Chapter 9: The Moth Flies into the Flame Without Worries

  At this moment, Yuanyang told her that a small servant in the mansion had inadvertently obtained a message that the third prince would go to the Banruo Temple on the outskirts of the imperial city two days later for his regular meditation and incense offering. This was indeed news that made one's heart unsettled. Gu Qingjin felt that this was not the heavens giving her a hint, telling her that Long HanYuan was her true destined husband, she was destined to accompany Long HanYuan to ascend to that position and rule the world with him!

  At this thought, Gu Qingjin's heart was burning with passion, she no longer hesitated, if Long Han Yuan was her true soulmate, then missing out on this relationship due to her hesitation would be a truly regrettable thing!

  Gu Qingjin thought that since heaven had sent her news of Long Han's whereabouts, it was a reminder that he was the one who was meant to be her prince. Since he was her destined partner, why not take a chance on him?

  Two days later, with the help of Yuanyang, she successfully slipped out of Anji Houfu and rode a fast horse like a moth flying into the flame towards that flickering future.

  In the Banruo Temple on the outskirts of the imperial city, Gu Qingjin successfully met with Long Han Yuan, the third prince who came to the temple for Zen study. She boldly and recklessly expressed her feelings to Long Han Yuan, and clearly stated that she would rather not be a proper concubine but only a small concubine to marry him.

  She saw Long Han's shock and the warmth in his eyes after hearing her confession, and seeing that fleeting warmth towards herself, Gu Qingjin silently told herself in her heart that everything she did was worth it.

  Then it was the emperor's marriage, of course, the fourth sister married the sixth prince as the main concubine, she married the third prince Long Han Yuan, but it was a small concubine, not a side concubine that could be listed in the imperial family tree.

  Gu Qingjin received the imperial edict and was somewhat dissatisfied, wondering why she wasn't made a proper concubine. However, thinking that her wish to marry Long Han had finally come true, she consoled herself that being a concubine or not didn't matter. After all, a concubine is just a concubine. She didn't know the intricacies of this era's emphasis on birth order and status, nor did she understand the difference between a recognized concubine and an unrecognized one. Of course, she also missed the gaze of disappointment and sighs from her grandmother, the old lady of the Anji Marquis Manor.

  She was immersed in the joy of being able to marry Long HanYuan, imagining that after marrying Long HanYuan and helping him ascend to that position, he would dote on her alone. In this beautiful future she had woven for herself, she knew the gaze of others towards her, telling herself that it was only temporary. When Long HanYuan ascended to the throne, she would be his empress... at the very least, a noble consort. At that time, the entire AnJi Marquis manor would become even more prestigious because of her, and the Gu family would also be glorified by her. Her current life was only temporary...

  Next was the grand wedding of Gu Qingyao and the Sixth Prince. Qingjin looked at her fourth sister, Gu Qingyao, who appeared even more beautiful under the magnificent phoenix crown and veil. After congratulating Gu Qingyao, she took Yuanyuan back to her own room. The day after tomorrow, she would also be marrying Long Hanyan... A woman's most anticipated and beautiful moment in life, yet unfortunately, she couldn't wear a phoenix crown and veil...

  But the phoenix coronet and the auspicious curtain aren't that great either? The wedding dresses of later generations are more beautiful, if possible, she hopes to wear a white wedding dress to marry Long Han Yuan, but in ancient times it was not popular to wear white for weddings, forget it, she will be more glorious than the fourth sister in the future, for now let Anji Hou Fu take pride in Gu Qingyao!

  Gu Qingjin married Long Hanyan with this beautiful idea, and the two of them also spent a good time together at first. However, she was just a concubine, and Long Hanyan wouldn't have that much time to accompany her either. Moreover, Princess Wang began to intentionally make things difficult for Gu Qingjin and stir up trouble, making life in the Third Prince's mansion increasingly difficult for her.

  At this time, she finally understood the difference between a concubine with status and one without a name, on one side the queen was pressing step by step, on the other side she was struggling to defend herself. At first, it could still be considered fun, but when this struggle for favor and love became a necessity of life, Gu Qingyu began to tire of responding.

  Moreover, there was also a fourth sister, Gu Qingyao, who was standing by and comparing herself to the one who had married the Sixth Prince as his official wife. Gu Qingyao's relationship with the Sixth Prince was harmonious, and he didn't have many wives or concubines like Long Hanshan did. Every time she saw Gu Qingyao appearing in public with her radiant beauty, while Qingjin needed to cover up her own haggard appearance with makeup, she finally exploded after witnessing another one of the princess's schemes against her under Long Hanshan's cold gaze.

  She blamed Long Han for his neglect, so she spoke some angry words to him, actually hoping that he could see her hard work and stand by her side to comfort her a few words, even if it was just a hug.

  She forgot that this was not a modern society, under the monogamous system of husband and wife life, but she wanted Long Han to stand opposite her, which is exactly Long Han's legitimate wife, and this is not someone who can be complained about. If it were a modern or ordinary family couple, the wife would complain to her husband for two sentences and that's it.

  But neither of them was, so her complaints resulted in Long Han Yuan not visiting her house for a month. She felt wronged and unfair, but all these were nothing compared to what happened the next day when she went to pay respects to Wang Fei, who said in front of many people that Master Wang thought she should learn from her rules.

  At that time, Qing Jin heard the queen's words, shame and anger intertwined, hated not being able to find a seam in the ground to drill into. In order to regain this lost dignity, Qing Jin began a fierce struggle with the queen.

  She used to never ask for any privileges or benefits when Long Han came to her, but the humiliation that time made her understand the importance of status and favor in this palace. She started to make some small demands intentionally or unintentionally when Long Han came to her, and at first, he satisfied all her requests.

  But Qingjin knew that Long Han's attitude towards her had changed, and she also vaguely guessed the reason why he would change. However, reality has forced her to be unable to let go, even if she wanted to give up, facing the queen's occasional subtle attacks and the difficulties of the people in the back house of the palace, she still needs Long Han's privilege to provide victory conditions and weight for herself, the queen, and the many wives and concubines in the back house of the palace in this war without gunpowder. She can't lose.

  Now that things have come to this, she can only grit her teeth and move forward. At least Long Han didn't refuse her request, did he? She naively thought that Long Han should also be able to see her hard work and difficulties, and once she has settled down in the backyard of the Wang Fu, she will properly repay Long Han. By then, she can wholeheartedly focus on him alone.

  However, since then, Long Han's visits to her courtyard have gradually decreased. She initially thought that Long Han was just being temperamental, but in reality, some things had quietly changed without her knowledge. Her endless struggle with the queen consort never stopped for a moment.