The emperor's determination was unwavering.
It was as if he would kill anyone who dared to hurt her or the child in her womb, no matter who it was.
Gu Jiangli was actually quite happy; at least the emperor now seemed more like a living person.
Under the emperor's protection, she lived a peaceful life for a long time.
Nothing happened at Cixi Palace. The Empress Dowager did not come to find her, and Fang Xun's child remained in Cixi Palace without showing up.
No one in the harem came to cause her any trouble.
Perhaps out of fear of her status as an Imperial Noble Consort and the Emperor's favor, no one dared to cause her trouble.
She knew that her biggest worry right now was the baby in her belly.
Chu Tan'er wanted Fang Xun to rise to power, and the child in her womb was the biggest threat besides the emperor.
Therefore, they would probably prioritize eliminating themselves, and only if the emperor had no heir would they change the crown prince to Fang Xun.
She was always on guard and would occasionally try to find out about the affairs of the previous dynasty from the emperor.
The emperor told her everything and did not hide anything from her.
I've heard that the ministers of the previous dynasty have stopped petitioning the emperor to make Fang Xun the crown prince. After all, Gu Jiangli's child hasn't been born yet, and petitioning again would be bad luck.
But now there are rumors that the child in her belly is a girl and will not be able to inherit the throne.
Although she didn't know where the rumor came from, it was definitely related to the Empress Dowager or the eldest princess.
This rumor will likely continue to circulate and cannot be dispelled until the child is born.
The emperor was also troubled by this.
But what troubled the emperor even more was something else.
In Qizhou, south of the Cen River, a locust plague was rampant.
Many people's sorghum crops were completely devoured by locusts, leaving them facing the prospect of no harvest next year.
Although the emperor had ordered the disaster to be dealt with promptly, some people could not help but secretly harbor wicked intentions.
He stood beside her, his brow furrowed, recounting his recent worries:
"The prime minister submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting that a sacrifice be held in the palace for the people of Qizhou, to pray to the god of millet and ask him to protect the people of Qizhou and drive away the locust plague."
Gu Jiangli's thoughts sank. "The Prime Minister's plan is probably more than just a simple ritual."
The emperor did not deny it. "He proposed that everyone in the palace participate in the sacrifice. The more people there are, the stronger their belief in praying for blessings will be, and the more the god of grain will protect Qizhou."
Gu Jiangli sneered, "The Prime Minister's evil intentions are written all over his face."
"He clearly intends to harm you, but we don't yet know what his methods are. The Empress Dowager and Chu Tan'er must also be involved."
"Yes, after being so well-behaved for so long, it's finally time to make a move."
The emperor frowned, placed his hand on Gu Jiangli's belly, and felt the baby's heartbeat.
"How about I use your health condition as an excuse to postpone this matter?"
Gu Jiangli immediately refused: "Your Majesty, no. Since the Prime Minister has come up with this plan, he must have made two preparations. If I do not participate in the sacrifice, he will surely say that it was because I was not sincere that I did not receive the blessing of the God of Millet."
"When rumors start to spread, and he helps them from behind the scenes to make the rumors seem true, the people's spittle will drown the capital."
"Your Majesty will be branded a tyrant, and I will be labeled a wicked concubine. Wouldn't that be exactly what they want?"
A faint murderous glint appeared between the emperor's brows. "I should kill the prime minister."
Gu Jiangli gently advised, "No rush. When they are full of confidence, they will naturally reveal their weaknesses, and we will have our chance too."
The emperor closed his eyes, reluctantly agreeing to Gu Jiangli's words, and then pressed his head against her stomach.
"Will he... kick you now?"
Gu Jiangli smiled and said, "Yes, but it depends on his mood."
The emperor's eyes softened, and he said softly, "It's good that he's growing up well."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, no matter what happens, he will surely come into this world safely, and I will protect him."
"Hmm." His eyes shone, and he murmured, "I will too."
————
The prime minister had made preparations in advance, so after the emperor agreed to the sacrificial ceremony, it was quickly carried out in the palace.
To hold a sacrificial ceremony, one needs to find an open space, and there just happens to be an open space outside Jinghe Palace.
The site for the sacrificial ceremony was chosen here.
These past two days, Gu Jiangli watched as the people in the palace began to busily make preparations.
They planted colorful flags around the Jinghe Palace.
Fill several round trays with grains, then arrange them in a circle, leaving an empty space in the middle.
It is said that during the sacrificial ceremony and prayer for blessings, the priest would stand in that circle.
Gu Jiangli watched with great interest. It wasn't her first time participating in a prayer ceremony, but this was her first time worshipping the God of Grains.
The sun shone brightly that day.
She soon met the so-called priest.
He was a middle-aged man wearing a brightly colored long gown. He arrived earlier than everyone else and immediately found his place.
He stood in the center of the circle, with several green grass-like things stuck in his hair. The palace servants below said that they were seedlings of grain.
Wearing that seedling makes it easier to communicate with the God of Millet.
Moreover, the priest was also holding a bunch of sorghum seedlings.
At this moment, he closed his eyes, raised his head, and held the sorghum seedlings in his hands, placing them reverently on his chest, as if he had begun to communicate with the gods.
Gu Jiangli couldn't take her eyes off the scene from inside the room.
If this weren't a ritual fraught with conspiracy, she would have found it quite amusing.
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