It was improper to talk about it in the presence of Shen Zhongbai and Prime Minister Gu, but Ye didn’t care. She couldn’t helplessly watch Gu Zhihua lose her face again in public.

Gu Qiang acted as if she didn’t hear what Ye said.

As an infanta, she didn’t need to salute the Third Prince. She meant to greet him, but only to find that he rushed over and wanted to hug her like a hungry wolf hunting its prey. His action and expression seemed as affectionate as those of a lover.

Gu Qiang dodged and stared at Shen Zhongbai’s face. He winked at her to spare his blushes, but she shook her head because he was insatiable.

The Third Prince turned around and told Prime Minister Gu and Ye smilingly, “I will ask my brother to approve my marriage with Qiang right away. Don’t worry.”

Prime Minister Gu turned around to look at Gu Zhihua, who huddled behind Ye like an injured animal staring at the Third Prince. What he said was like a knife, cutting her heart open. She was sulky and indignant, but she could do nothing.

Did Prime Minister Gu care about this daughter? He had several children. Except for Gu Qiang, the first daughter, other children should have been treated the same way. However, Gu Zhihua and Gu Huaihuai were different because their mother was capable.

But Prime Minister Gu gradually realized that he couldn’t turn a blind eye to the girl anymore because she always disgraced him and did something absurd.

He used to put up with this daughter for the sake of Ye. Now he thought she should get married. No matter what she did in the family of her husband, it would have nothing to do with the Gu Family.

But he couldn’t treat Gu Qiang in the same way. She was not only the first daughter of the Gu Family but also Infanta Luoping. She was valuable, so he had to protect her.

“Your Highness, what did you say? I don’t follow you. My marriage is not up to you. I am an infanta, so my marriage is up to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Of course, I hope I can decide by myself.”

Standing in front of Shen Zhongbai, Gu Qiang recalled how attractive he used to be in her eyes. But now she didn’t have such a feeling any longer. Whatever he did would disgust her.

Shen Zhongbai took Gu Qiang into his arms in a forcible way but was pushed away by her. Gusu Liang appeared between Shen Zhongbai and Gu Qiang to prevent him from taking further action.

Shen Zhongbai wanted to get rid of Gusu Liang, but the petit servant girl was astonishingly strong.

He failed to push her away.

“How dare you! You are just a servant girl. Dare you disobey me?” Shen Zhongbai rebuked loudly. What Gusu Liang did humiliated him.

Gusu Liang didn’t retreat. Instead, she seemed firmer.

Would he force Gu Qiang to marry him in public?

No wonder Gu Zhihua desired to kill Gu Qiang. It didn’t just make her lose face.

Prime Minister Gu walked forward and said, “Your Highness, I’m afraid you can’t do that. You know Zhihua once made contributions to the country. It is a reward for her to be your concubine. Do you think it can be canceled? As the Prime Minister for many years, I can’t put up with the terrible humiliation.”

Then Prime Minister Gu stared at Shen Zhongbai, deciding not to yield to him anymore. It was true that he was the Third Prince, but Prime Minister Gu was more powerful and influential.

Shen Zhongbai was surprised. He hadn’t thought the usually obsequious man would talk to him so aggressively. Something had been different indeed. Did Prime Minister Gu think he could climb higher because of his capable daughter?

It was a beautiful dream, but the fact was not so perfect.

Prime Minister Gu wasn’t a relative of the Emperor, and it was not easy for him to reach this position. It meant there was a great power behind him. If it weren’t for this, Shen Zhongbai wouldn’t rack his brain trying to marry Gu Qiang.

He needed support from the Gu Family. But he disliked Gu Zhihua. He didn’t love Gu Qiang either, but he would prefer Gu Qiang to Gu Zhihua.

Shen Zhongbai had an imposing manner, which was typical of the royal members. Ordinary people were not born with it.

He turned around and saw Gu Zhihua still huddling behind her mother. She wore delicate makeup today, but it was destroyed because of her falling into the water. Shen Zhongbai pretended not to see it.

“Prime Minister Gu, I see what you mean. It was true that Zhihua made great contributions to the country and should be rewarded. But it was a punishment if she married me. Why should I undertake the punishment?” Shen Zhongbai told Prime Minister Gu.

As the conflict simmered, their relationship broke up.

Prime Minister Gu flew into a rage. He would teach the man a good lesson if the latter was not in a high position.

It was acceptable that a young man was complacent, but he shouldn’t be impolite.

Gu Qiang waved her hand and put up her imposing manner immediately. She was only a girl. But from her reaction, Prime Minister Gu and Shen Zhongbai realized that she was different now, and the consequence would be unimaginable if they underestimated her.

“Zhihua and Madam, please go back. We need a place to deal with it.” Gu Qiang said.

Of course, Gu Zhihua didn’t agree. She retorted, “No way! I will not give you another chance to approach the Third Prince. You are really something.”

Her eyes were scarlet, and her mouth was wide open as if she wanted to swallow Gu Qiang. Looking closely, Gu Qiang found water dripping from her hair.

Gusu Liang dragged Gu Zhihua away while staring at Ye. Gu Zhihua was ignorant, but Ye wasn’t.

As expected, Ye began to soothe Gu Zhihua, “Zhihua, let’s go. Your sister and father will get things right.”

When they just left, Gu Qiang said behind them, “Remember if you dare to be disrespectful again, you’ll wish you’d never been born, and I won’t give you another chance.”

Gu Zhihua seemed to be deaf to that. Her world became grey. Since Shen Zhongbai refused to marry her, she had got insane and didn’t care about the threat at all.

However, Ye heard it clearly. She turned around and smiled hideously at Gu Qiang.

After they left, Gu Qiang came straight to the point, “Your Highness, let’s forget what happened today. Marriage must be agreed upon by both sides. I have found my Mr. Right. If you give me your best wishes, I will be grateful. But if you don’t, it doesn’t matter. As long as you don’t mention the embarrassing topic again, that will be enough.”

Shen Zhongbai and Prime Minister Gu looked at Gu Qiang. She said she had found her Mr. Right? It meant she would get married soon, didn’t it? There was no time left for a girl to date with a man. If she liked him, she should marry him at once. Otherwise, if the engagement was broken off, there would be trouble.

Shen Zhongbai was sulky. But he was experienced. It took him a short time to calm down. Then he asked, “Who is the man that you are willing to marry instead of me? After all, I’m so powerful.”

“Your Highness, it’s none of your business. We are not friends, so I don’t need to explain it. Concerning your marriage with my younger sister, you shouldn’t go back on your word. I think the marriage won’t do you any harm.” Gu Qiang looked up at him. She was much shorter than the Third Prince. With firm eyes, she said in such a logical way that he couldn’t’ find fault with her at all. He knew she tried to subdue him with the Emperor’s edict.

Shen Zhongbai didn’t care about the Emperor at all. He thought he would be the next Emperor sooner or later. He liked beauties, especially the extremely intelligent ones. However, compared with them, he was keener to see everyone yield to his control. How exciting it would be if he could own everything he wanted!

He always dreamed to come to the throne. With Gu Qiang’s assistance, everything would be easy.

If he married Gu Zhihua, he had to rely on himself because she was foolish. Though Gu Qiang behaved like a fool in his presence, he found she was just pretending to be dull after observing her these days.

“It seems that I have no excuses to refuse. Well, the 8th day of the 11th lunar month is auspicious. You can send Gu Zhihua to my house.” Shen Zhongbai seemed to be impatient and went away.

Only Prime Minister Gu and Gu Qiang were left in the enormous garden.

After quite a while, Prime Minister Gu said, “Qiang, why don’t you want to marry the Third Prince? If you marry him, you will be qualified to be his princess and live an extravagant life. He loves you. Great happiness awaits you.”

Great happiness awaits her? Prime Minister Gu might have become a dotard. What was he concerned about– the urgent connection through marriage or Gu Qiang’s long-term happiness? If he was only concerned about the former, perhaps Gu Qiang had to seek her happiness by herself.

She had agreed to be Shen Qianshan’s girlfriend. She owed him a lot, and he was reliable. She thought his short-lived destiny should be changed by her.

“Father, you’re getting old. Why don’t you have a long-term vision? Aren’t you clear about what the Third Prince wants? He can benefit a lot from the marriage, while we can’t. Prepare to let Zhihua get married. After all, she loves the Third Prince sincerely.” Then Gu Qiang lifted her eyebrows and walked away.