The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the main hall, while Grandpa Gu led all his descendants in kneeling and kowtowing.
The Empress Dowager smiled and had Granny Shen bring over the plates: "Finally, they've recognized me. Let the little ones know that I, their great-grandmother, exist. Here, Xianglan, this is for you. Xiaocui, this is for you. Xiaolian, this is for you..."
The Empress Dowager gave everyone a red envelope, but it wasn't filled with silver; it contained shops that were currently in operation and estates that were reaping good harvests.
Zhang was still in a daze, not yet able to process the news that she had married into the royal family, when she heard the name Xiao Cui. Her eyes lit up and she looked at the Empress Dowager: "Grandma, how did you know my name is Xiao Cui?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Aren't all the daughters-in-law of the Gu family junior? Xiao Cui, Xiao Lian, Xiao Huan."
Mrs. Zhang was overjoyed: "Thank you, Grandma!"
The Gu siblings smacked their lips, saying how smoothly they called out the name; they hadn't even called their own grandchildren that yet!
Gu Ren ran up to the Empress Dowager's feet and hugged her tightly: "Great-Grandma, it's me, Renren."
The Empress Dowager picked up Gu Ren: "Oh my, Grandma's great-grandson is so heavy and so well-grown! Xiao Cui fed him well! Reward him!"
Zhang: "Oh! Thank you, Grandma. I have a lot of experience raising sons."
People say that the youngest son and the eldest grandson are the old lady's lifeblood, but it's different for the Empress Dowager. Her two sons were born less than a quarter of an hour apart, and her eldest grandson is a simpleton. So, only her chubby great-grandson is the most lovable.
Zhang was very fond of the Empress Dowager, firstly because she was the most honored woman in the world, and secondly because she was the only one who acknowledged the name Zhang Xiaocui.
After that day, the Gu family began packing their belongings and preparing to depart.
The emperor issued an imperial edict the following morning at court, bestowing upon Gu Lin the title of Princess Yulin.
None of the court officials knew who Gu Lin was.
The emperor's edict explained the reason: Princess Yulin was deeply loved by the Empress Dowager, so the Empress Dowager took her in as her goddaughter.
The emperor had few siblings, only three younger brothers and one younger sister, so he decided to bestow the title of princess upon Gu Lin.
The emperor's younger sister was Princess Yu Nuan, whom the Gu family had only met once.
My third aunt's husband suddenly went from being an unknown figure in the Hanlin Academy to becoming the emperor's son-in-law. It really felt unreal!
Guo Wan was delighted. Her sister-in-law was a princess, so shouldn't their marriage be taken to the next level?
Before she could become arrogant and domineering, the palace sent several nannies. One was specifically to teach Guo Wan manners, one was specifically to take care of the twin sister, one was specifically to take care of the twin brother, and one was to take care of Guo Rui. Gu Sangu also had a nanny specifically to teach her manners.
Now that she's a princess, she can visit the palace frequently.
Empress Dowager Jiang already knew that the Grand Empress Dowager had recognized the Gu family. Naturally, she was willing to use her identity to cover it up. She even summoned her daughter, Princess Yu Nuan, and asked her to take good care of Gu Sangu.
Princess Yu Nuan and Gu San Gu have similar personalities, but Princess Yu Nuan is a few years older than Gu San Gu. The two get along quite well.
Before the Gu family set off, the emperor summoned Gu Shouxin for a drink: "Gu Er, I was thinking of bestowing titles of nobility upon you three brothers. So, take them to Kuncheng and do a good job. I will definitely find an irrefutable reason to make you all kings and prime ministers, so that the glory of the Gu family can continue! This is what you brothers deserve. Now, we can only let our third sister regain her princess status first."
"To be honest, I really didn't want to be emperor. Alas, what a pity! You don't know, I really want to travel around with the Empress. I don't want to be emperor at all, really."
Gu Shouxin: "...Your Majesty, you're drunk!"
The Emperor shook his head: "No. Gu Er, listen to me, once we arrive in Kuncheng, you'll be the boss. As for the Peng family, as long as you don't interfere in their military affairs, they won't meddle. You can do whatever you want. As for our eldest brother's temperament, if he's to be king, I suggest you go..."
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