The Prime Minister’s Darling - Chapter 653

Chapter 653: 310 The Truth Comes Out (Second update of the day)_5 Chapter 653: 310 The Truth Comes Out (Second update of the day)_5 If she were a lady-in-waiting for the Crown Princess, she would probably recognize Gu Jiao.

Unfortunately, this chief eunuch has never seen Gu Jiao before.

The beekeeper hurriedly whispered, “Master, this young lady is from the Renshou Palace.”

The chief eunuch’s face changed slightly, but he raised his voice instantly, “The people from the Renshou Palace are the most rule-abiding, even Miss Zhuang must greet the Crown Princess respectfully!”

This subtle praise and criticism was clearly intended to tell Gu Jiao that even the biological grandniece of Empress Dowager Zhuang had to salute the Crown Princess, regardless of her status, could she surpass Zhuang Yuexi?

The Crown Princess looked at Gu Jiao.

She suddenly found herself wanting to see this woman bow before her as well.

But Gu Jiao simply wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.

As the chief eunuch of the East Palace, he naturally had conflicts with the Renshou Palace, but he couldn’t just openly punish Gu Jiao. He had to use the rules to suppress her, “Does the Empress Dowager know how disrespectful you are?”

“Does the Empress Dowager care about your opinion?”

It was Eunuch Qin who had arrived.

The chief eunuch’s expression changed and he lowered his head slightly.

Although both were chief eunuchs serving by their masters’ side, he couldn’t equal Eunuch Qin’s standing, only Eunuch Wei had a status comparable to Eunuch Qin’s.

The Crown Princess had a puzzled look when she saw Eunuch Qin.

Eunuch Qin approached Gu Jiao and performed a respectful bow, “Miss Gu, the Empress Dowager has finished her court assembly, and she is wondering why you have not returned to the Renshou Palace for lunch?”

After saying this, he turned and greeted the Crown Princess, “This servant pays his respects to the Crown Princess.”

His smile and etiquette were flawless, but the fact that he had greeted Gu Jiao first before paying respect to the Crown Princess had already undermined her prestige.

The Crown Princess kept her face calm, even as her eyes flashed with intrigue, “Eunuch Qin, there’s no need to be so formal.”

“Miss Gu, have you collected the honey you want?”

“Yes,” Gu Jiao nodded, “It’s in the room.”

Eunuch Qin personally brought out two jars of honey, smiling cheerfully, “Miss Gu, is there anything else you want? There are many flowers in the garden. Is there any flower you like?”

Gu Jiao shook her head, “I don’t grow flowers.”

Eunuch Qin chuckled, “Okay. Let’s return then. If we don’t, the Empress Dowager might get anxious.”

The surprise in the eyes of the Crown Princess was almost impossible to mask.

She knew Eunuch Qin for so long and never saw him as courteous to anyone.

Even in front of the Empress Xiao and the Noble Consort Zhuang, he was merely fulfilling his duties, but his courtesy towards Gu Jiao seemed more than just simply being polite.

His respect seemed to carry a hint of affection and fondness.

Throughout the entire process, Eunuch Qin ignored the Crown Princess and kept enquiring about Gu Jiao, as if he was burdened by endless worries.

Eunuch Qin of the past was not as talkative.

The Crown Princess furrowed her brows.

The two left the place.

As they passed her, Gu Jiao suddenly pointed to the spikelet on the ground, “You dropped your spikelet.”

The Crown Princess looked down, “It’s not mine.”

Gu Jiao: “Oh.”

Turns out, it does not belong to the Crown Princess either.

None of the people who appeared in the southwestern corner of the Imperial Palace have any relation to this spikelet.

Why was it so?

Gu Jiao left with these questions.

The questions in the Crown Princess’s mind were no less than those of Gu Jiao’s. As she watched Gu Jiao’s retreating figure, she felt something was amiss, “Isn’t she the wife of the new Number One Scholar? Why is she so close to the Renshou Palace?”

“Your Highness!” a palace maid suddenly remembered something and said, “Do you remember the incident from a few days ago when the Fifth Prince was pushed into the water? The Noble Consort wanted to punish the perpetrator, but the Empress Dowager took her away. That person even rode on the Empress Dowager’s phoenix sedan.”

This incident had caused quite a stir in the palace. Although the Crown Princess rarely set foot outside her residence, she had still heard of it.

That person was the biological niece of the Noble Consort and the real lady of the Marquis Residence.

They said her medical skills were excellent, and Empress Dowager Zhuang treated her as an honored guest.

The Crown Princess’ face changed slightly, “It was her?”

So Xiao Liulang’s wife is not just an ordinary country girl, but the genuine heiress of the Marquis Residence?

At this moment, the Crown Princess didn’t know what to feel.

The little palace maid muttered, “Come to think of it, has this heiress of the Marquis Residence gone mad? The Marquis Residence is the Emperor’s trusted confidante, and Xiao Liulang is the Number One Scholar chosen by the Emperor. Her father, brother, and husband are all faithful to the Emperor, yet she chooses to stand with Empress Dowager Zhuang! Isn’t she afraid of being disowned by her family or being divorced by her husband?”

Indeed, isn’t she afraid?

How can she… live so fearlessly, and with such disregard for all?

Upon returning to the Renshou Palace, Gu Jiao cooked a honey crispy duck for her Auntie, similar to sugared duck but not as sweet. The unique slight sourness from the honey made the taste more complex.