Chapter 50 [VIP]

The imperial physician was kneeling below, wiping the sweat from his brow.

For the past four days, he went to the Xie residence every day. At first, Gongzi Chen's pulse was very weak, intermittent, and it was in this intermittent manner that he actually managed to hold on for four days.

Although it is still a dead meridian with an imbalance of Yin and Yang, a trace of Yang energy is gradually rising.

If we say that three days ago, Gongzi Chen's pulse was like water in a cauldron, about to boil over.

Now, after the water in this pot has boiled to its limit, a particularly delicate balance has emerged.

The imperial physician, after speaking tactfully and somewhat vaguely, steeled his resolve and added, "Your Majesty, the young master is out of danger for at least three to five days."

The emperor remained silent.

This was not what he had envisioned.

He asked in a calm voice, "And what about in three to five days?"

"this……"

The imperial physician stammered and couldn't answer.

Medical books record that a patient with a pulse like that of a boiling cauldron will die within three or four days.

Now that it's clear that Prince Chen isn't going to die, we can't blame him.

He secretly raised his eyes, observed the emperor's expression, and tried to fathom the emperor's thoughts, saying, "The eldest son is still mostly unconscious. When he does wake up, he can only stay awake for an hour or two. Although his life is not in immediate danger, there has been no significant improvement."

"Perhaps, perhaps it's just a final burst of energy before death."

The emperor casually picked up a memorial and slammed it on the desk in frustration. Compared to this annoying matter, Shen Xu's confiscation of a vice minister's residence was nothing.

After a while, he waved his hand and said, "You should stay with Chen'er. I'm really worried about Chen'er's illness."

"yes……"

This is absolutely a killer job.

The imperial physician was respectfully leaving the imperial study when the door closed behind him. He could still vaguely hear the emperor saying, "Haven't I issued an edict yet?"

An imperial decree? What kind of decree? The imperial physician dared not listen further, nor did he dare to think about it.

"yes."

Li Deshun hesitated for a moment before saying, "At that time, the eldest son was seriously ill, and Your Majesty was too anxious."

Is an imperial decree truly to be issued? If an official decree is issued, it cannot be treated lightly. However, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and Xie Yingchen…

Back then, when Gu's daughter and Xie Yingchen returned to the capital together, he specifically asked about it. Xie Yingchen said that they encountered a rainstorm on the way and found a manor to stay in for a while. Unexpectedly, it was Gu's manor, and that's how they met Gu Zhizhuo.

He had observed these past few days that Xie Yingchen and the Gu family were not particularly close.

However, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion...

He weighed the options in his mind and finally made a decision.

If Xie Yingchen survives this trip, but the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion harbors any intention of rebellion, he can easily be utterly destroyed. This isn't a matter of me being intolerant of him...

"Li Deshun, instruct the cabinet to draft an imperial edict..."

At this point, he changed the subject, "Never mind, I'll draft it myself. Go and deliver the decree..."

Half an hour later, Li Deshun left the imperial study with two imperial edicts.

Following the emperor's instructions, he first went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Since the death of the Duke of Zhenguo in battle, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has never received an imperial edict again.

Gu Zhizhuo was happily preparing to leave when Granny Zhu from the Grand Madam's quarters rushed over in a hurry. Afraid of being disliked, she told Gu Zhizhuo about receiving the imperial decree while he was still in the corridor, urging him to hurry to the main hall.

The Grand Madam, the Second Madam, and the Third Madam were all titled ladies, and they needed to be fully dressed up to receive the imperial decree.

Gu Zhizhuo couldn't be careless with her clothes either, so Qiongfang quickly called Xuezhong and Chunxin in to help her change. She then pressed her down in front of the dressing table, restyled her hair in an elaborate way, and adorned her with jewelry, making her look radiant with precious stones.

"Oh, right. Qiongfang, go and tell the Grand Madam not to let Ji Shi out."

As the wife of a duke, Lady Ji should have been present to receive the imperial edict.

Qiongfang gave the comb to Chunxin and hurried to Ronghetang.

When Gu Zhizhuo appeared in the main hall, dressed to the nines, Gu Baibai was leading Gu Yique to greet Li Deshun, who had come to deliver the imperial decree. Li Deshun only said it was good news, and when he saw Gu Zhizhuo, his face lit up with a smile that left Gu Baibai bewildered.

As the others arrived one after another, Gu Liaoliao also helped the matriarch, who was dressed in elaborate makeup, to come over.

The managers were busy but not chaotic.

The incense table was set up, and Li Deshun glanced at the crowd below. He noticed that the Duchess was not present. Gu Baibai had already explained the reason to him, so Li Deshun did not ask any further questions and announced the imperial edict.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Gu Zhizhuo, the eldest daughter of Duke Gu Taotao, is virtuous, gentle, courteous, and humble. I am greatly pleased to hear of her..."

This shower of praise made Gu Zhizhu feel uneasy. Sure enough, Li Deshun's next sentence was: "...a marriage decree to Xie Yingchen."

etc.

Gu Zhizhuo's pupils contracted, and he was stunned on the spot.

No way, are you serious?!

The various scenes from the flower fair were frantically swirling in my mind, suddenly becoming very vivid.

Oh, right.

The emperor did indeed mention it.

She only said one sentence before news came that the young master had vomited blood and fallen into a coma, and then she forgot about it completely. Heh, she really forgot.

"Miss Gu? Miss Gu!"

After Li Deshun finished announcing the imperial decree, he noticed that she didn't react for a long time.

Not only her, but no one in the entire Gu family moved, as if they had been stunned by this imperial decree. Li Deshun secretly wondered if Miss Gu hadn't told her elders when Hua Hui returned.

He cleared his throat and urged with a smile, "Hurry up and accept the imperial decree."

Should I accept the order? It seems I can't refuse, because refusing would be openly defying the imperial decree.

From her past life until now, she had never imagined that such a situation would arise one day. Does the young master understand?

"Miss Gu?"

Seeing that she was still in a daze, Li Deshun assumed that Gu Zhizhuo was afraid that Gongzi Chen was about to die and was unwilling to accept the imperial edict.

That makes sense. Who would want to marry a dying man?

When he was ordered to leave the palace, the emperor instructed him to carefully observe Miss Gu's attitude towards this arranged marriage. Alas, she clearly dislikes it.

However, no matter how unwilling she was, it was the emperor's will, and she had no choice but to accept it.

Li Deshun smiled amicably, wanting to remind her again, but Madam Gu called out first in a low voice, "Zhuo'er. The imperial decree has been issued, don't be stubborn."

Besides, this girl always said she didn't want to marry the Third Prince, and now the Emperor has given her someone else, and she's still not happy? Madam Gu gave her a meaningful look, practically saying: "Let's make a fuss in a few days, Grandmother promises not to scold you." But the imperial decree still had to be accepted; refusing it would be disobeying the decree, a very serious matter.

Okay, okay, I'll accept it!

"Your subject receives the imperial decree."

Gu Zhizhuo raised his hands and received the imperial edict from Li Deshun.

"Please rise, Miss Gu." Li Deshun helped her up with both hands, smiling and reassuring her, "Don't worry, His Majesty said that he will not let you suffer any injustice."

Gu Zhizhuo gave a slight smile: "Yes."

Despite his pity, Li Deshun still said, "His Majesty has granted the eldest son the title of Prince, and you will be a Princess Consort in the future."

In a few years, the emperor will designate a son to be adopted to carry on the family line, and that will be fine.

Why.

They will certainly enjoy wealth and honor.

Perhaps this is actually a good thing for Miss Gu.

Gu Zhizhuo had already composed herself and was extremely dignified in every word and action, even the curve of her smile was perfect: "This subject understands Your Majesty's good intentions."

Li Deshun not only came to deliver the imperial edict, but also brought a bunch of rewards. It's unclear whether this was to appease Gu Zhizhuo or to express how much he valued the marriage.

Gu Zhizhuo accepted them one by one with a smile.

Before leaving, Li Deshun said again, "Madam, if the Duke's mansion has time, please send someone to bring Miss Ji back."

He added, purely out of good intentions, "His Majesty has agreed to the Third Prince's request and will bestow a marriage upon him."

If the imperial decree for the marriage is issued, it would be too shameful for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to go and fetch the bride.

The old lady hurriedly said, "Thank you, Eunuch Li."

"No, no."

Gu Baibai personally saw him out and inquired why the emperor had suddenly come up with this idea.

Prince Chen.

The late emperor's eldest grandson—that alone is quite troublesome, especially since he's on the verge of death.

After the incense table was cleared away, Gu Baibai returned and asked, "Did the Emperor mention this marriage at the flower festival? Why didn't you say so when you came back?"

As soon as he said this, everyone looked at Gu Zhizhuo.

Gu Zhizhuo was incredibly obedient and said, "I forgot."

Gu Baibai stared at her without speaking, his usually gentle eyes now showing a hint of sharpness.

Well, she knew it! Her third uncle wouldn't believe her!

I've really forgotten.

"Forgot? You really have forgotten!" The old lady was furious. She had finally seen her become somewhat reliable, but it turned out she hadn't at all!

"Why didn't you forget yourself in the palace? Such an important matter, and you didn't mention it at all when you came back."

Gu Liaoliao also looked worried.

“Grandmother,” Gu Zhizhu muttered, “you just said that once the imperial decree is received, I can still make a scene if I want.”

"You still dare to talk!"

The old lady, with a stern face, slapped her hard on the back.

"It hurts, it hurts."

Gu Zhizhuo exclaimed exaggeratedly.

The old lady looked at her hand hesitantly. Had she hit her that hard?

Gu Zhizhuo took the opportunity to hide behind Gu Liaoliao: "I really forgot. That day at the flower festival, the Emperor just said it casually, and no one took it seriously. Later, Gongzi Chen suddenly vomited blood and fell into a coma. There was chaos in the waterside pavilion, but the Emperor didn't mention it again."

"Really, really."

Gu Zhiwei and Gu Zhinan exchanged a glance, then ran over and each took one of her hands.

"Big sister, we believe in you."

Ah Man had short legs and was a step too late, so he could only hold onto her skirt.

"Believe... Ah Man, believe."

"Good girl."

Gu Zhizhu touched the top of his head without missing a single hair, then spread his hands and said, "I don't know what the Emperor is thinking. It's inexplicable."

“Zhuo’er,” the Grand Madam corrected, “this is called the unpredictability of the emperor’s heart. Besides, if you hadn’t acted recklessly, how could such a perfectly good marriage have changed so suddenly?”

She became increasingly angry as she spoke, so Gu Liaoliao quickly pulled her back and coaxed her, "Mother, our Yaoyao has been pampered since she was little, so naturally her things must be unique. The Third Prince is fickle and can't be faithful to one person, so what use is he? If he's gone, he's gone."

"You still dare to talk! You still dare to talk!"

The old lady slapped her back repeatedly, furious: "It's all because you spoiled her."

"Alright, alright, Mother, don't worry about these things. Tomorrow I'm taking Aman to Taiqing Temple to get a peace charm. Do you want to come?"

Madam Gu's attention was immediately diverted.

This kind of headache is too troublesome; she'd better just leave it alone.

"...Young Master Chen, oh Bai'er, go and find out if he's really dying. If he does, can he remarry? Even a new marriage is fine. I can't let my maid stay with him for the rest of her life."

"Yes, Mother."

Gu Baibai responded gently, her smile fading slightly as she said to Gu Zhizhuo, "Push me out."

Gu Zhizhuo obediently agreed and pushed the wheelchair out of the main hall.

The wheels rolled on the ground, making a creaking sound. Neither of them spoke first. Gu Zhizhuo pushed him to a pavilion overlooking the water, and Gu Baibai said, "Speak."

Gu Zhizhuo honestly replied, "I really forgot."

Gu Baibai frowned and placed her hand on the armrest of the wheelchair. Yuexia

"Absolutely true."

Gu Zhizhuo said confidently, "It's been four days since the flower festival ended, and there hasn't been a single rumor. Not only me, but everyone thinks it was just something the emperor said casually."

Gu Baibai replied without hesitation, "There are no rumors outside because Young Master Chen vomited blood and is unconscious. Anyone with a brain wouldn't spread what happened that day around."

Hmm, Uncle, could you please not be so perceptive?

Gu Zhizhuo half-squatted down, smoothing the blanket on his lap, and said with slight movement of his lips, "Young Master Chen's illness is not life-threatening. I gave him a kind of medicine that made him vomit blood and fall into a coma in a short period of time. In order to avoid the shadow of the candle and the axe, the emperor had no choice but to allow him to leave the palace."

She laid everything out in the open.

Gu Baibai's pupils gradually contracted: "You and Gongzi Chen?!"

For a fleeting moment, Gu Zhizhuo felt that the way he was looking at her was strange. Was it just her imagination?

His voice grew colder: "Did you really beg for this marriage?"

How could my third uncle so easily skip over so many more crucial questions and only ask this one?

It would be good to ask her if she plans to collaborate with Xie Yingchen.

"I..." Gu Zhizhuo wanted to say no, but didn't know how to explain, and hesitated for a moment.

Gu Baibai's heart sank.

The deposed crown prince was quite handsome, so Xie Yingchen must be good-looking too. My little niece has always loved pretty things. Her clothes have to be beautiful, her hair ornaments have to be beautiful, even her riding whip has to be sparkly. Could she be bewitched by Xie Yingchen's appearance?

Gu Baibai pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Xie Yingchen is very handsome?"

Gu Zhizhuo's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed excitedly, "It's beautiful!"

Gu Baibai: "..."

Gu Zhizhuo: !

No, Third Uncle, why don't you listen to my excuses, no, I mean, let me explain a few things?

"hand."

Gu Zhizhuo obediently stretched out his hands, skillfully turning his palms up. Gu Baibai slapped them several times, angrily saying, "Xie Jing is not a good match, and Xie Yingchen is even less easy to get along with."

"The eldest grandson of the late emperor, the crown prince who was proclaimed to the world! With such a status, and having lived in Liang for six years, he is still alive today. He must be shrewd, cunning, and resourceful."

Why are you only focused on whether he's good-looking or not!

Gu Baibai, who is usually very good-tempered, was almost laughing out of anger.

She didn't. He was the one who asked! Gu Zhizhu blew on her reddened palm and pretended to be innocent, "Third Uncle, actually..."

She wanted to explain her plans.

She told her third uncle that she wanted to find a way for the Gu family to survive.

Putting everything else aside, if Xie Yingchen can survive, it will definitely be a good thing for the Gu family. It will make the emperor hesitate to act against him, giving the Gu family more time.

"That's right," Gu Baibai raised her hand before she could even say a word, "Let me think..."

When the emperor betrothed his niece to Xie Jing, he was not in the capital. He was furious, but his niece didn't want to break off the engagement, so he had to swallow his anger. Finally returning to the capital, his niece had come to her senses, but before he knew it, another man had attached himself to her!

This one is also incredibly good-looking, and my little niece is completely smitten. So annoying!

Gu Zhizhuo looked completely innocent.

Gu Baibai glared at her and sent someone to call Zheng Qi over.

After receiving the imperial decree, Gu Baibai instructed Zheng Qi to send someone to inquire about it.

Zheng Qi had just returned and bowed, saying, "Third Master, after Eunuch Li left our mansion, he went to Chonglou Lane..."

The house where Xie Yingchen now lives doesn't even have a gate. Zheng Qi hesitated for a moment, but still called it Xie Mansion.

"Eunuch Li went to the Xie residence to deliver the imperial decree."

"In addition to the bestowed marriage, the Emperor also granted Prince Chen a title of Prince, with the honorary title of Chen. The Ministry of Rites is already preparing the investiture ceremony."

"I also consulted a familiar imperial physician. It turns out that Prince Chen's condition is very critical. His pulse is about to stop, and he has at most three to five days left."

Zheng Qi was extremely anxious.

As long as the engagement wasn't with royalty, even if the groom died, the eldest daughter could still pack up and leave, returning to be a pampered and spoiled lady.

But this marriage was betrothed to the royal family, which meant that even if the groom died before the woman was married, the woman would still have to get married.

How could their perfectly good young lady marry a dying man!

Having heard Gu Zhizhuo explain the "truth" about the illness, Gu Baibai wasn't too worried about whether Xie Yingchen would survive.

Zheng Qi said indignantly, "Third Master, you don't know, the Ministry of Rites is preparing for the funeral in addition to the investiture ceremony! It's outrageous! They just bestowed a marriage upon our young lady, and they're already preparing for the funeral."

The emperor is a real scoundrel!

They used their daughter's marriage as a bargaining chip, making one promise after another. How could anyone tolerate that?

Seeing that Gu Zhizhu remained silent for a long time, Zheng Qi thought she was stunned with anger, so he reminded her again: "Third Master, Eldest Miss, the Ministry of Rites is preparing for the funeral! A funeral according to the regulations for a prince."

He, a servant, shouldn't have spoken at this time, but he couldn't help but say, "Third Master, please think of a solution quickly."

Gu Baibai silently looked at Gu Zhizhuo, thinking: What can we do? Your daughter has taken a liking to his face and is willing to do so.

Gu Zhizhuo: "..."

Gu Baibai slowly rubbed her jade finger and instructed, "Keep a close eye on those who need to be watched. Also, call Ruxiao to the front yard; I'll see him in a bit."

"yes."

Zheng Qi cupped his hands in greeting, but couldn't help asking, "Really, you won't interfere?"

Gu Baibai shook her head slightly: "Not for now."

Zheng Qi obeyed and left. Gu Baibai then looked at Gu Zhizhuo and said with a stern face, "I need to see the person first."

Even a washed-up grandson of the emperor can't steal Yao Yao away with just his looks!

"Third Uncle."

Gu Zhizhuo tugged at his sleeve and finally blurted out, "Actually, for the Gu family, Gongzi Chen is also the best choice."

Gu Baibai nodded slightly: "I understand."

But whether it's for the sake of the family or for Yaoyao, we have to see her.

"Push me to the study."

"oh."

Gu Zhizhuo talked to him a lot along the way. Gu Baibai changed her usual style of staying in the courtyard and never leaving the mansion. She met with many people in the study for two days in a row. Even Gu Zhizhuo, who stayed in the mansion, heard all sorts of news.

It all comes down to how much favor the emperor has shown to Prince Chen.

First came the bestowal of a marriage, then the granting of a title, followed by a series of imperial edicts, bestowing upon him a thousand taels of gold, ten thousand taels of silver, and many precious items. Finally, the Ministry of Rites even sent the deposed crown prince's private treasury and the crown princess's dowry to the Xie family.

After the Crown Princess committed suicide along with the Crown Prince, her dowry was collected and put into the Imperial Treasury.

These were the conditions that the emperor had promised Xie Yingchen before he left the palace, and they were all fulfilled.

These items filled over a hundred carts. When they were escorted by the Imperial Guards to the Xie residence, they attracted a lot of onlookers. Everyone praised the emperor for his benevolence and for treating the deposed crown prince's son as his own.

Once all the necessary gifts had been sent, the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court had even finalized the location of the mausoleum.

The Ministry of Rites submitted a memorial, arguing that since the marriage had already been decreed, shouldn't they urge the Duke of Zhenguo's family to complete the wedding as soon as possible while Xie Yingchen was still alive? Of course, the memorial was written in a much more tactful way.

Despite submitting the memorial, the Minister of Rites felt quite ashamed. He was even certain that if the Emperor had actually granted his request, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion would have him put in a sack and beaten up.

The Ministry of Rites was fulfilling its duties, and this sudden imperial edict of marriage caused quite a stir in the court. People kept coming to the palace to request an audience, and memorials kept flying to the emperor's desk.

The emperor only said it was to bring good luck.

It is said that Gu Zhizhuo's birth chart is extremely auspicious, enabling him to turn misfortune into good fortune.

The atmosphere in the capital changed drastically; everyone was talking about it during their leisure time.

It had only been six years since the deposed crown prince committed suicide, but the people still remembered him well. On his way to the Xie residence, Gu Zhizhuo heard a lot of discussions about him.

Some people even recounted the grand occasion when the late emperor proclaimed to heaven and earth the establishment of his heir apparent.

"I wonder if the marriage to ward off bad luck will work out."

"I've heard that Miss Gu's birth chart can avert disasters and bring good fortune."

How did it turn into a marriage to ward off bad luck? This changed too quickly; it's hard to believe no one was guiding her. Gu Zhizhuo turned into Chonglou Lane and, under the watchful eyes of several Imperial Guards, led Qingmei into the Xie residence.

She went to the main courtyard where Xie Yingchen now lived, knowing the way like the back of her hand.

As soon as you step into the courtyard through the hanging flower gate, you see two people kneeling in the center of the courtyard.

He stood ramrod straight, not a single hair out of place.

One of them was leaning to one side, and only half of the hair ornament was still hooked onto the hair.

Hearing footsteps, the two turned around together.

What's wrong with you?

Gu Zhizhuo walked over, looked at Huai Jingzhi, then at Qin Chen, and crossed his arms.

“Miss Gu,” Qin Chen blinked, “you’ve also received the imperial decree for marriage, haven’t you?”

He pleaded pitifully, "Please, help me beg the young master for mercy."

He wanted to cry.

He knew that Lao Huai had kept the Emperor's verbal bestowal of marriage during the flower festival a secret, and he would definitely be punished.

But he forgot that he was an accomplice and couldn't escape his fate either.

Waaaaah.

"I see!"

Gu Zhizhu clicked his tongue and said, "Did you guys make the young master angry?"

As she spoke, she became even more enthusiastic: "Tell me quickly, and I'll think about whether I should plead for them."

"They're all old friends..."

Before Qin Chen could finish speaking, Huai Jingzhi grabbed him by the neck with his elbow and pulled him back.

If the young master had known in advance that the emperor intended to bestow a marriage upon him, he would have certainly tried to stop it. The young master did not want to implicate Miss Gu and cause her to live in such a precarious situation as he did. However, this marriage was only beneficial to the young master and caused him no harm.

He'd accept being beaten with a few sticks as long as the marriage goes through!

"I...I...I..." Qin Chen thrashed his hands. "He won't plead for me, but I will! Young Master listens to you the most..."

"What utter nonsense!"

Gu Zhizhuo's heart suddenly raced, and his earlobes felt faintly hot.

A note from the author: