She got into the carriage, rocking all the way toward the imperial palace.
“Guniang, do you think something’s wrong?”
Qing Mei was so worried her heart was thumping wildly, as if it might leap right out of her throat.
Gu Jiu frowned in thought, two vertical lines creasing her forehead, making her look deeply troubled.
Since entering the capital, she went over everything that had happened in her mind.
The only thing she was certain of was this: Kaiyao Emperor probably had no idea who she was. Nine times out of ten, someone else must have mentioned her to him.
And as for who that “someone else” might be, Gu Jiu could only think of two people,
One was the Empress, the other was Gongzi Zhao.
At yesterday’s court celebration, the Empress had specially asked her a few questions. At that time, Gu Jiu had already felt a sense of foreboding.
But why would the Empress mention her in front of His Majesty? This, Gu Jiu couldn’t understand.
Perhaps it wasn’t the Empress.
Which left only Liu Zhao.
Gu Jiu shut her eyes. She didn’t want to assume the worst, but with the facts staring her in the face, she had no choice.
On the very cusp of the imperial grandson’s marriage selection, the Emperor had summoned her into the palace. If this was Liu Zhao’s doing, then the truth was already plain as day.
Even if she wanted to deceive herself, she couldn’t.
She rubbed her temples, a fire smouldering in her chest.
If Liu Zhao were standing in front of her right now, she’d beat him black and blue.
What was wrong with that man? As the imperial grandson, shouldn’t he be focusing on choosing a wife? Why on earth drag her into this mess? Did he bear some old grudge against her?
“Guniang, are you all right?” Qing Mei asked anxiously.
Gu Jiu shook her head. “I’m fine. No need to worry. How many purses did da bomu give you?”
Qing Mei lowered her voice. “Ten in total. Five hold banknotes of ten taels each, and the other five each hold fifty taels. Guniang, isn’t that too much?”
Gu Jiu gave a wry smile. “Too much? You should worry it’s too little, not too much. We really ought to thank da bomu for being so thoughtful. Don’t take out the purses we prepared.”
After all, Gu Jiu had very little money at hand. She’d only prepared ten purses, each with a measly two-tael note inside. Compared to Zhang shi’s purses, hers were an embarrassment.
But what could she do? She was broke, every coin was tied up in her business, and the returns hadn’t come in yet.
Still, by next month, Erzhuang should bring her a profit of several dozen taels. She planned to reinvest the rest to expand operations.
The carriage rolled straight through the palace gates.
Gu Jiu lifted the curtain and peeked outside, they were heading directly toward Xingqing Palace, where the Emperor awaited.
Halfway there, the carriage stopped. Gu Jiu alighted and followed an attendant on foot.
When they arrived, the attendant went into the hall to announce her.
Gu Jiu stood beneath the eaves, secretly observing her surroundings.
Palace staff moved about in neat order, no one sparing her a glance.
Bored, her mind started wandering.
What if the Emperor ordered her executed? Could she escape?
But with people everywhere, she’d barely take two steps before being seized and cut down on the spot.
The image popped into her head, and she couldn’t help laughing at herself.
How bored did she have to be to come up with such morbid scenarios?
“Gu guniang, please come in! His Majesty has been waiting.”
The palace doors opened, the attendant inviting her in.
Gu Jiu softly thanked him, handed over a purse, and followed him into the grand hall.
She walked forward at an unhurried pace, stopping in the centre of the hall. Her voice was clear and crisp: “Chennü, Gu Jiu, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy peace and prosperity.”
“Rise.” A deep, resonant voice echoed through the hall.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Gu Jiu stood, eyes lowered, not daring even a furtive glance at the throne.
For once, she was on her best behaviour, what was not hers to see, she wouldn’t dare to look at.
“Raise your head. Let zhen take a look at you.”
Gu Jiu lifted her head slightly, eyes still lowered, avoiding Kaiyao Emperor’s gaze.
Even so, from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of him.
An old, overweight man with a greying beard and sallow complexion, likely the result of overwork. Faint age spots marked his face.
She thought to herself, So emperors really do grow old fast.
Not just emperors, the Empress too. Both were aged under the weight of constant cares.
The Emperor studied her, his expression commanding without anger.
Hey, this little guniang wasn’t afraid of him.
He glanced at Liu Zhao, who stood at the side. Indeed, Liu Zhao hadn’t lied; this girl wasn’t timid or cowardly.
“You’re called Gu Jiu?”
Snapping back to attention, Gu Jiu answered briskly: “Yes!”
The Emperor asked, “Are you betrothed?”
While inwardly rolling her eyes at the Emperor’s nosiness, she still replied respectfully: “Not yet betrothed.”
“Why not? You must be nearly of age. At this age, most girls are already long promised, aren’t they?”
Gu Jiu almost broke out in a sweat. So the Emperor really was a gossip.
Choosing her words carefully, she answered, “Chennü has been accompanying her father in the northwest on his post, and so marriage matters were delayed. Only a few months ago, when my father was reassigned, did our family return to the capital. With so many household affairs to manage, marriage discussions had to wait. But Father has said that once the New Year is past, he will arrange a match for chennü.”
Kaiyao Emperor nodded inwardly. Clear logic, fluent speech, indeed, she wasn’t lacking in courage.
“When did you first meet Liu Zhao?”
The sudden question made Gu Jiu jump. Because she hadn’t dared to look around earlier, she hadn’t realised Liu Zhao was also in the hall. Now, glancing to the sides, she finally spotted him standing not far from her.
Seeing Liu Zhao, Gu Jiu had the sudden urge to give him a good beating. She glared fiercely at him, then said weakly, “Chennü doesn’t quite remember. Perhaps it was just two months ago.”
The Emperor laughed and turned to Liu Zhao, his expression teasing: “Zhao’er, did you hear? Gu guniang says she doesn’t even remember knowing you.”
Liu Zhao cast a glance at Gu Jiu and replied with a straight face, “It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t remember. As long as this grandson remembers her, that is enough.”
The Emperor fixed his gaze on Liu Zhao, eyes deep. “Have you truly made up your mind? Zhen will give you a chance, if you change your mind now, it’s still not too late.”
Liu Zhao shook his head. “Thank you, Grandfather, for the opportunity. But this grandson has already made his decision. I ask Grandfather to grant his blessing.”
I don’t agree! Absolutely not!
Gu Jiu screamed in her heart, but of course, no one could hear her thoughts.
She was dying of frustration. This wasn’t the right setting for her to speak freely, so she could only vent in her head, pummeling Liu Zhao again and again in her imagination until he was covered in wounds.
Liu Zhao suddenly felt an itch in his nose. He looked over at Gu Jiu, suspecting that she must be secretly cursing him in her heart.
Gu Jiu: Heh!
The Emperor seemed unusually unhurried today.
He asked Gu Jiu, “Gu Jiu, what do you think of my grandson Liu Zhao?”
At last, she could openly look at Liu Zhao. It was sheer torture. In this situation, what could she possibly say? She could only offer polite words.
Gu Jiu gave a shy smile. “Gongzi Zhao is, of course, excellent.”
“Oh? So, if I were to have you marry him, would you be willing?”
Inside her sleeve, Gu Jiu’s hand clutched her handkerchief tightly. Faced with the Son of Heaven’s question, could she possibly say no?
Gu Jiu lowered her gaze and answered meekly, “Marriage is decided by the parents’ command and the matchmaker’s words.”
The perfect textbook response, safe and unassailable.
The Emperor said, “Hearing your words, zhen doesn’t think you seem very willing to marry Liu Zhao.”
Gu Jiu lowered her head, gave an awkward little smile, and kept silent.
Liu Zhao frowned, stepped forward, and said, “Imperial Grandfather, this grandson has a few words he wishes to say to Gu guniang.”
The Emperor looked at him with a faint smile. “Go ahead. Zhen won’t interfere.”
With a stern expression, Liu Zhao walked toward Gu Jiu. She stared at him coming closer, wide-eyed, unable to retreat, forced to stand rooted in place.
He stopped barely ten centimetres from her.
Gu Jiu whispered, “Of all the people you could choose for a wife, why me? Are you sick in the head?”
Liu Zhao’s face was serious, his brows raised as he bent close to her ear. “Bengongzi has already chosen you. I advise you to accept it obediently. Or… would you rather marry into the Eastern Palace?”
Gu Jiu showed not a trace of fear. “Don’t try to scare me with the Eastern Palace. How could the Eastern Palace even know of me? I’m just a nobody, hardly worthy of their notice.”
“You’re wrong. From the moment bengongzi circled your name, you entered not only Weiyang Palace’s sight but also the Eastern Palace’s. If you don’t marry me, then the only option left… is marrying into the Eastern Palace. Think it over carefully.”
His lips brushed right against her ear. His warm breath fell upon her skin, making her squirm uncomfortably.
“You schemed against me!”
The corners of Liu Zhao’s mouth lifted slightly, though his voice remained solemn. “Yes. Bengongzi plotted against you. Do you want to beat me up for it?”
Gu Jiu glared at him. “Shameless!”
With every possible exit blocked, she now seemed to have no other path except marrying Liu Zhao.
Calming herself, she said, “My family background is insignificant. Marrying me brings you no benefit.”
Liu Zhao gave her a half-smile. “Are you sure? From what I know about you, you aren’t someone who lacks confidence like this.”
She frowned. “Then what exactly is it you value in me? If it’s something I can change, I’ll change it!”
Liu Zhao nearly spat blood, snorted coldly, and said, “In any case, just wait for the imperial decree.”
With that, he turned back to the Emperor and said, “Imperial Grandfather, this grandson has spoken with Gu guniang. She has agreed to marry me.”
Now it was Gu Jiu’s turn to feel like vomiting blood. She cursed him inwardly as a two-faced scoundrel, a damned turtle spawn.
The Emperor’s gaze fell upon her. “Gu Jiu, do you agree to marry my grandson Liu Zhao?”
Liu Zhao turned his head, his gaze stabbing into Gu Jiu like a sword.
It was as if he were reminding her: If you don’t marry me, you’ll have to marry into the Eastern Palace. The two young masters there are both fat, are you sure you’d rather marry a fat man than me?
Gu Jiu felt irritated. She drew in a deep breath, her face calm as she said, “Everything depends on His Majesty’s decision.”
As a young woman, of course she couldn’t directly say whom she was willing to marry.
Besides, Gu Jiu was worried that if she uttered the words I am willing, her voice would tremble, and the emperor would notice a flaw.
Kaiyao Emperor laughed heartily. “Seems like a little talk does help. You may withdraw now and wait for the decree.”
Gu Jiu bowed and left.
Liu Zhao, however, said in a clear voice, “Many thanks, Imperial Grandfather, for granting this.”
The emperor gave him a long, deep look. “So long as you don’t regret it.”
“Your grandson will not regret it.”
“That’s good. Go, then.”
“Your grandson obeys.”
Liu Zhao withdrew from the hall and quickly caught up with Gu Jiu.
His face stern, his tone cold, he said, “Bengongzi will escort you out of the palace.”
Gu Jiu frowned.
The eunuch, sensing the situation, tactfully fell back.
Now, even if Gu Jiu didn’t want to accept, she had no choice.
She walked forward silently, Liu Zhao keeping pace beside her. “You’re unwilling to marry bengongzi?” he asked.
[T/N: Isn’t it too late to ask this question?!]
Before, Gu Jiu had been very wary of Liu Zhao’s status, always keeping her distance with the utmost respect.
But now, thinking that the two of them would be bound together for the rest of their lives, all that wariness instantly vanished.
And with no one else around, Gu Jiu spoke without restraint: “I’m afraid I’ll die too young.”
Liu Zhao’s brow twitched. “So you look down on bengongzi that much? You’re so sure bengongzi will die?”
Gu Jiu stopped walking and looked at him. “You imperial grandsons are always courting death. If it’s not you, then it’s someone else. One way or another, you’ve at least a fifty per cent chance of dying early. And as your wife, if you die, how could I possibly survive?”
She secretly rolled her eyes after saying this. Enough was enough!
Her ambition had always been to become a little rich lady.
Her ideal marriage? A proper match between families, mutual respect between husband and wife. She’d be a wealthy madam, living her whole life in fine clothes and good food.
But Liu Zhao had completely shattered that dream the moment he made his move.
Marrying an imperial grandson, was she tired of living or what?
From now on, she’d have to live every day in fear. Could such a life even go on?
At this moment, Liu Zhao truly wanted to marry Gu Jiu just so he could haul her home and spank her.
This woman, was she deliberately trying to drive him mad?
“Can’t you at least hope for the best for bengongzi? Don’t you realise, once the imperial decree comes down, you and bengongzi will be tied together for life? If bengongzi is well, only then can you be well.”
Gu Jiu: Heh!
“And this so-called ‘doing well’, what does it look like? Entering the palace? Turning from imperial grandson into imperial son? That would only bring another round of bloodshed. My skinny arms and legs can’t bear such a heavy burden.”
Hearing this, Liu Zhao did not grow angry. Instead, he laughed.
He leaned close to her ear and said, “The fact that you can say this proves my judgment was right. No one is more suited than you to bear this weight.”
Gu Jiu stared at him as if he were insane. Does this man even understand human language?
Suddenly, Liu Zhao seized her hand.
Gu Jiu struggled, but could not pull free.
“Let go, what if someone sees?”
“So what? You’ll be mine sooner or later.”
Gu Jiu snorted, looking utterly disdainful, but she still let him hold her hand.
His palm was broad and steady, warm even in the cold of winter.
Not that Gu Jiu would ever admit it, but she liked this feeling. Her icy hands had finally found warmth in the biting winter.
Her face was proud and scornful. “If you have something to say, say it quickly. My time is precious.”
The corner of Liu Zhao’s mouth twitched. How had her attitude changed so drastically?
In the past, Gu Jiu had always been polite and distant, calling him gongzi again and again.
Now she was obviously impatient, dismissive, calling him you instead, and no ‘gongzi’ at all.
Liu Zhao frowned. Had he dug himself a pit?
He said, “Seeing your attitude like this, bengongzi can rest easy.”
Gu Jiu raised her brows, clearly not understanding.
Liu Zhao lifted a hand and flicked her forehead with his finger. He’d wanted to do that a long, long time ago, ever since the northwest campaign.
At last, his wish was fulfilled.
Gu Jiu winced, rubbing her forehead and baring her teeth at him.
Was he addicted to bullying her?
On the surface, Liu Zhao looked serious and disdainful of her unseemly expression. But in his heart, he was laughing. That little grimace of hers was exactly as he had imagined.
He cleared his throat. “Keep your current mindset. No matter how heavy the burdens ahead, I’ll bear them with you.”
Gu Jiu said nothing. At this moment, anything she said would be pointless.
Liu Zhao wasn’t satisfied. “You’ve got nothing to say to bengongzi?”
Gu Jiu looked up at him. Why’s he so tall, forcing me to crane my neck like this?
She asked, “Are you sure you want to hear me speak?”
He nodded. “I’m sure.”
Gu Jiu said solemnly, “Before the wedding, I want you to stay as far away from me as possible. Don’t meet me. If we do meet, don’t talk to me. Pretend we don’t know each other. Can you agree to that?”
Liu Zhao’s face darkened. “Why?”
“Because I’m not happy.” Gu Jiu spoke with utter righteousness.
She had cast off all the so-called restraints of status and politeness. In front of Liu Zhao, she hid nothing, she was simply unhappy.
She needed time to accept this marriage. She needed time to adjust her state of mind.
Time to abandon the dream of a well-matched marriage and a little-rich-lady’s life.
Time to re-arm herself, to fit into the role of an imperial grandson’s wife.
Because she didn’t want to die young. She wanted to live long, to seventy or eighty, surrounded by children and grandchildren.
She also had to learn to accept this man before her, to remove him from the list of people she kept at a wary distance, and to treat him instead as a partner bound by shared interests, a marriage partner.
There was far too much Gu Jiu had to do.
So much so that she really wanted to beat Liu Zhao up, just to make him understand: benguniang is perfectly capable of domestic violence.
T/N:
This male lead is so pretentious, so fond of putting on airs. I love this part of the story, where all her wariness towards imperial authority and Liu Zhao’s status is simply thrown away the minute she realises she is going to marry him. I generally don’t enjoy stories where the MC is constantly afraid or wary of the ML, even in the initial stages.
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