Chapter 62: Stepmother and Empress Dowager
The heroine Yu Shengxue traveled through time from the modern era and was proficient in medicine. She was originally a concubine's daughter of the Zhennan Marquis Mansion and was extremely unpopular. Today, she is qualified to appear in such a place, and she should have already established a firm foothold in the Zhennan Marquis Mansion.
She is dressed as a man today and looks very free and easy.
The Zhennan Marquis Mansion was somewhat in decline in the previous generation. Although it was a prominent family, no one in the court was responsible for important tasks.
Prince Yu bowed at the table, "Empress Dowager, may the Emperor be well."
Gu Wan just nodded.
Shao Jingzhou glanced at Gu Wan and knew that she was still angry about what happened that day.
Yu Shengxue stood at the back, quietly looking up at them. As a modern person, he was still very curious about the ancient imperial power, especially Shao Jingzhou.
"Today is a day of rejoicing for the emperor and his subjects. There's no need to be restrained." Shao Jingzhou waved his hand and asked them to stand and take their seats. After saying this, he noticed the person behind him, "Huainan, who is this?"
Yu Huainan didn't dare lie to Shao Jingzhou. "Your Majesty, this is my younger sister, Yu Shengxue. She's been bedridden for a while, and my father asked me to bring her out today to relax."
Yu Shengxue didn't want to kneel down, as she was taught that everyone is equal, but she had no choice but to kneel down and pay her respects.
"Your humble servant Yu Shengxue greets the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."
Gu Wan glanced at her inconspicuously. The original novel described her like this: Yu Shengxue saved the dying and the wounded, opened a clinic, was smart and kind, promoted the concept of equality for all, and did not care about power or wealth.
But in Gu Wan's opinion, if she really believed that everyone is equal, she would not support Yu Huainan wholeheartedly to hold the military power, nor would she earn the title of a legitimate daughter at home, nor would she
Shao Jingzhou just hummed, "Get up."
The family dinner was over for a long time before Shao Sui finally arrived.
The ministers also came over one by one to toast.
Yu Shengxue toasted Gu Wan.
Gu Wan took a sip. When the original owner and her child perished in the flames, it was Yu Huainan who led the troops at the gate to execute the imperial decree. Listening to those roars, it was questionable whether Yu Shengxue was behind the scenes in this short chapter. Yu Huainan was no fool. To be able to bring her here today, the heroine must have demonstrated her extraordinary qualities in front of him.
Yu Shengxue only felt that the person in front of her was very beautiful, and looked good even without makeup. It was a pity that she was locked up in the palace as a sacrifice at the age of sixteen, and she was afraid that her entire family would be executed soon, and she would have to spend her whole life like this. What was the use of being beautiful?
After three rounds of drinking.
Shao Jingzhou began to ask them to write poems and lyrics.
Shao then refused on the grounds that he could not speak, and just sat aside and watched.
Shao Jingzhou's eyes fell on Gu Wan again.
Gu Wan just lowered her eyelids and pretended not to hear.
Yu Huainan stood up first and made a suggestion.
"How about using today's moon as an image?"
Shao Jingzhou nodded.
Yu Huainan first composed a poem, "I am just throwing out some ideas to stimulate discussion."
Yu Shengxue was eager to sing, "Your servant will also sing a song."
Gu Wan held her chin and wanted to listen, as it was said that she was a very talented writer.
Yu Shengxue stood up, looked at everyone, and picked up the wine glass.
"When will the bright moon appear...We can share its beauty even though we are thousands of miles apart." The tone is ups and downs.
Shao Jingzhou didn't think she could write any good poems, but he didn't expect them to be so poetic.
"Huainan, your sister really outshines you."
Yu Huainan didn't know that she had such literary talent. He was very surprised. She surprised him more and more, and he smiled and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I am certainly outshined by her, but I am still proud of her."
Gu Wan took the wine glass and sipped it carefully. The royal wine was indeed good, and the moonlight was also nice, but her expectations were dashed. What a brilliant writing, it seemed a little ridiculous to think about it, and then she drank another glass.
Zhuxiang stood aside and felt very distressed watching her master. Her master was only sixteen years old. Drinking like this, she must have not yet gotten over what happened that day. A woman values her chastity the most.
"Queen Mother, please take care of yourself and don't drink too much."
Gu Wan shook her head slightly, "Fill it up." She just thought today's play was quite interesting, so she drank a few more glasses.
Zhuxiang didn't try to stop him and just filled the glass again.
Shao Jingzhou was in a good mood. "Miss Yu's literary talent is outstanding. I'm afraid that if the cabinet scholars were here, they would also admit defeat. I must reward you."
Yu Shengxue stood up from his seat and walked to the middle, bowing and bowing.
"Your servant does not want any reward."
Shao Jingzhou finally gave some jewelry as a reward.
Yu Shengxue thanked him, "Then I can play a song for you, to make the moon tonight worthwhile."
Shao Jingzhou naturally thought it was a good idea.
When Gu Wan heard the song, she understood something. It was someone else's song again. The smile in her eyes became even wider, and she accidentally knocked over the wine glass on the table, making a noise.
The person closest to her was Shao Jingzhou. When he turned around to look at her, he found that her neck and ears were pink, her cheeks looked like they were made up, and her eyes were blurred.
"Why did you drink so much?" He looked at Zhuxiang with a bad tone.
Zhuxiang bowed her head and admitted her mistake, "Your Majesty is in a bad mood. I have just tried to persuade her, but..." Before she could finish her words, she was about to pass out from drunkenness.
Shao Jingzhou was quick-witted and quick-handed, and had already hugged her around the waist.
During the meal, everyone was immersed in the sound of Yu Shengxue's piano, and no one noticed Gu Wan. She was also an invisible person, except for her good looks.
Shao Jingzhou held her and quietly left.
Shao Sui clenched the wine glass in his hand again and again, with a hint of sarcasm on the corner of his mouth.
Yu Huainan also noticed that he had mentioned to his father before that he wanted to propose marriage to the Gu family. Gu Wan was the person he had always wanted so much, but he did not expect that she would enter the palace and become the queen overnight. That day, his father told him that the Gu family would eventually perish. As the eldest son of the marquisate, he had the rise and fall of a century-old family on his shoulders and should not act rashly.
Yu Shengxue watched the emperor actually carry her away, suppressed her dissatisfaction, lowered her head and continued to play the piano.
Gu Wan knew who was holding her.
But she still rubbed her face against his chest, "It's hot, so hot." She put her arms around his neck and tried to open her eyes, as if to see clearly who was in front of her.
Shao Jingzhou looked at her face so close to him, "But have you seen clearly who I am?"
Gu Wan frowned and reached out to touch his face, "You said puppy."
Shao Jingzhou grew up like a star, and had never been called a puppy by anyone. He couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes, I am a puppy, and puppies love to bite people the most."
Gu Wan snuggled tightly in his arms again and whispered back, "You bit me, little dog."
Shao Jingzhou thought back to the kiss that day and realized that he had indeed bitten her.
Zhuxiang followed behind, not daring to look up at all, and only stared at her toes as she walked.
Gu Wan was moving around again. She had drunk some wine and her whole body was hot.
Shao Jingzhou sighed helplessly and lowered his voice, "Be honest."
Gu Wan looked up at him again, drunken and hazy, as if she had no idea what she was doing. She mumbled coquettishly, "You're mean to me."
Shao Jingzhou had no choice but to quicken his pace. Although he was very eloquent when talking to him on weekdays, he was still delicate after all. He finally reached the bedroom and put the person down.
"I'm thirsty. I want to drink some water."
Gu Wan muttered again.
Zhuxiang immediately poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, preparing to feed it to her.
Shao Jingzhou went straight over, took a sip himself, then lowered his head and kissed her thin lips before going in.
Zhuxiang quickly lowered her head. The emperor was too bold today.
Shao Jingzhou asked her to finish drinking it, and unconsciously increased his strength.
Zhuxiang was wondering whether she should leave when Shao Jingzhou stood up straight and said, "Take good care of her." After that, he strode away, leaving behind only a trace of dark clothes.
Zhuxiang was just about to go over and cover her master with a blanket.
Gu Wan opened her eyes, and there was no trace of confusion left, only clarity.
Zhuxiang stood aside, "Your Majesty, what about the Emperor?"
Gu Wan stretched out her fingers and pressed her head lightly. Although she was conscious, she had indeed drunk so much alcohol that her head was very swollen and painful. If she did not attract Shao Jingzhou's attention, Yu Shengxue's goal would be achieved tonight.
"Nothing."
Zhuxiang stepped forward and pressed Gu Wan's head. "Your Majesty, this servant has overstepped her bounds. If, if Your Majesty did not take action against the Gu family, would Your Majesty live in peace with Your Majesty for the rest of your life?"
Gu Wan closed her eyes and said, "He will move."
Shao Jingzhou is a qualified emperor. Regardless of whether the Gu family is loyal or not, it is impossible for the people to only know the Gu family and not the emperor. Even if he likes her very much, he will not do anything. At most, he will let her live and not let her get pregnant. He thinks it more clearly than anyone else.
Zhuxiang knew she was delusional, but he was the emperor, so what could they do? Could they really let the master and the young master rebel?
The banquet is over.
Yu Huainan and Yu Shengxue returned to the bedroom together.
"Brother likes that woman?" Yu Shengxue saw it at a glance, and his mood was fluctuating.
Yu Huainan put his hands behind his back and looked at her calmly, "After this is done, I will get what I want and you will get what you like."
When Yu Shengxue first came here, she did not hide her identity. She came from the modern era with a higher education and the most advanced ideas. She must stand in the highest position and promote her ideas, so she chose to cooperate with Yu Huainan. She didn't know why he agreed so easily before, but today she found out.
"But Shao Jingzhou also seems to be attracted to her. Brother, don't you know that women always fall in love with the first man they meet? I don't know what will happen tonight?"
Yu Huainan clenched his fists and looked stern.
"Is that how it is said in your world?"
Yu Shengxue pursed her lips. "No, it's because the shackles placed on women in your world are too heavy, so they pay special attention to chastity. If you like me, don't do things so silently. At least let her know."
She was just explaining it based on the ancient people's thinking.
Yu Huainan's eyes were full of disdain, "Then you are belittling her, and you are also belittling me." He didn't care about these empty things, and left after saying that.
Yu Shengxue recalled the woman. She was indeed beautiful. If it were her, he would also be moved. But there were so many people lining up to like her, and so many people lining up to harm her. I really don’t know what he would choose between power and beauty?
After washing up, Gu Wan picked up a pen and wrote a letter and handed it to Zhuxiang.
"Shao Jingzhou must not see this letter. Father must get it personally."
Zhuxiang said with a cautious expression, "Yes."
The next day, Gu Wan woke up, washed up, and just sat down when she saw Shao Jingzhou. She was drunk yesterday, not blacking out.
When Shao Jingzhou saw her discomfort, he knew that she remembered everything, and he felt in a good mood.
"Hello, Queen Mother. I managed to catch breakfast."
Gu Wan pursed her lips and said, "Let the bamboo fragrance go."
Zhuxiang bowed and stepped back.
Shao Jingzhou also waved his hand to let Zhao Jiu go down.
"It seems that the Queen Mother has something to say to me today."
Gu Wan looked at him with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, please do not do anything as excessive as you did yesterday. It will not be good for the Gu family or the royal family."
Shao Jingzhou raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "Then can the Queen Mother ask the Gu family to hand over the military power?"
Gu Wan nodded and said, "If the emperor is willing to let the Gu family go, I will return the military power."
Shao Jingzhou stood up and turned his back to Gu Wan. "The day the Gu family returns the military power will be the day I give you freedom." After saying that, he strode away.
Gu Wan sat down and looked at his back. He was lying. He would not let the Gu family go, nor would he give her freedom. He just wanted military power.
Zhuxiang came in and stood aside, accompanying him silently.
Shao Jingzhou just felt that Gu Wan was better off being drunk. She obviously liked him, and when she was sober, she was more rational than anyone else.
At noon, Yu Huainan urgently presented the secret decree.
Shao Jingzhou took it, took a look, and snorted, "Is this the Gu family's unwavering loyalty? It seems like they're just trying to fool me."
He narrowed his eyes. The Gu family must not be allowed to stay, and they must be completely eradicated.
Gu Wan didn’t know what happened in the study. She just felt that it was a bit cool in the afternoon and strolled around with the scent of bamboo.
Zhuxiang thought about how unhappy her mistress had been these days. "My Lady, there's a lake out front. It should be full of lotus flowers by now. The pavilion beside the lake can feel the breeze blowing in from all directions. It's very comfortable."
Gu Wan became very interested when she heard her say that.
"Then let's go." She was still holding a round fan in her hand, and on her ears she was wearing a pair of crabapple flower-shaped earrings carved from jade, and there was a hint of coolness on the jade.
This important pair of earrings was given by Shao Sui as a gift to the late emperor for marrying the empress.
Zhuxiang accidentally found it in the jewelry today.
Gu Wan recalled their encounter outside the tent that day. His eyes seemed very strange, so she could try again today.
Zhuxiang helped Gu Wan sit down and saw the goldfish in the lake. "My Lady, I'll go get some fish food."
Gu Wan nodded and walked to the railing to admire the lotus flowers. However, she caught a glimpse of the shadow of the rockery by the lake out of the corner of her eye. She walked around the railing, but her footing was not stable and she immediately slipped down.
"Help, help."
The people at the rockery ran over anxiously and jumped in without hesitation.
Gu Wan was picked up by the waist and she put her arms around his neck.
Shao then held his breath and hurriedly brought the person to the shore.
Gu Wan can swim, so it’s not cold in the summer.
Shao then carried Gu Wan ashore.
Gu Wan didn't fall in for long, so she was rescued in time.
Both of them were soaked.
Shao Sui saw Gu Wan spit out a few times, frowned, and there was a hint of blame in his eyes.
Gu Wan clutched his clothes tightly, tilted her head back and looked at him pitifully, "Your Highness."
Shao Sui felt a little reluctant, so he hugged her around the waist and wanted to send her back.
Gu Wan knew that he was going to send her back to her bedroom. "No, if I go back to the prince, my bedroom will be discovered." She was so anxious that she was about to cry.
Shao Sui knew that she cared a lot about her reputation, so he had no choice but to change direction.
Gu Wan sat in Shao Sui's room and looked at it carefully. He looked very similar to him, simple and clean, with not many people serving him.
Shao Sui pushed the door open and came in, holding a dress in his hand. He put it next to Gu Wan, then turned and left.
Gu Wan recalled the original owner's memory. The most important reason why she fell in love with Shao Jingzhou was that when she was a child, she fell into the lake and said that it was Shao Jingzhou who saved her when she woke up. But she just found out in the water that the angle was exactly the same as in her memory. Maybe the original owner had loved the wrong person all her life. But why would Shao Jingzhou admit it?
Gu Wan looked at the clothes beside the bed, not knowing how he found them, but she changed them anyway. She let her hair down and wiped it carefully, but it still wouldn't dry. She pushed the door open and went out.
Shao Sui was sitting alone in the yard drinking tea. When he heard the door open, he turned around to look at her. Although she was not wearing any makeup, she was very charming.
Gu Wan walked up to him and knelt down to salute.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving me."
Shao Sui just nodded slightly, still indifferent and distant.
Gu Wan sat down on her own.
Shao then poured her a cup of tea.
This was the first time Gu Wan looked at Shao Sui like this.
"Your Highness has saved me before, right?"
There was a hint of surprise in Shao Sui's eyes, but it disappeared in a flash.
Gu Wan took a sip of tea and said, "Your Highness, please remember to take a bath. Even though it's summer, it's still easy to catch a cold."
Shao Sui just nodded.
Gu Wan seemed to have discovered something and reached out to touch one of her earrings. "Why is one missing?"
Shao then looked up at her and realized that she was only wearing an earring on one side, so he squeezed it with his hand under the table.
Gu Wanyou stood up and said, "I'll take my leave first. I have to go back and look for the earrings. I really like this pair of earrings." After she said that, she bowed and left.
Shao Sui sat there without moving, just looking at the teacup she had used. He stretched out his hand and signaled, and a guard appeared in the yard.
The guard knelt on one leg, instantly understood what his master meant, and disappeared to the lakeside.
Shao Sui turned and walked into the hall with a slight smile on his face. He saw clothes scattered on the ground beside the bed and turned around quickly when he touched a small piece of cloth. His breathing had become rapid. He took a while to slow down before walking over, putting away the clothes one by one, and washing clothes in the yard.
The guards beside her hesitated to speak, wanting to persuade her but not knowing how to start. The Queen Mother also had no idea what she meant. Their master liked her, but he had never been so humble as to do the laundry for a woman.
Gu Wan left the courtyard. Although her expression remained unchanged, she was finally certain of one thing: Shao Sui had been fond of the original owner. She wondered when it had started. However, this was a good thing for her. It would allow the Gu family to launch a war with a legitimate reason, while also avoiding the charge of treason. Therefore, the new emperor would definitely be a member of the Shao family.
Although Shao Sui could not speak, he had led troops to attack barbarians in his early years and was very popular among the people. He had many supporters in the court. However, she needed a reason to induce Shao Sui to rebel. It depended on whether she could get him to take this step.
Gu Wan first went to the lake to look for it, but in the end she couldn't find it and returned disappointed.
Zhuxiang saw that her mistress had changed her clothes and her hair was still wet, so she stepped forward and supported her worriedly, "My lady, take a bath first."
Gu Wan nodded, took off an earring, looked at it silently, and put it down again.
The guard jumped into the lake and searched for half an hour before he finally found it.
Shao Sui took the earring and was stunned for a moment.
At night, Gu Wan sat in the yard to enjoy the breeze, and flipped through the book in her hand by the candlelight.
Zhuxiang was standing beside her, fanning her slowly with a fan.
A guard suddenly appeared, knelt in front of Gu Wan, bowed his head and presented it with both hands.
"By order of the prince."
Gu Wan glanced at Zhuxiang and motioned for her to accept it.
Zhuxiang was startled at first, then she went over and took it with both hands. It was the Empress's dress from the afternoon, and it had obviously been washed.
"Thank you for your hard work. Please convey my gratitude to the prince."
The guard answered yes, stood up and left quietly.
Zhuxiang saw a wooden box on the dress, took it off, opened it and handed it to Gu Wan.
Gu Wan smiled when she saw an earring inside. The depth of her love was really touching, but she was not the original owner.
"Put it away."
Zhuxiang nodded, "Yes."
Gu Wan closed the book and stretched. The sky on summer nights was always so bright and full of stars.
The next day, Gu Wan felt dizzy and had a fever.
Zhuxiang was so scared that she quickly went to call the imperial physician.
After the imperial physician took the patient's pulse, he immediately prescribed medicine and asked his apprentice to personally supervise the preparation of the medicine.
Shao Jingzhou was listening to the imperial physician's answer in the imperial study. He had no intention of going over to see the doctor. It would be better if there was no further involvement between them. He had begun to feel soft-hearted towards her, and since he had decided to cut the grass and get rid of it, he had to be prepared.
"Okay, go down and take good care of the Queen Mother."
The doctor knelt down and answered yes, then stood up and slowly retreated.
Zhao Jiukuang was waiting beside him, with his head down and not saying a word.
Shao Jingzhou annotated the memorial.
"Zhao Jiukuang, go check on the Queen Mother. Is her condition serious?"
"I obey your order." Zhao Jiukuang thought that he would have to make this trip too.
Gu Wan just drank today's medicine, it was too bitter.
Shao Sui was in good health, having not caught a cold. He sighed silently after hearing the guard's reply. He thought carefully about what had happened that day. Not a single maid was around, and she hadn't been in the pavilion for no reason, yet she had slipped and fallen in. Had she deliberately waited for him to come over? Had she gone through all this just to get him to save her? He couldn't figure it out.
The guard looked at his master without any reaction and just retreated silently.
The original owner was weak to begin with, and this time the cold came quickly but went away slowly. The hot weather had already caused him to have no appetite, and he had no energy at night.
Zhuxiang found a way to make a plate of sour plum cake in the small kitchen as an appetizer.
Gu Wan had just taken medicine. She managed to swallow a piece and then vomited it out.
Shao Sui came quietly at night. Just as he stood at the door of the room, he saw her vomiting and walked in with a frown.
When Zhuxiang discovered the person, she was startled for a moment, but fortunately she calmed down.
"Meet the prince."
Shao then raised his hand and motioned her to go out.
Zhuxiang glanced at Gu Wan before she retreated, closed the door, and stood at the door.
Gu Wan was only wearing a middle garment.
Shao Sui frowned, reached out and took her arm to take her pulse.
Gu Wan didn't move and let him take her pulse.
Shao Suiben thought she was pregnant? Then he let go of her hand.
Gu Wan pursed her lips and looked at him, "Your Highness, are you here to see me?"
Shao then nodded, took her hand and wrote on it.
"Get more rest."
Gu Wan nodded obediently, "Is your Highness alright?"
Shao then shook his head, took out a hairpin from his bosom and put it on her head.
Gu Wan reached out and touched it, and felt a cool sensation. It should be the same jade as the earrings. The smile between her eyebrows was like the stars scattered in the Milky Way, enough for him to remember for a lifetime.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shao Sui was happy to see her smiling so happily, but he had been becoming more and more presumptuous recently, so he gave her a few uncomfortable instructions before leaving.
Gu Wan looked at his back as he left, reached out to take off the hairpin on her head and played with it. Things were becoming more and more interesting.
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