Chapter 805 The Curtain Falls - Counterattack
But if he didn't scold them, he would feel guilty. Most importantly, he didn't want to lose face in front of so many people.
"The old man is getting old and his speech is not clear anymore, so he should speak less. Anyway, what he says is all nonsense. He might as well use that energy to eat a couple more bowls of rice. Maybe he can live a year or two longer."
Gu Shuyan has no sense of propriety when it comes to her words. This old man is clearly the one who bullies her older brother the most. If she doesn't teach him a lesson, he'll think that the Gu family members are easy to bully!
After uttering those almost suffocating words, Gu Shuyan slowly walked up to Gu Renjie under the shocked gazes of everyone.
"Brother, don't be afraid. Even if we don't become emperor, with the wealth and power of the Gu and Yun families, we can still make you live a more dignified life than an emperor."
Showing off, this is definitely showing off.
Everyone knows how much betrothal gifts Yun Yichen gave—an amount even an emperor couldn't afford for his wedding. Now Gu Shuyan is saying this in front of so many people; isn't she just trying to anger them?
"Madam Yun, you're a married daughter, so don't come along and cause trouble."
One minister looked distressed; if he had known things would turn out this way, he wouldn't have come.
"What's wrong with a married daughter? My parents don't even look down on me, so who do you think you are? Besides, if I were one of you, I would have killed myself to apologize to the late emperor for forcing the new emperor out of the palace."
Gu Shuyan's words made the Grand Secretary's face turn pale. Earlier that day, he had threatened Gu Renjie, saying that Gu Renjie had forced him to his death.
Unexpectedly, Gu Shuyan's words actually told him to die.
"Heavens above, what sins have I committed?!"
"Knowing you've committed a sin, why aren't you going back? Men, escort these gentlemen out. Have them all stand guard in our mansion; anyone who doesn't know better would think we run a charity."
Before the Grand Secretary could finish his tearful complaint, Gu Shuyan uttered another sentence, leaving the Grand Secretary with no choice but to leave.
As the group watched the Grand Secretary's eyes roll back and he nearly fainted, Gu Shuyan waved her hand, and the guards of the Gu family rushed forward without saying a word to chase him away.
Seeing Gu Shuyan kick people out like this, Gu Jin felt extremely pleased. Who cared about the adults' expressions anymore?
Once the gates of the Marquis's mansion were closed, all the worries were shut out. Lu Hexuan looked at Gu Shuyan's fierce demeanor and couldn't help but give her a thumbs up.
"Strong, very strong!"
If anyone else had done this, they would have faced gossip and impeachment. But after Gu Shuyan's actions, no matter how unwilling they were, they could only swallow their anger.
Gu Shuyan turned around and glared at Lu Hexuan. Honestly, why didn't she kick this guy out with her earlier?
"Your Highness, Renjie, come with me to my study. I have something to say to you."
As Gu Jin spoke, he nodded to Gu Shuyan. Gu Shuyan knew that her father wanted her to stay and keep Meng Wei company.
Watching the three leave, Gu Shuyan walked a few steps to Meng Wei's side.
"Was your sister-in-law frightened?"
Gu Shuyan's unreasonable arguments had already left Meng Wei speechless.
Upon hearing this, Meng Wei shook her head. "To be honest, I really envy you, Shu'er. You can say whatever you want without having to worry about what others think, unlike me, who only causes trouble for my husband."
"How could that be? Sister Mengwei is beautiful inside and out. Which young lady in the capital can be as refined as you? The reason those people stood up to oppose it is because they thought their daughters or granddaughters would have a chance to become empress."
As she spoke, Gu Shuyan reached out and patted Meng Wei's hand, saying sincerely, "Sister Meng Wei, I know you are a capable person. Although your brother will protect you, there are many days ahead, and there will only be more and more troubles in the harem. If you show weakness now, who knows what those people will do in the future. So this time, you must not back down."
Gu Shuyan's words were like a gentle breeze, slowly flowing into Meng Wei's heart.
Since yesterday, her mind had been in turmoil. She didn't want to be empress, and she didn't want to enter the palace. But just as Gu Renjie had no choice, she had no choice either. So, to avoid putting Gu Renjie in a difficult position, she was willing to give in.
But at this moment, seeing Gu Shuyan's determined gaze, Meng Wei's thoughts quietly changed.
"Thank you, Shu'er."
Meng Wei grasped Gu Shuyan's hand in return, her eyes filled with gratitude.
The next day, just as dawn broke, a group of ministers gathered outside the Marquis's residence once again. Gu Jin instructed the steward to politely welcome everyone inside.
Seeing this scene, the Grand Secretary's expression, which had eased slightly, instantly became as arrogant as a tail wagging in the sky.
Having suffered a great loss at the Marquis's residence yesterday, if the Marquis's attitude is not so favorable today, the Grand Secretary will naturally have to tone down his sharpness.
But the Gu family's attitude today was too good, so good that they lowered themselves to an extremely low level. The Grand Secretary naturally took this as Gu Jin's way of currying favor with everyone.
After everyone had a cup of tea at the Marquis's residence, Gu Renjie finally arrived late.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects."
Upon seeing Gu Renjie, those who had grasped the situation yesterday dared not act rashly. Therefore, apart from a few senior ministers such as the Grand Secretary, everyone knelt and bowed before Gu Renjie.
Gu Renjie ignored the old ministers and raised his hand to the officials kneeling on the ground, saying, "All of you, rise."
Unlike yesterday, Gu Renjie did not make a scene saying he would no longer be emperor. In fact, after everyone stood up, Gu Renjie bowed to them.
"Yesterday, I acted impulsively and left the palace in a huff. Today, I apologize to all of you."
As soon as Gu Renjie uttered these humiliating words, everyone present immediately knelt down, saying, "We are terrified!"
The Grand Chancellor stood aside, watching the scene with a cold eye, and couldn't help but click his tongue inwardly: "Didn't he say he would abdicate the throne yesterday? He really couldn't resist the temptation of power!"
Although the Grand Secretary did not speak, his thoughts could not escape Gu Renjie's notice.
"It seems the Grand Secretary and the other officials do not accept my apology!"
As soon as Gu Renjie spoke, the people kneeling on the ground couldn't help but look at the group. Seeing that the Grand Secretary was still slightly raising his chin, they couldn't help but shake their heads.
"We are not worthy of Your Majesty's apology, especially since Madam Yun was so fierce yesterday, looking like she wanted to devour us in front of all the ministers. If she hears about what happened today and comes looking for trouble again, wouldn't we old bones be finished?"
The Grand Secretary's words were clearly sarcastic, and he was also implying to Gu Renjie that the person who should apologize to them was Gu Shuyan.
If Gu Renjie truly wanted to apologize, he should have sent Gu Shuyan instead of just saying a few words here and that was it.
Upon hearing this, Gu Renjie's lips curled into a cold smile. These old ministers were quite well-behaved when the late emperor was alive, but now that the late emperor is gone, they've started to act like they're old and arrogant.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
