two of them were whispering here, while Lu Jin and Pei Yunlu were looking at each other over there.
Gu Xiao was standing right in the middle, but he felt that he couldn't fit in at all.
The face of An Xingzhi flashed through his mind, and then he quickly shook his head.
Why did he think of An Xingzhi again?
He silently asked himself. He had clearly decided to let go of An Xingzhi, so why did he think of her again?
Was it because of the current atmosphere?
The young Prince Gu, who had been single for nineteen years, rarely showed a look of embarrassment. He scratched his head and smacked his lips. He would marry a wife tomorrow.
Just then, Nanny Wang led Lianye and the others to bring the food. "Dinner is served."
Gu Xiao took the opportunity to leave. "Coming. I'm starving."
"Look at him."
Ning Yuwang smiled softly and led Pei Yunlu to follow.
Originally, Lu Jin was following behind Pei Yunlu, but Yan Zhao seemed to deliberately block his way with his feet and walked one step ahead of him.
When leaving, that look was full of scrutiny and dissatisfaction.
Lu Jin was a person who didn't like to fight or grab. He seemed to think of something, and a knowing smile appeared on his lips.
Then he slowed down his steps. After Yan Zhao went out first, he followed.