Upon hearing this, the vigorous Prince Gu Shuo said with amusement, "Is your refusal so straightforward because of Gu Linchao?"
"This matter has nothing to do with the Imperial Uncle." Gu Yi's thin lips pressed into a line.
Jue Wang picked up the teacup beside him, brushed the tea leaves inside with the lid, and then slowly took a sip.
As he put down his cup, his gaze returned to Gu Yi, his eyes gleaming with a shrewdness that seemed to see through everything. "If it weren't for Gu Linchao, why would you have any reservations? The Emperor and Empress Dowager Guo were determined to kill you and your mother back then. If it weren't for Gu Linchao, you and your mother would have been dead long ago."
The Emperor and Empress Dowager have been unkind to you and your son. If it weren't for your concern for Gu Linchao, I truly cannot imagine what you would still be reluctant to give up regarding this great cause and this court.
Gu Yi clenched his fingers tightly on his knees, remaining silent for a long time.
King Ju sighed and said, "You foolish child. Someone did you a small favor, and you want to repay it for a lifetime, even letting go of your hatred? But do you know that Gu Linchao is not so selfless? He protected you back then only to use this incident to enhance his reputation as a virtuous man. He is nothing but a fame-seeker. Why would you be so devoted to him and spend your whole life repaying him?"
“Lord Jue!” Gu Yi suddenly interrupted him in a deep voice, “I respect you as my elder, but please do not slander my royal uncle like this. My royal uncle is not that kind of person.”
"Whether someone is that kind of person or not is not for me to decide, nor is it because you vehemently deny it. Just wait and see, time will prove everything, and you will know whether what I have said is true or not," the King Jue said unhurriedly.
Gu Yi was furious. He would not allow anyone to slander his royal uncle, not even if the person in front of him was an elder.
Just as he was about to speak, the steward announced from outside the door, "Your Highness, the Regent's Consort has arrived."
Gu Yi was taken aback, glanced quickly at the Prince Jue, and was about to leave when the Prince Jue said with amusement, "Regent's Consort? Since she's here, please come in and let her pay her respects to me. After all, I am her elder."
Gu Yi's expression changed, and he wanted to go out to stop Wen Nongnong from coming in, but the King's men had already rushed out first.
The next moment, Wen Nongnong was invited in.
Wen Nongnong was still a little confused. When she saw that there were other people in the hall, she turned her head and looked at Gu Yi with some surprise. "Oh, you have guests. You go ahead and do your work. I'll go outside and take a look around."
Having said that, he turned to leave.
At this moment, King Jue spoke up at the opportune moment.
"Niece-in-law, why don't you know how to greet your elders? How did Gu Linchao teach you?"
Wen Nongnong paused, turned around and looked at Jue Wang in surprise.
Who is this person? How dare he address Gu Linchao by his given name?
Seeing him sitting there while Gu Yi was standing, she felt even more puzzled.
Seeing that things had come to this point, Gu Yi had no choice but to remind her, "This is Prince Jue, Your Majesty, you should call him Uncle Prince Jue."
Upon hearing the words "King Jue," Wen Nongnong's beautiful peach blossom eyes widened, but her mind was buzzing incessantly.
The middle-aged man in front of me is actually Gu Shuo, the most notorious villain in the original book?
He was the only surviving brother of the late emperor, ranked last among his siblings. He had dominated a region for many years, constantly expanding his power, and neither Gu Linchao nor Gu Heng could do anything about him.
She should have realized it was his.
In today's world, those who dare to address Gu Linchao by his name so directly can be counted on one's fingers.
Her surprise was fleeting; she quickly regained her composure.
"So it's Uncle Jue Wang. Please forgive me for not recognizing you before. Please don't take it to heart." Wen Nong Nong gave him a junior's bow.
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