PART 3
The wind blew through the pine and cypress trees, and the sound of the rustling leaves was like falling rain. Pine needles floated down to the ground.
When Wu Mao returned to Zi Chen Palace, he happened to see Wu Nan on duty at the palace gate. Seeing him sweeping the floor with a broom and limping, he snorted coldly, “Oh, you can get up and work already. Was the caning comfortable?”
Wu Nan had always been the one to cane others, when had he ever been caned? Hearing this, he said with a bitter face, “Father, with these thirty strokes on my body, how can your son not be in pain?”
“You still dare to let people in when you’re in pain?” Wu Mao couldn’t help but kick him and said coldly, “His Majesty has already left the palace, and you still dare to let people into Zi Chen Palace. You’re really tired of living.”
Wu Nan said, “Father, that person was sent by the Empress Dowager, how could I refuse?” He thought that Miss He could just wait on the side. When no one paid attention to her and she completely gave up, she would naturally leave.
Wu Mao looked at him coldly, “You don’t dare to refuse the person sent by the Empress Dowager, but you dare to refuse the Empress herself? It would have been fine at any other time, but you dared to let someone in right after the Empress left. You should be glad that His Majesty didn’t beat you to death, nor did he kick you out of Zi Chen Palace.”
A palace servant kicked out of Zi Chen Palace was someone despised by His Majesty. Wherever they went, they would be bullied at will, and their fate would only be more tragic than the last.
Thinking of this, cold sweat broke out on Wu Nan’s back, and he repeatedly admitted his mistake.
The inner hall was simply decorated. In the golden animal-shaped incense burner, sinking elmwood incense was burning. Gu Zhen was reviewing official documents on the side. Wu Mao quietly entered and bowed, “Blessings to Your Majesty.”
Gu Zhen’s hand holding the vermilion brush paused slightly, and he asked lightly, “Have they been sent to the Empress?”
“They have been sent,” Wu Mao replied with some trepidation.
Gu Zhen couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows, a hint of pleasure in his phoenix eyes, “What did the Empress say?”
After the unhappy parting that day, he had originally wanted to wait for the Empress to think things through and apologize to him. But after careful consideration, he felt that his words were a bit harsh. After much thought, he only gave Zhao Yiyi the cold shoulder for a few days before having someone pick out a lot of jewelry to send to her.
Women all love jewelry. He thought that when she saw it, she would understand his intention to soothe her.
Wu Mao was even more apprehensive now, and his voice trembled, “Her Majesty… Her Majesty didn’t come out, saying she wasn’t feeling well, and only sent Miss Mancao to receive it.”
“Not feeling well?” Gu Zhen’s brow furrowed slightly, and he said, “How can she be sick for no reason? Has she summoned the imperial physician?”
Wu Mao hesitated for a moment and tentatively said, “Your Majesty, I don’t think Her Majesty is really sick. She was probably just heartbroken a few days ago and is still having a tantrum with Your Majesty.”
Gu Zhen didn’t believe it. He knew the Empress’s feelings for him very well, so he snorted, “What do you know, it’s all nonsense!”
The Empress was always gentle and considerate, just occasionally having a little temper. After so many days, no matter how big a temper she had, it should have subsided.
Perhaps, she didn’t like the things he sent?
Wu Mao had only made a guess. After being refuted by His Majesty, he also began to doubt himself and lowered his head, not daring to speak again.
In the afternoon, many high-ranking officials gathered in Zi Chen Palace to discuss the case of He Nei.
A few days ago, the first spring rain finally fell in He Nei. In addition, the court’s relief funds were finally distributed normally, and He Nei finally returned to its former order.
Just when the officials thought that the matter was settled, the Emperor issued a decree that almost swept through the entire officialdom of He Nei, all of them were escorted back to the capital for interrogation.
Looking at the officials below, Gu Zhen only said one word, “Investigate.”
This case was a good opportunity for him to establish his authority. If he let it go lightly, I’m afraid no one would take his edicts seriously in the future.
After the matter of a group of people being dismissed and investigated a few days ago, all the officials were now extremely careful, afraid of angering the monarch. Hearing this, their hearts trembled, and they all responded in unison.
The matters were assigned one by one. The officials did not dare to say a word and all accepted their orders.
Gu Zhen only kept a few people to discuss matters.
As everyone was about to leave, Gu Zhen suddenly called out to a few close officials and asked thoughtfully, “Do you know what women like?”
After asking, he regretted it a little, thinking to himself that he must have been muddle-headed to ask them such a question.
Everyone looked at each other for a moment. Jiang Jiayan said softly, “Is Your Majesty planning to give a gift to the Empress? I have heard that women all like rouge and jewelry. In my opinion, Your Majesty should not send…”
Prince Yan also echoed, “Mingchen is right. Your Imperial Brother can have the Jiangzuo Jian and the Shanggong Ju make some jewelry. The Imperial Sister-in-law will definitely like it.”
Rouge and jewelry, still these things. Gu Zhen’s face looked a little ugly.
“If it were these things, would I still need to ask you?” Gu Zhen said, and then suddenly thought of something. He waved his hand and said, “Forget it, I forgot that you two are not yet married, so you naturally don’t understand these things.”
If she doesn’t like jewelry, what else could she like?
Author’s Note:
Jiang Jiayan & Prince Yan: Yes, yes, you know best!
Finally finished writing!!! This is chapter 1 + chapter 2! There will be red envelopes in this chapter. There will be another update during the day. Mwah, babies!!!
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