Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 94 How Gu Liuli Turns the Tide!

She casually fiddled with the silk handkerchief in her hand, but her eyes glanced sideways at Gu Liuli as she spoke with a hidden meaning: "The Crown Princess is indeed exceptionally intelligent. Her words have impressed me greatly. However, at this flower-viewing banquet, mere words are not enough; one must also demonstrate actual talent. I have heard that the Crown Princess is an excellent musician. On such a grand occasion, why not play a piece for everyone and let us enjoy the music?" As she spoke, she covered her mouth and chuckled, but that smile was full of malice.

Gu Liuli remained calm and composed. Before she could speak, Su Yao interrupted, "Miss Li, what you said is strange. Whether the Crown Princess wants to play or not is her freedom. What is your purpose in being so aggressive? Could it be that you are not as skilled as others and want the Crown Princess to show off so as to highlight your mediocrity?" Su Yao retorted mercilessly, her eyes filled with disgust for Li Shuhan.

Li Shuhan's expression changed slightly, but she quickly recovered and said coquettishly, "Miss Su, that's a rather unpleasant thing to say. I've only long admired the Crown Princess's musical skills and wanted to take this opportunity to listen to her. How did that make me inferior? Miss Su's defense of the Crown Princess makes me curious. What special talents does Miss Su have herself? Why don't you show them off?" Li Shuhan cleverly shifted the topic, pointing the finger at Su Yao.

Just as Su Yao was about to erupt, Gu Liuli gently pressed her arm, signaling her to calm down. Gu Liuli smiled and looked at Li Shuhan, saying, "Since Miss Li wants to hear it, why shouldn't I play a tune? However, this flower-viewing banquet should be a time of joy for everyone. If only I perform, it would seem a bit boring. How about this, later when I play the music, Miss Li can also demonstrate a dance for everyone, what do you think? I've heard that Miss Li's dancing is graceful and I've always wanted to see it."

Gu Liuli deftly deflected the problem back to Li Shuhan, her words remaining polite and appropriate, yet making it impossible for Li Shuhan to refuse easily.

Seeing her friend Li Shuhan's ashen face, Liang Wanwan immediately understood what was going on.

Her eyes darted around, an idea popped into her head, and a faint smile appeared on her lips as she gracefully walked into the center of the crowd.

"Oh dear, what's wrong? It's rare for everyone to get together, we should be all happy and harmonious, why is the atmosphere so tense?" Liang Wanwan pretended to be concerned, her voice soft but with a hint of deliberate intent.

She walked over to Li Shuhan, gently patted her arm, and continued, "Shuhan, look at you, you don't look well. Did something happen to you? Don't hold it in, I'm here for you."

Li Shuhan's eyes reddened instantly, and she said in a wronged tone, "Wanwan, look at what the Crown Princess is saying, it's as if we deliberately stirred up trouble. We just wanted to have a chat with the Crown Princess, who would have thought..." As she spoke, she even started to sob, her acting skills were superb.

Liang Wanwan immediately turned to look at Gu Liuli, her smile still on her face, but her eyes revealed a hint of provocation: "Your Highness, Shuhan has always been straightforward and has no ill intentions. What she said just now was only out of respect for you and a desire to learn more about you. Please don't take it to heart. However, Miss Su's aggressive manner and harsh words towards our Shuhan show a complete disregard for us."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao flew into a rage, stepped forward, and pointed at Liang Wanwan, saying, "Liang Wanwan, stop trying to twist the truth! It's clearly you who have been targeting the Crown Princess at every turn, and now you're trying to shift the blame. Who do you think you are?"

Liang Wanwan remained calm and covered her mouth with a light laugh: "Miss Su, why are you so agitated? I'm just stating the facts. Could it be that I'm wrong?" As she spoke, she deliberately wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, feigning a wronged expression.

Just as Li Shuhan was secretly plotting how to scheme against Gu Liuli again, a series of steady and powerful footsteps approached. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xiao Jingchuan, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with a black jade belt around his waist, walking into the garden with a tall and imposing figure. His gaze, sharp as a torch, quickly swept across the slightly tense atmosphere before finally settling on Gu Liuli.

"Liuli, what's wrong?" Xiao Jingchuan's voice was deep and magnetic, tinged with concern. He strode over to Gu Liuli and stood naturally beside her, as if building a solid barrier for her.

When Gu Liuli saw Xiao Jingchuan, her heart warmed, and a gentle smile appeared on her face: "Your Highness, it was just a minor incident, it's all over now." Although her tone was relaxed, Xiao Jingchuan still keenly noticed a trace of fatigue in her eyes.

Xiao Jingchuan nodded slightly, turned his head, and coldly swept his gaze over the women who had spoken rudely to Gu Liuli. Under his gaze, the noble ladies all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes, their faces full of fear.

"I have heard that some people have questioned the Crown Princess's abilities and knowledge?" Xiao Jingchuan's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority that echoed in the garden. His gaze fell on the noblewoman dressed in pale yellow silk, who trembled in fright and almost lost her balance.

"Your...Your Highness, I dare not," the noblewoman said tremblingly.

Xiao Jingchuan snorted coldly: "I know the Crown Princess's abilities better than anyone. How can you slander her with just a few idle words? If it weren't for this flower-viewing banquet, I would definitely punish those who spoke such arrogant words." His eyes revealed a hint of warning, making everyone present understand that he was not joking.

At this moment, Li Shuhan gritted her teeth, forced a smile, and stepped forward, saying, "Your Highness, you have misunderstood. We were merely exchanging skills with the Crown Princess and had no ill intentions." Although her voice was gentle, a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes.

Xiao Jingchuan glanced at her, his eyes filled with indifference: "A friendly exchange? Miss Li, I hope you can be more careful in the future." Although his words were brief, they made Li Shuhan feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, and the smile on her face instantly froze.

Watching Xiao Jingchuan stand up for Gu Liuli, Su Yao secretly admired him, but couldn't help teasing him, "His Highness the Crown Prince is truly impressive. These people are usually arrogant and domineering, but they all become obedient when they see His Highness." Her words drew chuckles from some of the people around her, easing the tense atmosphere slightly.

Xiao Jingchuan smiled slightly and said, "Miss Su, thank you for helping the Crown Princess out of that predicament today." Su Yao waved her hand casually, "Your Highness is too kind. I just couldn't stand the way these people behaved."

With Xiao Jingchuan's intervention, the storm targeting Gu Liuli was temporarily quelled. Xiao Jingchuan gently took Gu Liuli's hand and said tenderly, "Liuli, let's go look at the flowers over there."

Gu Liuli nodded and walked with him into the depths of the garden, leaving the others behind, each lost in their own thoughts.

Just when everyone thought the matter was about to subside, Xiao Jingchuan's cold voice rang out again: "I thought today would be an elegant flower-viewing banquet, but I never expected it to become an occasion for some people to wantonly slander others." His gaze was like a knife as he swept over the noble ladies who had spoken rudely to Gu Liuli, his tone icy, "The majesty of the royal family cannot be challenged. Your disrespect for the Crown Princess today is a great disrespect to the royal family."

He turned his head slightly and instructed the guards beside him, "Make a record of these young ladies' families. From this day forward, their families will be prohibited from participating in any royal events for six months as punishment." Upon hearing this, the noble ladies turned pale. They knew that royal events were always important occasions for prestigious families to demonstrate their strength and make connections with powerful figures. Being prohibited from participating was undoubtedly cutting off an important path for their families to advance.

Then, Xiao Jingchuan looked at the noble ladies, his expression serious: "After you return, each of you must copy the 'Admonitions for Women' a hundred times and deeply reflect on your words and deeds. If you dare to do something similar again, don't blame me for not considering the feelings of your families." This punishment seemed simple, but copying the "Admonitions for Women" a hundred times was not only time-consuming and laborious, but it would also make them a laughing stock in their private quarters, making it difficult for them to hold their heads high in social situations in the future.

The noble ladies were so frightened that they knelt down and begged for mercy, their voices trembling: "Your Highness, we know we were wrong, please forgive us this time." But Xiao Jingchuan remained unmoved. He wanted everyone to understand that anyone who dared to disrespect Gu Liuli would pay a heavy price.

After this incident, the atmosphere at the flower-viewing banquet became somewhat oppressive, and everyone was cautious and dared not speak casually.

Xiao Jingchuan gently held Gu Liuli's hand and whispered, "Liuli, don't be afraid, I'm here." Gu Liuli nodded slightly, her heart filled with emotion. She knew that no matter how many storms the future held, Xiao Jingchuan would always stand firmly by her side.

Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli rode together in a carriage, slowly leaving the bustling area of ​​the flower-viewing banquet. Inside the carriage, it was quiet and cozy, with only the soft sound of the wheels rolling on the ground. Gu Liuli leaned on Xiao Jingchuan's shoulder, enjoying this rare tranquility, but the thought of Li Shuhan's actions stirred up a wave of unease in her heart.

She sat up straight, looked at Xiao Jingchuan, and her expression became serious: "Jingchuan, there's something I haven't told you yet. Before the flower viewing banquet today, Li Shuhan actually planned to drug me."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Xiao Jingchuan's eyes, and his aura instantly turned icy: "How dare she! Liuli, how did you find out?"

Gu Liuli sighed softly and recounted the details of what had happened: "I was just about to drink tea when I caught a glimpse of her expression, which was trying hard to hide her smugness. I immediately became suspicious. Coupled with the system's warning, I was certain of her malicious intent."

Xiao Jingchuan held Gu Liuli's hand tightly and said remorsefully, "It's all my fault. I failed to protect you and put you in such a dangerous situation."

Gu Liuli grasped his hand in return and comforted him, "How can you blame yourself? It's Li Shuhan who's too obsessed and blinded by jealousy."

Xiao Jingchuan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "This matter cannot be left like this. Li Shuhan has targeted you time and time again, and this time she even tried to drug you. She is simply lawless." His eyes revealed a firm determination. "I will make her pay for her actions and give you an explanation."

Gu Liuli looked at Xiao Jingchuan, her heart filled with emotion. She said softly, "I believe you, but this matter needs to be considered carefully. Prime Minister Li has a great deal of influence in the court, so we cannot act rashly to avoid causing unnecessary trouble."

Xiao Jingchuan nodded and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I will secretly gather evidence to leave Li Shuhan with no way to refute it. When that time comes, it will be her time to get her comeuppance."

"Ding! Congratulations, host, for successfully avoiding the drugging incident by Li Shuhan. The sweet potato seeds have been released into your space. Please retrieve them yourself!" After returning to the Crown Prince's residence, Gu Liuli immediately entered her space and saw sweet potatoes piled on the grass, some yellow and some white!