Prince Dun Liu Yan's wife, Cui, came from one of the richest families in Hedong and had a very high aspiration.
But life gave her a wake-up call.
Her life now can only be described as a mess.
All kinds of chaotic things cannot be hidden from anyone.
She knew very well that she had become a laughing stock in the eyes of her sisters-in-law and relatives.
Are you feeling bitter?
It must be bitter.
No matter how hard it is, she has to endure it.
Her pride would not allow her to bow her head or complain in front of others.
Even though she knew that her sister-in-law Xiao Qin'er was so amused by her jokes that she would definitely bring up her affairs when she went to Xiaozhu to chat with the Queen, she still gritted her teeth and refused to give in.
She only hated that the man she married was so ridiculous.
Xiao Qin'er cheerfully mentioned to Gu Jiu the various hardships of Cui's life. Although she felt sorry for Cui, she mostly just laughed at her.
Gu Jiu said: "This is the third brother's family affair, it is not convenient for me to interfere."
She actually didn't want to interfere.
I'm so busy that I don't have time to deal with trivial disputes in the harem.
Besides, Cui came from a top family in Hedong and was a princess. If she didn't take measures to discipline the women in her backyard, how could she expect others to vent her anger?
Ultimately, this matter depends on Cui himself.
Gu Jiu just didn’t understand, what was Cui afraid of?
Why don’t you dare to control Prince Dun?
Why not beat up all the women in the backyard?
What are you afraid of?
Gu Jiu, who has always been tough in his dealings, completely doesn't understand the meaning of Cui's submission.
She complained, "Could it be that the Third Brother has something on the Third Brother's wife? Otherwise, what is she afraid of?"
Xiao Qin'er pursed her lips and smiled, "I don't know if there's any evidence against her. I only know that she's a face-conscious person, and she's simply trying to save face and suffer."
Gu Jiu picked up the teacup and said, "I've lost all my dignity, what face do I have left to talk about?"
After that, she instructed the palace maid, "Remember to report this conversation to the ears of Princess Dun. I really want to know what she is afraid of."
The palace maid bowed and accepted the order.
Xiao Qin'er was very curious, "Madam, are you going to stand up for Third Sister-in-law?"
Gu Jiu shook her head, "Of course not! I just can't stand seeing a woman from a very good family living a miserable life after marriage, becoming a laughing stock. In my memory, my third sister-in-law is very ambitious and capable. What happened to her over the years? She has become more and more indulgent of Duke Dun's mischief. Even if her marriage is over and she doesn't want to interfere in Duke Dun's affairs, she shouldn't let herself become a laughing stock."
Women have to make themselves proud!
He has the support of his mother's family, money, and children, but his life is a mess. He should reflect on where the problem lies.
Xiao Qin'er said, "Your Majesty, I think you haven't seen Third Sister-in-law for a long time. I saw her a few days ago, and she had obviously aged a lot."
Ever since Empress Dowager Pei passed away, Gu Jiu was reluctant to hold palace banquets, as he found them too noisy.
Liu Zhao also disliked palace banquets because he found them troublesome.
The annual New Year’s Eve palace banquet was changed to a family dinner after the death of Empress Dowager Pei by Gu Jiu.
As a result, Cui never had the chance to enter the palace.
It was rare for Gu Jiu and Cui to have the opportunity to meet.
"Are you old? When life is not going well, people age quickly." Gu Jiu nodded in understanding.
Xiao Qin'er sighed, "Although I gloat over his misfortune, I also sometimes feel it's a pity for Third Sister-in-law. Such a good talent, marrying the Third Brother is such a loss."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "The late emperor granted us a marriage, who could have imagined it would be like this."
Xiao Qin'er mentioned the second brother's family again.
"A few days ago, I saw my second sister-in-law. She's calm and composed, and she's well-maintained. Aside from a few fine lines around her eyes, she looks the same as she did back then. She's quite open-minded, living a simple life behind closed doors, and keeping things very organized. My second son has been demoted to a commoner, so he can't make a scene even if he wants to. He even has to ask my second sister-in-law for money for his expenses. From what I've seen, my second sister-in-law has the final say in the family, and my second son has to listen to her."
The second brother, Liu Ping, was released from the Zongzheng Temple two years ago, and we have rarely heard from him since then.
Gu Jiu laughed when she heard this. "I didn't expect that the second sister-in-law could control the second brother. I knew that the second sister-in-law was a calculating person, and she planned everything clearly. The second brother has to rely on the second sister-in-law for support now, so naturally he can't be so tough."
"Your Majesty is truly insightful! My second sister-in-law and I were joking that even though we've lost our titles, our lives are actually getting more and more comfortable."
"How did she react?"
"She's definitely not happy!" Xiao Qin'er said, "She blamed me for bringing up her pain point and rolled her eyes at me. Your Majesty knows me well. I'm always straightforward, but I never have any bad intentions."
Gu Jiu pursed her lips and smiled, "If I remember correctly, my second brother and his wife have invested a lot of money in Sihai and Huanyu, and they can get a dividend every year."
"Second sister-in-law is still the most successful."
After chatting for a long time, Xiao Qin'er finally brought up the business.
She wanted to find a real position for her eldest son Liu Zheng.
Liu Zheng was not good at studying, but he was an expert at wielding a sword and a staff. He had performed very well in the Jing Camp over the years.
Liu Zheng now wants to leave the capital and go out to make a living, that is, to fight.
Because of this, Liu Zheng made a fuss at home all day, making the whole family restless.
Liu Zheng did visit King Liu Yu of Qi.
However, Liu Yu had no say in the matter of the military department and the royal family leaving the capital.
The army was firmly in the hands of Emperor Liu Zhao, and Liu Yu could not easily interfere.
Xiao Qin'er thought that this was not a solution.
That's when he took the initiative to come to the Queen's house, hoping to ask for leniency and give Liu Zheng a chance.
"Liu Zheng wants to leave the capital to fight?"
"Ah! He's also annoying me. He's been training in the Jing Camp for years, and his comrades have all gone to the battlefield, but he's the only one who hasn't moved. He's bound to have some thoughts in his mind! As a mother, I can't bear to see him continue to decline. So I have the audacity to come before the Queen and ask if you can give him a chance."
Gu Jiu hesitated for a moment, and Xiao Qin'er became very nervous.
"I've heard a little about Liu Zheng's performance in the Beijing camp. He's a natural born warrior, and I understand his desire to fight on the battlefield. So, my sister-in-law, go back and tell him to wait patiently for news. I'll give him a chance sooner or later. I hope he won't let me down."
Xiao Qin'er was overjoyed. "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty! Just give him a chance, and he will definitely not let you down."
…
After seeing Xiao Qin'er off, Gu Jiu returned to his room to find Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao waved towards Gu Jiu, "Come and comfort me."
Gu Jiu rolled his eyes at him and asked, "Who offended you again?"
"No one provokes me, it just hurts so much."
Gu Jiu frowned and looked at the sky outside again.
Rumble!
With a loud thunder, heavy rain came pouring down.
When it rained, Liu Zhao's old injuries became more painful.
He called the eunuch to give him a massage and apply medicine.
Barely relieved.
Gu Jiu said, "This isn't a solution."
"I can bear it!" Liu Zhao said cheerfully. He held Gu Jiu's hand. "As long as you stay with me, I can bear it. So you must not die before me."
Gu Jiu spat at him, "What's the point of living or not? I can still live for at least another thirty years."
Liu Zhao laughed, "Let my share live too."
Gu Jiu stretched out his finger and poked him hard on the head. "You keep telling lies all day long! Are you trying to piss me off to death?"
"That can't be! I hope you can live a hundred years and keep an eye on the Great Zhou for me. I want to see which direction our Great Zhou will go, whether it will prosper or decline! We agreed to find a new way out for the Great Zhou. You can't break your promise."
"What about you? Judging from your tone, do you intend to break your promise?"
Gu Jiu's face was as gloomy as water, which was really scary.
Liu Zhao sighed, supporting himself, and spoke sincerely, "I'm afraid my health isn't conducive to longevity. Listen to me, I'll work hard to maintain my health and strive to live a few more years. But what if something unexpected happens? I have to prepare early. I'm telling you these words today just to prepare you in advance. If that day really comes and I'm gone, don't be sad. Watch over the country for me, and watch over the great rivers and lakes for me."
Bang!
Gu Jiu slapped him on the back, "You talk nonsense all day long. You just walked away and put an end to it all, leaving all the burdens on my shoulders. You even asked me to watch over the country for you. Do you think I am an iron wall? I tell you, stay alive. If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will beat you."
Liu Zhao chuckled, "My dear queen, beating is love and scolding is affection, I understand it all. I also understand that you feel uncomfortable in your heart."
Gu Jiu grabbed his ear and said, "Don't be so frivolous. I'm serious, don't take my words lightly. You're just suffering from an old injury, it's not a terminal illness, and you won't die early. You have to have faith in my medical skills."
"Of course I have confidence! After using the ointment you prepared, my pain has been greatly relieved. And you give me acupuncture every two weeks, and the effect is excellent. I am sure I will live a long life."
Gu Jiu laughed, "You said it, live a long life."
"I will do what I say."
Liu Zhao solemnly promised that this was an agreement between the couple.
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