Rebirth and Marriage: I am the Mistress of the Palace

Chapter 719: Halfway Achieved

Shen Wantang didn't say anything, but just her gaze made Qiao Zhiyu unable to resist and lose her composure.

Qiao Zhiyu hid the umbrella behind her in panic, a trace of discomfort flashed across her face.

She was afraid that Shen Wantang would reveal on the spot that the umbrella was not hers, so she hurriedly said, "Brother-in-law, she really just accompanied me to bring you an umbrella!"

"She was playing at my house before she came here, so there must be nothing wrong at your house, you don't have to worry!"

"She came because... probably, like me, she was concerned about you and worried that you'd get sick from the heavy rain. That's the only reason, there's no other reason!"

"Oh, that's right! She also said that big brother treats her very well and she treats you like her own brother! Brother-in-law, you are also my brother. As his sister, it is normal for us to give him an umbrella on a rainy day!"

Gu Qianling didn't look at Qiao Zhiyu who was talking non-stop. His eyes were still fixed on Shen Wantang's face. He asked softly, "Sister-in-law, is that so? Is that so? Is everything okay at home?"

Shen Wantang nodded: "Yeah, it's okay."

Qiao Zhiyu was very unhappy when she saw Gu Qianling only looking at Shen Wantang.

In terms of appearance, she thinks she is no worse than Shen Wantang!

Moreover, her figure is much slimmer than Shen Wantang's, and her waist is slender enough to be held in one hand. There is no one else with such a thin waist in the whole capital!

She put on a smile and squeezed in between Shen Wantang and Gu Qianling.

"Brother-in-law, why don't you believe me? I definitely won't lie to you!"

"Brother-in-law, your umbrella doesn't seem to be usable anymore. Why don't you use mine? It's indeed a bit more delicate and elegant, but it can be used by both men and women. This umbrella is very suitable for you, brother-in-law. After all, you are a gentle and elegant person!"

"Oh, brother-in-law, your shoulders are mostly wet. Why don't you go back and change your clothes so you don't catch a cold."

"Brother-in-law, do you still have official business to attend to? Did we delay your duty by coming here? I really just want to give my brother-in-law an umbrella, and then we'll leave."

Qiao Zhiyu spoke one sentence after another, her voice extremely sincere and her tone extremely gentle, even her posture was obedient and submissive.

Shen Wantang let Qiao Zhiyu act cute and flatter her, stealing the limelight, and she stood behind her the whole time without saying a word.

It seems that she is here just as a foil.

Gu Qianling looked over Qiao Zhiyu's shoulder and glanced at Shen Wantang. After making sure that she was really okay, he looked at Qiao Zhiyu in front of him and raised his hand to take the umbrella.

If he doesn't put away the umbrella today, Qiao Zhiyu might not leave.

What's more, he was not blind. He saw from a distance that the umbrella was not actually Qiao Zhiyu's, but Shen Wantang's.

It was only after he came closer and Qiao Zhiyu recognized him that she snatched it from Shen Wantang.

The umbrella felt heavy in my hand.

When you open it, you can see that the ribs are made of the finest five-year-old nanmu bamboo, and the handle is made of extremely expensive small-leaf red sandalwood.

Such an umbrella is definitely not something Qiao Zhiyu can afford.

This is not an umbrella that can be obtained by the Duke's Mansion.

This is Shen Wantang's personal belongings.

Gu Qianling was holding an umbrella and hesitated for a moment. As an uncle, it was not appropriate for him to use his younger brother's wife's umbrella.

But just now Qiao Zhiyu said that Shen Wantang treated him as his real brother.

Shouldn't he think too much about it? He shouldn't avoid suspicion too much, lest he hurt Shen Wantang's face.

Forget it, I'll just take this umbrella for now and return it to my second brother when I get home.

Having made up his mind, Gu Qianling spoke again: "I do have official business to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer. You can go back!"

"But remember this from now on. When it rains this hard, there's no need to bring an umbrella. There are umbrellas and raincoats in the office, so I won't get wet. It's more important than anything else for you to take care of yourselves."

The following words had a hint of reprimand.

But Shen Wantang didn't care at all. The purpose of this trip had been half achieved, the mission was completed, and he could leave.

Qiao Zhiyu didn't care even more. As long as it gave her the opportunity to get close to Gu Qianling, a little scolding didn't matter.

What's more, Gu Qianling is a gentleman as gentle as jade. Even when he is scolding people, there is no harsh look on his face.

I won’t feel embarrassed or ashamed when he scolds me, nor will I think he is bad. I will just feel that he cares about me and I will want to get closer to him.

Qiao Zhiyu looked at Gu Qianling infatuatedly. This man was so perfect, so outstanding, and had such a handsome face. She was attracted to him from the first time she saw him.

She was originally unwilling to be someone's concubine. After all, she was the eldest daughter of an official family. Being a concubine would be a humiliation to herself. Moreover, she would be bullied by the wife in the future and would not have a good life.

But if this person is Gu Qianling, she is willing.

Even after Gu Qianling walked far away, she did not look away and continued to watch him motionlessly.

Shen Wantang reminded her, "Sister, it's getting late. We should go."

When Qiao Zhiyu heard the voice, he suddenly came back to his senses and realized that his behavior just now was too straightforward.

She coughed dryly and explained uncomfortably, "I was just wondering why it was raining so heavily today. It's been a long time since the capital city has seen such heavy rain!"

"Ah."

"Thank goodness we came to bring an umbrella to my brother-in-law. You see, my brother-in-law didn't even have an oilcloth umbrella to use, and his clothes were soaked. My cousin is really not careful at all. She can be so careless about such a thing. I really don't know how she can be a mistress."

"Ah."

"This office isn't very good. My brother-in-law is a high-ranking official after all, and he's the prince's tutor. How can they not even provide him with a decent umbrella? This is totally outrageous!"

This time, Shen Wantang didn't say a word.

First of all, talking about the Zhanshi Mansion recklessly can easily cause trouble.

Secondly, she knew clearly why Gu Qianling, who had been the prince's companion, could not even use an umbrella in the Chancellery - because the prince hated the Gu family.

Gu Qianning said that in her previous life, after the prince's men stopped them, they killed Gu Qianling, who had sent her to marry, without hesitation.

This must have been the prince's order.

The prince was afraid of Gu Qianling and had long harbored the intention to kill him.

So once we get the chance, we will get rid of him with thundering means.

"Sister, why are you silent? Are you a little unhappy?"

Qiao Zhiyu stepped forward and took Shen Wantang's hand, saying in an extremely affectionate tone, "Sister, I didn't mean to take your umbrella just now. It's just that your brother-in-law has already walked over and is soaking wet, and you are still standing there in a daze, so I had to help you give the umbrella to him!"

Shen Wantang looked at her indifferently and pulled his hand back.

Her cold voice revealed a hint of alienation: "Next time, sister, don't use other people's things to ask for favors. It's easy to make things worse and lose face."

Qiao Zhiyu froze, forcing a smile on her face: "Ah, this... I don't mean to do you any favors. I've already said that I'm helping you! Sister, you... you're overthinking it."