Chapter 27: Chapter 27: General’s Mansion Eldest Lady VS Transmigrated Younger Sister (Part 26)
“How did you get here?” Gu Shengyin widened her eyes at the man who suddenly appeared before her. Shouldn’t he be in the Imperial Palace at this time?
Ji Yu smiled gently, “The palace is always there to visit, but Ah Zhen is not always available to meet.”
Gu Shengyin felt that this man’s skill in speaking sweet nothings had grown increasingly impressive.
Right after the Crown Prince returned to the palace, the Emperor hosted a grand banquet, inviting all officials from prominent families to attend, the significance of which was staggering. Those with discerning eyes knew that this was the Emperor building momentum for the newly returned Crown Prince.
Gu Shengyin attended along with her parents.
Ji Yu came out along with the Emperor, and all eyes were on him.
Is this the Crown Prince who has lived in a temple for over ten years? Many people were surprised. They had expected to see a Crown Prince who was shrunken and timid, without the slightest air of the Imperial Family. Yet they hadn’t expected Ji Yu to be such a person.
Could it be that the genes of the Imperial Family were so potent, that the Crown Prince was born with the aura of a dragon and phoenix?
Gu Shengyin gazed from afar at Ji Yu, who sat at the Emperor’s left hand. He was dressed in a dark purple robe today, outlining his tall figure impeccably; his jet-black hair was tied up with a jade crown, revealing his delicate features, each of which was worthy of a painting.
As if sensing her gaze, Ji Yu suddenly turned his head, his eyes meeting Gu Shengyin’s exactly, and he slowly gave her a smile.
Gu Shengyin blinked at him.
She heard a sharp intake of breath.
“My goodness, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is so handsome.” A young lady next to her, clearly mesmerized by Ji Yu’s smile, whispered to her companion.
Gu Shengyin felt a secret sense of pride. Such a handsome man had been reserved by her, Gu Shengyin.
At the end of the banquet, the highlight arrived: the Emperor personally took Ji Yu’s hand and named him “Prince Yu.”
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar among the officials. The prefix ‘Yu’ had always been exclusive to the Emperor, and now being used as the Crown Prince’s title by the Emperor, his intentions couldn’t be more obvious.
Moreover, the Empress and the Crown Prince had not attended this banquet, which indirectly indicated the Emperor’s stance.
Many people’s view of Ji Yu changed, and several ministers with eligible daughters in their families set their sights on him.
After the banquet, Gu Shengyin had not managed to speak to Ji Yu before she returned to her residence with her parents.
Everyone had witnessed the honor and favor bestowed upon Prince Yu.
The Emperor even built a new palace for him. Princes would customarily leave the palace to establish their own mansions upon reaching adulthood, but only one person could reside in the palace indefinitely – the Crown Prince.
The Emperor also proposed finding a concubine for him, but Ji Yu stopped him.
“Why?” the Emperor asked curiously.
Ji Yu’s face turned slightly red, “Your son already has a woman in mind.”
The Emperor was quite curious, “Oh? Which family’s young lady? If her status is suitable, I can decree your marriage. If her status is not suitable, I’m afraid she will have to endure some hardship.”
Ji Yu hesitated for a moment, “It’s the lady who sat next to Auntie Wen Cheng that day.”
The Emperor thought for a while, then suddenly laughed, “I know of whom you speak, your Auntie Wen Cheng’s only daughter, Princess Qingyang. Ah Zhen is a child I’ve watched grow up, and she has a good character. If you like her, I can decree your marriage.”
Ji Yu shook his head, “Father Emperor, she doesn’t know me yet; such a decree would be too abrupt. I hope she can also feel fondly towards me.”
The Emperor, seeing the blush that resembled that of his mother flash across Ji Yu’s face, was reminded of his own past with Ah Le.
The Emperor laughed heartily, “Alright, alright, you young people like mutual affection. Thus, I will issue an edict for you to study military strategies with the Great General so that you can see more of Ah Zhen. My son is so outstanding, surely you will win the beauty’s heart.” He had just been probing; after all, if Ji Yu had some prior arrangement with the Great General, who commanded a powerful army…
But Ji Yu’s words had dispelled the last shred of doubt in his heart; it seemed that Ji Yu was simply a young man with a crush, who had been smitten by Ah Zhen’s beauty and celestial appearance that day.
Ji Yu lowered his head, concealing the cold light in his eyes, “Thank you, Father Emperor.”