Therefore, she kept a cold face and remained silent.
The Empress Dowager only spoke slowly when Gu Jingchun's figure began to tremble.
"Get up."
Gu Jingchun stood up and heard the Empress Dowager's voice, tinged with coldness, continue speaking.
"As the Crown Prince, it is your honor that he has taken a liking to you."
Although your status is not high enough to match the Crown Prince, it's acceptable for him to keep you as a plaything outside.
"In this way, even if the court officials discover it, nothing will change."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun's heart skipped a beat, and alarm bells went off in his mind instantly.
Thinking back to what he had just said, he realized that he must have touched a nerve with the Empress Dowager.
Seeing this, Gu Jingchun disregarded everything and immediately knelt on the ground, saying:
"Your Majesty, although I am a widow, I am a woman of principle."
If you wish to make me your concubine, then I am willing to die to prove my innocence.
"snort!"
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly.
What does death matter?
"Death is the least effective way to solve the problem."
"Since you are unwilling to be a mistress, you should think carefully about what you should do in the future."
"Whether you allow the Crown Prince to remain entangled with you or completely sever ties is entirely up to you."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun raised his head, looked into the Empress Dowager's eyes, and said firmly:
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will give you an explanation as soon as possible."
The Empress Dowager looked at Gu Jingchun kneeling, then turned her head away, no longer looking at her.
"You don't need to explain yourself to me."
"You are the one who needs to be accountable. Your future status and the kind of life you lead will all depend on your own thoughts."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun kowtowed again.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your guidance."
After leaving the Empress Dowager's tent, Gu Jingchun had already made up his mind.
It's actually quite ridiculous.
She almost fell into Shen Hechuan's gentle trap a few days ago.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager gave her a wake-up call today, bringing her back to her senses.
Just in case, her "death" was to be brought forward.
She'll start making arrangements once the spring hunt is over.
With that thought in mind, Gu Jingchun returned to his tent.
Just as I got back, another young girl rushed over.
"Miss Gu, Consort Hui requests your presence for a talk."
Gu Jingchun frowned upon hearing this.
Consort Hui?
Why did Consort Hui summon her?
On the way to Consort Hui's camp, Gu Jingchun was completely baffled.
She didn't find the answer even after the tent was opened and she slowly walked inside.
At this moment, a graceful and elegant woman sat languidly on a chaise longue, looking at Gu Jingchun with considerable interest.
"This humble woman pays her respects to Your Highness, the Noble Consort."
Gu Jingchun knelt down to pay his respects.
Upon seeing this, Consort Hui immediately waved her hand, signaling Gu Jingchun to rise.
"Miss Gu, please get up quickly."
Her face was beaming with joy, and as she spoke, she straightened her posture and carefully examined Gu Jingchun.
"I heard that the Marquis of Yong'an's newly acquired daughter is very beautiful, so I called you over to talk to her out of curiosity."
Seeing you today, I can see that your face is indeed very beautiful.
Gu Jingchun replied neither humbly nor arrogantly:
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine, possesses an unparalleled grace and is a true beauty. My appearance is not even one ten-thousandth as beautiful as yours."
"Ouch."
Consort Hui laughed and spoke.
"She's also someone who's sweet-talking and knows how to talk."
"I like women who are both beautiful and eloquent."
As Consort Hui spoke, she closed the distance between herself and Gu Jingchun, and then chatted with Gu Jingchun about everyday matters, as if they were two close sisters, talking casually.
Gu Jingchun, however, remained vigilant throughout.
He would think through what Consort Hui said before answering.
Because she didn't believe that a woman like Consort Hui, who held an absolute position in the harem and whom even the Empress avoided, would notice her for no reason.
Her actions were either motivated by profit or by an attempt to find out something important.
The Crown Prince, whom she seemingly mentioned unintentionally, served as a wake-up call for Gu Jingchun.
It seems that Consort Hui has discovered the relationship between Shen Hechuan and her, and specially summoned her to test the waters.
Gu Jingchun felt somewhat annoyed.
She did not want to get involved in the power struggles within the imperial court.
She didn't want her son to fall into the trap.
It seems I need to move my plans forward a bit.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
Gu Jinxi and Xiaoman had arrived at the guard gate of Lishan.
They were stopped by the guards as soon as they approached.
The guards blocked their way with two long spears and shouted sharply.
"Royal property, no unauthorized persons are allowed to enter. Now leave."
Seeing this, Xiaoman took the opportunity to pull Gu Jinxi away.
Unexpectedly, Gu Jinxi rummaged in her bosom and finally took out a jade pendant.
The prince had barely seen the guards at the gate, so he didn't recognize the jade pendant and assumed it was just a child's prank. He was about to chase them away.
Unexpectedly, their little leader, Niu Er, came over.
He came from a farming family, and it was thanks to his strong physique that he earned Shen Hechuan's favor and gradually rose to his current position.
He was a loyal fan of Shen Hechuan, and he admired Shen Hechuan to the point of being obsessed.
He knew everything about Shen Hechuan's clothing, appearance, and eating habits.
He recognized the jade pendant from afar, so he walked over, took it from Gu Jinxi's hand, and examined it closely.
One glance was enough to make his eyes widen.
Without a second thought, he immediately knelt down and respectfully let the two of them in.
After Gu Jinxi went inside, Niu Er looked at her small figure and felt uneasy, so he ordered his men to continue guarding her while he went to report to his superiors.
At this moment, Shen Hechuan was hunting in the forest.
Niu Er's superior, Shen Hechuan, was also present.
Unable to find anyone and fearing it would delay things, Niu Er simply rode a horse into the forest to summon Shen Hechuan.
At the same time.
The Empress Dowager had already come out of the tent.
Although what Gu Jingchun just said reflected her own thoughts, for some reason, she felt a vague unease in her heart.
This unease made her feel stifled, so she decided to go for a walk and get some fresh air.
She walked in an open space not far from the camp, accompanied by several close nannies and palace maids.
"While we're at this time, has Prince Rui made any moves?"
The Empress Dowager asked.
The old nanny Li immediately said:
"Just received the news."
"Since arriving here today, Prince Rui has been lingering around Miss Situ. He must have heard that you are fond of her and wants to secretly win her favor."
"snort!"
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly.
"A despicable person, just like his mother, always doing despicable things."
Upon hearing this, Granny Li lowered her head and dared not reply.
After all, how could a mere servant like her dare to discuss the Emperor's affairs?
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