sjar Chapter 60 Received an Invitation
Chapter 60 Received an Invitation
Yangzhi Courtyard of the Liang Prince's Mansion.
Before the desk, the man put down the letter in his hand, leaned back in his chair, looked at Qinghuai, and said leisurely, "All this trouble is just to get back my mother's dowry."
"They actually let Wen Guzhuyu go, which almost ruined my plan."
Qinghuai stood beside Gu Liang and handed him another letter.
"Your Highness, what about this Wen Guzhuyu?"
Gu Liang said, "Bring him back."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Qinghuai continued, "Your Highness, Your Highness, this is indeed difficult to predict."
“Every word and action of Wen Guzhu was tailor-made for Xiangyi, even his faked death.”
“But the princess is only sixteen or seventeen years old.”
Gu Liang tilted his head and said, word by word, "Jiang, stop."
Gu Liang picked up the teacup on the table and casually played with it. Her embroidered silk court robe and black embroidered gold belt at the waist accentuated her noble air.
He said in a deep voice, "Are you satisfied with those generals who were secretly colluding with Gu Yuan?"
“Just a few days ago, they were still complaining about the unfairness in the army, but now they have gradually compromised,” Qinghuai said.
"Your Highness has divided the position that originally belonged to one general into two positions. On the surface, this is to relieve their burdens, but in reality, it is to divide power."
"Your Highness, why did you show them mercy?"
Gu Liang put down his teacup and explained, "The White Tiger Army has followed me for many years. If I were to kill those men, wouldn't that make me seem cruel and heartless?"
"On the contrary, it has caused me to lose the morale of my troops."
"Promote capable people first, and then proceed gradually."
“They’re not fools; they naturally understand my intentions.”
"Money can't buy heroes, but power can. If anyone in the army causes trouble again, let them cause trouble. If it gets out of hand, just behead them as a warning to others."
"Yes, Your Highness."
-
Early in the morning, Wu Shi was seen walking briskly into Jiang Zhi's house.
At noon, she took out an invitation from behind her and handed it to Jiang Zhi, saying, "Your Highness, this is from the Princess's residence."
Jiang Zhi opened it, and there was a crabapple blossom vividly depicted on the paper.
Although the ink marks are from a printing plate, they are incredibly lifelike, suggesting that the original manuscript must have been extraordinary.
After reading the invitation, Jiang Zhi remained silent for a moment, then looked at Wu Shi and asked, "Where is His Highness?"
He frowned slightly at noon, "It seems he's in the study."
Jiang Zhi walked towards the study.
As soon as she walked in.
The soft, warm light streamed in through the window, falling on Gu Liang and bathing him in a hazy glow.
Today, Gu Liang was dressed in a pure white scholar's robe. His jade-like fingers encircled the book, and the bones on the back of his hand were clearly defined and slender. His posture was as elegant and courteous as ever.
At this moment, Gu Liang had a more refined and handsome appearance, which was much more pleasing to the eye than when she was blocking her way.
"come over."
Jiang Zhi glanced at him briefly and walked over to his side.
Gu Liang glanced to the side, casually tapped the table with his fingertips, and asked in a low voice, "Grind the powder."
Her eyes darkened, and she slowly stepped forward to sit beside him. He was using the finest tribute ink, and you could smell its fragrance as soon as you held it in your hand.
Jiang Zhi moved with fluid grace, calmly grinding the ink for him.
Gu Liang's eyes darkened as he stared at her pale profile and reached out his hand to her.
Jiang Zhi knew that he was waiting for her to fetch him a brush and dip it in ink.
Jiang Zhi thought for a moment, then methodically took out the most eye-catching gilded brush with gray bristles from the brush holder, carefully moistened it with ink, and placed it in Gu Liang's hand.
Gu Liang glanced at the pen in his hand, his gaze hardening, his gentle expression turning icy cold as he said, "Change it to that ivory-handled wolf-hair brush."
That ivory-handled wolf-hair brush was the one Gu Liang was used to; he was accustomed to writing in running script, and this brush was most suitable for him.
The room fell silent.
Seeing him turn away, Jiang Zhi revealed the purpose of her visit: "I received an invitation from the Eldest Princess."
Gu Liang looked up. "A spring banquet?"
Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow, "Does Your Highness know?"
Gu Liang said, "The Spring Banquet is held every year, and the timing is just right."
"In the past, there were no women in the Liang Prince's Mansion, but now that you're here, we'll be receiving many invitations from other families."
In her past life, she fell into a trap at the Princess's Spring Banquet. What changes will occur this time?
"But what is there to avoid?" Jiang Zhi asked.
"Do as you please," Gu Liang said. "With your status as the Princess Consort of Liang, ordinary people wouldn't dare to bully you."
Jiang Zhi joked, "What if I encounter someone who isn't afraid of my identity?"
"You dare to offend even the Empress Dowager's people, who else are you afraid of?" Gu Liang retorted.
Jiang Zhi looked at the person in front of him and blinked. "Your Highness, you must have forgotten to include yourself, right?"
Before Gu Liang could answer, she said, "I have some questions about the Spring Banquet."
Jiang Zhi's face showed a serious expression.
"I am not very familiar with the Princess. What should I pay attention to at the Spring Banquet?"
Gu Liang reached out her hand, "Did you bring the invitation?"
Jiang Zhi took the invitation out of his pocket. "The brushwork on this crabapple blossom is exquisite; it must have been painted by a master."
Gu Liang smiled slightly, "The princess's husband is Qin Qi."
Jiang Zhi frowned slightly. The name sounded somewhat familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had heard it before.
Gu Liang added, "His other name is 'Jade Dust Hermit'."
"It turned out to be him."
Jiang Zhi finally remembered him. This "Jade Dust Hermit" was a master of both calligraphy and painting. He was the youngest third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations during the reign of the late emperor.
Gu Liang nodded. "His only mistake in life was marrying the eldest princess."
"But I heard it was a marriage bestowed by the late emperor?" Jiang Zhi tried hard to recall what she had heard in her previous life.
Gu Liang looked down at her, a half-smile on his face, "No, it was he who took the initiative to ask the late emperor for it."
Jiang Zhi was curious but tried to suppress it. "The princess's invitation had flowers drawn by the consort, which shows that their relationship is really good."
There are regulations that prohibit the sons-in-law of imperial sons from holding official positions in the court. This may seem like a pity to outsiders, but it may not be so for the individuals involved.
Gu Liang looked at the invitation in her hand. "Begonia in spring, lotus in summer, jasmine in autumn, magnolia in winter. The princess likes these four flowers, so someone paints them for her every year."
"So, this is a banquet named after the four seasons?" Jiang Zhi thought about the banquet's name, and imagined that there would be summer, autumn, and winter banquets later on.
"If you get along well with her, you'll be indispensable in every season."
"Is she someone who loves excitement?"
Gu Liang said, "She is the emperor's sister, the youngest child of the late emperor, and his only daughter. She was pampered and loved since childhood."
"After she married her husband, she did not concern herself with politics, occasionally inquiring about gossip, and lived a carefree life."
Jiang Zhi remained silent for a while, then asked, "What is the relationship between Your Highness and the Eldest Princess?"
That's Gu Liang's aunt. The relationships within the royal family are complex and intertwined, so it's always good to get to the bottom of things.
"We don't see each other often, just treat this as a family dinner," Gu Liang said without any emotion.
The corners of her eyes suppressed the shimmering light within them.