"Brother Gong, what a brilliant plan!"
The Sun family patriarch's face was all smiles, the previous gloom gone. "Judging from the Yu Emperor's expression today, he's almost as red as a pot of charcoal."
"I am not as optimistic as you all," said the Qin family patriarch, still somewhat weak from illness. "Do you think the Yu Emperor would really agree to the marriage alliance? How can our noble families' daughters marry into the Great Yu?"
"Even if Emperor Zhaoyuan and Emperor Yu agree, would the Empress Dowager of Dayu agree?"
The head of the Gong family was clearly pleased when he mentioned this, "They are newly married. How could the Empress Dowager of Dayu tolerate Emperor Zhaoyuan being with another woman? Even for the sake of the Jiang family, this matter cannot be accomplished."
This would showcase their family's refined manners without causing them any actual loss.
"This plan is truly brilliant!"
The head of the Sun family praised, "Brother Qin, you don't need to worry. I think Brother Gong is right. In the end, it will be that Da Yu will not appreciate our good intentions."
The Qin family patriarch remained silent upon hearing this. For some reason, whenever the Empress Dowager was mentioned, he always felt a sense of unease, as if he couldn't control the situation.
Wasn't the Yun family ruined because of her?
......
Zhaoning Palace.
"A marriage alliance?"
Jiang Yu's voice rang out, and Gu Lin, who was drinking water, suddenly shivered. "Yu, I'm innocent!"
Heaven knows he rushed back as soon as he received the news, and luckily he caught up with his subordinates to report the matter to A-Yu.
Seeing this, even Gu Qingyan couldn't help but shake his head. It was truly an undeserved disaster.
"No noblewoman has ever married outside the family. It seems you hold a significant place in their hearts, Emperor Zhaoyuan." Jiang Yu's obvious sarcasm made Gu Lin afraid to even breathe. "Let me think about it..."
"Now that the Dayu and the aristocratic families are evenly matched, if they want to make peace with you through marriage, they can only send their legitimate daughters to Dayu."
“But I have only recently married you, so the woman who comes to marry you can only be a concubine.” Jiang Yu looked at Gu Lin. “Emperor Zhaoyuan is so lucky to have a noble lady as a concubine.”
"Wait...wait a minute, Ayu, I only need you."
Gu Lin hurriedly said, "I don't want any of those noble families or legitimate daughters. I'll go and refuse them right now."
Those three damned old geezers, they really made him stay in the study at night!
"Cough cough—"
Gu Qingyan couldn't help but clear his throat. "Father, it seems you haven't understood Mother's meaning..."
They say that those involved are often blinded by their own interests, and now, seeing Gu Lin's expression, Gu Qingyan has finally learned a thing or two.
"What?"
Gu Lin was clearly still not quite there when he heard this, and kept explaining that he had no intention of taking a concubine.
Gu Qingyan sighed and waved his hand to dismiss the people around him. He then left Zhaoning Palace with Yingzhi.
Outside Zhaoning Palace.
"We still need to leave Zhaoning Palace to Father and Mother, otherwise I think Father will be trembling with fear tonight."
"The Emperor Emeritus cares too much about the Empress Dowager."
Upon hearing Yingzhi's words, Gu Qingyan couldn't help but smile. "That's true. When I see Father Emperor lose his composure, it's either because of Mother Empress or because of me."
"This servant thinks this is a real family!"
Gu Qingyan smiled upon hearing this, completely unaware that he was about to face a "major disaster".
......
Meanwhile, inside Zhaoning Palace, Gu Lin grabbed Jiang Yu and carried her into the inner room.
“Ayu, I truly have no intention of taking a concubine.”
Jiang Yu gently placed her hand on Gu Lin's chest, feeling his strong heartbeat. "I have never doubted your feelings for me, nor did I ever think you would take a concubine."
"What you just said..."
Gu Lin breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that Ayu isn't angry. She almost scared me to death just now."
Gu Lin nuzzled against Jiang Yu's neck, his white hair intertwining with Jiang Yu's black hair, looking exceptionally harmonious.
“What I just said…” Jiang Yu whispered in Gu Lin’s ear, “was to make you agree to their marriage alliance.”
"What?"
"Isn't it a wonderful thing to have the eldest daughter of a noble family as a concubine?"
Jiang Yu chuckled softly, "We'll take good care of her once we get to Dayu, but it's a huge blow to the aristocratic families. It shows that the rule that aristocratic women can marry aristocratic men has been broken."
Gu Lin then realized what was happening and gave Jiang Yu a light peck.
"But I still don't want to." Gu Lin hugged Jiang Yu tightly, and deliberately hugged her tighter and tighter, making it hard for Jiang Yu to breathe.
"Let go, let me go... Ugh..."
Gu Lin's voice rang out through gritted teeth, and Jiang Yu trembled all over. "Anything that could ruin my relationship with A Yu, I will nip it in the bud. Let Gu Qingyan enjoy this blessing."
"Um?"
Jiang Yu was stunned.
“Men in the Great Yu region can marry at the age of eighteen. Let the aristocratic families prepare in advance and send the women over to be raised.”
Gu Lin spoke these words without any pressure, showing no intention of questioning Gu Qingyan at all.
"Aren't you afraid that Ayan won't agree?"
"So many things can change in two years, who knows if it will work out in the end!" Gu Lin chuckled. "This way, it's the best of both worlds, and it will make the powerful families suffer another huge loss."
"Sometimes I think that it was because countries in the past didn't dare to challenge the powerful families. In fact, when they really did confront them, they were quite foolish."
Hearing Gu Lin's words, Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh.
The next second, Gu Lin's hands started to wander, gently nibbling and rubbing Jiang Yu's earlobe. "You scared me so much just now, Yu, you have to make it up to me..."
......
The next day.
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyan jumped three feet high, "Father, I'm only sixteen years old this year, how could you bear to..."
"Alright, your mother isn't here, so stop pretending."
As soon as Gu Lin finished speaking, the exaggerated expression on Gu Qingyan's face vanished instantly. "Why should I help you?"
"I will only ever have any connection with your mother in this lifetime." Gu Lin's expression was extremely serious. "You still have two years until you turn eighteen. Whether the aristocratic families will still exist by then is another matter. Whether you marry her or not is up to you."
Gu Qingyan thought about it seriously for a moment, then said, "Okay."
Gu Lin nodded upon hearing this. "Also, I looked through the women of similar age from aristocratic families. The Qin, Sun, and Pei families each have a legitimate daughter."
Gu Lin handed the scroll to Gu Qingyan, saying, "The Pei family probably won't play this game with them. Just keep an eye on the Qin and Sun families."
“I will summon them again tomorrow.” Gu Qingyan revealed a playful expression. “I can’t wait to see their reaction.”
They're plotting against his father and mother?
Gu Qingyan's fingers were lightly rubbing against each other beneath his sleeves.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com