PNB Chapter 387 Token
Chapter 387 Token
Gu Xixi really had no interest in the position of county princess.
A selfless heart is fearless, and what is naturally displayed is a calm and unwavering mind.
"Yes, I have already decided on the path I want to take in this life. I only want to do things freely and do not want to be bound by a position."
The emperor asked in surprise, "Bound by position?"
He looked somewhat wistful. "Yes, those in high positions are often not in control of their own lives."
"On the contrary, you can't act on your whims and do whatever you want."
At this moment, a palace attendant entered the hall carrying a tea tray.
Gu Xixi recognized the man as Eunuch Jingdong, who had guided her last time.
It hasn't been long, and Jingdong has already been promoted from cleaning outside the palace to serving inside.
It is clear that Mu Nanzhao's praise of his intelligence was not unfounded.
Jingdong placed the teacup on the emperor's table.
The aroma of Wu Zi Xian Hao tea eased the emperor's expression somewhat.
At the same time, Gu Xixi's heart was completely at ease.
"Your Majesty's virtue and restraint in not indulging in your desires are a blessing to us common people."
“It is because of His Majesty’s blessings that I and many other people can farm in peace, working at sunrise and resting at sunset.”
The emperor looked at Gu Xixi, seemingly moved, and a genuine smile appeared in his eyes.
"Working at sunrise and resting at sunset, is this the life you want?"
Gu Xixi had a feeling that she had probably guessed the question correctly, so she deliberately spoke in a more down-to-earth manner.
"I am just an ordinary person. Besides these things, I also want to earn more money with my skills."
The emperor laughed, "I love money too."
"So what you want to do is exactly what I want to see."
“However,” he paused, “people are inevitably divided into different classes.”
"Even if you have a lot of land and property in the future, your status will still be worlds apart from Qi Xiu's."
"Putting aside what others think, the Mu family is a powerful and influential family, and they would never approve of you."
"So, you still don't want the position of county princess?"
Gu Xixi knelt down and kowtowed, "What Xixi has said is all from the bottom of her heart, and she would never dare to deceive Your Majesty!"
The emperor stared at her and asked, "Even if you and Qi Xiu cannot grow old together in this life, you don't care?"
Gu Xixi remained kneeling on the ground, "Yes."
After a moment of silence, the emperor finally said, "Give this plaque to Boss Gu."
Gu Xixi stood up and looked at the tray that Jing Dong had placed in front of her, which contained a gleaming gold plaque.
It is round, about the size of an ordinary woman's palm, and engraved with dragon patterns and five grains.
I thought that getting through today smoothly would be enough.
Didn’t expect there would be an unexpected gain?
Gu Xixi looked up in astonishment, "Your Majesty, this... is far too precious."
The emperor, his previous scrutinizing attitude gone, chuckled and said, "Don't worry, it's gilded."
"Even I have to be more careful with my spending now."
"But it seems to be pure silver inside, so don't melt it down just because you're short of cash."
It's rare for the emperor to be so humorous.
Although Gu Xixi couldn't laugh, she had no choice but to cheer her on.
“Your Majesty’s gift is a wonderful gift, and I will cherish it and treasure it as a family heirloom.”
The emperor smiled and said, "I'm giving this to you so you can use it."
"Last time I promised you that wherever you go in the future, as long as it is related to agriculture and does not conflict with the laws of the Daye Dynasty, you can seek assistance from the local government if you need it."
"Words are not enough; I must give you proof."
"This is your unique token. Keep it safe and use it well."
……
Gu Xixi stepped out of the main hall and basked in the sunlight, only then did she feel alive again.
She walked down the steps and saw someone standing not far away.
The moment Gu Xixi's eyes met Mu Nanzhao's across the distance, her heart pounded fiercely.
It was as if the long-silent bronze bell of an ancient temple deep in the mountains had been struck loudly.
His sudden entry into the palace was bound to cause him concern, without a doubt.
But he actually chased her all the way to the palace.
Where did his rationality, his restraint, and his weighing of options go?
Gu Xixi was surprised, yet seemingly unsurprised.
It wasn't until Mu Nanzhao walked towards her that Gu Xixi came to her senses and asked stiffly, "What are you doing here?"
"I'll come pick you up." The answer was taken for granted.
Gu Xixi nervously glanced around, then tugged at his sleeve and pulled him away, muttering a complaint under her breath:
"I'm here to give you an answer, what are you doing here?"
"Besides, if you're coming, can't you stand a little further away? Standing there so blatantly outside, as if you're afraid no one will see you?"
"What will the person inside think if they find out? What if they think you're wary of the emperor and suspect you of disloyalty?"
Mu Nanzhao interrupted her, "Gu Xixi, when did you become more like Aunt Zhang?"
Gu Xixi was taken aback before realizing that he thought she was being long-winded.
"I……"
She had just opened her mouth when Mu Nanzhao grabbed her wrist.
Before he even realized what was about to happen, he was dragged out of the archway.
There was no one else in the long corridor.
Mu Nanzhao pinned Gu Xixi against the wall, looking at her with cold eyes and downcast gaze.
Gu Xixi looked up and assessed the situation.
Okay, so you're going to play the wall slam game, huh?
Even though Mu Nanzhao had loosened his grip on her wrist, she still had nowhere to retreat or escape.
Gu Xixi dared not make too much of a commotion, so she gritted her teeth and tried to persuade him gently.
"What's wrong with you all of a sudden? This is the palace. It's not good for anyone if someone sees us here."
However, Mu Nanzhao remained unmoved, saying, "Now that I'm here, I have no intention of hiding it from anyone."
Gu Xixi was slightly surprised. "The Emperor already knew?"
Mu Nanzhao did not deny it, "Let's not talk about these things."
"I have heard that my master, for the sake of his grand ambitions, did not hesitate to abandon me before His Majesty."
"Is this true?"
Gu Xixi was surprised, "I just came out, how did you find out so quickly?"
Mu Nanzhao narrowed his eyes dangerously and leaned closer to her. "You admit it?"
Driven by a survival instinct, Gu Xixi shook her head without hesitation and denied it, "No!"
"All I gave up was the position of county magistrate, and even that was a fake test."
Mu Nanzhao said, "If you don't become the county magistrate, you can't grow old with me."
"You agreed very readily."
Gu Xixi said confidently, "That's because I believe that how two people end up together is not up to others to decide."
She countered, "Would you be swayed by other people's opinions, or be easily manipulated by your Mu family, and then ignore me?"
Mu Nanzhao was displeased. "Of course not."
Gu Xixi said, "Me too."
"So what does it matter whether I become a county princess or not?"
Mu Nanzhao was stunned.
Gu Xixi took the opportunity to push him away and ran away.
Mu Nanzhao quickly pressed on, "It's all the same, explain yourself clearly."
Gu Xixi didn't look at him. "It's nothing."
Mu Nanzhao's heart pounded wildly.
A feeling of joy is about to burst forth, yet it keeps stumbling around, unable to find a real outlet.
"Gu Xixi, you knew my heart all along."
"So whether your heart is the same as mine is important to both of us."
Gu Xixi walked away in a daze, her mind in turmoil.
As she turned the corner, she suddenly stopped and reached out to grab Mu Nanzhao's collar.
He tiptoed and kissed her.
To hell with the plot, to hell with the female supporting character's ending!
Whether you like it or not, just try it out with your current feelings and you'll know!