"Mother, what did you and Shaojian Fang do behind my back? Is there anything I don't know? Tell me."
The King of Chu realized that he had been deceived by his closest relatives.
Concubine Sun narrowed her eyes and looked at him, "Are you sure you want to bring up old grudges at this time?"
The King of Chu was so excited that he wanted to roar, but when the words came to his lips, only a sigh came out.
"My mother kept it a secret from me for my own good, right?"
"Of course! If I'm not hiding it from you, it's you who's imprisoned here today, not me."
The King of Chu shuddered. "Mother, can you tell me why Grandfather sent the Jinwu Guards to arrest someone? What taboo has the palace violated?"
Concubine Sun slowly shook her head. "It has nothing to do with the palace. It's just a few things left over from when I was still living in the East Palace that I didn't clean up properly."
The King of Chu smiled sadly, "In my mother's heart, I will always be a child who needs protection."
"You will always be my child. It is my responsibility to protect you." Concubine Sun said solemnly.
The King of Chu nodded, "I understand. Thank you, Mother, for everything you have done for me."
Concubine Sun laughed. "I am very satisfied that you understand my painstaking efforts. When you return, keep a low profile and don't overthink things. When this storm is over, you will still be the King of Chu."
The King of Chu looked at her and asked, "What did Mother and Fang Shaojian discuss? Is it to support me to take that position?"
Concubine Sun lowered her voice and whispered, "Of course I do. But Your Majesty has given birth to too many sons. If you take care of one, there's always another. This palace and Young Supervisor Fang have tried their best, but we can't persuade Your Majesty to change his mind and make the grandson the crown prince, rather than the prince."
The King of Chu lowered his head and smiled sadly, "Mother and Young Supervisor Fang, there's really no need to be like this. In fact, over the past two years, I've gradually realized that many of my past thoughts were delusional. That position has been getting further and further away from me since my father passed away. If my father were still alive, perhaps there would still be a glimmer of hope."
Concubine Sun looked at her son with a complicated expression.
If it was a year ago, no, half a year ago, she would have been furious and criticized the King of Chu harshly after hearing his unambitious remarks.
But today, she was actually very glad that the King of Chu had lost his ambition.
Only by not having unrealistic ambitions can one live a comfortable royal life.
"You are right to think so. From now on, you will be an idle prince and live a carefree life."
At this moment, Concubine Sun sighed deeply. She had fought and struggled all her life, even risking the life of Crown Prince Renxuan.
When he was middle-aged and imprisoned in the Zongzheng Temple, he realized that man cannot fight against fate.
With the death of Crown Prince Renxuan, their era was over.
All these years of struggle are just a flash of light.
The emperor lacks everything except a son.
What a pity!
Concubine Sun raised her head and a tear fell.
She raised her hand and wiped away her tears when no one was paying attention.
She was the strong Princess Consort of the Eastern Palace, the Dowager Consort of the Prince of Chu. She could not cry.
Crying is an act of weakness.
She has been tough all her life and will continue to be tough.
The King of Chu felt sad and asked, "What should I do to rescue my mother?"
"No need to save me. Your Majesty will let me out when the time comes." If Your Majesty is unwilling to let her go, the King of Chu will come to collect her body.
She has lived a lifetime and it is enough.
The King of Chu was shocked and confused.
Concubine Sun smiled and touched his head, just like the little prince in the East Palace many years ago.
She smiled and said, "My life here is a little hard, but nothing special. Just live your life well and don't think about trivial things."
The King of Chu nodded heavily. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Will Fang Shaojian be caught?"
Concubine Sun laughed. "He won't be caught. He's too smart. But you must not associate with him from now on. He's a wolf. He has no loyalty to the Chu Palace. He just wants to use the Chu Palace to achieve his ulterior motives."
The King of Chu stared at Concubine Sun. "Is it true that he won't be caught? I heard that Liu Zhao has never given up searching for him."
Concubine Sun smiled calmly, "Even if he is really caught, he will end his life in time. He knows too much, and he cannot fall into the hands of anyone. This is his mission. So, you don't have to worry about him saying anything that is detrimental to the palace."
The King of Chu looked at him with a complicated expression. "Mother, is the reason you are imprisoned here related to my father's death?"
Concubine Sun's expression changed drastically. Her eyes were sharp and her momentum was full. She asked in a stern voice, "Who told you that? Who is talking nonsense?"
"My son just heard it from others."
"You dare to believe something you heard from others? Don't you have a brain? You don't trust me, but instead believe the nonsense of outsiders. What's your judgment? I'm wholeheartedly planning for you, but you suspect me of harming you. Do you want to force me to death?"
"Mother, calm down. That's not what I meant."
The King of Chu was terrified, intimidated by the aura of Concubine Sun. He didn't even dare to raise his head. He was afraid of the woman in front of him called his mother.
"If that's not what you meant, then shut up!"
The Queen Mother Sun remained strong and always showed no mercy when scolding the King of Chu.
The King of Chu was trembling with fear and repeatedly apologized, and only then was this hurdle passed.
Concubine Sun sighed, "You sometimes just like to listen to one side of the story. Well, I don't blame you. It's my fault that I'm incompetent and can't stay by your side to teach you."
The King of Chu said, "I will go to the Emperor and plead with him to spare my mother."
"No need! Once the rumors outside die down, you can send Gu Liangdi away."
The King of Chu looked puzzled. "My mother said it all, Xie Shi was ordered to kill. Since Xie Shi and Gu Liangdi are innocent, why did my son send her away? After all, she gave birth to a child for me."
Concubine Sun said as a matter of course: "Her reputation is ruined. Whether she and Xie Shi have an affair or not, she will never be able to wash away the bad reputation of adultery in this life. If you keep her, it will only ruin your reputation.
Sending her away and giving her some money to support herself would be the most benevolent thing we can do. She has her family to rely on, and she has a generous dowry, so she can remarry. This would be good for everyone."
The King of Chu frowned, "Do you really have to send her away?"
"Do you have feelings for her?"
The King of Chu shook his head, "That's not the case. It's just that my son never wrongs a woman. This is his first time doing something like this, and he's not used to it."
"If you don't want to come forward, let the princess take care of it for you."
The King of Chu nodded. "I'll listen to Mother. So, should Xie Shi be sent away as well?"
"Sending him to the military camp was the condition we agreed to with him in advance."
"All right!"
"I won't harm you."
The King of Chu smiled and said, "I know. Mother, please take care of yourself. I will come to see you another day."
From then on, the King of Chu never visited Gu Yue again until Gu Yue was driven out of the palace.
This is a story for later, so let’s not discuss it for now.
…
Xingqing Palace.
Chen Dachang's injuries have almost healed.
He held a stack of memorials and placed them on the desk.
Inside the bedroom, next to the window, there was an extra desk and a chair.
The emperor was tired of lying in bed, so he had someone carry him to sit by the window. He read the memorials, dictated, and asked someone to hold a pen to review them for him.
Chen Dachang placed the memorial on the desk and said, "Your Majesty has been busy all morning. It's time to rest."
"Is there still endless debate in the court?"
Chen Dachang nodded. "Yes. The court officials have been arguing over which prince should be appointed as the crown prince, and there has been no conclusion. However, the other elders have requested that Your Majesty make the final decision."
The emperor laughed sarcastically, "At this moment, they want me to take charge and make decisions. What have they been doing before?"
Chen Dachang didn't dare to say anything.
The emperor reached out his left hand, picked up a memorial, and flipped through it casually, feeling somewhat frustrated. It was all about requests for the establishment of a crown prince, with not a single bit of originality.
The emperor asked Chen Dachang, "What's new recently?"
"It's the same as always. Gongzi Zhao is busy arresting people, and the rumors in the Chu Palace are getting more and more intense. Everyone is very curious."
"I asked Liu Zhao to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors, but did he turn a deaf ear to my words?" The emperor was angry but did not show it.
Chen Dachang didn't dare to speak carelessly.
The emperor snorted coldly, "I'll deal with him after he catches him. Anything else?"
"There is one thing. Madam Zhao has come into the palace with a sign, requesting an audience with His Majesty."
The emperor became interested, "Why does she want to see me?"
Chen Dachang whispered, "It should be about Mr. Gu's case."
The emperor laughed and said, "Go tell her that she has no right to interfere in Gu Zhili's case. I need someone who has the final say to come to this matter. If they don't come, I will keep dragging this case out."
Chen Dachang pondered these words and vaguely touched the edge of the truth.
Whether Lord Gu was being plotted against or not was not important to the emperor.
The important thing is that Lord Gu has become a target, and the emperor can take this opportunity to resolve some old issues.
Chen Dachang bowed and accepted the order.
When he had time, he went to Prince Ning's Mansion to see Gu Jiu in person and repeated the emperor's words to Gu Jiu without changing a word.
After hearing this, Gu Jiu had only one reaction:
My head is so confused.
Who does the emperor want?
The person who has a say in this matter is definitely not Prince Ning, nor Liu Zhao, nor her.
Who could that be?
Is it the Gu family?
The answer seems to be the Gu family.
"Thank you, Eunuch Chen, for coming here in person. I'll have someone prepare a banquet right away. Eunuch Chen rarely leaves the palace, so why not stay and have a drink?"
Chen Dachang waved his hand, "No need. I have to rush back to the palace to report. I'll have another chance to drink with Madam in the future."
"Eunuch Chen, are you leaving now? Then I'll see you out."
Gu Jiu personally saw Chen Dachang off and gave him a generous gift. As the New Year was approaching, he considered it a New Year's gift.
Chen Dachang did not refuse. He asked the eunuch beside him to accept the gift and go back to the palace directly.
Back at the East Courtyard, Gu Jiu called Xu Yousi
"Go back to the Gu family on my behalf and tell the Gu family's eldest master and the old man what Eunuch Chen said."
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