Chapter 63: Stepmother and Empress Dowager
Shao Jingzhou dismissed several old ministers from the court today and gave them many rewards, saying that they would retire early, but everyone knew that the new emperor had begun to train his own people.
Yu Huainan was promoted to the Ministry of War.
Gu Wan was sitting in the yard playing chess by herself, while Zhuxiang stood behind her and handed her a letter with both hands.
"Madam, it's a letter from the master."
Gu Wan took it and opened it. Last time she wrote a letter asking the Gu family to be prepared and analyzing the pros and cons, asking him to make a choice. As expected, when she opened it, she found that Master Gu did not want to retire and said that if he had to die, he would rather die on the battlefield. After reading it, she handed it to Zhuxiang.
Zhuxiang didn't even glance at it, but just burned it aside.
Gu Wan knew that he would not agree. To put it nicely, the Gu family was loyal to the emperor and patriotic, but to put it bluntly, they were brainless. How could a minister challenge the imperial power? They were unwilling to do so, let alone rebel, so they did not choose either of the two suggestions.
Gu Wan narrowed her eyes, picked up a chess piece and placed it down.
It is the plum rain season, and river embankments in some southern regions have released floodwaters, and the people's harvest this year will be destroyed.
Shao Jingzhou has been in a bad mood these days, and he has uncovered a corruption case in the Jiangnan region.
Yu Huainan stood on one side of the imperial study.
"That's probably the information we have so far."
Shao Jingzhou sneered, "Your Majesty is indeed merciful, otherwise they wouldn't dare to embezzle. Investigate, continue investigating, and find out as much as you can. All of them will be executed immediately." After saying that, he picked up another memorial.
"The Gu family sent this and proposed taking back the five northern cities. What do you think?"
Yu Huainan pursed his lips and bowed, "The five northern cities are the concern of the late emperor, and also the concern of Your Majesty. I think it can be approved. As for the future, we can wait and discuss it later."
Shao Jingzhou knew what he meant and sneered, "Sure."
When Yu Huainan came out of the study, he was dizzy for a moment by the afternoon sun. The future of Zhennan Hou is prosperous, but he will inevitably step on the bones and blood of others. When that day comes, he will definitely protect Gu Wan.
The person who went to the south to provide disaster relief this time was Shao Sui. He was a prince and represented the royal family. When he encountered corrupt officials, he could execute them first and report to the emperor later.
After Gu Wan learned about this, she put on a cloak and a reed hat and went to Shao Sui's yard at night.
Shao Sui was discussing matters with his subordinates in the room. They were all martial artists, so Gu Wan discovered them immediately when she arrived in the yard.
The subordinate glanced at Shao Sui's expression and quickly disappeared.
Gu Wan knocked lightly on his door.
Shao then went over, opened the door and let her in.
Gu Wan took off her hat and looked up at him.
"This is the amulet I asked for. Your Majesty, please carry it with you to keep you safe."
Shao Sui felt a little uncomfortable, but he still took it and pulled Gu Wan's hand, "Why?" and wrote two words.
Gu Wan looked at Shao Sui intently without blinking, "Because Your Highness saved me twice, I naturally want Your Highness to be safe and sound."
Shao Sui looked into her eyes, smiled, and continued writing on her palm, "No matter what, don't test yourself with your life in the future."
Gu Wan didn't expect him to guess it, but her face immediately became hot. "I, I just guessed that the prince was the one who saved me before, so I gave it a try."
Shao Sui didn't know this was the reason, so he nodded.
Gu Wan withdrew her little hand and straightened her back. "Then I wish the prince a safe and speedy return." After saying that, she turned around, opened the door and trotted out in a somewhat embarrassed manner.
Shao Sui stroked the amulet in his hand. Was she interested in him? A smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Gu Wan walked out of the yard and analyzed the situation calmly. His guess was not surprising, but fortunately he found a suitable reason for him.
Gu Wan had no shelter on her way back, and she happened to meet Yu Huainan when passing by the garden.
Yu Huainan kept his distance from Gu Wan and bowed, "Meet the Queen Mother."
Gu Wan remembered him, the person who lit the torch personally and also the person who took over the military power of the Gu family.
"Master Yu."
Yu Huainan looked up at Gu Wan's attire and asked, "Your Majesty, why are you not accompanied by servants so late?"
Gu Wan smiled gently under the moonlight, "I just think the moonlight tonight is beautiful, and I want to be alone and quiet."
Yu Huainan remembered that when he first met her, she took the wrong road and wandered aimlessly in the garden for a long time. When she met him, her eyes were red and her dress was stained with dead leaves. She looked very pitiful and begged him to take her out.
At that time, I thought that if I could marry her and protect her for the rest of her life, I would be very happy.
But she didn't expect that before he proposed, there was already a huge gap between them.
Gu Wan saw the emotion in his eyes and instantly understood. Yu Huainan also liked the original owner? But wasn't it him who watched the original owner burn to death later?
"If there is nothing else, Master Yu, I will go back."
Yu Huainan turned his body and realized that he had been staring at her. He lowered his head slightly and said, "Excuse me, your humble servant."
Gu Wan walked straight past him.
Yu Huainan felt that the moonlight tonight was softer than usual, and he reached out and grabbed Gu Wan's wrist.
Gu Wan stopped and looked at him sideways, "Master Yu, what do you mean?"
Yu Huainan suddenly remembered what Yu Shengxue had said to him, and the day when Shao Jingzhou carried her back. He had so many things to ask her, but he also had the future of Zhennan Hou Mansion, his father's hopes, and his grandfather's earnestness. Everything depended on him, so he slowly let go of her hand, lowered his head, and put away all his delusions.
"Your humble servant, I just want to take the Queen back home. It's not safe late at night."
Gu Wan withdrew her wrist and said, "No need, Royal Villa." Then she left.
Yu Huainan stood there for a long time, even his feet felt numb. He muttered to himself, "Gu Wan, Gu Wan," and sighed again.
Gu Wan felt that she had gained a lot tonight. At least Yu Huainan was usable, but she didn't like this man very much. He thought he was more affectionate than anyone else, but when benefits were put in front of him, he would still choose power. These men were really strange. They said they loved you, but they hurt you at the same time. Shao Jingzhou was like this, and so was Yu Huainan.
The next morning, Shao Sui set out early.
Shao Jingzhou brought his ministers to see Shao Sui off, but Gu Wan did not go because it was too hot outside.
The third day after Shao Sui left.
Shao Jingzhou took Yu Huainan's memorial in the study.
"Your Majesty, many branches of the Gu family are involved in this corruption incident."
Yu Huainan checked and found that because General Gu was away from the capital for many years, the constraints on these branches were much weaker.
Shao Jingzhou looked at the records one by one and slapped the table with his hand, "This is the good minister raised by the kindness of the emperor."
Yu Huainan remembered that his father had told him that only when the Gu family fell would their Zhennan Marquisate have prestige in the army.
Shao Jingzhou suppressed the dissatisfaction in his eyes and casually asked, "What do you think the Queen Mother should do?"
Yu Huainan lowered his head and said, "I dare not discuss the emperor's family affairs."
Shao Jingzhou threw the letter on the table and said, "I forgive you, please speak."
Yu Huainan knew that Shao Jingzhou was suspicious, so he just looked up and looked at him.
"What about the Emperor? What are the Emperor's feelings towards the Empress Dowager? When the Emperor asked this question, he must have already had the answer in his mind."
Shao Jingzhou raised an eyebrow and said nothing. The Gu family must be eradicated, but what about Gu Wan? He wanted to keep her.
"Where's your sister?"
Yu Huainan didn't know why he suddenly mentioned Yu Shengxue?
"She went to the south and said she had ideas about flood control."
Shao Jingzhou recalled the poem he wrote that day, "Your sister is quite good."
Yu Huainan bowed his hands in thanks, "She doesn't deserve such praise from the Emperor, she's just a woman."
Shao Jingzhou waved his hand to let Yu Huainan leave. After dinner, he did not let Zhao Jiukuang accompany him and took a walk alone.
Gu Wan drank a few glasses of wine and gave Zhuxiang a look.
Zhuxiang nodded cautiously, turned around and trotted out.
Gu Wan looked at the letters sent from the Gu family and placed them next to the table, while she continued to drink one cup after another.
Zhuxiang accidentally bumped into Shao Jingzhou as soon as she left Youhua Hall.
Shao Jingzhou frowned and looked at her, "Why are you so flustered?"
When Zhuxiang heard it was the emperor, she knelt down in fear and said, "Your Majesty, the queen is drunk. I will go get some sobering medicine, otherwise the queen will still have a headache when she wakes up tomorrow."
Shao Jingzhou hadn't seen her since that day. Last time she caught a cold, and now she was drinking. While he was thinking about it, he had already arrived at Youhua Palace.
Zhuxiang watched him go in and slowly walked towards the Imperial Hospital.
She smelled alcohol before Shao Jingzhou even approached her.
"Why are you drinking so much?"
Gu Wan heard the voice, turned around to look at him, and reached out to grab in the air again.
Shao Jingzhou knew that she was no longer conscious and even had double vision.
"It's me."
Gu Wan said "oh" and continued to hold up her wine glass.
Shao Jingzhou knew at a glance that she had no idea who she was. He walked forward and was about to take her wine glass when he saw a piece of letter paper on the table.
In his reply, General Gu rejected Gu Wan's request to return the military power because he still wanted to recover the lost territory.
He looked at Gu Wan, who was already lying on the table, mumbling drunkenly.
"Is that why you're sad?"
Gu Wan didn't say anything. She reached out and pulled Shao Jingzhou's sleeve, "Zhuxiang, Zhuxiang, I don't want to be the queen mother. I have someone I like. This won't work. He wants to kill my whole family. I can't be with him." As she said this, she started crying, and then began to laugh.
Shao Jingzhou didn't expect that she knew everything. Knowing that he would kill all the people in the Gu family, she still went to persuade the Gu family to hand over the military power. How could she be so stupid? He reached out and hugged her, whispering a question.
"Do you want Shao Jingzhou or the Gu family?"
Gu Wan didn’t understand, and she couldn’t understand anymore, so she fell into a deep sleep.
Zhuxiang came back at the right time, "Your Majesty, the hangover medicine, the imperial physician said you have to give it now."
Shao Jingzhou reached out to take the bowl, looked at the person on the bed, fed her gently with a spoon, and then looked at her quietly.
Zhuxiang waited at the door of the bedroom and did not leave until half an hour later, when Shao Jingzhou came out. She half-knelt and saluted, then went back in.
Gu Wan didn't say anything more. She glanced at Zhuxiang and waved her off. "Do you want the Gu family or Shao Jingzhou?" He decided to keep her and then take action against the Gu family. She knew him well.
The next afternoon.
Gu Wan was practicing calligraphy. The chirping of summer cicadas and the wind blowing through the window did not disturb her at all.
Zhuxiang looked up and saw Shao Jingzhou. She wanted to bow and speak, but Shao Jingzhou raised his hand to stop her and waved her out.
Zhuxiang slowly retreated.
Gu Wan writes in regular script. She likes to practice calligraphy. The advantage of the ancient world is that it is easy to practice calligraphy.
Shao Jingzhou walked slowly to her side and took a glance. The handwriting was even better than that in the letter.
Gu Wan finished the last word and looked up to see Shao Jingzhou with an indifferent expression.
"When did the Emperor arrive?"
Shao Jingzhou didn't answer, but just looked at the words. "It's well written, but you're not very strong. You can try to practice your wrist strength to make your words more resilient."
Gu Wan knew it, but the original owner’s health was not good and his wrist strength was insufficient.
She put down her pen immediately.
"Your Majesty, is busy today?"
Shao Jingzhou was in a good mood. He took out a memorial and placed it in front of her. "Take a look."
Gu Wan lowered her head and took the memorial from his hand. When she opened it, she saw a series of names. Some of them were from the Gu family's side branches. They occupied fertile land, oppressed the people, and committed one crime after another.
Shao Jingzhou was observing her expression.
"I have sentenced him to immediate execution. As for General Gu's crime, we will wait until the battle in the five northern cities is over."
There was no smile in Gu Wan's eyes, and her face was cold. When she heard his words, she raised her hand and threw the letter at Shao Jingzhou.
"Your Majesty, just execute him. There's no need to keep those who deserve to die alive."
Shao Jingzhou put his arm around her and asked, "Does the Queen Mother really think so?"
Gu Wan frowned and put her hands on their chests, "Your Majesty, please respect yourself."
Shao Jingzhou's breath brushed her ears, "The Queen Mother still remembers asking General Gu to hand over his military power."
Gu Wan was so angry that she bit his neck directly.
Shao Jingzhou sighed and endured the pain.
Until Shao Jingzhou let her go.
Gu Wan stood aside, obviously annoyed.
Shao Jingzhou reached out and touched the neat tooth mark. "Gu Wan, you are a puppy, right?"
Gu Wan didn't say anything, but just stood aside with a cold face.
Shao Jingzhou looked at Gu Wan and laughed again, "Gu Wan, you obviously like me, why don't you admit it?"
Gu Wan gritted her teeth and said, "I like Shao Jingzhou who saved me back then, not the current emperor."
When Shao Jingzhou heard his name coming out of her mouth for the first time, he actually thought it sounded nice, but what she said was not nice. However, she admitted that she liked him, which made him feel a little relieved.
"You can like Shao Jingzhou now. He is better than when he was young." He said this very seriously with a burning gaze.
Gu Wan's tone also seemed to become calmer. "No, I won't like Shao Jingzhou now. I am already the Queen Mother."
Shao Jingzhou chuckled, "What if you were not the empress dowager? Would you like me?" He walked in front of Gu Wan, his tone more gentle than ever before.
Gu Wan lowered her head, "But she is already the Queen Mother, and she will always be. No one can change that."
Shao Jingzhou reached out and tapped her head. "I am the emperor. If I say you are not, then you are not. Stand still. I will teach you how to write."
Gu Wan did not dodge and was held in Shao Jingzhou's arms.
Shao Jingzhou looked at her ears and felt that he could either not use Gu Wan or spare her life. As long as she was willing to abandon the Gu family and no longer be obsessed with them, he could create a new identity for Gu Wan.
This time, the two of them got along very peacefully.
Shao Jingzhou left only after Zhao Jiukuang reported back that the prince had sent back the latest memorial regarding disaster relief.
Zhuxiang came in, bowed to Gu Wan, and then tidied up the papers on the desk.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is sincere." She has been in the deep palace for more than ten years. Although the current Emperor's temperament and character are different from the previous Emperor, he is very affectionate. It is not easy for him to say these words today.
There was no trace of hesitation on Gu Wan's face. "Zhu Xiang, sincerity is meant to be betrayed."
She would never be fooled. Shao Jingzhou's choice had never changed. He might have love, but once he had to choose between it and the power in his hands, he would first abandon the so-called love.
Zhuxiang was quite touched when she heard this. The late queen's sincerity was completely betrayed by the emperor. If it weren't for the Gu Mansion, how could he have secured the throne so securely? It's true that a new emperor chooses new ministers.
"Then, Madam, what are we going to do next?"
Gu Wan looked at the words written on the paper.
"Go prepare the ingredients. I'll go to the kitchen and make a bowl of hand-rolled noodles."
Zhuxiang didn't ask any more questions, just agreed and turned to go to the small kitchen.
Gu Wan didn't start cooking until the evening. When it was done, she put it in a lunch box and asked Zhuxiang to carry it to the study.
Shao Jingzhou was in a bad mood. The flood in the south was more serious than he had imagined. He was busy all day, transferring grain for disaster relief. Yu Huainan also stayed with him in the study.
Zhao Jiukuang was standing at the door of the study, extremely anxious. The emperor hadn't eaten for two meals, and he found it strange to see Gu Wan appear.
"Your servant greets the Majesty."
Gu Wan nodded, "The Emperor hasn't had his meal yet, has he?"
Zhao Jiukuang adjusted his hat and nodded hurriedly, "Isn't it? The emperor was really angry."
Gu Wan took the food box from Zhuxiang and said, "Let's go in."
Zhao Jiukuang originally wanted to pass on the message, but when he thought about the emperor's different attitude towards the empress dowager, he did not move.
Gu Wan pushed open the door carrying the lunch box.
Yu Huainan looked up at her, but was a little surprised that she would appear here.
When Shao Jingzhou heard the voice, he didn't even raise his head until Gu Wan walked up to him.
"Your Majesty, please have your meal."
Shao Jingzhou looked at the food box in front of him, then glanced at Gu Wan and put down his pen. "Why are you here?" His tone and attitude were normal.
Yu Huainan stood aside silently.
Gu Wan opened the lunch box and said, "I know you won't eat well because you're worried."
Shao Jingzhou looked at Gu Wan. His choice was right. He kept Gu Wan. It was this kind of Gu Wan that he coveted.
"You did it?"
Gu Wan hummed and tidied up his desk. "Try it and see if it suits your taste."
Shao Jingzhou thought of his mother, who always cooked for him personally. It was not until he smelled the fragrance that he realized he was really hungry and began to eat with big mouthfuls.
Seeing that he was eating voraciously, Gu Wan said, "Don't eat so fast, it's hot." Then she looked at Yu Huainan.
"Prince Yu was here too. I didn't know, so I didn't do anything more."
Yu Huainan bent down slightly, hiding the bitterness on his face, and said, "Your Majesty, you are too polite."
Shao Jingzhou didn't feel the heat and finished the whole bowl in no time.
"tasty."
Gu Wan collected the dishes and chopsticks and put them in the lunch box.
"Then Your Majesty and Prince Yu can continue with their work. I will be leaving first."
Shao Jingzhou continued to look down at the map, wondering where it would be more appropriate to transfer grain.
Yu Huainan has been uneasy since Gu Wan left.
Shao Jingzhou noticed that he was distracted, "Why? Do you think I will let the Gu family go?"
Yu Huainan lowered his head and said nothing.
Shao Jingzhou took the pen and wrote, "Gu Wan is Gu Wan, the Gu family is the Gu family, I will protect her."
Yu Huainan clenched his hands. He felt extremely dark inside, especially after seeing how nice she was to Shao Jingzhou. "But if the Queen Mother knew, would she accept it?"
Shao Jingzhou thought about this question and said, "Just pretend that everyone in the Gu family is alive. I will tell her that they have all returned home and it is not convenient to summon them."
The disaster relief work lasted for about a month.
Shao Suicai successfully resolved the matter and returned to Beijing.
They also returned to the palace from the Summer Resort.
After a tiring journey, Gu Wan took a shower and rested as soon as she got home.
Shao Jingzhou wants to receive Shao Sui.
Then the court was reorganized, and those corrupt officials who had been found were sent to prison.
Shao Sui and Yu Huainan led people to search the house, and for a while, the court was very restrained.
In the evening, Shao Jingzhou hosted a banquet for Shao Sui.
Shao Sui was in a bad mood.
Shao Jingzhou filled his glass.
"I'm specifically thanking my uncle. He has made invaluable contributions to the disaster relief efforts in the south and this thorough investigation of the imperial court."
Shao then dipped his finger in the wine and wrote the word "Gu" on the table.
Shao Jingzhou understood what he meant, "I have decided to keep Gu Wan, but the Gu family will still be eliminated."
Shao then stood up, performed the courtesy of a subject, and then turned around and left.
Shao Jingzhou watched him leave, but he was not angry, just sighed.
Shao Sui was going to stay in the palace tonight, and his previous bedroom had been kept. But when he walked to the door, he saw a small shadow, and he strode over.
Gu Wan saw just the right amount of surprise on his face.
"Your Majesty is back so soon?"
Shao Sui just nodded.
Gu Wan smiled and explained the reason before he could ask, "I know you'll be staying in the palace after you finish your work today, so I'm waiting for you here. I just hope Your Highness returns safely."
Shao Sui looked at Gu Wan, who was smiling like a flower, and felt as if a ball of cotton was stuffed in his throat. He reached out and pulled her in.
The hall was deserted and there was no one to serve.
Two people stood under the candlelight.
Shao Sui looked at the hairpin on her head and reached out to write on her palm.
"Why are you with him?"
Gu Wan didn't look up for a long time after seeing the words he wrote.
What did Shao Sui think was wrong with her? He felt the hot tears on his hands. He reached out and lifted Gu Wan's chin, frowning.
Gu Wan suddenly stepped forward and hugged Shao Sui tightly.
"The prince has saved me twice. In this huge palace, I don't know how to deal with it. The emperor likes me. If I can save the Gu family, what does my reputation matter?"
When Shao Sui was held in her arms, his body was a little stiff, with his arms hanging vertically on both sides, unable to move at all.
Gu Wan sobbed, "Your Highness is the kindest person I have ever met in the palace." After saying that, she came out of his arms, looked up at him with bright eyes.
Shao Sui frowned, took her hand, and wrote, "Do you like him?"
Gu Wan did not answer this question. "It doesn't matter whether I like it or not. I'm leaving now. Your Highness, please just pretend that what happened tonight never happened."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Gu Wan walked alone in the huge palace. Her plan was being implemented smoothly step by step. The next step was to let them fight among themselves. There was still one more thing needed. She looked up at the moon in the night sky. It seemed to be covered by clouds little by little, and people's hearts seemed even more unpredictable in the twilight.
After Gu Wan left, Shao Sui stood there in a daze for a long time. Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood, knelt on one knee, and his handsome face was full of pain.
The subordinates immediately appeared to support him, calling him anxiously, "Prince."
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