Chapter 147 Chapter 147 is the only genuine version...
When Gu Zhizhuo said this, Prince Li was stunned and his mouth was half open.
Prince?!
Oh, she actually said that. This is not just excessive, it's simply asking for too much!
After the founding of the Great Qi Dynasty, no kings of different surnames were enthroned. There were only three dukes, each holding a tiger talisman. The Duke of Zhenguo was the head of the three dukes, and the others were earls and marquises.
It was too unrealistic for Gu Zhizhuo to ask for a royal title for the Gu family.
Prince Li signaled Xie Yingchen with his eyes to take care of it, but Xie Yingchen picked up the teacup and pretended not to see it.
Prince Li laughed in anger. They say a daughter once married is like spilled water. In the Xie family, the young man had already started having affairs before his daughter-in-law even entered the family. Look at him, a well-behaved young man, but he didn't even dare to say "no" in front of his wife.
"Miss Gu."
Prince Li swallowed, easing his dry throat, and said seriously, "Your request is a bit excessive."
His expression turned cold and his majesty was revealed.
Prince Li was the late emperor's younger brother. When he was young, he also followed Emperor Taizu into the battlefield.
Later, he served as the clan leader for several decades and was not an easy old man to get along with.
However, Gu Zhizhuo dared to make this request and would not panic because of his cold face.
Gu Zhizhuo still placed his hands on the table, leaning forward slightly, and asked in a threatening manner, "Where is the problem?"
Prince Li shook his head. "That won't work." He brooked no refusal. "Miss Gu, you can make another request. How about this? There's a royal garden in the western suburbs. I can grant it to the Gu family on behalf of the Emperor. How do you think that is?"
The garden is very large, covering an area of two to three thousand acres. Its construction began in the previous dynasty and took a full twenty years. Later, it was expanded and renovated from time to time. Its value can no longer be measured by gold and silver.
Gu Zhizhuo had also been there several times. It was incredibly beautiful and it was no exaggeration to say that every step was a scene.
Gu Zhizhuo smiled without saying anything. She raised her hand and picked up the wine cups on the table, three in total, and then placed the three wine cups in a row in front of herself.
"When the Great Qi Dynasty was founded, three people were awarded the title of Duke for their outstanding military achievements."
She picked up the wine jug and filled the three wine cups with wine one by one.
Gu Zhizhuo's gestures were extremely steady. Each glass of wine was exactly level with the rim, without a single drop spilling out. The amber-colored wine seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.
Prince Li thought the wine was a toast to him and was about to reach out his hand, but he found that she had no such intention at all.
He withdrew his finger awkwardly, placed it on his lips and pretended to clear his throat.
Gu Zhizhuo spoke slowly, "After the founding of the Great Qi State, Duke An laid down his arms, and Duke Wei entered the imperial court. From then on, both lived in comfort. Only Duke Zhenguo was ordered to guard the northern border. For over forty years, the men of the Gu family have used their flesh and blood as a shield in the northern border, preventing the Northern Di from even setting foot into the Great Qi State."
"Your Majesty, does this count as merit?!"
Prince Li said without hesitation, "Okay."
Gu Zhizhuo picked up the wine pot and poured wine into the first wine cup.
The wine cup was already full, and when Gu Zhizhuo poured it again, the wine immediately overflowed, flowing along the rim of the cup onto the eight-immortals table, and a pool of wine accumulated around the wine cup, with a strong aroma of wine.
Prince Li lowered his eyes, he understood what Gu Zhizhuo meant.
Gu Zhizhuo straightened the wine pot and continued in a clear voice, "More than four years ago, the Western Frontier was in chaos, the Liang Kingdom invaded, and the Central Plains was almost lost. My father was entrusted with the task and saved the Great Qi Kingdom."
"Your Majesty, does this count as merit?"
"Calculate."
Prince Li nodded again, his expression becoming even more solemn.
Gu Zhizhuo calmly picked up the wine jug and continued to pour wine into the wine cup. The amber wine flowed from the mouth of the jug and poured into the overflowing wine glass.
More and more wine overflowed and flowed to the edge of the eight-immortals table.
"Three years ago, Yanzhou rebelled. Chen Guangwu proclaimed himself king, forcibly seized three Yanzhou provinces, and marched directly towards Yizhou. The Emperor, in defiance of the emperor's orders, ordered my brother to quell the rebellion. He was only twelve years old at the time. To protect the capital from the slightest threat, he was nearly cut in two. The scar on his back runs from his shoulder to his waist."
"Your Majesty, does this count as merit?"
Prince Li said solemnly in a hoarse voice, "Alright."
Gu Zhizhuo continued to pour, and the wine soaked the eight-immortals table.
She stopped and motioned for him to look.
The two wine cups represent the Duke of Anguo and the Duke of Weiguo.
The wine in the cup was still the same as when he was first granted the title of Duke, reaching the rim of the cup. But now, Duke An was rich and idle, while Duke Wei was powerful and influential.
A wine cup represents the Duke of Zhenguo.
The wine overflowed and dripped down the edge of the table onto the ground.
Now, apart from the disabled Gu Baibai and the newly returned Gu Liaoliao, there are only a group of children left in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
Gu Zhizhuo stained his fingertips with some wine and rubbed them gently.
She said, "Emperor Taizu once said, 'Rewards must be bestowed upon meritorious service, and punishments must be determined according to guilt.' (Note) Back then, the three dukes had similar contributions and were all awarded the title of duke. So now..."
Pop.
Gu Zhizhuo slapped the eight-immortals table, and the wine splashed onto Prince Li's face.
Prince Li almost thought she was going to pounce on him and hit him, so he jumped up from his chair.
"Your Majesty, is it too much for me to ask for a royal title for the Gu family?"
Prince Li was so frightened by her that his heart almost skipped a beat and he shook his head subconsciously.
When he shook it, he suddenly felt something was wrong and his neck froze.
This girl. Prince Li was almost convinced by her.
He sat down slowly, trying to appeal to her emotions: "Girl, having a king of a different surname is not a good thing for the Gu family. It's just a superficial glory."
Of course Gu Zhizhuo understood what he meant, but the point was that his achievements surpassed his master's, and he wondered whether the superior could tolerate this.
In fact, even if she did not fight for the title of king, the Gu family would still not be able to tolerate those who should not be tolerated, just based on the 200,000 soldiers in their hands.
If that's the case, why doesn't she fight for it?
This is what the Gu family deserves!
Gu Zhizhuo shook the almost empty wine jug, and his careless action made Prince Li feel uneasy.
"If the above achievements are not enough to earn the Gu family a title of nobility, then the fact that the Gu family has raised Gu Yan for six and a half years should be enough, right?"
A sneer appeared between Gu Zhizhuo's lips, and the hand holding the pot tilted down again.
This time, her movements were much slower, and the amber wine flowed down from the narrow-necked pot like a small stream of water.
Prince Li frowned and wanted to ask, why doesn't she listen?
"Your Highness," Gu Zhizhuo mimicked his tone, "Have you ever thought about the fact that Gu Yan's surname is Gu, but his given name is 'Yan', like the princes'? What does this mean?"
Was she trying to say that the Emperor would eventually bring Gu Yan into the palace? Prince Li frowned. In fact, if the Emperor's affair with Ji Shi hadn't been exposed, and Ji Shi was still the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, what reason would the Emperor have to take Gu Yan back?
"Your Highness, you have served in the court for so many years, and you must be quite familiar with the Emperor. May I ask, if all members of my Gu family were extinct, would the Emperor revoke the title, or would he give it to a son sired out of wedlock who bears the Gu surname and adopts the name of the Crown Prince?"
She said this with gritted teeth.
It was as if thunder exploded above Prince Li's head, making his skull buzz.
Gu Zhizhuo's pouring speed suddenly increased, and the overflowing wine flowed all the way to Prince Li and onto his sleeves. After a while, the wine jug was empty.
"Four generations of the Zhenguogong Mansion have exchanged their blood, flesh, and lives for everything. His son has received it for free. Add this contribution to the reward. Shouldn't that be enough?"
Gu Zhizhuo threw the empty wine jug away. It bounced a few times on the ground, making a bang bang sound. Prince Li, who was staring at the wine on the table in a daze, jumped up again in fright, his heart almost jumping out of his throat.
Gu Zhizhuo chuckled, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Or do you think, Your Highness, that since this hasn't come true, it doesn't count as a credit?"
This girl.
Prince Li had a bad temper and was very aggressive. He patted his chest and said he dared to say anything.
Prince Li did not seem to be unhappy about being contradicted. He looked at her as if she were a younger member of his family. Even if he felt annoyed and resentful, it was all directed at the emperor.
The emperor is no match for the deposed prince!
He lacked the resources to control people, and was always afraid of everything. Anyone with a normal eye could see his fear of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Prince Li repeatedly tried to persuade him, but the emperor repeatedly stated that he would never revoke the Duke of Zhenguo's title.
The former Prince Li thought that the emperor meant that he would not take action against the Gu family.
Now, after Gu Zhizhuo's revelation, Prince Li was enlightened, and all the things he didn't want to think about before were suddenly connected.
In all likelihood, the emperor really had this in mind!
If this is the case, even if the Gu family really committed a crime that would bring disaster to the entire family, everyone would acquiesce to the Gu family's fate because the emperor did not kill them all and left a bloodline and title for the Gu family.
Who would have known that this bloodline actually had the surname "Xie" and had the emperor's blood in its body.
Prince Li's hands were shaking, and the shaking was getting more and more severe.
Gu Zhizhuo tore through the window paper and laid the filthiness of the matter clearly before his eyes.
Gu Zhizhuo lowered her eyes. All this was not her imagination or assumption, but something that really happened in her previous life.
The Gu family was skinned and stripped of their bones, and their flesh and blood were used to nourish Gu Yan.
After her death, the Gu family's bloodline was completely extinct.
Gu Zhizhuo's eyelashes trembled slightly, hiding the emotions that overflowed from his eyes like the wine.
"Since the prince is so reluctant, so be it."
Huh? Why are you so easy to talk to now? Having been frightened by her several times, Prince Li was startled and took a deep breath.
"From now on, the Zhenguogong Mansion will no longer interfere in any military affairs of Daqi, including those of the Northern Frontier. As for our Gu family, it's time to follow the example of the Weiguogong and Anguogong and enjoy a peaceful life in the capital."
Prince Li:!
"Even if I don't do anything, the Duke above me is safe. The more I do, the more I die. No matter what, it's my family who die. It really has nothing to do with others. Alas, there is no benefit in making so many achievements, and I have to worry about my achievements becoming too great and threatening the emperor."
Gu Zhizhuo sneered repeatedly: "Grandfather is really something, he can't let it go. Fortunately, I have let it go."
She flicked her sleeve and swept the wine cup representing the Gu family to the ground.
The wine cup rolled to Prince Li's feet, and Prince Li's heart began to lift again: "Girl..."
Gu Zhizhuo snorted softly, "Sir, let's go."
She left as soon as she said she would, and when she stood up, the round stool behind her creaked.
Xie Yingchen also stood up and smiled at Prince Li with his usual friendly attitude: "Granduncle, we will take our leave first."
“You, you you…”
Prince Li pointed at her and shook his head. He looked exactly like her grandfather, turning hostile over a disagreement.
"Chen'er."
Prince Li tried his luck and called out to Xie Yingchen, his tone carrying an inexplicable meaning, "Do you also think you can give me this title?"
What Prince Li wanted to say was that he might sit on the chair in the Golden Throne Hall in the future. Would he be willing to have his uncle-in-law be a prince of a different surname with military power?
Disasters such as external relatives' interference in politics are not uncommon in all dynasties.
He did not avoid Gu Zhizhuo when he spoke these words. He was also asking her if she had to fight for the title of king for the Gu family? Was she not afraid of being alienated from her husband in the future?
Xie Yingchen turned around to look at him and said affirmatively, "The Zhenguogong Mansion has made great contributions and deserves this."
His eyes were calm. "Emperor Taizu once said that if the Lord is too jealous of others' achievements, he will be afraid. He should just give up this position and become a general himself, grabbing the credit based on his own ability."
"Uncle, although these words may be crude, the world is so vast, who can do everything by themselves? Since I have entrusted you with this, I should be happy if you have accomplished something. That is because I have foresight."
"A ruler who knows how to employ his people wisely can ensure the prosperity of the world. Granduncle, this is the right way."
Xie Yingchen's eyes were full of confidence.
Prince Li seemed to see the late emperor in a trance. At that time, the late emperor and the Duke of Zhenguo got along well with each other. The emperor did not fear his minister, and the minister did not doubt the emperor.
He looked at Gu Zhizhuo again. The little girl was smiling, as if she didn't understand his deep meaning. But in fact, this girl was very smart. How could she not understand? It was just that she believed Chen'er.
"Granduncle, why don't you discuss this with the Emperor?"
"Sir, let's go. Your Majesty, don't discuss it anymore. Tell the Emperor that whoever wants to do it can do it. The Gu family is done with it."
Gu Zhizhuo pulled Xie Yingchen's sleeve, pushed the door open with a bang, and walked away with her skirt fluttering, without even looking back.
“Hey hey!”
Prince Li hurried after them, but he was old and had just suffered a stroke. When he slowly walked to the door, both of them had disappeared.
“Boys are extroverts!”
Prince Li was so angry that he almost laughed.
This kid Xie Yingchen is now wholeheartedly on Gu Zhizhuo's side.
The attendant asked, "Your Majesty, are you still pursuing me?"
"What are you chasing after? Can I, your prince, catch up with him with my two legs?" Prince Li blew his beard and glared.
Smelling the rich aroma of wine filling the room, Prince Li felt heavy in his heart, worried that the emperor would agree - that would mean that the emperor, who was not in a clear mind, might do something for his beloved youngest son again, and then the emperor would continue to be ill.
He was also worried that the emperor would not agree. Since Miss Gu had said so much, there was no way she would give in.
Prince Li thought for a moment and said, "Go into the palace first."
After the emperor fell seriously ill, he had been staying in Hanzhang Palace, and there were a few people in the court who knew the truth.
With Prince Youli keeping things under control, the palace was peaceful and no trouble occurred.
The attendant helped Prince Li walk towards the corridor.
One side of the corridor faced the small garden. Prince Li immediately saw that Gu Zhizhuo and his companions had already left the small building and were walking along the pond. Not far away, there was a commotion as several people rushed in. He squinted his eyes to see. Were they soldiers?
"Girl." Prince Li wiped the sweat from his forehead and called out to them, "You have such a bad temper. Wait a minute..."
Prince Li wanted to ask Gu Zhizhuo to enter the palace with him.
The door of an elegant room not far behind him opened.
"Hey, Your Majesty?" A familiar voice sounded in his ears. Prince Li turned his head and saw that it was the Duke of Weiguo.
Duke Weiguo came out of an elegant room two doors away. When he saw Prince Li, he walked over with a slightly staggering drunken step.
"Your Highness, why are you here too?" Duke Weiguo said with a proud smile, "Would you like to have a drink together?"
"No, no," Prince Li refused, "I cannot drink."
The Duke of Weiguo recalled that he had suffered a stroke and slapped his lips exaggeratedly: "Yes, yes, you can't drink. Your Highness, come, come, come and listen to the music..."
Before he finished speaking, a dark shadow suddenly jumped out from the screen between the two elegant rooms and pounced on Prince Li.
"Prince, be careful!"
Chang Sui quickly stood in front of Prince Li, and the dark shadow immediately changed his mind, grabbed the nearest Duke Weiguo, and pulled him into an elegant room.
Prince Li was old, so his reaction was slow. He was stunned for a moment before he said, "Duke!"
This doesn't look like someone you know, does it?
"Hurry up, someone come."
With a bang, the door closed.
Duke Wei was also confused. He was drunk and after being dragged in, he slipped and fell to the ground.
The ground was wet and smelled of strong wine, and it was actually all over the ground.
Who spilled such good wine on the ground?
Duke Weiguo looked up a few beats late and saw a slightly fat man. When he met Duke Weiguo's gaze, he lit a tinder with a ferocious look.
"what are you up to!"
Duke Weiguo fell quite hard and couldn't get up for a while. He looked at him with horror.
"It's the Duke, right?" The man's voice was a little crazy. "You tell them to let me go, otherwise, we will die together!"
He pulled the corners of his mouth stiffly and brought the lighter in front of Duke Weiguo. The smoke choked Duke Weiguo and made him cough.
As if possessed by a ghost, the Duke of Weiguo remembered what Gu Zhizhuo had said: You will suffer a disaster of Zhurong within three days.
The flames danced in his pupils, burning his skin and causing a dull pain.
Today is exactly the third day.
"I paid money to buy her, so what if I kill my own slave..." the man muttered to himself frantically, "Even if she bleeds to pieces, I bought her anyway."
He brought the lighter closer to the Duke of Wei's face and shouted, "Duke! Your life is worth money. Tell them to let me go! Quick!"
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