Chapter 113 Reunion (Second Update)
Gu Jiao walked out and looked at the jar that the old lady was holding tightly in her arms: "Auntie, she said that I can only eat three a day."
The old lady stubbornly insisted, "I only ate three!"
Gu Jiao pointed to the jar: "But there are clearly six fewer in this jar."
"He ate it!" The old lady pulled Gu Xiaoshun into the water.
Gu Xiaoshun, who was chopping wood, looked completely bewildered. What happened? What did he eat again?
Gu Jiao cruelly confiscated the old lady's candied fruit and searched her room, finding her long-hidden stash of goods.
The old lady's face turned green.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Prince An felt a tightness in his chest.
...Is she the Empress Dowager?
Unfortunately, he can't see it now.
But it doesn't matter, his eyes will regain their sight when it gets light.
Before Gu Jiao could finish accepting the old lady's candied fruit, she turned around and saw Prince An blindly walking out, standing at the door looking in her direction.
What are you looking at? You can't see it anyway.
Gu Jiao walked over and said calmly, "Where does Prince An live? I'll have someone take you back in a bit."
Gu Yan's bodyguards are hidden in the shadows; they can do the work for him.
Prince An had already decided to stay. He said softly, "I feel a little dizzy. May I stay at Miss Gu's house for the night?"
Gu Jiao narrowed her eyes slightly. Was this guy trying to scam her?
"My family doesn't have any extra rooms."
Just as Prince An was about to say, "It's alright, I can squeeze in with someone," he was interrupted by a familiar voice before he could even open his mouth.
"Prince An?"
The visitor was none other than Lord Gu, whom they hadn't seen for many days.
Lord Gu came to see Gu Jiao. He had thought about what happened last time. That domineering Miss Zhuang did deserve a beating, but what did Jin Yu do wrong? Why did this girl slap Jin Yu as well?
He hesitated for several days, but finally decided to come to the village and talk to her properly about how she had bullied Jinyu!
Whether she returns to the Marquis's mansion or not, she cannot take her anger out on Jinyu just because she doesn't like her!
The door was open, and he walked right in.
Unexpectedly, just as I passed through the main hall, I saw Prince An, who hadn't been seen all day. Didn't he say he was going to stroll around town? And perhaps buy some osmanthus cake from Li's shop for Miss Zhuang?
How did he end up in his daughter's house?
Are they here to demand an explanation?
Lord Gu stepped forward and noticed that Prince An seemed to be injured, with gauze wrapped around his head and gauze covering his eyes.
A terrible thought flashed through his mind: Could it be... that girl beat up Prince An too?
Good heavens, what kind of devil did he give birth to?
Lord Gu nearly broke his back while bowing: "Your Highness... my daughter has been unruly, I beg Your Highness's forgiveness!"
Prince An looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Your Excellency doesn't think my injury was caused by your daughter, does he?"
"Hmm?" Lord Gu was taken aback. Wasn't that right?
Prince An gently curled the corners of his lips: "It was my own carelessness... I must thank your daughter for treating me."
"Huh?" Lord Gu was dumbfounded.
Prince An tentatively said, "I didn't expect your daughter to be so proficient in traditional Chinese medicine."
However, Lord Gu didn't understand. He said awkwardly, "Your Highness is too kind. She worked as a medicine boy in the town's clinic for a few days. She can't be considered a skilled physician; she only knows the most basic things! In my opinion, Your Highness should hurry to the manor so that the imperial physician there can give you a thorough treatment!"
Lord Gu said this for two reasons: first, he was genuinely worried about Prince An's injuries; second, he believed that Prince An had come here to confront Gu Jiao and demand an explanation.
No matter how much he disliked Gu Jiao, she was still his and Yao's flesh and blood, and he couldn't really let her be punished by Prince An.
He needs to quickly coax Prince An away.
Prince An was determined to use the same trick again, saying that he was dizzy and should not travel long distances. Lord Gu said that he had brought the best carriage from the Marquis's mansion and guaranteed that there would be no bumps at all!
Lord Gu was so determined that Prince An was ultimately unable to persuade him, and Prince An reluctantly boarded the carriage back to the manor.
Lord Gu breathed a sigh of relief!
However, Prince An had some doubts in his heart.
Why did Lord Gu insist on bringing him back to the manor? Was he worried that he would discover something at his daughter's house?
Why does his daughter live in the countryside? Could it be to hide the Empress Dowager?
Lord Gu was unaware that his actions had caused Prince An to overthink things. After returning to the manor, in an effort to quell Prince An's anger, he gifted him a number of valuable antiques and paintings, which truly pained Prince An to the bone!
Prince An became increasingly suspicious of Marquis Gu's motives.
Lord Gu is the brother of Consort Shu, and Consort Shu is His Majesty's woman.
Lord Gu never stayed at the manor for this long in previous years. Could it be that he is staying this year because of the Empress Dowager?
As more and more clues were pieced together, they surprisingly revealed a "reasonable" truth.
Prince An summoned the man in black to the room.
After hearing Prince An's deduction, the man in black asked in bewilderment, "But if she really is the Empress Dowager, why doesn't she acknowledge you as her? According to you, she didn't see who you were when she knocked you unconscious, but she should have seen you after you fainted."
Prince An said thoughtfully, "I understand this point as well, which is why I need to confirm it again. I have already gone once, and going again would arouse suspicion. Tomorrow, you go and say that you apologize for the two misunderstandings and hope that the two families can put an end to their differences. You also hope that after she arrives in the capital, she will not mention my sister's bullying to anyone, so as not to ruin my sister's reputation."
Man in black: "Yes."
Prince An: "You must see the Empress Dowager and tell her about the situation in the capital."
The man in black clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Your subordinate obeys!"
“However…” The man in black frowned as he thought of something, “If the other party really is the Empress Dowager, what does the Prince intend to do?”
Prince An's gaze was indifferent: "What can we do? Of course, we have to bring her back to the capital. We can't let her fall into anyone's hands. Whether that person is His Majesty or anyone else."
The man in black hesitated for a moment, then said, “The capital is probably not very safe right now. How the Empress Dowager contracted leprosy remains a mystery. His Majesty has concealed her condition, claiming that she suddenly fell ill and is recuperating at the imperial palace. If we bring the Empress Dowager back like this, wouldn't we be telling His Majesty that we know everything? And we've kept quiet and secretly brought her back! Won't His Majesty think we have disloyal intentions towards him?”
Prince An sneered, "Is he only just now becoming wary of the Zhuang family? From the moment he formed a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Xuanping, he has been trying every means to restrain the Zhuang clan. The Empress Dowager's illness is probably related to His Majesty. The current situation in the court is becoming increasingly unfavorable to the Zhuang clan. If the Empress Dowager doesn't step in to take charge, the Zhuang clan may become the second Liu family."
In the past, the capital city had four powerful families: the Xiao family of the Marquis of Xuanping, the Luo family of the Duke of Luo, the Liu family of the Duke of Dingguo, and the Zhuang family of the cabinet ministers.
His Majesty's background was actually not good. His birth mother was not even qualified to raise him. He was raised by Consort Jing.
Empress Dowager Zhuang had no children in her life, and because of her discord with the Liu family, the maternal clan of the Crown Prince, she brought down the Crown Prince and the Liu family, and put Consort Jing's adopted son on the throne.
However, this emperor was an ungrateful wretch. Not only did he not feel grateful to Empress Dowager Zhuang, but he also became wary of her after witnessing her ability to manipulate events at will.
The daughter sent to the palace by the Zhuang family should have become empress, but he instead made the younger sister of the Marquis of Xuanping empress in the Golden Palace and married his most beloved Princess Xinyang to the Marquis of Xuanping.
With the support of the Marquis of Xuanping's household, His Majesty was greatly strengthened, significantly weakening the Zhuang family's power. However, Empress Dowager Zhuang's methods were still too ruthless; as long as she kept His Majesty under pressure, His Majesty could not shake the Zhuang family's true foundation.
During the time when the Empress Dowager was "recuperating in the imperial palace," the Zhuang family was suppressed to the point of near collapse by the Xuanping Marquis's mansion.
If this continues, the bookmakers will really be finished.
"Wu Yang, this is our fate."
Going to the State of Chen as a hostage was his destiny.
To go through fire and water for the Zhuang family was also the Empress Dowager's command.
The next morning, the man in black changed into a guard's uniform and took a large box of gifts to Qingquan Village.
Gu Yan and the other two went to school, and Gu Jiao opened the door for them.
"Who are you?" Gu Jiao asked.
He cupped his hands and smiled, "My name is Wu Yang, and I am a guard of Prince An. Today, I am here on the Prince's orders to apologize to Miss Gu."
Gu Jiao said, "Didn't he already come to apologize yesterday?"
Wu Yang said politely, "The Prince was injured yesterday and had some things he didn't finish saying, so he asked me to make this trip again today."
Gu Jiao waited for him to continue.
Wu Yang asked, "May I... help Miss Gu move these gifts inside first?"
Gu Jiao did not refuse.
Wu Yang carried the large trunk into the main room, opened it, took out several large brocade boxes inside, and said to Gu Jiao, "The Prince hopes that after Miss Gu returns to the capital, she will not mention to anyone that my young lady spoke rudely. My young lady has been spoiled by her family and is indeed a bit domineering. My Prince apologizes to you. However, reputation is extremely important for a young lady. If people knew that she was bullying others with her power, she would likely face a lot of criticism in the future. I hope Miss Gu can understand my Prince's love for his sister."
It sounds like they're here to shut her up.
Gu Jiao didn't say anything, just gestured for him to put the things down.
Wu Yang specially picked out two brocade boxes and said to Gu Jiao, "Yesterday I frightened the young brother and the old lady. The Prince instructed me to personally apologize to them."
Gu Jiao said, "Jingkong has gone to school, so you probably won't see her. Your aunt is sleeping. I will convey your apologies to her."
Is it really because they're on high alert?
Wu Yang had initially only believed it to some extent, but now he believed it to five. He stood up and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Miss Gu. May I ask if I can use the restroom?"
Gu Jiao glanced at her and said, "Go ahead."
Wu Yang went to the outhouse with a normal expression.
Wu Yang was stalling for time; he needed to see the Empress Dowager today.
He was lucky; the old lady had a nightmare that woke her up, and she went out into the yard for some fresh air, where Wu Yang ran into her.
Wu Yang was a confidant of Prince An and had accompanied Prince An to meet the Empress Dowager many times. He knew the Empress Dowager's appearance well, unlike Marquis Gu, who only met her twice, once of which was only from behind.
Although the person in front of him was dressed like an old country lady and her aura was far different from that of the ruthless Empress Dowager Zhuang, Wu Yang still recognized her at a glance!
Wu Yang was excited, and he strode forward!
The old lady had just had a nightmare and was still feeling shaken when a seven-foot-tall man suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the backyard, giving her a huge fright!
"Who are you?" she asked rudely.
Wu Yang was taken aback: "The younger one is Wu Yang!"
"What five sheep, six sheep? Never heard of that! Go away, go away!" The old lady swatted him away in annoyance. "Jiaojiao! Why are there strange people in the house again?"
Gu Jiao put down the brocade box and walked over. She glanced at Wu Yang and said to the old lady, "He is the guard of that prince from yesterday. He came to apologize."
The old lady raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did they send anything?"
Gu Jiao nodded: "Yes."
The old lady went to the main room and rummaged through the porcelain, jade, and tea items, looking disgusted: "Not even a single piece of osmanthus cake, no sincerity, humph!"
Wu Yang was completely stunned. What was going on? This Empress Dowager was not what he had imagined!
"I want to eat sweet egg soup!" the old lady said to Gu Jiao.
"Okay," Gu Jiao agreed, figuring it would be fine without adding sugar water.
"Give him a bowl too!" the old lady said seriously. "After bringing so many gifts, you should invite him to have a meal!"
“Okay.” Gu Jiao nodded and went to the kitchen to cook two bowls of sweet egg soup, one with half a bowl of simmered eggs and the other with less sugar.
The old lady generously said, "Jiaojiao, you go ahead and do your work. I'll take care of the guests!"
Wu Yang gave the Empress Dowager a thumbs up in his heart. First, she used the excuse of eating sweet eggs to keep him here, and then she found a way to send the Gu family away. She is indeed a wise and powerful Empress Dowager. She is so clever!
Gu Jiao picked up a carrying pole and went to the village entrance to fetch water.
There was no one else in the room, and the old lady's expression instantly became agitated.
Wu Yang was also excited.
The Empress Dowager is wise beyond her years; she was truly faking it just now! The Empress Dowager is going to acknowledge him as her husband!
"Hurry, hurry! Jiaojiao will be back soon!"
Yes, yes, yes! We need to hurry!
Wu Yang nodded vigorously, and then he saw the old lady exchange a bowl of sweet egg soup with him, and then she picked up a spoon and ate it with great joy!
Wu Yang: "..."
Monthly tickets, monthly tickets! I'm begging for monthly tickets by biting my handkerchief!
And don't forget to claim your monthly pass bonus!
(End of this chapter)
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