Gu Yi felt deeply that he had disturbed his uncle's good time.
He coughed lightly and brought up the old matter again, "Uncle, please agree. If you agree, I will disappear immediately."
Wen Nongnong naturally noticed Gu Linchao's actions, and when she heard Gu Yi say this, she was both amused and annoyed. Before Gu Linchao could say anything, she spoke first: "Gu Yi, marriage is about mutual consent. You didn't even ask Yingying's opinion before asking your royal uncle to issue an imperial decree to grant you marriage. Isn't that a bit inappropriate? What if Yingying doesn't want to marry you?"
Gu Yi was very troubled; he couldn't really understand what Lu Yingying was thinking.
The main reason was that the Lu family had been arranging a marriage for her recently. Upon receiving the news, he rushed over from Tunzhou, hoping to ask his uncle, the Emperor, to issue an imperial decree granting him the marriage.
But clearly, his royal uncle was unwilling to help him.
"I don't think so," he said hesitantly.
Wen Nongnong was speechless. "Didn't you even ask her?"
Gu Yi was speechless.
Upon seeing this, Wen Nongnong understood.
In ancient times, it was indeed important to follow the orders of one's parents and the words of their parents in arranging marriages; the thoughts of one's children were not that important.
In particular, if the marriage was bestowed by imperial decree, no one was allowed to disobey.
So, is Gu Yi trying to get his royal uncle to use his power to suppress the Lu family?
Gu Linchao glanced at Gu Yi before saying, "Actually, yesterday, Lord Lu also came to me, asking me to arrange a marriage for Lu Yingying."
Gu Yi was taken aback, then frowned and asked, "Who has he taken a fancy to?"
"He has his eye on all of my many capable generals," Gu Linchao said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong choked on her own saliva and asked in astonishment, "What do you mean?"
Gu Linchao's lips curled up slightly as he explained, "Liu Qian and Cui Hao are still unmarried. It's not just the Lu family; others have also expressed interest."
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong immediately understood.
The eight generals followed him from the capital to Xiangzhou, and from Xiangzhou they fought their way back to the capital, making countless military achievements. Now they are highly sought-after figures in the court and are deeply trusted by Gu Linchao. Naturally, those with daughters have developed designs on them.
Gu Yi clearly recognized the Eight Generals, and upon hearing this, he became anxious.
"Uncle, you must refuse! I have fallen for Lu Yingying, and I will marry no one but her in this lifetime."
Seeing how anxious he was, Wen Nongnong couldn't help but find it amusing, but this time she didn't say anything.
Gu Linchao rubbed his temples, looking somewhat troubled, and said, "But Lord Lu doesn't fancy you."
Gu Yi: "..."
Seeing his devastated expression, Wen Nongnong felt a pang of pity. Moreover, she felt that there was more to the story between Lu Yingying and him than just him being one-sided. So she said, "How about this, in a few days, I will invite Lu Yingying to the palace and ask her what she thinks. If she is willing to marry you, then I will ask your royal uncle to issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage."
Gu Yi was overjoyed and quickly bowed deeply to her, saying, "I will rely on you, my aunt, for my lifelong happiness."
Wen Nongnong said with a smile, "Don't thank me yet. This matter may not even work out. Don't blame me if Yingying doesn't want to."
Gu Yi smiled wryly, "If Lu Yingying is unwilling, I will never blame my aunt. I can only blame my bad luck."
Wen Nongnong: "..."
She still needed to go to Guo Yuzhen to explain the issue of the child's fate, so she didn't stay in the Imperial Study any longer. After saying goodbye to Gu Linchao, she left on her own.
She asked the palace maid Guo Yuzhen and the child where they lived, and then went directly there.
Guo Yuzhen and Gu Siyuan were arranged to stay in a side hall. When she arrived, Gu Siyuan had eaten and fallen asleep. Guo Yuzhen sat by the cradle, watching him.
Wen Nongnong knocked on the door before she came to her senses.
Upon seeing her, Guo Yuzhen immediately stood up. "What brings you here?"
Wen Nongnong smiled and said, "I came here to tell you about the Emperor's decision."
Guo Yuzhen was somewhat flattered, "You could send someone over..."
"It's alright, I don't have anything else to do anyway," Wen Nongnong said.
"Please have a seat," Guo Yuzhen said hurriedly, preparing to make her some tea.
Wen Nongnong glanced at Gu Siyuan, who was sleeping soundly in the cradle, and lowered her voice, "Stop busying yourself, don't disturb the child, let's go outside to talk."
"Okay." Guo Yuzhen nodded quickly.
Once outside the house, Wen Nongnong didn't beat around the bush and directly told her the result of her discussion with Gu Linchao.
"His Majesty has agreed to let Siyuan stay in the palace."
Upon hearing this, Guo Yuzhen felt both joy and sorrow.
The good news was that she had received the Emperor's approval, and that Gu Siyuan would surely grow up well in the palace. The bad news was that she had to leave the palace immediately and didn't know if she would ever have the chance to see Gu Siyuan again.
Wen Nongnong noticed her hesitation and said, "If you're willing to stay, you can continue living here and help take care of Siyuan."
Guo Yuzhen was both surprised and delighted, and was almost incoherent, "Can...can I really stay?"
Wen Nongnong's lips curled slightly. "Of course, if you're willing. However..." she paused. "You're still young. If you leave the palace, you can find a marriage partner. But if you stay in the palace to take care of Siyuan, you might miss out on opportunities."
Upon hearing this, Guo Yuzhen calmed down and said self-deprecatingly, "With my status, who would dare to want me?"
"Don't underestimate yourself..." Wen Nong Nong comforted her.
"Your Majesty, there's no need to comfort me. I know my place. Rather than leaving the palace to seek an impossible happiness, I'd rather stay here, raise little Siyuan, and enjoy some peace and quiet," Guo Yuzhen said.
She had once longed for that person, always following behind him, doing countless foolish things for him, but in the end, she gained nothing.
Wen Nongnong said with emotion, "You've changed a lot."
Guo Yuzhen laughed and said, "I must have been quite disliked by people before."
Wen Nongnong nodded, "That's true."
Guo Yuzhen: "..."
"It's fine as it is now." Wen Nongnong patted her shoulder with a smile.
Guo Yuzhen coughed lightly and asked, "You're not going to kick me out again, are you?"
Wen Nongnong said, "That depends on your behavior. If you continue to behave yourself, then naturally you won't be able to stay as long as you like."
Guo Yuzhen thought to herself, "These words are really quite blunt."
However, she was still very grateful to her.
Although she would receive a severance package upon leaving the palace, her maternal family had fallen, leaving her all alone and helpless. She had no skills, and the money would soon be gone. Would she really just marry anyone else then?
The thought of those days actually terrified her.
Fortunately, Wen Nongnong was willing to take her in and let her stay in the palace.
"That's settled then. Take good care of Siyuan. If you need anything or need any help, just let me know. I have to go back now; the two little ones should be awake by now," Wen Nongnong said.
"Respectfully seeing off Her Majesty the Empress," Guo Yuzhen immediately curtsied and said obsequiously.
Wen Nongnong shook her head with amusement, but said nothing and left directly.
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