Gu Jiu followed Zhang and Xie back to the side hall.
She felt a little uneasy.
In a flash, I unexpectedly saw Pei Yun.
Has Pei Yun returned to the capital?
Before they could think about it, they had already entered the side hall.
Zhang looked at Gu Jiu, thinking she was afraid, so she whispered to comfort her: "Don't worry, it's okay."
Gu Jiu nodded slightly, "Thank you, auntie."
Xie frowned slightly, and after sitting down, she couldn't help but look back and look at Gu Jiu frequently.
She couldn't understand why the Queen was so fond of Gu Jiu.
Very strange.
Could it be that it was the old lady Wei’s credit again?
Xie asked Zhang quietly, "Sister-in-law, what do you think the old lady will say in front of the Empress?"
"Of course, it's auspicious words."
Xie paused and asked again, "The Queen asked about Xiaojiu, probably because of the old lady."
Zhang said softly, "Don't worry too much, sister-in-law. Just wait quietly."
Xie suddenly felt bored.
To be honest, Zhang had no idea what was going on in the main palace, let alone what Empress Cui was thinking.
I can only wait until the palace banquet and find a chance to ask the sisters-in-law in the Marquis' Mansion. Maybe they know.
The Empress was tired, so she met with the court ladies as quickly as possible.
Then, he was helped down by the palace maids.
Everyone then moved to Chenghui Hall.
The palace banquet will be held in Chenghui Hall.
Without the Empress's presence, the atmosphere in Chenghui Palace became much more lively.
Finally, everyone no longer had to sit in chairs, but could move freely in the halls and gather in groups of three or four to chat.
Gu Yue was in a hurry to go to the bathroom. She had been holding it in for a long time and could not hold it in any longer.
She pulled Gu Shan and said, "Fourth sister, can you accompany me to the toilet?"
Seeing that she looked anxious, Gu Shan hurriedly spoke to Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Zhang.
Mrs. Xie frowned and scolded softly, "I told you last night at the New Year's Eve dinner to eat and drink less, and be sure not to drink water after getting up. Did you forget again?"
Gu Yue was so anxious that she was about to cry.
Zhang said hurriedly, "Don't worry, sister-in-law."
She called a young palace maid, handed her a purse, and asked her to take Gu Yue to the toilet. Gu Shan accompanied Gu Yue and went with her.
Mrs. Xie warned Gu Shan, "Keep an eye on your third sister. Come back as soon as you're done. Don't stay outside."
Gu Shan bowed and accepted the order, then hurriedly caught up with Gu Yue.
Zhang said to Gu Jiu, "Xiao Jiu, if you need to go to the bathroom urgently, just tell me."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, auntie. I'm fine."
For today's celebration, Gu Jiu had endured not drinking a sip of water for five or six hours. Now she only felt thirsty, not in a hurry.
When Zhang saw the three sisters-in-law from the Marquis's Mansion, she hurried to greet them. Xie also followed them, wanting to inquire about the news.
Gu Jiu walked into the crowd and walked towards Pei Yun.
Pei Yun also saw Gu Jiu, smiled at her, and then walked towards her.
"Sister Pei, it's really you!" Gu Jiu looked happy.
Pei Yun glanced around and said, "Shh, I just returned to the capital a few days ago. Sister Gu, I heard everything. I didn't expect my mother to come to your house to propose marriage, and then go back on her word. Don't be angry."
Gu Jiu smiled sweetly, "Sister Pei, you're worrying too much. I would have forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it."
Pei Yun took Gu Jiu's hand and said, "I will persuade my mother to change her mind and ask the matchmaker to come to your house to propose marriage again."
"Don't do that."
Gu Jiu was anxious when he heard this. "Sister Pei, marriage is up to fate. Since Madam has given up, let's just drop the matter and don't mention it again."
Pei Yun was a little confused. "Is Sister Gu angry? Or does she look down on my third brother?"
"Neither. I just don't want to get married so soon. I want to stay at home for two more years."
Pei Yun suddenly realized that Gu Jiu's thoughts were similar to her previous thoughts.
She secretly ran to the northwest to avoid marriage.
But after staying in the Northwest for more than half a year, things did not develop as she expected.
Besides, she is old and can't delay any longer.
Pei Yun thought it through, so he returned to the capital, ready to accept this fate.
Pei Yun said to Gu Jiu, "Sister Gu, please don't think I'm annoying if I say a few more words, okay?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Sister Pei, please speak."
Pei Yun said, "I understand that Sister Gu doesn't want to get married too early. But if she encounters the right marriage partner, Sister Gu should seize it firmly.
There seem to be many talented young people in Beijing, but the ones that suit you are actually very limited, and sometimes you may not even meet one. If you are lucky enough to meet one, don't miss it.
Gu Jiu blinked and then laughed, "Thank you, Sister Pei, for your advice. I will keep your words in mind. However, I haven't met the right person for marriage yet."
Pei Yun smiled knowingly. It seemed that Gu Jiu didn't want to marry into the Marquis of Lu's mansion. Perhaps the elders of the Gu family had said something to Gu Jiu, such as that the Marquis of Lu's mansion was not a good match.
Since Gu Jiu has made his attitude clear, Pei Yun will naturally not force him.
"I hope Sister Gu can achieve her wish."
"Thank you, Sister Pei. I hope your dream comes true and you can marry a man of your dreams."
Pei Yun lowered her head, her expression gloomy. "What kind of husband would be considered an ideal husband?"
Gu Jiu said carefully: "Everyone has his or her own standards. This matter varies from person to person."
"So what does Miss Gu's ideal husband look like?"
Gu Jiu smiled shyly, "I haven't really thought about this question. Basically, it's about good character, being reasonable, and having a simple family background. I guess I won't meet that person."
Pei Yun jokingly said, "Just the simple family background alone has already eliminated 99% of the candidates. The remaining few probably don't even meet the requirements of good character and reasonableness. It's clear that Sister Gu's requirements are not just high, but extremely high."
Gu Jiu smiled, his eyes curved, "So my idea was too naive. Marriage is a big deal, just let fate take its course."
Pei Yun smiled bitterly, her brows and eyes full of worry, "I really envy you, Sister Gu, for being so open-minded."
Gu Jiu seemed to be thinking, "Did Sister Pei encounter any difficulties?"
"I like someone, but he doesn't like me. Is that a difficult thing?"
oh!
Gu Jiu suddenly understood.
She comforted Pei Yun: "There are tens of thousands of men in the world. Sister Pei, why would you hang yourself on a crooked tree? If the other person doesn't like you, it's his loss. It only proves that he has no taste and is blind."
At this moment, Liu Zhao, who was in Taiji Palace, felt his nose a little itchy and couldn't help but want to sneeze.
He rubbed his nose and held it in.
Ha ha……
Pei Yun covered her mouth and laughed, "You said he was a crooked tree, haha... If he heard it, he would be furious."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Sister Pei will definitely not tell the other party, right?"
Pei Yun nodded, "Of course not. Sister Gu, your comfort is really unique. Hearing you say that, I feel much better. He is not the only one in the world, so why should I hang myself on him?"
"That's how it should be. There are plenty of beautiful women out there, so why should you cling to just one?"
Pei Yun couldn't help laughing again. "Sister Gu, you're so funny. Comparing women to flowers and men to grass is quite appropriate. Thank you, Sister Gu. I feel much better now. Time is limited today. I'll send you a message another day and we can find a place to sit down and have a good chat."
Gu Jiu's eyebrows curved, "It's OK as long as Sister Pei doesn't mind my rude words."
"You worry too much. You speak so nicely."
Due to the limited occasion, the two of them dispersed after chatting.
Gu Shan accompanied Gu Yue back to the main hall. Gu Yue looked comfortable and had regained his spirits.
But Xie did not let her go and beat her severely.
Gu Yue felt wronged and almost cried.
"Don't you see what kind of occasion this is? If you dare to cry, I'll break your legs."
Gu Yue wiped away her tears and said, "My daughter doesn't dare to cry."
Xie snorted coldly, "Follow the rules, don't move around, stay beside me."
"A daughter listens to her mother."
Seeing that the atmosphere was awkward, Gu Jiu didn't step forward.
She found Gu Mei in the crowd, "Sister Mei, thank you for your hard work today."
"Sister Xiaojiu has worked hard."
The two smiled at each other.
Everyone has worked very hard for today's celebration.
At this moment, he was forcing himself to entertain people from all walks of life.
Gu Jiu asked quietly, "Sister Mei, earlier in the main hall of Weiyang Palace, when the Empress called us sisters forward to speak, did she not mean anything else?"
Gu Jiu has been worried about this matter, fearing that there would be accidents.
Gu Mei said: "The Queen is probably just in a spur of the moment, there is no other intention."
"That's good, that's good."
Gu Jiu felt relieved. As long as the Queen didn't catch her eyes, it would be fine.
…
Inside the bedroom of Weiyang Palace, there were coughs one after another, as if the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys were about to be coughed out, making the hearts of the palace people tighten.
The palace maid hurried into the bedroom carrying a bowl of medicine, "Your Majesty, the medicine is here."
"Cough cough... cough cough... puff..."
Blood gushed out, and the palace maids and eunuchs felt as if the sky had fallen.
"My lady, are you okay?"
"The queen is vomiting blood, please let Doctor Wang come in."
"My lady, please lie down quickly."
For a moment, Queen Cui's mind went blank and she stared blankly at the blood on the carpet.
She vomited blood, she actually vomited blood.
"Why are you panicking? I'm not dead yet."
Queen Cui angrily scolded the palace maids.
The palace servants fell silent instantly.
Queen Cui took the handkerchief from the palace maid and gently wiped the corners of her mouth.
There was blood at the corners of his mouth.
The dark red blood is terrifying.
Empress Cui laughed at herself, "It seems that I don't have much time left."
Doctor Wang came in with a medicine box and was terrified when he saw the blood on the ground.
"Please extend your hand, Your Majesty. I will take your pulse."
Queen Cui extended her right hand and said, "Don't be nervous, take your time."
Doctor Wang had cold sweat on his forehead.
He took the patient's pulse expressionlessly, his heart pounding, and he was extremely scared.
After taking the pulse, Doctor Wang bowed and said, "The previous prescription needs to be revised. I will prescribe a new one."
Empress Cui stared at Doctor Wang and said, "Tell me, how is my health? How long do I have left to live?"
Doctor Wang turned pale and knelt on the ground with a thud, "Please spare my life, Your Majesty, please spare my life..."
"Tell the truth and I will spare your life. Otherwise, you will know the harem." Queen Cui stared at Doctor Wang with a gloomy look.
Beads of sweat fell from Doctor Wang's forehead.
"Your humble servant, your humble servant..."
"Tell me, no matter what the consequences are, I can bear them."
Doctor Wang gritted his teeth and said, "The Empress's health is already at the end of its rope. She could die at any moment..."
"How long can you protect my life?"
Queen Cui didn't want to hear that she might die at any time; she wanted a specific time.
Doctor Wang was terrified and looked up at Queen Cui.
Empress Cui shouted, "Tell me, how many days can I live?"
"My Lady, life-saving medicines are all very strong. They will make you feel excruciating pain after taking them."
Empress Cui said calmly, "I have endured all kinds of hardships in my life. Now I just want to know how many days I have left to live."
Doctor Wang said boldly, "If you follow the prescription, the Empress has five days at most. If you take life-saving medicine and acupuncture, she will only have half a month at most."
"It only takes half a month. Time is really tight."
Queen Cui sighed.
Inside the bedroom, all the palace servants knelt down.
The air suddenly became quiet, no one spoke, and no one even dared to breathe.
Empress Cui smiled coldly and said, "Go and invite His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I have something to say to him."
At this time, a palace maid came in from outside and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived, along with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and all the princes and grandchildren."
Queen Cui smiled softly and said, "Clean up the floor before letting His Majesty and the others in."
The palace servants quickly took action to replace the carpet and clean up the traces.
The maid said, "But your Majesty has already reached the palace gate, and I am afraid I can't stop you."
The Queen glared and said, "Tell His Majesty that if he doesn't want me to die today, don't rush in."
The palace maid's face turned pale. She bowed and accepted the order, then hurried out.
When Emperor Kaiyao heard that the Empress was unwell, he hurried over even the ladies' greetings. He then left the courtiers behind and brought the princes and grandchildren to the Weiyang Palace to visit her.
But when he arrived at the bedroom, he was stopped by palace servants.
"The Queen Mother said that Your Majesty should come in later."
Emperor Kaiyao frowned, "Ridiculous! They even dare to stop me."
The palace maids all knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive your sins. This is what the Queen wants. The Queen said that if Your Majesty doesn't want her to die today, then don't rush in."
Emperor Kaiyao's expression changed, and he remained silent with a gloomy face.
His Royal Highness's face turned pale, and he hurriedly asked, "How is Queen Mother? Where is Doctor Wang? Go and call all the doctors from the Imperial Hospital."
Immediately, a eunuch received the order and went to the Imperial Hospital to call the imperial physician.
"Stop yelling and come in. I won't die anytime soon."
Queen Cui's voice came from the bedroom.
Emperor Kaiyao snorted coldly and walked into the bedroom with the princes and grandchildren.
The bedroom was completely new, with a new carpet, a cleaned bed, and new bedding.
Queen Cui changed out of her court dress and into light home clothes.
She leaned against the head of the bed, her face flushed unhealthily.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I cannot get out of bed."
"Don't worry about these empty formalities."
Emperor Kaiyao stepped forward, sat at the head of the bed, and held Empress Cui's hand.
Emperor Kaiyao was in his early sixties, overweight and bearded. At first glance, he might be mistaken for a kind-hearted elder.
Little did they know that Emperor Kaiyao had climbed through mountains of corpses and seas of blood on his way from being a prince to an emperor, and then to an old emperor.
There are piles of bones under my feet. How many aristocratic families that have been passed down for hundreds of years were destroyed at the hands of Emperor Kaiyao and disappeared in the long river of time.
Emperor Kaiyao's dozen or so brothers were either dead or disabled.
Only three or two of his brothers are still alive. The others have become cannon fodder on his path to imperial power. No one is spared.
Such a benevolent emperor does not exist. Cruelty and bigotry are the most profound portrayals of him.
Anyone he disliked would be killed. Not just one person, but the whole family.
As long as he trusts someone, even if the national treasury is emptied and everyone from the people to the court condemns him, he can still enjoy wealth and glory.
But once you lose his trust, you will die more miserably than other officials.
Empress Cui looked at Emperor Kaiyao and smiled.
The two young couples have gone through decades of ups and downs together from their youth to old age.
Queen Cui no longer remembered whether they had ever been in love. That was decades ago, and who could still remember the feelings of a young girl?
But Empress Cui was very sure that she had tried to kill Emperor Kaiyao countless times.
I believe the other party thought the same and had wanted to depose her as queen countless times.
The couple have been fighting each other and accompanying each other for decades. Now they are old, but they still can't let go of those knots in their hearts.
Empress Cui said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for visiting me. I am not in good health and I am sorry to have caused you so much worry."
"We are husband and wife, it's too formal to say this."
Queen Cui smiled and lowered her head. Both husband and wife were so used to acting that they had forgotten how to speak sincerely.
"Your Majesty, I am dying. I don't think I'll survive this year."
Upon hearing this, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince couldn't help but shake his body, looking helpless.
Queen Cui glanced at the Crown Prince lightly and ignored him.
Emperor Kaiyao comforted Empress Cui, "Your Majesty, please relax and take good care of your health. I still hope that the Empress can always be by my side."
"I also want to stay by your Majesty's side, but time waits for no one."
"Don't let your imagination run wild. If the imperial physician is incompetent, I will issue an order to summon the world's most famous doctors to treat the empress."
Empress Cui smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I appreciate your kindness."
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