The next morning, the court session began.
The officials waited anxiously in the hall. If the emperor still did not wake up, Eunuch Cen would come to explain the situation.
"Lord Marquis, what do you mean by His Majesty's...?" An official tried to probe Jiang He's intentions, but Jiang He only lowered his eyes and did not respond until footsteps approached, at which point Jiang He suddenly looked up.
This is not the Emperor's way of walking, nor is it Cen Hai's way of walking!
"Everyone, Father Emperor has not yet awakened." Gu Qingyan's voice rang out, and everyone's hearts stirred. It was actually the Third Prince who had come today.
This was Gu Qingyan's first time stepping into the imperial court, appearing before the officials as a prince.
Gu Qingyan was dressed in a prince's robe, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and his aura was very similar to that of the Prince of Xiang back then.
"My elder brother, the Crown Prince, is unwell. My mother has sent me to inform you all." Gu Qingyan's palms were already covered in sweat. "My father is in a coma. I must entrust important matters of state to you all."
"Please, Marquis Dingyuan, send troops to guard the capital to prevent any unforeseen events from occurring."
Gu Qingyan arranged things in an orderly manner, even better than Gu Qingling when she first stepped into the court.
Meanwhile, in Zhaoning Palace, Jiang Yu was resting with her eyes closed.
After today, no one in the Great Qing court will dare to underestimate my son, Ayan.
"Your Majesty, the princess has arrived."
Ling Mama's words made Jiang Yu open her eyes. Why did Gu Qingyao come at this time?
"Your son greets Your Majesty."
Gu Qingyao now simply covers her face with a veil, feeling ashamed to be seen with that face.
"You came here today, is something wrong?" Jiang Yu looked at Gu Qingyao, but the coldness in her eyes made Gu Qingyao subconsciously avoid her gaze.
"Mother must have thought of a way out after Father wakes up by having my third brother attend court today." Gu Qingyao pursed her lips. "My second brother and I wanted to ask if there was anything we could do to help."
She knew that her mother's move was very dangerous.
"Gu Qingyao, why have you always wanted to help me?"
Jiang Yu couldn't understand why Gu Qingfeng and Gu Qingyao had suddenly changed overnight, treating her as if they were... atonement.
Gu Qingyao took a few steps back, feeling somewhat lost. What should she say? Should she say that she dreamed of her mother's suffering in her past life?
She didn't dare.
She was afraid that if she told anyone, she wouldn't even be able to see her mother.
“I have done so many things to wrong Mother in the past, I… I want to make it up to you.” Gu Qingyao seemed afraid of hearing something and quickly spoke again, “If you don’t need it, I will leave… I will leave now.”
Gu Qingyao turned and walked towards the palace gate. Just as she was about to step out of Zhaoning Palace, Jiang Yu's voice rang out again:
"Gu Qingyao, there's no need to waste your time on me."
The karmic entanglements from your past life are enough to resolve the conflict between us.
Gu Qingyao's straight back slumped in an instant; what she wanted would never be hers.
If her mother succeeds one day, she should be able to lose weight and return to a normal appearance, and truly become Gu Qingyao again, right?
"Wanji, tell my brother to prepare in advance. When the Emperor wakes up, I will return to the Marquis's residence to visit my parents."
[It would be best to make Gu Heng lower his guard against me.]
......
Gu Heng, who was in a coma, was always cared for by Consort An. Palace servants were coming and going in the Taihe Hall, and Cen Hai was so anxious that large beads of sweat covered his forehead.
It took two whole days for Gu Heng to finally wake up.
"Your Majesty is awake! Your Majesty, you're finally awake!" Consort An said, her face flushed with joy. "You have no idea how worried Her Majesty the Empress and I have been these past two days."
Gu Heng moved his parched lips. "The Empress?"
Would the Empress worry about him? He imprisoned Jiang He for several days in vain. Given the Empress's temperament, she would probably be too busy blaming her to even think about it.
“You are unconscious, and His Highness the Crown Prince is seriously injured and bedridden. Your Majesty really has no other choice. This morning at the court, the Third Prince was sent to reassure the ministers.” Consort An recalled Jiang Yu’s instructions and spoke more fluently. “Your Majesty felt something was amiss and sent someone to ask you every half hour if you had woken up.”
"Should we summon the Third Prince to court?"
Gu Heng quickly grasped the crux of the matter and began coughing as well. "Cen Hai, why didn't you go?"
Upon hearing this, Cen Hai knelt down. "This servant deserves death. Today, the Marquis of Dingyuan... the Marquis of Dingyuan is also in court. The capital needs the Marquis of Dingyuan to lead the troops to defend it, and this servant is also..."
A grand strategy, with each move linked to the next, Jiang Yu's calculations were flawless.
"Fine, you did it all for me."
Gu Heng waved his hand weakly, "And after court?"
"Your Majesty, the Third Prince went to see His Highness the Crown Prince as soon as court was over."
Gu Heng's expression softened considerably, but he still harbored resentment towards Jiang Yu and Gu Qingyan. They had bypassed him, the emperor, and directly summoned the prince to court, and the empress...
When news of Gu Heng's awakening reached Zhaoning Palace, Jiang Yu quickly brought Gu Qingyan to Taihe Hall.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"Your son greets Your Majesty."
Gu Heng closed his eyes and let out a muffled groan from his nostrils, "Yan'er handled the morning court session very well."
"Thank you for your praise, Father. I consulted my elder brothers beforehand about all of this."
After exchanging pleasantries, Gu Heng finally opened his eyes and looked at Jiang Yu.
Why is the Empress silent?
Jiang Yu shielded Gu Qingyan behind her, saying, "There are all sorts of rumors circulating outside. I wish to return to the Marquis's residence for a while to show His Majesty's high regard for the Marquis of Dingyuan."
"I am very pleased that the Empress is so considerate of me."
Gu Heng twitched the corner of his mouth. It was good that the Empress was not in the palace during this time, as it would make it easier for him and Ling'er to recover and recuperate, and also for Consort Yi's pregnancy...
"Approved."
......
On the other side, after the court session.
Jiang He saw an ordinary-looking man talking to the gatekeeper at the entrance of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.
When the gatekeeper saw Jiang He return, he quickly said, "My lord, this Mr. Huo has no invitation, but insists on seeing you."
“Mr. Huo?” Jiang He’s brow twitched, as if he had thought of something.
"My name is Huo Xiang. I had some connection with the Third Prince in Heng County before."
Gu Lin concealed his aura and returned to Jiang Yu and Gu Qingyan's side under the alias Huo Xiang.
"So it's Mr. Huo. The Third Prince has been mentioning you." Jiang He's smile became much more genuine. "I must thank Mr. Huo for saving my life before."
As she spoke, Jiang He welcomed Gu Lin into the Marquis's residence.
"Mr. Huo, are you able to stay in the capital for a while longer?"
“My lord, I am a businessman. I had an urgent matter and did not have time to say goodbye to the Third Prince. Therefore, I made a special trip to the capital to see the Third Prince one last time.”
Jiang He was overjoyed upon hearing this. From Gu Qingyan's words, he could tell that this Mr. Huo was no ordinary person.
"It just so happens that Her Highness will be returning to her home soon, and the Third Prince will surely be coming along as well. Mr. Huo, please stay at the Marquis's residence for now."
"Then I shall accept your offer without hesitation," Gu Lin said with a smile.
Ah Yu, we'll meet again.
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