usatvline Chapter 386 Meeting the Emperor is Like a Guessing Game
Chapter 386 Meeting the Emperor is Like a Guessing Game
In the morning, Gu Xixi and He Jinglan were preparing for the opening.
At that moment, people arrived from the palace. Two eunuchs, holding tokens, conveyed the emperor's edict.
They didn't reveal the specifics of the matter, only saying that it was rumored that a woman surnamed Gu from Qingtian County in Northwest China, and her boss, had entered the palace to meet the emperor.
The carriage prepared specifically for Gu Xixi was located outside Ganyu Residence.
Feeling uneasy, He Jinglan took Gu Xixi's hand and looked into her eyes with concern.
Neither He Jinghui nor Mu Nanzhao were informed of the emperor's summons beforehand.
Therefore, He Jinglan couldn't help but worry whether this trip would bring good or bad fortune.
Gu Xixi noticed He Jinglan's worry, and as she smiled and withdrew her hand, she subtly squeezed it.
"I knew it was going to open soon, and we agreed to unveil the curtain and cut the ribbon together."
"But His Majesty has summoned us now; this imperial favor cannot be delayed."
"I believe you can do all of this by yourself, no problem."
With two eunuchs beside her, these were all the words Gu Xixi could say.
I believe He Jinglan understands what she means.
The emperor's decree cannot be disobeyed. She will handle the situation carefully once she arrives, so He Jinglan can rest assured.
He Jinglan and Gu Xixi looked at each other for a moment, took a deep breath, and revealed a relaxed smile.
"It's just the opening of a new store, of course I can handle such a small thing."
"I feel sorry for you. You planned for so long, but in the end, you missed out."
"But of course, the most important thing is to go to the palace and meet the emperor."
He Jinglan turned to the two eunuchs and said politely, "Not only did it delay your business, but we also didn't ask for tea."
"This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it as an invitation for tea to the two gentlemen."
Ziyan took out a brocade pouch that she had prepared as a reward and presented it to the chief eunuch with both hands.
The blue brocade pouch is of superior quality.
It usually contains a small handful of melon seeds, weighing about three or four ounces.
The chief eunuch was quite frank, thanking him generously and putting the brocade pouch into his pocket.
"Thank you for your generosity, Miss He. We won't stand on ceremony."
He Jinglan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him accept the gift, and said to Lüla, "Last time, it was you who accompanied Boss Gu into the palace."
"You still need to be extra careful today and serve them well, understand?"
The key is to "pay more attention".
Green wax eyes darkened for a moment, then lowered her head and said, "Yes, this servant has remembered."
It was perfectly normal for female relatives to be accompanied by their personal maids when entering the palace.
The chief eunuch glanced at Green Wax but didn't object to her following Gu Xixi.
He smiled faintly and bid farewell to He Jinglan, saying, "Indeed, as Miss He said, we must return to the palace to report as soon as possible, so I will not bother you any longer."
He Jinglan then watched Gu Xixi get into the car and leave.
Because she was distracted, the long-awaited grand opening ceremony had become rather dull.
She persevered and finished the unveiling, then handed everything over to Manager Tang and returned to the carriage to wait for Mu Nanzhao.
He Jinglan had just finished recounting what had happened when she saw Mu Nanzhao about to leave. She said, "Please don't act impulsively."
“I’ve also sent someone to inform my brother about this.”
"He should be here soon. Let's discuss what to do next."
Mu Nanzhao didn't even turn his head, as if he hadn't heard at all.
He Jinglan panicked, "Where are you going? You wouldn't really be going to..."
"I'll go pick her up," Mu Nanzhao said, and walked away.
"Hey!" He Jinglan reached out her hand in vain through the car window, then withdrew it again for fear of being seen.
What are we going to do now?!
Why did the emperor suddenly summon Xixi to the palace?
Xi Xi relied on her skills to make a living, rather than her beauty or family background.
Previously, the emperor had made it clear that he wanted to bring Gu Xixi under his wing and have her serve the country.
Thinking about it this way, this trip is most likely for official business.
As for Mu Nanzhao...
He has always been shrewd and calculating; he shouldn't do something as foolish as "breaking into the Imperial Study and then dying with Gu Xixi."
He Jinglan's thoughts raced.
By the time He Jinghui arrived, she had calmed down a bit.
"Brother, let's go back to the manor and talk about it."
Xiao He Mansion.
He Jinghui was shocked. "You mean His Majesty summoned Boss Gu to the palace alone?"
"Did Mu Nanzhao, in a fit of rage, storm into the palace and snatch people away?"
He Jinglan was too exhausted to roll her eyes. "When did I say that?"
"It's already chaotic enough, bro, can you please stop overthinking and talking nonsense!"
Another person, ignoring her, walked past her.
"Immediately have someone keep an eye on the palace's movements, so that we can respond promptly should anything happen."
He Jinglan, now alone, was completely calm.
Anyway, things have already come to this point.
If it turns out to be a false alarm and we get through it safely, then that's all that matters.
If not.
Or if something happens to Gu Xixi, and Mu Nanzhao suddenly goes crazy, the Xiao He family will have no choice but to risk their lives to accompany him.
Dismissal from office, demotion, confiscation of property, exile, imprisonment, beheading...
The worst-case scenario is that one or more of the above random selections will occur.
The Imperial Palace Council Hall.
This place is more formal than the Imperial Study, and the space is much larger.
Gu Xixi knelt on the shiny stone floor, head down, feeling a sense of emptiness that made her uneasy.
The emperor sat on the dragon throne, looking down from his high position.
"Mr. Gu, please don't stand on ceremony."
Gu Xixi stood up and waited for the emperor to reveal his intentions.
After a moment, the emperor spoke, his voice sounding very amiable, "I have read the report from the Ministry of Revenue."
"Your proposed locust eradication strategy has been very effective."
"The Ministry of Revenue has instructed local officials to weigh the insect corpses collected so far and make a rough estimate."
"This summer was originally expected to see the biggest locust plague in the Gyeonggi region in nearly fifty years."
"But because of you, it was essentially annihilated before it could even grow in scale."
The emperor looked at Gu Xixi with a smile, "You have made such a great contribution."
"I'm thinking of something I should reward you with."
Gu Xixi remembered that the emperor had wanted to bestow a marriage upon her last time, and she forced herself to say, "Food is the foundation of people's livelihood."
"As one of His Majesty's subjects, it is only right and proper for me to do my part in this matter, and I dare not claim credit for it."
The emperor sighed, "A meager contribution? Mr. Gu is too modest."
He then changed the subject, saying, "However, I have always rewarded those who have rendered meritorious service."
"Since you are familiar with the Northwest Army, have a close relationship with the He family, and have a cousin who is a newly appointed top scholar."
"If I were to bestow upon you the title of County Princess, you and the Regent would be considered a well-matched couple."
Gu Xixi was secretly alarmed.
Sure enough, the emperor soon found out about the flower-viewing banquet at the He residence.
It is said that emperors are suspicious.
What exactly is he suspicious of at this moment?
It is precisely in times like these that you must not panic.
Soon, Gu Xixi said without changing her expression, "The position of county princess is of noble birth. I have neither a matching background nor any outstanding contributions from my father or brothers. I dare not accept such an honor."
"Besides, I love farming and only know how to farm. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request!"
Mu Nanzhao once mentioned that those who sit on the throne are all very suspicious.
Fortunately, the new emperor was wise and virtuous, and he always believed in not using those he doubted and not doubting those he used.
Therefore, Gu Xixi boldly guessed that although the emperor seemed to mention so many people, he was actually referring to only her.
Perhaps they noticed that she was involved with too many key figures, which inevitably made them suspicious that she was "restless".
Perhaps this is the final test before the end of the probationary period and formal employment...
The emperor looked at Gu Xixi, his expression unreadable, and said, "You are capable, but you lack a good background."
"Being granted the title of County Princess will immediately allow you to be on equal footing with your friends."
"This is a rare opportunity, are you sure you don't want it?"