The ice had already formed a thick layer. Gu Lili was planning to take Gu Huanhuan ice skating when they returned from the palace.
As soon as Gu Lili left the Gu residence, a carriage was already waiting at the gate.
Chunju helped Gu Lili into the carriage, and the carriage headed towards the palace.
There's still quite a while until noon, and Gu Lili doesn't know why it's so far in advance.
When they arrived at the palace gate, the carriage stopped, and she was led by a eunuch towards the palace. Only then did she understand why she had to arrive so far in advance.
Apart from the emperor and empress, who can ride in palanquins, everyone else has to walk into the palace.
Moreover, apart from the Emperor and Empress, no one is allowed to use the main gate.
Along the way, Chunju and Xiahua told Gu Lili about many of the rules of the palace.
Therefore, Gu Lili followed behind the eunuch at this moment, not looking around, but keeping her eyes and mind at ease.
However, Yu Guang still kept a close eye on the buildings along the way.
He memorized the route he had taken.
After walking for about half an hour, the eunuch stopped at a palace.
"Princess, the Empress invites you in for a chat. The Emperor will summon you later in the evening. Please go there." The eunuch said, bowing.
Gu Lili nodded and stood respectfully to the side.
Upon seeing this, the eunuch went inside to announce the news.
Before long, the eunuch came out with a smile on his face.
"Princess, please."
Gu Lili nodded and walked towards the main hall.
As soon as she entered the room, she was greeted by the scent of sandalwood. Gu Lili guessed that the Empress must be a Buddhist.
Following the eunuch inside, Gu Lili hadn't even looked up when she saw a pair of Shu brocade plum blossom shoes and a section of bright yellow dress, so she hurriedly knelt down.
"Your subject, Gu Lili, greets Your Majesty the Empress," Gu Lili said as she bowed.
After speaking, Gu Lili did not raise her head, but remained kneeling with her head down.
"Princess Yongning, you've arrived! Please rise and have a seat so I can have a good look at you!" the Empress said with a smile.
Gu Lili thanked him and then slowly got up.
He walked to the seat below the Empress and sat down.
It's more accurate to say they're practicing a horse stance than sitting down.
Gu Lili only slightly touched the stool with her bottom, not daring to sit on it completely.
This is why Gu Lili doesn't want to enter the palace. What's the point of living such a cautious life?
After settling in, Gu Lili raised her head slightly to look at the Empress.
The empress at the head of the table was dressed in a bright yellow palace gown, and her phoenix crown exuded majesty.
She must have dressed up specially for the midday palace banquet.
The Empress was around thirty years old, but given Yin Jiuchen's age, he was probably older than thirty.
She must take good care of herself to look old.
If we were to describe the empress as having beauty that could topple kingdoms, that would be quite fitting.
At thirty, one is at the peak of their youthful beauty.
Looking at it this way, Yin Jiuchen's eyebrows and eyes do indeed resemble the Empress's; no wonder he was so handsome.
They all inherited it from the Empress.
"Princess Yongning is quite different from what I expected. I never imagined you would be so ethereal," the Empress said with a smile.
Most people's impression of Gu Lili is that she is a crude peasant girl.
Now, Gu Lili, with her flawless skin and poised demeanor, appeared before the Empress, which was indeed different from what she had imagined.
Gu Lili humbly replied, "Your Majesty is too kind. I am but a humble woman, how could I possibly be worthy of the title 'transcendent'?"
The Empress nodded approvingly, which pleased Gu Lili, who was known for her tact and composure.
"I summoned you here today to thank you."
As she spoke, the Empress stood up and walked towards Gu Lili.
Before Gu Lili could react, the Empress bowed gracefully to her.
"Thank you for saving Chen'er. I am deeply grateful."
Startled, Gu Lili immediately knelt down from the chair.
"Your Majesty, you flatter me. I saved His Highness the Crown Prince by a twist of fate. I do not deserve your gratitude," Gu Lili said, flustered.
The Empress shook her head, extended her jade-like hand, and pulled Gu Lili up.
"Good child, you not only saved my son, but also the entire kingdom of Nanyue," the Empress said, her voice choked with emotion.
Gu Lili was somewhat confused. It was true that Yin Jiuchen was the Crown Prince, but even if Yin Jiuchen was really gone, shouldn't the Emperor have other princes?
The Empress wiped away her tears, pulled Gu Lili to sit down in front of her, and then began to tell her story.
The emperor did indeed have many princes, but most of them died young or prematurely.
The only remaining princes are Crown Prince Yin Jiuchen, Sixteenth Prince Yin Guanyu, and Nineteenth Prince Yin Mingde.
One is only two years old, and the other is still an infant.
More importantly, the Emperor is seriously ill, and the imperial physicians have determined that his days are probably numbered.
That's why the Empress said that.
If Yin Jiuchen cannot be found, those two children who are still too young to understand will certainly not be able to share the Emperor's burdens.
If the emperor were to suddenly pass away, the Southern Yue Kingdom would be leaderless and inevitably descend into chaos.
Putting aside the enemy states that are eyeing Nanyue with covetous intent, the internal strife alone is enough to severely damage Nanyue's vitality.
Gu Lili sighed upon hearing this.
Fortunately, Yin Jiuchen regained his memory; otherwise, he would probably still be helping with farm work at the Gu family's house.
"Child, tell me what kind of reward you want, or a marriage decree, and I will grant it to you," the Empress said affectionately, holding Gu Lili's hand.
Yin Jiuchen had never mentioned Gu Lili to him.
As a mother, how could she not know what her son was thinking?
Originally, I was thinking of meeting Gu Lili first to see what kind of person she was and what she looked like.
If things are alright, becoming Yin Jiuchen's concubine wouldn't be bad.
Gu Lili's face fell. By that calculation, she would only be fifteen years old after the New Year, not yet of marriageable age. To be betrothed to someone? That seemed a bit too hasty.
"I don't want anything. Saving the Crown Prince was just something I did on the spur of the moment. As for a thank-you gift, His Highness the Crown Prince helped me a lot during the time he stayed at our house, and he has already thanked me for that," Gu Lili said with a slight smile.
The Empress pursed her lips when she saw that Gu Lili hadn't mentioned marriage.
She quietly approached Gu Lili and said, "Silly girl, I want to ask you if you would be willing to become my daughter-in-law and marry Yu Chen'er as a concubine."
Upon hearing this, Gu Lili's head went blank, and she felt a sense of dread.
He was so taken aback by the Empress's sudden and direct question that he almost choked on his own saliva.
After calming herself down, Gu Lili knelt down again.
"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kindness. His Highness the Crown Prince is a very good person, but I prefer the life of the countryside, so..."
Gu Lili's words caused the Empress's expression to change.
Her son is so handsome; countless women throughout the land would want to marry him. She never expected Gu Lili to refuse. What audacity!
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