RPAGF Chapter 389 Utterly Foolish, Lacking Restraint, Ultimately Becoming Cannon Fodder
Chapter 389 Utterly Foolish, Lacking Restraint, Ultimately Becoming Cannon Fodder
“I don’t understand,” Chu Ruohan pondered for a moment, “If the Emperor wants to choose a princess for a marriage alliance, he should just say so. Why use a talent show as an excuse?”
Gu Junze placed the teacup on the table, his gaze deep and he said in a deep voice, "His Majesty has been a monk for many years and has no foundation in the court. He also wants to use this opportunity to test the ambitions of the ministers."
Chu Ruohan suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. This kills two birds with one stone. It solves the Western Xia's marriage request and also tests out who has ulterior motives."
“That’s right,” Gu Junze nodded. “For some families who are trying to climb the social ladder by choosing their daughters to join the imperial family, this selection process is an excellent litmus test.”
Yu Ling rushed in: "Madam, General, the gatekeeper has brought an invitation."
Chu Ruohan took the invitation, unfolded it gently, glanced at it for a moment, then frowned and almost laughed in anger.
"Look at who has the guts to do this! That idiot Guo Yunzhou, Guo Ying'er was just made a concubine in the palace and he's already bought a house in the capital and settled down there, and he's going to have a big celebration."
"It's utterly foolish." Gu Junze took the invitation, glanced at it, and shook his head.
Chu Ruohan sneered: "In the capital, which family would celebrate when their daughter is granted the title of Consort? Even a concubine shouldn't be so ostentatious. Is he trying to put his daughter in the spotlight?"
Gu Junze placed the invitation back on the table: "Zhao Xu has been demoted."
"Did you accept bribes because of the selection of imperial concubines?" Chu Ruohan pressed.
"Hmm." Gu Junze nodded, his eyes serious. "The fact that things were exposed so quickly means that someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes."
Chu Ruohan shook her head slightly, somewhat puzzled: "Then why does the Emperor still want to keep Guo Ying'er? Is it because of you that he wants to keep her as a pet?"
"I just hope she can behave herself in the palace and not implicate us."
“Given your uncle’s temperament, how good can his daughter be? She’ll probably lack that composure,” Gu Junze said, frowning.
As dusk fell, the palace walls deepened, and lights flickered faintly under the long eaves.
Guo Ying'er stood in her small courtyard, looking at the lonely palace lantern at the gate, feeling both joy and a little resentment.
"Why do those high-ranking concubines have the right to order me around? Don't they know that my cousin is the wife of the Grand General who protects the country?"
“My lady,” a young palace maid said softly, “Master has already purchased a residence in the capital and is preparing a banquet to celebrate your entry into the palace and your favor with the emperor.”
Guo Ying'er's eyes lit up: "Father finally did one thing right! Let those arrogant people know that I, Guo Ying'er, also have powerful backers!"
"Miss, I think it's best to be cautious," the maid said in a worried whisper.
Guo Ying'er waved her hand dismissively: "Hmph, what's there to be cautious about? Isn't Consort Shu the most favored by His Majesty? I'll make a good impression on Consort Shu tomorrow and see what kind of attitude she can put on me!"
The next morning, in the palace.
"Kneel down!" A sharp shout echoed through the magnificent palace.
Guo Ying'er was pinned to the ground by two palace maids, her forehead pressed against the cold floor tiles, her body trembling slightly.
Consort Shu looked down at her coldly.
"Are palace rules and laws child's play? How dare you, a mere concubine, be so insolent in front of me?" Consort Shu said coldly, her voice devoid of any warmth.
Guo Ying'er gritted her teeth and held back her tears, feeling both wronged and angry. She had only accidentally spilled a little tea while serving it, yet Consort Shu had used it as an excuse to make trouble.
"Considering your humble origins and lack of manners, I hereby punish you by making you stand facing the wall for three days to reflect on your mistakes. You will only be given one bowl of plain porridge each day. Reflect on your actions!"
When Guo Ying'er was dragged out of Consort Shu's palace, she finally couldn't help but roar, "How dare you treat me like this! My brother-in-law is the Grand General who protects the country and holds military power! You just wait and see!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu frowned slightly, but her expression remained largely unchanged. She simply waved her hand and said, "Drag her away!"
Inside the General's Mansion, Chu Ruohan had just finished breakfast when Haitang rushed in to report.
"Madam, someone from the palace has come. They say they are acting on the orders of Consort Shu and have important matters to inquire about."
Chu Ruohan frowned slightly and gestured for Haitang to invite the person in.
A moment later, a palace maid entered, bowed, and said softly, "Madam Chu, Her Highness Consort Shu has sent me to inquire whether you have any kinship with the newly arrived Consort Guo?"
Chu Ruohan's heart tightened. This Consort Shu was no ordinary person; she was the daughter of the Prince of Pingnan.
Upon entering the palace, she was granted the title of Consort, and the Emperor entrusted her with the power over the six palaces.
She asked calmly, "Why does Your Highness ask this?"
The maidservant replied respectfully, "Consort Guo behaved improperly in the palace and was punished by Consort Shu. She then made outrageous remarks, claiming that her brother-in-law was General Gu Junze, the Grand General of the State. Her Highness specifically ordered me to come and verify this."
Chu Ruohan sighed inwardly, but showed no sign of it on her face: "Guo Yingying is indeed my cousin, but I have very little contact with her. Her entry into the palace has nothing to do with my husband."
She paused, then added, "Please also tell Consort Shu that if my cousin does anything disrespectful, please deal with her according to palace rules, without considering our relationship."
The maid respectfully noted down Chu Ruohan's words, bowed, and took her leave.
After the maid left, Chu Ruohan finally breathed a long sigh of relief and rubbed her temples: "That Guo Ying'er, is she trying to cause a huge upheaval?!"
Just then, Gu Junze entered the hall and saw Chu Ruohan's worried face. He couldn't help but ask with concern, "What's wrong?"
Chu Ruohan told him what had just happened, and at the end, she couldn't help but smile bitterly: "You've only been in the palace for a few days, and you're already using your name as a shield. If the Emperor finds out, he might become suspicious of you."
Gu Junze pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I will personally go to the palace to explain this matter."
"There's a lot going on in the palace, it's best to be careful," Chu Ruohan said worriedly.
Gu Junze nodded and gently took her hand: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
A few days later, in the palace.
Guo Ying'er was released from the small dark room with disheveled hair and filthy skin, her hands and feet numb.
For the past three days, she has only had plain porridge to drink, and even water has been rationed.
"Consort Guo, Consort Shu summons you." A palace maid said coldly.
Guo Ying'er forced herself to stand up and followed the palace maid to Consort Shu's palace.
Throughout the journey, she felt uneasy, unsure of what situation she would face.
Consort Shu sat upright on her throne, her expression remaining cold and stern when she saw Guo Ying'er enter.
"Greetings, Consort Shu." Guo Ying'er knelt down to pay her respects, her voice no longer carrying the arrogance of the past.
Consort Shu looked at her coldly: "Guo, do you know your crime?"
Guo Ying'er lowered her head: "This servant knows her crime."
"General Gu has personally entered the palace to explain to His Majesty and me."