PNB Chapter 154 Queen Mother
Chapter 154 Queen Mother
"What are you talking about?"
The Second Prince's voice rang out, and everyone shut up. Gu Yu'an glared at Gu Liyao as if to say, "You came in without closing the door properly."
Gu Liyao remained silent.
"Greetings, Second Prince"
"Greetings, Second Prince"
"Get up, get up. We've known each other for so long, why are you still being so formal?"
"..."
The second prince glanced at the door, and the servant immediately understood, closing the door and standing guard.
"What's wrong with Lao Liu? Is he feeling unwell?"
Chu Jingyan was still not quite used to his second brother's concern. He had already sat up and nodded, "Yes, I'll borrow a room in the mansion to rest for a while."
"Hey, Sixth Brother, even your physique as a cultivator isn't up to par. You really need to exercise more."
Chu Jingyan: "..."
"This was just an accident..."
The second prince patted him on the shoulder and got down to business.
"I couldn't contact Minister Gu directly, so I came to you. Besides, Minister Gu isn't at home; he's been detained by my father... the Emperor for questioning."
Gu Yu'an and Gu Liyao both looked at the Second Prince, and Gu Liyao couldn't contain himself any longer: "What happened to my father?"
The Second Prince sat down on his own: "This is what I wanted to tell you: the Prime Minister, along with several other officials, impeached Minister Gu."
Gu Yu'an asked, "Impeach my father for what?"
The second prince shook his head: "I don't know the specifics, but my people say it seems to be His Majesty's intention."
Gu Liyao almost jumped off his stool: "Has the emperor gone mad? My father has only been out for a short time! Is he targeting my father?"
Gu Yu'an glared at him.
Gu Liyao immediately realized he had misspoke. He knew the emperor was a slippery eel, but others weren't: "Children speak without thinking, children speak without thinking."
Gu Liyao carefully observed the expressions of the two princes. To his surprise, the two princes did not blame him, and their expressions were not unusual.
The Emperor's vomiting of blood in the Fourth Prince's residence further accelerated the Prime Minister's pace. In the past few months, the Second Prince had replaced more than half of the Prime Minister's people, the rest of whom were the Prime Minister's confidants. He couldn't replace them, as doing so would easily arouse suspicion.
Upon hearing this, Gu Linglong took a big bite of her flesh, which made her gums hurt.
"Woooooooooooo..."
The meat made my gums hurt...
Gu Yu'an gently rubbed Gu Linglong's mouth and soothed her tenderly, "It's okay, it's okay, bite slowly, we'll be careful next time..."
[Yes, my older brother is the best!]
Now I know why the emperor is targeting my father. The fourth prince suddenly vomited blood during his wedding; he must have sensed my presence nearby and went to test my father...
Gu Linglong thought for a moment and then shook her head: "No, it must be that the sly devil behind the emperor told him that I had hit him, and that the emperor guessed that my physical body was extraordinary. He wants to deal with me and the Gu family."
Gu Yu'an clenched his fists, and just as he was about to say something, there was a knock on the door.
"What's the matter?"
"The head maid from the palace has arrived; Madam has asked me to invite the young masters over."
"Oh, I see"
Chu Jingyan frowned: "Second Brother, it's not convenient for me to enter the palace right now. You should go into the palace and protect him."
Gu Yu'an shook his head: "Being too protective might anger His Majesty."
The Second Prince said, "Let's go. I know what to do. It's just a maidservant; it's probably just a summons from the Empress Dowager."
When Gu Yu'an carried Gu Linglong to the main hall, Chunhe was giving silver to the nanny.
"Please take care of her, Granny."
The old woman accepted the money with a smile: "It's just that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager said she wanted to see the top student from the academy, and also because she hasn't seen the fourth young lady of the Gu family for so long."
Su Xiuran smiled and said, "Thank you, Aunt. I'll get ready to go to the palace now."
After the nanny left, Su Xiuran and the others looked worried in the carriage. Su Xiuran didn't think it was because the Empress Dowager wanted to see her children.
Although she was the legitimate daughter of the Duke's family, she disliked attending palace banquets since childhood and had little relationship with the Empress Dowager.
Gu Yu'an patted Su Xiuran's arm: "Mother, it's alright, we'll play it by ear."
Su Xiuran nodded; that was the only option.
The chief eunuch led them to the Shou Kang Palace. The palace's green tiles exuded extreme luxury.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager"
The Empress Dowager, seated on her throne, raised her eyes and said, "No need for formalities, please take a seat."
"Empress Dowager Xie"
"This must be Gu Yu'an, the eldest son of the Gu family."
Gu Yu'an stood up and bowed: "Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager nodded: "Indeed, he is exceptionally handsome."
"Thank you for your praise, Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "You're quite modest, child. I'm telling the truth. Are you married?"
Is this an arranged marriage for Gu Yu'an?
Su Xiuran replied, "No."
"You're not getting any younger, you're old enough to get married."
"The children are all opinionated; let them be."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "You, as a mother, are not in a hurry. The one next must be the second son of the Gu family, right?"
Gu Liyao stood up, bowed, and replied, "Gu Liyao greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy good health and a long and blessed life."
The Empress Dowager beamed with delight: "I've always heard that the eldest son of the Gu family is very knowledgeable, and the second son is lively, cheerful, and eloquent. Seeing them today, I can confirm it's true."
"Your Majesty flatters me."
"Where is Sanlang?"
"Your Majesty, my third son is not doing well in his studies and has been kept behind by the teacher."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Unlike his elder brother, is the one in his arms Linglong?"
"It is indeed my daughter."
"Come here and give me a hug!"
Su Xiuran hesitated for a second before placing Gu Linglong in the Empress Dowager's arms.
With so many people around, surely they wouldn't just suddenly abandon her daughter?
Gu Linglong, nestled in the Empress Dowager's arms, was overjoyed.
[This is the Empress Dowager! The previous champion of palace intrigue is indeed beautiful. Although she has aged quite a bit, you can still see how stunning she was in her youth.]
Gu Linglong couldn't help but touch the Empress Dowager's face.
Su Xiuran gasped in shock: "Ling... Linglong, no way!"
Gu Linglong pretended not to hear and touched it with both hands.
How does she maintain her skin? She looks several years younger than her actual age. I want to have skin like that when I'm old.
Su Xiuran: "..."
The Empress Dowager was taken aback by her actions; no child had ever been so bold before. But then she laughed even harder; this child was truly endearing.
"This child is endearing, and I don't have much to give her as a gift, but I recently acquired a bracelet that I originally intended to give to my grandson. I'll give it to Linglong today."
"Your Majesty is too kind; I cannot accept such favor. Otherwise..."
"I cannot refuse a gift from an elder; I accept it as I see fit."
"On behalf of my daughter, I thank Your Majesty."
Suddenly, Gu Linglong hugged the Empress Dowager's face and gave her a quick kiss.
Hehehe, it smells good and is soft.
The Empress Dowager was taken aback. She touched the spot where she had been kissed, her eyes crinkling with delight. This little girl was so endearing and so bold.
The old woman presented the wooden box: "Your Majesty, the bracelet has arrived."
The Empress Dowager took out the bracelet from inside; its intricate design clearly indicated it was no ordinary item.
Gu Linglong also saw the bracelet, and her eyes instantly turned sharp.