Chapter 29 The Queen Mother's Question
Gu Congyun immediately became nervous: "No, I finally had a daughter. I just enjoyed a few days of family happiness, and the emperor wants to use his own prince to trick my daughter away. That's absolutely not allowed..."
The emperor found it quite amusing to see that he was anxious.
"How do you know you don't want to use soft words?"
"It's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. Naturally, this matter is between me and my wife. I believe my wife will not agree."
After Gu Congyun finished speaking, Zhuang Hefeng immediately said, "Your Majesty, Ruanci finally returned. We would like to keep her for a few more years. As for the marriage, we should let nature take its course."
The Queen knew that they would not agree easily, and she also understood that the Emperor's words just now were not entirely a joke, but a test.
A noble lady like Gu Ruanci is very suitable to become the future prince's consort or even the next queen.
Her family background has been completely elevated by Gu Congyun and his wife and their four sons. As for her manners and upbringing, that can be seen at a glance. What's more important is the pattern of Gu's soft words.
However, she also knew that discussing this with Gu Ruanci at this time was indeed a bit cruel to the Gu family.
"Don't worry, we have plenty of time anyway."
The emperor did not directly state the matter, but ended it in a joking tone.
They were almost there when the Empress Dowager sent someone to invite them.
The emperor's expression was not very natural. He didn't know what his mother wanted to do, but he couldn't stop her.
"Congyun, you and your wife will stay here to talk to me and the Queen, and let the soft words pass."
No matter how worried Gu Congyun and Zhuang Hefeng were, they had no way to refuse.
Gu Ruanci remained calm, after all, she had never done anything wrong.
Following behind Nanny Sun sent by the Empress Dowager, Gu Ruanci didn't say anything nonsense. She didn't open her mouth along the way, didn't ask any questions, and didn't flatter others.
The palace maids behind her were also surprised by Gu Ruanci's calmness.
It was obvious that he had never been to the palace, so how could he be so calm?
In the Empress Dowager's bedroom, Empress Dowager Jiang had simple makeup but remained dignified.
When she saw Gu Ruanci, even though she was mentally prepared, she was still shocked.
It is indeed the appearance of an old friend.
Gu Ruanci's biological mother Ye Hesheng, her grandmother, and the Empress Dowager have all met them.
"Your humble servant, Gu Ruanci, pays respect to Her Majesty the Queen Mother and respectfully wishes Her Majesty a long and prosperous future."
"Get up..."
The Empress Dowager's voice was slightly cold, not at all as enthusiastic as the Emperor and the Empress'.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
"Ye Hesheng's daughter is just as stubborn as her, but her methods are more direct and she has better luck than her."
The Empress Dowager's words did not offend Gu Ruanci.
She just listened quietly and accepted the Queen Mother's lecture.
"You did a great job yesterday." Gu Ruanci was a little surprised by the Empress Dowager's praise.
"I wonder what the Queen Mother is talking about?"
The Queen Mother put down her fan, leaned back, and asked, "What do you think?"
Gu Ruanci said calmly, "I dare not speculate about the Empress Dowager's inner thoughts, but I hope it is about the dispute with Princess Mingyue."
The Empress Dowager was silent for a moment, then looked at Gu Ruanci carefully.
"You are very clever, and I like you. In that case, I will speak openly to you."
The Empress Dowager straightened up. "You did a good job as a spy, but you embarrassed Wen Xue in public. No matter your motivation or excuse, the outcome won't change. I will punish you by making you kneel for an hour. Do you accept that?"
Gu Ruanci remained calm: "Accept."
"You don't seem convinced." The Queen Mother stood up and took two steps forward.
"The Empress Dowager clearly knows I have done nothing wrong. For the sake of Lady Mingyue's reputation, or perhaps because of what those who care about her say, she insists on punishing me. I will naturally accept it, but I dare not deceive the Empress Dowager. I am truly unconvinced."
Nanny Sun wanted to say something, but the Empress Dowager made a gesture, signaling her not to open her mouth.
"You are honest, just like your father in front of the Emperor. But have you ever considered that I am not the Emperor, and you are not my friend, let alone saved my life? I may not feel comfortable with you talking to me like this."
Gu Ruanci still said frankly: "Then I will try my best not to appear in front of the Queen Mother in the future. After all, I am dull and there is no way I can learn to be the way the Queen Mother likes in a short time."
"So you'd rather be punished than explain to me why you did what you did yesterday?"
The Queen Mother's tone was softer than before, and she sat back in her chair.
"Your Majesty the Queen Mother knows everything. This humble servant has nothing to explain."
Nanny Sun finally couldn't help herself: "County Lady, please be cautious."
"Well, thank you for the reminder, Mammy."
Gu Ruanci did not argue with her. After all, she had her own duty, which was to protect the Empress Dowager.
The Queen Mother was silent for a moment, and finally sighed.
"You came back this time for the Zhou family, right?"
What just happened was easily passed over, and the Empress Dowager didn't seem to want to pursue the matter anymore.
Gu Ruanci nodded: "And the Ye family."
She knew that there was no need to lie in front of the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager nodded, her tone clear, "Yes, if the Zhou family is your enemy, then the Ye family must be too... Fortunately, they are all alive now. Princess Chaoyang, I want to know, when you reminisce about the past with these people, will it disrupt their memories and cause earth-shaking changes in the current situation in the Imperial State?"
Gu Ruanci understood the Queen Mother's temptation and said only one sentence: "They have never been the heaven and earth of Dizhou City."
This sentence made the Empress Dowager very satisfied.
"He's a good boy. The emperor gave this county lady a wise gift. Go."
The Queen Mother leaned back, tilted her head back, and rested it on the back of the chair.
"The Empress Dowager needs to rest, County Lady, I will escort you out."
Nanny Sun remained respectful and escorted her out in a proper manner.
"Empress Dowager, you haven't punished Princess Chaoyang at all. As for the prince..."
When Nanny Sun came back, she saw that the Empress Dowager had sat up again.
The Empress Dowager's attitude was clear: "I didn't reward Gu Ruanci, which is already a courtesy to Prince Duan's Mansion. As for Qianzhong, let him restrain Concubine Wen. What a shame this is for raising such a good child."
"……yes."
Gu Ruanci followed the palace maid who led the way back and did not take much look at the scenery in the palace along the way.
As a result, an unexpected thing happened. A female official came from a distance, followed by two palace maids.
"Is this the Princess of Chaoyang County? Concubine Ning invites you."
Gu Ruanci said in a natural tone: "Oh, no."
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