416 Follow Me, Don’t Walk Around on Your Own
All the ministers’ carriages were not allowed to enter the palace. Therefore, both Rong Zhan and Gu Qingxue would have to get off here.
Gu Qingxue was surprised that Rong Zhan noticed her the moment she got out of the car.
Rong Zhan’s actions would make her think that his appearance here was not a coincidence, but on purpose.
At this thought, Gu Qingxue’s still heart started beating faster. She could not help but tug at the cloak on her body.
“I said I would bring you into the palace, so I naturally can’t go back on my word. I went to the princess’ residence to pick you up this morning, but Yu’er said you went to your foster parents’ house.” As Rong Zhan spoke, he looked at Imperial Duke Zhan, who was coming down from the carriage.
Rong Zhan’s expression changed, and a bold idea immediately emerged in his mind.
Imperial Duke Zhan looked calm and nodded at Rong Zhan. “What a coincidence. I didn’t expect to see Your Royal Highness here. Eldest Miss Gu, since we’re already in the palace, I won’t disturb you any longer. Eldest Miss Gu, please follow His Royal Highness to the Imperial study and wait for His Majesty to summon you.”
“Yes, thank you for taking care of me, Imperial Duke Zhan.” Gu Qingxue smiled and nodded to Imperial Duke Zhan, then watched him leave.
Rong Zhan looked at Gu Qingxue and asked, “Yesterday, were you resting in Imperial Duke Zhan’s residence?”
Gu Qingxue’s expression did not change. She calmly nodded and agreed. “That’s right. Yesterday, I was going to give the Madam a check-up to see how her body is recovering. In the end, when she heard that I was going to the palace today, she insisted that I stay. It’s hard to refuse her kind offer, so I could only agree.”
Rong Zhan did not say anything and only looked at Gu Qingxue deeply.
Rong Zhan’s gaze made Gu Qingxue feel like she was being seen through.
However, Gu Qingxue looked very calm on the surface. She smiled and looked up at Rong Zhan. “Your Royal Highness, it’s getting late. Should we still not go in?”
Rong Zhan retracted his gaze and said to Gu Qingxue indifferently, “Follow me, don’t walk around alone.”
Gu Qingxue nodded obediently and followed Rong Zhan into the palace.
The imperial palace was different from other places. It had red walls and yellow tiles, and it exuded a solemn atmosphere.
Gu Qingxue followed Rong Zhan all the way into the depths of the palace. She saw that all the eunuchs, palace maids, guards, and even ministers had to bow and pay their respects to Rong Zhan when they saw him. Suddenly, she felt that being the prince regent was quite impressive.
In fact, Rong Zhan’s status was far above the other princes.
Unlike the other princes, Rong Zhan was the prince regent and could interfere with the court to a certain extent.
However, there was no shortage of princes like Prince Heng who would go against Rong Zhan and overestimate their own abilities.
Prince Heng was the most powerful among the princes, and he always challenged Rong Zhan in the imperial court. This was the case all year round, and there were many officials who were on his side and tried to depose Rong Zhan.
Gu Qingxue was distracted and did not anticipate the situation in front of her. She did not stop in time when Rong Zhan stopped and bumped into his back.
Gu Qingxue could not figure out how a person’s back could be as hard as a wall. She reached out to touch her nose, which was hurting from the collision, and looked up at Rong Zhan’s tall back.
Rong Zhan turned around at the same time and touched Gu Qingxue’s nose, which was hurting from the impact. “How could you be so careless?”
Rong Zhan’s tone and actions were so natural that Gu Qingxue was stunned for a moment before she regained her senses. She took a step back. “Thank you, Your Royal Highness. I’m fine now.”