Chapter 53-Part 2

Gongsun Wuyan, though shrewd in his life, was infatuated with the concept of “love.” He was self-aware, understanding that, as an aide dependent on others, he had no right to marry a princess. Yet he believed that simply silently staying by Tian Ying’s side would make his life worthwhile.

Thus, the poem Tian Ying was supposed to showcase at Master Mu Feng’s tea party was actually written by Gongsun Wuyan. However, Gongsun Wuyan was unclear how this poem eventually became credited to Young Master Jiang. If he were someone with a short temper, he would have voiced his frustration long ago. But Gongsun Wuyan knew that Tian Ying was also at fault and could only swallow this silent loss.

Publicly, he remained respectful to Young Master Jiang, intending to become close friends. Whether Tian Ying could secure her position in the Crown Prince’s residence depended on whether she could overthrow Cao Xi and Jiang Xiuyao.

Young Master Jiang, being the brother of Jiang Xiuyao, the hostage princess of the state of Bo, was someone Gongsun Wuyan needed to become intimate with to conveniently operate in the future.

Unexpectedly, this Jiang Herun is a stinky stone in the manure pit, and no matter how friendly he is, he is completely unresponsive to any of Gongsun Wuyan’s goodwill.

People said that His Highness Feng Liwu had recently become fond of male beauty, but Gongsun Wuyan did not believe it.

What kind of person is Feng Liwu? If he was obsessed with male beauty, he would have revealed the signs long ago; why would he wait until today?

But Young Master Jiang is indeed a flatterer who can please the master. Since he can’t use him, this kid will definitely be an obstacle to his and Tian Ying’s future.

Fortunately, according to secret reports from the previous inn, the hostage princess of Bo did not seem very intelligent. Even if she had a capable brother, so what? Cao Xi, being a spy planted by Empress Wei by the Crown Prince’s side, was also destined not to gain his favor. As long as Gongsun Wuyan secretly supported Tian Ying to secure the position of Crown Princess, Young Master Jiang’s fall from grace would be inevitable!

Believing that patience was key, Gongsun Wuyan coldly smiled and slowly closed his eyes.

Soon, he drifted into sleep, dreaming of his old life. In his dream, Tian Ying secretly slipped a red fruit into his mouth while others were not looking.

Like Gongsun Wuyan, Feng Liwu also ate red fruits after dinner. However, these fruits were personally prepared by his tutor, hollowed out and filled with jujube paste, then wrapped in syrup and frozen outside. The hard sugar shell cracked open to reveal a blend of sweet and sour flavors, making the treat irresistibly delicious!

As the Crown Prince enjoyed his treat with a satisfied squint, Jiang Xiurun poured him a cup of fragrant tea and asked, “Before the wedding, the lake in the residence needs to be cleared. Your Highness enjoys the lake view. Should I plant some properly colored lotus flowers in the lake? By summer, it would be a beautiful mix of green and red, pleasing to your eyes, wouldn’t it?”

Although Feng Liwu often gazed at the lake, he never realized he had this habit. Now that Jiang Xiurun mentioned it, he looked at her deeply. Sensing her flattery hit the mark, Jiang Xiurun smiled and continued, “Or perhaps we could build a pavilion in the middle of the lake. When the three concubines entered the residence, they would stroll in the garden, surrounded by blooming lotuses and the pavilion in the middle, creating a picturesque scene. Just thinking about it makes me feel it’s beautiful!”

Holding his tutor’s soft hands, Feng Liwu sipped his tea and, half-closing his eyes, seemed to be lost in the image she painted, mildly intoxicated by it. He then said, “If young master think it’s good, have it done. If funds are insufficient, ask the steward for more.”