After Gu Ruiyun entered the palace, the emperor, out of respect for the Marquis's family, granted her the rank of concubine and bestowed upon her the Zhongcui Palace.
Currently, she is the only concubine in the imperial harem.
When the emperor arrived at Zhongcui Palace, Gu Ruiyun hurriedly tidied her makeup to greet him. Just as her slender arm reached out to the emperor, he ruthlessly shook her off.
"Your Majesty, who has angered you?"
The emperor was in a bad mood. He thought that it was because he had foolishly favored this woman that he was destined to be apart from Gu Chaoxi. He didn't give Gu Ruiyun a kind look at all.
He strongly suspected that Gu Ruiyun had drugged him.
"How dare you ask me? If you hadn't drugged me, why would I have taken you into the palace? I love your sister!"
Gu Ruiyun was both shocked and wronged.
The shock stemmed from the fact that the emperor had taken a liking to Gu Chaoxi. They had only met once, and Gu Chaoxi was still missing and had a terrible reputation, yet the emperor still couldn't forget her.
The emperor was wrongly accused of drugging him, but she truly hadn't done it. She had considered seeking his favor, but hadn't yet acted on it. Gu Chaoxi had disappeared; as long as she entered the palace according to the proper procedures on the day of the imperial concubine selection, why should she fear not receiving his favor?
That day, she entered the palace at the invitation of the Fifth Princess. The two strolled in the Imperial Garden, and she felt a little dizzy. The Fifth Princess then found a nearby palace for her to rest in. Unexpectedly, the Emperor arrived shortly afterward, and she half-heartedly went along with it...
Gu Ruiyun tearfully said, "Your Majesty, how could I dare to do anything to you? Someone must have framed me."
But who in the palace would frame her? Gu Chaoxi has disappeared without a trace, so it couldn't be her. In this way, Gu Ruiyun has no one to suspect.
The emperor's face darkened. "What's the use of saying all this now? My uncle doesn't agree to the Gu family's two daughters entering the palace."
"But didn't my sister go missing?"
The Emperor said, "Miss Gu has returned safely."
Gu Ruiyun was startled. She knew that Gu Chaoxi had most likely encountered assassins. Only the Regent had been in danger at Panyue Lake that day; Gu Chaoxi had also disappeared. It was only possible that she had accidentally stumbled upon them and been implicated. She assumed that Gu Chaoxi was dead and deliberately spread the news that the eldest daughter of the Gu family had allegedly eloped with someone.
Hearing that Gu Chaoxi had returned safely made him feel a little guilty, but then he thought that it was no use for her to come back, as she couldn't prove what had happened during the past few days of danger.
Gu Ruiyun knew that the emperor was now infatuated with Gu Chaoxi and would not give up until he got her. Her life would not be easy, and she would not get the emperor's attention.
Gritting her teeth, Gu Ruiyun went all out, "Your Majesty, I have a way to help you win the heart of the person you desire."
What's your plan?
Gu Ruiyun said, "We need to ask the Regent's opinion before we marry the Empress. If the Emperor truly likes my sister, he can bring her into the palace first, and then make her Empress later when the opportunity arises."
The emperor was captivated by her beautiful face and eagerly wanted Gu Chaoxi to enter the palace, but he was also worried, "Wouldn't that be unfair to her?"
Gu Ruiyun quickly replied, "How could that be? My sister has long admired His Majesty. In order to have a chance to enter the palace, she did not hesitate to break off her engagement with the Zhao family. If His Majesty takes pity on her and gives her a title, she will be very happy."
The emperor's eyes gleamed. "Really?"
After Gu Ruiyun finished speaking with a heavy heart, she looked at the emperor with pitiful eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not lie. I only hope that when Your Majesty wins my sister's favor, you will not forget me. I really did not do anything to drug her."
Being a young boy, the emperor softened under such gazes, embraced Gu Ruiyun and comforted her for a long time, and stayed overnight at Zhongcui Palace.
...
After Gu Chaoxi returned to the manor, she was escorted back by Jin Yang. She then explained the whole story to Lord Gu, which put the Gu family at ease. They did not punish her because of the rumors circulating outside.
Only Madam Gu sighed for a long time.
“My Xi’er has suffered so much. Zhao Mingxu is not a good match. She even encountered assassins while traveling and got involved. There are many rumors in the capital. How will she find a good husband in the future?”
Gu Chaoxi nestled obediently in her arms, "Grandmother, don't worry. After the rumors die down, you can help your granddaughter find someone. This time, I'm sure I can find someone who truly loves me."
Madam Gu nodded helplessly. However, just a few days later, a palace carriage arrived at the Marquis's residence.
The emperor's eunuch was ordered to invite Gu Chaoxi to the palace. "Consort Yun was worried about Miss Gu's background in the palace. Upon hearing that Miss Gu had returned safely, she specially requested the emperor's permission to let Miss Gu come to the palace to reminisce."
Gu Chaoxi didn't believe that she and Gu Ruiyun had any old ties; something was definitely amiss.
Madam Gu was also somewhat puzzled. Gu Chaoxi and Gu Ruiyun had been at odds since childhood; others might not know, but she knew it very well.
Looking again at the person who came to pick them up, it was the chief eunuch from the emperor's side, and the old lady had some bad thoughts in her heart.
On the day we went to Panyue Lake, it was said that the Fifth Princess, the Emperor, and the Regent were all there. Could it be that the Emperor had already met with Xi'er that day? The Gu family already has one daughter who has entered the palace, and Old Madam Gu does not want Gu Chaoxi to enter the palace as well.
But Gu Chaoxi dared not disobey the emperor's decree, so she had no choice but to pack her things and enter the palace.
No sooner had Gu Chaoxi entered the palace than someone relayed the news to the Regent's Palace.
After Gu Chaoxi entered the palace, she was taken directly to a secluded palace where only the emperor sat high above her.
She pretended not to know, and after exchanging greetings, asked in confusion, "Wasn't it Consort Yun who summoned me to the palace?"
The emperor smiled and said, "Miss Gu, it is I who wish to see you."
Gu Chaoxi looked up suspiciously and secretly glanced at the emperor.
Isn't this the same lecherous man who kept staring at her at Panyue Lake that day?!
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