Chapter 676

Gu Jiu Ling didn't expect Princess Fucheng to say that; on the contrary, she didn't know what to do.

But just now, a fleeting hesitation flickered in Princess Fucheng's eyes; if Gu Jiu Ling didn't missee, this girl likely already has someone in mind but is too shy to say it. Beautiful Book Net

She held Princess Fucheng's hand and smiled, saying, "Could it be that you already have someone you like in your heart?"

"If it's some young man from a family, tell me and I'll send someone to inquire for you."

"Among the many married ladies who came to pay their respects today, there are a few who get along with me; tomorrow I'll summon them into the palace to help you inquire, what do you think?"

Princess Fucheng's heart fluttered with panic; in her mind, that was a divine existence—how could she dare let the Empress step forward?

Princess Fucheng knows her own limits; she has survived in this treacherous Imperial Harem until now precisely because she knows the word "restraint" exists.

Some things are beyond what someone of her status can imagine.

Gu Jiu Ling saw Princess Fucheng's hesitation, smiled, and without pressing her, gently held her hand and said, "Today I'm just giving you a heads-up; after all, when you leave the palace to establish your residence, the matter of choosing a prince consort will eventually come up for discussion."

"For now, just think about it; if one day you find a suitable candidate, let me know and I'll make the decision for you."

A warm feeling flickered in Princess Fucheng's heart; from childhood onward, she has seen too much scheming and deceit in the Imperial Harem.

Now she genuinely feels the heartfelt warmth and care from Gu Jiu Ling, and naturally feels deeply grateful.

Princess Fucheng knelt again, kowtowing to Gu Jiu Ling to express her thanks.

Gu Jiu Ling felt a bit embarrassed by her repeated kneeling.

She ordered Jiu Yue to bring some feminine hair ornaments and jewelry, bestowing them upon Princess Fucheng, and told her to first return and rest.

After thanking her, Princess Fucheng left the Fengyi Palace with her personal attendant grandma; the old grandma, who had been with the princess, eyes slightly red, whispered softly, "Your good days have come, the Empress backs you; from now on, need you fear anything going wrong?"

Princess Fucheng quickly replied in a low voice, "The Empress's affection is a great blessing for Fucheng."

"Also remind those servants: the Empress has graciously allowed me to go out and establish a residence, and even permitted me to bring my mother out to enjoy her twilight years."

"This is an immense favor, but we must not become arrogant because of favor; we must conduct ourselves even more modestly, understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness," the grandma hurriedly bowed.

"First take the Empress's gifts back to my mother's quarters; I won't return for now."

Princess Fucheng also understood that to establish her princess residence she must choose a prince consort; otherwise, an unmarried princess setting up a separate household would be hard to justify, but the choice of prince consort…

Princess Fucheng inexplicably felt somewhat irritable, and slowly shook her head.

She took a deep breath, lifted her gaze, and saw that it was already midsummer, with the various flowers in the palace in full bloom.

Especially after experiencing those earlier palace upheavals, it seemed as if these flowers had become so brilliant only after being soaked in blood.

Not far from Fengyi Palace lies the Taiye Pond; because the scenery there is fine, the emperor specially bestowed it upon the Empress.

Princess Fucheng strolled slowly along the Taiye Pond, enjoying the scenery around her, when unexpectedly a sound of footsteps came from not far away.

Princess Fucheng blinked in surprise, because the person was walking too hastily, and she saw that they were about to collide as they turned the corner.

Princess Fucheng hastily stepped back, then lifted her head, only to meet the tall, stalwart figure of Gu Kang.

Gu Kang had just been detained by Xiao Yin in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a brief talk, and this time he also had some old Gu family matters to discuss with his elder sister.

Gu Jiu Ling has been busy these days and didn't realize that their careless father, Gu Shijie, had actually come to Shang Jing.

Gu Shijie had originally been forced to settle in a southwest border town, where his own son did not welcome him, and his daughter hated him to the core.

Who would have thought that his own daughter would transform into the Empress of Southern Qi, and Gu Shijie felt a stir of hope in his heart.

He is now a Duke of the State (imperial father-in-law); if he were to remain in the countryside farming, what would that be?

Gu Kang never imagined that Gu Shijie also wasn't afraid of hardship; he actually brought his old servant and rushed back all the way to Jing Cheng, and this time Gu Kang had him lodged in an estate in the suburbs of Jing Cheng.

After all, Gu Shijie is also Gu Jiu Ling's biological father; she needs to ask her elder sister how to handle him.

He had already arrived outside Fengyi Palace when his elder sister was receiving the wives of officials, and Gu Kang had to avoid her.

He therefore stood by the Taiye Pond, admiring the view, while a nearby eunuch waited cautiously.

This lord is not to be offended; he is not only the current empress's younger brother, but also the Shangshu known for his iron-fisted tactics in the court.

Shortly after, someone came from Fengyi Palace to tell Gu Kang that there were no more guests there this time, and only then did Gu Kang have the leisure to go see his elder sister.

Unexpectedly, just as Gu Kang turned the corner of this grove, he bumped into Princess Fukong coming straight toward him.

They almost collided; the grove was too dense, so Gu Kang hastily stepped back and bowed to Princess Fukong: "Your humble official pays his respects to Your Highness the Princess."

At that moment, Princess Fukong was somewhat dazed; she silently observed Gu Kang for a long while.

From his days as a top-scoring scholar, full of vigor, to his bold rectification of wrongful cases, then his later withdrawal from high office, and now his return to an official post.

Princess Fukong felt that this man, though in adversity, still bore responsibility; even though his appearance was ruined, his bearing was something no aristocratic youth could match.

Princess Fukong had never been this close to Gu Kang before; this time she felt a flutter in her heart: "Sir Gu, you flatter me."

Gu Kang nodded at her, then strode toward Fengyi Palace.

Seeing that it was getting late, Princess Fukong hurried back to her mother's quarters.

Only after sitting on the soft couch of Consort Rou did she feel as if she had finally caught her breath, her heart suddenly pounding violently, as if it might leap out of her chest.

Now that Consort Rou had become a Dowager Consort, she couldn't help but stare blankly.

Today she brought Fukong to pay respects to the Empress, never expecting the Empress to bestow so many favors upon them.

At this moment, Dowager Consort Rou was busy in the palace packing her things, preparing to leave with her daughter.

She had nearly been ruined by this harem in her lifetime, but now she finally parted the clouds to see the moonlight.

Unexpectedly, her daughter rushed back into the palace, her face slightly flushed; she couldn't help but panic a little, stepping forward to support her father's shoulder.

"Where exactly do you feel unwell?"

"No, nothing feels unwell; rest awhile, I'm a bit tired."

Fukong brushed it off and returned to her own quarters.

She flung herself onto the bed, her mind filled over and over with the masked face of Gu Kang.

Fukong turned over, covered her face with the pillow, and spoke in a muffled voice.

She couldn't help but whisper: "Fukong, Father, I think you've really gone mad."