Gu Jue, who met his eyes, was calm and had a cold expression.

The two people formed a sharp contrast.

Where their eyes met, there was a faint spark flickering.

There was dead silence all around, the atmosphere was cold, and no one dared to even breathe. Everyone could see that the emperor was enduring something, but Gu Jue didn't care about the emperor's anger at all.

Those royal relatives were becoming more and more uncomfortable, but Chu Qianchen, on the contrary, didn't care at all. He stood gracefully beside Gu Jue without the slightest hesitation.

Everyone else was looking at the emperor and Gu Jue, and only the second prince Gu Nanzhao had his eyes on Chu Qianchen.

Looking at Chu Qianchen, who was dressed in gorgeous and bright clothes, Gu Nanzhao felt both familiar and unfamiliar, with a passionate look in his eyes.

His sister Chen became more beautiful, like a blooming flower, so beautiful that it made people's heart palpitate.

And he was destined to have no fate with her.

Gu Nanzhao felt as if a knife was cutting his heart, making him feel extremely painful, with a bitter taste filling his mouth.

Sister Chen was already his uncle's wife, his aunt. Even though they only had each other in their hearts, fate had played tricks on them, and there was bound to be an insurmountable gap between them...

Gu Nanzhao clenched his hands into fists in his sleeves and reluctantly looked away.

The stiff atmosphere continued quietly, and the surroundings became even quieter.

Veins bulged on the emperor's forehead and the anger in his heart seemed about to burst out at any time.

Prince Li secretly felt that something was wrong, so he forced a smile and said to Gu Jue, "Jiu Xia, how is your body? If you still feel uncomfortable, don't force yourself, sit down first."

Prince Li intended to give the emperor a way out, meaning that Gu Jue did not perform the ceremony of paying homage to the emperor because he was unwell.

If things get too ugly on an occasion like today, the emperor will lose face.

However, the emperor was angry now and ignored Prince Li's good intentions. He sneered and asked, "Ninth brother, the last time I went to Prince Chen's mansion, you were so sick that you couldn't get out of bed. How are you now?"

"..."Prince Li's mouth twitched. The emperor's words were so sharp. Wasn't he intentionally trying to stir up trouble?

Gu Jue smiled faintly, "I am honored that the emperor has thought of me and issued an edict to grant us the marriage. I am very happy to see you. I am very happy for you."

emperor:"!!!"

The emperor's eyes were uncertain and he was speechless for a moment.

Having said that, if he congratulated Gu Jue on his recovery, he would be at a disadvantage.

Seeing that it would be even more difficult for the emperor to step down, Crown Prince Gu Nanjin sighed inwardly and quickly spoke to ease the situation, "Ninth Prince has just recovered from a serious illness, why don't you sit down first."

"Father has been worried about the health of the Ninth Prince for some time, and often tossed and turned at night. Now that he sees the Ninth Prince recovering, Father is happier than anyone else."

Gu Jue didn't hesitate and sat down directly.

The others exchanged glances secretly. In this contest between the emperor and Gu Jue, the emperor was obviously weaker and was instead taken the initiative by Gu Jue.

Gu Nanjin reminded the emperor again: "Father, the auspicious time has arrived."

The emperor finally came down the stairs this time, "Let's get started."

The officials from the Taichang Temple and the Ministry of Rites, who had been waiting for a long time, all breathed a sigh of relief.

They quickly set up the table, and after the emperor burned incense, they opened the door to the front hall of the Taimiao.

What comes into view are tablets one after another. On the wooden and gold-painted thrones are placed the tablets of emperors and empresses of successive dynasties, including Taizu, Taizong, Yingzong... One of the tablets is that of the late emperor, and next to it is the tablet of the current emperor's biological mother, the late Empress Dowager Liu.

The whole process was rigorous and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites instructed them at every step. They knelt, kowtowed, and burned incense in front of the tablets of their ancestors. Then the Ministry of Rites added Chu Qianchen's name to the jade casket. Everything went in order.

After that, everyone went to the East Side Hall to sit for a while, and Gu Jue took Chu Qianchen to recognize his relatives one by one.

Chu Qianchen had long been weighed down by the heavy Nine Di Crown. Fortunately, she was of a high generation, so she had to pay respects and offer a cup of tea to the elders of the royal family such as Prince Li, and Gu Jue's brothers and sisters-in-law. However, no one dared to ask her to kneel. After all, Gu Jue didn't even kneel to the emperor, so how could he kneel to them! After recognizing these elders, Chu Qianchen spent the rest of the time waiting for others to pay their respects to her.

She responded perfunctorily and was too lazy to talk to anyone, including Gu Nanzhao. She just let Amber mechanically present the gift of meeting. She was already in a trance, thinking that she would not have much dealings with these people in the future anyway.

After Chu Qianchen had finished recognizing his relatives, several officials from the Ministry of Rites felt that they had lived ten years shorter. They were about to ask the emperor whether to return to the palace when they heard Gu Jue say, "Brother Emperor, can I go see the Queen Mother today?"

The speaker may not have any intention, but the listener may take it seriously.

Gu Jue's words were ordinary and polite, but to the emperor, he felt that Gu Jue was mocking him, implying that he was using Queen Mother Yin to threaten him.

The emperor felt as if he had been slapped in the face by Gu Jue again, and he hated him even more.

The emperor suppressed his anger and said in a dignified manner, "Congratulations to my ninth brother on his wedding. The Queen Mother must be happy for him too and is waiting for him in Shouning Palace."

"Brother Emperor, I and the princess will take our leave now." Gu Jue said goodbye without any reluctance and left with Chu Qianchen, ignoring the strange looks of the people behind them.

The emperor clenched his fists and his chest heaved violently, but there were members of the royal family present, so no matter how unhappy he was, he had to endure it.

Empress Dowager Yin had been waiting impatiently in Shouning Palace. As soon as the emperor and his entourage set out for the Taimiao, she sent people to guard the Taimiao.

After waiting and hoping, she finally saw her son and daughter-in-law.

"Your Highness, Princess, and the Queen Mother are inside." Nanny Yan personally opened the curtain for the two of them and led them in.

As soon as Gu Jue entered the room, Empress Dowager Yin's eyes were fixed on him, and she no longer noticed anyone else.

Gu Jue went on an expedition to the north when he was fifteen years old. He has returned to Beijing only a handful of times over the years. He was even unable to return in time when the late emperor passed away last year.

"Ajue." Queen Mother Yin called softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Three years.

Queen Mother Yin hasn't seen Gu Jue for three whole years.

Gu Jue has grown a little taller, with a slender figure, as straight as a bamboo, and a handsome face. He has grown from a young boy into a young man capable of shouldering the world.

Someone who could make her proud! Queen Mother Yin's eyes were slightly moist, her eyes were red, and her throat was tight. She felt that she had a lot to say to Gu Jue, but she couldn't say anything.

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As long as he comes back safely, that's all I hope as a mother.

Gu Jue also looked at his mother. He walked closer with Chu Qianchen. They both knelt down and kowtowed to Queen Mother Yin.

"Mother."

The two called out at the same time, Gu Jue's voice was slightly hoarse, and he looked up at Empress Dowager Yin who was sitting on the Arhat bed.

On the way from the prince's mansion to the imperial palace, Chu Qianchen had already told Gu Jue about the situation of Queen Mother Yin.

Gu Jue’s eyes were as deep as a pool, so deep that they seemed to suck people in.

At this time, Nanny He handed the teacup to Chu Qianchen, and Chu Qianchen respectfully presented the teacup to Queen Mother Yin. Queen Mother Yin took the tea with great joy, took a sip, and put the teacup aside.

"Mother, you have lost weight." Gu Jue said softly.

Compared to the last time we met, my mother looked much older and more haggard, with a sallow complexion and thin cheeks. She was not even forty years old, but looked four or five years older than her actual age.

He knew that Empress Dowager Yin looked old not only because of Gu Lang, but also because she had been worrying about him all these years.

Queen Mother Yin tried to cover up the situation by saying, "She'll look better if she's thinner."

"Ajue, get up quickly." Queen Mother Yin personally helped Gu Jue up from his kneeling position, "Qianchen, you get up too."

She couldn't hold back the tears that welled up in her eyes and her voice choked with sobs.

Gu Jue took out a handkerchief and wiped Queen Mother Yin's tears, "Mother, don't cry."

He smiled slightly, as if to say, I'm here.

Queen Mother Yin took the handkerchief, her eyes passed over Gu Jue's fingers, and she keenly noticed a thin scar on the middle finger of his left hand.

These are still the places she can see. There are no telling how many more scars there are on Gu Jue's body in places she can't see.

The child was hurt, but the mother was heartbroken. Empress Dowager Yin felt a pang of pain just thinking about it.

Others only saw the glory and honor of his victory over the Red Di, but never knew the effort and price he paid for it! Gu Jue had a hard time these years! "Ajue, Qianchen, please sit down." Queen Mother Yin quickly calmed down and restored her original grace, with a little smile in her eyes.

People should look forward and not pursue the past. As long as the son and daughter-in-law are doing well in the future, that's enough.

Queen Mother Yin looked at the perfect couple in front of her and couldn't help but smile. She ordered someone to serve tea, especially asking for Gu Jue's favorite Biluochun tea. She also sent away the other palace servants, leaving only Nanny He and Nanny Yan to serve. Lan Ruo came with Chu Qianchen, so she stayed behind Chu Qianchen.

A few palace maids were a little hesitant, but when they saw Nanny Yan and Lan Ruo were there, they lowered their heads and retreated.

Nanny Yan silently retreated to the corner, lowered her head and stared at the tip of her shoes. She didn't dare to speak, and she didn't even dare to look at Chu Qianchen any more. She only looked at Lan Ruo, and the two of them sighed as if they were in the same distress.

Lan Ruo followed Chu Qianchen to marry into Prince Chen's Mansion. Her experience was more special than Nanny Yan's, but there were some things she couldn't say.

Gu Jue always kept his eyes and ears open, and he immediately noticed the quarrel between several palace maids, Nanny Yan, and Lan Ruo. He sensed something and looked towards Chu Qianchen.

What did this little girl do again? ! Chu Qianchen sat there obediently, as well-behaved as he could be, and smiled sweetly at Gu Jue.

Let’s talk about it when we get back. Gu Jue raised his eyebrows.

The tacit eye contact between the two caught the attention of Queen Dowager Yin, who couldn't help but smile.

Queen Mother Yin was even more satisfied with her daughter-in-law.

This little girl's eyes and heart are full of her own son. On the contrary, she seems a little unsure of the situation when looking at her own son.

The little girl is young, so she has to find an opportunity to talk to her son in private.

The word count has not changed, it's just divided into chapters. I originally thought it was good to finish it in one chapter, but why do people only look at the chapter count instead of the word count? I don't want to explain it again and again, so let's divide it into chapters~mua~ 　　 　 (End of this chapter)