si-mexico Chapter 166 is truly common knowledge.
Chapter 166 is truly common knowledge.
A few days later, the ice skating competition was held as scheduled.
Chu Ruohan changed into an elegant winter outfit early in the morning, with a fox fur cloak over it, making her look both dignified and noble.
Gu Junze was dressed in a black brocade robe, his hair was tied up and secured with a jade hairpin, making him look handsome and extraordinary. Despite his leg ailment, his temperament was not diminished in the slightest.
The two rode together in a carriage to the ice skating rink.
Upon arrival, they found a large crowd already gathered on a wide, frozen lake.
On the ice, several women were gliding gracefully, their skirts fluttering, like ice fairies.
This drew cheers from those around them.
Chu Ruohan pushed Gu Junze through the crowd, and everyone's eyes turned to them.
Most of them were just curious, after all, Gu Junze had always been a mysterious figure among the noble young men of the capital.
He was sickly and weak, unable to walk properly, and rarely went out, let alone attended banquets.
Now that he has topped the list in the autumn imperial examinations, it is inevitable that he will attract the attention of some people.
The two walked toward where Princess Huijia was. The pavilion was tightly wrapped in layers of thick curtains and lit with charcoal fire, which was completely different from the snow and ice outside.
"Junze, you've finally arrived! Your aunt hasn't seen you for quite some time."
Princess Huijia sat gracefully on a brocade cushion, dressed in a neat winter outfit, and looked like she would be leaving the stage soon.
Gu Junze bowed slightly and said respectfully, "It's been a long time. How have you been, Aunt?"
"Good, very good." Princess Huijia nodded with a smile, turning her gaze to Chu Ruohan, her eyes full of admiration. "This is Ruohan, she is indeed a beautiful woman."
Chu Ruohan curtsied and said softly, "This humble woman greets Princess Huijia. Thank you for your praise, Princess."
"Get up quickly, no need for formalities." Princess Huijia quickly waved her hand to indicate, "Tong Junze can just call me Aunt."
The woman beside Princess Huijia's eyes were fixed on Gu Junze. "Cousin," she said, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.
This "cousin" caught Chu Ruohan's attention.
Chu Ruohan was startled. It was her?
In her previous life, this was the same woman who caused a scene at the Marquis's mansion, insisting that Gu Junze had been murdered and demanding an explanation from the Marquis of Anyang.
Shen Qingwan is Princess Huijia's only daughter. She is very beautiful, but at this moment, she only has eyes for Gu Junze.
She naturally knew why her mother was holding the ice skating extravaganza, but since she was little, her heart had been set on Gu Junze, and she looked down on everyone else.
However, Gu Junze was disabled and Princess Huijia felt sorry for her daughter, so she naturally disagreed with the marriage.
Shen Qingwan could be said to have loved but not been loved in return.
She never expected that Gu Junze would have a wife so soon, and that this woman was the daughter of a merchant.
She defiled the man she loved.
"Cousin Qingwan," Gu Junze replied curtly before looking away.
Shen Qingwan seemed oblivious to Gu Junze's coldness. She took a few steps forward, stood in front of Chu Ruohan, and looked her up and down.
A faint, cold smile played on her lips: "So you're Cousin Junze's new wife?"
Princess Huijia frowned, her tone stern, "Qingwan, you must not be rude. Even if you don't call me 'cousin-in-law,' you should still address me as 'the Crown Prince's wife.'"
Then, turning to Chu Ruohan, he said gently, "I've spoiled this child, please don't mind. She's been pampered by me since she was little, so it's inevitable that she's a bit spoiled."
As the princess's daughter, Chu Ruohan dared not accuse her of being strange, especially since Princess Huijia was merely being polite to her.
Gu Junze frowned slightly, his expression displeased. "Aunt, it's time to discipline her."
Upon hearing Gu Junze's merciless words, Shen Qingwan's face flushed red and then paled, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
She gritted her teeth and glared at Chu Ruohan with hatred.
My cousin actually said such things about this woman because of her.
She's just a merchant's daughter, she doesn't deserve it.
Princess Huijia was both angry and anxious when she saw her daughter's state. "This wretched child!"
Gu Junze's words should have been even harsher, so that she would completely give up on this idea.
Shen Qingwan suddenly remembered the news she had received yesterday.
Rumors are circulating that my cousin is impotent and has adopted two children.
Three years ago, in order to marry Gu Junze, she drugged his tea. Although she failed, Ying Qing threw her out of Hongmeng Academy.
But she knew her cousin was capable, just like any other normal man.
It seems that my cousin doesn't like Chu Ruohan, but only married her because he was forced to by his parents.
Laughter echoed across the ice. Shen Qingwan suddenly turned and pointed to the center of the lake in the distance: "This year's prize for ice skating is a snow jade hairpin, a tribute from the Western Regions. Why don't you have a competition between me and my cousin-in-law?"
"I've heard that my cousin-in-law is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. This elegant art of picking plum blossoms on ice must be no challenge for you."
Chu Ruohan's fingertips felt slightly cold. They really knew how to flatter her. Were they determined to make things difficult for her?
Chu Ruohan was thinking about how to deal with it when Gu Junze spoke first: "Cousin Qingwan, Han'er is not good at ice skating, so please don't make things difficult for her."
Shen Qingwan seemed not to hear Gu Junze's words and continued to argue relentlessly: "Cousin, are you already protecting her? Ice skating is our winter festival. If my sister-in-law doesn't agree, wouldn't that spoil everyone's fun?"
As she spoke, she looked at Chu Ruohan provocatively, as if she could already see her making a fool of herself.
A burst of hearty laughter came from outside the crowd: "What's going on here? I could hear my little niece's loud voice from far away!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Lin Jingchuan walking over with light steps and a smile on his face.
He was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with a warm jade pendant tied at his waist. His upright posture and elegant demeanor instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Lin Jingchuan approached and first bowed respectfully to Princess Huijia: "Greetings, Your Highness. It's been a long time. Your Highness is as elegant as ever. Today's ice skating event is truly spectacular!"
Princess Huijia nodded slightly, a smile appearing on her face: "Jingchuan is here, get up quickly. Your ice swordsmanship skills are superb, you'd better show off later."
"Row."
Lin Jingchuan straightened up, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Shen Qingwan. He teased, "Little niece, what are you trying to compete in? You seem determined to determine who's better."
Shen Qingwan's face stiffened, and a hint of impatience flashed in her eyes, but she still forced a smile and said, "Uncle, you've come at the right time."
"I was just thinking of inviting the wife of the heir of the Marquis of Anyang's mansion to compete in ice-breaking plum blossoms, just to join in the fun."
Lin Jingchuan raised an eyebrow, looked at Chu Ruohan, and said with a hint of mockery in his eyes, "Oh? It's very difficult to pick plum blossoms on ice. If you insist on competing, it would be bad if you got hurt."
"Gu Junze must be heartbroken," he said, then turned to Shen Qingwan, "Little niece, don't you think so?"
Shen Qingwan gritted her teeth, her heart filled with resentment, but she couldn't directly refute Lin Jingchuan, so she could only keep a cold face.
"Alright, alright, I'll play with you..."
Prince Yong is the emperor's and Princess Huijia's uncle. In terms of seniority, Lin Jingchuan is comparable to Lin Xingyao, while Gu Junze is a generation older.
Princess Yong received the invitation and learned that Princess Huijia claimed to be holding an ice skating event, but in reality, she was looking for a match for her daughter.
Let Lin Jingchuan join in the fun. If he takes a liking to someone, she'll send someone to propose marriage. After all, her son is getting on in years and it's time for him to get married.