Chapter 43 [VIP]
A soft chuckle could be heard from inside the waterside pavilion.
Zhao Yang's voice faltered. When she first heard these words, she felt indignant but didn't think there was anything wrong with them. But now, as they were broken down and spoken separately, she felt an inexplicable awkwardness.
Not long ago, she heard that the vegetarian mushroom dishes at the Women's Temple in the suburbs of Beijing were extremely delicious, so she persuaded her grandmother to go and try them. It was on that occasion that she met Ji Nanke at the Women's Temple. At the time, she and her grandmother concealed their identities, but Ji Nanke still greeted them very kindly and took them to enjoy the scenery and listen to the teachings at the Women's Temple.
Zhao Yang and she had a very pleasant conversation, and Zhao Yang was secretly amazed by her knowledge and insight.
Ke'er is aloof and elegant; she would never do something so hypocritical.
"Ke'er doesn't know my identity," Zhao Yang said arrogantly. "Don't assume everyone is like you, trying to curry favor with the powerful. Ke'er's character is a hundred times better than yours."
Gu Zhizhuo held Xie Danling down, afraid that she would rush out.
Xie Danling was panting heavily, her hand under the table pulling at Gu Zhizhuo, meaning she wanted to be the one to do it.
So what if she's the eldest princess?
Anyone who bullies her little cousin will get what's coming to them!
Gu Zhizhuo scratched her palm, signaling her not to rush. Meeting Zhaoyang's gaze, Gu Zhizhuo sneered repeatedly: "Don't you know your identity? Did you go dressed in tattered clothes, or did you not bring any guards or maids? She's not blind."
No matter how incognito she traveled, the Empress Dowager always had to bring guards. Even if the guards were dressed in ordinary clothes, the boots they wore on their bare feet made it easy to tell whether they were from the Imperial Guard, the Golden Guard, or the Feathered Forest Guard.
The differences in the words and actions of the palace maids were even more obvious.
"presumptuous."
Zhao Yang slammed her hand on the table and said angrily, "You're just jealous and can't stand her."
Gu Zhizhuo also slapped the table. These days, she had been practicing archery diligently, and her arm strength was quite good. This slap was louder than Zhaoyang's, making the table shake and the bowls and plates on it make a slight clinking sound.
Gu Zhizhuo stood up and walked out from behind the desk, heading towards Zhaoyang, who was sitting at the head of the table.
Her posture was as straight as a pine tree, and her eyes were piercing.
Zhao Yang was startled and subconsciously leaned back. It took her a moment to realize that she had shown her fear.
"Someone come here!"
Gu Zhizhuo raised his hand, interrupting her: "Your Highness, you say that I can't tolerate Ji Nanke, then tell me, what exactly is it about her that I can't tolerate?"
Her back was ramrod straight, and her cold tone was laced with sarcasm: "She's an orphan, without parents, and she has to rely on the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to support her. Every penny she eats, wears, and uses is paid for by my Gu family."
"What is there that I, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, cannot tolerate, that is a thing that lives under someone else's roof?"
"What is there to be jealous of in her?"
Gu Zhizhuo took half a step forward, and even that half step carried immense pressure, causing Zhaoyang's breath to catch in her throat.
"The Ji family were the former chief ministers and veterans who assisted the state."
“My great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were all famous generals of the Great Qi Dynasty, who expanded the territory of the Great Qi and died defending the country.”
"May I ask, Your Highness, what is it about her that I am jealous of?"
A soft laugh escaped Gu Zhizhuo's lips as he said, enunciating each word clearly, "Could it be that I'm jealous that her ancestor served a deposed monarch?"
The pavilion grew even quieter, the tense atmosphere making one's heart skip a beat.
The Queen's red lips were taut; this girl was still as sharp-tongued as ever.
Zhao Yang was furious. What did he mean by "jealousy that the Ji family served a fallen emperor"? What? Were the loyal ministers and generals of the Great Qi Dynasty inferior to the ministers of the previous dynasty who had brought about the downfall of the kingdom? If these words were to get out, she would definitely be severely reprimanded by her father.
Whether a married princess can live a comfortable life depends solely on the emperor's favor.
"Your Highness, as a princess, you must be careful with your words and actions, and not be unaware of your limits."
"Not knowing one's limits" is what Zhao Yang just said when he scolded Gu Zhizhuo.
At this moment, Gu Zhizhuo returned it exactly as it was.
Even without saying it explicitly, her words clearly implied that Zhaoyang admired the previous dynasty.
That's some serious, and really sharp-tongued, mouth.
Zhao Yang bit her lower lip hard, wishing she could be dragged away and beaten.
She knew perfectly well that this wasn't what she meant, yet she deliberately put herself in an unjust position.
Zhao Yang's face was filled with embarrassment and anger.
Gu Zhizhuo stared intently at her, his phoenix eyes filled with provocation and utterly devoid of respect.
She took another half step forward, secretly making a hand gesture.
Gu Zhizhuo leaned forward slightly, looking directly into Zhaoyang's eyes, and asked again, "Your Highness, what do you say?"
A surge of anger rose in Zhao Yang's chest.
I only gave her a few words of advice, but this Miss Gu not only didn't know when to stop, but also wanted to force me!
Does this mean I have to bow down and apologize to her?!
She herself was a princess...
"...Tell me, what am I jealous of her for?"
"What are you jealous of about her? Heh, do I need to tell you?" Zhao Yang pointed at her and said without any mercy, "You're jealous of her and the Third Prince's mutual affection, you're jealous of Xie Jing's devotion to her!"
"You're jealous of her, you can't stand her! You think that if she's gone, Xie Jing will fall for you."
Stop dreaming!
Zhao Yang blurted out everything on her mind in one breath, her face filled with mockery and disdain. Her only thought now was to stomp Gu Zhizhuo into the mud and trample him a few more times.
Gu Zhizhuo lowered his eyelids, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.
But when she looked up, her smile vanished, and she said in a faint voice, "Princess, please be careful with your words."
"What, did I hit the nail on the head?" Zhao Yang felt she had regained her rhythm, and her sarcastic remarks came one after another. "Xie Jing is devoted to Ke'er, so who are you?"
"Jealous, gossipy, and sharp-tongued."
"If you weren't born into a good family, do you think you could have become a prince's consort?!"
Zhaoyang was satisfied.
The more embarrassed Zhao Yang was when she was being relentlessly pursued, the more exhilarated she felt now.
She stared at Gu Zhizhuo, hoping to see embarrassment on her face, but there was none.
Gu Zhizhuo retorted without backing down, "Although you are a princess, I am not your servant. I am also a daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, personally appointed by the Emperor Taizu. Is this your upbringing, speaking such nonsense to me?"
The Empress had a bad feeling.
The waterside pavilion was completely silent; music, voices, and even breathing had all vanished.
The musicians holding the pipa dared not even utter a sound.
Reason told the Queen that she should speak up and stop it, but deep down she also felt a strange sense of pleasure.
It was because of Gu Zhizhuo's relentless pursuit that Jing'er was prevented from advancing further, and the promising crown prince was gone just like that. Husband and wife should be of one heart and mind, but for such a trivial matter as jealousy, she insisted on ruining Jing'er's future. If it weren't for the emperor's repeated instructions, the empress would have long since given up.
Having Jing'er, she couldn't afford to displease the Emperor.
But the eldest princess is different.
The Empress patted the eldest princess's soft, white hand reassuringly and called out, "Zhuo'er."
"The eldest princess is Jing'er's own sister. She was just saying a few words to you. Why are you so angry?"
"Being embarrassed and angry" means that the empress agreed with every accusation made by the eldest princess.
Gu Zhizhuo asked, "Does Her Majesty the Empress also think this way?"
They really wouldn't budge an inch! The Empress gritted her teeth. Regardless of whether the marriage would go through in the future, she couldn't let Gu Zhizhuo continue to act arrogantly, relying on her status as the future Third Prince's consort.
The Empress stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist with her fingertips and said, word by word, "I know you care about Jing'er."
“Your Majesty the Empress,” Gu Zhizhuo interrupted, her voice clear and melodious, like jade falling to the ground: “Of course not.”
The Empress's face immediately darkened.
Gu Zhizhuo's phoenix eyes were clear and bright, but there was no warmth in them; he was simply stating a fact.
"How could I possibly care about someone who is determined to ruin my appearance and take my life?"
"Your Majesty, you think too lowly of me."
The queen was visibly furious.
This matter is already in the past, how dare she bring it up again!
How dare you even mention it!
Apart from Sun Nian, who had just returned to the capital and was unaware of the cause and effect, most of the others were in the palace on the day of the Emperor's Birthday. The Emperor's reprimand of the Empress and his order for her to close the palace and reflect on her actions were announced publicly at the banquet.
Gu Zhizhuo's bringing up this matter again now is almost like a confrontational attitude, reminding the Empress of the unbearable memories of that time.
How dare she!
The Empress pressed her delicate hands firmly against the table, her fingertips turning a suspicious red.
She shook her head and said angrily, "You don't look like a princess consort at all."
"obedient."
She spoke those two words very slowly, and with a deeper meaning, as if to say that if Gu Zhizhuo still wanted to be the Third Prince's consort, she should behave herself.
Gu Zhizhuo slowly shook her head, her voice unhurried: "Your Majesty, my surname is Gu."
“I was taught from a young age that the blood and lives of the Gu family will only be lost at the hands of the enemy.”
Through her veil, she gently stroked her cheek, as if caressing a wound.
It's as if it's reminding everyone who caused this injury.
Once again, Xie Jing's actions and his despicable behavior have been laid bare.
She said, "Your Highness, he is not worthy to have me disgrace your family."
The Empress turned pale with anger, her heart surging with fury.
Seeing this, Zhao Yang grabbed the Empress's hand and blurted out, "In that case, you shouldn't be the Third Prince's consort!"
The Empress remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement with her words.
Since Gu Yican has made a great contribution, and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will have to remain in the court for the time being, then the Gu family must be made to willingly side with Jing'er.
Gu Zhizhuo's pride is going to be broken today.
The Empress gripped her sleeve tightly.
Her cold, hard gaze was fixed on Gu Zhizhuo, her blood churning in her chest.
“The princess is absolutely right. In that case, you should not become the Third Prince’s consort.”
She's waiting for her to back down.
Gu Zhizhuo faced the Empress and knelt down, and the Empress's lips slowly curved upwards.
"This humble woman thanks you for your grace!"
Gu Zhizhuo placed his hands together in front of him, rested his forehead on the back of his hands, performed a deep bow, and repeated himself clearly:
"This humble woman thanks you for your grace!"
"you!"
How dare you!
The empress's upturned lips froze completely on her face, her cheeks twitched involuntarily, and veins bulged on her forehead.
One sits on a high platform.
One bowed down in worship.
Gu Zhizhu knelt down to express his gratitude, but the Empress would never accept it.
How could I possibly accept!
She only wanted Gu Zhizhuo to back down, but Gu Zhizhuo took advantage of the situation. Now she couldn't very well ask the Empress to apologize to her in front of so many people and say that she had said the wrong thing.
The Empress pursed her lips and remained silent.
Gu Zhizhuo bowed down and knelt, remaining motionless.
The surroundings were eerily quiet.
Xie Danling picked up the fruit syrup and took a few sips to calm her nerves. Her little cousin had just held her hand and written the word "opportunity" in her palm. It turned out that this was the reason.
Sand slowly leaked from the water clock in the corner of the main hall.
Zhao Yang panicked. Why wouldn't she budge an inch?
The Empress grew increasingly uncomfortable. Her lips were dry and her face was ashen. She didn't know whether she should storm off or say something conciliatory.
The commotion here was too obvious. The two waterside pavilions were very close together, and as the chief eunuch of the emperor, Li Deshun didn't need to wait for the emperor's orders before sending someone to check.
Even Li Deshun was astonished upon receiving the young eunuch's report.
How did things get to this point?!
He looked towards the waterside pavilion to the west, where he could still vaguely see the two men facing off. Li Deshun quickly walked to the emperor's presence and nervously whispered what had happened.
The emperor was instantly shocked and paled, his fingers tightening slightly as he gripped the wine cup.
“Your Majesty, Miss Gu is unwilling to get up, and the Empress is unwilling to give in either.” However, Li Deshun felt that the Empress was not unwilling to give in, but rather that she was too proud to admit it, and the longer it dragged on, the less likely she was to say those soft words.
Xie Jing was closest to the emperor and heard Li Deshun's words clearly.
His heart skipped a beat, and a thought uncontrollably popped into his head: Was she really that impatient? Impatient to break off their engagement!
But then, that thought was replaced by a surge of ecstasy, and Xie Jing's eyes filled with light.
So, the glass of wine she just raised to me from afar was a signal for me to act according to the situation!
It's his fault.
He was wrong.
He shouldn't blame Miss Gu for always shielding him; he was wrong. He shouldn't have suspected her of having ulterior motives and hesitated.
Xie Jing looked at his father with anticipation.
His father looked furious, and he understood that his father was still trying to appease Miss Gu.
No, he has to think of something!
“Your Highness, if something were to happen to you in front of the Emperor, that would be the biggest shock to him, wouldn’t it?”
Gu Zhizhuo's words once again reached Xie Jing's ears.
This time, Xie Jing was completely smitten.
At the same time, he also felt a little uneasy.
It's easy to imagine that if Gu Zhizhuo refuses the marriage proposal to his face today and he doesn't cooperate, and the refusal fails, who knows if Gu will force him to use a self-inflicted injury scheme again next time, or simply secretly kill him to end it all.
Ever since he jumped over the lake at Taiqing Temple, this path has become a dead end. Since that's the case, why not seize the opportunity and take a gamble!
Xie Jing's eyes flickered, and he made up his mind in a moment.
He first looked at the height of the pavilion. Below was a lake, so falling in shouldn't be a problem. However, the fear of almost suffocating last time made him very reluctant to come back a second time.
Then...
Xie Jing suddenly stood up and said angrily, "Father, Miss Gu is too insensible. I'm going to go and see her."
The emperor nodded thoughtfully, somewhat pleased.
Even if the engagement is to be dissolved, it shouldn't be now. Listen to what Miss Gu said: "The blood and lives of the Gu family can only be lost at the hands of the enemy." Doesn't that imply that Jing'er is eccentric, wicked, and despicable? Jing'er is the future crown prince; he cannot have such a bad reputation. This is absolutely unacceptable.
"Go ahead and comfort them well."
Xie Jing agreed and stood up, but before he could even steady himself, he tripped over something and fell forward heavily. The dishes on the table shattered and crashed to the ground, his palms were covered in small shards of porcelain, and there were specks of blood on the floor.
The red was shockingly bright.
The emperor was startled.
"Your Majesty, be careful!" Li Deshun rushed over to stop the emperor, fearing that he would be injured by the broken porcelain shards on the ground.
Xie Jing suppressed a groan in his throat and gritted his teeth, saying, "Father, don't come any closer."
He carefully stood up, holding onto the table, but unexpectedly, he slipped on something and fell down again.
Last time, it was intentional, but this time it wasn't. A sharp piece of broken porcelain pierced deeply into his forearm, and a large patch of blood-red stain spread across his moon-white brocade robe.
The pain was so intense that he almost fainted.
The emperor was almost dumbfounded, his face turning pale as he exclaimed, "Jing'er!"
Could his son really be that unlucky?
Twice! Twice in a row.
The emperor subconsciously looked towards the waterside pavilion across the covered bridge, and Xie Yingchen followed his gaze, lost in thought.
"Your Majesty..."
He slightly parted his lips, about to speak, when a sharp pain suddenly shot through his chest.
Is it almost time?
Gu Zhizhuo had specifically reminded him on the silk paper that the pill would take an hour and a half to take effect. Previously, his internal organs had been burning uncomfortably, but now, it felt as if all the heat had gathered in his chest, like a ball of fire constantly pounding against his heart.
In just a few breaths, all his strength was completely drained. Xie Yingchen used all his self-control and could only sit there motionless, his forehead covered in beads of sweat.
Huai Jingzhi noticed his unusual behavior and silently took half a step forward to block the view of others.
Xie Yingchen's consciousness gradually faded.
The eunuchs swept away the broken porcelain shards from the floor. The emperor rushed to Xie Jing and, seeing him wincing in pain, felt an overwhelming pang of heartache. The emperor tried to help him up, his palm stained crimson with the blood from Xie Jing's sleeve.
"Jing'er".
The emperor was heartbroken, and his tiger-like eyes welled up with tears.
The eldest prince and his brothers looked at each other in bewilderment.
The eldest prince, Xie Zhuo, immediately shouted, "Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"
One of the eunuchs realized what was happening and hurriedly ran out, causing chaos in the waterside pavilion.
"Father, I'm fine." Xie Jing remembered Gu Zhizhuo's words. He was extremely weak, and he even turned to the side so that the emperor could see his bleeding arm.
That really hurts!
There was no need to pretend at all; he was in so much pain that tears streamed down his face.
The emperor's pupils reflected Xie Jing's blood-stained arm, and he regretted it.
These days, every time he sees his beloved son looking so weak, his heart aches. But as much as he feels sorry for him, Xie Jing is fine afterwards and is still lively and energetic, so he tells himself to wait and see.
Even now, he has seen his son covered in blood.
He couldn't imagine what would have happened if the shard of porcelain had been a fraction off-center; it might have pierced Jing'er's chest!
If it's a coincidence, then these events are just too coincidental.
Ever since Gu Zhizhuo finished mourning, Jing'er has been plagued by illnesses and has hardly had a good day.
“Jing’er…”
The emperor was torn between his conscience and reason, but reason told him that now was definitely not a good time.
“Father,” Xie Jing said sincerely, “You don’t need to worry about me. I am willing to share your burdens.”
Finally, the emperor sighed inwardly and said, "So be it."
Under no circumstances should we risk Jing'er's life.
It's just a marriage alliance.
The emperor summoned a eunuch to help Xie Jing sit down: "The imperial physician will be here soon. I'll go see your mother first."
"yes."
Xie Jing looked at the emperor with a face full of filial piety. The emperor was overwhelmed with paternal love. He gently patted his son and, surrounded by a crowd, went to the other side of the waterside pavilion.
It's only a little over a hundred steps from the covered bridge.
The emperor walked hurriedly, and when the announcement of "The Emperor has arrived" reached everyone's ears, everyone, including the empress, breathed a sigh of relief.
Everyone stood up to greet them.
"Father," Zhao Yang said, feeling extremely wronged.
The emperor ignored her. This daughter was becoming increasingly out of line. If she hadn't used her status as a princess to provoke Gu Zhizhuo, things wouldn't have turned out this way.
Even if the emperor is already considering breaking off the engagement, it should be his idea, not the other way around, where he is being forced to do so, losing face and dragging Jing'er down with him.
The emperor sat down next to the empress, and Zhaoyang stood obediently to the side. Knowing she had caused trouble, she dared not act coquettishly anymore.
"No need for formalities, Zhuo girl, you get up too."
Gu Zhizhuo did not stand up, but simply looked up at the emperor.
Her keen eyes noticed a faint bloodstain on the cuff of the emperor's dragon robe. Considering the commotion she had just overheard, there was nothing else she couldn't understand.
His Highness the Third Prince isn't entirely stupid; after suffering some hardship, he now knows to seize opportunities.
The emperor's gaze fell on Gu Zhizhuo's face. Her features resembled those of Consort Shu, who was a sister of Lady Wang. She also resembled Danling. However, her facial features were more defined, just like those of a member of the Gu family.
Especially those eyes, so sharp they were repulsive.
The old Duke and the late Emperor had an excellent relationship, with no doubt between them.
The emperor still remembered that when he was young, he had frequently tried to curry favor with the then-son of the Duke of Zhenguo, but Gu Taotao seemed not to understand and ignored him.
Yes. He's just a prince.
Now that he reigns supreme, he still has to face such a pair of repulsive eyes!
The Gu family, as always, makes people uncomfortable.
The emperor leaned back on the soft pillow beside him, coughed lightly, and said, "Zhuo'er, I've watched you grow up. When your father was alive, you were the one he worried about the most. Back then, before he went to war against Liang, he even asked me to look for a good marriage for you."
Gu Zhizhuo lowered his eyes.
Father would never say such a thing, because Father would never even think of her marriage.
He kept saying he wanted me to go to the northern frontier with him, to ride horses across the land, instead of always staying in the cage of the four corners of the world. At that time, I was spoiled and oblivious, unwilling to give up the luxury and extravagance of the capital, and I didn't agree.
Despite her thoughts, Gu Zhizhuo still remembered to maintain appearances: "This subject thanks Your Majesty on behalf of my father."
"I've thought it over. Jing'er has indeed acted inappropriately and lost his composure. He..." The emperor hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "He is not worthy of you."
He said those words with extreme reluctance.
"Fortunately, I did not issue an explicit decree back then. I had thought that if you did not like Jing'er when you grew up, then this marriage would be called off."
The emperor used a seemingly plausible excuse to cover up the reason why he had not issued the decree.
A faint smile appeared on Gu Zhizhuo's face.
It's done!
Without any official decree, or even a verbal order, this so-called marriage was based solely on the emperor's promise from beginning to end.
In her previous life, in the end, all she received was the statement, "The Gu family is of questionable character. I was too hasty. The marriage is hereby called off."
Just like what my aunt was worried about.
She used her own stigma to elevate Xie Jing's reputation to one of integrity and virtue.
"This humble woman..."
Just as Gu Zhizhuo was about to bow down to express his gratitude, the emperor's voice suddenly exploded in his ears.
"However, I have also promised your father that I will find you a good marriage."
Gu Zhizhuo had considered that without Xie Jing, the emperor would use someone else to bind her. She composed herself and, following her plan, said, "Your Majesty..."
She had barely opened her mouth, before she could utter a sound, when she heard someone ask, "How is Xie Yingchen?"
Huh? No, that's not right!
The sudden, unexpected shock left her momentarily blank, her voice caught in her throat.
"Chen'er is the eldest grandson of the late emperor, and he has just reached adulthood. He is a good match for you."
Gu Zhizhuo: !
no.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
A young eunuch came running from the east pavilion, looking flustered and almost unable to catch his breath.
The emperor thought something was wrong with Xie Jing and looked over anxiously: "Speak quickly."
The young eunuch, covered in sweat and panting heavily, said, "Your Majesty, the eldest son... he just vomited blood and fainted. His breath is very weak."
"I'm afraid this is not good."
In the palace, the eldest son refers to Xie Yingchen.
The emperor gripped the table in shock, his expression frozen on his face.
No way.
That's incredibly effective!
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