Back then, Consort Hui was just a capable palace maid by the Empress's side. The Empress trusted her greatly and treated her like a sister.
However, one day after the emperor got drunk, she took advantage of the situation and had an affair with him, which is why she was taken into the harem.
As a result, the emperor lost his affection for the empress.
Over the years, under her instigation, the rift between the Empress and Emperor Rongcheng has deepened.
She seized the opportunity to rise to her current position.
The Empress Dowager has never liked her, and now Prince Rui is also eyeing the position of Crown Prince.
The Empress Dowager regarded her as a thorn in her side and wished she could get rid of her as soon as possible.
Hearing that Prince Rui actually wanted to steal Situ Mingji's thunder, he was furious.
Seeing this, Granny Li quickly comforted her.
As the two were talking, they heard a commotion not far away.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager looked over and saw a man grabbing a child and angrily cursing at him.
Because they were far away, they couldn't see the child's face clearly, nor could they hear what the two were saying.
The child seemed to be quite wild, as he managed to escape from the man's grasp in no time.
The man angrily cursed and hurriedly chased after him.
However, the little guy was very agile. He not only dodged the attack but also quickly climbed up a tree and sat on a branch, talking about something.
However, judging from the man's furious appearance, it probably wasn't something nice he said.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager was engrossed in watching, Granny Li stepped forward, glanced at the scene, and then returned to explain:
"This old servant sees that the man as Gu Nansheng, the second young master of the Yong'an Marquis's mansion."
"As for that child, he's a complete stranger; I've never seen him before."
After finishing her sentence, Granny Li looked at the Empress Dowager's expression and tentatively asked:
"Should we ask Old Nu to call the child over so you can take a look?"
The Empress Dowager shook her head.
"Need not."
She smiled and said, "I just think that child is very agile and mischievous, just like Mu Qian when he was a child."
As the Empress Dowager spoke, she seemed to be thinking of Shen Hechuan's childhood.
"Mu Qian was also very mischievous when he was a child. He was precocious and very clever."
"He climbed that big tree in my palace quite a few times."
At first, Emperor Rongcheng favored him greatly. Occasionally, when he angered the emperor and wanted to provoke him, Mu Qian would climb a tree and show off to his father.
The Empress Dowager seemed to be lost in her memories.
It was at this moment that Gu Nansheng, who was standing under the tree, seemed to get furious.
He leaped up into the tree, intending to pull the person down.
But the child was stubborn and struggled, refusing to let him touch him.
Even though Gu Nansheng managed to catch the man, he quickly broke free again.
Under the tree, a thin little girl was kneeling, seemingly crying and saying something.
The Empress Dowager then vaguely sensed that something was amiss, so she frowned and took a few steps forward.
As soon as I got closer, I heard what the little girl was saying.
"Second Young Master, I hope you will show mercy and not hold it against the young master."
"He's young and doesn't understand things, please don't pressure him anymore!"
As she spoke, she kowtowed.
Then he said to the child, "Young master, it's dangerous up in the tree. You should come down quickly. If the young lady finds out, you'll definitely be punished!"
Upon hearing this, the child glanced at the maid.
Almost simultaneously, Gu Nansheng grabbed the child.
He chuckled smugly.
"Hmph, let's see where you can run now. You actually dared to come here on your own. You really have a lot of nerve. Let's see how I teach you a lesson today."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Gu Jinxi suddenly raised her leg and kicked him hard in the stomach.
Gu Nansheng felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, and her body flew backward uncontrollably.
With a "bang," he crashed into a large tree behind him, and his body fell uncontrollably downwards.
It was fortunate that there was a tree branch below, otherwise it would have fallen directly to the ground.
The child he was carrying fell straight down like a broken string of pearls.
Upon seeing this, the little girl immediately shouted and flew towards the child.
The Empress Dowager was also startled and her heart was in her throat. She took a few steps forward.
Only when the maid managed to catch the child did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Granny Li quickly stepped forward to pat the Empress Dowager's back and soothe her.
"That child..."
The Empress Dowager looked in the direction of the child, and for some reason, her heart pounded, and her face turned pale.
"Quick, go and see how the child is."
Li Mama had not expected the Empress Dowager to react so strongly. She quickly went to take a look before rushing back to report.
"Your Majesty, don't worry, the child is fine. This old servant saw that his eyes are still open."
"However, he seemed a bit tired and weak."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief.
"Quickly, in my name, summon the imperial physician to examine this child."
Upon hearing this, Granny Li was surprised and glanced silently in the direction of the child.
It was also because the child was lucky that the Empress Dowager thought of the former Crown Prince, and out of love for the child, she saved his life.
In everyone's eyes, this child had already received the Empress Dowager's protection.
Presumably, no one will dare to bully him again in the future.
Thinking this through, Granny Li quickly sent someone to make arrangements.
After confirming that the child was unharmed, the Empress Dowager, seeing that it was almost time, went back to change her clothes and prepare to attend the palace banquet for the spring hunt.
At the same time, Gu Jingchun came out of Consort Hui's tent and breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that it was almost time, and not wanting to go back and see those fools from the Yong'an Marquis's mansion causing her trouble, she decided to just go to the banquet instead.
This banquet was nothing more than gathering everyone together for a meal, and then the Emperor would announce the start of the spring hunt.
The men would then ride their horses into the woods, and when the time was up, whoever shot the most prey would be the winner.
After the results are tallied over three days, the first-place winner will receive a generous reward.
Of course, if it were another new face who performed well, they might even be granted an official position by the emperor on the spot.
Therefore, those young noblemen had long been sharpening their knives and were very excited.
For the women, this was a perfectly legitimate matchmaking event.
Women of marriageable age, or those who are considering marriage, can openly and legitimately observe the men in this situation.
Unfortunately, for Gu Jingchun, this was just a place to eat.
Therefore, Gu Jingchun, who was already starving, went straight to the banquet without any hesitation.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Gu Jingchun had only taken a few steps when someone stopped him.
Gu Yunjin, with the Third Prince's arm around her, saw Gu Jingchun and casually called out to him.
"Big sister, where are you going?"
Gu Jingchun had no choice but to stop and turn to look at Gu Yunjin.
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