RPAGF Chapter 513 Next, it's our turn to appear.
Chapter 513 Next, it's our turn to appear.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Chu Ruohan looked at Gu Junze, who had returned weary from his journey, and personally took off his cloak, a hint of worry in her eyes.
“Your methods these past few days have been too ruthless. Although you were acting on orders, you have offended quite a few people.”
Gu Junze held her hand, his eyes showing no remorse whatsoever.
"I eat the emperor's food, so I must be loyal to him. What the emperor wants me to do, I must do even if it makes me a thousand enemies. And besides me, are there any other people in the court?"
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Chu Ruohan stopped trying to persuade him and simply sighed, "Then be careful in everything you do."
Meanwhile, inside the Chaofeng Palace, a palace that is usually deserted, it was bustling with activity today.
Several concubines, led by Consort Zhen, were respectfully paying their respects to Su Wan.
"Your Majesty, we were out of our minds before and were bewitched by that vile woman, Consort Liu. That is why we were so disrespectful to Your Majesty. Please forgive us."
Consort Zhen bowed down, adopting an extremely humble posture.
Su Wan sat in the main seat, looking at them calmly: "I don't want to bring up the past anymore."
"As long as you behave yourselves from now on, you will always have a place in this harem."
She paused, then softened her tone, "Rise, all of you, please take a seat."
After a combination of kindness and severity, the concubines no longer dared to show the slightest disrespect and felt even more that although the empress was of humble birth, she already possessed the demeanor of an empress.
Regarding the handling of Consort Shu, at the suggestion of Su Wan and Chu Ruohan, Zhao Yunci also showed leniency.
Because of her merit in exposing Consort Liu, and because the child in her womb was innocent, she was eventually demoted to a commoner and sent to a residence outside the palace.
After the child was born, the Imperial Clan Court found a childless collateral branch of the imperial clan to raise him properly, which was considered to give her and her child a way out.
The young eunuch who was injured in the fire at the Cold Palace also received proper medical treatment and compensation.
Su Wan also specially sent someone to deliver the reward, and everyone in the palace praised the Empress's benevolence.
That afternoon, Su Wan was taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden when she came across a secluded flowerbed and encountered Consort Rong, who had been in the palace for many years but remained unknown.
"Your Majesty, I greet you." Consort Rong bowed gracefully, her manners impeccable.
“No need for such formalities, Consort Rong.” Seeing that she had a delicate face and a calm demeanor, Su Wan chatted with her casually for a few minutes.
In the dead of night, Zhao Yunci finished handling government affairs and came to Chaofeng Palace.
He shed the majesty of his dragon robe, wearing only casual clothes, and his brows showed signs of fatigue.
He held Su Wan's hand tightly and pulled her into his arms: "These past few days have been frightening for you."
Su Wan leaned against his chest and whispered, "With Your Majesty here, I am not afraid."
Zhao Yunci looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and determination: "Wan'er, remember, no matter what happens in the future, I will protect you."
However, none of them expected that an even bigger storm was brewing in the shadows.
In a secluded palace within the palace grounds, where no one ever visits.
During the day, the quiet and reserved Consort Rong was facing a solitary lamp, gently caressing an inconspicuous jade pendant shaped like two fish in her hand.
A meaningful smile, completely different from the one she wore during the day, appeared on her lips.
A dark figure slipped silently into the hall like a ghost, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a very low voice.
"Your Majesty, the operation has already begun as planned, and the capital will soon be in turmoil again."
Consort Rong nodded slightly, put the jade pendant back into her sleeve, and spoke in a cool voice.
“Very good. Although Consort Liu is now a useless pawn, she has at least figured out the Emperor and Chu Ruohan’s bottom line. They thought everything was calm, but little did they know that the real show had just begun.”
"Next, it's our turn."
In the imperial study, the scent of sandalwood wafts through the air.
The bloodshed and turmoil stirred up by the case of Consort Liu seemed to be kept out by this vermilion door, leaving only a room full of silence.
After reviewing the last memorial, Zhao Yunci tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, her gaze deep, lost in thought.
The young eunuch standing to the side, observing the emperor's expression, saw that the fierce look between his brows had dissipated, and spoke in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo's methods in clearing up the rumors were decisive, and there is now no dissent in the court or among the people. This is truly a great achievement."
Zhao Yunci hummed in agreement, a rare smile of approval appearing on her lips.
"The Duke of Zhenguo handled this matter brilliantly and decisively, which greatly pleases me." He put down his vermilion brush and leaned back in his chair. "He deserves a good reward."
Despite this, Zhao Yunci fell into deep thought.
"However, he is already the Duke of Zhenguo, holding the highest position among officials. What more can I bestow upon him?"
The young eunuch's eyes darted around, and he quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, since there is no more official rank to bestow, why not reward him with some rare treasures to show your imperial grace? I'm sure the Duke of Zhenguo will be grateful for Your Majesty's boundless benevolence."
"Rare treasures?" Zhao Yunci shook his head with a laugh. "Do you think he's one of those vain and mediocre officials?"
"Gold and silver are worldly possessions; Gu Junze has never cared about them."
He pondered for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and said loudly, "Fine, issue my decree to summon the Duke of Zhenguo to the palace immediately."
A hint of interest flashed in his eyes. "I'll let him choose for himself."
In less than half an hour, Gu Junze, dressed in a black outfit, strode into the imperial study.
He still carried a slight chill from the outdoor air, his expression calm and composed, showing no sign of restraint.
"My lord, see your majesty."
"No need for formalities." Zhao Yunci rose from the dragon throne, walked to him personally, and patted him on the shoulder. "Cousin, you've worked hard this time."
Gu Junze lowered his head, his voice firm and resolute: "It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."
"Well done, it's my duty." Zhao Yunci smiled and pulled him to sit down on the soft couch next to him.
"I summoned you here because I wish to reward you."
"Your official rank has reached its peak. I have thought long and hard, but I still don't know what to reward you with. Just tell me what you want. As long as it's in my treasury, I will grant it."
These words are undoubtedly the highest form of imperial favor.
Gu Junze raised his head and met Zhao Yunci's probing gaze.
He seemed neither surprised nor reluctant, but calmly said, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask for something from you."
"Speak," Zhao Yunci said, looking at him with great interest.
"I desire the white Akhal-Teke horse that was presented as tribute from the Western Regions last year."
Zhao Yunci was slightly taken aback, then raised an eyebrow: "Oh? That white horse?"
He looked at Gu Junze with considerable surprise, "I remember you have a 'Black Wind' horse, which can travel a thousand miles a day and is the king of horses."
"What, you're not riding your Black Wind anymore?"
A faint hint of gentleness appeared on Gu Junze's face, which was especially rare on his usually cold and stern face.
“Your Majesty, I am not asking for it for myself,” he said frankly. “My steed, ‘Black Wind,’ is fierce and cannot be ridden by anyone but myself. This white horse is gentle yet exceptionally swift. I wish to ask for it for my wife.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yunci was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, pointing at Gu Junze and saying, "You, you really are a lovesick fool!"
"After going through all this trouble, it turns out you're here to ask for a reward on behalf of your wife."
After laughing, he said in a pretentious manner, "You really dote on your wife."
"However, I have already instructed the Imperial Household Department to prepare your wife's gifts. They are all items that young women like. Isn't that enough?"
"The Imperial Household Department's reward is His Majesty's grace, and my wife and I are deeply grateful."
Gu Junze's expression remained serious. "It's just that my wife isn't interested in jewelry and prefers riding and archery. If we could acquire such a fine steed, it would be more valuable than a fortune to her."
Looking into Gu Junze's determined eyes, it's clear he's lying without even thinking. When did the Duchess of Zhenguo start riding a horse?
Zhao Yunci couldn't help but feel a little touched.
He thought of Su Wan, and how he was willing to offer her the best of everything in the world.
"Never mind, never mind." He waved his hand, his tone full of helplessness and indulgence.
"I was thinking of keeping that horse for myself, but since you've asked for it for your wife, how could I refuse?"
He stood up, walked back behind his desk, and said loudly, "Go, convey my imperial decree, and have the Imperial Horse Administration send that white Akhal-Teke horse to the Duke of Zhenguo's residence immediately."
"Just say it was a gift from me to the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo."
Gu Junze stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Yunci, his voice more earnest than ever before.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace."