You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 184: Making friends through poetry is just a pretext
Some of the guests may have caught a glimpse of Liang Jiang at the palace banquet, but with the woman's face veiled and head bowed, no one recognized her. They all mistook her for Liang Jiang and showered her with praise.

The woman in white behind the screen was quite skilled at playing the zither. Her fingertips gently plucked and strummed, producing various melodies that were either like a babbling brook, a plaintive lament, or a stirring and passionate melody.

The young men each displayed their talents, showing off in various ways. Some even used poetry to express their admiration for the woman behind the screen.

Occasionally, a young man from a good family and with a handsome appearance would be approached by a woman behind the screen who would strike up a conversation with him.

The moment she uttered that voice, sweet and melodious like a nightingale's song, the shopkeeper became even more certain that the other party was definitely not Liang Jiang.

He couldn't linger there, so he glanced at the scene and left with a lot of suspicion, wanting to find Uncle Chen to ask him what was going on. He then learned that Uncle Chen was not at the mansion, but had gone to the tomb of the Duke of Liang.

He asked the mute man, "Why is Princess Heya nowhere to be seen today?"

The mute man was unaware of his connection with Liang Jiang: "My princess has been busy ever since she returned from Xiliang. She's just a young girl, leaving early and returning late every day, she hasn't had a moment to rest at all."

The innkeeper then asked, "Who was the young lady who played the zither at the banquet today?"

The mute man shook his head: "How would I know? But if we're talking about playing the zither, it's probably the second young lady."

The shopkeeper was increasingly puzzled, not understanding what the brother and sister's purpose was in using the name of Liang Jiang.

Could it be that he wants to secretly choose a husband for Liang Jiang again and can't wait to marry her off?
When you see the princess another day, you should remind her, because who knows what tricks the second branch of the family is up to again.
Pingxi Palace.

Gu Xizhi was at a loss.

The emperor presented him with two difficult problems.

Firstly, there was Jian Shuyan, whom the emperor did not intend to abandon the matter of bestowing a marriage upon.

Consort Xie, seeing that Jian Shuyan was perfect in every way, exposed his tricks with Xie Wan'er and urged him to marry Jian Shuyan as soon as possible.

Secondly, there was the matter of Weixi.

He possessed the late emperor's edict, and Weixi was his fiefdom; the emperor had no reason to voluntarily reclaim it.

He promised himself a high-ranking official position and generous salary, and wanted to force her to give up her position by threatening to marry Jian Shuyan.

After careful consideration, Gu Xizhi certainly couldn't compromise easily!
Weixi was his base and foundation, his escape route.

I can choose not to return for the time being, but I absolutely cannot give it up so easily.

He racked his brains trying to figure out how to respond.

A guard outside reported that the young emperor's brother-in-law, Chu Xiucheng, was requesting an audience.

When Chu Xiucheng, the emperor's brother-in-law, was the crown prince's study companion, he had some private dealings with Gu Xizhi in the palace.

His sudden visit must mean he has something on his mind.

Gu Xizhi invited him into the reception room and served him tea.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chu Xiucheng directly stated his purpose.

"The day before yesterday, my family received an invitation from Liang Wendong, the young master of the Duke's Mansion, inviting me to the Duke's Mansion yesterday to meet with friends through poetry."

Gu Xizhi said casually, "This Liang Wendong is ignorant and incompetent, yet he dares to show off his limited knowledge in front of you. You've agreed?"

Chu Xiucheng laughed and said, "The Duke's mansion's real intention is not in the wine; this poetry gathering is just a pretext."

Gu Xizhi didn't seem to care at all: "Of course, their goal is simply to befriend powerful figures like Xiu Cheng."

"No, or rather, it's half and half." Chu Xiucheng shook his head: "It is true that the Duke's mansion is hosting this banquet in Liang Wendong's name, but in reality, it is to choose a husband for Princess Heya."

Gu Xizhi's teacup trembled slightly, making a crisp "clink." Concealing his embarrassment, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "How do you know?"

"Everyone knows the truth about this matter, because the Duke's mansion invited only scions of noble families who were of equal social standing and were not yet married."

Moreover, Princess Heya herself appeared at the poetry gathering, playing the zither and throwing arrows into a pot with everyone, reciting poems and composing couplets, demonstrating her many talents and literary brilliance.

As they were leaving, she presented everyone with a couplet, promising that whoever could provide the matching line would be able to release lanterns and cruise the lake with her on the night of Qixi Festival. What else could this be but a selection of a husband?

Gu Xizhi felt a strange sense of irritation rise within her: "So you went?"

"Guess?" Chu Xiucheng deliberately kept everyone in suspense.

Gu Xizhi said sourly, "You must have gone, otherwise you wouldn't have come to see me today. Besides, with your talent, composing a couplet is a piece of cake for you. So, what is it you want?"

Chu Xiucheng asked mysteriously, "I heard you have a good relationship with this Princess Heya. I'd like to ask you, is she really as capable as the rumors say? Is she suitable for marriage?"

Gu Xizhi tightened her grip on her sleeve, forcing out a dry smile: "You wouldn't have fallen in love with her at first sight, would you?"
The Chu family is a distinguished family, and Grand Tutor Chu has always been known for his upright and strict family traditions. He couldn't possibly agree to that, could he?

Chu Xiucheng chuckled: "My father has always respected the Duke of Liangguo and has praised Princess Heya's loyalty and filial piety. He should not object."

Gu Xizhi looked troubled: "But this galangal has a fiery temper and a shrewish nature, which is not a good match for you. I hope you will consider it carefully. Moreover, as far as I know..."

"how?"

“She grew up on Yuhua Mountain and doesn’t seem to like scholars and literati. Also, whoever marries her must not let her suffer the slightest grievance, otherwise I have already seen her senior brothers and uncles on Yuhua Mountain. Even the ruthless Demon Lord Baili Shouyue has a close relationship with her.”

These words left Chu Xiucheng speechless. He stopped asking questions, chatted with Gu Xizhi for a few minutes, and then took his leave.

Gu Xizhi felt like she was being scratched by a cat. She wanted to ask Chu Xiucheng more about what happened at the poetry gathering that day, but she was also afraid that someone would see through her thoughts.

Leaning back in my chair, I felt inexplicably irritable.

No wonder she was so aloof and distant during our two meetings, keeping me at arm's length.

He wanted to go to the Duke's mansion to find Liang Jiang and get to the bottom of things, but he had no legitimate reason to do so. He was filled with resentment and secretly brooded, finding fault with everyone.

The guards didn't dare to breathe loudly, for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Everyone knows that their prince has just had a dispute with the Dowager Consort and is in a bad mood.

As a group of bachelors, the guards couldn't understand their prince's stubbornness.

These past few days, Miss Jian has visited our home, and everyone has witnessed her beauty. She is truly a woman of unparalleled beauty, a beauty that could rival the most beautiful women in history.

If I could marry a wife like that, I'd be laughing in my sleep.

Why does the prince have such a long face, covered with a layer of frost? Is he so unhappy?
As soon as Guan Qi left the study, he sighed repeatedly.

The guard beside him asked gloatingly, "You got scolded too?"

Guanqi glared at the other party with annoyance: "You still have the nerve to say that? The capital city is only this small. You can't even find one person. How can I not get scolded?"

The guard said casually, "Didn't I already say that Old Qian was saved by a young lady? He'll naturally come back once he's healed."

Guan Qi sighed, "Is the prince anxious about Old Qian's whereabouts? Or is he complaining that we're incompetent? He says I eat everything and do nothing right."

A guard suddenly spoke up: "Princess Heya came to the manor to see the prince today. She said she saved someone a few days ago."

Upon hearing this, Guanqi immediately perked up: "You mean Miss Liang came today?"

(End of this chapter)