The Prime Minister's Darling

Chapter 389: 200 Admit (One More Change)

“Auntie!”

On the way back to Yongshou Palace, Zhuang Yuexi couldn’t help but call out to her aunt, Duchess Zhuang.

Duchess Zhuang gave her a side glance, “What’s the matter?”

Zhuang Yuexi was a noble lady of the Zhuang family, dignified and gentle. That shout for her aunt was indeed somewhat unbecoming.

Zhuang Yuexi recognized her impropriety, handed her basket of flowers to a palace maid nearby, lifted her skirt and caught up with Duchess Zhuang. She said softly, “I have behaved improperly, please punish me, auntie.”

Duchess Zhuang’s voice carried an inherent dignity, “Ever since you met Miss Hui, you have been acting strangely. Speak up, what grudge do you have against her?”

“There is no grudge.” Zhuang Yuexi said in a low voice.

Doesn’t Duchess Zhuang know her own niece? From a young age, she was the most highly regarded lady in Capital City, intelligent and beautiful, and she had never met her match.

In the early years, Gu Jinyu did not have as much fame as Zhuang Yuexi. However, after first being conferred the title of a county lady, and then shining brightly at the academy, she gradually became as well-known as Zhuang Yuexi.

At this point, Gu Jinyu was not yet surpassing Zhuang Yuexi, however, for the honorable Zhuang Yuexi, being on par with someone else was already a defeat.

Duchess Zhuang continued walking, saying as she went, “Is that why you dislike Miss Hui? Remember what your auntie told you, as a daughter of the Zhuang family, your perspective should be broad, and you shouldn’t be narrow-minded.”

But this wasn’t the reason for Zhuang Yuexi’s feelings.

Zhuang Yuexi cast her eyes down, “Auntie’s lesson is appreciated.” She paused, then asked, “Why is auntie suddenly interested in Miss Hui’s marital affairs? Could it be that you want to play matchmaker for her?”

Duchess Zhuang smiled nonchalantly, “Quite the opposite, I’d like to, but it also depends on her agreement.”

Zhuang Yuexi was merely probing her aunt, but she didn’t expect to get such a response, “Auntie… Who do you wish to marry her to? My older cousin? Or…”

Duchess Zhuang simply smiled and said nothing.

Zhuang Yuexi’s heart lurched, “Auntie, you wouldn’t be planning to marry her to my brother, would you? To make her my sister-in-law?”

The Zhuang family had several legitimate sons. But only one was unmarried – The Prince of An County.

Duchess Zhuang neither admitted nor denied this.

Zhuang Yuexi’s gaze became frantic, “Auntie, she is not worthy of my brother! She isn’t a true daughter of a Marquis Residence, she is just a country girl from the countryside. Even though the Emperor has granted her the status of a County Lady, it’s just for the sake of prestige. She doesn’t even have a fiefdom, how can she be considered a proper County Lady!”

Duchess Zhuang stopped in her tracks, the palace maids also halted. She caressed a flower in her basket, “A County Lady is indeed not enough, but what if… she becomes a Princess?”

Zhuang Yuexi was rendered speechless.

Meanwhile, Lord Gu was once again summoned to his office by Director Zhao.

Lord Gu had recently been berated heavily, so he figured another scolding was inevitable.

However, to Lord Gu’s surprise, Director Zhao’s expression was extraordinarily gentle, not at all indicative of a forthcoming scolding!

Lord Gu: Hmm?

Upon seeing Lord Gu, Director Zhao showed the first brilliant smile he had shown in months, “How has your day been, Sir Gu?”

Lord Gu was dumbstruck by his superior’s “how have you been, are you keeping warm, is your journey comfortable, how’s your child doing in school”-like demeanor and tone.

He was utterly clueless about what was going on.

Director Zhao personally grabbed Lord Gu’s wrist and ushered him to sit on a chair.

Lord Gu glanced at the hand grabbing his and wanted to say, men should not be this intimate!

With a beaming smile, Director Zhao said, “You’re remarkable! You fathered such a promising daughter. Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”

Lord Gu was completely out of the loop.

Director Zhao’s smile faded, he sighed, “You sure had me in the dark! Why would you hide such important news?”

“What… What have I hidden from you?” Lord Gu was utterly confused.

Director Zhao said, “Someone from the Ministry of War came by earlier. They asked me if your daughter was the one who invented the bellows?”

Lord Gu pointed at himself, “My daughter?”

Director Zhao frowned, “You don’t know yet?”

Lord Gu shook his head in confusion.

Director Zhao then asked, “Do you have a daughter?”

Lord Gu nodded, “Hmm.”

Director Zhao then continued, “Last summer, were you in Qingquan Town, Youzhou with your daughter?”

Again, Lord Gu nodded, “Hmm.”

Director Zhao kept asking, “And, isn’t your daughter highly intelligent?”

Lord Gu firmly nodded, “Hmm!”

His Jin Yu must be intelligent! Exceptionally sharp-minded since she was a child! If women were allowed to take the imperial examination, his Jin Yu at least could have been an accomplished scholar!

Slapping one hand lightly into the other, Director Zhao said, “So that’s it! Apart from your daughter, were there any other daughters of the Gu Marquis Residence who were in that town last year?”