Chapter 11 Shen Yujiao, Cousin of the Shen Family
Gu Nanxiao led Yunxi into the Prince's carriage and visited his dozen or so shops one by one. He introduced Yunxi to the shopkeepers of all the shops and the handover was completed smoothly.
Looking at Yunxi, who seemed quite composed, chatting amiably with the shopkeepers, he suddenly realized that her offer to manage the shop might actually come true.
After visiting more than a dozen shops, Yunxi felt a little tired. Gu Nanxiao noticed the weariness in her expression and suggested that they have a meal at the nearby Ruyi Restaurant, where they could rest for a while before returning to the mansion.
Just then, a guard from the Prince's mansion appeared beside Mo Yu, reporting something. A moment later, Mo Yu came to Gu Nanxiao and said, "Master, the Empress Dowager just sent someone to the mansion to inform you that she wants you to come to the palace for a talk."
Upon hearing the summons from his grandmother, Gu Nanxiao dared not delay. He turned to Yunxi and instructed, "Have Qianyu rent a carriage to take you back to the manor first. I will take you to Ruyi Tower another day."
Yunxi nodded in agreement, and Gu Nanxiao hurriedly had Moyu drive the carriage towards the palace.
The Empress Dowager's health has been deteriorating recently, and she often needs to take medicine to regulate it. Therefore, Gu Nanxiao is always worried whenever the Empress Dowager summons him.
At that moment, he was rushing towards Cigong with great speed, but before he could even enter the palace, he heard a burst of laughter coming from inside.
Although he couldn't tell who was laughing, the cheerful atmosphere clearly put Gu Nanxiao at ease, indicating that his grandmother wasn't unwell.
The palace maids who had been waiting outside led Gu Nanxiao directly into the hall. After passing through the screen and beaded curtain, he saw the Empress Dowager sitting high in the main seat.
The Empress Dowager was exceptionally well-dressed today, and unlike usual, she wasn't lounging on the couch. The smile on her face seemed to indicate that she was very pleased.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager also turned her gaze over. The smile on her face widened the instant she saw Gu Nanxiao. She quickly instructed the palace maid beside her, "Quickly, offer the young master a seat."
The Empress Dowager always referred to Gu Nanxiao in this way. Although the Emperor had not yet officially named him as the heir apparent, in the Empress Dowager's heart, how could the two sons born to the concubine whom the Empress had placed next to her youngest son compare to her legitimate grandson?
Therefore, in her eyes, whether or not the imperial decree appointing the heir apparent was issued, Gu Nanxiao was still the heir apparent of the Yongwang Mansion.
Since the Empress Dowager addressed her in this way, no one else dared to object. Who would risk offending the Empress Dowager over such a trivial matter?
After bowing and sitting down, Gu Nanxiao, also with a joyful expression, asked, "Grandmother, you look quite well. Is there some happy occasion that has made you so happy?"
Upon hearing Gu Nanxiao's question, the Empress Dowager chuckled again, then pulled over the woman behind her who was massaging her shoulders. While stroking her hand, she said with pity in her eyes:
"It is indeed a joyous occasion. Since Jiaojiao returned to the capital, she has been coming to keep me company every day. How can anyone not be happy?"
After saying this, the Empress Dowager pushed Shen Yujiao and said with a meaningful smile, "Hurry up and go serve your cousin a cup of tea."
Although it's been many years, there's no need for awkwardness. When you two were little, didn't you often play together in my Cining Palace?
At this moment, Gu Nanxiao raised his eyes to look at the young woman. He saw her shyly accepting the tea brought by the palace maid and gracefully walking towards him.
The bright red beauty mark under the corner of the woman's eye reminded Gu Nanxiao of something, and he asked: "Grandmother, is this the cousin from the Shen family?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's smile widened, and she repeatedly said, "Yes, yes, it is your cousin Shen Yujiao from the Shen family."
Grandmother brought her from the Shen family this time because she thought Jiaojiao was the most gentle and considerate, perfectly suited to my taste. I plan to make arrangements in the next few days to bring her into your courtyard as a concubine.”
Gu Nanxiao had been smiling obsequiously until the very end, but that smile faltered, and he hastily refused:
"Grandmother, please don't play matchmaker. A noble lady like my cousin should be married to a man of equal social standing. How can she be taken into my harem as a concubine?"
Besides, I was betrothed since childhood; how can I bring a concubine into the house before marrying my principal wife?
In truth, Gu Nanxiao had no intention of getting married. However, that Xu woman had actually pleaded with his aunt, the Empress, to have the Emperor issue an imperial decree to grant them the marriage. Since the marriage couldn't be called off, it could only be postponed indefinitely.
Bringing out that fiancée now is merely to deflect the Empress Dowager's attempts to force him into having someone else.
Although he phrased it tactfully, the Empress Dowager could not possibly misunderstand his prevarication, so she suppressed her smile and said with a stern face:
"What good daughters could the Empress's family possibly have? I don't know how the Emperor was bewitched by her back then. He actually wanted to send Lady Xu to the Prince of Yong's residence."
With someone like that as your principal wife, how can your grandmother feel at ease? Look at the chaos in your father's harem, isn't it all caused by that Xu family girl?
You must believe that your grandmother is the one who loves you the most, and the people she chooses for you are naturally all excellent.
At this point, the Empress Dowager's expression softened considerably, and she said with a hint of teasing, "Wasn't your concubine chosen by me? You resisted at all before, but lately you've been quite happy with her."
Gu Nanxiao blushed with embarrassment, thinking about how he had been fooling around day and night ever since he became close to Yunxi. He awkwardly replied, "The one that Grandmother chose for her grandson is naturally the best."
Upon seeing his expression, the Empress Dowager laughed heartily and pointed at him with her hand, saying, "You little rascal, you finally understand my good intentions towards you."
"In that case, you should listen to me one more time and bring Jiaojiao into the household as soon as possible."
Logically speaking, it is normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Gu Nanxiao also knew that although he did not like the Xu family woman, marriage was inevitable sooner or later.
For some reason, he couldn't accept the thought of doing something as intimate as Yunxi with another woman in the future.
So Gu Nanxiao refused again, saying, "Grandson knows that Grandmother is doing this for my own good, but I really don't want to add anyone else to my household for the time being. Grandmother, please don't delay my cousin's marriage. Please find her a good man."
The Empress Dowager knew that her grandson was stubborn and also knew that it wouldn't be successful on the first try. After all, it had taken her four years to persuade him to take a concubine.
Furthermore, given his repeated refusals, which might offend Shen Jiaojiao and create a rift between them in the future, making it difficult for them to get along, he sent Shen Jiaojiao to rest in the side hall.
After Shen Jiaojiao left, the Empress Dowager said sternly, "Have you heard the rumors outside? Since you are unwilling to take Jiaojiao into your household, then you should make sure that one of your concubines becomes pregnant as soon as possible."
However, a concubine is absolutely not qualified to bear you a son. You must get her pregnant, and once the pregnancy is showing, take her to some banquets.
Once everyone knows you have no problem with having children, give them a bowl of abortion medicine, and they'll have an abortion. That way, who can spread rumors about your fertility?
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