NOVPUBXu Liangeng naturally didn’t miss the glance from Shen Roujia. However, by then, Gu Yunqing was already nervously twisting her handkerchief, looking as if she was lovesick.
Shen Roujia raised her eyelids slightly and smiled lightly at Xu Liangeng. Seeing her enigmatic smile, Xu Liangeng frowned.
Shen Roujia paid no further attention to him, feeling disappointed at Gu Yunqing’s lack of provocation. She regretted wasting her time by coming here. However, when she saw Gu Yunqing quietly moving towards Xu Liangeng, Shen Roujia’s face lit up with a mischievous smile.
She suddenly remarked to Xu Liangeng, “Your Highness, what unfortunate timing. The General and Miss Gu are not here.”
Her words, layered with meaning, directly pointed out his intentions. Xu Liangeng’s lips tightened. “Old Madam,” he greeted.
Old Madam Gu smiled at Xu Liangeng and made room for him. “Your Highness, please take a seat.”
Xu Liangeng thanked her and sat down with a dark expression. Shen Roujia, twirling her wine cup, said, “No need to look for her. They likely won’t let Gu Zhi come out.”
At the mention of Gu Zhi, Xu Liangeng turned to Shen Roujia. “How do you know?” he asked.
Shen Roujia lightly pointed in Gu Yunqing’s direction. “Your Highness, have you forgotten? She is the Old Madam’s real granddaughter.”
Xu Liangeng turned to look at Gu Yunqing, his expression instantly souring. He understood Shen Roujia’s implication immediately. Jumping to his feet, he said, “Old Madam, I have urgent matters to attend to. I must leave now.”
Old Madam Gu hadn’t heard what Shen Roujia whispered to Xu Liangeng, so she couldn’t react in time to stop him. He strode out of the banquet quickly.
Gu Yunqing turned pale, baffled as to why Xu Liangeng seemed so angry upon seeing her.
Shen Roujia let out a soft, barely noticeable laugh, but it was enough for Gu Yunqing to catch.
Just then, Old Madam Gu waved her hand, signaling someone to take Gu Yunqing away.
Shen Roujia smiled warmly and called out, “Isn’t this Yunqing? Why are you leaving just after coming out?”
Gu Yunqing shot an unfriendly glance at Shen Roujia but forced herself to face the Old Madam, reluctantly stepping forward.
“Yunqing greets the Crown Princess,” she said.
Shen Roujia raised an eyebrow, surprised that Gu Yunqing was actually showing proper courtesy this time. After all, rank holds power, and sometimes Shen Roujia found her title as Crown Princess quite useful.
Gu Yunqing was indeed a white lotus, but a low-level one. Shen Roujia could recite her lines backward. It was always the same routine: playing the victim, stepping on others, all while portraying herself as innocent and kind.
Such outdated tricks were ones Shen Roujia had tired of years ago.
Not giving Gu Yunqing a chance to speak, Shen Roujia immediately feigned hurt and said, “Yunqing, you used to chat with us sisters often. Why did you ignore me the last time we met in the palace?”
Gu Yunqing, afraid of bringing up palace matters, quickly shook her head. “No, that’s not true…”
Shen Roujia pretended not to notice her evasive expression and continued innocently, “It was at Consort Shu’s birthday banquet, remember?”
Gu Yunqing turned pale. During that banquet, many noble ladies were invited, and her actions had drawn too much attention, inevitably leaving a bad impression.
By bringing it up now, in front of these lesser ladies, Shen Roujia knew word would spread quickly through the capital’s gossip mill.
