When Gu Heng likes someone, he always calls them frequently, but if they don't meet his expectations, he can kick them away without any regard for feelings.
She is a living example.
Now, Tu Tong is showing off in front of her that she is favored by Gu Heng.
She sneered, then suddenly stared at her profile and said, "What makes Consort Tu think she has the Emperor's favor?"
Seeing that she had finally lost her composure, Tu Tong curled her lips into a smile. "Naturally, it's because I'm pleasing to the Emperor's eye." As she spoke, she reached out and pinched her waist. "I never imagined that the Emperor, who looks so frail, would be so..." The meaning was self-evident.
Wen Ruyi looked at her coldly, "Consort Tu, I advise you not to be too flamboyant, because this favor you have will not last long. You should take advantage of the fact that the Emperor has not yet grown tired of you and make some good benefits. After all, a substitute is just a substitute. No matter how similar you look, you are not the real person."
Upon hearing this, Tu Tong touched her cheek, realizing that Wen Ruyi had also noticed.
But so what if it's a stand-in? What does it matter?
As long as it achieves the goal, I'll be a substitute.
"What do you mean by that, sister? What do you mean by a substitute? What exactly do you mean? I'm too dense to understand, please enlighten me, sister," she said, looking puzzled.
Just as Wen Ruyi was about to say something, He Xiang suddenly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Wen Ruyi was startled and turned around, only to find that Empress Dowager Guo was standing behind her at some point.
"This concubine greets the Empress Dowager." She quickly bowed.
Tu Tong was also startled and quickly followed suit, bowing, "This concubine greets the Empress Dowager."
Empress Dowager Guo had been there for a while and overheard their conversation. She looked at Tu Tong with a puzzled expression.
At first, I didn't think she resembled anyone, but when I caught a glimpse of her profile, her expression immediately darkened.
This person looks just like Wen Nongnong!
She was both shocked and furious, a venomous glint in her eyes. Suddenly, she pointed at Tu Tong and said in a deep voice, "I don't like her face. Slap her."
Tu Tong was startled and before she could react, Qing Lian had already stepped forward and kicked her in the knee.
Her legs buckled, and she uncontrollably knelt on the ground. Immediately afterward, Qinglian raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face.
The sudden turn of events caused Wen Ruyi to clench her handkerchief tightly.
Although she was gloating when she saw Tu Tong being beaten, she felt a chill run down her spine when she saw the fierce look on Empress Dowager Guo's face.
Something's wrong, something's very wrong...
Even if Empress Dowager Guo hated Tu Tong for bewitching Gu Heng, she shouldn't have reacted like this.
Her hatred was inexplicable.
Empress Dowager Guo said she didn't like Tu Tong's face. Did she hate Tu Tong, or did she hate that she had a face that looked exactly like Wen Nong Nong?
Wen Ruyi was utterly puzzled.
It wasn't until she saw the sudden look of pleasure on Empress Guo's face when she saw Tu Tong's cheeks swollen and bleeding that she had an idea.
But is it even possible?
Her eyes held a hint of surprise.
Empress Dowager Guo to Gu Linchao...
This realization made her clench her fingers and lower her eyes in horror.
"Your Majesty, spare my life! Spare this concubine..."
Tu Tong, who had not resisted until now, finally begged for mercy.
Empress Dowager Guo felt a little better when she saw her bleeding face.
She had no intention of making things difficult for a mere palace concubine; it was just that she had to be like Wen Nongnong of all people—she deserved to die.
"Keep beating me."
Upon hearing this, Qinglian beat him even harder.
It wasn't until Gu Heng heard the news and rushed over that the situation was resolved.
"Mother, what are you doing?" Gu Heng pushed Qinglian aside, helped Tu Tong, whose face was covered in blood, up, and looked at Empress Dowager Guo in shock and anger.
Empress Dowager Guo said unhurriedly, "This lowly servant girl thinks she can disregard me just because she has served you for a few days. I am merely teaching her a lesson." She paused, then glanced at Wen Ruyi, "Consort Liu was present the whole time. You can ask her."
Gu Heng indeed looked at Wen Ruyi.
Wen Ruyi hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head. "The Empress Dowager is right."
Gu Heng frowned as he looked at Tu Tong in his arms, but ultimately said nothing. He picked her up and ordered the palace servants to quickly summon the imperial physician.
Only after the person had gone far away did Empress Dowager Guo look at Wen Ruyi and say, "Consort Liu is a smart person."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty," Wen Ruyi said demurely.
Empress Dowager Guo did not stay long and left with her entourage.
Wen Ruyi watched her walk away, and after the initial shock, she was overjoyed.
Today, she has finally gained leverage over Empress Dowager Guo.
If used properly, even Empress Dowager Guo could be manipulated by her.
Wen Ruyi shook off the mood that Tu Tong had affected and was very excited.
...
Zhanzhou, the palace of Zhanwang.
"Your Highness, our men have reported back that they failed." A guard in black knelt on the ground and reported to the Jue Prince behind the desk.
"Did we fail?" King Jue's expression was rather grim.
The guard in black nodded. "Yes, but although we failed, Gu Linchao has been poisoned by the Floating Mantra and has lost his sight."
Upon hearing this, the King of Jue's expression changed from gloomy to cheerful. "Is Gu Linchao blind?"
"Yes. Moreover, according to the news that came back, Gu Linchao is no longer at the Prince Tun's residence, nor has he returned to the capital. His whereabouts are currently unknown," the guard continued to report.
Upon hearing this, an advisor couldn't help but ask, "Although Gu Linchao is blind, he's not dead. Won't that hinder our next plan?"
After pondering for a moment, the King of Jue ordered his guards, "Find Gu Linchao's whereabouts and kill him. He's blind, so he can't have gone too far. Just search around Tunzhou City."
"Yes." The guard accepted the order and left.
King Jue narrowed his eyes. He had been preparing for so long, and the biggest obstacle was Gu Linchao. Only when Gu Linchao died could his plan proceed smoothly. Then, he could lead his troops south and seize the throne.
Therefore, Gu Linchao must die.
A cold, murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
...
Huangming Temple.
After a few days, Gu Linchao's wounds finally healed, and through several days of training, he was able to walk out of the house on his own.
After he successfully walked out of the house once again, Wen Nongnong said in an exaggerated tone, "Your Highness is so amazing."
Gu Linchao stood under the eaves. Upon hearing this, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly, and he turned to the side and reached out his hand to her.
Wen Nongnong quickly stepped forward and offered her hand.
Gu Linchao held her hand and gently rubbed it, "This is all thanks to Nong Nong."
"No, it's because Your Highness is clever and patient," Wen Nongnong said softly, leaning on his arm.
Gu Linchao touched her face, his handsome face filled with affection.
As Lü Qiao carried the medicine out of the kitchen and stepped into the yard, a figure suddenly appeared with a "whoosh" and fell from the sky, startling her so much that her hand trembled and the medicine bowl in her hand fell to the ground with a "clatter".
Hearing the noise, Si Yi turned around and saw Lü Qiao standing there in a daze, with medicine spilled all over the ground. He was also stunned for a moment, but couldn't help but say rudely, "Idiot, you can't even hold a bowl properly." After saying that, he walked forward.
Upon hearing this, Lü Qiao snapped out of her daze, staring at his retreating figure and gritting her teeth, "Bastard!" Now she had to brew another bowl of medicine.
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