Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

"Yes."

Jiang Lige nodded calmly, carefully straightened the wrinkles of his clothes, and his calm words were like thunder out of the blue, shocking the rest of the people so much that they couldn't react for a long time.

"Perhaps you should call her Old Lady Gu."

In the capital, the only person who could be honored as Old Lady Gu was the Old Lady of Grand Tutor Gu's mansion, that is...

Ning Yunxiao's biological grandmother.

Song Yue was puzzled, "How did the princess know that Old Lady Xu was Old Lady Gu?"

"Do you remember that day when I praised the exquisite scent sachet on Old Madam Xu's body?"

Song Yue nodded, "That's true."

"I've seen the fabric used for that sachet on Gu Wangxian before. It was a gift from Emperor Shengwu to the Grand Tutor's Mansion. The pattern is so unique, there's no other piece like it anywhere else in the capital. Furthermore, there wasn't much of it. Besides making a dress for Gu Wangxian, the rest was used to make a sachet as a gift to his grandmother, the Crown Prince's maternal grandmother, Xu."

Jiang Lige's words had obviously convinced Song Yue, but Feng Quan became more cautious and asked again:

"As far as I know, Old Lady Gu from the Grand Tutor's Mansion should be recuperating in a famous temple in the south. Why would she appear in the capital for no apparent reason? Could it be that the pattern of the fabric is similar?"

Jiang Lige shook his head and said firmly, "That day, the prince arrived at noon, and Old Madam Xu left at dawn. It can be said that they were almost at the same time. But the prince didn't see anyone on the road. This means there is only one possibility."

"It must be that when Lord Xiao rescued her last night, he exposed the princess's identity." Feng Quan said knowingly, "Old Madam Xu is deliberately hiding from the prince!"

Song Yue was not as optimistic as the other two. "Although the princess saved Old Lady Gu's life, the old lady didn't even want to see the prince. I'm afraid the princess's favor is in vain."

Jiang Lige was quite open-minded. "It's okay. I saved her once that day. Even if she doesn't remember my kindness, she can't say bad things to me. Besides, a strong woman is afraid of being pestered by a man. If she doesn't agree to me for one day, I will come for one day. If she doesn't agree to me for two days, I will come for two days. If she doesn't agree to me for ten days, I will come for ten days..."

Song Yue poured a basin of cold water on him, "The Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony will be less than ten days away."

Jiang Lige glared at her unhappily, then kicked up her skirt and walked forward to knock on the door.

"Nan Chu Zhaohua requests an audience."

Gu Lao Madam probably didn't expect to see Jiang Lige again. After a while, she sent someone to invite Jiang Lige into the house, served him a cup of good tea, and said with a smile:

"I didn't know Princess Zhaohua's true identity last time. Please forgive me for my impoliteness."

"Ignorance is not a crime. Besides, you are our elder. If I am being rude, it is my fault."

Jiang Lige nodded slightly, took over the conversation readily, and suddenly slowed down his tone.

"According to the rules, Zhaohua will still have to call you grandmother, Old Lady Gu."

When Old Madam Gu heard this, she was stunned and her face stiffened slightly. However, she had seen a lot of things in the world, so she quickly returned to normal.

"Princess Zhaohua is intelligent, but I am an old woman who has been cultivating myself in seclusion here and do not wish to be involved in the mundane world. Therefore, I have kept my name secret. I did not intend to hide anything from the princess."

Jiang Lige smiled obediently and did not show any dissatisfaction.

"Zhaohua knew, but Zhaohua hadn't revealed her true identity the last time. It was a strange coincidence that we met without even knowing each other. Fortunately, after returning to the palace, I saw the old lady's portrait in the Empress Dowager's palace. Otherwise, I don't know when I would have the chance to visit my grandmother."

In one sentence, the whole cause and effect was explained, and it also saved Old Lady Gu from unnecessary speculation.

The last word "Grandma" really touched the heart of Old Lady Gu, so even though she knew it was inappropriate, she did not say anything to stop it.

Seeing that Jiang Lige acted appropriately, Old Lady Gu couldn't help but nodded in satisfaction.

"The princess came here today, perhaps not just to reveal her identity to this old woman."

Jiang Lige was also frank and looked at Old Lady Gu with sincere eyes.

"The Emperor has decreed that the Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony will be held on the tenth day of this month. Zhaohua would like to invite Grandmother to attend the ceremony."

Old Madam Gu was stunned. "Is this what the prince meant?"

"The prince doesn't know about this, and I dare not tell him. I think..." Jiang Lige shook his head honestly, his eyebrows drooping slightly, and a hint of sadness appeared in his eyes for no reason. "The cruelest thing in this world is to give someone hope and then ruthlessly shatter it. It's very cruel."

There was no condemnation in the words, but every word struck Old Lady Gu in the heart, so that she was silent for a long time before she calmed down.

"I am deeply honored to receive the princess' invitation, but I'm sure the princess isn't aware of the long-standing feud between the two houses. I absolutely cannot attend the prince's coming-of-age ceremony."

"Why?"

"Family disgrace should not be aired in public. Princess shouldn't ask about it."

Although Jiang Lige had expected the rejection, hearing Old Lady Gu say it so bluntly still aroused Jiang Lige's anger.

She narrowed her beautiful eyes, and her voice suddenly dropped to freezing point. Every word she spoke was stiff and angry, and it swept over her with a sense of oppression that was pressing her step by step.

"Since Grandmother used the word 'family disgrace', you should remember that the Crown Prince is the only bloodline left by Princess Gu, and he is also your family! For so many years, the Crown Prince..."

"Shut up!"

I don’t know if Jiang Lige’s words offended Old Lady Gu, but she suddenly stood up, pointed at Jiang Lige’s nose and wanted to scold him, but when the words came to her lips, she felt that nothing she said would be appropriate.

Then he slowly closed his eyes and pointed towards the door with trembling lips.

"Princess Zhaohua, please leave!"

Jiang Lige never thought that Old Madam Gu would be so angry, and he didn't dare to go against her anymore. What if he made the old lady sick due to anger, wouldn't that be self-defeating?

Therefore, Jiang Lige had to give in temporarily and bowed politely.

"In that case, you should go to bed early. I will come to see grandma tomorrow."

After saying this, he left the Zen room.

After Jiang Lige left, Old Lady Gu fell down on the couch like a soldier who had just finished a battle, exhausted, and said in pain:

"Weier, my Wei'er..."

Gu Siwei is the maiden name of Ning Yunxiao's mother.

……

After Jiang Lige finished his business, he stayed in Jianshan Temple again.

Jiang Lige never gives up until he achieves his goal. This is the fine quality he has always upheld. To put it nicely, it's persistence. To put it bluntly, it's...

"You're so shameless!" Song Yue scolded. "You didn't even bother to say something else when you refused? You keep saying the same thing every day. I'm getting calluses on my ears!"

Jiang Lige, who had been turned away for many days, sighed helplessly.

"Now we are the ones who need help. We need to have a correct attitude."

Song Yue curled her lips reluctantly, but before she could retort, she saw Feng Quan slowly approaching with a hair crown in his hand.

"Princess, the abbot just sent the hair crown over."

Song Yue dutifully offered a bad suggestion: "Princess, tomorrow is the Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony. If you really can't do anything else, just forget about giving this gift."