But his words had no effect. At this moment, Shen Hechuan was already lying on the bed and slowly closed his eyes.
The news of Shen Hechuan's imprisonment quickly reached the banquet.
The banquet was only halfway through when Princess Rongyang led Gu Jingchun to a seat at the front.
He happened to be sitting opposite Situ Mingji.
Since the incident, Situ Mingji's gaze had been frequently falling on Gu Jingchun.
However, Gu Jingchun didn't pay attention to it, because her attention was more focused on Consort Hui at this moment.
Because she felt that Consort Hui's gaze towards her today was strange.
His words were quite meaningful, clearly indicating that he already knew her well.
This made Gu Jingchun wary.
It was at this time that news came that Shen Hechuan had been imprisoned for refusing to marry.
Immediately, everyone started discussing it, while Consort Hui curled her lips and gave Gu Jingchun a meaningful look.
She really underestimated this woman.
She had worried for a long time because of news about Shen Hechuan and Situ Mingji.
Unexpectedly, she had such ability that she could make Shen Hechuan openly defy the imperial decree and refuse to marry her.
However, this was a golden opportunity for her.
Her Prince Rui has been imprisoned for far too long!
Now I can finally come out.
Upon hearing this news, Situ Mingji paused, his gaze immediately falling on Gu Jingchun.
Why did the crown prince refuse the marriage proposal?
Could it be because of Gu Jingchun?
Situ Mingji thought for a moment and realized that Gu Jingchun was just a widow. The Crown Prince probably wouldn't even give her a second glance. So why would His Highness refuse to marry her?
She's really obsessed.
She actually started having fantasies just because of a comment from someone else.
Thinking about this, Situ Mingji gradually calmed down.
She believed that the Crown Prince would agree to the marriage.
Her father was the Imperial Censor, whom Emperor Rongcheng trusted most.
With the two of them getting married, Shen Hechuan secured his position as crown prince.
No man can resist the temptation of power.
She believed that the Crown Prince would make the right choice.
Because of the Crown Prince's accident, the Empress Dowager did not attend the banquet.
And it ended hastily.
After the banquet, Gu Jingchun was taken to Shou'an Palace.
As soon as she entered, she heard the Empress Dowager's words.
"Hechuan was imprisoned by the Emperor for refusing to marry."
Gu Jingchun nodded, "I have already heard about it."
The Empress Dowager sighed.
"I know that the Crown Prince wants to leave the position to you."
"However, given his current situation, your identity makes things extremely difficult."
"But he is, after all, the crown prince, and he will inevitably have multiple wives and concubines in the future. Are you just going to watch him go by and miss this excellent opportunity?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun guessed what the Empress Dowager wanted to say, and his heart sank slightly.
"Your Majesty, I grew up in the countryside and am used to being free. I don't like life in the palace at all, and I have never thought of marrying the Crown Prince."
This has always been the case, and it will not change in the future.
The implication of these words is that it's the Crown Prince's business and has nothing to do with her.
The Empress Dowager seemed surprised by Gu Jingchun's resolute words and sighed.
However, she believed in her heart that these words were just Gu Jingchun's empty promises.
She didn't believe that Gu Jingchun would give up this opportunity to rise to the top and choose to remain an ordinary citizen.
Taking a step back to advance is indeed a good strategy.
Normally, the Empress Dowager would have said a few more words for Gu Jingchun to help elevate her rank.
However, now that the situation was urgent, the Empress Dowager stopped beating around the bush and said directly:
"At a time like this, what nonsense are you still spouting?"
"After all, you are Xi'er's mother, and you will inevitably have to enter the palace someday."
"Therefore, I thought it best to ask you to persuade the Crown Prince to agree to the marriage as soon as possible so that it can take place."
After she finished speaking, fearing that Gu Jingchun would be unhappy, she reassured him, "The girl from the Situ family is sensible and understanding. She will definitely not make things difficult for you in the future, so you can rest assured."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
She slowly knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being unable to comply."
The Empress Dowager had anticipated that Gu Jingchun would refuse, so she stated the conditions she had offered her.
"Don't worry, I can promise you the position of a concubine."
Even though Seele is the eldest grandson of the East and West, that fact will never change.
As for what Shen Hechuan had told her about making Gu Jingchun the Crown Princess, the Empress Dowager didn't take it to heart at all.
After all, given Gu Jingchun's current status, becoming the Crown Princess is an incredibly difficult task.
The position of the Crown Prince's concubine was the highest rank she could give Gu Jingchun.
However, Gu Jingchun continued firmly, "Your Majesty, I will not enter the palace, much less try to persuade His Highness the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately frowned, and her expression towards Gu Jingchun showed more displeasure.
Gu Jingchun continued to explain, "This humble woman is unwilling to enter the palace because she dislikes palace life and, more importantly, dislikes the danger of her and Xi'er being caught in a power struggle."
"I have already discussed this with His Highness the Crown Prince, and he has agreed."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned even more deeply.
Gu Jinxi is of royal blood. She can stay away from the palace temporarily, but how could she not enter the palace for a long time?
Gu Jingchun continued, "Moreover, I have sworn never to be a concubine. No matter how high the status of a secondary consort is, she is still a concubine. Therefore, I am unwilling."
Furthermore, my daughter is straightforward and honest, and ultimately not a kind person, let alone someone who prioritizes the greater good.
Therefore, even if I were not to marry His Highness the Crown Prince, I could not persuade him to marry someone else.
After Gu Jingchun finished speaking, he bowed again.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for being unable to comply."
The Empress Dowager was so angry that she couldn't speak for a long time because she hadn't expected Gu Jingchun to be so direct.
She wanted to refute him, but Gu Jingchun's words were watertight. In the end, she could only turn cold and say sternly, "Gu Jingchun, do you also want to defy the imperial decree?"
Gu Jingchun tilted his head back, his stubbornness undiminished.
"If Your Majesty the Empress Dowager insists that I do this, then I will have no choice but to disobey the imperial decree."
"you……"
The Empress Dowager was furious with Gu Jingchun.
She almost couldn't catch her breath, so Granny Li quickly stepped forward to comfort her, and she felt much better afterward.
The Empress Dowager was furious and wanted to imprison Gu Jingchun, but then she thought that her grandson could not be left unattended.
In the end, they could only reluctantly let Gu Jingchun go back.
Gu Jingchun was momentarily dazed after leaving the palace.
She has always been decisive and rarely feels so lost.
Her attitude towards Shen Hechuan has always been to stay away.
Even though she had feelings for him, her attitude of keeping her distance never wavered.
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