The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 421

Chapter 421: 212 Entering the Palace (Second More)_2

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he turned around. In the darkness, his seemingly murky eyes held a sharpness and acuity unrivalled by the young: “Do you have someone you like?”

Prince An paused, “Why does my grandfather say so?”

Prime Minister Zhuang said, “You’re not young anymore. Your aunt believes it’s time to arrange a marriage for you.”

Prince An’s eyes slightly trembled: “I am not even of age yet, why the rush?”

A man of Zhan Country comes of age at twenty. Only then he’s considered an adult, and most elite families arrange marriages after this age.

Prime Minister Zhuang declared, “We’re not asking you to get married right now, just start looking. Originally, we planned to seek a match with Princess Hui for you, but due to her unfortunate circumstances, your aunt has set aside this idea. If there’s a girl you admire, who is of equal social standing, embodying grace and beauty, inform your aunt.”

The figure of a maid carrying a basket across her back flashed across Prince An’s mind, but he maintained his composure saying, “There isn’t one.”

Prime Minister Zhuang turned and left the room.

Prince An sighed softly.

A match of equal social standing?

The Marquis of Ding An’s residence seemed neutral, yet just like the Marquis of Xuanping, the old Marquis acted as the left and right arm of the emperor. She and he would never match socially.

As for appearance.

He didn’t care about her appearance, but his aunt would never allow him to marry a girl who had both a flawed face and a previous marriage.

“Heh,” Prince An chuckled mockingly, “Why should they bother asking me?”

—

While the whole Capital City was engrossed in the enormous impact brought by the Apricot List, Gu Jinyu at the Ministry of Justice had no access to any news from the outside world.

She was trapped in the interrogation room, unable to eat or sleep well.

The Emperor seemed to have made up his mind to break her will. No one was allowed to force a confession out of her, but neither would they pay her any attention.

She was utterly alone and was slowly losing her strength to keep going.

She hadn’t bathed for many days. Unlike Gu Jiao, who’d grown up in the countryside and could go for half a month without a bath, she loved cleanliness!

Fortunately, Madam Qi, a close aide of Lady Shu, arrived.

Upon seeing Madam Qi, Gu Jinyu instantly broke down in tears.

“There, there, Miss County, please stop crying or it will upset the lady,” Madam Qi wanted to comfort her by hugging her, but was put off by Gu Jinyu’s smell.

Madam Qi cleared her throat, ended up standing next to Gu Jinyu, and handed her a clean handkerchief.

Gratefully receiving the handkerchief, Gu Jinyu sobbed, “Thank you, Madam, for coming to see me.”

Madam Qi asked, “The Lady asked me to find out what really happened. Did you really break the Jade Seal or… did you do something else to anger the Emperor?”

Upon hearing these words, Gu Jinyu’s eyes flickered. “Did the lady… hear some rumors?”

Madam Qi came to clarify the matter, “There are rumors in the palace that the bellows was not your invention, but someone else’s.”

“Someone else… who?” Gu Jinyu cautiously asked.

Madam Qi pondered, “I don’t know. The rumor doesn’t specify who it is.”

Gu Jinyu lowered her head guiltily.

Who started this rumor? The Emperor or the old blacksmith and carpenter? Didn’t all three of them know about that girl?

Gu Jinyu didn’t understand what was going on. She collected herself, and then asked, “So, does the lady believe it?”

Madam Qi retorted, “Can the lady believe it?”

Gu Jinyu heaved a sigh of relief. At least, her efforts over these years were not in vain.

Gu Jinyu squinted her eyes, “Auntie, it’s been too long since the bellows incident, and I didn’t play it smart to keep a detailed blueprint as evidence. It would probably be unclear anyway. But a bellows isn’t the only thing I’m capable of inventing.”

The old maid was taken aback at once, “You… you have other inventions too? Why didn’t you show them earlier?”

Gu Jinyu chuckled, “I thought of it just a few days ago. Being locked up here didn’t make me desolate. Instead, I calmed down and asked myself what else I could do for the court. Then, I remembered something I had casually invented in the manor.”

“What is it?” The old maid asked excitedly.

“Mortar made from glutinous rice.” Gu Jinyu hadn’t seen its effects in person, but she didn’t have much choice now. She had to bet on it, “The mixture made from glutinous rice soup is exceptionally strong. It’s the best building material. Auntie, if you don’t believe me, you can try it yourself when you go back to the palace. The Imperial Concubine loves me, and I should repay her kindness. I’m willing to give this achievement to the fifth prince.”

The old maid immediately went back to the Imperial Palace to tell the Imperial Concubine about the glutinous rice mortar, emphasizing that this achievement could be given to the fifth prince.

The Imperial Concubine was pleasantly surprised, “Is this true?”

The old maid replied, “The princess said it in person; how could it be a lie? Your Imperial Highness, this is a significant accomplishment!”

—

On the other hand, Little Jinkong, a Mok scholar at the Guozijian, had finished his studies for the day and arrived at the place where he’d agreed to meet his friends.

Last time, Qin Chuyu promised to take Little Jinkong and the other children on a tour of the Imperial Palace. After breaking through the connections of the crown prince’s wife, he finally managed to get her permission to bring his friends into the palace.

Adults might have wondered how he managed to gain entry to the Imperial Palace, but children wouldn’t question it.

Xu Zhuzhu informed the servant who came to pick him up about the prince’s invitation. The servant knew about Qin Chuyu’s identity and dared not refuse.

Little Jinkong made a trip to the Medical Hall and told Gu Jiao that he was going out to play and would return later in a carriage belonging to the Xu Family.

Gu Jiao had no objections.

Xu Zhuzhu and Qin Chuyu often came to play at the Medical Hall as well.

The three children happily climbed into Qin Chuyu’s carriage.