Under an ancient tree on the outskirts of Beijing, Jiang He carried a pot of wine and came here alone.
"Here, I brought you some fine wine."
Jiang He took out two cups and poured fine wine into them, but his old friends were nowhere to be seen.
“Ayu said she wanted me to come and see you. I don’t know if you have been reincarnated yet. If you have met your father and mother, they will definitely love you very much.”
Jiang He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
"You brat, you were so arrogant and domineering back then, but in the end you were outmaneuvered time and time again." If you were to ask who Jiang He's best brother was, it would undoubtedly be Gu Lin. "One day, I will definitely find out the truth of what happened back then."
Fueled by the alcohol, Jiang He seemed to see the young man from years ago again. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her neck. "Ah He, I heard your sister is getting engaged?"
He disgustedly shook off Gu Lin's hand and warned, "Don't even think about marrying my sister. My father won't let her marry into the royal family. Be careful, or I'll turn against you."
"Alright, alright." Gu Lin quickly begged for forgiveness. "If the Marquis cannot find a suitable candidate, please put in a good word for me. You know my character best."
After saying that, Gu Lin immediately ran away without a trace, afraid that he would be caught up with.
He could only laugh weakly and scold, "Be careful that Ayu finds out what you're thinking, or she won't even see you anymore."
Jiang He stayed for a full two hours. After Jiang He left, a figure slowly appeared.
The untouched cup of wine was drained in one gulp. "You haven't forgotten me after all this time. You still have some conscience, kid."
......
For several days in a row, Jiang Yu was extremely careful in her interactions with Gu Qingyan, so much so that Gu Qingyan could hardly suppress a smile.
Jiang Yu brought over a food box, smiling kindly: "Last month was your birthday, and I was unable to make you a bowl of longevity noodles myself. Now I have specially made some food for you, all of which your maternal grandmother used to make for me when I was a child."
I wonder if Ayan will like these foods.
The pastries melted in his mouth, and Gu Qingyan comfortably squinted his eyes.
"Delicious! Mother, I love it so much!"
Gu Qingyan deliberately tilted his head, "It's strange, but the foods that Mother loves to eat are usually very much to my liking."
Jiang Yu's smile widened, but then she suddenly became reserved.
How should I tell Ayan that he is my child?
Jiang Yu's inner conflict was obvious. Gu Qingyan lowered his head to hide the corners of his mouth that were turned up. "Does Mother have something to tell me?"
"I just... just wanted to ask Ayan about his childhood."
“I’ve lived alone in the Prince’s mansion since I was little, it was so boring.” Gu Qingyan’s eyes were very bright. “The only thing I can remember is that Mother Empress did not allow anyone to bully me.”
"Yan'er, do you hate them? Hate them for leaving you so early, leaving you alone in the palace to suffer?"
After Jiang Yu finished speaking, she even breathed a little softer.
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyan slowly knelt on Jiang Yu's lap. "I don't hate them. If they hadn't been driven to the brink of death, they wouldn't have been willing to abandon me."
"All I want to do now is be a good child to my mother."
Gently, Jiang Yu's hand stroked Gu Qingyan's hair, tucking a stray strand behind his ear. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke:
"May Ayan call me 'Mother'?"
"Mother."
In that instant, Jiang Yu felt that the sun was shining brightly and everything was lovely.
"Ayan, on the night of your father's birthday, your mother will tell you a secret."
......
The mother and son tacitly looked forward to Gu Heng's birthday. On Gu Heng's birthday, the entire Daqing was extremely lively.
During the day, Gu Heng hosted a banquet for civil and military officials in the palace, while the concubines and members of the imperial family awaited the evening's family feast.
Jinwu Palace.
"Your Majesty, today the Emperor bestowed an official title upon your elder brother and granted him a new residence. This shows that the Emperor truly cares about you."
As Pei Lan massaged Consort Yi's shoulders, she smiled and said, "Now, apart from the Empress, you are the most honored person in the palace."
"Nonsense, there's also Consort An." Consort Yi was scolding her, but there was still a hint of amusement in her eyes.
As an ordinary woman, she never imagined she would get to where she is today.
“Consort An will never be able to bear a royal heir, while your prince is already in your belly!” Pei Lan’s movements became even gentler. “Today is His Majesty’s birthday, and the other concubines in the harem must be doing their best to please him.”
Consort Yi smiled shyly, "His Majesty promised me that he would come to my Jinwu Palace tonight."
"Then this servant will congratulate Your Highness in advance."
At the same time, the atmosphere on Gu Heng's side was unusually awkward.
Inside the hall, all the civil and military officials had taken their seats, but the seat reserved for Gu Lin was empty. Gu Heng's face was ashen, and the ministers sitting below were unsure whether they should begin presenting their gifts.
"Father, I wish you long life and good fortune, and I have specially found a Buddha statue made of Phoebe zhennan wood for you."
Gu Qingling's words broke the awkward silence in the hall, and Gu Qingfeng and Gu Qingyao quickly stepped forward to say some flattering things.
"Good, good, good!" Gu Heng finally smiled. "As expected of my and the Empress's children, they are all filial. I am very pleased."
The officials also began to flatter Gu Qingling and the other two, and everyone spoke of them, but Gu Qingyan was the only one left out.
"Speaking of which, this is the first time that Third Brother has celebrated Father's birthday. I wonder if Third Brother has prepared any birthday gifts?" Gu Qingling turned to look at Gu Qingyan with a refined smile on his face. In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on Gu Qingyan.
Gu Qingyan pursed his lips. He was still a stepson, and it would be inappropriate for him to prepare a gift that was either too extravagant or too bland. Gu Qingling knew this, but she still called on him, deliberately wanting him to embarrass himself in public.
"What? Did Third Brother not prepare a birthday gift? If that's the case, I've prepared one for you." Gu Qingling's expression was harmless, making one think he was truly a loving older brother.
Gu Qingyan slowly rose from his seat, about to present his birthday gift.
Just then, the high-pitched voice of a young eunuch rang out from outside the hall:
"The King of Da Ning has arrived—"
The sound rang out three times in a row, and everyone involuntarily held their breath.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Gu Lin, dressed in a gold-embroidered purple robe, exuded an air of nobility. His figure was as upright as a pine tree, and the mask on his face added to his aloofness, making everyone lower their heads.
"Emperor Daqing, I am late."
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