Chapter 16: Another Admirer
The task that Gu Feiyan had been forced to do was nothing much. She was tasked to deliver medicinal makeup to the concubines in the imperial harem.
If one wasn’t a person of esteemed status, one wouldn’t be able to ride in a sedan chair upon entering the imperial harem. This meant that Gu Feiyan had to carry a large bag of bottles and jars to more than a dozen places. And she couldn’t be late!
Even though she secretly used the small cauldron to store medicine, Gu Feiyan was still extremely tired. After all, she hadn’t rested for three days in a row. It was almost dark when Gu Feiyan finished delivering the last package of medicine. She walked along a small alley by the palace wall. Deep in the alley, she saw a carriage coming from the other side.
This was not a path that a horse carriage could take!
The alley was very narrow, and the carriage moved slowly between the walls. Even if Gu Feiyan’s entire body stuck to the wall, the carriage would not pass. She could only turn back the way she came.
Just as she was about to turn around and leave, a servant girl jumped down from the carriage and ran over to stop her. “You bold servant! You dared to not bow when you saw the master’s carriage!”
Gu Feiyan was especially speechless. She was so far away from the carriage, so it was normal for her not to bow! If she retreated to the entrance of the alleyway and the carriage passed by her without a bow, that would be considered an offense!
Which master of this carriage could raise such an impolite and unreasonable servant?
“Pardon me but whose carriage is this?”
The servant girl said haughtily. “This is Princess Huaining’s grand carriage!”
Hearing this, Gu Feiyan almost fell down. This is what people say ‘fortune does not come twice, misfortune does not come alone’!
Note: A bit like the western saying "bad luck comes in threes", it means misery is often coupled with further misfortune.
She had just finished settling the small problem with Wen Yuro and now she had yo come across such a big problem in the blink of an eye! Princess Huaining was the admirer of her fiancé, Qi Yu. If one were to say that Wen Yurou had an indirect grudge with her, then Princess Huaining and her were direct enemies and would be considered as a love rival!
A love rival meeting on a narrow path, how could this be any good?
The gorgeous carriage came to a halt right in front of them. The servant girl didn’t lift the curtain. It seemed that Princess Huaining had no intention of getting off the carriage.
Gu Feiyan prayed silently, hoping that this servant girl would not recognize her and that she would be able to get away with it. Princess Huaining was completely different from those aristocratic ladies like Wen Yurou. Even the Great Pharmacist of the Imperial Pharmacy would have to treat her with care, much less a little medicine girl like herself.
To fight against overwhelming odds is like fighting a hopeless battle!
After her rebirth, Gu Feiyan treasured her life very much. She lowered her head deliberately, and before she could say anything, Princess Huaining sneered from inside the carriage.
“Gu Feiyan, your courage has increased! After seeing this princess, you immediately turned around to leave. Are you going to show your face to this princess? What a big face you have!”
Princess Huaining didn’t even see her, yet she already knew who she was.
Gu Feiyan immediately understood what was going on. It wasn’t her bad luck, but rather the fact that someone had come to block her way and cause trouble!
Gu Feiyan was depressed and wanted to curse.
What in the world was this title ‘Qi Yu's fiancée’?! Was there really a need to cause so much trouble? How many days had it been since her rebirth? Trouble after trouble! This was simply…
“Gu Feiyan, the princess is talking to you!”
Gu Feiyan only raised her head when the servant girl reminded her harshly.
The other party had come on purpose, so no matter how much she endured, it was useless! She bowed and said in a neither humble nor haughty manner, “This commoner, Gu Feiyan, pays her respects to Princess Huaining. The alleyway was narrow and could only allow one carriage to pass. When this commoner saw the princess' carriage, I immediately turned around to leave. Please enlighten me, Princess. ”
“Tsk tsk tsk, you really became sharp-tongued!” It was clear that Princess Huaining had heard about Wen Yurou’s matter. She then asked, “Since you know about this princess’ carriage, why don’t you bow first and then allow me to pass?”
The servant hastened to add. “Gu Feiyan, I just saw you turn around and leave. You sure acted great!”
This was too obvious!
Gu Feiyan tried to persuade herself again and again and inwardly said, "Calm down, calm down, calm down!"
She explained, maintaining her pose of blessing, “Just now, the carriage was at least twenty paces away from this commoner. According to the rules, one has to pay his respects within ten steps. I hope the princess can enlighten me. ”
Princess Huaining lifted the curtain herself, stepped on the servant girl’s back, and leisurely got off the carriage gracefully.
She stood in front of Gu Feiyan and laughed out loud, asking, “Gu Feiyan, what about now?”