As a member of the circle of noble military generals, the Gu family could not hide the rumors outside.
Naturally, I didn't care at first.
But after hearing it so many times, those words inevitably entered my ears and heart.
Looking back over the years, it seems that the Queen Mother treated the Gu family very coldly.
The Gu family did not receive special treatment just because they were relatives by marriage.
When gossip gets into your mind, you can't help but have wild thoughts.
Tossing and turning at night, unable to sleep, Hu nudged Gu Cheng and asked, "Do you think the Queen is really dissatisfied with us?"
Gu Cheng yawned, "Don't let your imagination run wild. Go to sleep."
How could Mrs. Hu sleep? "It will be a few months before the end of mourning. Is there any progress on your reinstatement?"
"We'll talk about reinstatement after the mourning period ends. You, don't believe everything you hear."
"I'm not the only one with these wild thoughts. These past two days, when I went to the Marquis' Mansion and the Grand Chamber, everyone was asking about the Empress's attitude, both implicitly and implicitly. My aunt even asked me if we had done anything inconsiderate."
Gu Yan was completely awakened by the noise.
He opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling. "Even if the Queen is dissatisfied with the Gu family, she will never deliberately suppress them. I can be sure of this."
Mrs. Hu frowned. "But this time, the establishment of the military academy doesn't seem to have anything to do with our Gu family. Instead, the Zhuguo Mansion is beaming with joy, even inviting us to dinner. I suspect they're deliberately trying to disgust us and provoke us, the Gu family."
Gu Cheng was silent for a moment, then said, "The Wei family of the Zhuguogong Mansion is related to the neighboring Marquis Mansion for two generations. I think the Zhuguogong will not ignore us, the Gu family."
Mrs. Hu retorted, "But among the candidates recommended by the Duke of Zhuguo, there are no members of the Gu family. The Duke of Zhuguo only recommended his old subordinates. It's blatant nepotism. And yet the Empress agreed to his decision."
Mrs. Hu gritted her teeth.
Although Gu Cheng was a civilian official, it was not his turn to plan and build a military academy.
But she felt bad when she thought about how completely the Gu family was ignored.
The Gu family's in-laws, who should have been enjoying great success, are not doing as well as the average official family. How aggrieved!
During the late night conversation, Hu did not hide his emotions.
Gu Cheng sighed, "Stop complaining! We don't need to worry about this."
Mrs. Hu was dissatisfied. "My husband, this matter concerns the future of the Gu family. You can't just stay out of it just because it has nothing to do with you."
Gu Cheng asked back, "Then what can I do? I can't go into the palace and question the Queen."
"Of course not, but you can go to the main house, to the Marquis' Mansion, and ask the elders for their opinions. I think the people who are most anxious about this matter are the Marquis' Mansion."
Gu Cheng frowned. "My brothers are all serving in the military camp and are not allowed to leave their posts without transfer orders. I'm afraid your qualifications are still a little lacking for the establishment of a military academy. We also lack the experience to rely on our great uncle and the uncles in the Marquis' Mansion. Don't forget, our great uncle and his generation didn't fight many serious battles. On the other hand, you brothers have been fighting on the battlefield for many years with real weapons."
Hu frowned, "This is a rare opportunity, are we really going to give it up?"
Gu Cheng sighed, "If the Gu family is truly qualified to participate in the establishment of the academy, I believe the Queen will not hesitate to give everyone a chance."
"Other noble families are qualified, but our Gu family is not. It's really frustrating."
"Don't even think about it. This matter is beyond the control of you and me."
"If Lord Bo was in the capital, the situation would definitely not be like this."
The uncle that Hu mentioned was Gu Ting.
Gu Ting went south to train his troops and stayed there for two years.
It looks like he won't be back for a few years.
…
It’s not just Gu Cheng and his wife who miss Gu Ting.
Everyone in the Marquis' Mansion also missed Gu Ting.
Everyone knows that the Empress and Gu Ting have a deep brother-sister relationship.
The Queen Mother will only care sincerely about Gu Ting, and the other members of the Gu family are just incidental.
Songhe Hall in the Marquis' Mansion.
Old Madam Wei was very old, with snow-white hair. However, she was in good spirits, her thoughts and speech were clear.
She sat on the couch, leaning on a cane.
When people get old, they can't sit on hard mahogany chairs because they suffer from back pain.
Soft couches gradually became popular, and Old Madam Wei bought two for herself, and they were indeed very comfortable to sit on.
The soft cushioned backrest wraps the whole body, so comfortable!
Lord Gu Zhiwen sat at the bottom, looking very upright.
"There's been a lot of gossip out there lately, all related to our Gu family."
Madam Wei's attitude was clear. "Don't pay attention to the gossip outside. Your Majesty has not forgotten the Gu family, nor has she neglected them. Those outside are just hoping for chaos."
"We know that the Queen has not neglected the Gu family, but the clan members don't know, and people outside don't know. Should we spread the news that Gu Rui and the others are about to return to the capital to silence those people?"
Madam Wei had a sound idea. "Since the Empress has told us not to make it public, then you should obey her. Our Gu family is also involved in the establishment of the Military Academy. Gu Rui will bring the first batch of students selected from the military camp to the capital. There will be a lot of fun to watch then."
Gu Zhiwen nodded, "I just feel unwilling to accept it. Those people are like gossips, their mouths are too foul."
Old Madam Wei laughed, "Since you know they are gossips, why bother with them?"
At this time, the servant reported that Gu Cheng and Hu Shi were visiting.
Gu Zhiwen smiled knowingly, "Another person who can't sit still and comes to inquire about the news."
Old Madam Wei ordered the servants, "Please invite Mr. and Mrs. Gu Cheng in. Their family will soon be in mourning."
"Wait until next spring, and then you can go out to mourn."
"Next spring, the Military Academy will open, which is a good sign."
…
There are all kinds of gossip and rumors.
The news even reached the palace and reached the ears of Empress Dowager Pei.
Queen Mother Pei was very surprised, "What does the Queen mean? She doesn't even take care of her family?"
Eunuch Wen waited beside Empress Dowager Pei, "Perhaps there is some deeper meaning behind what the Empress did."
Empress Dowager Pei scoffed, "What deep meaning could there be! When she was in the palace, she didn't like to go back to her parents' home, and she didn't have much contact with her sisters at home, except for Gu Mei who married into the Daihou Mansion."
"The Empress Dowager has a good memory. She still remembers things from many years ago."
Empress Dowager Pei smiled complacently, "Unlike the late emperor, who didn't know how to take care of his body, I never abuse my body."
"May your Majesty live a long and healthy life!" Eunuch Wen took the opportunity to say something auspicious to bring good luck.
Empress Dowager Pei was in a good mood. "The Queen is not afraid of rumors, and she is ruthless towards her family. I have a new respect for her."
Eunuch Wen whispered, "The Empress never seems to care about public criticism."
When Empress Dowager Pei heard this, her face fell.
This is particularly annoying.
Because in the world, no woman can be as free and easy as Gu Jiu, not caring about the world's criticism, not caring about anyone's opinion, and living her own way.
It is said that Huyang lives a free and easy life, but in the eyes of Empress Dowager Pei, Gu Jiu is the truly free and easy one.
The one from Huyang can only be described as unruly and undisciplined.
"I haven't seen Hu Yang for a long time. How is she doing recently?"
Huh?
The topic changed so quickly, how did it end up talking about Huyang?
Eunuch Wen cheered up and said, "Princess Huyang has been in a bad mood since her last illness. I heard that she dismissed all the concubines in the palace and only kept a monk by her side."
Phew!
Queen Mother Pei laughed out loud when she heard this.
"I didn't expect Hu Yang to be such a romantic, still thinking about Hopeless Bald Donkey for so many years. It's a pity that Hopeless Bald Donkey will never come back to her. She can only rely on an imposter to solve her lovesickness. It's rare to live a life as confused as her."
Eunuch Wen was curious, "Why did the Queen say Huyang was confused?"
"Of course she's confused!"
Queen Mother Pei looked smug, and she couldn't stand Hu Yang in any way.
"Back in the day, when Prince Consort Chen was still alive, the couple had practically fallen out. Although Emperor Wuzong Kaiyao was strict, he was actually quite fond of Huyang. If Huyang had decisively proposed a divorce and persuaded her a few times, Emperor Wuzong Kaiyao would probably have agreed. That way, there wouldn't have been all the mess that happened later."
"But Huyang refused to divorce and lived her own life with Prince Consort Chen, which only made the leaks bigger and bigger. When the Chen family was in trouble, she was dumbfounded. She came to the late emperor crying and begging, but I really despise her."
Speaking of the past events, Empress Dowager Pei was very contemptuous of Huyang.
Eunuch Wen casually guessed, "Perhaps Princess Huyang didn't want to divorce Prince Consort Chen because she couldn't bear to part with the Chen family's money."
Empress Dowager Pei clapped her hands and laughed. "That makes sense. She's a greedy person, so naturally she won't give up the Chen family's money. Prepare a gift, and tomorrow you will go to visit Huyang on my behalf. Tell her that I miss her very much, and when she recovers, please come to the palace to see her. It would be a wonderful thing for us, sister-in-law, to drink and chat happily."
"I obey your command!"
Eunuch Wen knew very well that Empress Dowager Pei just wanted to disgust Huyang.
The next day, he took gifts and left the palace for Princess Huyang's mansion.
After being informed, he was invited into the bedroom.
I was frightened in an instant.
What happened?
Princess Huyang, who has always been plump, has become so thin that she is just skin and bones.
"This old servant pays his respects to Her Royal Highness the Princess. The Empress Dowager is concerned about the Princess and has specially sent this old servant to visit Her Royal Highness."
"No need to be polite! I didn't expect my sister-in-law would also think of me. She is really thoughtful."
"How is the princess's health? Is there any serious problem?" Eunuch Wen couldn't help but be curious and asked cautiously.
Princess Huyang smiled, a smile that was rarely warm.
"I won't die for the time being!"
"Has the imperial physician neglected Her Highness the Princess? The Princess's health is already in such a state, why is there no news from the palace?"
Eunuch Wen had too many questions in his mind.
What exactly is wrong with Huyang's body?
"I have issued a gag order!" Hu Yang said lightly.
"So, the princess's body?"
Hu Yang raised an eyebrow. "You keep asking about my health. Do you want to know when I will die?"
As sharp and vicious as ever.
It’s still the familiar Huyang, the familiar taste.
"Princess, you have misunderstood. I never meant that." Eunuch Wen quickly apologized.
Hu Yang smiled, "You don't mean that. The Queen Mother probably wishes I would die sooner. I've fought with her my whole life. She's a petty and vindictive person. Go back and tell her that she'll be happy because I will definitely die before her."
"Princess, please take back your words!" Eunuch Wen said solemnly, "Life and death are matters of life and death. How can you treat them so lightly and curse yourself? Also, the Queen Mother would never wish for your early death!"
"Shut up!"
Princess Huyang scolded Eunuch Wen harshly.
"Do you understand the Empress Dowager better than I do? I know exactly what's going on in her mind. You eunuch, you've completed your mission. Now get back to the palace and stop being an eyesore in front of me. You keep calling me Empress Dowager, and I'm filled with disgust. Repeat everything I said today to the Empress Dowager, word for word, and see if she can still smile."
Even though Princess Huyang was skin and bones, her aura remained unchanged.
She was rude and not polite at all to Eunuch Wen.
Eunuch Wen was not angry.
She knew Hu Yang's temper and had prepared herself mentally before coming.
"The Empress Dowager hopes that the princess will recover soon and come to the palace for a drink and a chat."
Hu Yang chuckled. "She is kind-hearted, but I am not willing to drink and chat with her, and I cannot be happy. Please leave quickly. I am tired of talking to you."
She waved her hands, trying to drive away Eunuch Wen like she was shooing away a fly.
The servants from the princess's mansion also came to drive him away.
Eunuch Wen had no choice but to return to the palace to report.
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