Chapter 56 Chapter 56 is the only authentic version...
Li Deshun cleared his throat and said with a smile, "Miss Gu, the Emperor said that Miss Ji grew up in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion since she was a child. She should live there for the time being."
Gu Zhizhuo was not surprised by this.
Ji Nan Ke will become the third prince's consort, this is what heaven wills.
If the Ji family was convicted, then Ji Nan Ke would have no chance of becoming the Third Prince's consort. So, the jade pendant appeared, and Ji Nan Ke's good luck "personally" handed the handle into her hands, saving the Ji family.
Now, the same is true.
If she was just an orphan, without a father or a mother, she would not be worthy of the Third Prince. But with the title of the cousin of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, it was different. She was fully qualified to compete for the Third Prince's wife.
Gu Zhizhuo speculated that if he forcibly drove her away, something big would definitely happen.
Without sufficient preparation, Gu Zhizhuo refused to accept any changes.
However, cousin and "cousin" can be different.
"Yes. Please, Eunuch Li, report this to the Emperor. I will obey your orders."
Seeing that she agreed so readily, Li Deshun felt relieved.
Speaking of which, Miss Gu has always been very polite to me, but I have seen her being not so polite to others a few times.
It's like, wait!
Li Deshun was distracted when he saw the unceremonious Miss Gu approaching Ji Nanke. She smiled at him and said, "Don't worry, Eunuch Li. Miss Ji is Aunt Ji's niece after all. It's just..."
Gu Zhizhuo patted her shoulder gently.
"From now on, you must understand your own status. You are no longer the niece of the Duke's wife, but the niece of a concubine. Stop making such a fuss in front of me. You, just be a good Miss Ji. My Gu family doesn't need you as a living."
"Or, get out."
"Get out of my Gu family, and try to show off your Miss Ji's power again."
Ji Nanke's eyes suddenly narrowed, filled with astonishment.
"If you live under someone else's roof, you must follow the rules of living under someone else's roof. Do you understand, Miss Ji?"
Li Deshun: “…”
He wiped the nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead.
You’re really welcome.
Ji Nanke's face was gloomy and her delicate body shook involuntarily, and she felt a sudden surge of humiliation in her heart.
She was living under someone else's roof, but that was no reason for Gu Zhizhuo to insult her.
Gu Zhizhuo was determined to make things difficult for her. Even Xie Jing, who claimed that he only loved her, did not stand up for her. He even turned his back to Gu Zhizhuo and said some meaningless words.
"Ke'er, don't argue with her."
Xie Jing wanted to tell her how wicked Gu Zhizhuo was, and that he really knew how to hit people!
Ke'er is innocent and kind, so we definitely can't beat her.
As a result, before he could finish his words, Ji Nanke pushed him away and stared at Gu Zhizhuo. For a moment, Xie Jing noticed a strong sense of hostility in her eyes.
Gu Zhizhuo returned to Li Deshun and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Eunuch Li. I have already made an agreement with Miss Ji."
Hehe. Li Deshun twitched his lips. Well, she said it was settled, so it was settled. It wasn't a big deal anyway! Li Deshun controlled his expression very well, smiling with wrinkles all over his face, and said, "Then I'll go back and report." He said that without moving.
Gu Zhizhuo handed over the jade pendant.
"I found this in the women's temple. I don't know who dropped it. Please help me find it."
When he took it, she bowed politely: "Goodbye, Eunuch Li."
Miss Gu is really tactful, Li Deshun sighed in his heart.
After watching him leave, Gu Zhizhuo turned around and found Gu Baibai and Gu Liaoliao just a few steps away.
She clutched the imperial edict and sent the maidservant accompanying the carriage to take the Ji family master and servant back to the mansion. Ji Nanke watched silently. This stubborn and forbearing look broke Xie Jing's heart. He held her hand and said affectionately: "Ke'er, you still have me."
Gu Zhizhuo shuddered and quickly walked towards Gu Liaoliao and the others: "Third uncle, aunt, you are here too."
She smiled as if nothing had happened and waved the imperial edict in her hand towards them.
Gu Liaoliao's voice was trembling: "Just now, what did Mr. Liu say... Big brother, he, he..."
"Dad's body is still here. This is a happy thing." Gu Zhizhuo said, changing the subject, "Aunt, did grandma ask you to come?"
Gu Liaoliao nodded. As soon as her mother came home, she hurriedly said that Yaoyao had taken Ji Shi to the Meridian Gate and was going to beat the drum to report to the emperor. She sent them over and did not let Yaoyao suffer any harm.
She was so scared at that time, thinking that someone had bullied Yaoyao. Fortunately, it turned out to be someone else.
Gu Zhizhuo pushed Gu Baibai's wheelchair to the corridor without saying a word.
She looked towards the palace and said, "Daddy's body has been in Daqi all the time."
The patrolling soldiers were far away from them. Gu Baibai's two attendants stood on both sides seemingly casually, but their eyes were alert.
Gu Liao Liao was shocked, her pupils suddenly constricted: "Really?!"
There is no need to ask. Yaoyao would never talk nonsense about such an important matter.
Gu Liaoliao's eyes were suddenly filled with unbearable sorrow, and waves of bitterness rose in her heart. Her brother died for Daqi, so why could the man on the throne do such a vile thing? He couldn't die in peace! The Gu family was once again deeply hurt.
The wind blew Gu Zhizhuo's dress, making a rustling sound. The evening glow enveloped her cold body with the last trace of warmth.
Gu Zhizhuo forced a smile, which was bitter, as if he had a mouthful of bitter medicine in his mouth and could only swallow it forcefully since he couldn't spit it out.
She looked up at the setting sun and briefly recounted what had happened. She turned back to face them: "...The emperor wanted to protect Ji Shi, so he had no choice but to agree to my terms."
Gu Zhizhuo spoke slowly.
Gu Liaoliao's heart sank a little more as she heard every word.
This was beyond her comprehension. Gu Liaoliao blurted out, "You mean..."
She suddenly remembered that her niece was still unmarried, and some of the words would offend her ears. Unexpectedly, Gu Zhizhuo took over the conversation himself, saying these four words in the same tone without any difference: "The king took away the minister's wife."
Apart from this reason, Gu Zhizhuo really couldn't explain why the emperor insisted on saving Ji.
In the previous life, the emperor left Qin Su to take over the Gu family's Qianjiying, and also deliberately left Ji and Gu Yan as the objects of his favor, and gave the title of Duke of Zhenguo and all the wealth accumulated by four generations to Gu Yan.
Ji Shi is of great use.
Moreover, it can gain the emperor's trust.
Gu Liaoliao touched her face with heartache. Even though her touch was through the veil, her fingertips could still clearly feel the coolness of her cheek.
"You girl!"
Gu Baibai's face suddenly turned cold. Gu Liaoliao suddenly felt something was wrong and quickly stood in front of him, saying without thinking: "Brother, Third Brother, dear brother! Don't scold her, she knows she is wrong. Yaoyao, tell her that you know you are wrong."
Huh? What was wrong? She did it beautifully. Gu Zhizhuo didn't understand, but she was a man who listened to advice and said obediently, "I was wrong."
This doesn’t look sincere at all!
"hand!"
Gu Baibai even took out the ruler.
No! Why does Third Uncle carry a ruler with him when he goes out?! It was a habit he had developed since childhood. Gu Zhizhuo ducked her head and hid behind her aunt without a second thought.
Gu Liao Liao opened his arms to block the way: "Third brother, Yao Yao has made a mistake."
"You do everything by yourself without saying a word. Is there no one in the mansion worthy of your trust?!" Gu Baibai was very angry. No matter how smart this girl was or how detailed her plan was, she shouldn't take all the risks on herself.
She was still such a small child, yet she desperately wanted to spread her wings and protect them all behind her, even if she herself would be shattered to pieces! How could he not feel distressed and angry about this?
His legs were just broken, he wasn't dead yet.
He's not that useless.
He could die for the Gu family, but he couldn't bear to see his niece covered in bruises for the Gu family.
No matter what her niece wants to do, she can put him in front of her, instead of her burying her head alone and desperately trying to protect the whole family.
Gu Zhizhuo was stunned for a moment, his red lips opened and closed slightly, and his heart felt bitter and sour.
In her previous life, after the young master's death, she had long been accustomed to being alone, secretly stirring up trouble in the treacherous court and subverting the world. No matter what she did, whether good or evil, she was alone.
After rebirth.
She was eager to protect the Gu family and her family.
She desperately wanted to be at the front, but she forgot that her family was not weak and could not be bullied!
"I was wrong."
This time, Gu Zhizhuo spoke sincerely. She poked her head out from behind Gu Liaoliao and carefully stretched out her hand with her palm facing upwards.
Gu Baibai picked up the ruler and hit him with it.
It hurts!
Just as he raised it for the second time, Gu Liaoliao stopped him: "Okay, okay, just hit him." She winked at Gu Zhizhuo, telling her to run away quickly.
Gentleness is just Gu Baibai's appearance. Gu Baibai, who can wield a sword on the battlefield and is willing to lose his legs to lure the enemy, can never be a gentle and harmless person. When he gets angry, his stern face is enough to scare people.
Gu Zhizhuo ran away, not forgetting to greet Qingmei, and ran down the Meridian Gate Tower in a flash.
Gu Baibai almost laughed out of anger: "Is this what you spoiled me for?"
Run faster than anyone else.
Gu Liao Liao did not stop her niece as she ran away. She said nonchalantly, "Don't talk about me. I see that you, Third Brother, can't even let the ruler fall."
Humph, don't think she can't see it! If you want to pamper her, pamper her together. What's it to you?
Gu Baibai: “…”
Gu Liao Liao casually squatted beside his wheelchair, her expression slightly restrained as she said, "Seriously, Third Brother, is Gu Yan's last name Gu or...Xie?"
Gu Baibai was silent for a moment and shook his head.
have no idea.
During those years, the war with the Northern Di was at a stalemate, and he and his elder brother spent at least three hundred days a year in the northern border.
Fighting one battle after another, their entire focus was on minimizing casualties and protecting the people from the Northern Di cavalry. Ji's pregnancy was a boon for the Gu family, a family with few children. A child, whether a boy or a girl, was especially precious. Who would have thought that while the eldest brother was desperately trying to protect the Great Qi territory, the emperor and Ji were involved?
"But Gu Yan followed the name Wang." Gu Baibai squeezed out the voice from between his teeth.
The names of the princes of this generation all start with the character "王". Whether it's Xie Jing, Xie Zhuo, or Xie Lang...
Gu Yan's name was originally bestowed by the emperor himself, and it was composed of the character "王" (Wang) to show his great grace.
Now, looking back on it, it's like swallowing a fly alive.
After discovering such a dirty thing, and using it as a handle, with a desperate attitude, he made the emperor agree to let the Gu family bring back the eldest brother's body. This was so beautiful, one thing after another. However, what kind of hatred and disgust did Yaoyao have to endure to accomplish all this?
Gu Baibai hit his numb legs hard.
He had never regretted as much as he did now. He regretted that for Daqi, he had lost his legs and was covered in injuries, so that now he had to rely on Yaoyao, a child, to stand in the front.
He stared at Gu Zhizhuo with his narrow eyes, watching her go up and down the city wall, and then get on the horse and leave.
Just as she was about to look away, she suddenly stopped, and she jumped up in joy, happily running towards a young man standing next to a carriage.
The young man was tall and graceful, and just standing there he gave off an extraordinary and noble aura.
This is, Gongzi Chen? !
As expected, he has an outstanding appearance! When Gu Baibai thought that his little niece was attracted by his face, he felt a headache.
"Go back first." He rubbed his eyebrows and said.
"But..." Gu Liaoliao wanted to say, Yaoyao is about to run away with someone!
"News has come from the palace. In addition to Prince Li, Prime Minister Song, and others who have requested an audience, twelve imperial envoys have jointly submitted a memorial urging the Emperor to give the Gu family an explanation."
The emperor gave in so quickly, not only agreeing to Yaoyao's conditions, but also demoting his wife to a concubine. It must be that Xie Yingchen was secretly protecting her and forcing the emperor to do so.
"Given Yaoyao's current temper, I'm afraid she'll have to go to Western Xinjiang herself," Gu Baibai said. "Come with me to the Qianji Camp to pick some people for Yaoyao. Western Xinjiang has been very unstable recently. The Liang people have massacred several villages, and there are bandits roaming along the way."
"Do you really want to let Yaoyao go?"
"Can you persuade her?"
The brother and sister looked at each other and silently looked away.
Can't persuade!
Gu Liaoliao looked at her little niece who was looking up at Master Chen and smiling. She was so excited and dependent, and yet she said things like "I didn't know the marriage would be granted" and "I forgot to tell you". What a little liar!
Yawn! Gu Zhizhuo sneezed, touched his nose, and said with a smile: "Master, are you here to pick me up?"
Xie Yingchen smiled and replied, "Did Third Master Gu scold you?"
Xie Yingchen stood below and saw from afar that the third master of the Gu family even took out a ruler.
Hmm. Gu Zhizhuo showed him his palm: "Third uncle beat me!"
The palm of her hand is white and tender, without a single red mark.
Xie Yingchen's face showed no expression. He pulled her hands together and placed them to his lips, breathing heavily.
He sighed a few times, raised his eyes to look at her red earlobe, and smiled: "It doesn't hurt anymore."
The warm breath brushed across her palm, and Gu Zhizhuo's heart also felt warm. She avoided his gaze for a moment, then immediately looked away and said something else: "Ma... Ma, by the way, I still have to go and lead the jade lion."
When the jade lion heard its name, it nudged her with its nose.
Xie Yingchen took the jade lion's reins from her hand and said, "Can you take me back?"
Gu Zhizhuo responded cheerfully.
The carriage was left behind, and Qin Chen, the groom, took the initiative to drive the empty carriage ahead, with Chongjiu following at a distance. Qingmei also simply moved further away, falling behind.
After coming out of the Meridian Gate, Gu Zhizhuo took the initiative to say, "Sir, I want to go to Aur City."
She didn't want to wait any longer and wanted to bring her father's body back as soon as possible to be buried with her mother.
"good."
Xie Yingchen did not hesitate at all.
If she wants to go, she goes!
Xie Yingchen said, "Awul City is located on the border between Daqi and Xiliang, and is one of the thirteen border cities. The garrison commander's surname is Jiang Youzheng, and he entered the government through the military examination in the tenth year of Taiyuan."
Gu Zhizhuo's eyelashes flickered slightly, and his phoenix eyes sparkled.
Xie Yingchen walked beside her, neither of them holding the reins. The jade lion followed behind, jumping and hopping, rubbing its head against Gu Zhizhuo's palm from time to time.
"In the 20th year of the Taiyuan reign, Jiang Youzheng served as a Qianzong in Balehai City in the western border. After the city's garrison commander died in battle, he stubbornly defended the city gates, saving the people under his jurisdiction from massacre. Three years ago, he was transferred to the garrison of Awul City. The Jiang family is a family of military commanders. Do you know Jiang Youyi? He's been stationed in Minzhou since the 10th year of the Taiyuan reign."
After hearing this, Gu Zhizhuo understood. In her previous life, she had accompanied the young master to Minzhou and met Jiang Youyi, who was already the general of Minzhou at that time.
"The Jiang family is a serious military family."
Xie Yingchen used a very strange word, "serious".
"He has the temper of a soldier and the tact of an official."
"Besides Jiang Youzheng, there's another person in Awul City you need to keep an eye on. His surname is Liu, and his name is Liu Nuo. He was a Jinshi in the third year of Chengqing."
Chengqing is the current reign title.
Xie Yingchen paused and continued, "Liu Nuo was also transferred to Awul City three years ago. At that time, the war with Liang had just ended, and Liang had withdrawn its troops, leaving the cities of Western Xinjiang suffering heavy losses. Western Liang had carried out several massacres, and the population of Western Xinjiang had dropped by nearly 50%. Even the local officials had perished. In addition to redeploying the garrisons of the cities, the emperor also appointed a military supervisor in each city."
Xie Yingchen talked about these things in detail.
Even three years ago, when he was in Liang Country, he knew everything about the Daqi Dynasty.
"Emperor Taizu valued military power over civil officials. To prevent the loss of military power, the current emperor has chosen to rely on officials and civil officials. However, he lacks the ability."
Xie Yingchen calmly said the words "lack of ability".
"The monarch is weak, while the ministers are strong. The current emperor has been on the throne for six years, and still cannot suppress the ministers left behind by the previous emperor."
Gu Zhizhuo nodded thoughtfully: "...He wanted to make Xie Jing the crown prince, but the court opposed it, so he had no choice but to endure it."
This is very easy to understand.
He was unable to balance the factional struggles in the court, and before the court could reach a conclusion, he became timid.
Therefore, the power of the East Factory, which was able to do some dirty things for him, gradually increased.
Xie Yingchen smiled slightly: "After realizing that he could no longer control the government, the emperor wanted to replace these old ministers with his own 'disciples of the emperor'."
"Since the third year of Chengqing, the current emperor has begun to cultivate students who have just embarked on their official careers."
"Especially students from humble backgrounds, who have no ties to long-established families in the court, are given greater trust by the emperor. As a result of this trust, they are all given important positions. For example, Liu Nuo, shortly after passing the imperial examination, was sent to Awur City as a military supervisor."
Gu Zhizhuo was shocked and blinked in disbelief. If Xie Yingchen hadn't told her this, she really wouldn't have known.
From a poor family?
Military Supervisor?
A person who just passed the imperial examination?
She recognized every word here, but when put together, it seemed like a huge absurdity.
Gu Zhizhuo snorted softly, then couldn't help laughing, his laughter filled with endless mockery.
It’s not that she looks down on people from poor families.
Rather, his humble origins meant that before he passed the imperial examination and entered officialdom, all he could see were the school, the oil lamp, and the Four Books and Five Classics. It's even more likely that he never left home except for the imperial examinations, and was ignorant of the ways of the world and people's livelihoods. What would such a person know about serving as a military supervisor on the frontier?
If you have good character, are humble and eager to learn, then if you take on this job, watch, listen and observe more, and gain experience for three to five years, you may be able to gain experience.
However, civil and military affairs have always been incompatible. Taizu favored military affairs over literature, and Confucian scholars had long been disgusted with military generals. If a scholar from a humble background like this were to become arrogant and conceited after gaining power, relying on the emperor's order to suppress the defense of a city, it would definitely cause serious problems during wartime.
"What's Liu Nuo's personality like?" Gu Zhizhuo asked with a frown.
"Arrogant."
Xie Yingchen only used these four words.
"That guy, is he out of his mind?" Gu Zhizhuo didn't hide the disgust in his eyes. "If all the cities in Western Xinjiang are like this, once Liang Country arrives, it will be the end!"
"Don't you think so?"
As we walked along, we saw more and more pedestrians around us, and some small stalls were set up one after another, welcoming customers in a lively manner.
"yes……"
“Ahhhhhhhhh!”
A sudden scream interrupted their conversation. In the tavern right in front of them, a figure rolled down the stairs, followed by three or five big men rushing out, punching and kicking.
Gu Zhizhuo grabbed Xie Yingchen's sleeve and pulled him several steps away. He then stepped forward and touched the long whip at his waist.
The series of movements are as smooth as flowing water.
Xie Yingchen, who was neatly protected behind him:???
Something seems to be wrong.
"It's okay, it's okay, there are people fighting." Gu Zhizhuo observed carefully, turned around and smiled.
Xie Yingchen chuckled and said seriously, "I was terrified. Fortunately, you were here!"
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