The summer in the capital was extremely hot, but Emperor Wende still did not release Liu Zhao.
It seems that Liu Zhao will be imprisoned until he dies of old age.
While Liu Zhao was away from the court, other princes came to the fore one after another and each of them performed well.
Emperor Wende was very pleased and praised several princes for their excellent performance in front of the court officials many times, which was in line with his style in the past.
This is a complete change from the previous emperor's style.
The late emperor was always stingy with compliments and was even harsher towards the prince, to the point that calling him a beast was the gentlest move he could make.
In just over half a year, Liu Zhao had not appeared before the court officials, and rumors had already spread in the court that the eldest prince might have lost the emperor's favor.
Even if Liu Zhao could get out of the Zongzheng Temple in the future, his future would be ruined.
There are many people who have this idea.
Even though all the court officials were born as Jinshi, there were many who followed the crowd and changed their views according to the situation.
Especially when several princes were given important positions or even praised, more and more unfavorable remarks about Liu Zhao appeared.
There were so many of them that even when Gu Jiu was hiding in the palace, he could not avoid hearing similar arguments.
Princess Huyang came to visit.
"Nephew's wife, how can you still sit still? What are people talking about outside? Don't you want to think of a way to turn the situation around?"
Princess Huyang came despite the scorching sun, all sweaty.
Gu Jiu quickly welcomed the person in, "Aunt, wash your face quickly and drink some iced watermelon juice."
"I just like the iced watermelon juice you have here. The watermelon juice made in other places is always a little bit worse."
Gu smiled and said, "I've prepared a large cup, I guarantee you'll have enough to drink."
"That would be great."
Huyang washed his face and drank some iced watermelon juice. He felt cool all over and refreshed.
After feeling better, I remembered the purpose of my visit today.
"My nephew's wife, you're really sitting still. There's all sorts of rumors going around. Everyone's speculating about what the emperor is up to, saying Liu Zhao is doomed. And you, on the other hand, stay in the palace every day and don't do anything about it."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "Thank you, aunt, for coming to tell me this. You know, I hate summers. I don't like to move when summer comes."
Hu Yang hurriedly said, "We can't just ignore Liu Zhao's affairs. Do you want him to be locked up in Zongzheng Temple for the rest of his life?"
"How can I care! It was His Majesty's idea to imprison him in the Zongzheng Temple. How can I change His Majesty's decision?"
"Although you can't change my brother's mind, you can find a way to get Liu Zhao out of Zongzheng Temple sooner! You've made such a great contribution. I heard that the people in the mountains are growing sweet potatoes, so there won't be famine next year. If you mention this great contribution to the palace, maybe my brother will release Liu Zhao."
Gu Jiu smiled, but shook his head and said, "Your Majesty has already rewarded me for the contribution of presenting sweet potato seeds. If I bring up sweet potatoes again to seek credit, I would be ungrateful. If His Majesty is angry, not only will he take back the previous reward, he might even impose a more severe punishment."
Hu Yang was stunned when he heard this. "That's true. Given my brother's temper, if I really anger him, he definitely wouldn't mind taking back the reward."
What should we do then? Should we just ignore Liu Zhao? Of all the princes, I favor him the most. I've placed all my hopes on you two, counting on a lifetime of dividends from you.
If something happens to Liu Zhao and he can't get back on his feet, how many years can you still enjoy these dividends? If it were any other prince, I'm afraid your business wouldn't be able to succeed."
puff!
Gu Jiu spit out!
Huyang is thinking too far ahead.
He actually placed his future hopes on her and Liu Zhao.
Did Huyang determine that Liu Zhao could inherit the throne?
Please!
This year is only the third year of Wen De, so it’s still too early to talk about that.
Isn’t it a bit impulsive to place a bet so early?
Although she has been trying hard, she dare not think too far ahead, fearing that if she thinks too much, she will be completely trapped and unable to pull herself out.
The temptations of power are too many.
Thinking too much can easily lead to mental illness.
Gu Jiu coughed lightly and said, "As long as His Majesty is alive, my business will definitely continue. As for what will happen decades later, we'll talk about it later."
Hu Yang said, "I hope there are still a few decades left. But my brother is almost fifty."
Princess Huyang looked worried.
Gu Jiu quickly reminded her, "Aunt, be careful with your words!"
Hu Yang glanced at Gu Jiu with resentment, "Nephew's wife, so you have to work hard! The emperor is not young anymore, and there are so many new concubines in the palace. I am worried that his body will be exhausted. As for you, quickly find a way to get Liu Zhao out of the Zongzheng Temple."
Gu Jiu coughed repeatedly. Hu Yang's words were too bold and he didn't care at all.
She said to Hu Yang, "To be honest, Auntie, Liu Zhao and I are not in a hurry."
Hu Yang was very anxious, even more anxious than the original owner. "Why not? It's only been half a year, and several other brats have jumped out, as if they are afraid that others don't know how capable they are. If another half a year or a year passes, who will still remember Liu Zhao? By then, your advantage will be gone."
Gu Jiu said lightly, "If Liu Zhao disappears from the court for a year or two, the advantage will be gone. Then it's better not to have such an advantage."
Hu Yang was stunned. She leaned closer to Gu Jiu and whispered, "My nephew's wife, tell me the truth. Do you and Liu Zhao have a lot of leverage? Is that why you two are not panicking at all?"
Gu Jiu looked at Hu Yang with a half-smile, "Aunt, this question really stumps me. I don't have any big bargaining chips. As for whether Liu Zhao has any bargaining chips in his hands, Aunt will have to ask him."
Hu Yang shook his head repeatedly. "I won't ask him. Liu Zhao, that brat, always looks so cold and sullen when he sees me, as if I owe him money. I won't bother myself with that. You look so confident, I've been worrying for nothing. No matter what those people say, you two won't be easily defeated."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Thank you, aunt, for your trust in me and Liu Zhao."
"Forget about verbal thanks, a little extra dividend at the end of the year is better than anything else."
Princess Huyang is really a money-grubber.
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "The amount of dividends depends on how much profit we make this year."
"It's already halfway through the year, how's the profit?" Hu Yang looked gossipy.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "The account book hasn't been delivered yet, so I'm not sure yet. But I think it's not too bad."
"It should be fine." Hu Yang said confidently.
Gu Jiu observed Hu Yang's expression and asked, "Auntie, you seem to be in a good mood recently, right?"
"It's just so-so." She said cheerfully.
Gu Jiu pretended to ask casually, "Did you find your little wolfdog?"
When Hu Yang heard the words "little wolf dog", he felt very depressed, "Why did you come back? I haven't seen you since you left the house, and I don't know where you are now.
Have I treated him badly? Whenever there's something good, he's always the first person I think of. And yet, he just leaves without even saying goodbye to me.
What's the matter? Are you afraid that I'll stop him from leaving? Go out and ask around to see how I'm doing. I never force anyone.
If he wants to leave, just tell me formally and I will prepare a cart of valuables for him and personally send him out.
But he sneaked away. People who didn't know him would think he was stealing."
The little wolfdog was indeed a thief. Hu Yang's complaint was not wrong.
Gu Jiu poured Hu Yang another glass of watermelon juice and said, "Aunt, don't worry. If the old doesn't go, the new won't come. Only when he leaves can you meet someone better."
When Hu Yang heard this, he burst into laughter. "My nephew's wife, you really understand me! I was so moved when you said this.
That's what I thought. Qilang is good, but he's not as good as the young monk back then. I could even forget the young monk, let alone him.
I've recently set my sights on a new wolfhound. If my nephew's wife is free, would you mind helping me find one?"
puff!
Gu Jiu vomited blood!
She waved her hands repeatedly, "I won't participate in such an elegant event. Auntie can enjoy it alone. Also, if the Chen family still has any unfinished business, I'm willing to take care of it if Auntie doesn't mind."
Huh?
Hu Yang was surprised, "Why is my nephew's wife interested in the Chen family's affairs?"
Gu Jiu took out a book of unofficial history and said, "I've been fascinated by reading history books recently. I have many historical questions that I want to find answers to. I think those tomb robbers often go to tombs and may have seen the mysteries in the tombs. Maybe they can solve my confusion."
Hu Yang laughed heartily. "My nephew's wife, you must have become stupid from studying. You're daydreaming if you expect a bunch of tomb robbers to solve your puzzles."
"They're a bunch of illiterate tomb robbers. Even if you put the real thing in front of them, they won't be able to explain it. The only thing they know is whether it's worth money, and that's all they can count on."
Gu Jiu looked disappointed. "So, Auntie can't contact those tomb robbers?"
Hu Yang waved his hands repeatedly. "I hate dealing with these people, so how could I have their contact information? It must be Old Ghost Chen, who always likes to make money through illegal means, that's why he hangs out with this bunch of rats."
"So, the Chen family has no unresolved issues?"
"That's all! I threw away all the stuff related to Old Ghost Chen. There's nothing left."
All right!
As if all her efforts were in vain.
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