Liu Zhao poured Gu Jiu a cup of tea as an apology.
Gu Jiu took the teacup and took a symbolic sip.
Liu Zhao asked with a smile, "Are you not angry anymore?"
Gu Jiu snorted, "Tell me, what's going on?"
"How would I know what happened? When I woke up, that Concubine Wang was already in the room. The situation was urgent, and there was no other choice but to kill her to silence her."
Gu Jiu chuckled, "Murder to silence her? Did something happen between you and her?"
"This is absolutely an injustice! She threw herself at me, but I refused to comply. And yet the palace maids around her aided her in her evil deeds. I couldn't just surrender and surrender. I had no choice but to kill her."
Liu Zhao acted so pure and innocent that he almost made Gu Jiu laugh.
Gu Jiu coughed lightly, covered his lips with his hands and smiled secretly, then said with a straight face: "Okay, I'll believe you for now. What do you think about this matter?"
Liu Zhao leaned back in his chair and said, "What else can I think? Someone must be taking advantage of me and trying to frame me."
Gu Jiu smiled softly and said casually, "There must be a lot of people who dislike you. Do you have any specific goals?"
Liu Zhao shook his head. "Like you said, there are too many people who dislike me. Everyone who attended the palace banquet that day is a suspect. Even those who didn't attend are suspects. Everyone looks suspicious. But who exactly is it? Before killing Concubine Wang, I forgot to ask about this. I was too busy killing people."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows. What Liu Zhao said sounded untrue.
snort!
He's playing tricks again.
Gu Jiu didn't expose him either.
"What are your plans next?"
"Of course I want to get out as soon as possible. But seeing what my father means, I have to stay in Zongzheng Temple for a while. Just as a chance to cultivate my character."
Gu Jiu said, "Yesterday I went to the palace and met with my mother. She was very worried about your situation. She said she secretly sent people to investigate Concubine Wang, but found no evidence of her interactions with anyone. It looks like this matter will eventually become a cold case and will be left unresolved."
Liu Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Hasn't Concubine Wang's death been announced yet?"
"They said they wouldn't announce it until after the Lantern Festival. It's unlucky to have someone die in the palace during the New Year."
Liu Zhao said lazily, "In that case, I have to bear the charge of murder."
Gu Jiu rolled his eyes at him and said, "Since you killed someone, it's only natural that you should be charged with murder. Or, you didn't kill that person?"
Liu Zhao laughed heartily. "Of course I killed him. There was no one else at the scene. Well, since I killed him, it's not unfair for me to bear the blame. It seems I will have to stay in Zongzheng Temple for a while. I'll have to trouble you to take care of the household affairs. You can use Qian Fu as you like. I have no objection."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Then I won't be polite. I have wanted to recruit Qian Fu for a long time, but unfortunately he refused to agree."
"The people I train are naturally loyal to me. Lending them to you occasionally is fine, but poaching them is unkind."
Gu Jiu teased, "We are husband and wife. They say husband and wife are one. So what if I steal your girl?"
Liu Zhao reached out and hugged her, "I want to steal your girl too, will you let me?"
"Dreaming is faster." Gu Jiu was not polite at all.
"Look, look. This is what you are like. You allow the officials to set fires, but you don't allow the people to light lamps." Liu Zhao complained in a low voice.
Gu Jiu looked at him with a half-smile, "Do you have any objections?"
Liu Zhao chuckled and waved his hands repeatedly, "How dare I object? In front of my father, I told you that all matters at home are up to you, big or small, and I will obey your orders."
Gu Ji pursed his lips and smiled, "You've passed. Since you can't leave for a while, just stay here peacefully. I'll arrange for someone to deliver things to you regularly."
Liu Zhao felt aggrieved, "You won't come to see me?"
Gu Jiu said lazily, "I've been resting for nearly a year. I can't rest any longer. I have to get busy."
Liu Zhao said, "We already have enough wealth. Can't we slow down and develop step by step?"
Gu Jiu shook his head, "I'm not just pursuing wealth."
When her wealth accumulated to astronomical figures, her original intention for wealth changed.
She wanted to do something, to leave something behind in this era, and to contribute something to this era.
If she could change this era a little bit, move forward a little bit, and make a little progress, her life would be complete and meaningful, and her life would not be in vain.
But there are some things that cannot be said now.
She looked at Liu Zhao and smiled, "Do you believe me?"
"Of course I believe you. Whatever you want to do, I always support you unconditionally."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I'm afraid I won't have time to visit you when I get busy. But you're a frequent visitor to Zongzheng Temple, so I think you'll adapt well here."
"This is slander." Liu Zhao denied it seriously.
Gu Jiu didn't argue with him.
She was lazy and in a low mood.
Liu Zhao asked cautiously, "What happened?"
Gu Jiu frowned slightly, "I executed Aunt Tan, who was by my father's side, and Xie Shi."
Liu Zhao said nonchalantly, "Just execute two people, why take it to heart?"
Gu Jiu was filled with sorrow. "I don't know when it started, but my heart has become colder and harder, and I've become more and more cruel. I used to take no life easily, but now killing people is like child's play, like a complete villain. Am I particularly hateful now?"
Liu Zhao kissed her on the cheek. "People who say they are bad people are usually not really bad people. They say they look hateful, but I think they are pretty good-looking."
Gu Jiu looked annoyed. "Stop talking nonsense. I'm serious. I feel like I've changed. I've become more and more disgusting. I've become a cruel and ruthless woman who treats human life as worthless. A casual word can decide someone's life or death.
Sometimes I feel terrified. How could someone who values life so much be seduced by the power to control human life? Will I one day become a slave to power? What will become of me if I no longer value any life?
Liu Zhao was silent for a moment, then said, "Do you know what the biggest difference between you and others is?"
Gu Jiu frowned, "Could it be that I am richer than most people?"
Liu Zhao chuckled and said, "The biggest difference is that you're good at introspection. You're better at self-reflection than anyone else. You constantly reflect on yourself, and for that alone, you're better than most people.
You said you feared you'd one day become a slave to power, that you'd become accustomed to trampling on human life at will, cold-blooded and ruthless, and hideous. The fact that you could say that proves you'd never become that kind of person.
Gu Jiu stared at him. "What right do you have to make such a decision? I'm still young, and the future is unpredictable."
Liu Zhao smiled and said, "You're being too stubborn. As the saying goes, it's easy to change a country, but hard to change one's nature. Your nature is destined to prevent you from becoming a truly cold-blooded and merciless hero who kills people as easily as drinking water."
You, having just executed two deserving men, can't help but reflect on your actions. Someone like you simply doesn't have the potential to be a powerful leader. At best, you're just good at talking.
Pooh!
Gu Jiu didn't appreciate it.
Liu Zhao laughed and asked, "Are you unhappy?"
Gu Jiu rolled his eyes at him and said, "If it were you, would you be happy?"
"I'm so happy! If you were willing to praise me more, I would be so happy that I could fly to heaven."
Look at what you are capable of, you can even go to heaven.
Gu Jiu sat up from his arms and said, "Don't worry, I won't dwell on trivial matters. When I need to be ruthless, I won't show mercy."
Liu Zhao kissed her and said, "If you're really in a difficult situation, just let Qian Fu do it. I promise to do it beautifully for you. As for you, out of sight, out of mind. Why bother worrying about the lives of those insignificant people?"
Gu Jiu sighed secretly.
The truly cold-blooded person was not her, but Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao is the hero who can kill people as easily as drinking water.
She held his head and said, "Promise me that no matter when, where, or what the situation, you will never lose your original heart."
Liu Zhao smiled and said, "Are you worried about me? Then stay by my side forever and don't leave. I need you to witness my downfall and my glory. Life would be so boring without you by my side."
Gu Jiu snorted and reached out to pinch his cheek. "Of course I'm worried about you. But you can't do anything rash."
"If you do things according to a plan, you're not acting recklessly. It's a pity for your Highness, the eldest prince, to have to stay alone in an empty room."
Gu Jiu snorted at him, "Your Highness, would you like me to arrange two beautiful concubines to warm your bed?"
"My beautiful concubine, there's no need for that. If my lady is willing to visit me often, I will be very satisfied."
Gu Jiu laughed and kissed him, "Be good, and I'll come to see you often."
"You said it, don't regret it."
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