Chapter 68: Stepmother and Empress Dowager
It was still snowing heavily outside, and only the guards on duty were taking turns patrolling.
Shao Jingzhou walked on the snow all the way to Zhaohua Palace. The edge of his black cloak swept across the snow. The north wind was blowing, but he didn't feel cold at all. He could hardly breathe just thinking about that dream. He wanted to see Gu Wan.
Gu Wan's body had changed since she became pregnant. She would wake up several times during the night. The closer it got to dawn, the more restless she became. She opened her eyes, looked at the green curtains above her, and slowly sat up. "Someone come here."
The maid on duty quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty," pulling the bed curtains to the sides.
It was very warm inside the palace.
Gu Wan simply put on another blanket, yawned, and lay on her side on the soft couch, leaning on a pair of pillows embroidered with plum blossoms, and casually picked up the book she had not finished reading last night.
Shao Jingzhou walked to the gate of Zhaohua Palace and stopped again. He hesitated for the first time. If he really executed the Gu family, Gu Wan would probably be even more cruel to him than in his dream. She was too stubborn.
But he would be unwilling to leave the Gu family behind. Ever since he could remember, the Gu family had been a burden on him and his mother. He had been planning for decades and he had to get rid of them.
He is not capable of romantic love.
The eunuch had just come out of the toilet when he saw a figure standing outside. He trotted over and found that it was the emperor, so he knelt down quickly.
"Your Highness."
Shao Jingzhou put his hands behind his back, nodded, and turned to leave.
The eunuch scratched the back of his head in confusion, then ran back to Zhaohua Palace, "Your Majesty, I just saw the Emperor outside, and then he left."
Gu Wan was not surprised. Shao Jingzhou was now in a dilemma. He loved himself and the imperial power at the same time. He was just struggling.
Northwestern frontier.
General Gu was furious when he received the letter from his daughter. The Gu family is a century-old family that has gone through three dynasties. Guarding the border is their mission. Looking at his sons standing on both sides of the tent, he was very angry.
"A letter from Gu Wan."
Gu Shiyun stepped forward and took it, quickly looked it over, and then handed it to his second brother.
"Dad, what if what my sister said is true?"
He held the sword at his waist. It was their duty to guard the border, but now the emperor had changed. His sister was right. The young child was innocent and he could not abandon his wife and children.
General Gu snorted angrily, "If the king wants his subjects to die, they must die."
Gu Shiyun just exchanged glances with his second brother and said nothing more.
Just as the two men walked out of the tent, they happened to meet someone delivering a letter and reached out to take it.
Sent by Shao Sui.
In the dead of winter, the north wind is bleak.
Shao Jingzhou personally led civil and military officials to welcome the soldiers outside the city.
Gu Shiyun had known Shao Jingzhou since childhood, but they did not get along well, and he did not smile much when they met this time.
Shao Jingzhou personally helped General Gu up.
"I have already held a banquet in the palace to celebrate General Gu's success. Please come in."
The palace was bustling throughout the afternoon.
Gu Wan was oblivious to what was happening outside the window and was just playing chess and reading in the hall.
Zhuxiang was used to being around Gu Wan, and she had learned a bit of his attitude, becoming more steady in her work.
"Your Majesty, I estimate it will be over in another hour. Would you like to see the General tomorrow?"
Gu Wan felt that her chess skills must have improved a lot in this world, so she nodded casually after hearing this.
"But my father will probably start scolding me when he sees me."
General Gu grew up under the ancient system. He had all the common problems of men. He was always strict with women on the three obediences and four virtues. His mother died early, so the original owner was raised timid and cowardly.
Zhu Xiang laughed when she heard this. "You are the Queen Mother now. The General would definitely not dare to do that."
Gu Wan raised her eyebrows. She didn't care anyway. She pushed the chess pieces on the board together out of boredom and stood up. Her belly was already noticeable.
Zhuxiang hurriedly helped her up.
"My Lady, would you like dinner?"
Gu Wan nodded, "By the way, have there been any changes in the previous dynasty during this period?" She wanted to see how far Shao Sui was prepared.
Zhuxiang has always arranged for people to inquire about it.
"The commander of the Imperial Guard is now Zhao Zicheng, the emperor's man. Besides, the emperor should be taking a concubine." She slowed down her speech a lot when she said the last sentence, and looked at Gu Wan's face again.
Shao Jingzhou comes every two days without fail and usually accompanies him for dinner.
Gu Wan picked up a grape and looked at her and said, "Love is something that can be had, but it is impossible for anyone to expect it to last forever."
In fact, she chose Shao Sui simply because she thought there should be no problem cooperating with him. She would give birth to a child for him. If it was a prince, that would be the best, at least he would have the title of the eldest prince. If it was a princess, she would be the one to educate him, and all the scheming and tricks would be necessary to ensure that she would have no worries for the rest of her life.
As for Shao Sui, she would not interfere with any of his choices. Whether it was taking a concubine or having children, it was his freedom. After all, it was his own choice.
If she were not constrained by her innate conditions, she would rather take control of the Gu family army and rebel to become emperor. Wouldn't that be more satisfying?
"Of course, Zhuxiang, do you have a man you like? Tell me and I'll arrange a marriage for you."
Although Zhuxiang was a maid in the deep palace and had seen a lot of the world, she was still a woman after all, and she would still blush shyly when this matter was mentioned.
"I have never had a man I like."
Gu Wan murmured softly, "Okay, if there's anyone you like, just tell me directly."
The next day, Gu Wan summoned General Gu and his two brothers.
Gu Wan sat upright in the hall, covered with a blanket.
General Gu, accompanied by his two sons, first saluted, then stood up and was very surprised because she had not mentioned that she was pregnant in the letter.
Gu Wan walked down slowly and said, "Greetings, father and two brothers."
General Gu's face looked very unhappy.
Gu Shiyun and Gu Shiqu didn't react much, as if they had known it for a long time.
General Gu shook his head angrily and pointed at Gu Wan with wide eyes.
"You rebellious girl, tell me, whose child is this?"
Zhuxiang hurriedly stood in front of Gu Wan, fearing that the general might hurt someone.
Gu Wan had known this would happen and remained calm. "To answer Father, whose else could it be? This huge palace, who else do you think it could be? Father, is he getting senile and confused?"
Her expression was cold, and her words lacked the gentleness and understanding that she had at home.
Gu Shiyun stepped forward and pulled his father to persuade him.
"Dad, don't blame my sister. She had no choice."
General Gu was full of vigor, "Is it necessary? I would rather preserve my chastity and commit suicide to thank the late emperor."
Gu Wan simply sat down leisurely, "I didn't do anything wrong, why should I die? Daddy should thank me."
General Gu was obviously really angry, clutching his chest, "Why should I thank you? My Gu family doesn't have an unfilial daughter like you."
Gu Wan stood up suddenly and stared at him.
"Thank you for your maneuvering in this palace to preserve the glory of the Gu family. Thank you for giving up my chastity so that you, my father, can have the chance to insult me here." After she finished speaking, she glanced at the people in front of her one by one.
"Shouldn't you, who sacrificed a woman to protect the entire General's Mansion, be ashamed of this?" The sixteen-year-old original owner was sent to the cannibalistic imperial palace, completely deceived by love, and lost her life because of her trust. Who could she tell about this lifelong resentment? Who could understand the grievance, resentment, sadness, and despair she felt before her death?
General Gu's chest was heaving with anger, and he spat out his last mouthful of blood in the hall.
Gu Shiyun winked at Gu Wan and said, "Sister, please be quiet. Dad has been at the border for so many years and his body is covered in wounds."
Zhuxiang also hurried forward and gently brushed Gu Wan's back to soothe her. "Your Majesty, you still have to take care of the baby in your belly."
Gu Shiqu is four years older than Gu Wan and has the best relationship with the original owner. It has only been a year since they last met, but she can still speak so harshly to him.
General Gu was already being supported. "The Gu family doesn't have an unfilial daughter like you. You'll never be able to open the door of the Gu family again." He still held on with one breath.
Gu Shiyun really had no way to carry the person on his back. "I'll come back another day to apologize to my sister." He hurriedly took the person away.
Shao Jingzhou rushed over immediately after the court session, but there was no one in Zhaohua Palace, only the red color in the front hall.
"Wanwan, are you okay?"
Gu Wan just raised her eyelids and looked at him.
"Nothing."
Shao Jingzhou felt as if her soul had been sucked out of her, and she had lost all her energy and spirit.
"Is it General Gu?"
Gu Wan reached out and hugged him, burying her head in his shoulder, and said in a muffled tone, "Daddy doesn't want me anymore. I have no home. Shao Jingzhou blames you."
Shao Jingzhou knew it was all his fault and he shouldn't have done that that night.
Zhuxiang retreated carefully. She just felt that her master was an actor. He had just made General Gu so angry that he vomited blood, and now he felt very aggrieved.
Gu Wan sighed again, "The Emperor is going to start taking concubines, right?"
Shao Jingzhou frowned. He had already ordered that this matter should not be discussed casually in the palace. How did she know about it?
"Wanwan, I promised you that you will be the queen, and this will never change."
Gu Wan came out of his arms and looked up at him. "It doesn't matter. I just hope the child is safe." She stood up again and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, please don't come to Zhaohua Palace again. I respectfully bid you farewell."
Shao Jingzhou frowned, he knew that he always felt guilty in front of Gu Wan.
"Wanwan, have a good rest. I'll come see you again when I have time."
He wanted to explain more, but after saying so much, he himself began to doubt it.
General Gu was sent out in a carriage. He was already injured, and now all his injuries flared up at once.
Yu Shengxue has been promoted two levels from the head of the Ministry of Industry. Some of the methods she proposed always made Shao Jingzhou's eyes light up.
Shao Jingzhou knew that he had to accept her.
The first imperial edict to take a concubine was hers, and she was given the name Jia, Concubine Jia.
Yu Shengxue held the imperial edict in her hand and felt sad for some reason. She got married, but it was not for love, and she was not his only woman.
Yu Huainan stood aside and said, "The palace is full of difficulties. Do you still want to think about it?"
Yu Shengxue forced a smile and sighed deeply, "Don't think about it anymore. The imperial decree has been issued, and there is no turning back."
Yu Huainan had no expression on his face and just turned and left. The evidence of treason that the emperor had asked him to forge had been prepared and would be handed over to the right person to report at the right time.
The Gu family is also going to be gone.
From then on, Gu Wan had no one to rely on.
Yu Shengxue suddenly spoke loudly towards Yu Huainan's back, "Brother, she is worse off than me. At least she has been deceived by others. You all love her, but she is still kept in the dark."
Yu Huainan was stunned for just a moment, then strode away.
Yu Shengxue entered the palace during the New Year. The ceremony of taking her as a concubine was not grand, and she lived in Jiaqing Palace.
Ever since Gu Wan talked to Shao Jingzhou that day, he would not come when she was awake, which was considered to be abiding by the rules.
Zhuxiang couldn't help but speak up for Shao Jingzhou.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor values you very much. He comes every day, even when you are asleep. Everyone in the palace has heard about it."
Gu Wan laughed as she ate her grapes, looking at the plum blossoms on the table. "How did this spread? Tell me about it."
Zhuxiang sighed, "It is said that the Emperor is deeply in love with the Empress and comes to visit her every day. It is said that the Emperor visited the one in Jiaqing Palace on the night she entered the palace, but he did not stay overnight."
Seeing that she didn't continue, Gu Wan turned to look at her, "Is that all?"
Zhuxiang was surprised for a moment, "Isn't this enough, Madam?"
Gu Wan snorted softly, "I thought I had become a demon concubine who brought disaster to the country."
Zhu Xiang smiled and said, "I wouldn't say that. Our Gu family has been loyal for three generations, and the queen has a good reputation."
Gu Wan didn't believe it. Maybe there were a lot of unpleasant things said in private, but she didn't care much. Living in this world, you will always be talked about by others. It has nothing to do with whether you do well or not, so she just lives as she pleases.
Zhu Xiang saw that Gu Wan was in a good mood today. "Your Majesty, the eldest son of the mansion sent a message saying that the general's injury is no longer serious. Please don't worry."
Gu Wan burst out laughing. This illness was caused by her anger. She didn't care whether it was good or not. "I know."
Zhuxiang pursed her lips tightly. The eldest master still didn't know that the young lady had changed.
On the Little New Year, a palace banquet was held in the palace.
Yu Shengxue is in charge.
This palace banquet was for the royal family and ministers to celebrate the New Year together with the emperor.
Shao Jingzhou specifically sent someone to pass on a message, saying that Gu Wan was not feeling well and did not need to dress too extravagantly.
That night, Gu Wan was dressed in ordinary clothes and sat in a high place with the emperor. The ministers all knew what was going on. They couldn't say that the child in her belly was the late emperor's.
Yu Shengxue sat to the lower left of Shao Jingzhou.
Zhuxiang stood beside Gu Wan, serving her.
Many people attended the palace banquet this time.
Not only the Gu family, but Yu Huainan was also there.
General Gu was being stared at by his colleagues, and his body, which had almost recovered, became ill again. But this unfilial daughter didn't think she was wrong at all. She was really ashamed of her ancestors.
Shao Sui hasn't come to see Gu Wan these days. He will do what he promised.
After Shao Jingzhou finished speaking, Yu Shengxue arranged a song and dance performance, and then she went on stage to play the piano.
Gu Wan really felt bored and a little sleepy.
Shao Jingzhou kept an eye on her situation, "Zhuxiang, send the Queen Mother back."
Zhuxiang knelt down and saluted, then helped Gu Wan down.
Yu Huainan just drank one glass of wine after another today. No one knew how sad he felt. It was obvious that he was the one who wanted to go to the Gu family to propose marriage in the beginning, and it was obvious that Shao Jingzhou didn't love her at the beginning. He quietly left the table.
After Gu Wan walked out of the hall and felt the cold wind, she no longer felt sleepy. The two of them simply walked slowly, and the maids and eunuchs followed behind at a leisurely pace.
When Gu Wan saw Yu Huainan appear in front of her, she felt a little strange.
"Prince Yu." Gu Wan spoke softly and smelled the alcohol on him.
Yu Huainan was not actually very drunk, and the wind made him even more sober, but he had already come here, and there were some things he couldn't help but want to say.
Zhuxiang glanced at the people following behind and said, "You guys go back to Zhaohua Palace and prepare first. The queen can't get cold when she returns later."
After sending the man away, Gu Wan frowned slightly.
"Prince Yu, do you have something to tell me?"
Zhuxiang was two steps away from them.
Yu Huainan was a little excited.
"Wanwan, I, I once wanted to go to your house to propose marriage."
He felt that he was drunk again and started talking nonsense, but he still stared at Gu Wan's face, wanting to see if she would change at all after hearing what he said, but unfortunately, there was no change.
Gu Wan nodded, "And then?" She felt that she still had enough patience and could continue listening here.
Yu Huainan's usually calm face now showed some uneasiness.
"But before I could do that, you entered the palace. Wanwan, I just wanted to tell you that I love you."
"Anything else?"
Gu Wan was not interested in these things that she already knew.
Yu Huainan shook hands awkwardly.
"That day you got lost in the rockery and I brought you out. At that time, I thought that if I could marry you, I would definitely treat you well."
Gu Wan pulled her cloak closer.
"I'll go back after that." There was still some impatience in his tone.
Yu Huainan didn't believe that Gu Wan had no feelings for him at all.
"The Emperor is not worthy of your trust. Wanwan, if you want to leave, I will help you."
Gu Wan raised her head and looked at him seriously, then said calmly, "Really? Prince Yu, why didn't you propose marriage? Was it just because I entered the palace? It was the choice after weighing the pros and cons. The choice you made with me at the Zhennan Marquis' Mansion was just human nature, and I have no right to blame you. Besides, if the emperor wanted to get rid of the Gu family, Prince Yu would probably be even happier." After she finished speaking, she looked at the person in front of her with some disbelief in her eyes, and continued.
"Prince Yu, you don't think you are deeply in love, do you think I will tell the emperor what I said today?" After she finished speaking, she saw the struggle in Yu Huainan's eyes.
"Prince Yu, there are some things that should not be said out loud, so that you can save face. If you say them out loud, you will be skinned alive, and I will have to step on it again. What's more, I have known for a long time that Prince Yu likes me." After she finished speaking, she ignored him, waved to Zhuxiang, and went back with her support.
Yu Huainan stood there in a daze, her words echoing in her mind. She had known it for a long time, so she would rather see herself as a clown and laughed out loud at herself. She was right, she was not deeply in love, she was just making excuses for herself.
Zhuxiang supported Gu Wan, she heard everything that was said just now.
"Your Highness, Prince Yu must have gone crazy after drinking. He's stopping you here and saying those nonsense."
Gu Wan smiled and shook her head, "Maybe it was stimulated."
Zhuxiang just turned around and looked at him again. He still maintained the same posture, motionless. Snowflakes floated on his body, looking quite pitiful. She suddenly understood what the empress meant. She also said that the emperor was pitiful that day, but the emperor had not done anything to harm his master. She wondered why the empress was so disgusted?
Shao Jingzhou got drunk today. When the palace banquet was over, Yu Shengxue helped him back to Jiafu Palace.
Zhao Jiukuang stood nearby and wanted to stop him but didn't. He watched the emperor enter the inner hall and stood outside the door honestly.
Yu Shengxue wiped him one by one with a wet towel and kissed him again. She thought for a long time.
Shao Jingzhou couldn't see clearly, he could only smell a fragrance.
"Wanwan, Wanwan."
Yu Shengxue's body froze instantly, tears streaming down her face. When had she ever been reduced to being someone else's substitute? But she wasn't afraid. It was better than him not touching her at all.
Shao Jingzhou held the woman in his arms, thinking it was Gu Wan, and kept kissing her, but he felt more and more that the fragrance was wrong. Gu Wan would never use this kind of fragrance. He stopped with a frown, and then he could barely see the person under him clearly.
Yu Shengxue opened her eyes and happened to see a flash of disgust in his eyes.
"Your Majesty." She stretched out her arms and put them around Shao Jingzhou's neck. "Can you please not reject me tonight?"
Shao Jingzhou reached out and took her hand away, got up from the bed and put on his boots.
"Jia Fei, please respect yourself."
Yu Shengxue only had a bellyband on her upper body. She pulled up the quilt to hug herself. When she heard this, she didn't get angry but laughed, "Do I respect myself? I am the emperor's concubine. It's above board."
Shao Jingzhou turned and looked at her. The mood in the dark yellow bedroom was unclear. "I'm not interested today."
Yu Shengxue felt as if someone had slapped her in the face several times.
"Is Your Majesty not interested, or is he keeping it for someone else? The one in Zhaohua Palace is the truly shameless one. She is the one who needs Your Majesty's self-respect the most. Otherwise, where will the child in her belly come from?"
Shao Jingzhou stepped forward and grabbed her neck again, "What qualifications do you have to judge her? I forced her to do this. Do you think you are worthy enough to compare with her?"
He just exerted a little force, and Yu Shengxue couldn't breathe.
Shao Jingzhou let go again and said, "Do what you should do, and I will not treat you unfairly." After saying that, he left.
Zhao Jiukuang never expected that the emperor would come out again, so he hurriedly followed him, "Your Majesty, where are you going back to?"
Shao Jingzhou looked at him and snorted, "Chengqian Palace, you will be punished to serve for another three months."
Zhao Jiukuang quickly answered yes and adjusted his hat. The emperor blamed him for not stopping her. Who knew that Concubine Jia would be so unworthy of the emperor's favor? But it also showed that the one in Zhaohua Palace was not someone that everyone could compare to.
Yu Shengxue smashed many things in the hall.
Gu Wan just went to bed early.
Shao Jingzhou dreamed of Gu Wan again, but the self in the dream was very excessive. He coaxed Gu Wan by saying that he loved her, and also lied to her that she would be crowned queen, but she also had a child.
Gu Wan in the dream was very nice to me, completely different from now. She couldn't hide her love for me in her eyes.
But the dream ended with a fire.
He wrote the imperial edict in the imperial study and handed it to Yu Huainan.
Yu Huainan took the imperial edict with both hands.
"But the Queen Mother is still in the Gu Mansion?"
I hesitated for just a moment and then nodded.
"No one related to the Gu family can be alive, no matter who they are." He would not allow any handle to be left behind.
Gu Wan died in the fire while pregnant. I saw clearly that she was shouting in despair and was still protecting her belly in the fire.
At this point, the Gu family collapsed, and his grand plan had just begun.
But how could he be so cruel? That was his child, whom he visited every day. He grew up so healthy. How could he want him to die? He wouldn't.
Shao Jingzhou woke up again and comforted himself that it was just a dream, just a dream. He would protect Gu Wan and she would not be burned to death. He got up from the bed in a panic.
Zhao Jiukuang ran in immediately after hearing the noise in the bedroom. "Your Majesty, it's still early."
Shao Jingzhou's eyes were red. "Call Yu Huainan."
Yu Huainan tidied himself up a bit and headed for the palace.
Shao Jingzhou met him in Yugan Hall.
Yu Huainan saw that the emperor's hair was a little messy and his clothes were not properly put on.
Shao Jingzhou sat dejectedly at the desk.
"Huainan, we grew up together. Mother was the daughter of an ordinary family. The Gu family repeatedly made things difficult for her, calling her a scourge on the nation. To gain the approval of the court officials, I was always at the forefront, even leading to floods in the south and smallpox outbreaks. That's how I got to where I am today. Do you think I would regret it if I really eliminated the Gu family?"
His voice was low and a little hoarse, and he recalled the past as if it were vivid in his mind.
Although Yu Huainan didn't know what happened, he probably knew that he had softened his heart for Gu Wan and the child.
"The Emperor will surely regret this."
Shao Jingzhou took a deep breath and then chuckled, "Let's proceed as planned. We will hold a court meeting on the 15th day after the New Year."
Yu Huainan thought he would really give up on attacking the Gu family, but he was an emperor after all.
"Yes, I obey your command."
The author has something to say:
I should be able to finish writing it tomorrow, and then there will be a sequel.
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