We got on the carriage and swayed all the way to the palace.
"Girl, will anything happen?"
Qingmei was extremely worried, her heart was beating so fast that it seemed like it was about to jump out of her throat.
Gu Jiu frowned in deep thought, with two vertical lines on his forehead, and he looked very worried.
She went over in her mind all the things that had happened to her since she came to Beijing.
The only thing that was certain was that Emperor Kaiyao probably didn't know about her. Ninety-eight percent of the time, he learned about her from someone else.
When hearing what others said, Gu Jiu only thought of two people.
One is the Empress and the other is Prince Zhao.
During the court ceremony yesterday, the Queen Mother asked her a few questions specifically, and she had a bad feeling at that time.
But why did the Queen mention her in front of His Majesty? Gu Jiu couldn't figure it out.
Maybe not the Queen.
Then the only one left is Prince Liu Zhao.
Gu Jiu closed her eyes. She didn't want to think about the worst, but the facts were before her and she had to think about it.
At the critical moment when the emperor's grandson was choosing a wife, His Majesty summoned her into the palace. If this was done by Liu Zhao, then the truth of the matter would be obvious.
Gu Jiu couldn't even deceive himself.
She rubbed her brows, feeling angry.
If Liu Zhao was in front of her, she would definitely beat him up.
This guy is crazy! As the grandson of the emperor, instead of choosing a wife carefully, he has to involve her in this. What hatred or grudge does he have?
"Miss, are you okay?" Qingmei looked at Gu Jiu worriedly.
Gu Jiu shook his head. "I'm fine, don't worry. How many purses did your aunt give you?"
Qingmei whispered, "I gave you ten in total. Five of them contained ten taels of silver notes, and the other five contained fifty taels of silver notes each. Miss, isn't that too much?"
Gu Jiu laughed at himself, "You should worry too little, not too much. I really want to thank my aunt for thinking so carefully for me. Don't take out the purse we prepared for now."
After all, Gu Jiu didn't have much money on hand, so she prepared ten purses in total, each of which contained only two taels of small-denomination silver notes.
Compared with the purse prepared by my aunt Zhang, it really is nothing.
It’s because Gu Jiu is too poor. All his money has been invested in business and he hasn’t seen any returns yet.
However, by next month, Erzhuang should be able to bring her several dozen taels of profit. The remaining money will be used to hire someone to expand the business.
The carriage drove directly into the palace gate.
Gu Jiu lifted the curtain of the carriage window and looked outside. This was to go directly to Xingqing Palace to see His Majesty.
The carriage stopped halfway, Gu Jiu got off the carriage and followed the eunuch to Xingqing Palace.
When they arrived at Xingqing Palace, the eunuch went into the main hall first to report.
Gu Jiu stood under the eaves, secretly looking at the surrounding environment.
The palace servants were doing their work in an orderly manner and no one paid attention to her.
Gu Jiu was bored waiting and his imagination ran wild.
If Your Majesty orders her to be killed, can she escape?
There were people everywhere, and I was afraid that before I could run two steps, I would be caught and killed with a knife.
Thinking of that scene, Gu Jiu couldn't help laughing.
How bored must she be to come up with such an idea?
"Miss Gu, please come in! His Majesty has been waiting for a long time."
The palace door opened from the inside, and the eunuch came out and invited Gu Jiu in.
Gu Jiu thanked him quietly, handed over a purse, and then followed the eunuch into the hall.
She walked forward slowly, stood in the center of the hall, and said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, your servant Gu Jiu pays homage to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health!"
"Stand up!"
A deep voice sounded in the hall.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Gu Jiu stood up, lowered his head and looked submissive, not even daring to glance forward.
To be honest, this was when she was most well-behaved, never even glancing at anything she shouldn't.
"Raise your head and let me see."
Gu Jiu raised his head slightly, lowered his eyes, and did not meet Emperor Yao's gaze.
However, she still saw the true face of Emperor Kaiyao out of the corner of her eye.
An old, overweight man with a gray beard and a dull complexion, probably from overwork.
Age spots are faintly visible on the face.
Gu Jiu thought to himself that emperors really age quickly.
Not only did the Emperor age quickly, but so did the Empress, all because she worried too much.
Emperor Kaiyao stared at Gu Jiu with an expression that showed his majesty without anger.
Hey, this little girl is interesting. She is not afraid of him.
Emperor Kaiyao looked at Liu Zhao who was standing beside him. Liu Zhao was right. The little girl was not that cowardly.
"Your name is Gu Jiu?"
Gu Jiu came back to his senses and cheered himself up to deal with Emperor Kai Yao's questions.
She bowed and replied, "Yes!"
Emperor Kaiyao asked, "Have you arranged a marriage?"
While Gu Jiu was secretly gossiping about Emperor Yao, he replied respectfully, "We haven't talked about marriage yet."
"Why haven't you talked about marriage? You're almost coming of age, aren't girls of this age usually arranged to be married early?"
Gu Jiu was sweating profusely. Emperor Kaiyao was indeed a gossipy emperor.
She considered it for a moment, then said cautiously, "Before, I had been accompanying my father on his post in the northwest, which delayed the marriage proposal. A few months ago, my father was transferred, and the whole family returned to the capital. There are so many things going on in the palace, and many things have to be taken care of first. However, my father said that he would arrange a marriage for me after the New Year."
Emperor Kaiyao nodded secretly. He was clear and concise in his speech, and he was indeed very courageous.
"When did you meet Liu Zhao?"
Emperor Kaiyao suddenly asked this question, which scared Gu Jiu.
Because she didn't dare to look around, she didn't know that Liu Zhao was also in the hall.
At this moment, she glanced at both sides of the hall and found that Liu Zhao was standing not far from her.
When Gu Jiu saw Liu Zhao, he really had the urge to beat him up.
She glared at Liu Zhao fiercely, then said weakly, "I don't quite remember it. It may have happened two months ago."
Emperor Kaiyao laughed heartily and looked at Liu Zhao with a playful expression, "Zhao'er, did you hear that? Miss Gu said she doesn't remember knowing you."
Liu Zhao glanced at Gu Jiu, then said seriously: "It doesn't matter if she doesn't remember, as long as my grandson remembers her."
Emperor Kaiyao stared at Liu Zhao with a deep gaze, "Have you made up your mind? I'll give you a chance. It's not too late for you to change your mind."
Liu Zhao shook his head. "Thank you, Grandfather, for giving me this opportunity, but I have made up my mind. Please grant me your blessing."
I don't agree!
This girl is firmly against it!
Gu Jiu was shouting in her heart, but unfortunately no one could hear what she was saying.
Gu Jiu was in a dilemma. The situation was not right, so she couldn't speak freely. She could only beat Liu Zhao in her heart, repeatedly, until his skin was torn and flesh was exposed.
Liu Zhao suddenly felt his nose itchy.
He looked towards Gu Jiu, guessing that Gu Jiu was secretly cursing him in his heart.
Gu Jiu: Haha!
Emperor Kaiyao seems to be very free today.
He asked Gu Jiu, "Gu Jiu, what do you think of the emperor's grandson Liu Zhao?"
Gu Jiu was finally able to look at Liu Zhao openly. She was in such an awkward situation. What could she say in this situation? Of course, she could only say nice things.
Gu Jiu smiled shyly, "Gong Zizhao is naturally excellent."
"Really? So, if I ask you to marry the emperor's grandson Liu Zhao, would you be willing?"
Gu Jiulong's hands were hidden in his sleeves, tightly gripping the handkerchief.
Faced with the emperor's question, could she say no?
Gu Jiu lowered his eyebrows and said docilely, "Marriage is a matter of great importance. It's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words."
The standard official answer will never go wrong.
"From what you said, I don't seem to be too happy to marry the emperor's grandson Liu Zhao."
Gu Jiu lowered his head, smiled awkwardly and remained silent.
Liu Zhao frowned, stepped forward, and said, "Grandfather, I have a few words to say to Miss Gu."
Emperor Kaiyao looked at Liu Zhao with a half-smile, "Speak, I won't hinder you."
Liu Zhao walked towards Gu Jiu with a stern face and expressionless expression.
Gu Jiu watched Liu Zhao walking towards her. She couldn't retreat, so she could only stand there with her eyes wide open.
Liu Zhao came to Gu Jiu, and the two were less than ten centimeters apart.
Gu Jiu asked quietly, "You want to choose a wife, why did you choose me? Are you sick?"
Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows with a serious expression, whispering in her ear, "This young master has already chosen you. I advise you to accept it. Or do you want to marry into the Eastern Palace?"
Gu Jiu was not at all false, "Don't scare me with the Eastern Palace. How could the Eastern Palace know me? I am just a small figure, not worthy of the Eastern Palace's attention."
"You're wrong! From the moment I circled your name, you've already caught the eye of both Weiyang Palace and the Eastern Palace. If you don't marry me, you can only marry the Eastern Palace. Do you understand?"
Liu Zhao's lips were pressed against Gu Jiu's earlobe.
The warm breath beside his ears made Gu Jiu feel uncomfortable.
"You plotted against me!"
Liu Zhao raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and said seriously: "Yes, this young master has plotted against you. Do you want to beat me up?"
Gu Jiu glared at him, "How shameless!"
Liu Zhao completely blocked Gu Jiu's escape route. Now, Gu Jiu seemed to have no other choice but to marry Liu Zhao.
Gu Jiu calmed down and said, "My family background is not prominent. There is no benefit in marrying me."
Liu Zhao looked at Gu Jiu with a half-smile, "Are you sure? The you I know wouldn't be so unconfident."
Gu Jiu frowned, "What do you like about me? Can't I change?"
Liu Zhao spat out blood and snorted coldly, "Anyway, just wait for the imperial edict."
After saying this, Liu Zhao left and said to Emperor Kaiyao, "Your Majesty, I have already reached an agreement with Miss Gu. She agrees to marry me."
This time it was Gu Jiu's turn to spit blood. He cursed inwardly, "This fickle villain, this bastard, be damned!"
Emperor Kaiyao stared at Gu Jiu, "Gu Jiu, do you agree to marry the emperor's grandson Liu Zhao?"
Liu Zhao turned his head, his eyes piercing Gu Jiu like a sword.
It was as if she was reminding Gu Jiu that if she didn't marry me, she could only marry the East Palace. The two young masters in the East Palace were both fat. Are you sure you want to marry a fat man instead of me?
Gu Jiu was very irritable. She took a deep breath and said calmly, "It's all up to your Majesty."
As a girl, of course I can't just say who I'm willing to marry.
Moreover, Gu Jiu was worried that when he said the word "yes", his voice would tremble and His Majesty would see the flaw.
Emperor Kaiyao laughed heartily, "It seems that talking is still useful. You can withdraw first and go back to wait for the emperor's order."
Gu Jiu bowed and retreated.
Liu Zhao said loudly: "Thank you, Grandfather Emperor, for your help."
Emperor Kaiyao looked at Liu Zhao deeply and said, "As long as you don't regret it, it's fine."
"My grandson has no regrets."
"That's very good. Go down."
"Grandson obeys."
Liu Zhao left the hall and caught up with Gu Jiu.
He said with a stern face, "I will escort you out of the palace."
Gu Jiu frowned.
The eunuch tactfully withdrew.
This time, Gu Jiu had to accept it even if he didn’t want to.
Gu Jiu walked forward in silence. Liu Zhao walked side by side with her. "Are you not happy about marrying this young master?"
Gu Jiu used to be very wary of Liu Zhao's identity and kept his distance from him.
Now, thinking about the two of them being tied together for the rest of their lives, that fear disappeared in an instant.
Since there was no one around, Gu Jiu said without hesitation, "I'm afraid of dying too early."
Liu Zhao's eyebrows twitched. "You look down on me so much, are you sure I will die?"
Gu Jiu stopped and looked at him. "You, the grandson of the emperor, are all courting death. If you don't die, then someone else will. After all, there's a 50% chance that you'll die early. As your wife, if you die, how can I live?"
After saying that, Gu Jiu secretly rolled his eyes.
That’s enough!
She is determined to become a wealthy woman.
The imagined marriage was one of equal status and mutual respect. She would be a wealthy wife, living a life of luxury.
However, Liu Zhao's move completely disrupted her plan.
She wants to marry the emperor's grandson because she thinks her life is too long.
If we have to live in fear from now on, how can we still live like that?
At this moment, Liu Zhao really wanted to marry Gu Jiu home so that he could hold her down and spank her.
This woman must be trying to piss him off to death.
"Can't you just hope for the best for me? You should know that once the imperial decree comes, you and me will be tied together for the rest of your lives. Only when I am well can you be well."
Gu Jiu: Haha!
"What kind of good do you mean by good? Living in the palace? Transforming from a grandson of the emperor to a prince? That will be another bloody storm. My weak arms and legs can't bear such a heavy burden."
When Liu Zhao heard this, he didn't get angry but laughed instead.
He whispered in her ear, "The fact that you can say this proves that my judgment is correct. You are more suitable than anyone else to shoulder this heavy responsibility."
Gu Jiu looked at Liu Zhao as if he was a lunatic, wondering if he couldn't understand what he was saying?
Liu Zhao suddenly held Gu Jiu's hand.
Gu Jiu struggled but couldn't break free.
"Let go, someone's seen."
"What are you afraid of? You will be mine sooner or later anyway."
Gu Jiu snorted, looking disgusted, but still let Liu Zhao hold his hand.
Liu Zhao's palms were broad and steady, warm in the winter, carrying his warm body temperature.
Gu Jiu would never admit that she liked being held in this way. Her cold hands finally found warmth in the cold winter.
She looked arrogant and disdainful, "What do you want to say? Say it quickly. My time is precious."
Liu Zhao's mouth twitched. Why did he feel that Gu Jiu's attitude towards him had changed as much as a world of difference?
In the past, Gu Jiu always acted politely and called him "Young Master".
Now, he looked obviously impatient and disgusted, calling out "you, you" instead of even calling him "Young Master".
Liu Zhao frowned. Did he dig a hole for himself?
He said to Gu Jiu, "Seeing your attitude, I feel relieved."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows, looking confused.
Liu Zhao raised his hand and flicked Gu Jiu's forehead. He had wanted to do this a long time ago, as early as when he was in the northwest.
After waiting for so long, I finally fulfilled my wish.
Gu Jiu felt pain, touched his forehead which was hit, and bared his teeth at Liu Zhao.
You're addicted to bullying her, right?
Liu Zhao's face was serious, and he was particularly disgusted with Gu Jiu's unpresentable appearance. But in his heart, he had already laughed. This little expression was exactly as he imagined.
He coughed lightly and said, "Keep your current attitude. No matter how heavy the burden is in the future, I will carry it with you."
Gu Jiu didn't say anything. It would be superfluous to say anything now.
Liu Zhao was unhappy, "Don't you have anything to say to this young master?"
Gu Jiu looked at him. Why was he so tall that she had to crane her neck?
She asked, "Are you sure you want to hear me?"
Liu Zhao nodded, "OK."
Gu Jiu said solemnly, "Before the wedding, I hope you can stay away from me as far as possible. Don't meet me, and don't talk to me when we meet. Just pretend you don't know me. Can you agree to this?"
Liu Zhao was dissatisfied, his face gloomy, "Why?"
"Because I'm unhappy."
Gu Jiu was so righteous and confident.
Throwing aside her so-called identity concerns and her so-called politeness and caution, Gu Jiu did not hide the fact that she was really unhappy in front of Liu Zhao.
She needs some time to accept this marriage and adjust her mindset.
Forget about the imagined life of being well-matched and a wealthy woman.
She had to rearm herself to adapt to her new identity as the emperor's grandson's wife.
Because she doesn't want to die early, she wants to live a long life, until she is seventy or eighty, with many children and grandchildren.
She also has to learn to accept the man in front of her, cross him off the list of people she keeps her distance from, and treat him as a partner in interests and marriage.
There are so many things Gu Jiu needs to do.
So much so that she wanted to beat Liu Zhao up and let him know that she was capable of domestic violence.
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