Gu Jiu returned to the Gu Mansion in a carriage.
As soon as he got off the carriage, he was pulled into the front hall.
Everyone was there, and the Marquis's Mansion also sent people over.
Lord Gu was the first to ask, "Why did His Majesty summon you to the palace?"
Gu Jiu bowed and said, "Your Majesty asked if my daughter has arranged a marriage?"
"That's it?"
Everyone frowned.
Xie clutched a handkerchief in her hand, staring at Gu Jiu with a fierce look in her eyes, "Could it be that His Majesty wants to let the second girl enter the palace?"
"Shut up! If you don't know how to speak, don't speak." Lord Gu scolded Xie harshly.
Xie was extremely embarrassed and her face turned red. Seeing the fierce look of Lord Gu, she immediately felt aggrieved.
Lord Gu lowered his voice and angrily scolded, "You even dare to make up stories about His Majesty. Are you tired of living?"
Xie's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said, "I'm just guessing."
Lord Gu snorted coldly and ignored her.
"Xiao Jiu, did His Majesty ask anything else?"
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, asked softly.
Gu Jiu glanced at everyone and thought about it. He estimated that everyone would know the truth of the matter by tomorrow at the latest.
She cleared her throat and said, "His Majesty also asked me if I would marry the Emperor's grandson."
ah?
Everyone was shocked.
First, he was surprised that His Majesty actually viewed Gu Jiu differently and specially summoned her into the palace just to ask her if she was willing to marry the emperor's grandson?
Second, was he surprised that Gu Jiu would marry the emperor's grandson?
The more I look at this, the more I don't understand it. It's so strange.
Lord Gu asked hurriedly, "Did His Majesty tell you which grandson of the Emperor you would marry?"
Everyone perked up and paid attention to Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu shook his head slightly, "Your Majesty never said that."
Lord Gu frowned, unable to understand.
He then asked, "Your Majesty asked you a question, how did you answer?"
Gu Jiu said, "My daughter said marriage is a big deal, it's up to the parents and the matchmaker."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Gu Jiu's answer was not wrong, but it was not outstanding either. It could only be said to be a standard answer.
"His Majesty really didn't tell you which grandson of the emperor you should marry?" Xie didn't believe Gu Jiu and was sure that he was harboring evil intentions, so she asked.
Gu Jiu nodded, "I really didn't say that."
She didn't want to cause any trouble before the imperial decree granting the marriage came down.
Everything will have to wait until the imperial edict comes down. Even if someone wants to make trouble at that time, she will not be afraid since the imperial edict is there.
Mr. Gu's mind was full of the lawsuit. "Brother, what do you think about this?"
The eldest master, Gu Zhiming, shook his head slightly. "I don't understand. Logically, His Majesty shouldn't know Xiaojiu, but he summoned Xiaojiu to the palace for the purpose of choosing a wife for the emperor's grandson. I just can't understand this."
"I can't figure it out either." Lord Gu frowned, almost worried to death.
The eldest wife, Zhang, said, "Why not go to the Marquis' Mansion and ask. The Marquis' Mansion is well-informed, and perhaps they have already received the news from the palace."
Master Gu nodded and said, "Should we go to the Marquis' Mansion to ask? Will you come with me, brother?"
The eldest master nodded and said, "Let's go together. It's a good opportunity to pay New Year's greetings to my uncle and aunt. Maybe we can even ask for a red envelope."
Everyone laughed.
The master is old, but he still wants a red envelope, which is intentional to make people laugh.
The eldest wife, Zhang, laughed and scolded, "You are not a decent person. Be respectful when you meet the old marquis and the old lady."
The master nodded, "Don't worry! I know my limits."
As soon as the two masters left, only the women were left in the front hall.
Xie stared at Gu Jiu and said, "Second girl, what's going on? Tell me now."
The eldest wife, Zhang, looked at Xie with a strange expression, "I don't understand what you said, sister-in-law. Xiaojiu has said everything she needs to say, but from what you said, it seems like Xiaojiu is hiding something. How can this be justified?"
Xie looked at Zhang with a half-smile, "Sister-in-law, this is our second wife's family affair, could you please not interfere?"
Zhang laughed. "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, but I really have to intervene in this matter. The second girl is indeed your second wife's child, but if she marries the emperor's grandson, this matter will not only affect your second wife's family, but also the entire mansion, and even the Marquis' Mansion. As the mistress of the mansion, do you think I should intervene in this matter?"
Xie was furious and didn't bother to argue with Zhang. She asked Gu Jiu directly, "Second girl, why did His Majesty summon you?"
Gu Jiu said calmly, "Madam, it's just what I said before. His Majesty asked me if I had any marriage proposals and whether I wanted to marry the emperor's grandson. Other than that, there's nothing else."
"Why did His Majesty summon you to the palace? There are so many distinguished ladies in the capital. What merits have you earned to deserve His Majesty's attention?"
Xie was filled with anger and questioned Gu Jiu harshly.
Gu Jiu frowned, "The question my madam asked is exactly what I want to ask. I also want to know why His Majesty summoned me to the palace?"
"you……"
Xie was almost mad to death.
The eldest wife, Zhang, waved her hand and said, "Xiaojiu, you've been tired all day, go down and have a rest."
"Thank you, Auntie."
Gu Jiu turned and left.
Xie wanted to call Gu Jiu, but was stopped by the eldest wife Zhang.
"Sister-in-law, I know what you're thinking. Xiaojiu isn't your biological daughter, so you naturally don't want to see her marry the emperor's grandson and suppress Yue'er, Shan'er and the others."
Mrs. Xie's face was stern and frosty, "Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense."
Zhang pursed her lips and smiled, waved her hand, and all the maids retreated.
She said to Xie, "Sister-in-law, today I'm going to tell you a few words from the bottom of my heart. Please listen. What do you think?"
"Sister-in-law, please speak."
Xie still had to give face to Zhang.
Zhang took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, then said, "Although Xiaojiu is not your child, in name, you are her mother and she is your daughter.
Sister-in-law, you can't always find fault with Xiaojiu. You have to think about it the other way around. If Xiaojiu really wants to marry the emperor's grandson, let's not talk about the future, just talk about the next two years. When Shan'er is getting married, won't it be good for her to have an older sister who is married to the emperor's grandson?
Even if you go out on your own and people hear that you are the mother-in-law of a certain emperor's grandson, won't they look at you with a higher regard?"
Xie's face was wooden. "Sister-in-law, you said so much. What exactly do you want me to do?"
Zhang looked at Xie with a half-smile, "After all, it won't be bad for you if Xiaojiu can have a good marriage.
Even if Yue'er and Shan'er are not as good as Xiaojiu, what does it matter?
My sister-in-law cannot just see Xiaojiu’s glory in front of others and ignore the sadness she suffers behind the scenes.
Marrying the grandson of the emperor is no easy feat. On a good note, it brings endless wealth and splendor.
But if you are unlucky, death and destruction will happen in the blink of an eye."
Xie frowned.
Zhang continued to whisper to her, "This time when the emperor's grandson was choosing a wife, all the important families in the capital were trying to avoid him. Do you know the reason, sister-in-law?
Because marrying the emperor's grandson was too risky. There was only one seat, and only one person could take it.
In other words, most of the princes and grandchildren of the emperor are destined to have a bad ending.
We don't have the life to gamble, so to protect the family, we can only avoid it. Do you understand, sister-in-law?"
Xie frowned and looked at Zhang, "Sister-in-law, you don't think the East Palace will be a good place?"
Zhang raised her eyebrows and smiled, "It's impossible for a woman like me to understand the affairs of the imperial court. Let's not talk about this, let's not talk about this."
As she spoke, she waved her hands, obviously not wanting to talk about the East Palace.
Xie gritted her teeth and said, "So, the second girl will really marry the emperor's grandson?"
"Maybe. If the palace really issues an imperial decree, my sister-in-law will quickly prepare a generous dowry for Xiaojiu."
Xie laughed at herself, "It's not my turn to prepare the dowry for the second girl."
Zhang was a little confused. "I don't understand what my sister-in-law is saying. Does she have to prepare Xiaojiu's dowry herself?"
Xie snorted coldly, "Sister-in-law, don't you know that Sister Su's dowry has been managed by my master all these years. From the beginning to the end, I have never touched it.
Before Sister Su passed away, she said that her dowry would be divided equally between Sanlang and Eryatou.
With the half of the dowry left by Sister Su, there is no need for me to worry about the second girl's marriage."
Listening to Xie's resentful words, Zhang smiled contemptuously.
I don’t know what to say to Mrs. Xie. Her mind is as narrow as the tip of a needle. Gu Jiu is about to get married, but she is still nitpicking.
No wonder Lord Gu was dissatisfied with Xie after the second family returned to Beijing.
Xie's personality had no influence on Lord Gu when he was sent out to serve as a local official.
Among all the ladies around, Xie had the highest status. Everyone had to flatter her, and as long as she didn't go too far, everyone would tolerate her.
But now he is in the capital, where third-rank officials are everywhere and nobles are treated worse than dogs. Lord Gu has a hundred thousand mountains pressing down on him, and he has to be cautious in everything he does and act according to other people's wishes.
Xie was still acting as usual, thinking that since she was in a local area, everyone had to flatter her.
If they keep doing this, the first person who can't stand it will definitely be Lord Gu.
Lord Gu has adjusted himself and is dealing with the situation in the capital with a new mindset.
However, Xie's mentality is still stuck in the past. She thinks, "I'm the boss, and you all have to listen to me." Sooner or later, she'll offend people and get into trouble.
Unfortunately, Xie is unaware of this and remains extremely confident.
If someone else were in Xie's position, even if Gu Jiu was not her biological child, they would be open and happy to prepare for Gu Jiu's marriage.
Gu Jiu married well, and the whole family was honored.
Even if I can't ask Gu Jiu for help directly, I can still get some help indirectly.
Just like what Zhang had said before, when Gu Shan was looking for a partner, she would definitely be able to find a better match by using Gu Jiu's name. Her sons would also be able to marry girls from better families.
Zhang herself was planning to wait for the imperial edict so that she could use Gu Jiu's name to find two better marriages for her two sons.
No matter how much people resist marrying the emperor's grandson, if someone in the family really marries him, it will always be a good thing that will bring more benefits than disadvantages to families like the Gu family before the battle for the throne is settled.
Of course, for a family like the Marquis' Mansion, the disadvantages naturally outweigh the advantages.
Because they will be forced to participate in the fight for the throne.
The Gu family was just an ordinary official family with limited capabilities. If they wanted to participate in the struggle for the throne, the princes and grandchildren might not even look down on them.
All the reasons that needed to be explained had been given, but Xie was still stubborn and refused to listen to advice, so Zhang was too lazy to continue wasting her breath.
Zhang took a sip of tea and said, "If Xiaojiu is really betrothed to the emperor's grandson, the dowry will be at least 120 sets, or 30,000 taels or more. It's better for my sister-in-law to make plans early."
When Mrs. Xie heard about the 120 sets and the dowry of more than 30,000 taels, her face turned green.
"Sister-in-law, you are kidding, right? Thirty thousand taels? I don't believe that Sister Su's dowry can be thirty thousand taels. Even if it is thirty thousand taels, it is impossible to give it all to the second girl. Half of it has to be divided with Gu Ting."
Zhang smiled and said, "My sister-in-law and my second brother will discuss this matter. I will not get involved."
Mrs. Xie said with a stern face, "Our two families haven't split up yet. How much money can the public treasury give to the second girl when she gets married?"
"According to the rules, a legitimate daughter gets 3,000 taels, and a concubine's daughter gets 1,500 taels. Doesn't my sister-in-law know about this? A few days ago, you sent someone to ask me for Gu Yue's dowry. I said I'd give it to you on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Did you really forget?"
Zhang looked at Xie with a half-smile.
Mrs. Xie was furious. "What can three thousand taels do? It's not even enough for my daughter's dowry."
Zhang smiled and said, "I can't help you with that. Even for a daughter born to a marquis, the court only gives a dowry of five thousand taels of silver. The rest must be paid by each family.
"Sister-in-law, we can't compare to the Marquis's Mansion, but three thousand taels is not a small amount. It is more than ten times better than many officials in the capital. We have to thank our ancestors for allowing us to enjoy Zu Meng."
Xie was so blocked by Zhang that she couldn't say a word and her face turned pale.
Zhang stood up and said, "Ah, there's a banquet at the mansion tomorrow, and there are still many things to prepare. Sister-in-law, you are busy, I'll be leaving first."
Zhang left with her maids and servants.
Xie picked up the teacup and was about to throw it to the ground.
As a result, her hand was in mid-air, and she remembered that this was public property. If she dared to smash the teacup, Zhang would ask her to pay for it.
Xie gritted her teeth and put the teacup back on the table.
She stood up and said to Chun He who rushed in, "Let's go back."
…
In Weiyang Palace, Fang Shaojian stood by the bed and reported the situation.
The Queen closed her eyes, as if she was asleep.
But when Fang Shaojian finished his report, the Queen opened her eyes instantly.
Her eyes sparkled, bright as stars.
"Liu Zhao wants to marry Gu Jiu? Is this true?"
"It's absolutely true. His Majesty summoned Gu Jiu. I heard that Gu Jiu performed very well. His Majesty basically approved of this marriage. I estimate that he will issue an edict to grant the marriage tomorrow."
The Empress laughed. "Do you think Liu Zhao chose Gu Jiu because he was really stupid or just pretending to be stupid? Or does he have some other ulterior motive?"
Fang Shaojian thought for a moment, "Her Majesty has met Gu Jiu. What kind of girl is she?"
The Queen Mother recalled the process of meeting Gu Jiu and said, "She is a steady girl."
Fang Shaojian looked puzzled. "There are so many noble ladies in the capital, but Gongzi Zhao chose the unknown Gu Jiu. How strange!"
"That's right! Liu Zhao is a traitor. He previously provoked disputes, giving the Jinwu Guards an excuse to investigate the Eastern Palace. If I hadn't noticed it in time and caught all the corrupt officials in the Eastern Palace, he would have almost succeeded. I really underestimated him before."
Fang Shaojian said, "I did underestimate Gongzi Zhao in the past. But it's a bit strange that he chose to attack at this time."
The Empress sneered, "I guess they see that I'm almost at my limit, and can't hold it in any longer, so they want to jump out and challenge the Eastern Palace. They're also taking this opportunity to test my abilities and see if I can suppress the Eastern Palace."
"Your Majesty can naturally suppress the Eastern Palace."
"But the Crown Prince can't control the Eastern Palace. Once I'm gone, the Eastern Palace will be in danger if it relies solely on the Crown Prince. Liu Zhao obviously saw this. He chose Gu Jiu as his wife simply to dispel my suspicions about him. Humph, how could I fall for his tricks?"
"What should I do next?"
The Queen frowned, a thousand thoughts flashing through her mind.
"Your Majesty, would you like to help Young Master Zhao? After all, the Gu family is not as noble as the nobles. If Young Master Zhao marries Gu Jiu, it means that he will not get any support from his wife's family. He might even be held back by the Gu family."
The Queen asked, "Why are you being held back?"
Fang Shaojian smiled and said, "Master Gu's current wife was promoted from a concubine to his wife. It is said that she dislikes Gu Jiu very much. Your Majesty, don't you remember that Xie Mao, an official of the Eastern Palace, is Master Gu's brother-in-law?"
The Queen suddenly realized and finally remembered.
"My brain has been slow to react lately, and I actually forgot about this."
"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."
The Empress waved her hand and said, "I don't have many days left. Death is the same whether it's early or late. I just hope that everything will be properly arranged before I die."
After a pause, she continued, "It seems Xie Mao is still useful."
"Exactly. Xie Mao may not be good at anything else, but he's a master at taking shortcuts."
The Empress laughed sarcastically, "When the storm has died down, tell the Crown Prince to reinstate Xie Mao to his post, specifically to create trouble for the Gu family. Liu Zhao wants to marry Gu Jiu, and I will help him. If he is then held back by the Gu family, it will be his own fault."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
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