In Qixiang Palace, Consort Yue leaned back on her chaise longue, closing her eyes to enjoy a massage from her maid.
Granny Zhou rushed over and gestured for the maid to leave.
"How's the investigation going?" Consort Yue asked languidly, her eyes still narrowed.
"Your Majesty, we couldn't find anything. The secret guards bestowed by His Majesty are highly skilled in reconnaissance; our men were dealt with before they could even get close. Therefore, whether Gu Nanjiao is truly disfigured remains unknown..."
Consort Yue suddenly opened her eyes and smashed the jade pendant beside her to the ground.
"A bunch of useless trash!"
Granny Zhou quickly knelt down and advised, "Your Majesty, she is now protected by His Majesty. If our people go to investigate again, it might arouse His Majesty's suspicion."
Consort Yue felt uneasy, and touched her flustered chest, her delicate face covered in frost.
"But I fear that if this matter is exposed, all three hundred members of the Zhou family will not be spared. I cannot let her ruin my grand plan. Although she is my flesh and blood, her appearance is ill-timed."
Granny Zhou lowered her head, feeling uneasy at the ruthlessness of Consort Yue. She would go to any lengths to kill even her own daughter. In her eyes, these servants were probably less than ants.
Those who serve as servants share in their master's glory and their master's misfortune.
As the saying goes, "When one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven," so she had no choice but to scheme for the imperial concubine.
Granny Zhou said cautiously, "Your Highness, the Lu couple are now very influential figures in the capital, and are even the Emperor's favorites. After all, Madam Lu has that kind of relationship with Your Highness. Why don't you put aside your prejudices and secretly win her over? I suppose Madam Lu doesn't want her background to be exposed, otherwise she would not escape death."
Consort Yue was stunned. Her daughter, whom she had never met, was quite capable. She had even invented a firearm more powerful than a ten-shot repeating crossbow and modified agricultural tools. If she could put aside her prejudices and serve Prince Cheng…
When she becomes Empress Dowager, it wouldn't be unreasonable to bestow upon her the title of princess.
"By the way, what has Prince Cheng been doing lately?" Consort Yue regained her languid expression, leaning back on the chaise longue, supporting her forehead with one hand.
Granny Zhou pursed her lips, hesitating to speak.
"Speak your mind."
"King Cheng has recently gone to the Cold Palace."
"What is he doing in the Cold Palace?" Consort Yue's eyes narrowed slightly, and her voice rose a few decibels.
Granny Zhou carefully observed Consort Yue's expression and said dryly, "Perhaps someone is gossiping in Prince Cheng's ear."
"Go and deal with these disobedient people. Remember to pull out their tongues and send them to King Cheng, so he knows what he should and shouldn't listen to."
Consort Yue curled her lips, her eyes flashing with a cold light, a mixture of disdain and contempt that sent chills down one's spine.
Granny Zhou shivered and said solemnly, "Yes."
Although it wasn't the first time the Imperial Concubine had done this, she still couldn't help but feel afraid every time she was given the order.
It is said that serving a king is like serving a tiger, but the heart of this concubine is truly more vicious than a snake or scorpion. She wanted to kill her own daughter, and now she even wants to control the King's every move, not to mention the people around him.
Just as Granny Zhou was about to leave, Consort Yue suddenly called out to her: "By the way, I'm going to hold a flower appreciation banquet in a couple of days. Send an invitation to the families of officials of the fifth rank and above."
Prince Cheng has reached the age to choose a consort. If there are any eligible noble ladies, she can consider them. Most importantly, she wants to take this opportunity to meet Gu Nanjiao.
...
For three consecutive days, Gu Nanjiao had spent her time in bed. Today, as she was returning to her parents' home, Lu Yanzhao didn't bother her.
Gu Nanjiao sat listlessly on the edge of the bed, letting Lu Yanzhao put her shoes on.
Cui'er brought over a food box, and Guo'er brought over toiletries. The two stood quietly to the side, their initial shock turning into composure, and now they stared intently.
Lu Yanzhao waved to Guo'er, who then brought over the toiletries. Lu Yanzhao picked up a cotton towel, wrung it out, and took Gu Nanjiao's hand to wipe it carefully. His earnest expression made it seem as if he were cleaning a precious work of art.
Gu Nanjiao glared at him resentfully, snorted coldly, and turned her head to the side.
He was a ravenous wolf, always thinking about devouring her.
Lu Yanzhao suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Is it because I didn't serve you well? Is my wife unhappy? Then I'll have to put in extra effort tonight."
"You!" Gu Nan was speechless with anger. She felt that Lu Yanzhao had become a completely different person.
"Don't do anything reckless tonight, or I'll stay at my parents' house." Gu Nanjiao pouted and started throwing a tantrum.
Lu Yanzhao found it incredibly cute and patiently coaxed, "Okay, okay, I'll let you off the hook tonight, we'll continue tomorrow night."
Gu Nanjiao "..."
Just after breakfast, Wen Zhang came to pick up Gu Nanjiao.
According to the custom in Luoshui County, the bride's brothers come to fetch her back to her parents' home, but the newlywed husband cannot go with them.
Lu Yanzhao's three-day holiday had just ended, and he went to court.
Upon arriving at the Gu residence, Lü Siniang slyly pulled her into the inner room and teased, "Well, what do you think? Is your son-in-law just a pretty face?"
Gu Nanjiao blushed and instead of answering her question directly, she teased, "You call me son-in-law quite naturally."
"Of course, you are my daughter, and Lu Yanzhao is my son-in-law. A mother-in-law is always more satisfied with her son-in-law, so it's only natural that I call him that."
"By the way, did you see the booklet I gave you? Did you follow the methods in it to serve your husband?"
When Lü Siniang asked about the booklet, Gu Nanjiao felt like crying but had no tears left.
She always thought Lu Yanzhao had taken it and lost it, but who knew he had secretly kept it.
How perverted! What a lecher!
"No!" Gu Nanjiao said succinctly, plopping down on the stool.
My back and legs started to ache after standing for a long time.
Lu Siniang exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that my son-in-law is really just a pretty face with no substance, and you don't even have a chance to prove yourself?"
Gu Nanjiao thought about it and realized that she really had no room to maneuver, because she had no opportunity.
Lu Yanzhao was the one huffing and puffing the whole time; she just had to lie down.
However, Lü Siniang was truly gossipy, and wouldn't let go of her private affairs.
Is this something a stepmother should do?
Gu Nanjiao thought for a moment and asked, "My mother, I want to ask if you have any room to show your abilities, and whether my father has given you this opportunity."
Lu Siniang blushed and scolded, "As a junior, you shouldn't pry into the affairs of your elders."
"What kind of logic is this? You're allowed to ask me, but I'm not allowed to ask you?"
"Go away, go away." Lü Siniang didn't want to answer Gu Nanjiao. She was now her elder, after all, and couldn't be as disrespectful as before. She had to act like an elder.
Clearing her throat, Lü Siniang said, "I'm going to cook now. You can rest in the room for a while."
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