His Majesty the Emperor smiled and nodded upon hearing this.
After Gu Sang and Li Rong left the palace, Gu Sang looked at Li Rong and said, "Young Master Li, let's go back to the manor first. After we get back, I will have the steward send someone to deliver an invitation to your residence. Then, you can take me with you to visit Duke Li."
Gu Sang's tone was full of pleading.
Li Rong glanced at Gu Sang, pondered for a moment, and then nodded. He knew that the relationship between him and Gu Sang was too delicate, and he couldn't agree to it directly.
If he agreed, Gu Sang would definitely become suspicious of him. Moreover, he was afraid that Gu Sang would refuse him. If Gu Sang refused, then he would have no chance. He didn't want to marry Gu Sang and then be disliked by her. He would be heartbroken if that happened. He couldn't bear Gu Sang's indifference towards him; he would die of heartbreak. He loved Gu Sang deeply now, and he couldn't bear to see her sad. He wanted Gu Sang to be happy, and if he wanted Gu Sang to be happy, he had to work harder.
Li Rong and Gu Sang returned to the Gu family. After arriving at the Gu family, Li Rong went to find Duke Li.
When Duke Gu heard that Li Rong had arrived, he immediately came out of his study. Upon seeing Li Rong, he said happily, "Oh my, it's my young friend Li Rong! Where have you been all this time? Do you know how worried I've been about you every day?"
Duke Gu patted Li Rong on the shoulder with a smile and said.
Upon hearing this, Li Rong smiled and shook her head, saying, "Uncle, I've been training outside recently, and my martial arts have improved a bit. So, I was thinking of going out to study for a while. I'll come back whenever I want, and I won't let you down."
"Alright, then your uncle will wait for you to come back. We'll discuss our great cause together. When the time comes, your uncle will definitely help you take the capital. Then we'll ascend the throne together. What do you think?" Duke Gu said with a smile.
“Great! Then we can both ascend the throne together.” Upon hearing this, Li Rong immediately nodded and said excitedly.
"Haha..." Duke Gu laughed and said to Li Rong, "Then it's settled. However, Li Rong, your uncle really doesn't want to be the emperor. Right now, your uncle just wants to live a carefree life. If one day your uncle becomes the emperor, I hope that at that time, I can stroll and enjoy the scenery in the Imperial Garden with my empress, instead of being the emperor."
“Is being an emperor really that good, Uncle? You know I don’t want to. If I become emperor, I will lose my freedom. My life will be tied down. I will absolutely not become emperor,” Li Rong said to Duke Gu with a serious expression.
Upon hearing this, Duke Gu smiled but did not say anything more.
He knew in his heart why Li Rong was unwilling to become emperor, but he did not intend to dissuade Li Rong.
Seeing Li Rong's rebuttal, Gu Sang felt a little angry, but she didn't want to fall out with Li Rong.
She didn't want Li Rong and Duke Li to have a falling out.
"Then let's go back," Gu Sang said to Li Rong.
Li Rong nodded, and the two returned to their residence.
As soon as Gu Sang returned to the manor, she summoned all the servants.
Gu Sang addressed the crowd, saying, "I have something to tell you all."
"What is it?"
"Today, after His Majesty the Emperor suddenly came to the Gu residence, he said some strange things to Li Rong and me." Gu Sang said, looking at Li Rong, and asked, "Li Rong, I want to ask you, do you know what His Majesty the Emperor said to us?"
Gu Sang looked at Li Rong.
Upon hearing this, Li Rong frowned and began to ponder.
He looked at Gu Sang and himself, frowned, and after a moment of silence, Li Rong said to Gu Sang, "What did His Majesty the Emperor say?"
“I don’t know either, but His Majesty the Emperor said that you need to come to the palace tomorrow, as he has something important to discuss with you,” Gu Sang said, looking at Li Rong.
"The Imperial Palace!" Upon hearing this, Li Rong's expression changed. He immediately looked at Gu Sang and said, "Uncle, have you offended His Majesty the Emperor?"
"I didn't!" Gu Sang looked at Li Rong and said in confusion.
“Uncle, if you haven’t offended His Majesty the Emperor, why is he being so polite to you?” Li Rong asked Gu Sang.
Upon hearing this, Gu Sang immediately fell silent. He was unsure whether His Majesty the Emperor was deliberately trying to get close to him. Thinking of this, he felt a little scared, but he quickly dismissed the possibility.
Looking at Gu Sang's silent expression, Li Rong knew that his guess was correct.
Li Rong said to Gu Sang, "Uncle, don't worry. If His Majesty the Emperor has any ulterior motives, I will protect you with all my might. Don't worry."
"I understand, Li Rong, thank you." Gu Sang nodded and said to Li Rong.
Duke Gu smiled as he observed the interaction between Li Rong and Gu Sang. Then, he said to Li Rong, "Li Rong, you can rest here today. You can stay at the Gu residence. I will send someone to pick you up tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Li Rong nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll trouble you to make the arrangements, Uncle. I'll go to the palace with you tomorrow."
"Haha... Alright, then I'll make the arrangements. We'll be leaving now, you may all leave." Duke Gu waved to his servants, signaling that they could leave. Upon seeing this, the servants bowed and departed.
After all the servants had left, Duke Gu looked at Li Rong and Gu Sang and said, "I have something to say to you two alone. Come with me to the study."
"Okay, Uncle, let's go in."
Gu Sang looked at Duke Gu and gave a faint reply. She and Li Rong then followed Duke Gu into his study.
As soon as Li Rong and Gu Sang entered Duke Gu's study, he closed the door. Gu Sang and Li Rong stood there, looking at Duke Gu without saying a word.
Looking at the expressions on Gu Sang and Li Rong's faces, Duke Gu chuckled and said to them, "You two are the people your uncle trusts the most. I won't hide it from you anymore. Actually, I made an agreement with His Majesty the Emperor that once I become the Emperor, my son-in-law will be you, Li Rong."
Upon hearing this, both Gu Sang and Li Rong's expressions changed, and a hint of surprise flashed across their faces.
"Uncle, is this true?" Gu Sang looked at Duke Gu with surprise and excitement.
Although Li Rong didn't feel overwhelming joy, he was still very happy.
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