Chapter 377 Mother's Kindness and Filial Piety (Second Update)
Gu Jiao wasn't good at handling relationship issues, but she remembered that her aunt liked Xue Ningxiang quite a bit. She just didn't know that after being hit on the head, she still couldn't remember Xue Ningxiang.
"Miss Gu has arrived!"
The palace servants of Renshou Palace bowed to Gu Jiao.
"Is the Empress Dowager here?" Gu Jiao asked.
"Yes, they just finished court," the palace attendant added. "His Highness Prince Ning is also here."
Hmm?
Has Prince Ning returned to court?
After Gu Jiao became closer to the palace, she could hear about some of the court's activities without deliberately inquiring. For example, Prince Ning had recently led Tang Yueshan north to suppress bandits.
The so-called bandit suppression was actually a pretext to gather intelligence on the border – the Chen Kingdom was restless again and had secretly stationed a considerable number of troops on the border.
Since they were discussing politics, Gu Jiao didn't disturb them and went directly to the swing set to sunbathe.
She wasn't afraid of getting tanned, even though it seemed like her body was naturally resistant to tanning.
As she swung on the swing, she secretly thought about when she could go and get revenge on Consort Jing again. That woman had harmed her aunt for so many years. Even if she couldn't bring her down immediately, she had to collect some interest.
Just as I was pondering this, a somewhat uncertain voice suddenly called out from behind: "Auntie?"
"Hmm?" When Gu Jiao's body swung back to the ground, she stretched out her toes and stopped the swing.
Then she turned back to look at the handsome young man who had walked through the hanging flower gate, "Prince Ning?"
Prince Ning looked dazed for a moment, then exclaimed "Ah!" and smiled with a hint of guilt, "Sorry, I mistook you for someone else."
His gaze swept over Gu Jiao, "She really does look somewhat like her."
Gu Jiao looked down at her clothes. It wasn't the blue dress she usually wore, but the lake-blue, water-sleeved, waist-cinching silk skirt she had taken from her aunt's place after she had soiled her clothes last time.
Was it because of the clothes that they mistook her for someone else? Or—
Gu Jiao never asked her great-aunt why there were so many young women's clothes in her bedchamber. She assumed her great-aunt had prepared them for her.
But it seems that's not the case right now.
That's right, it shouldn't be.
They are clearly different styles.
As long as it doesn't involve a mission, Gu Jiao isn't someone who cares about the details of her clothing.
Yao usually made clothes for her based on her preferences, but in reality, she wasn't that picky about clothes. It's like someone who likes to eat meat, but if you give them a table full of vegetables, they won't refuse to eat them.
She just grabs whichever outfit she can from the closet, as long as it's wearable; and today, she just happened to be wearing this one.
Prince Ning had saved Gu Jiao once when he and Princess Rui were attacked. The two were not very familiar with each other at that time. Now, whether it was because he had heard about Gu Jiao's relationship with the Empress Dowager, or because Gu Jiao's outfit made him feel familiar, he took the initiative to walk over and strike up a conversation with Gu Jiao.
"Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Aunt Ning'an?" he asked.
“Princess Ning’an?” Gu Jiao shook her head. “No.”
Prince Ning smiled and said, "My aunt married far away to the northern frontier when I was very young, and I have never seen her since. But she was very good to me, and I have always remembered her."
Gu Jiao said "Oh," and asked, "Do we look alike?"
Then she'll start to doubt her own origins.
“No, you don’t look alike…” Prince Ning said, his gaze falling on the birthmark on her left cheek. “But there is a small scar on this spot where she was injured, and she always draws a begonia in cinnabar.”
Gu Jiao touched her birthmark.
Prince Ning couldn't help but glance at Gu Jiao a few more times: "Last time I was busy catching assassins, so I didn't think she looked very much like one, but seeing her today..."
The fact that Prince Ning keeps mentioning Ning An suggests that, apart from her face, she really does resemble Princess Ning An in many other ways.
Most people would be happy to be praised for looking like a princess, as it means she has the temperament and aura of a princess, which is a high compliment.
However, Gu Jiao remained calm.
I felt neither happy nor unhappy.
Prince Ning then said, "I have heard about the Empress Dowager's situation. I haven't yet thanked you and your family for taking care of her. If you need anything, you can come to Prince Ning's residence to find me at any time."
Whether Prince Ning helped Gu Jiao out of respect for Princess Rui or out of his duty as a prince, it is an undeniable fact that Gu Jiao escaped a calamity because of him.
Gu Jiao nodded: "Okay."
Prince Ning seemed very pleased and smiled, "Then it's settled. By the way, I heard from the Empress Dowager that you are a good doctor. May I ask you to come to my residence for a consultation?"
"The consultation fee isn't cheap," Gu Jiao said.
Prince Ning probably didn't expect Gu Jiao to react this way. Ordinary adults would be honored to be treated at the Prince's residence and would rather not accept a consultation fee. Prince Ning probably didn't expect Gu Jiao to react this way either, and he didn't know how to respond for a moment.
After a moment, he couldn't help but chuckle and say, "Of course."
Gu Jiao said, "I will have someone send an invitation to the Prince's residence when I have time."
Prince Ning smiled and said, "Then it's settled. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
After Prince Ning left, Gu Jiao got up from the swing set and went to her aunt's study.
Empress Dowager Zhuang was reading a memorial when she saw Gu Jiao enter, and she snorted in annoyance.
Since her aunt was always like this, Gu Jiao didn't feel that she had done anything unforgivable. She went over and handed Xue Ningxiang's letter to her aunt.
"What is it?" Empress Dowager Zhuang asked.
"Does Aunt Xue still remember Xue Ningxiang's letter?" Gu Jiao asked.
Empress Dowager Zhuang frowned and pondered.
Gu Jiao reminded her: "Gouwa's mother."
When it comes to Gouwa, Empress Dowager Zhuang remembers the little baby who would lick a candied fruit in her yard all day long. He was very quiet and much easier to take care of than Xiao Jingkong!
Then Empress Dowager Zhuang remembered Xue Ningxiang.
The main reason is that Xue Ningxiang is a good cook, while Liu Lang is a bad cook. Whenever Gu Jiao is not around, she will call Xue Ningxiang over to cook.
"The food is quite good," said Empress Dowager Zhuang.
"Please read the letter first," Gu Jiao said.
Empress Dowager Zhuang read the letter quickly, and to be honest, Xue Ningxiang's handwriting was really ugly, but with Gu Jiao's "precious example" before her, Empress Dowager Zhuang felt that this kind of handwriting was barely acceptable.
"Oh." Empress Dowager Zhuang raised an eyebrow. "Little Xiangxiang is quite popular."
Look at that reaction, no wonder she's my great-aunt.
Gu Jiao sat down opposite Empress Dowager Zhuang, staring at her intently: "Right? Then how should this matter be resolved?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang did not speak, but instead stretched out her hand and made a "take it" gesture.
Gu Jiao pretended not to understand: "What?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang said coldly, "Stop pretending with me! Pay up for yesterday's performance fee! Otherwise, there's no point in talking!"
I knew it.
"Alright then." Gu Jiao sighed, reluctantly took out the box of candied fruit, counted out five pieces and placed them in Empress Dowager Zhuang's hand, saying with a pained expression, "There are only a few left, even Jingkong won't have any to eat."
Empress Dowager Zhuang was speechless at Gu Jiao's exaggerated and cringe-worthy acting skills. It was a good thing that this girl didn't enter the palace to compete for the emperor's favor, otherwise, who could she fool with such acting skills?
but--
Empress Dowager Zhuang glanced at her little fist.
It seems she doesn't even need to pretend; one punch from her and even the emperor would be down.
Empress Dowager Zhuang accepted the candied fruit and said to Gu Jiao, "What's so difficult about this? Whoever she likes, I'll arrange the marriage for her."
The problem is—
Xue Ningxiang did not write in the letter who she favored.
Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow: "Then should I write her a reply?"
"Never mind, she wouldn't mention such a thing in her letter." Empress Dowager Zhuang summoned Eunuch Qin, "Send two reliable men to the county seat of Youzhou."
Empress Dowager Zhuang gave the instructions, and Eunuch Qin accepted them and left.
This is the convenience that power brings; both the way and the speed of problem-solving are simple and brutal.
With her aunt taking over, Gu Jiao no longer had to worry about this matter. She was just very curious: one was a warm, middle-aged man, and the other was a devoted young man. Who would Xue Ningxiang choose to marry?
As Gu Jiao was pondering this, a eunuch announced from outside the door—the emperor had arrived.
The emperor came to ask Empress Dowager Zhuang to put on a play.
Even though the emperor has gradually developed a dislike for Consort Jing, he will not see her true colors so quickly. Therefore, the emperor has always believed that the murderer is still in the dark and has not yet made a move.
Having grasped the whole truth, Gu Jiao—no, she not only took action, but also smashed her own foot.
Oh well, let's just keep acting, it's not a bad thing.
The aunt tolerated the emperor for so many years without knowing that he had been drugged. Who can say that she didn't care about the mother-son relationship she once had?
Gu Jiao also kept the truth from her aunt.
Therefore, the aunt also thought that Consort Jing was holding back and not making a move.
"Does Your Majesty wish to stroll through the Imperial Garden today?" the Emperor asked casually.
This actor's acting is absolutely terrible!
Empress Dowager Zhuang rolled her eyes. Without leaving Renshou Palace, she was too lazy to play along: "Go, of course I'll go! But—"
She drew out her words and deliberately glanced at Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao understood.
Candied fruit, you know.
I understand!
Perfect timing! She could also observe how effective the medicine was for her aunt. As Nan Shi Niang had said, when the medicine practitioner needed such a large dose of the medicinal guide, it meant that the medicine's effects were almost over.
She wasn't sure whether it was Consort Jing's white medicine that couldn't keep up, or her great-aunt's black medicine that couldn't keep up, or whether both medicines were failing at the same time.
Gu Jiao gave her great-aunt a no-questions-asked gesture.
Empress Dowager Zhuang raised an eyebrow and looked at her "five candied fruits" with satisfaction: "Let's go."
emperor:"……"
Is it just my imagination? Why does it feel like the Empress Dowager is drooling over me?
Neither of them had any objections to Gu Jiao following behind, so Gu Jiao leisurely followed along.
Eunuch Qin and Eunuch Wei were also present, but their presence was less noticeable, unlike Gu Jiao who was riding in Empress Dowager Zhuang's phoenix carriage.
The emperor and Empress Dowager Zhuang walked to the Imperial Garden.
The weather is nice today, and there are many people in the Imperial Garden.
As luck would have it, Consort Jing was also there.
Empress Dowager Zhuang had already entered her role the moment she left Renshou Palace, and was not affected by the presence of Consort Jing at all. However, the emperor beside her stiffened slightly when he saw Consort Jing.
There was a sense of panic, like being caught red-handed.
Consort Jing looked at the Emperor with a hurt expression.
The emperor knew he shouldn't have done this. His mother was clearly the most important person to him, yet he had abandoned her and gone for a stroll in the garden with Empress Dowager Zhuang.
but--
Gu Jiao understood. The effects of the black medicine had only begun to take hold, and the emperor had not yet completely come to hate Consort Jing. At this moment, his feelings were probably a mixture of guilt and complexity.
Gu Jiao guessed that Consort Jing had anticipated this, which was why she wanted to come out and see for herself how far the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager had progressed, and this was very likely related to her next plan.
Empress Dowager Zhuang was unaware of the situation; it was all an act for Consort Jing's benefit. It was good that the Empress herself was there, saving her the trouble of having someone else tell her, which would have diminished the effect.
Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at the Emperor gently, took out a handkerchief and wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead: "Hong'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Let's go sit in the pavilion."
"No." The emperor came to his senses, but did not dodge her touch.
Consort Jing's gaze deepened slightly.
"Oh, isn't that your mother?" Empress Dowager Zhuang seemed to only just notice Consort Jing, her tone and eyes flawless. "Eunuch Qin, go and invite Consort Jing over."
"yes!"
Eunuch Qin went to invite Consort Jing.
Granny Cai knew that going there at this time would be extremely unwise, but sometimes people who have won half their lives will really think that they can control everything. Consort Jing agreed.
The group sat down in the pavilion.
There were four stools. Empress Dowager Zhuang sat down next to the emperor without hesitation, while Gu Jiao sat on the other side of the emperor, which resulted in Consort Jing sitting directly opposite the emperor.
"Hong'er has lost weight recently, you should eat more." Empress Dowager Zhuang gently picked up a piece of crab roe pastry and handed it to the emperor.
"His Majesty doesn't eat crab roe pastries," Consort Jing gently reminded him.
Empress Dowager Zhuang: ...I forgot about this silly son of yours, he's a picky eater.
Empress Dowager Zhuang, remaining calm under pressure, said, "He likes it now! Is that so, Your Majesty?"
She smiled and gave him a threatening look.
The emperor frowned and accepted the crab roe pastry with obvious disdain.
Empress Dowager Zhuang's handkerchief fell to the ground and she stepped on it herself, then picked it up casually.
Then she picked up a handkerchief and smeared it on the emperor's mouth: "Oh dear, just like when you were little, you get food all over your mouth? Come, let your mother wipe it off for you!"
The emperor's temples throbbed: ...Are you courting death?! Don't think I didn't see that you stepped on this handkerchief!
The two exchanged glances more than a dozen times, but in the eyes of Consort Jing, it was not the case at all.
They were clearly very close!
Consort Jing was unaware that the two were acting and still believed that they had genuinely begun to reconcile.
A surge of intense jealousy welled up in her heart, and Consort Jing tore the handkerchief in her hand to shreds!
Hmm... Good morning?
(End of this chapter)
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