40 Oversized carriages
◎We've always been on the same path◎
In the Pixiang Palace, Madam Guo flew into a rage, not only overturning a white jade kylin statue from the table, but also smashing a celadon teacup to pieces.
"His Majesty wants to bestow the title of Princess? And that country bumpkin, who knows who her father is, a mere village girl? How laughable! Utterly laughable!"
Madam Guo bit her lip tightly, "Why does Zhang have the right to do whatever she wants? Does she think the palace belongs to the Zhang family?"
The maidservant serving her hurriedly dismissed the palace maids in the hall, for Madam Guo's words were too outrageous, and if the Empress found out, it would cause another problem.
Lady Guo has always been spoiled and arrogant. She was not someone who served Lady Guo before she entered the palace. She was an old servant who had served in this separate palace since the previous dynasty. Later, when His Majesty conquered the country, he did not hold a grudge against these servants and continued to keep them in the palace to serve him.
She was assigned to Lady Guo's Pixiang Palace because of her talent. She thought that Lady Guo was favored and that being assigned to this place was extremely lucky.
Who would have thought that Madam Guo was so ambitious? Indeed, how could a young and beautiful concubine with a son and a daughter, who was deeply favored by the emperor, not covet the empress's throne?
If the Empress were truly incompetent, she would be the first to rush to the front and argue for Lady Guo. Perhaps she would actually have that kind of good fortune. After all, who wouldn't want to serve the Empress? It's a unique honor and prestige.
However, in her opinion, Empress Zhang was not only not incompetent, but extremely talented. She was the emperor's first wife and had borne him children before he rose to power. Later, when he raised an army, she followed him to fight on all sides. Even among his ministers, who did not respect Empress Zhang? Moreover, the Zhang family had produced an empress and two marquises.
On the other hand, Madam Guo only relied on her looks to elevate her family to a high position. How could she possibly compete with or rival Empress Zhang, who held real power?
She had seen too many masters in the palace who were ambitious but had little life. She didn't want to lose her own life because of Madam Guo's foolishness, so she often tried to persuade Madam Guo.
However, honest advice is hard to hear, and the more she said it, the more suspicious Madam Guo became. It's true that being a loyal servant is difficult, especially when serving a master who has little knowledge.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you mute, Aunt Lin?" Madam Guo's delicate face contorted with rage.
Fortunately, the emperor is not here now. Otherwise, seeing his delicate and gentle beauty with such a murderous expression, he might not be used to his beloved concubine's two faces.
Lin Ao bowed her head humbly, "This servant knows that Madam is upset. It doesn't matter if these things are smashed or broken. As long as Madam can calm down, these things will have been put to good use."
Lin Ao's words really hit Guo Furen's weak spot. She prided herself on her beauty and had been so pampered by the emperor over the years that she had lost all ability to think and had become accustomed to being held in high esteem.
If anyone dares to say something she doesn't like to hear, or dares to disobey her, she will make sure that person never dares to disrespect her again.
She had disliked this old woman, Lin, for a long time. She had always tried to stop her and tell her to keep a low profile and be patient.
Hmph, how long is she going to endure this? Does she really want to wait until Zhang's son ascends the throne and then continue to live at the mercy of others? She thinks Lin Ao is probably on the Empress's side!
Keeping Aunt Lin around is only because we can't find a replacement for her right now; we still need to have my brother find someone trustworthy!
However, she does have some pleasant things to say sometimes, otherwise she wouldn't have kept her around until now.
"All you can do is say these things to make me happy. If I really asked you to do something for me, you probably wouldn't do it as well as you talk."
Lin Ao hurriedly knelt down to beg for forgiveness, "Madam Guo, I have devoted myself to you. My old life is in your hands. Why do you have to say such things to an unworthy servant like me?"
Madam Guo glanced at Lin Ao, who was kneeling on the ground, and said nonchalantly, "Since you are loyal to me, I will send you to meet our Princess and see how loyal you really are. What do you say?"
Madam Guo's words were like a venomous snake spitting out its tongue, sending chills down Lin's spine. Lin knew that Madam Guo was testing her. She wasn't simply going to see the Princess. If she didn't agree, Madam Guo would immediately kill her.
Old Lady Lin had no choice but to bite the bullet and kowtow, saying, "This servant obeys."
The night before the princess's investiture ceremony, Marquis Quzhou was busy at the Sima residence, preparing the palace attire for the investiture ceremony and matching jewelry for her.
Qi Gu and Li Shi sat in the courtyard, looking out the window at the busy Marquis Qu Zhou.
Li Shidao: "Qi Gu, you have a good aunt."
Qi Gu glanced at her father and said, "I not only have a good aunt, but also a good father."
A barely concealed smile crept across Li Shi's lips. "You still have a good mother, but as for your father, he's just so-so." He had witnessed the starkly different reactions of the Empress and the Emperor towards their daughter in the Empress's palace that day, and he naturally understood the situation.
Qi Gu sometimes felt that her father seemed to have no concept of imperial power. Whether it was since entering the capital, entering the palace, meeting Sima Hong, or his father and mother, he never seemed to show any real fear or awe.
Father is somewhat similar to Sima Hong, but they also seem to be different. Sima Hong possesses the humility and arrogance of a century-old clan and his own strength, while Father is... indifferent.
She asked, "Father, aren't you afraid of my father and mother?" To be honest, even as their biological daughter, she sometimes couldn't help but feel afraid of the oppressive aura emanating from the emperor and empress.
"Of course I'm scared, how could I not be? I'm scared to death." But in reality, Li Shi's answer was very perfunctory.
Li Shi stood up, patted her shoulder, and sighed, "Tomorrow you will be going to the palace to fight evil. When we, father and daughter, meet again, it will be a matter of ruler and subject."
His words stirred up Qi Gu's sadness. "Father, what are you saying? Does entering the palace mean I'm no longer your Qi Gu?" She wouldn't say that.
Li Shi looked at her with tears in his eyes, "Why do I feel like I'm sending my daughter off to get married tomorrow?" Li Shi wiped away the tears that didn't fall with his sleeve.
"Ah~ it must be because autumn has arrived, and Father is becoming sentimental."
"Father..."
"Hahaha, Aunt Qi, from now on, your father will have to rely on you. I'll have connections now too." Li Shi patted Aunt Qi's shoulder heavily again.
Qi Gu held Li Shi's hand and said, "Father, even if I enter the palace and receive the ceremony of being conferred the title of princess, I will still be Li Qi Gu who follows you to farm."
"You, you really love farming."
Qi Gu leaned on Li Shi's shoulder: "I like being Father's daughter."
"I'm not used to this sudden display of affection. I'm leaving now." Before leaving, Li Shi turned back and said, "Aunt Qi, has Father ever told you that you also saved him?"
"Father..." Qi Gu watched her father walk away with a limp, and for some reason, she felt that her father's back view was a little desolate.
Finally, after Marquis Quzhou had made all the arrangements, he instructed Hongyan and Honghu to make sure that Qigu was dressed up properly the next day. "Tomorrow is Qigu's official debut. She must not lose the demeanor of the Princess. You two must be on your best."
"yes."
Marquis Qu Zhou then pulled Qi Gu aside and began to ramble on, “These are all clothes, gifts, and jewelry that your elder sister prepared for you. Your palace has also been prepared for you long ago. Don’t blame your mother. In fact, she has also had a very difficult time these past few years…”
Qi Gu smiled slightly, "I have never blamed the Empress Dowager."
She looked at the magnificent hairpins and skirts laid out on the table. In her past life, she had indeed loved these things. She thought that possessing them would bring her great happiness. However, when these precious items were worn on her body and these valuable jewels were placed on her head, she did not receive the respect she deserved.
The excessive accumulation of expensive fabrics became a burden, and the unrestrained and extravagant selection of dazzling jewelry became a source of ridicule for others.
To gain respect and love, it seems that these things alone are not enough. In her previous life, she had been pursuing superficial things, and only when she died did she realize that only by becoming strong herself could she gain respect.
As for love, it cannot be obtained through these external or internal things. That thing is ethereal; it either exists or it doesn't. You can't get it by deliberately pursuing it.
Qi Gu gently stroked the deep red curved hem of her dress. The hem was silky and soft, and it would be dazzling to wear. However, in this life, she still preferred to hold a hoe. Such elaborate clothes were not suitable for holding a hoe.
Seeing her stroking the fabric, Qu Zhouhou assumed she liked it very much and said with relief, "That's good. My sister was worried that you would blame her, saying that you wouldn't call her 'Mother' today. I think my sister is just worried and confused."
Qi Gu shook her head. "I'm just worried... that it's not proper for them to be together." She didn't resent her mother, but she thought that after what happened in her previous life, the estrangement between her and her mother meant that they could never go back to being an ordinary mother and daughter like they were when they were children.
Marquis Qu Zhou felt even more sorry for his niece; what a sensible and well-mannered child she was.
She patted Qi Gu's hands, "Alright, you have to get up early to go to the palace tomorrow, so get some rest tonight. Your aunt is leaving now."
Before leaving, he once again instructed Hongyan and Honghu to take good care of them.
The next day, the wild geese and swans were extremely alert, preparing to dress the princess up in a splendid manner.
Qi Gu also got up early. Today she was going to Chengming Hall to receive the imperial edict. She was nervous because this time, she was prepared to make a name for herself.
Hongyan wanted to help Qigu put on that magnificent deep red blouse, but Qigu waved her hand and refused, saying, "Bring me my peach-colored everyday clothes, I'll wear that."
Honghu said, "But yesterday, Marquis Quzhou repeatedly instructed the princess to wear this outfit."
Qi Gu thought it was still necessary to make a three-point agreement with Hongyan and Honghu. "Hongyan and Honghu, as you know, I have lived in the countryside for more than ten years and am not familiar with the rules and regulations of the palace. I also do not like roundabout ways. I will not send you back to avoid trouble for you. I also hope that you can understand that I have my own ideas about how to do things. If we cooperate and understand each other, it will be more conducive to completing our respective tasks. What do you think?"
Actually, it was my father who taught me the word "work".
Hongyan and Honghu hurriedly knelt down to beg for forgiveness, but Qigu stopped them, saying, "There's no need to beg for forgiveness. What I just said was already very clear."
"Yes, we understand."
Qi Gu nodded in satisfaction, put on her clothes, and wore a phoenix-shaped hair ornament on her head. It couldn't be too plain, lest it seem like she was announcing to the world how miserable she was, otherwise it would be a slap in the face to her emperor father.
Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse, but today she has other plans, so she's not not wearing those clothes, just not today.
Outside the Sima villa, a three-horse carriage was already waiting. When Qi Gu saw the outdated carriage, she frowned.
"Don't worry, this is His Majesty's compensation to the princess," Sima Hong's voice came from behind.
Qi Gu turned around, crossed her arms, and looked at him suspiciously: "You're the one who did this."
Sima Hong did not deny it, but looked at her clothes. Although they were not as gorgeous as the palace robes, the peach-colored folded hem made Qi Gu look radiant and full of energy.
"Let's go, it's time to go to the palace."
Qi Gu, however, avoided suspicion and said, "Young Master Sima, you should go first. We are not on the same path and should not go together."
Sima Hong stepped forward and stared at her. "We are both going to the palace, to Chengming Hall. Aunt Qi, we have always been on the same path."
Sima Hong was clearly trying to tell everyone that he had entered the palace with her. What was his purpose? Qi Gu looked at him suspiciously, "Sima Hong, what do you want to do?"
"You've finally stopped pretending to be a stranger to me, huh?"
Sima Hong's usually cold eyes revealed a rare hint of a cheerful smile. Qi Gu thought she was seeing things, so she shook her head and looked again, but the smile was still there in his cold eyes.
"Why should I pretend? Since Lord Sima isn't afraid of trouble, let's go."
After saying that, Qi Gu picked up a sack from the ground and hoisted it onto her shoulder. Before Hongyan and Honghu could react, they saw their princess carrying a sack and striding onto Yanzhai's carriage.
The two realized what was happening and hurriedly got into the carriage.
Behind me, I heard a few soft laughs.
[Author's Note]
Sima Hong: I'll get my wife a supercar [sunglasses]
Qi Gu: What are your intentions!
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