Chapter 568

Yun Duo stood there stunned; originally it was the Crown Prince who was improper, laying hands on her, yet in the end he actually turned the tables?

She instantly flushed with anger, about to speak, when footsteps in the woods slowly approached.

"Yun Duo?" Gu Jiu Ling walked over slowly.

"Princess Consort!" Yun Duo hurried to Gu Jiu Ling's side and bowed.

"What's going on?" Gu Jiu Ling glanced at Bai Xiaosheng and gave a faint smile, a bit cold.

She heard the argument from afar; at this moment Xiao Yin and several aides had left the Wangfu and gone about their business.

She then came to the rear garden to meet Bai Xiaosheng, having just been told that this fellow insisted on staying in the Wangfu to enjoy the scenery.

Saying it's for scenery—perhaps his mind isn't on the view at all, but elsewhere?

This Yun Duo girl is a martial arts fanatic; when it comes to feelings, she's as dense as a block of wood.

Gu Jiu Ling could hardly miss Bai Xiaosheng's feelings for this girl; Yun Duo and he are virtually strangers, yet he has sent people back and forth repeatedly with gifts.

The little maid is utterly vexed; she doesn't know how she provoked Bai Xiaosheng—it seems fate in this world is truly inexplicable.

Only before, thanks to the protection of the Prince Rui's mansion, and because Bai Xiaosheng was then a nobody—at most just sending gifts—did he dare not overstep.

Looking at the two's expressions now, there seems to be something to say.

Bai Xiaosheng gave a faint smile, glanced lightly at Yun Duo, flicked his disheveled cuff, and raised his brows toward Gu Jiu Ling.

Originally, his appearance as a man was extremely alluring; with a hook and a lift, his gaze rippling, it could steal one's soul.

But he faces Gu Jiu Ling, whose husband is the world's most beautiful man, long since aesthetically fatigued.

Instead, looking at Bai Xiaosheng's soul‑stealing demeanor, she feels a bit greasy, wanting to vomit.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, what do you mean by this?"

Gu Jiu Ling laughed softly.

Bai Xiaosheng said slowly: "Your maid doesn't know propriety, daring to bump into this prince. Look—you've swollen my face; if this gets out, it might be a capital offense."

Bai Xiaosheng slowly raised his hand, pointing to the red mark on his forehead.

Just now, when he teased Yun Duo, she instinctively punched him, leaving this mark.

Gu Jiu Ling's brows furrowed slightly: "A capital offense? Your Highness, you're exaggerating."

"Yes, considering she's just a little maid, this prince will let her off."

"How about this: send this maid to the Crown Prince's residence as compensation; I will personally discipline her."

"Your Highness, are you all right?" Gu Jiu Ling raised her brows slightly, locking eyes with Bai Xiaosheng.

This scoundrel—give him a little color and he opens a dye shop.

"Although Yun Duo is a maid by my side, she's like a sister to me, our bond is deep; if you insist on disciplining her…"

"When servants err, it's the master's fault; if you don't first discipline me, how about that?"

Bai Xiaosheng's heart gave a tiny jump; he is now the Regent Prince, yet he didn't expect even a maid from the Prince Rui's mansion to be unattainable?

He felt a surge of anger.

Then what's the point of his being a puppet?

If it was originally for money, he sold information in the jianghu and never lacked funds.

Later he was lured by Xiao Yin, claiming it was to avenge his mother.

Actually, think about it—he was abused and beaten by his mother from childhood, and saddled with a shameless father who abandoned all responsibility.

Although he was born of his parents, the words "father" and "mother" mean almost nothing to him.

He has already given Emperor Longqing a lesson and helped Prince Rui with his plans.

Prince Rui also values integrity, letting him gain both fame and profit.

By rights his life should go smoothly, yet now he can't even get hold of a little maid—what smoothness is there?

"Aunt, your words weigh heavily; I dare not discipline you, Aunt."

Bai Xiaosheng gave an embarrassed smile, then stepped back a pace, his complexion also not looking great.

He drew a breath, then glanced at Yun Duo aside; for some reason he took a liking to this little maid and wanted to bring her to his side.

"If so, I have a request to make."

Bai Xiaosheng bowed slightly, lifted his gaze with sincerity toward Gu Jiu Ling: "Aunt, actually… I really like the little maid by your side."

"I wish to ask for her hand as a concubine; what do you think?"

As soon as Bai Xiaosheng finished speaking, everyone was startled.

"A concubine? And as the Regent Prince's concubine—this status and rank are not low."

One must know that although Yun Duo is favored by her master, she is still a servant; if she could enter the Eastern Palace as the Crown Prince's concubine, it would be a meteoric rise.

None of them could fathom why Bai Xiaosheng would take a liking to such a lowly maid as Yun Duo.

Gu Jiu Ling raised her brows slightly, never expecting Bai Xiaosheng to have the audacity to want to take a maid as a concubine.

If an ordinary woman heard Bai Xiaosheng say that, she would surely be overjoyed.

But Gu Jiu Ling is no ordinary person; in her world, everyone is equal.

Whether prince or servant, marriage must be founded on love, with both parties equal and voluntary.

However, Gu Jiu Ling also respects the era's rules, after all Bai Xiaosheng's terms are quite favorable.

She turned her head to look at Yun Duo beside her, a hitherto unseen seriousness crossing her face.

"Yun Duo, I ask you—are you willing to become the Crown Prince's concubine?"

"Know that being the Crown Prince's concubine brings endless riches and honor, and you need not stay by my side as my slave."

Gu Jiu Ling enumerated all the benefits of becoming the Crown Prince's concubine, letting Yun Duo decide for herself, so she wouldn't unilaterally reject it.

Later, if Yun Duo indulges in wild thoughts, she might still think Gu Jiu Ling deliberately ruined her chances.

Although she knows Yun Duo's nature, human nature is changeable; after all, from the Lin Rujun incident, Gu Jiu Ling still feels a bit chilled.

I never imagined that as soon as Gu Jiu Ling finished speaking, Yun Duo would, without a second thought, lower her head and bow to Gu Jiu Ling, saying, 'Thank you, madam.'

She slowly turned and walked up to Bai Xiaosheng, saying, 'I also thank the Crown Prince for his favor, but I, your servant, wish only to remain by the madam's side for the rest of my life.'

Bai Xiaosheng's brows knotted tightly, and his eyes immediately grew a shade more complex.

This is the maid he has taken a liking to—she neither rejoices at material gain nor sorrows over personal loss; even such vast riches cannot shake her resolve.

"Crown Prince," Gu Jiu Ling fixed her gaze on Bai Xiaosheng and said, 'You see as well—this maid's fortune is meager; she cannot bear such immense wealth.'

"However, Your Highness, now that you have become Regent Prince, it is also time to start a family and establish a career."

"There are several eligible daughters from the Minister's household, both lovely and talented; let me arrange a match for Your Highness—what do you think?"

Bai Xiaosheng's face darkened, and he gave a cold chuckle: 'This prince... thank you!'