Chapter 389: Stupid and incapable of restraint, he ended up being cannon fodder
"I don't understand," Chu Ruohan thought for a moment, "If the Emperor wants to choose a princess for marriage, why not just say so? Why use a selection as an excuse?"
Gu Junze placed the teacup on the table, his eyes far-reaching as he said in a deep voice, "The Emperor has been a monk for many years and has no foundation in the court. He also wants to use this opportunity to test the ambitions of the ministers."
Chu Ruohan suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. This kills two birds with one stone. It not only solves Xixia's marriage request, but also allows us to test who has ulterior motives."
"That's right," Gu Junze nodded. "For those families who try to cling to the imperial power through selecting concubines, this selection is an excellent touchstone."
Yuling hurried in: "Madam, General, the doorman brought an invitation."
Chu Ruohan took the invitation, unfolded it gently, and after browsing it for a moment, she frowned and almost laughed out of anger.
"Look at who has the guts to do this? That idiot Guo Yunzhou, as soon as Guo Ying'er in the palace was named a concubine, he already bought a house and settled down in the capital, and he even celebrated with great fanfare."
"It's simply stupid." Gu Junze took the invitation, took a look at it, and shook his head.
Chu Ruohan sneered, "In the capital, which family would celebrate when their daughter is given the title of concubine? Even if it's a concubine, it shouldn't be so ostentatious. Is he trying to push his daughter into the spotlight?"
Gu Junze put the invitation back on the table: "Zhao Xu has been demoted."
"Accepting bribes because of the concubine issue?" Chu Ruohan asked.
"Yeah." Gu Junze nodded, his eyes solemn. "The incident was exposed very quickly, which means someone is behind the scenes fanning the flames."
Chu Ruohan shook her head slightly, somewhat puzzled. "Then why did the emperor want to keep Guo Ying'er? Is it because of you that he wants to keep her as a pet?"
"I just hope she can behave herself in the palace and not get involved with us."
"Given your uncle's temperament, how good can the daughter he raises be? I'm afraid she won't be able to be calm." Gu Junze frowned.
The sky gradually darkened, the palace walls were deep, and lights were dim under the long eaves.
Guo Ying'er stood in her small courtyard, looking at the lonely palace lantern at the gate, feeling both happy and somewhat unwilling.
"Why do those high-ranking concubines order me around? Don't they know that my cousin is the wife of the great general who protects the country?"
"Young Master," a young palace maid whispered, "The Master has already bought a house in the capital and is preparing a banquet to celebrate the young lady's entry into the palace and her success."
Guo Ying'er's eyes lit up: "Father finally did something right! Let those self-righteous people know that I, Guo Ying'er, also have a backer!"
"Miss, I think it's better to be cautious." The palace maid whispered worriedly.
Guo Ying'er waved her hand dismissively. "Hmph, why be so cautious? Isn't His Majesty's favorite the Concubine Shu? I'll show off my skills to Concubine Shu tomorrow and see how she can still hold herself against me!"
The next morning, in the palace.
"Kneel down!" A stern shout echoed in the magnificent palace.
Guo Ying'er was pressed to the ground by two palace maids, her forehead against the cold floor tiles, her body trembling slightly.
Concubine Shu looked down at her coldly.
"The palace rules and regulations are not to be trifled with. How dare you, a mere concubine, be so presumptuous in front of me?" Concubine Shu said coldly, without a trace of warmth in her voice.
Guo Ying'er gritted her teeth and held back her tears, feeling both aggrieved and angry. She had only accidentally spilled a little tea while serving it, and Concubine Shu had taken the opportunity to attack her.
"This palace, considering your humble origins and your ignorance of the rules, will punish you with facing the wall for three days of reflection. Each day, you will only be given a bowl of porridge. Reflect well!"
As Guo Ying'er was dragged out of Concubine Shu's palace, she finally couldn't help but roar, "How dare you do this to me! My brother-in-law is the general who protects the country and holds military power! Just wait and see!"
When Concubine Shu heard this, her brows furrowed slightly, but her expression did not change much. She just waved her hand and said, "Drag him away!"
In the general's mansion, Chu Ruohan had just finished breakfast when she heard Haitang hurriedly come in to report.
"Madam, someone has come from the palace, saying they are here on the orders of Concubine Shu and have something important to ask you."
Chu Ruohan frowned slightly and signaled Haitang to invite the person in.
After a while, a palace maid came in and bowed, saying softly, "Madam Chu, the Concubine Shu has sent me to inquire if you are related to the newly arrived concubine Guo."
Chu Ruohan's heart tightened. This Concubine Shu was of great importance. She was the daughter of Prince Pingnan.
As soon as she entered the palace, she was made a concubine, and the emperor also gave her the power of the six palaces.
She asked calmly, "Why does Concubine Shu ask this?"
The maid replied respectfully, "Guo promised to behave improperly in the palace. After being punished by the Consort Shu, she then made outrageous claims, saying that her brother-in-law was the great general Gu Junze. The Consort Shu specially ordered this servant to come and verify this."
Chu Ruohan sighed inwardly, but remained silent on her face. "Guo Da Ying is indeed my cousin, but I have very little contact with her. Her entry into the palace has nothing to do with my husband."
She paused, then added, "Please also tell Consort Shu that if my cousin behaves disrespectfully in any way, please deal with her according to palace rules, regardless of our relationship."
The maid respectfully took note of Chu Ruohan's words and bowed to take her leave.
After the maid left, Chu Ruohan breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed her temples: "This Guo Ying'er, is she really going to poke a hole in the sky?"
At this moment, Gu Junze walked into the hall and saw Chu Ruohan with a worried look on her face. He couldn't help but ask with concern, "What's wrong?"
Chu Ruohan told him what had just happened. At the end, she couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "You've only been in the palace for a few days, and you're already using your name as a shield. If the emperor knew about this, I'm afraid he would be suspicious of you."
Gu Junze pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I will go to the palace to explain this matter in person."
"There are a lot of things going on in the palace, so it's better to be careful." Chu Ruohan warned worriedly.
Gu Junze nodded and gently held her hand: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
A few days later, in the palace.
Guo Ying'er was released from the small dark room with disheveled hair and dirty face, and her hands and feet were numb.
During these three days, she only drank porridge, and even water was limited.
"Guo agreed. The Concubine Shu will summon you." A palace maid said coldly.
Guo Ying'er forced herself to stand up and followed the palace maid to Concubine Shu's palace.
Along the way, she was nervous, not knowing what kind of situation she would face.
Concubine Shu sat upright on the throne. When she saw Guo Ying'er come in, her expression was still stern.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Concubine Shu." Guo Ying'er knelt down and saluted, her voice no longer as arrogant as before.
Concubine Shu looked at her coldly: "Guo promised, do you know your crime?"
Guo Ying'er lowered her head: "I acknowledge my guilt."
"General Gu has personally entered the palace and explained to His Majesty and me."
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