Seeing that the Emperor was unwilling to talk about it, the Empress Dowager did not press him further. Instead, she changed the subject and asked the Emperor, "You just asked Li Rong to take Gu Sang out to play. Where do you plan to take Gu Sang? Are you going on a picnic?"
"Mother, Gu Sang is the Emperor's niece. How can the Emperor take his niece around aimlessly? I want to take Gu Sang somewhere." The Empress hurriedly replied upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, afraid that the Empress Dowager would misunderstand that the Emperor wanted to take Gu Sang on an outing. She also knew that at this time she should say this, rather than saying that she wanted to take Gu Sang somewhere else.
"Oh? Tell me, what place is it?" The Empress Dowager looked at the Empress curiously, signaling the Empress to tell her her thoughts.
"It is a mountain, built by Zhang Zhongjing, the Emperor's junior brother, the late Emperor's beloved disciple, and also my benefactor. The forests and peaks on this mountain are very beautiful and mysterious. It is said that only by climbing to the top can one see many wonders and strange phenomena," the Empress explained.
"Oh, is that so? In that case, let the Emperor take Gu Sang to the mountaintop. I want to see what kind of wonders and unusual phenomena there are." The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement, but still raised a question. She felt that the Emperor would definitely take Gu Sang to the mountaintop, after all, the Emperor was a prince, and it was only natural for him to take a member of the royal family up the mountain. But why did the Emperor say that Gu Sang should take him to see the wonders and unusual phenomena? Could there be some kind of conspiracy?
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, the Emperor inwardly sneered, but outwardly he feigned innocence and looked at her, saying, "Empress Dowager, I truly had no such intention! It's just that Gu Sang is currently in very poor health, and I was worried that her body couldn't handle it, so I had her rest in the palace for a few days."
"Oh, I see. Your Majesty is so thoughtful. I thought Your Majesty was planning to take Gu Sang around everywhere." The Empress Dowager nodded after hearing the Emperor's words, but in her heart she had begun to suspect that the Emperor might have some ulterior motive.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, your son will absolutely not allow anyone to harm Gu Sang." Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, the Emperor knew that she had already guessed, but he still pretended to be ignorant and gave a brief explanation.
"Oh, is that so! I understand. Your Majesty, rest assured, I will have the Empress take good care of Gu Sang. Once Gu Sang recovers, I will have the Empress take Gu Sang away from the capital. At that time, Gu Sang will be free to move around." The Empress Dowager knew from the Emperor's words that he could not possibly take Gu Sang away from the capital, so she did not pursue the matter further. In any case, she was only guessing and would not be right, so she did not care anymore.
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Mother." The Emperor nodded and said. He knew that his mother was doing this for Gu Sang's own good, but he did not want Gu Sang to leave with the Empress Dowager. He knew that his father wanted Gu Sang dead. If the Empress Dowager really took Gu Sang away, his father would definitely kill Gu Sang, and then Gu Sang would be in danger. Therefore, he absolutely could not let his mother take Gu Sang away, no matter what the cost.
The Empress Dowager knew very well what kind of person the Emperor's father was, and she also knew that this matter was extremely dangerous for Gu Sang. However, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to do so. If she did not take Gu Sang away, Gu Sang would definitely be killed by the Emperor. The Emperor was now the Crown Prince and would definitely be the successor to the throne. He would never allow anyone to threaten his power and position. Therefore, he had to kill Gu Sang, no matter what the cost.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will send people to take good care of Gu Sang. I only hope that Your Majesty will not forget what you promised me." The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and said. She knew that she was just a commoner now and had no way to stop the Crown Prince's actions. However, she still hoped that the Emperor could remember what they had said and not forget his promise.
The Emperor naturally understood the Empress Dowager's meaning, so he nodded and agreed, "Your Majesty, I understand what you mean. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have always remembered." He also knew that this matter could only be postponed for now, and he would only take Gu Sang away after his plan succeeded.
"Oh, is that so? That's good. Whether Your Majesty remembers your promise or not, I will remember it." The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction after hearing the Emperor's words.
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she chatted with the Emperor for a few more minutes before leaving.
After the Empress Dowager left, only the Emperor and Empress remained in the hall. Seeing the Emperor sitting there in a daze, the Empress asked softly, "Your Majesty, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?"
"Hmm, a little." The Emperor nodded, but did not answer the Empress's question; he simply gave her a curt reply.
After hearing the Emperor's answer, the Empress did not ask any further questions. She simply sat down silently and sat with the Emperor in a daze, waiting for the imperial physician to examine him. This time, she also had some bad premonitions.
After returning to the palace, the Empress Dowager ordered the best imperial physicians to examine Gu Sang. Only after confirming that Gu Sang was alright did she feel relieved and no longer worried about Gu Sang's safety.
"Gu Sang, your mother is now entrusting you to Granny Li. I hope you can protect yourself well in the future and not be bullied. Your mother only hopes that you can grow up safely and grow up to marry me." Gu Sang lay on the bed, with Granny Li sitting beside her taking care of her. She wiped Gu Sang's face as she spoke, and then she sighed.
"Granny Li, thank you so much for this. If it weren't for you, I really don't know what I would have done now." Gu Sang was very excited after hearing Granny Li's words, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Gu Sang, you don't need to thank me. Actually, if it weren't for me, you would probably have died at the Emperor's hands long ago. In the end, I saved you, so you should be thanking me." After hearing Gu Sang's words, Granny Li waved her hand and said. Although she had saved Gu Sang, she wouldn't take credit for it. If it weren't for her, Gu Sang would probably be crippled even if she didn't die, and she herself was also crippled now. So, in the end, she saved Gu Sang, and Gu Sang saved her. She should thank Gu Sang, not the other way around.
"Granny Li, I don't know what to say. Anyway, Granny Li, no matter what you say, you are Gu Sang's savior. Gu Sang will repay Granny Li for the rest of her life." After listening to Granny Li's words, Gu Sang thought for a moment and finally only said these two or three sentences.
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