Chapter 908: Chapter 724: Gu Changsheng Is Disliked
Gu Changsheng spoke and waved her hand.
The moon cage yarn fell, and the imperial carriage slowly made its way into the Imperial Palace.
She still remembered the bet the evildoer made yesterday—if that person refused the little cap, he would be granted a lifetime of crowns!
Now it seems, the evildoer’s judgment is indeed sharp, as the person really refused!
Regret teaching the husband to seek titles?
Hehe...
Gu Changsheng smiled, sitting steadily in the imperial carriage as it headed toward the high walls of the Imperial Palace.
Wang Man was left standing at the gate of the traveling palace, looking with disbelief at Lin Li’s female official guards.
"Honored guest, please follow me. His Royal Highness has been invited into the palace and will surely return to the Heavenly Palace soon. The palace has been prepared with light wine to welcome you," said a pretty female official, kindly approaching and gesturing respectfully to Wang Man.
"I..." Wang Man looked bewildered, completely unaware of how things had reached this point.
"There’s no need for the honored guest to worry. Truly, you are the first to visit our Heavenly Palace as a guest, and it’s a marvel to others!" The female official smiled. Ever since her Highness took residence in this traveling palace, everything had been newly arranged, and no visitor had set foot inside the palace gate.
She wanted to tell Wang Man that even the Zhoulin Emperor couldn’t enter, but she swallowed the words, lest she frighten him!
Thus, Wang Man was respectfully led into the Heavenly Palace traveling palace by a group of female officials. Once seated, he was surrounded by Borjigin Nian and Yue Xilou, who had hurried over upon hearing the news.
They were truly curious about this divine being who had turned down a pie from heaven!
This defied their understanding!
Thus, the Heavenly Palace was lively, and Wang Man, like Old Granny Lau visiting the Grand View Garden, was astonished by the clever designs and priceless treasures everywhere, unable to recover for a long time!
"Godfather, could you be a fool?" Borjigin Nian circled the dumbstruck Wang Man, stretching out a finger, "How many is this?"
Wang Man: "..."
He was just an ordinary street vendor; how had he ever seen such a scene? He was scared out of his wits.
"Yesterday, that kid Zhou Mu said if you refused the little cap, he would promise you a lifetime of unmatched glory. I, the Tower Master, am curious, what makes you different to earn the favor of that always prideful Zhou Mu?" Yue Xilou pressed a folding fan against his delicate and bewitching chin, looking at Wang Man with great interest.
Wang Man was already frightened into stupor by these two who looked more beautiful than flowers, and after hearing Yue Xilou’s words, he staggered and knelt directly on the ground.
Zhou Mu, that kid?
Godfather, that’s His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mu of Great Zhou, how many can dare call him "kid" in this world?
Who on earth was this person who looked even more beautiful than a spirit?
The Heavenly Palace was indeed dazzling, an eye-opener beyond imagine!
On one side, Borjigin Nian and Yue Xilou bombarded the stupefied Wang Man with questions, while on the other side, Gu Changsheng’s imperial carriage had already entered the Great Zhou Imperial Palace unhindered like the wind, setting the stage for the first meaningful confrontation between the two granddaughters-in-law.
Meanwhile, Yuan Bao, who was setting up a conference place for his master next door to the Heavenly Palace traveling palace, scratched his round head after hearing the news from the Heavenly Palace, intuitively sensing something fishy. Ignoring his own matters, Yuan Bao, plump and full of enthusiasm for joining the fun, ran to the Heavenly Palace to sneak a glance at the person who was "unaware of the times," rejected his master’s offer, yet was regarded as a seated guest by his lady. With a burst of curiosity, he joined the female officials searching for Wang Man, helping to invite Wang Man’s family.
Without dwelling on the happenings outside, inside the Imperial Palace, the decently attired Gu Changsheng in scarlet gold was invited into the back garden, meeting Emperor Zhoulin dressed in casual clothes.
Glancing at her own luxurious dress, then at Emperor Zhoulin dressed like any regular person, Gu Changsheng instinctively touched her nose.
Damn it, just as mentioned on Emperor Zhoulin’s invitation, he invites her as Zhou Mu’s grandfather, damn, this is indeed quite thorough, a grand emperor of Great Zhou dressed as a gardener grandfather, what kind of act is this?
"You’ve come," Emperor Zhoulin holding a flower shovel, smiles warmly upon seeing the visitor.
"Ahem!" Gu Changsheng is honestly stunned by this opening, the rear palace garden is in full bloom with vibrant colors, yet at this moment, even Emperor Zhoulin’s personal Grand Steward Han Shan is waiting far away.
Gu Changsheng glances at the group of Female Officials trailing behind her, and sensibly waves to dismiss them.
Now it’s alright, the garden is cleared, left with only Gu Changsheng and Emperor Zhoulin’s gardener persona!
Gu Changsheng stands before some peonies, lifts a blooming bud to her nose for a smell, its fragrance soothes her expression, "Emperor Lin invites me under familial terms, dressed like this, what do you wish to disclose to me?"
Putting down the flower bud, Gu Changsheng humorously looks at Emperor Zhoulin standing nearby, her brow slightly raised, speaking energetically.
Squatting among the flowers weeding, Emperor Zhoulin lifts his head to glance at Gu Changsheng, his old eyes flashing with admiration, it’s undeniable that no matter formal wear or home attire, this woman is indeed of striking appearance, but above that beauty is a reckless demeanor, disregarding all, as if nothing matters!
She outshines the flowers, rebellious to the core, naturally charismatic!
This is Emperor Zhoulin’s assessment of Gu Changsheng.
As the Southern Emperor, she has the audacity and backing, with power that can overshadow everything!
No wonder his Little Wood is utterly enamored by such a woman!
"In my life, I have over twenty sons, countless grandchildren, but within The Imperial Family, inheritance is paramount, for the millennium foundation of my Great Zhou, I’ve even resorted to brutal measures against my kin, dedicating everything to groom Zhou Mu..." Emperor Zhoulin says while wielding the shovel, removing excess weeds like chatting casually, "That child Zhou Mu showed excellence from young, surpassing his cousins considerably, all hopes of us and the Imperial Clan pinned on him, the future of Great Zhou..."
Emperor Zhoulin speaks with a hint of proud remembrance between his brows, "Indeed, the child didn’t let us down, within him lies the inner strength inherited from us Imperial Clan, sent away from Great Zhou at a young age to study under Mr. Di, returning five years later, victorious, boosting the might of Great Zhou..."
Gu Changsheng leans against a flower tree, quietly listening.
Only now does she understand the source of Zhou Mu’s inner strength akin to hers, evidently he’s borne this expectation since young!
"Literature and martial training can strengthen the body and broaden knowledge, yet Emperor’s Mind Technique requires heart practice!" says Emperor Zhoulin, sighing helplessly, "Therefore, though aware of Former Crown Prince’s narrow mind, using any means, my fondness for Zhou Mu wasn’t lessened, resulting in my son’s demise in the Eastern Palace fire, for Great Zhou, his death was meaningful, we just want Zhou Mu to recognize the emotional void of The Imperial Family, unexpectedly leaving him unreconciled, self-exiled to Liuzhou Region..."
Gu Changsheng knows these matters, thus nods without commenting.
"Angered by his lack of ambition, in fury I said we’d never meet in this life, he resents me for being ruthless, truly not visiting the Capital City for over a decade, yet even so, I know he won’t forsake Great Zhou, with me here, Zongbao here, one day he’ll return, reclaim Great Zhou’s throne, lead our Zhou Imperial Clan to prosperity, yet..." Emperor Zhoulin turns to gaze at the woman leaning against the flower tree, continuing, "Yet he met you, willing to do whatever it takes, defy me, enrage me, to marry you! Threatening Great Zhou’s future, I and the Imperial Clan had no choice but to compromise, granting you a glorious bride-pride ceremony..."
Gu Changsheng raises a brow upon hearing, otherwise she wouldn’t step into Capital City Region!
During the engagement ceremony, she wasn’t yet of her current status, accepting Emperor Zhoulin’s favor!
"But, if you were merely a Medicine Lady in Liuzhou City, or even an Abandoned Wife of the Li Family, it’s alright, but how could you become the Southern Emperor?" Emperor Zhoulin says, suddenly tossing aside the shovel, standing firmly before Gu Changsheng, "Previously your status might’ve been somewhat lacking, but adequate for Zhou Imperial Clan Lady duties, now however, you’re unlike all ladies in Zhou Imperial Clan, surpassing them in nobility! No, precisely, you’re nobler than I am! Your majesty encompasses the entire world!"
Gu Changsheng: "..."
She pats her nose, it’s the truth, though personally thinking everyone is equal, indeed, her status towering above all, reaching the zenith!
"So what?" blinking, Gu Changsheng asks her inner doubts.
"So what? Haha..." Emperor Zhoulin smiles bitterly at the words, "If you were an ordinary woman, becoming Great Zhou’s Clan Lady, naturally prioritizing Great Zhou’s interests, but you’re different, you differ from all women, being Southern Emperor, you can overturn the heavens with a flick, amid joy or anger, what difference is there between Great Zhou and Southern Chen of old? Southern Chen lasted two months after falling, under your iron heel how long can my Southern Chen endure? Three months or four months?"
Gu Changsheng slightly furrows her brow at the words, "I never thought of waging war against Great Zhou."
"Yes! You and Zhou Mu are deeply in love now, naturally not considering confrontation!" Emperor Zhoulin nods, "Then what about later? A lifetime is long, who can guarantee enduring affections? If you change your heart? If Zhou Mu changes his heart? An ordinary marriage, a divorce merely household matter, but between you and Zhou Mu, if something happens, Great Zhou’s millennial foundation accompanies the grave! Gu Changsheng, as Zhou Mu’s grandfather, I wish deeply he wasn’t marrying you!"