Chapter 513 Next, it’s our turn.
In the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion, Chu Ruohan looked at Gu Junze who had returned from a journey exhausted, and personally took off his cloak with a hint of worry between her brows.
"You've been too ruthless these past few days. Even though you were acting according to orders, you've offended quite a few people."
Gu Junze held her hand, without a trace of regret in his eyes.
"I am the emperor's servant and must be loyal to him. I must do what the emperor wants me to do, even if it means making thousands of enemies. Besides me, is there anyone else in the court?"
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Chu Ruohan stopped trying to persuade him and just sighed softly: "Then you should be careful in everything."
At the same time, in Chaofeng Palace, the usually deserted palace was now crowded with people.
Several concubines, headed by Concubine Zhen, were respectfully paying their respects to Su Wan.
"Your Majesty, I was confused and deceived by that bitch, Concubine Liu, so I was disrespectful to you. Please forgive me."
Concubine Zhen bent down, keeping a very low profile.
Su Wan sat in the main seat, looking at them calmly: "I don't want to talk about the past anymore."
"As long as you behave yourself from now on, you will always have a place in this harem."
She paused, her tone softening a bit, "Everyone, stand up and take a seat."
After a combination of kindness and force, the concubines no longer dared to show any disrespect in their hearts, and they felt more and more that although the queen was of humble origin, she already had the bearing of a mother of the country.
Regarding the treatment of Concubine Shu, Zhao Yunci also showed mercy under the advice of Su Wan and Chu Ruohan.
Because of her meritorious service in exposing Concubine Liu and the innocent child in her belly, she was eventually demoted to a commoner and sent to a house outside the palace.
After the child was born, the clan office found a childless branch of the royal family to raise the child, which gave her and her child a way out.
The young eunuchs who were injured in the fire in the cold palace also received proper medical treatment and compensation.
Su Wan even specially sent someone to deliver rewards, and everyone in the palace praised the queen's benevolence.
That afternoon, Su Wan was relaxing in the Imperial Garden. When she came to a secluded patch of flowers, she ran into Rongpin, who had been in the palace for many years but remained unknown.
"Your Majesty the Queen is greeted by your humble servant." Concubine Rong bowed gracefully and behaved appropriately.
"Sister Rongpin, there's no need to be so polite." Seeing that she had a pretty face and a calm temperament, Su Wan chatted with her casually.
Late at night, Zhao Yunci came to Chaofeng Palace after finishing her government affairs.
He took off the majestic dragon robe and wore only casual clothes, with a hint of fatigue between his brows.
He held Su Wan's hand tightly and pulled her into his arms: "I'm sorry to have frightened you these past few days."
Su Wan leaned against his chest and whispered, "As long as Your Majesty is here, I am not afraid."
Zhao Yunci looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness and determination: "Wan'er, remember, no matter what happens in the future, I will protect you."
However, none of them expected that a bigger storm was brewing in secret.
In a remote palace in the palace that no one cares about.
Rongpin, who is quiet and taciturn during the day, is facing a solitary lamp, quietly stroking an inconspicuous Pisces jade pendant in her hand.
The corners of her mouth curled up into a meaningful smile that was completely different from the one she wore during the day.
A dark shadow slid into the hall silently like a ghost, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a very low voice.
"Your Majesty, they have already started to act as planned. There will be another wave of unrest in the capital soon."
Rongpin nodded slightly, put the jade pendant back into her sleeve, and spoke in a cold voice.
"Very good. Although Concubine Liu was wasted, we have finally found out the bottom line between the Emperor and Chu Ruohan. They thought everything was calm, but they didn't know the real show has just begun."
"Next, it's our turn to take the stage."
In the imperial study, the scent of sandalwood lingered.
The bloody storm triggered by the Liupin case seemed to be isolated outside by this red door, leaving only silence in the room.
After reviewing the last memorial, Zhao Yunci tapped the table lightly with her fingertips, her eyes deep, not knowing what she was thinking.
The eunuch standing by observed the emperor's words and expressions, and seeing that the anger in his brows had dissipated, he spoke in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo has decisively eliminated these rumors. Now, there is no longer a single word of criticism from the court or the public. This is truly a great achievement."
Zhao Yunci hummed, a rare smile of approval appearing on the corner of his mouth.
"The Duke of Zhenguo has done a great job this time. He acted decisively and vigorously. I am very pleased." He put down his red brush and leaned back in his chair. "He should be rewarded."
Having said that, Zhao Yunci fell into deep thought.
"However, he is already the Duke of Zhenguo, the highest position among the ministers. What else can I reward him with?"
The young eunuch's eyes rolled, and he bowed quickly, saying, "Your Majesty, since there is no more official title to be bestowed, why not reward him with some rare treasures to show your grace? I'm sure the Duke of Zhenguo will be grateful for Your Majesty's great grace."
"Rare treasures?" Zhao Yunci laughed and shook her head. "Do you think he's one of those vain and insignificant officials?"
"Gold and silver are vulgar things, Gu Junze has never paid attention to them."
He pondered for a moment, and as if he had made up his mind, he said in a clear voice: "Forget it, pass on my decree and summon the Duke of Zhenguo to the palace immediately."
A hint of interest flashed in his eyes, "I'll let him choose for himself."
In less than half an hour, Gu Junze, dressed in a dark suit, strode into the imperial study.
He still had a hint of the cool air from the outdoors, and his expression was calm, without a trace of restraint.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"No need to be polite." Zhao Yunci stood up from the dragon throne, walked up to him personally, and patted his shoulder. "Cousin, you have worked hard this time."
Gu Junze lowered his head and said in a strong and powerful voice: "It is my duty to share your majesty's worries."
"It's part of your job." Zhao Yunci smiled and pulled him to sit on the soft couch beside her.
"I called you here because I want to reward you."
"You have reached the highest rank in your rank. I have thought over and over again, but I don't know what to reward you with. Just tell me what you want. As long as I have it in my treasury, I will grant it to you."
These words are undoubtedly the emperor's supreme grace.
Gu Junze raised his head and met Zhao Yunci's inquiring gaze.
He didn't seem surprised at all, nor did he try to refuse. He just said calmly, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask for something."
"Speak." Zhao Yunci looked at him with interest.
"I want the white, sweat-blooded horse that was presented as tribute to us from the Western Regions last year."
Zhao Yunci was slightly startled, then raised an eyebrow: "Oh? That white horse?"
He looked at Gu Junze in surprise, "I remember you had a horse called 'Black Wind', which could travel a thousand miles a day and was the king of horses."
"Why, you don't want to ride Black Wind anymore?"
There was a hint of gentleness on Gu Junze's face, which was particularly rare on his usually stern face.
"Your Majesty, I'm not asking for it on my own behalf," he said frankly. "My mount, Black Wind, is fierce and unruly, and I'm the only one who can control it. This white horse is gentle, yet incredibly majestic. I'm asking for it... on behalf of my wife."
Zhao Yunci was stunned at first when she heard this, then she burst into laughter and pointed at Gu Junze and said, "You, you are such a lovesick person!"
"You've come all this way, but it turns out you're here to ask for a reward on behalf of your wife."
He laughed and then said in a pretentious manner, "You do love your wife."
"However, I have already asked the Imperial Household Department to prepare your wife's reward. They are all things that girls like. Isn't that enough?"
"The Imperial Household Department's reward is Your Majesty's grace. My wife and I are deeply grateful."
Gu Junze's expression remained serious. "It's just that my wife doesn't like jewelry and prefers riding and shooting. If she can get this fine horse, it will be worth more than ten thousand gold to her."
Looking at Gu Junze's determined eyes, he told lies without even thinking. When did the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo ride a horse?
Zhao Yunci couldn't help but feel touched.
He thought of Su Wan, and how he was willing to give her all the best things in the world.
"Forget it, forget it." He waved his hand, his tone full of helplessness and indulgence.
"I was thinking of keeping the horse for myself. Since you asked for my wife's permission, I have no reason to refuse."
He stood up, walked back to the imperial desk, and said loudly, "Go and pass on my order. Have the Imperial Stables send that white horse to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion immediately."
"Just say it's the gift I gave to the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo."
Gu Junze stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Yunci, his voice more earnest than ever before.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace."
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