"Nongnong, this soup was made by Granny Zeng before Chao'er went to court. Drink it while it's hot; it's good for your health." The Empress Dowager took the soup bowl from Granny Zeng and placed it in front of Wen Nongnong.
Wen Nongnong was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, not expecting Gu Linchao to give such an instruction.
A sweet feeling welled up inside her, and without refusing, she picked up the bowl and began to drink.
The Empress Dowager was very pleased to see the young couple finally consummate their marriage, which relieved her of another worry, and she was naturally in a good mood.
After chatting for a while, the Empress Dowager, seeing that it was getting late, said to Wen Nongnong, "Chao'er is busy with state affairs, so I won't keep you for lunch with him. I'll have Granny Zeng take you to the Imperial Study to wait for him."
“Alright, then I’ll come to the palace to see you again next time.” Wen Nongnong nodded and was about to get up.
Just then, the Empress Dowager suddenly stuffed a long, thin box into her hand.
Wen Nongnong was taken aback, "Mother, what is this...?"
The Empress Dowager looked at Granny Zeng.
Zeng Mama understood and led all the servants out.
Once there was no one else in the hall, the Empress Dowager's expression became more solemn. She said to Wen Nongnong, "Nongnong, I know you are a good child and believe you can accompany Chao'er for the rest of your life. But unforeseen events can happen. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, I am now entrusting this late emperor's edict to you. If that day ever comes, you only need to take out this edict to ensure Chao'er's safety. But you must promise me that you will never take it out unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, Chao'er must not know about this matter."
Wen Nongnong felt a sense of unease upon hearing this. The box contained the late emperor's edict, something she had never expected.
It's just unknown what was written in the will, and why it could guarantee that Gu would be safe during his reign should something change.
Why would the Empress Dowager entrust such an important edict to her?
She had many doubts, but the Empress Dowager didn't say much. She only explained, "Chao'er is too stubborn. Once he makes up his mind, it's hard to change it. I'm a little worried that Heng'er won't treat him well after I'm gone."
After all, throughout history, very few emperors have been able to treat their meritorious officials well. Chao'er has done so much for the great cause, his achievements are outstanding. Heng'er has now grown up and has his own ideas. If a conflict were to break out between uncle and nephew, it would not be what I want to see. What I fear is that Chao'er will consider the kindness shown to him by Crown Prince Jiande and surrender without resistance. If that happens, I will not rest in peace even in the afterlife.
Whether a subject or an uncle, Chao'er has done his utmost, wholeheartedly assisting the emperor without any other thoughts. He doesn't deserve such treatment. I only hope that he can live a peaceful and prosperous life for the rest of his days.
Wen Nongnong was deeply moved. The Empress Dowager was really good to Gu Linchao and always thought of him.
What she didn't know was that Gu Heng had long harbored the idea of eliminating Gu Linchao, who in the original book even met a tragic end.
Thinking of this, she gripped the box in her hand tightly.
"Don't worry, Empress Dowager, I will ensure that nothing happens to the Prince," she said firmly.
Previously, she wanted to curry favor with Gu Linchao, so she didn't want anything to happen to him. But now, the two have consummated their marriage, he has truly become her husband, and she wants to spend her whole life with him, so she wants nothing to happen to him anymore.
The Empress Dowager was very pleased and held her hand tightly, saying, "I didn't misjudge her."
After putting the box away, Wen Nongnong got up and bid farewell to the Empress Dowager.
Granny Zeng came over and took her to the Imperial Study. Then she handed her a box. “This is a luminous pearl used for lighting on the side hall wall. The Empress Dowager said that you and the Prince don’t come to the palace often, so it would be a waste to leave it there. Therefore, she had it removed and given to you.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong's heart surged with emotion. She had counted them last night and there were at least ten luminous pearls embedded in the wall. She never expected that the Empress Dowager would be so generous to her and take them all down to give to her.
"Granny Zeng, please thank the Empress Dowager on my behalf."
"This old servant will pass on your message," Granny Zeng said with a smile.
Just then, Wen Ruyi walked over with her entourage.
A hint of malice flashed in her eyes when she saw Wen Nongnong.
As she approached, she smiled and adopted the demeanor of a kind older sister, asking, "When did Nongnong enter the palace?"
Wen Nongnong's lips curled up slightly, and she was about to speak when Granny Zeng spoke first: "Consort Liu, is that the name of the Regent's Consort? How dare you call her that? It's really disrespectful."
Upon hearing this, Wen Ruyi nearly vomited blood in anger. He was just an old servant who dared to contradict her, but considering that he was someone close to the Empress Dowager, she could only swallow her anger.
She quickly curtsied to Wen Nong Nong, saying, "This concubine greets the Regent's Consort."
"No need for formalities," Wen Nongnong said with a smile. "Consort Liu is quite pregnant, so please take good care of yourself."
Wen Ruyi clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
But then, thinking of something, she deliberately reached out and touched her stomach, sighed and said, "Thank you for reminding me, Regent Princess. Being pregnant is indeed quite different from usual. I have to be careful about this and that, I can't eat this and I can't eat that. Just thinking about having to endure this for ten whole months makes me very uncomfortable. When Regent Princess becomes pregnant, she will know how difficult it is to endure."
Wen Nong Nong raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. Was she implying that she hadn't heard any news about her wedding even though it had been so long?
"What Consort Liu says is true. You must be careful. The imperial heir is not to be taken lightly. If you can endure for ten months, it will be a great achievement. The Emperor will be delighted and may even promote you. When you see me, the Princess Consort, you will not have to bow and pay your respects."
Upon hearing this, Granny Zeng could no longer suppress the smile on her lips.
Unexpectedly, the princess, despite her young age, speaks with such eloquence that she wins battles without firing a shot.
Wen Ruyi was so angry that her face turned pale. She never expected that her attempt to subtly mock Wen Nongnong would backfire and she would be mocked in return.
Moreover, Wen Nongnong is truly vicious; she actually said that the child in her womb might not live to be ten months old, yet her words were so inaccurate that no one could find fault with them.
Wen Ruyi's heart heaved with anger, but she could only suppress it. However, her hatred for Wen Nongnong grew even stronger.
She was humiliated, but she couldn't swallow her anger. Before leaving, she deliberately said, "It's already noon, and the sun is getting stronger. I'm feeling unwell, so I won't wait here with Your Highness any longer. I'll go to the Imperial Study first."
As she spoke, she exuded a sense of superiority.
So what if she's the Regent's wife? When she gets to the door of the Imperial Study, she still has to stop.
She was different; Gu Heng allowed her to enter and leave the Imperial Study.
Compared to the other two, the humiliation she had just suffered was nothing.
She glanced smugly at Wen Nong Nong, then turned to leave.
Just then, Gu Linchao suddenly walked out of the imperial study.
He spotted Wen Nongnong standing under the tree at a glance.
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