The Princess Rui said respectfully, "Horses may stumble, and humans may make mistakes. I believe neither the Young Master nor Young Master Qian did it on purpose."
Gu Lan looked at the Princess Rui with more interest.
She had met the Young Prince's sister, Rong Baoyi, before and thought she didn't resemble Prince Rui. Now she realized that the daughter took after her mother, as the County Princess Changle looked almost identical to the Princess Rui before her.
The Princess Rui, similar in age to Madam Zhou, had delicate features, a tall figure, and wore her hair in a high Lingyun Bun, making her appear quite youthful. Despite wearing luxurious palace attire, it couldn't hide her refreshing charisma, which naturally garnered affection.
Gu Lan's gaze lingered on the Princess Rui's straight shoulder line. She could tell that the Princess Rui had some martial arts capability.
The Empress Dowager looked at Gu Lan and feigned amiability, "I remember, Little Lan, when you last entered the palace, you were just a boy with a child's haircut. Now, in the blink of an eye, you've become a dashing young man.
A few years ago, your cousin was Qi Chun's companion. After Qi Chun was conferred as the Crown Prince, he became a Junior Minister at the Honglu Temple. Now that you're to be Yunhao's companion, it seems to be destiny."
Only then did Gu Lan realize the Eastern Palace Crown Prince was named Rong Qichun.
Frowning slightly, she stated proudly, "Whatever Gu Changting could do, I can do as well."
Seeing the unyielding spirit in Gu Lan's eyes, the Empress Dowager's smile widened.
Just a simple provocation, and this incompetent playboy revealed his true colors.
It seemed the earlier information was accurate. The Old Madam Gu regularly praised her eldest grandson Gu Changting in front of Gu Lan, causing the younger grandson to harbor resentment towards his cousin.
The Empress Dowager had been puzzled about why Gu Lan's demeanor had suddenly changed and agreed to become a companion, but now she felt reassured.
With such an unlearned companion, she doubted Rong Yunhao would learn anything proper from him.
"Princess, in your opinion, between the Young Master Gu and Young Master Qian, whom would you prefer as Yunhao's companion?" The Empress Dowager had already reached a conclusion and passed the question to the Princess Rui.
There was no need to ask. The Young Master Gu's reputation in the Capital City was as rotten as could be. Young Master Qian, though just drenched and looking somewhat dull, was at least a celebrated talent in Capital City, certainly better than Gu Lan.
Who would want their son to be in such close quarters with a frivolous and incompetent brat anyway?
The palace, faintly scented with Buddhist incense, had many eyes fixed on Gu Lan and Qian Rui.
Gu Lan deliberately stood idly, with a vermillion silk brocade belt binding her hair, revealing a smooth and full forehead, paired with a luxurious Green Jade Falling Jade Folding Fan at her waist, embodying a dashing and elegant demeanor.
This ethereal and graceful presence sharply contrasted with Young Master Qian beside her, who was struggling to maintain the image of a gentleman while his hair still dripped with water.
The more unrestrained the Young Master Gu looked, the more satisfied the Empress Dowager felt, but hiding her strain in the act was becoming exhausting for Gu Lan.
From the moment Gu Lan realized that the Emperor hadn't allowed the Princess Rui and the heir to welcome her on the return to court day, she knew the decision of who would become the Young Prince's companion lay in the hands of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
The affection of the "Little Rascal" was just icing on the cake; only by appearing incompetent could she be selected.
If the Emperor and Prince Rui truly shared brotherly affection, they would have chosen the most outstanding talent as the Young Prince's companion. But clearly, the Emperor harbored suspicions towards Prince Rui's mansion— the Empress Dowager's gaze assured her she guessed correctly.
The Princess Rui looked deeply at Qian Rui, as if grappling with a decision, then gently glanced at Gu Lan, as if unwilling to spare another look.
Gu Lan was slightly taken aback, her fingers by her side trembled slightly.
As an assassin, Gu Lan was highly sensitive to others' attitudes toward her.
The gaze the Princess Rui cast her way held a touch of warmth and goodwill.
If the Princess Rui was particularly fond of her, her display of reluctance towards Qian Rui was just an act for the Empress Dowager.
Could it be that after returning home, the Young Prince had persuaded his mother, making the Princess Rui feel that learning from her would be worthwhile?
She doubted the "Little Rascal" had the eloquence for that.
The Princess Rui's gaze intentionally showed unwillingness, saying, "The Young Master Gu is exceptionally talented and outstanding, certainly capable of studying diligently together with Yunhao in the Imperial Family, and becoming a pillar of Dayan in the future."
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction; she enjoyed seeing the Princess Rui appear as though she wished for Qian Rui to be the companion, yet was forced to pick Gu Lan.
Beside them, Qian Rui took a deep breath upon hearing the Princess Rui's words. Despite striving to maintain his composure, his expression briefly contorted.
Gu Lan openly threw a provocative smile at him, growing even more recklessly arrogant, nearly driving Qian Rui to fury.
In her mind, she thought: to be cannon fodder, one must be prepared for a tragic ending.
The Empress Dowager is backed by the Su Family, and Qian Rui by the Qian Family. Prime Minister Su and Minister Qian don't get along; that's one factor;
The Empress Dowager undoubtedly favored a useless individual like herself to mentor the princely heir, and that's another;
The Princess Rui made the Empress Dowager believe she preferred Qian Rui, catering to the Empress Dowager's deliberate tormenting nature, and that's the third.
The selection for the princely heir's companion appeared to be a choice between two, but once Gu Lan herself didn't refuse becoming a companion, it was destined for her to be chosen, while Qian Rui lacked the self-awareness of being cannon fodder.
The Empress Dowager belatedly asked the Young Prince, "Yunhao, do you prefer Brother Lan or Brother Qian Rui?"
With the Young Prince's response of "Brother Lan," the decision for companion was settled.
The Empress Dowager could almost envision the future scenes of Gu the playboy leading the Playboy Rong to indulgent escapades in the Capital's brothels and music halls.
Only Gu Lan, who had received signals in advance, knew that this outcome was exactly what the Princess Rui desired.
As they left Yongshou Palace, Qian Rui was downcast, while Gu Lan was visibly pleased and enthusiastic.
She cast a deep glance at Qian Rui's retreating back, fingering the edge of her sleeve, a deeper look in her eyes.
Aunt Fang, following the Empress Dowager's orders, led Gu Lan and the Young Prince to visit the place where they were to study and live.
The Imperial Family was located on the southwestern side of the Imperial Palace, and their first stop was Xiefang Palace, where Gu Lan would reside in the future.
Aunt Fang said, "Young Master, here in the Imperial Family, a ten-day period is allotted, with a day of rest every ten days. Aside from studying, you and the young prince will stay in Xiefang Palace, and you are not allowed to leave the palace without reason."
Good heavens, only one day off every ten days, even worse than school in future generations.
"—You may each bring two maidservants to attend to your needs or have the Internal Affairs Office assign palace attendants to the South Hall."
"Maidservants?" Gu Lan raised an eyebrow, "Can't I bring guards or an Attendant Student?"
"This Xiefang Palace, once you pass through the East Splendor Gate, leads outside the Imperial Palace, while going inward connects to the back palace. Men entering and exiting the palace is inconvenient unless you bring an eunuch."
Gu Lan thought to herself, Zipei, it's not that I don't want to include you, but I can't bear to have you undergo that operation.