Gu Ying greatly admired Yanzhi's eloquence and smiled as she ruffled the little girl's hair, "My little Yanzhi is becoming more and more clever."
Yanzhi bashfully bent her lips and said, "Oh, it's all thanks to Madam teaching me well. I will keep improving and become even more clever!"
Yin Lan's thoughts were deeper than Yanzhi's. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but ponder, "Madam, we have a purpose coming here today, don't we?"
Before the Heir Apparent left the manor, he had clearly ordered people to secretly protect them near Changfeng Pavilion.
Today, Madam should not have left the manor.
Gu Ying nodded and did not hide anything from the two capable maids beside her. She said solemnly, "We just need to keep Concubine Wan in check. Everything else, we don't need to worry about. The Heir Apparent has calculated the timing and will reveal Concubine Wan's adultery with Xia Zixi before everyone at the critical moment by bringing His Majesty to Qingyun Temple."
Yin Lan and Yanzhi's expressions instantly became tense.
A favored imperial concubine committing adultery with the Commander of the Imperial Guards was a huge scandal!
If they were caught red-handed adultery in public, His Majesty would surely be furious.
By then, no matter how much Concubine Wan tried, there would be no chance of turning things around!
Gu Ying smiled faintly, "Don't be so nervous. The Heir Apparent has arranged everything."
Including some of the Heir Apparent's people among the Imperial Guards escorting Concubine Wan here this time.
Also, the Heir Apparent has arranged his confidants within Qingyun Temple.
The grand play of revealing the adultery has been fully prepared, now they just need the two main characters to make their appearance.
Yanzhi heaved a long sigh of relief, and Yin Lan also slightly relaxed her mouth corners, "But why did Concubine Wan ask for Madam to accompany her?"
Gu Ying's mouth corners raised amusedly, "We'll find out when we go in."
Her gaze calmly swept over Madam Zhang and Mrs. Li. She got off the carriage behind them.
Closely following behind her was a tall, sturdy figure - Shen Munian, Ah Ning's martial arts master, whom she had borrowed from her aunt.
At first glance, Madam Zhang's eyes lit up when she saw Gu Ying. She smiled and walked over, "Oh my! This must be the young madam of the Heir Apparent of the Duke of Zhen Guo's manor! I have long heard of the famous beauty Gu Er Young Miss. Seeing you today, your beauty is truly unmatched, just look at that exquisite face that can bring down countries and cities. You are really pitiable."
Gu Ying politely bowed and said, "Thank you for your praise, Madam Zhang. Ah Rong is truly undeserving."
Madam Zhang was easy-going. Clutching her handkerchief, she laughed, "Look, such a well-behaved girl. Rumors say the young madam is disrespectful to elders and arrogant, but they are clearly false."
Gu Ying maintained a proper smile.
Madam Zhang's gaze shifted meaningfully to her belly, "Young Madam, how many months pregnant are you?"
The corners of Gu Ying's mouth smiled, "Almost five months."
Madam Zhang enthusiastically said, "Oh my! That's not an early stage, may I touch it?"
Yanzhi was about to stop her, but Madam Zhang's hand was already on Gu Ying's rounded belly, gently caressing it. Her eyes instantly narrowed joyfully, "Young Madam's belly is so round and smooth, I reckon this is a little Heir Apparent."
Gu Ying expressionlessly took a step back away from her.
Mrs. Li scoffed and her meaningful gaze lingered on Gu Ying's belly. She flatly said, "Alright, Concubine Wan's carriage is almost here. Let's go welcome her."
Unlike the habitual flattering of Madam Zhang, Mrs. Li had an inherent arrogance.
Although not good-looking, even the gold and silver she wore could not conceal her vulgarity.
Yet she still looked down on Gu Ying.
Gu Ying took in Mrs. Li's expression but did not expose it. She went with them to the temple gate.
Concubine Wan got off an exquisite, luxurious carriage, with the cold and tall Xia Zixi by her side. Behind her were over a dozen palace maids and eunuchs. Although low-key, the pomp befitting an imperial concubine was present.
After exchanging pleasantries, they directly entered Qingyun Temple.
Since Concubine Wan said she would stay here for a while, Qingyun Temple had stopped receiving outside guests. The old abbot had long led some young monks to stand guard at the gate waiting for the noble guest.
After seeing Concubine Wan, they had people lead them to their respective meditation rooms.
Only Gu Ying was left behind.
Gu Ying's brows and eyes were smiling as she calmly and unhurriedly asked, "I wonder what Concubine Wan wants to say to Ah Rong?"
Concubine Wan sat upright on a rosewood chair inlaid with golden threads. Her gaze was loving as she looked this way and sighed, "I have always liked you and wanted you to stay behind to chat."
Gu Ying thought they had nothing intimate to talk about, but her face still maintained a smile and said, "Madam, please go ahead and speak, this servant is listening."
Concubine Wan's mouth corner curled into a faint smile, "Serve the rose tea I brought from the palace and let the young madam have a taste."
After she spoke, the rose tea was quickly served and placed next to Gu Ying.
Gu Ying's gaze calmly looked over. The palace maid's hand was fair, her fingers slender like scallions, which made the rose tea in the glass cup appear even more blood red.
This meditation room belonged exclusively to Concubine Wan. Once she entered, it was filled with Xia Zixi's people.
The atmosphere was somewhat tense.
After so many years of intrigue in the harem, Concubine Wan was extremely cunning and careful in her actions.
Today, with heavy guards around her, it made Gu Ying feel a subtle sense of pressure.
"Why aren't you drinking it?" Concubine Wan's eyes flashed a hint of meaning as she raised her brows. In her own hand she held a cup. Her slender fingers lightly grasped the rim as she sipped and smiled enchantingly, "Do you dislike my tea?"
Gu Ying regained her senses and smiled faintly, "This servant does not dare. Just that during pregnancy I seldom drink this kind of floral tea, afraid I won't be used to it."
Concubine Wan said, "Don't worry, this flower tea is harmless to the fetus in your belly. When I was pregnant with Yang'er I also liked to drink it. Look how big he has grown now."
Gu Ying picked up the glass cup from the palace maid's hand and glanced down.
Concubine Wan's eyes flashed a hint of laughter, "Why still refuse to drink what I offer? Could it be Ah Rong suspects I would drug you?"
Her words were somewhat snide, but it fit Concubine Wan's personality.
That day after the banquet, she and her three younger sisters were kidnapped.
Later the Heir Apparent investigated and found people of Concubine Wan and Xia Zixi were involved. So from the beginning, Concubine Wan had tried to get her for her son.
Today at Qingyun Temple, Concubine Wan offered her another cup of floral tea. Who knew if it was laced with something.
But Gu Ying understood Concubine Wan. Having been favored for so many years, she had always disliked defiance.
If she didn't drink this cup of tea today, given Concubine Wan's personality, she might not let her leave this room intact.
Considering this, she raised her eyes to meet Concubine Wan's deep and charming ones.
Concubine Wan raised her hand, not angry but authoritative, making a "please" gesture.
The corners of Gu Ying's mouth lifted slightly. Reluctant but with no choice, she silently drank down that cup of floral tea.
