AWB Chapter 176 The Villainous Female Supporting Character's Mind Was Read 31
Chapter 176 The Villainous Female Supporting Character's Mind Was Read 31
Lin Shuwan had barely begun speaking when the newcomer interrupted her.
"Wanwan, you're here too."
"Brother Yiheng!" Lin Shuwan looked at the person who came and stopped what she was about to say.
(Never mind, I'll try again another time.)
Gu Yanli felt a sense of relief, but a strange sense of regret lingered in his heart.
Actually, being a live-in son-in-law might not be so bad, right?
In any case, he was an orphan with no parents and no family in this world, so whether he married or became an adopted son-in-law seemed to make no difference to him.
Thinking about it this way, he felt that the Fifth Prince's arrival was somewhat ill-timed.
If Lin Shuwan forgets about it afterward, he can't very well bring it up himself.
It was indeed a coincidence that Jiang Yiheng would appear here.
Just now, as I was passing by the poetry gallery, I happened to overhear people talking about Gu Yanli.
He didn't want to pay attention, but they mentioned a young master named Lin during their conversation.
Based on the description, the person was not tall and had a petite figure, but was quite handsome. He guessed that this young master Lin might be Lin Shuwan.
After all, she often liked to go out dressed in men's clothing before.
Meeting her at this gathering is not entirely unexpected.
He simply told him that Lin Shuwan would become his principal wife in the future.
Being virtuous, kind, and dignified are the most basic requirements.
Where else could one spend their days like this, showing their face in public and mingling with men?
It's really disgraceful.
But now he couldn't very well criticize her, lest he incur her disgust and it would be a loss for him.
These things can be properly tamed after she becomes his prince consort.
However, since the last time he put the love lock on her, he hasn't been able to find an opportunity to have more contact with Lin Shuwan.
This encounter will only amplify the effects of the Gu poison.
Just now, I saw Lin Shuwan from a distance, and naturally I also saw Gu Yanli standing beside her.
At first glance, the two of them, with their heads bowed and then raised, actually looked quite like a handsome man and a beautiful woman, which only made him feel irritated.
That's when he lost his manners and rushed over, interrupting their conversation before he even got close.
"Fifth Prince." Gu Yanli bowed respectfully.
Jiang Yiheng hadn't felt anything when he saw Gu Yanli and Lin Shuwan together last time, but now that he saw them side by side, he felt it was an eyesore.
Jiang Yiheng adopted a humble and courteous demeanor, but in reality, he subtly pushed Gu Yanli away from Lin Shuwan:
"No need for formalities. I heard that you, Brother Gu, won the top score in the provincial examination, but I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet."
Gu Yanli frowned, but he didn't want to push him away again, so he said, "I was just lucky. I am honored that Your Highness could remember such a small thing in your busy schedule."
Unaware of the effect of the Love Lock, Jiang Yiheng, while talking to Gu Yanli, found his gaze uncontrollably drawn to Lin Shuwan.
Previously, I only thought she was vulgar when I saw her wearing men's clothing, but seeing her today, I found her to have a different kind of charm.
It was just that Gu Yanli was always around Lin Shuwan that made him a little uneasy.
“Brother Gu, I remember you are a disciple of Su Lu Jushi.”
"Yes."
Jiang Yiheng clapped his hands: "That's perfect. I own a courtyard house that's close to the layman's residence, making it convenient for Brother Gu to exchange academic ideas with the layman. If Brother Gu is interested, I'll give this courtyard house to you as a congratulatory gift for winning the top scholar title this time. What do you think, Brother Gu?"
"Your Highness's kindness is too much for me to accept."
“Brother Gu, there’s no need to refuse. My courtyard is far from the city center, which will make it convenient for you to prepare for the upcoming provincial and palace examinations.”
"Your Highness is unaware that I am currently relying entirely on the Zhenguo Duke's mansion and have no spare money to hire servants."
If you accept the courtyard gifted by the prince, you must live there and take good care of it.
Not to mention that he doesn't have the money to maintain the courtyard now, what if the Fifth Prince takes advantage of the situation if he leaves the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?
"Brother Gu, you don't need to worry about that at all. I will pay for it myself, and you can use the servants in the courtyard as you like."
A dark glint flashed in Gu Yanli's eyes. If that was the case, he would find it even more unacceptable.
Who knows who those who stayed behind are truly loyal to?
But Gu Yanli couldn't find an excuse to refuse.
Fortunately, Lin Shuwan spoke up in time: "Brother Yiheng, you sent him to his courtyard, do you think I'm disturbing his studies?"
"How could that be? Wanwan has misunderstood me."
Lin Shuwan said arrogantly, "He was living comfortably in my residence, so why should he move out? Besides, he's a member of my household, so why should he live in your courtyard? Do you think my Zhenguo Duke's Mansion can't afford to support one more person?"
Gu Yanli's originally depressed mood was easily soothed by Lin Shuwan's words.
That's right, he's Lin Shuwan's man!
"Alright, alright, I misunderstood. I apologize to Wanwan and ask her not to be offended." Jiang Yiheng had no choice but to give up.
Lin Shuwan added, "Brother Yiheng, if you really want to give a congratulatory gift, how about sending a few boxes of ancient books? I don't have many books in my household anyway."
"How many boxes?!"
"Okay, let's start with two boxes. I'm afraid he won't be able to finish reading any more."
Although Jiang Yiheng was more tolerant of Lin Shuwan's words and actions under the influence of the Love Lock, he was still shocked by her shamelessness at this moment.
Taking the opportunity to retaliate, Gu Yanli said, "Does Your Highness feel that it's too little to be presentable? Then how about we make it five..."
"Two boxes, is that right? Tomorrow, I'll have someone send them over. Brother Gu, the imperial examination is just around the corner, be careful not to bite off more than you can chew," Jiang Yiheng said through gritted teeth.
Gu Yanli remained calm and composed: "Your Highness need not worry, I can see it all."
"It's alright, you can look at them first. Once you've finished reading them, you can ask Brother Yiheng to bring them over. Brother Yiheng is a generous person; it's just a few ancient books, he certainly won't be reluctant to part with them, right, Brother Yiheng?"
Lin Shuwan looked at Jiang Yiheng. Under the influence of the Love Lock, he felt satisfied and agreed in a daze.
When Jiang Yiheng came to his senses and realized what he had just agreed to, his face instantly darkened.
People at that time valued literature, and many families took pride in owning ancient books.
Some impoverished families were able to live a fairly comfortable life by selling ancient books.
The value of the two boxes of ancient books that Lin Shuwan mentioned is far greater than that of a small courtyard!
He collected a room full of ancient books because of his love of literature.
Putting everything else aside, just the manpower, material resources, and financial resources consumed in this process make him feel the pinch if he sends out any of them.
But he couldn't tell Lin Shuwan any of this, lest she look down on him. He could only blame Gu Yanli for it.
Jiang Yiheng quickly changed the subject, saying, "By the way, what were you discussing before I arrived?"
"Ah, it's nothing, we were just discussing the poems in the poetry gallery. By the way, Brother Yiheng, don't you really like playing chess? Let's go take a look over there together."
Lin Shuwan blushed and quickly pointed to the opposite side, tugged at Jiang Yiheng's sleeve, and hurried towards the chess pavilion.
Jiang Yiheng was secretly pleased to see that Lin Shuwan remembered his preferences and was so close to him, so he stopped asking questions.
He even secretly thought, if only she could always be so docile, with her heart and eyes only for him.
Once the great undertaking is accomplished, we can strip the Lin family of their military power, grant her the title of Empress, and keep the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Before that, we still need to get rid of Gu Yanli as soon as possible!
Jiang Yiheng glanced at Gu Yanli, who was following Lin Shuwan at a leisurely pace, and felt a surge of anger in his heart.