Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

A few days later, Gu Jinyan brought a carefully prepared skein of embroidery thread to the Princess Lin's residence once again.

This time, she did not tell Aunt Zhao, but secretly made an excuse and set off alone on the path to the Prince's Mansion.

Spring was in full bloom in the courtyard where Princess Lin lived. The peach blossoms were in full bloom, and the petals drifted down gently in the breeze, covering the ground.

Upon seeing such a beautiful scene, Gu Jinyan felt a surge of emotion, stopped in his tracks, took a deep breath of the fresh floral fragrance, and couldn't help but smile.

Seeing this, the maid Hongyin smiled gently and whispered, "Miss, you look just like a fairy in your light-colored dress standing among these flowers."

Gu Jinyan glanced at her and smiled, "You little rascal, you sure know how to sweet-talk."

Holding the ball of embroidery thread, she gently knocked on the courtyard gate, while Hongyin obediently followed behind her, her hands clasped together, her eyes looking around cautiously.

A moment later, the Princess Consort's personal maid lifted the curtain and came out to greet her, and was slightly taken aback when she saw Gu Jinyan.

He then said with a gentle smile, "Miss Gu, the Princess is resting in the flower hall. Please come with me."

Upon entering the flower hall, Gu Jinyan saw Princess Lin sitting at a table by the window, holding a celadon teacup in her hand, her elegant smile exuding tranquility and gentleness.

She looked up and saw Gu Jinyan, her face lighting up with delight: "Jinyan, you've come?"

Gu Jinyan bowed and greeted her, then handed over the spool of embroidery thread in her hand. "Your Highness, I recently learned that you enjoy embroidery in your spare time, so I brought some spools of thread that I made myself. Perhaps you will find them useful."

Princess Lin glanced at the ball of thread in her hand, looked up and smiled, a hint of teasing in her eyes: "Oh? I think you're more interested in embroidering with me."

Gu Jinyan was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, Jinyan is naturally willing."

After saying that, at the Princess Consort's prompting, she sat down opposite her.

She took out the embroidery frame and needle and thread she had brought with her and began to embroider the pattern stitch by stitch.

Hongyin cleverly refilled their teacups with her own, her movements graceful and measured.

The two sat side by side. Princess Lin would occasionally glance at Gu Jinyan's embroidery, and sometimes she would lower her head and busy herself with the patterns in her hands. Their soft laughter could be heard from time to time as they talked in the hall.

"Jinyan, I've heard that you've been frequenting the city lately, investigating rumors and collaborating with herbal medicine merchants. You don't seem like a lady from a respectable family anymore; you're more like a man of the city."

Princess Lin smiled, her tone tinged with a hint of teasing.

Gu Jinyan did not rush to answer, but focused her gaze on the embroidery cloth, stitching peach petals one by one.

After a moment, she smiled faintly and replied, "Jinyan has been influenced by her father since childhood, so she doesn't think there's anything wrong with women doing these things."

The Gu family is currently burdened with many miscellaneous affairs, and Jin Yan would be willing to share some of them.

Princess Lin nodded slightly, her expression towards Gu Jinyan showing a hint of admiration. "It's rare to find someone with such a broad mind."

However, taking care of yourself is also essential; it's your own body, and if you overwork yourself, I'll be even more worried.

Gu Jinyan replied solemnly, "Your Highness's teachings are correct, Jinyan has taken them to heart."

She embroidered peach blossoms in her hands, the pale pink silk thread flying with the needle, outlining the petals as they gently unfolded.

She embroidered with meticulous care, stitch by stitch, as if she were conveying her own thoughts and feelings through the petals.

Hongyin watched quietly from the side, a hint of envy in her eyes. She couldn't help but whisper, "Miss's embroidery is so good, it's almost lifelike."

Gu Jinyan nodded gently, looked up and smiled at Princess Lin, her smile gentle and serene.

Since being appreciated by the Princess Consort of Lin, Gu Jinyan's consistently low-key and humble demeanor has begun to attract some attention in the mansion.

Before a banquet, Princess Lin's personal maid suddenly sent an invitation, saying that the princess intended to invite her to the banquet.

This unexpected invitation made Gu Jinyan ponder: Princess Lin has always been noble and reserved, so there must be a reason for this sudden invitation.

After a moment's thought, she decided to prepare herself properly, neither overstepping her bounds nor revealing her talents.

The next morning, Gu Jinyan called Aunt Zhao early, already having an idea for a gift, but wanting to be more sure of it.

So she decided to go shopping with Aunt Zhao and have Hongyin come along to pick out some things.

Aunt Zhao glanced at her and teased with a smile, "You're usually so cautious and proper, but I didn't expect you to get so nervous at the Princess Consort's banquet."

Gu Jinyan said softly, "It's for the sake of the family; I dare not make any mistakes."

Aunt Zhao nodded slightly, then pulled her through the alley and arrived at the most famous Jinxiufang in the city.

The shop was filled with dazzling array of items. Gu Jinyan and Aunt Zhao toured the shop together, looking around and discussing as they went.

"Jinyan, what do you think of this jade hairpin?"

Aunt Zhao picked out an exquisite jade hairpin from the counter and examined it closely.

This hairpin is warm and translucent, with exquisite craftsmanship; it is indeed a noble choice.

However, Gu Jinyan frowned slightly and shifted his gaze to the incense burner on the other side.

"Princess Lin is quiet and reserved, and enjoys leisure and refined pleasures. It would be more appropriate to choose an elegant object."

She gently raised her hand, gesturing for the shopkeeper to bring out a sandalwood incense burner.

The incense burner is engraved with plum blossom patterns, giving it a fresh and elegant feel.

Hongyin held the incense burner in her hand, smelled a faint sandalwood fragrance, and nodded, saying, "Miss, this incense burner suits the temperament of Princess Lin quite well."

Aunt Zhao looked at it carefully and thought it was quite suitable, so she smiled and said, "As expected, you are meticulous and have a good sense of propriety."

Finally, the two returned home satisfied, each carrying the gifts they had chosen.

On the day of the banquet, Gu Jinyan and Aunt Zhao set off together.

She wore an elegant light purple dress, with a wooden hairpin in her hair, perfectly showcasing her dignified and graceful demeanor.

Aunt Zhao wore light makeup, carried an elegant sachet, and had a smile on her face.

The two sat in the carriage, the scenery outside the window slowly receding. Gu Jinyan calmed his mind and pondered the possible topics to discuss with the Princess Consort of Lin today.

Upon arriving at the Prince Lin's residence, the welcoming maids led them inside.

The banquet was held in the main hall, where the tables were already laden with exquisite dishes, and various porcelain utensils shimmered with a soft light.

As everyone took their seats, Gu Jinyan and Aunt Zhao were seated not far from the Princess, inconspicuous yet convenient for conversation.

During the meal, everyone raised their glasses and exchanged pleasantries, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

However, a moment later, a lady carelessly uttered a remark that shifted the topic to the family affairs that Princess Lin had just mentioned.

The surrounding guests looked embarrassed for a moment, some lowered their heads to drink tea, and the conversation suddenly fell silent.

Gu Jinyan sensed the subtle atmosphere and quickly began to make plans in his mind.

She put down her teacup, smiled gently, and said in a low voice, "What you mentioned reminds me of a similar problem we encountered in our household. At that time, we were able to handle it properly through a detailed division of labor and everyone fulfilling their responsibilities."

Her tone was calm and measured, skillfully steer the conversation toward practical solutions.

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Some nodded in agreement, while others joined in the discussion.

Princess Lin smiled slightly, her eyes seemingly carrying a hint of approval.

She said, "Miss Gu is absolutely right. Household affairs are complicated and indeed require a detailed division of labor."

Then, after a moment's thought, she casually mentioned that the household was preparing to purchase medicinal herbs from the Northern Frontier Army, but had not yet found a suitable candidate.

Upon hearing this, others echoed her sentiments, praising the princess for her hands-on approach to everything, which truly showed her dedication.

Gu Jinyan keenly caught the hint in it, his heart stirred slightly, but he remained calm and did not disturb the conversation.

As the banquet drew to a close, Princess Lin suddenly turned to Gu Jinyan and said, "Miss Gu, I've heard that the Gu family has considerable experience in procuring medicinal herbs. I wonder if you could offer some suggestions for the household?"

His words were gentle, carrying a subtle sincerity.

Gu Jinyan bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Your Highness is too kind. I am but a humble woman with only a little knowledge of the subject. I am willing to do my best to help the household."

With a single sentence, he both agreed to the request and tactfully demonstrated his caution and respect for boundaries.

Princess Lin smiled with satisfaction: "Miss Gu is so kind, so I'll trouble you."

He gestured to his personal maid to discuss the purchasing matters with Gu Jinyan later.

The guests around him were all secretly amazed by what they saw.

Gu Jinyan got the job, and she kept a low profile, not competing or vying for it, but she exuded a unique composure that made everyone look at her with new respect.