Chapter 17: First Meeting with the Regent

But the moment she thought about returning Chi Ran’s dowry, Aunt Mei felt a pang of heartache.

It wasn’t just Aunt Mei who felt the pain, the old lady felt it too!

All the expenses of the mansion depended on Chi Ran’s dowry.

The General’s Mansion had given Chi Ran a dowry of one hundred sedan chairs! There was an endless amount of gold and silver, countless fine jade and pearls, furniture made of rosewood, ornaments made of yellow sandalwood, not to mention a large amount of golden nanmu wood…

The old lady’s clothes, jewelry, and the furniture in the Rongjin Pavilion were all from Chi Ran’s dowry. Now that she had to return them, the old lady was reluctant to do so.

“Xiao’e, draft a new list for the eldest girl, and send it to her according to the list!”

Aunt Mei’s eyes lit up. A new list, wouldn’t that mean she could write whatever she wanted?

She immediately responded happily, “Yes, Aunt! Xiao’e will go and do it right away!”

After saying that, Aunt Mei got up and left in a hurry. The old lady watched her leave and muttered, “Lazy woman!”

Then she motioned for Zhao Mama, who was by her side, to follow Aunt Mei, lest she do something behind her back!

“Youze, Chi Ran left behind many shops and properties, those are all in your wife’s hands, right?”

“Let her spit out some too, lest it look bad when you hand it over to the eldest girl, after all, she has a noble concubine aunt behind her!”

Tang Youze showed no emotion on his face, he nodded in agreement, but in his heart, he thought that the old lady also held several shops and properties that belonged to Chi Ran, and they were all in the most prosperous areas of the capital. Although they weren’t making a fortune every day, the profits were still considerable!

The dozens of shops in Aunt Mei’s hands were not as valuable as the ten shops he personally owned!

The next afternoon, Aunt Mei came to Luoying Pavilion with her maids. Tang Chuyao was still lying in bed, and the entire courtyard was filled with the smell of medicine.

Aunt Mei sat down at the table and looked at Tang Chuyao on the bed, “The eldest girl is not young anymore, she should learn what she needs to learn.”

After saying that, she motioned for Bitou, who was by her side, to hand a list to Tang Chuyao.

Tang Chuyao didn’t reach out to take it, Dujian took it for her, but she didn’t open it to look.

“Eldest girl, this is the dowry list of your late mother. Today, I have brought all of your late mother’s dowry.”

After saying that, she motioned for the maids to carry in several chests. When all the chests were carried in, Aunt Mei got up, patted the dust that wasn’t there on her clothes, “Eldest girl, rest well, I’ll go back now!”

After saying that, she left with her group of people…

Dujian spat at Aunt Mei’s departing figure, “This Aunt Mei really thinks she’s the mistress!”

“Miss, do you want to take a look at this list?” Dujian turned to look at Tang Chuyao.

Tang Chuyao shook her head, she simply gave a faint order, “No need, Dujian, put the list away!”

“As for these broken chests, put them all in the west wing, anyway, it’s empty.”

“Yes!” Dujian immediately started to get busy.

Tang Chuyao didn’t need to open the chests to know that they were all worthless junk!

For example, Tang Chuying’s old clothes, some of Aunt Mei’s broken things, or some silver-plated junk jewelry!

Tang Chuyao didn’t have time to deal with this matter, she was going to the Xima Village to see her master and the Valley Master tomorrow!

Early the next morning, Tang Chuyao asked Dujian to stay in the courtyard, and she asked Huang Xiaoyu to take her away secretly…

Tang Chuyao hadn’t even stepped into the courtyard when she heard Hua Wangshu’s laughter coming from inside. She walked in with Huang Xiaoyu.

Hua Wanshu and Ke Wuwei were playing Go on a stone table in the courtyard. A man stood under the peach tree nearby, smiling at Tang Chuyao, as if waiting for her arrival.

The man was wearing a long robe of a vibrant deep purple, like a violet. He wore a black belt around his waist, studded with a few gemstones that sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight.

His face was fair, his features delicate, especially his pair of peach blossom eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, seeming to smile yet not smiling, as if they could steal one’s soul. When he smiled lightly, a hint of a mischievous curve appeared at the corner of his lips, making one’s heart race involuntarily.

The Regent, Gu Qingchen?!

Why was he here?

Tang Chuyao’s thoughts were pulled back to the scene after her death in her previous life, when she became a lonely spirit and followed Gu Qingchen…

Gu Qingchen held her body carefully, as if they were lovers!

Lovers?

She didn’t remember knowing the Regent!

Wait, the man’s appearance seemed like someone she had saved before, could it be him?

While Tang Chuyao was sizing up Gu Qingchen, Gu Qingchen was also looking at her. Although Tang Chuyao was wearing a veil, her true appearance was obscured, but he was very familiar with those eyes. They often appeared in his dreams!

Ever since the little one saved him a year ago, he had been dreaming of her!

The little one in his dreams was stunningly beautiful, a beauty that could topple nations, completely different from the rumors about her!

Although Gu Qingchen didn’t care much about the little one’s appearance, when he thought about Hua Wanshu saying that she had been poisoned by two poisons, one that would take her life and the other that would leave her face with spots, he was furious. He hated himself for not finding the little one sooner, for letting her go through so much!

He wanted to do something for the little one…

The moment Tang Chuyao appeared, Hua Wanshu got up and went to her, taking her hand, “Yaoyao, you and Jinzhi must have planned this, you both came one after the other!”

Jinzhi? Was that Gu Qingchen’s courtesy name?

Then he heard Hua Wanshu continue, “Yaoyao, this is my disciple, Gu Jinzhi!”

Tang Chuyao bowed to Gu Qingchen, “This humble one greets the Regent!”

“Miss Tang, you don’t need to be so polite!” Gu Qingchen’s voice rang out.

Tang Chuyao felt that Gu Qingchen’s voice was very pleasant, just like him. In the capital, the women who wanted to marry him were ranked first, none other than Gu Qingchen.

There was no other reason, mainly because of his appearance. Gu Qingchen was the most handsome man in the Great Qi Dynasty!

Plus his status, he was the most noble person in the Great Qi Dynasty, besides Emperor Song Wen.

But because of his cold and aloof personality, the girls in the capital could only sigh in admiration!

But Tang Chuyao felt that the Regent in front of her was different from the rumors. His appearance, needless to say, was naturally excellent!

It was just his temperament, which was very gentle…

“What Regent? Speaking of which, Yaoyao is Jinzhi’s savior!” Hua Wanshu joked.

“Yaoyao, do you remember? A year ago, you brought someone to my Wanhuagu, asking me to treat him. That person was Jinzhi!”

Tang Chuyao nodded slightly, lowering her head, not daring to look at Gu Qingchen. She felt that Gu Qingchen’s gaze on her was very intense, making her feel a little embarrassed…