Gu Ruobai narrowed his eyes as he saw the helplessness in Su Mingyu's eyes. "Your Highness the King of Yu brought his concubine all the way to our Prince Ruixian's Mansion just to have tea?"
His words instantly froze the atmosphere in the main hall.
Everyone knew the intention behind the King of Yu's bringing Su Yueyue here, but out of consideration for Su Yueyue's feelings, no one had said much.
However, Gu Ruobai's question hit Su Yueyue right where it hurt, as if slapping her in the face.
Su Yueyue's face stiffened. She opened her mouth, pursed her lips for a long while, and then said awkwardly, "I was in such a hurry when sister got married that I didn't get a chance to see her off properly. Now that sister's settled in the mansion, I thought I'd come and visit. It'll also be easier for me to explain to father and mother when I return to the Su Mansion."
This long - winded excuse sounded quite high - minded.
Su Mingyu saw it clearly and rolled her eyes mentally. She had no intention of coming to Su Yueyue's rescue.
After their previous encounter, Wu Yurou and the King of Yu had grown closer, which was why she was willing to come out and meet him.
Seeing Su Yueyue in such an awkward situation, she nudged the King of Yu with her elbow. "Your Highness the King of Yu is really something. With such a charming wife, you still let her show up in public. You're clearly showing off."
On the surface, her words were meant to help Su Yueyue, but when Su Yueyue saw the place where their elbows touched, her black eyes darkened.
"Where, where. Yue'er is just an ordinary young lady in the capital. It's a real beauty like the princess who's truly stunning."
Then Su Yueyue smiled at Su Mingyu. "Sister, I've heard that there's a camellia garden in Prince Ruixian's Mansion with very unique scenery. I wonder if I'd have the honor to sit in the garden? We've also specially brought some pastries made by the chef in the King of Yu's Mansion. We can share them together."
"That camellia garden is the treasure land of Prince Ruixian's Mansion," Wu Yurou said sarcastically, pouting as if she wasn't causing enough trouble. "Not only you, but even I'm not allowed to go in. Don't even think about it."
Su Yueyue pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth. "Really? I was being too presumptuous then."
This Wu Yurou really seemed to be looking for trouble for her at every turn. Su Mingyu raised her eyebrows as she watched Su Yueyue and Wu Yurou, and said calmly, "It's not that I don't want my sister and the princess to sit in the garden. It's just that this season, the flowers in the garden have all withered. There's really nothing to see."
Then Su Mingyu pointed behind her. "But in another courtyard, a bunch of golden camellias are in bloom. They're bright yellow and quite beautiful. If my sister doesn't mind, you can go to that courtyard."
Su Yueyue just wanted to change the topic. Since Su Mingyu had said so, she naturally had nothing more to say. "That's fine."
Seeing this, Su Mingyu called Zhizhu. "Zhizhu, send someone to prepare."
Then Su Mingyu pointed to the box in front of Su Yueyue. "Those things were specially brought by my sister. Take them to the kitchen and distribute them."
Watching Zhizhu's honest back as she left, Su Yueyue sighed, "Sister is really good at training people. This maid is well - behaved, and the whole mansion is well - managed. No wonder when we were in the Su Mansion, father always thought of discussing things with sister first."
These words put Su Mingyu on the spot. Not to mention that Su Zhengyi would never discuss important matters with the girls, there was also Wang Manwen in the Su Mansion. How could it be Su Mingyu's turn to make decisions?
These words were like saying that Su Mingyu was the dominant one in the Su Mansion.
Su Mingyu made a polite gesture. "Sister is really joking. Which of father's matters isn't decided by himself? I'm just a woman. What do I know? I'm sure Zhizhu has already prepared. Let's go there first."
Then Su Mingyu led the way out.
Watching Su Mingyu and Gu Ruobai walking side by side, Su Yueyue clenched her fists tightly.
Why was it that even though she had married the King of Yu and was pregnant, the King of Yu still used her to get close to Wu Yurou? But Su Mingyu had married Gu Ruobai, who had held a wedding that shocked the capital for her and even refused Wu Yurou in front of everyone for her.
This gap made Su Yueyue almost burst with anger.
The sweet singing of the birds and the faint fragrance of the flowers made everyone a bit less irritable.
Su Mingyu sat beside Gu Ruobai and looked at the King of Yu. "Last time when I met Your Highness the King of Yu, I didn't get a chance to invite you for a cup of tea properly. Now in Prince Ruixian's Mansion, I'll borrow the prince's tea to invite Your Highness."
Although Su Mingyu's words were meant for the King of Yu, her eyes were on Su Yueyue.
Su Yueyue was a smart woman. She immediately understood the meaning behind Su Mingyu's words. She glanced at the King of Yu and then poured a cup of tea for him imperceptibly. "So it was because you met sister that Your Highness came back late last time."
"En," the King of Yu didn't hide anything. "I happened to see the princess and the princess consort being surrounded by others, so I went up to help."
Su Yueyue lowered her eyes. "Your Highness is really kind - hearted."
Seeing Su Yueyue looking so frustrated, Su Mingyu slightly raised the corner of her eye. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Mu Yi waving in the distance.
Su Mingyu waved to Mu Yi. "Mu Yi, you're back?"
Mu Yi was stunned. He looked at Gu Ruobai, his eyes full of confusion. He was a secret guard, and Su Mingyu actually asked him to come to the front of everyone. Wasn't this inappropriate?
But Gu Ruobai just nodded at him, signaling him to come over.
Mu Yi walked up to them reluctantly and bowed. "Greetings to all the masters."
"Do you have something to tell us?" Su Mingyu looked at him, her eyes fixed.
Mu Yi widened his eyes. After a long while, he finally realized that Su Mingyu had deliberately called him over to use him as an excuse to get away!
This woman was really calculating!
"Th - there's someone outside the door looking for the princess consort and the prince. They said it's an urgent matter," Mu Yi said with his head down.
Su Mingyu nodded apologetically to those around her. "Sorry, I have something to attend to. I'll leave first."
Then, Su Mingyu left the awkward - atmosphere courtyard, taking Gu Ruobai with her.
After leaving the courtyard, Su Mingyu gave Mu Yi an appreciative look. "Young man, you're quite smart."
Mu Yi scratched his nose. "Princess consort, you'd better go to the door quickly. Xia Mian is looking for you."
By the time Su Mingyu reached the back door, Xia Mian had been pacing back and forth, wringing her hands, waiting for a long time.