Who would put a green hat on themselves? - Chapter 9

“Your Highness, Third Miss Yun instructed me to inform you that she is going on a boat ride with Gu Liu Lang and will be heading toward the Eastern Market,” Shimiao reported, her thoughts racing as she recalled the instructions from the heir. She was anxious to deliver the message as quickly as possible.

Upon hearing Shimiao’s words, the Grand Princess’s cold and exquisite face lit up with joy, outshining even the most splendid peony in bloom.

“A boat ride, how wonderful! How wonderful!” The Grand Princess exclaimed, slapping her leg enthusiastically, her face radiating happiness.

“Your Highness, be careful with your hand,” a gentle young man beside her said. He tenderly took the Grand Princess’s hand, picked up a handkerchief, and gently wiped her now-reddened palm, his slender fingers brushing against Hui He Ming’s palm.

This young man was a newly appointed scholar who had achieved third place in the imperial exams. Though he came from a humble background, he had boldly knocked on the Grand Princess’s door, offering himself as a lover and earning her favor. His career was now smooth sailing.

When Yun Yue had been present, it wasn’t appropriate for him to show himself. But once Yun Yue left, he attentively served the Grand Princess, feeling no shame in his actions.

This scholar was indeed both talented and handsome, with strikingly attractive features. His peach-blossom eyes seemed to have a bewitching quality. On the day the results were announced, a wealthy merchant even sent people to secure him as a son-in-law, but the Grand Princess, who happened to be passing by, intervened and rescued him.

This dramatic rescue was like a scene straight out of a love story, where both the prince and the goddess had mutual affection.

After becoming close to the Grand Princess, his career soared, and he was on a path to becoming a prominent statesman. His future was bright, and he was destined to become a powerful figure in the empire.

When the Grand Princess returned to the capital, the Emperor began searching for a suitable consort for her.

When the Emperor was still the Crown Prince, he had been wrongfully accused by a traitor and lost favor with the previous Emperor, causing the Grand Princess to suffer as well. Despite her noble status, she was forced into a political marriage, all because of the Emperor’s misfortune. Now, the Emperor wanted to make amends to his sister, but the Grand Princess had made it clear that she had no intention of marrying again. Since then, she had kept several male companions in her residence.

These companions included fallen scholars, pitiable actors, and robust hunters—anyone who caught the Grand Princess’s eye with their looks, temperament, or talents had a chance to stay by her side.

If anyone else had behaved this way, they would have been drowned in public scorn. But when it came to the Grand Princess, who would dare to speak ill of her?

Overwhelming power is the best way to silence rumors.

While the high-ranking noblewomen of the capital looked down on Yun Yue’s background and questioned her purity, no one dared to say a word against the Grand Princess. Time and again, the Grand Princess stood up for Yun Yue, genuinely wishing to find her a good match.

The Grand Princess had given birth to three princes and a princess for three Tatar kings, but none of them survived the brutal power struggles. The longest-lived of her children was a little princess who sadly died at the age of ten. Had she lived, she would have been the same age as Yun Yue now, and Yun Yue bore a striking resemblance to her, which comforted the Grand Princess in her grief.

The Grand Princess parted her lips slightly and accepted the cherry that the scholar offered, even lightly sucking on the slender finger that always held a brush.

This young scholar was ambitious and determined, willing to endure and adapt, which greatly pleased the Grand Princess.

Her pink tongue skillfully swept across the thin callus on his fingertip.

The scholar’s eyes turned red at the corners, clearly unable to resist the mature woman’s teasing. But just as he was becoming flustered, the Grand Princess withdrew her attention from him, casting a cold glance at Shimiao.

“Go back and tell your mistress to stop interfering with Yue’er’s marriage. What they are trying to do is going against the grain,” the Grand Princess said, her gaze sharp. She had long seen through Yun Qing’s intentions.

Yun Qing knew the Grand Princess wielded immense power. He had once begged her to take charge and help Yun Yue change her identity.

As long as Yun Yue found her biological father, or even if one was arranged for her, she could marry him.

In theory, this should be the case. But the Grand Princess knew all too well how devastating rumors could be.

She could use her power to fabricate a “biological father” for Yun Yue and change her surname.

But if she did so, Yun Yue’s mother’s past as a government courtesan would be brought up again, tarnishing their reputation. All of Yun Yue’s years of hard work would be ruined.

Yun Qing, as a man with military achievements and a noble background, had no understanding of the difficulties women faced.

Perhaps no one would dare say anything in his presence, but the rumors would certainly spread behind his back.

The Grand Princess also knew that Yun Yue likely had feelings for Yun Qing, but not to the extent of being willing to sacrifice everything for him.

As she grew older, she had come to see that romantic love was just a hurdle. While in the midst of it, it seemed impossible to overcome, but with more life experience, one realizes that such love is merely a small part of life. The pain of parting is intense, but it fades with time.

Wounds will heal.

She truly loved this young girl and naturally wanted her to find genuine happiness and live a life filled with joy.

But Yun Qing was too obsessive, too ruthless—not the right person for her.

And that was precisely why she had arranged for Yun Qing to be away today.

“六郎” (Liu Lang) is a term used in ancient Chinese literature and historical contexts. It often refers to the sixth son in a family or a title used to address someone in a position of respect. In this particular context, “顾六郎” (Gu Liu Lang) refers to Gu Cheng, who is likely the sixth son in his family and is addressed with respect.