Chapter 416: Isn't This a Coincidence?

Zhang Shen spoke excitedly, "I never expected the Regent Prince to have such a legendary experience and romantic affair when he came to our Xi Bei!"

Gu Xixi's expression was complex: "Romantic... affair?"

Lv Jing gave Gu Xixi a sympathetic glance, then squeezed out a smile at Zhang Shen.

Zhang Shen laughed, "I knew you two would definitely want to hear, so I hurried back to tell you!"

"That Regent Prince, he was once framed by villains; to assist the current emperor, he had to endure humiliation and hardship, ending up stranded in Xi Bei. But! He met a great beauty from our Xi Bei."

Gu Xixi's mouth twitched, and she couldn't help but lower her head to look at her own in the washbasin.

Zhang Shen continued to tell the story vividly, "This young lady's family is well-off, she's skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and her appearance and figure are as if born a fairy!"

Gu Xixi raised her somewhat rough hands and looked at them. Hmm…

Zhang Shen's voice-over: "When the Regent Prince was in danger and fainted on the street, coincidentally this young lady went out with her maids to burn incense and pray for a good match. She kindly took in the Regent Prince, who assumed the name Chen Fang, and their fate began to unfold."

Upon saying this, Zhang Shen sighed, "Speaking of which, this young lady's parents are also good people who reap good rewards."

"They didn't know the Regent Prince's true identity, didn't despise him for having nothing at the time, and agreed to take him in as a son-in-law."

"I heard they even went to the Government Office to register. Thus, even without formally completing the six rites of marriage, the Regent Prince is already considered part of this young lady's family."

"Oh right, speaking of which, it's also a coincidence—our family surname is Gu, and that fortunate young lady also bears the surname Gu."

"Our son-in-law, the young Mu, once used the name Chen Fang, and the Regent Prince is also called Chen Fang."

"Listen, how could there be such a coincidence in the world!"

Zhang Shen was greatly amused, and she laughed first.

Gu Xixi and Lv Jing exchanged glances, then laughed to go along with Zhang Shen.

The difference was, Gu Xixi gave a wry smile, while Lv Jing wanted to laugh loudly but had to strive not to show it too obviously.

After Zhang Shen finally laughed her fill,

Gu Xixi asked, "Where did you hear all this from?"

"I feel like this sounds like a story made up in a pulp novel, too exaggerated."

"How is it exaggerated?" Zhang Shen said solemnly, "It's an announcement the Regent Prince himself issued, declaring this marriage to the world! The notices were posted at the market gate, the Government Office gate, and East Main Street."

"Today, several people from our village who went into the city saw it, and everyone in the city is talking about it."

Gu Xixi tried to reason, "But what you just said couldn't possibly all fit on a single short notice, could it?"

"I think maybe it's a case of rumor spreading and being exaggerated."

Zhang Shen said, "But everyone says it that way."

"The woman from the Zhou family who runs the pickled vegetable stall has heard the same thing several times; it probably isn't false."

Gu Xixi ran out of words, feeling somewhat powerless.

It's all because she herself, with her departure imminent, had a feverish mind and didn't think things through.

If she had known the rumors would spread so outrageously, she should have stopped Mu Nan Zhao earlier and not issued any worldwide notice!

Flush your love! I told you to show off your love!

Now, in the legendary Miss Gu, what still matches the real person?

Although Zhang Shen is up in years, when she talks about love between men and women, her maiden heart remains.

She laughed, lost in thought, "In my view, this marriage is secure; I don't know how much incense the young lady's ancestors burned, but good causes bring good effects, and now who knows how many people in all of Xi Bei envy her."

"Are there many people who envy her?" Lv Jing asked on Gu Xixi's behalf.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shen became even more enthusiastic, "I heard that as soon as the notice was posted, the streets filled with many beautifully dressed young women."

"Everyone wants to emulate the Gu family young lady's good deeds, hoping to also snag a handsome, suave gold-turtle son-in-law."

"But such a remarkable coincidence probably happens only once in several decades, and besides, not everyone has the Gu young lady's luck."

Lv Jing snorted with laughter, glancing at Gu Xixi and saying, "They want to imitate, but they've completely missed the point."

Because the truth is, it's not about picking up, but buying—just spending a single wen.

And that young lady didn't willingly take in the Regent Prince; she was reluctant, forced, and had him thrust upon her.

Gu Xixi glared at Lv Jing.

However, Zhang Shen didn't dwell on it, and instead sighed, "The Regent Prince truly is a grateful and good person."

Gu Xixi said, "You don't even know him; how do you know he's good?"

Zhang Shen said firmly, "How many men abandon their first wives after achieving success? The Regent Prince remembers the young lady's family's kindness, not forgetting his marriage pledge to her—this is rare loyalty and righteousness."

Gu Xixi remained silent.

Capital, Regent Prince's Mansion.

Before nightfall, Mu Nan Zhao unexpectedly returned early from the office.

Moreover, upon entering the mansion, he amiably responded to all the servants and guards who greeted him.

The old steward, seeing this, knew the master's mood was unusually good today.

Although the reason was unknown, the atmosphere throughout the mansion thus became lighthearted.

The old steward repeatedly ordered, "Tonight, add an extra dish of the Prince's favorite, fragrant pan-fried pomfret."

"Fetch a jar of fine pear blossom white liquor, and also send two people to make a trip to Sweet Rain Residence."

"Buy several servings of osmanthus double-skin milk."

In the front courtyard study, Mu Nan Zhao unwrapped a small package.

This had been delivered by the dark guards to the Regent Prince's office this afternoon, coming from Xi Bei.

One could tell without inquiry whose hands this came from.

After unpacking the bundle and opening a layer of cotton mattress, the contents inside were revealed.

Mu Nan Zhao carefully took them out one by one.

Two medicine bottles, and a letter.

He couldn't bother with anything else, first tearing open the envelope.

As he opened and read the letter, his expression was focused, sometimes frowning, sometimes smiling. He also gave a wry smile, shook his head, and sighed.

Just as if Gu Xixi were right before him, whether she was angry or happy, gentle or domineering, all were the forms he loved most.

Even though the letter was only a single page, after Mu Nan Zhao finished reading he continued to stare at the paper, immersed in it.

"Ah, when two hearts are in love, it can truly change a person so much!"

Someone outside the study window was softly chirping.

"Of course! My elder brother has never tasted the feeling of longing; even if I told you, you wouldn't understand!"

The spring breeze on Mu Nan Zhao's face vanished instantly; he said in a low voice, "If you don't come in now, I'll personally see you out."

Not long after, the door opened.

He Jinglan and He Jinghui entered one after the other.

He Jinglan was full of joy, with not a trace of embarrassment from being caught sneaking a peek.

"Did Xixi write you a letter? Hurry up and let me see it!"

Mu Nan Zhao avoided her outstretched hand, calmly folded the letter paper as it was, and tucked it into his sleeve.

In the letter, Gu Xixi fiercely threatened him, telling him to attract fewer bees and butterflies; if he used up all the antidote to the love potion, she might as well just poison him to death.

How could such intimacy be seen by outsiders?

He Jinglan angrily grabbed a chair and sat down, "If you won't look, you won't look—such a miser!"

"Anyway, Xixi's letter to me will be back soon. It's definitely more than your pathetic single sheet!"

Mu Nan Zhao selectively blocked out He Jinglan, turned to He Jinghui, and asked, "Anything up?"

He Jinghui laughed with a sly, furtive look, "Nothing much—I just came to see you sending letters via wild geese, lovesick to the bone."

Seeing Mu Nan Zhao's gaze turn slightly cold, He Jinghui then relented, "There is something, really something."

"It's still happy news; if I tell you, you'll be grateful to tears."