The personal maid whispered, "Miss, what are you doing? If the Old Madam and Madam find out, you’ll be punished."

"Shh, be quiet. How can I know what’s really happening in the mansion without eavesdropping? They treat me like a child and hide everything from me. How can I tolerate that?"

Gu Baoshu crouched quietly under the window, and inside, she heard Qin Yuan say, "Mother, there’s a big matter I’m uncertain about. We should have called Sixth Brother and Marquis together to discuss this, but it’s not just about the Marquis Mansion; it also concerns Sixth Brother’s family affairs. I thought it would be best to discuss it with you first."

Gu Baoshu, being clever, silently thought to herself, could the Xu family be causing trouble again?

The Old Madam Gu asked the same question.

Qin Yuan spoke inside while Gu Baoshu listened outside, completely absorbed and clenching her fists, teeth grinding.

Suddenly, she was jabbed hard in the waist. At a critical moment, Gu Baoshu shifted slightly and whispered, "Stop it."

But the disturbance didn’t stop, she was hit on the head, harder than before.

Gu Baoshu couldn’t bear it. She shouted, "How dare you! What are you doing?"

As soon as she shouted, Gu Baoshu knew she was in trouble.

Sure enough, the voices inside stopped, and Old Madam Gu shouted, "Gu Baoshu, what are you doing outside?"

"Nothing, mother."

Gu Baoshu stood up, moved her numb foot, and angrily turned to look at the troublemaker maid, only to see a cold and dark face.

Although the face was extraordinarily handsome, it was cold enough to freeze people.

Gu Baoshu’s legs suddenly felt weak, and she stammered, "Th-third Brother, why, why are you here?"

Gu Jinghui said coldly, "It’s not strange for me to be here; what’s strange is you being here. Tell me, why are you squatting under the window like a sneaky thief? Where is your ladylike demeanor?"

Caught red-handed, Gu Baoshu couldn’t come up with any excuse. She just said, "I was just eavesdropping under the window."

A light laugh suddenly came from the side. The voice was clear and pleasant, and Gu Baoshu realized there was someone besides Third Brother here. She slowly turned her stiff neck to look over.

What met her eyes was the famous Yu Lang, Prince Qi.

Today, Prince Qi wore a moon-white robe and a white jade crown, with a moon-white tie at his chin. He appeared elegant and unworldly, his eyes smiling slightly as he looked at her. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Prince, Prince, Prince Qi is here..."

Gu Baoshu wished she could disappear into the ground.

"I, I really, this was my first time eavesdropping, truly, do you believe me?"

Gu Baoshu wanted to cry but had no tears.

Why?!!!!!!

Why must eavesdropping be discovered, and being discovered is bad enough, but why by Third Brother, and then by Prince Qi...

How could Gu Baoshu ever have the face to go out and face people again?

Prince Qi chuckled again, a gentle breeze seemed to sweep across his fair and refined face, with eyes seemingly focused only on the person before him.

"I believe you."

Gu Baoshu stood awkwardly to the side.

A voice full of vigor echoed from inside the room, "Gu Baoshu, get in here now!"

Gu Baoshu glanced at Prince Qi and Third Brother, hesitating. She was unsure whether to step forward into the room or retreat and escape.

"Get inside, your mother is calling you." Gu Jinghui’s cold voice came.

"Okay."

With her head down, Gu Baoshu followed the two into the room.

Once Prince Qi entered, Old Madam Gu stood up, smiling, "Such a small temple has a big Buddha visiting today."

Qin Yuan hurriedly stood up, respectfully lowering her brows and eyes, waiting at the side.

Prince Qi met Old Madam Gu as he stepped forward, and after greetings, said, "The Old Madam is subtly suggesting I haven’t visited enough and have become distant."

Old Madam Gu laughed, "Even Your Highness knows you’ve come infrequently, visit more in the future."

Prince Qi turned to Gu Jinghui and said, "I actually want to visit often, but someone must be willing."

Gu Jinghui didn’t respond, his expression still unpleasant.

Qin Yuan realized Prince Qi had something to request, referring to himself to appear closer, while Marquis Gu was somewhat reluctant.

Prince Qi greeted Qin Yuan as well. Qin Yuan was about to perform the formal greeting but was stopped by Prince Qi, saying, "I call Marquis Gu Third Brother and you Third Sister-in-law, we can greet more casually."

Qin Yuan looked to Marquis Gu, who nodded and said, "You may follow his way."

After they exchanged greetings, Prince Qi smiled, "Third Sister-in-law, this is our second meeting."

Qin Yuan replied softly, "I must thank Prince Qi for coming to the rescue last time. I haven’t had the chance to visit your mansion to express my gratitude yet, please do not take offense."

Prince Qi glanced at Gu Jinghui before saying, "How could I take offense? It’s I who should apologize for my men’s recklessness last time, which inconvenienced you. Fortunately, Third Brother isn’t blaming me anymore, otherwise, I’d never dare step into the Dingbei Marquis Mansion again."

Qin Yuan understood Prince Qi and Marquis Gu had already discussed the matter. It seemed Prince Qi’s supposed act of rescue was merely a facade, as she smiled slightly.

After greetings, everyone sat accordingly.

At this point, no one pursued Gu Baoshu’s matter, so she relaxed and positioned herself to listen to the conversation openly.

Gu Baoshu was quite curious about this elegant Prince Qi.

After exchanging pleasantries, Old Madam Gu asked, "What brings Your Highness here today?"

Prince Qi hesitated, pondering for a moment before saying, "Madam, frankly speaking, I’ve been searching for a unique incense across all the stores in the Capital City, including Ranxiang Inn’s Manager Leng, whom I’ve visited multiple times."

The Old Madam recognized it related to Qin Yuan’s incense, smiling, "What type of unique incense is Your Highness looking for? This old lady, though older, has some knowledge."

Prince Qi laughed, "I knew the Old Madam has seen a lot and might know."

Gu Jinghui said indifferently, "Even if my mother remembers, so what? Someone needs to be able to create it."

Prince Qi sighed, "Third Brother always dampens the spirits."

As he said this, his gaze seemed to sweep around inadvertently, noticing Qin Yuan sitting normally.

Prince Qi sighed again.

Qiujie came to serve tea, and Prince Qi took a sip, praising, "The tea here at the Old Madam’s is indeed the best, far better than what I had in Third Brother’s study."

Old Madam Gu laughed, "That’s for sure, Hui’er is rough. In the Northern Border, he’s busy fighting wars and can’t afford to be particular. His companions are crude men preferring wine and meat, likely drinking more wine than tea in their lives. Before marrying, his attendants were servants, and everything was managed by Sixteen, how refined could it be?"