Chapter 55 Chapter 55 is the only genuine version...
Many ladies of high rank also noticed the jade pendant and looked at each other in confusion. The Princess of Li was even more thoughtful.
This eldest daughter of the Gu family clearly intended to rip the relationship apart, leaving the Queen Mother no room for maneuver or wiggle room. Was this simply the result of the Gu family's youthful impetuosity, or did they have other motives?
"My father died for Daqi, and no trace of his body remains."
Gu Zhizhuo clenched the jade pendant, placing emphasis on the words "no trace of the body remains," and said coldly, "If I am to be humiliated even after death, my Gu family will not accept it."
"I'd rather die than accept it."
These words are sonorous and powerful, and they are intimidating.
The Queen Mother's heartstrings trembled, and she was filled with uneasiness. Without staying a moment longer, she hurriedly left the temple.
Only a chaos remained.
She didn't even take Zhaoyang with her. On the way back to the palace, her heart was beating fast and she couldn't calm down. As soon as she arrived at the Cining Palace, she sent someone to call the emperor before she even sat down.
The empress dowager never disturbed the emperor casually, but she summoned him so urgently that the emperor had no choice but to put down what he was doing and rush over.
"emperor."
Without waiting for him to greet her, the Queen Mother recounted the story of the nun, adding, "The Ji family girl saved Zhaoyang's life. I thought I would help if I could, but I never expected it to lead to something like this. It's really..."
She sighed and shook her head: "Emperor, look, what should we do?"
The Queen Mother felt regretful.
She had heard that Ji was under house arrest and felt sorry for Ji Nan Ke who couldn't even go home. Seeing that Ji had saved the eldest princess, she wanted to stand up for her, so she ordered people to call some princesses and ladies to the female temple, determined to expose the hypocritical true face of the Gu family, and the result was this.
It probably won't take half a day. By the time the princesses and ladies return home, the scandal of substitutionary marriage will be known to everyone.
The Princess of Prince Li is highly respected in the royal family. Before her son ascended the throne, even she had to show some respect. The marriage between the Ji family and the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was arranged by the late emperor, and Prince Li, the clan leader, will definitely get to the bottom of it.
Look what a mess this has caused!
Marrying on behalf of others?
The emperor was startled, snapping his folding fan shut and blurting out, "How did the Duke of Zhenguo discover this substitutionary marriage?"
Huh? The Queen Mother came back to her senses and asked in astonishment, "Could it be that you already knew this?"
The emperor knew he had spoken out of turn and quickly said, "How could my son know..."
The son was her own, and the empress dowager saw through the emperor's thoughts at a glance. She stared at the emperor without saying a word.
Aunt Yan, who was standing by, immediately sent all the eunuchs and palace maids out of the hall and closed the door herself.
"Shen'er," the Queen Mother said, "if I remember correctly, it was you who led the officials from the Ministry of Rites to Jiangnan to welcome the bride."
She looked directly into the emperor's eyes and continued, "Just now, a jade pendant fell from Ji's body. It has a five-clawed auspicious cloud dragon pattern on it."
"It's yours, right?"
"The lightning pattern on the dragon eye was your favorite when you were young!"
The emperor's pupils shrank rapidly, and he finally uttered a word: "Yes."
"Emperor!" The Queen Mother suddenly became anxious. She stood up and pointed at him, not knowing what to say. "You and Ji Shi, she, she..."
"Mother, you're overthinking it."
The emperor helped her sit down and said patiently, "My son did discover it back then, but the late emperor had already issued an edict to grant the marriage, and the eldest daughter of the Ji family is dead. The late emperor wanted to use the Ji family. If the marriage fails, wouldn't it ruin the late emperor's plan?"
The Queen Mother remained silent.
The emperor personally brought a cup of tea to her.
"Ms. Ji and Miss Ji are twins from the same mother, with only different names. The late emperor wanted a marriage between the Duke of Zhenguo and the Ji family, so whoever he married didn't matter."
This made some sense. The Queen Mother finally nodded: "Have you told the late Emperor about this?"
The emperor shook his head and said, "The late emperor was busy with many things. This is just a small matter. Why bother with this?"
What was there for the empress dowager to not understand about her own son? What he said was only part of the reason. He had traveled a thousand miles to the south of the Yangtze River. If he couldn't even complete such a small task, he would be even less worthy of the crown prince in the eyes of the late emperor. Her son was proud and arrogant. He would rather be inferior to the crown prince because he was not born of a legitimate wife than to be accused of being less capable than the crown prince.
The Queen Mother slowly skimmed off the foam in the tea with the tea lid and drank several sips in succession to calm herself down.
"Emperor," said the Queen Mother, "Now that things have come to this, why not..."
"No."
The emperor understood what the empress dowager meant.
It just means that the marriage is invalid, the Ji family is deceiving the marriage and disobeying the imperial order.
This won't work.
The emperor's eyes flickered, and he tapped his palm again and again with the handle of his fan.
Both the late emperor and the great ancestor had placed too much trust in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. However, they hadn't considered that as long as one member of the Gu family remained, the family would continue to be passed down. When Gu Yican inherited the title, it would be the fourth generation.
The power of two hundred thousand soldiers was secondary. The more important thing was that the Gu family had been rooted in Northern Xinjiang for four generations. The military and political affairs of Northern Xinjiang were all in the hands of the Gu family. How was this any different from Northern Xinjiang becoming a country in its own right?!
The Gu family controls a large number of troops, but who can guarantee their loyalty from generation to generation?
If the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion rises up in rebellion one day, will the country belong to the Xie family or the Gu family?
But the late emperor never wanted to listen to these words, and said that he was too suspicious and unfit for the important task. In a fit of anger, he even transferred him from the Ministry of Personnel to the Ministry of Rites and asked him to go to Jiangnan to marry Gu Taotao. At that time, he became a laughing stock in the whole capital.
He is a prince, but in the eyes of the late emperor, he is not even as good as Gu Taotao!
When the emperor thought of the late emperor's disappointed rebukes, the feeling of depression in his heart surged up again, just like before.
Until, he discovered that the Ji family was so bold as to marry someone else.
He discovered it as early as when he was in Jiangnan!
The Emperor had chosen for Gu Taotao the future head of the Zhenguo Mansion; at the very least, she should be well-mannered and composed. His father treated Gu Taotao like his own son or nephew, and he wouldn't be careless about this. However, the Ji family he saw was timid and easily startled, completely lacking the composure and grace of a lady from a noble family.
Later, when he asked her, she was so scared that she told the whole truth.
The future wife of the Crown Prince of Zhenguo Mansion is a woman who killed her elder sister and went to great lengths to marry into the past.
How interesting.
He didn't expose her.
On the way to the capital, he secretly taught her how to behave, telling her that if she didn't want to be exposed and sent back to Jiangnan, she had to pretend to be a decent person. Later...
"Shen'er." The Queen Mother asked solemnly, "I'm your biological mother. Is there anything you can't even tell me?!"
"You said it was for the late emperor, so I'll take it as your belief."
"But now that things have come to this, you still want to protect the Ji family?!" She was so emotional that she found it difficult to speak, "You and her..."
"Mother," the emperor quickly soothed, "how could my son be attracted to a married woman?"
He still didn't explain the jade pendant, only saying, "Mother, the girl Jing'er likes is surnamed Ji, and she's the Ji family's niece. If the Ji family is convicted, she will also be implicated. Not to mention being the prince's principal wife, she might not even be able to be a concubine."
The Empress Dowager naturally understood who the Emperor was talking about.
Speaking of which, Ji Nanke is a good girl, innocent and kind, and behaves neither humbly nor arrogantly. If Zhaoyang had not wanted to crush Gu Zhizhuo to death and forced her to keep quiet, things would not have gotten to this point.
Just now, in front of everyone, Ji Nan Ke was so anxious, yet she tried to remain calm and speak up for her aunt, which really made the Queen Mother feel distressed. You know, she was still injured.
It would be inappropriate for her to suffer and be implicated because of her aunt's mistake.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's expression change, the Emperor continued, "Master Qingping once read a fortune for this Miss Ji. She was blessed with the fortune of Heaven and would prosper the country."
"Mother, you know that I have high hopes for Jing'er. I want to marry this girl to Jing'er. She cannot be convicted because of the Ji family."
The Queen Mother thought about it again and again, and finally nodded: "Then the Emperor means to let this go?"
The emperor responded, "This way, the late emperor won't be offended. I can send someone to Jiangnan to change the household registration, so that Ji Ruo becomes Ji Yuanchu."
"The Gu family won't agree." The Queen Mother waved her hand wearily, and without a second thought, she said, "Didn't you see Gu Zhizhuo's attitude today? He was so arrogant and aggressive, he almost wanted to bite Ji Shi to death. I have never seen such a woman. She has no idea when to stop, and she is determined to make things worse. Fortunately, you didn't promise her to Jing'er."
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got: "She also said something like, the Duke of Zhenguo's body is gone, and the Gu family would rather die in glory."
The Queen Mother sighed, and finally said, "By the way, she also took away Ji's jade pendant. Is there any hidden meaning in her words?"
The emperor clenched the folding fan in his hand and asked, "Mother, what else did she say?"
The empress dowager's heart sank. She stared at the tassel of the folding fan hanging from the emperor's palm and repeated all Gu Zhizhuo's words.
The emperor's expression grew colder and he remained motionless.
"Your Majesty," a palace attendant announced outside the palace, "Commander Zhou of the Jinwu Guards requests an audience."
The emperor gave Li Deshun a wink, and he left. Not long after, he hurried back, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said carefully, "Your Majesty, Miss Gu..."
"What happened to her?"
"She took Ji to the Dengwen drum and begged the emperor to give the Gu family an explanation."
"Ridiculous!" the Queen Mother was furious. "She has to make this scandal known to everyone?!"
"It's not shameful!"
Li Deshun didn't know what to say. He had never seen a woman like this before, and she even dared to force the emperor.
Saying "arrest" is just a nice way of sounding. Miss Gu actually tied Ji up and brought her to the drum for reporting, so Commander Zhou had to come and report it quickly.
"Miss Gu said that the Duke lived an upright life but ended up with nothing left. How can the Ji family, who are so sneaky and sinister, be worthy of the title of the Duke's Wife? I beg the Emperor to punish the entire Ji family."
No trace of the body was left.
Gu Zhizhuo mentioned twice in a row that Gu Taotao's remains were nowhere to be found. Could it be that... the Gu family discovered that Liang Country had already returned Gu Taotao's remains?!
No one should know about this except himself and King Jin.
No, there's also Xie Yingchen! Xie Yingchen has been in Liang for many years, so he might have heard a thing or two from the people of Liang.
No wonder…
"Miss Gu also said that if the emperor is unwilling to uphold justice for the Gu family, she will strike the drum and let the people of the world judge for themselves."
She was clearly stating that if she couldn't satisfy the Gu family, she would go all out.
Bang!
The emperor slapped the teacup on the table to the ground, and his whole body exuded a bloodthirsty aura.
The Gu family really has rebellious intentions.
Even an unmarried little girl dares to force him now!
Li Deshun and Aunt Yan knelt down on the ground.
"Your Majesty." Another eunuch from the Imperial Study hurried over. "Prince Li requests an audience."
emperor:"……"
Ji Shi is of great use to him, and he cannot give her up now. He needs to think about it again.
The emperor stood up and said, "Mother, I will be back soon."
Prince Li came here to discuss the matter of Ji's replacement marriage. Gu Zhizhuo stood on the Meridian Gate city wall and saw him hurriedly pass by.
She played with the drumstick of the Dengwen drum calmly.
Madam Gu was coaxed back to her house by her, but Ji Nan Ke followed her. Ji Nan Ke never said anything like "I won't go back" again. Even if the Madam ignored her, she followed her back to Beijing and followed her to the Meridian Gate.
Ji was tied to the Dengwen drum, and Ji Nan Ke had no choice but to stay by Ji's side. The eyes of the surrounding soldiers were all on her. She had never felt so embarrassed since she came into this world.
"Cousin Zhuo, please let my aunt go back to the carriage and sit for a while. After all, she is your elder, you..."
"roll."
Ji Nanke: “…”
"Miss Ji, don't recognize relatives randomly. I don't even know if you are worthy of calling me 'cousin'." "Ke'er!"
The voice arrives before the person arrives.
Xie Jing rushed over from the bottom of the Meridian Gate Tower. He could not see anyone but Ji Nan Ke.
He held Ji Nanke tightly in his arms.
"Ke'er. I finally see you again!"
Ji Nanke gently pushed him away: "Don't do this. My cousin..."
Xie Jing followed her forbearing gaze and looked at Gu Zhizhuo. Before he could speak for his beloved, Gu Zhizhuo snorted coldly.
Xie Jing shuddered for no apparent reason, and his voice softened a bit: "Miss Gu, the Emperor has issued an order. Eunuch Li should be here soon."
Xie Jing left the palace with Li Deshun. Li Deshun didn't walk too slowly either. After a while, he also reached the Meridian Gate Tower with a smile on his face.
"Miss Gu."
Gu Zhizhuo returned the greeting: "Eunuch Li."
"The Emperor has issued an order."
Li Deshun raised the bright yellow imperial edict with both hands.
This imperial edict was addressed to Ji Shi.
A light appeared in Ji's eyes, and her body gradually sat up straight. However, with Li Deshun's words, "If Ji were to become a concubine, her title of the Duke of Zhenguo's wife would be taken away," the light in her eyes completely disappeared, and she collapsed to the ground.
Concubine?
A sarcastic smile crossed Gu Zhizhuo's lips.
Haha, it’s a good thing you thought of it.
The imperial edict confirmed that the person the late emperor had arranged to marry into the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was Ji Yuanchu, and when Ji Yuanchu got married, she followed ancient customs and brought her sister Ji Ruo as a concubine.
Although the name of concubine was used, Ji's wife was actually demoted to a concubine.
Ji was no longer the Duke's wife.
From then on, she and Ji no longer had any mother-daughter relationship.
As long as Ji was alive, she didn't need to ask about his health or take care of him.
Even though Ji Shi died, she didn't need to observe mourning for him.
The emperor's concession was a bit too great. He only managed to save the Ji family, but allowed Ji Shi to be demoted from wife to concubine.
Is there some trap?
“…I hereby order.”
Gu Zhizhuo did not thank him.
To put it bluntly, the imperial edict was just a fig leaf for this matter. The Ji family did not disobey the edict, and the one who married in from Jiangnan was still Ji Yuanchu, and Ji Ruo was just a concubine.
Ji Nanke breathed a sigh of relief.
At least this result prevented her from being implicated and convicted. Her luck was still as good as ever, and she always had a chance to turn things around.
Li Deshun personally helped Gu Zhizhuo up and said, "Miss Gu, the emperor received an urgent message from Western Xinjiang today, which has arrived eight hundred miles away."
Here it comes. Gu Zhizhuo showed just the right amount of surprise: "Could it be that there is urgent news from the border?"
Li Deshun said with joy, "The Liang Kingdom is finally willing to return the Duke's remains."
All this was the result of Gu Zhizhuo's careful planning, but now, her heart still felt like it was being stabbed by a knife and she couldn't help but feel pain.
Xie Jing, who was bowing beside Ji Nan Ke, couldn't help but turn his head and look over when he heard this.
He listened to her surprise and joy as she asked, "Really?" She seemed to be smiling, but there was no smile at all.
"Alas, the Duke's remains have been in the hands of the Liang people for so many years. Last year, when Liang and Daqi were discussing diplomatic relations, the matter was brought up. The Emperor has been urging the Liang people to return the remains, but he didn't dare tell the Gu family for fear of worrying you. Fortunately, Liang finally agreed. Look, it has been sent to Awul City. As soon as the Emperor heard the news, he sent us to tell you immediately."
"The Emperor also said that if the Gu family is willing, they can personally go and take the Duke back to the capital."
Gu Zhizhuo loosened his clenched fists.
Gu Liaoliao, who had just come up with Gu Baibai, heard the last sentence and her eyes widened to the extreme, filled with surprise. What do you mean the remains have been found?!
"Miss Gu, accept my condolences."
Li Deshun handed the imperial edict forward and said, "The emperor has stated that Little Ji entered the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion as a concubine of Big Ji, and there is no need to make her his wife."
The emperor was determined to protect Ji at all costs!
In other words, in the previous life, it was really because Ji betrayed the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion that after the entire Gu family was exiled, only she and Gu Yan were able to survive, enjoying the wealth of the Gu family, and using the blood and bones of the Gu family to create their lifelong glory.
So hateful!
Gu Zhizhuo's heart was bleeding, but he didn't show it on his face.
"The Gu family understands."
Gu Zhizhuo took the imperial edict, which felt heavy in his hand, as if it weighed a thousand pounds.
Ji was standing by and heard everything clearly, and he was shaking all over.
concubine?
No!
What about Yan'er? Wouldn't Yan'er become a bastard?
All the shocks rushed to her head like boiling blood. She wanted to call Li Deshun. She had countless words to say, but all the words were stuck in her throat. She opened her mouth but couldn't breathe.
Ji was in a trance and returned to eight years ago.
The carriage overturned, and she and her elder sister tumbled down the cliff together. Luckily, they landed on a rocky outcrop. Her elder sister told her not to be afraid, saying the government would find them soon. They did, and when the rope dropped, she somehow managed to push her elder sister down.
She never had a peaceful day or night after that.
Later, when the bride came from the capital, her secret was discovered. She was so scared that she even thought about telling everything and paying with her life for her elder sister.
"It's okay, I'll help you."
He didn't expose her, he pulled her out of the darkness.
He appeared in her life like a god, and now, it was also him who pushed her into an even darker abyss.
Ji fell down unconscious.
"aunt!"
Ji Nanke's eyes were terrifying and filled with resentment. Finally, he couldn't help but say, "Do you have to be so ruthless? You don't leave any room for maneuver."
Gu Zhizhuo sneered provocatively, "Yes."
"If you don't agree, just hold it in."
"Gu family, I have the final say."
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