Hearing what Gu Qiang said, the Third Prince’s face fell and seemed to be unhappy, but he managed to refrain from anger and said, “Why do you refuse my invitation?”
Gu Qiang looked fearlessly at Shen Zhongbai’s eyes and answered, “Your Highness, you are my sister’s fiancé, so I should reduce my contact with you, or she will be angry. Besides, as her elder sister, it’s inappropriate for me to do that.”
Then she leaned forward, signaling to him that it was time to leave.
Shen Zhongbai stared at Gu Qiang as if deep in thought. She was right, but did she forget their exclusive sweetness? At that time Gu Qiang was so tender to him. However, now she acted as his sister-in-law. Did it mean that he had no chance to develop a relationship with her?
He bit his lips and was about to leave when he saw someone land at the northwestern corner of the yard. The comer was in white and waving a fan casually. After landing on the ground, the person walked to Gu Qiang.
Gu Qiang turned around and saw Shen Qianshan, whose eyes were bright. He was looking at her expectantly.
Gu Qiang leaned forward to salute. The two capital celebrities graced her humble yard with their arrival. But she knew it was not good for her because they would bring nothing but trouble.
Shan Qianshan signaled her to rise with his fan and talked to Shen Zhongbai smilingly, “Brother, I didn’t expect you would be here.”
“Qiang has become an infanta, so I come to congratulate her. I didn’t think you would come to the Prime Minister Mansion. Unexpectedly, you appear in Qiang’s yard. Your relationship seems close.” Shen Zhongbai said and then turned around to look at Gu Qiang. He seemed to give her a hint, but it disappeared instantly.
Gu Qiang ignored it. Shen Zhongbai and Shen Qianshan used to get on well with each other. But their relationship seemed to be weird when they came here at the same time.
“Now that I come across you here, I want to know when you will marry Gu Qiang’s sister.” Shen Qianshan asked slowly.
He just touched a tender spot. Gu Qiang closed her eyes resignedly for a second and then lowered her head. Before Shen Zhongbai answered, Gu Qiang saw Gu Zhihua running over hurriedly.
Her clothes were so beautiful that she was determined to show off to people by any means. But everyone knew that she just wanted to show off to Shen Zhongbai.
Following Gu Qiang’s eyes, Shen Zhongbai turned around and saw Gu Zhihua too. He couldn’t help knitting his eyebrows.
When Gu Zhihua approached, she glanced at Gu Qiang. Gu Qiang’s eyes watched hers, and she found that Gu Zhihua’s eyes were meaningful and she wanted to convey many things through her eyes.
The long-time cold shoulder she got from Shen Zhongbai drove away her expectation and eagerness.
Gu Zhihua walked to Shen Zhongbai, saluted, and said, “I didn’t think you would be here, but you are actually.”
Shen Zhongbai lifted his chin, turned his head away, and said coldly, “Why do you come here?”
Then he lowered his voice, which was only audible to Gu Zhihua, “Don’t follow me. Who do you think you are?”
Gu Zhihua’s face became pale at once. Her mouth corners twitched and tears rolled down immediately. She looked like a wronged child and saw nothing but coldness in Shen Zhongbai’s eyes.
The tears looked like strings of pearls on her face. She seemed pitiful.
However, Shen Zhongbai didn’t glance at her at all, which hurt her a lot.
She had waited for Shen Zhongbai for a long time, but it ended up like this.
“Your Highness, why do you talk to me in this way? I love you heart and soul. Do you pretend not to see that?” Gu Zhihua lifted her head with pouring tears on her face. Shen Qianshan tried his best to control his expression, but he still felt interesting. It was rare that a woman could cry so sadly before Shen Zhongbai. He hated to see a woman crying.
Shen Zhongbai would never show compassion for a woman.
Shen Qianshan pulled away Gu Qiang who was enjoying the scene and whispered, “Nothing interesting. Let’s go somewhere else. You have become an infanta, so I think we should do something special for you.”
Feeling embarrassed, Gu Qiang pulled her hand from his grip and shook her head, “I’m afraid today is not a good time. There are many guests here. If I leave, it will be impolite.”
Shen Qianshan understood what Gu Qiang said, so he sighed and said, “Got it. Finish what you need to do first. When you are free, I will take you there.”
Then he glanced at Shen Zhongbai. After Shen Zhongbai heard what Gu Zhihua said, his heart seemed to be softened, and he said, “We haven’t got married, so behave yourself. I don’t know why you are determined to marry me, but I have agreed, so you just need to wait at home. I will marry you at a proper time.”
It was not easy for Shen Zhongbai to make such a promise, but Gu Zhihua was still not satisfied.
“Your Highness, when do you think is a proper time? I’m tired of waiting.” Gu Zhihua lowered her head and clasped her hands, waiting for his answer. Tears were still visible in her eyes. She became extremely humble in front of him.
In a terrible mood, Shen Zhongbai turned around and told her, “I will arrange it.”
Then he left. Gu Qiang stood there and looked calm, wondering if it meant she didn’t need to walk around with him. She owed a debt of gratitude to Gu Zhihua. Without her appearance, Gu Qiang had no idea how to refuse the premeditated invitation from Shen Zhongbai.
After Shen Zhongbai walked away, Gu Zhihua turned around and walked to Gu Qiang suddenly with cold eyes. She bit her lips and said finally, “You must be glad about the result. You own everything now—not only the title of an infanta but some people backing you up. You are really something.”
Gu Qiang smiled. Gu Qiang in simple clothes and Gu Zhihua in fancy ones resembled two flowers in the yard, different but competitive.
It seemed that Gu Qiang had expected that Gu Zhihua would come here. After Gu Zhihua was engaged to Shen Zhongbai as a concubine, she got angrier with Gu Qiang. She even believed that she got her status because Gu Qiang stepped in.
In fact, Gu Qiang had no feelings for Shen Zhongbai now. His marriage with Gu Zhihua would harm nothing. After all, neither of them was a good person.
But Gu Qiang didn’t hope that Gu Zhihua could realize her dream. Gu Zhihua had been keen on Shen Zhongbai since childhood, so she didn’t know that he was not a good guy and was not worthy of her love. Meanwhile, Gu Zhihua was not a good person, either. Therefore, if they got married, Gu Qiang would be less bothered.
Gu Qiang felt it absurd that Gu Zhihua came to her yard to quarrel with her. She didn’t do anything, but Gu Zhihua held a grudge against her.
“It has nothing to do with you. You are not satisfied with being a concubine of the Third Prince, so you come to quarrel with me, don’t you? But Zhihua…” Gu Qiang walked closer and stared at Gu Zhihua. Gu Zhihua looked up at Gu Qiang too and was overwhelmed by Gu Qiang’s imposing manner. Gu Qiang had really changed. She didn’t have such an expression before.
Gu Zhihua had noticed Gu Qiang’s change long before. She looked at Gu Qiang’s eyes with fear and wanted to see what she would do even if she was an infanta and backed up by Shen Qianshan. Even though she would be Shen Zhongbai’s concubine, it didn’t matter. After all, she would marry the man she loved, wouldn’t she?
“Remember that you asked for it. Never come to pick a quarrel with me again. I am always mild, but it doesn’t mean I can endure everything, including your repeated provocation.” Gu Qiang reached out to touch Gu Zhihua’s face and then she used more force. A slap sound was heard.
Gu Zhihua opened her eyes wide in surprise and asked in a trembled voice, “You slapped me, didn’t you?”
Gu Qiang sneered and said, “You don’t think I dare to slap you, do you? I am an infanta now. It’s OK to give a lesson to my sister because she always provoked me. Go back to prepare for your wedding with your beloved prince. Oh, I almost forgot. You are keen on him, while he hates you so much. But it doesn’t matter, because your love is cheap.”
After Gu Qiang was done, Gusu Liang walked out of the room and stood before Gu Zhihua. She glanced at Gu Zhihua coldly and disdainfully, waved her hand, and pointed to the gate, “Go out. You know the path, so I don’t need to see you off, right?”
Even Gu Qiang’s servant girl was so arrogant. Gu Zhihua bit her lips hard and embedded her fingers into her palms. The sharp pain made her head clearer, but she was not reconciled to leave in this way.
If she left, Shen Zhongbai would try his best to contact Gu Qiang again. She would never accept it. Shen Zhongbai could like anyone except for Gu Qiang.
“Being an infanta doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. I will let you know how miserable your life will be one day.” Gu Zhihua’s eyes became pitiless at once. She gave a sinister smile and looked crazy.