novelraw Chapter 422 - 317: Trust Me (Part 3)
Chapter 422 - 317: Trust Me (Part 3)
Rong Jing has become arrogant. Now that the Northern Territory is stable, he can tear off the mask without fear and force the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion into rebellion.
——Marquis Gu’s military strategies are formidable, but Gu Lan clearly remembers that in the original story, as soon as something happened to him, Marquis Gu seemed to have a debuff reducing his intelligence, and in a moment of hot-headedness, he died in battle... Therefore, she must send a message to tell Gu Chengzhao that she is fine, and cannot gamble on him being able to calm down!
Right now, there is an opportunity that has presented itself.
The little eunuch jiggled the decree in his hand, cautiously urging:
"Young Master Gu, you really won’t enter the palace? Second Young Master Gu and Vice Minister Gu are still waiting for you in the Wenyuan Pavilion."
Old Madam Gu’s expression changed: "What has the Emperor done to my second son? Gu Chengye is the Minister of Rites and an important official of the court. Not only does the Emperor want to chill the hearts of soldiers under heaven, but he also wants to unsettle the Dayan court!"
Her voice was hoarse, and her aggressive questioning made Song Zhi, standing beside her, even more despondent.
The little eunuch quickly said, "Lord Gu is of course fine. They are just awaiting Young Master to enter the palace; His Majesty has important matters to discuss with you."
Gu Lan’s eyes narrowed, her red lips pressed tightly together, her expression showing a hint of agitation and anger.
Song Zhi, having been observing Gu Lan closely, felt relieved only when he saw her losing the composure she initially had.
It seems Gu Lan is indeed frightened. She knows that if she doesn’t enter the palace, Gu Chengye and Gu Changting, who are being detained there, will definitely not have good outcomes.
Judging from Gu Lan’s earlier behavior when she asked him to apologize to Zeng Dajing, she is someone who is vengeful yet unwilling to implicate others, extremely protective of her own.
Song Zhi couldn’t help but admire Rong Jing in his heart for being thorough in his calculations, using both military pressure on the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and preemptively capturing Gu Chengye and his son for leverage.
In this way—
"This is indeed a good reason." Gu Lan muttered to herself, her face dark and overcast, as she took the decree with one hand, glancing at it indifferently.
The frantic cinnabar ink, with its leaping strokes, indicated that Rong Jing’s mind at this moment was also in an extremely restless state.
To be able to turn Song Zhi’s military encirclement of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion into "protection of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion" under such circumstances, thus making his actions infinitely justifiable, broke the morale of the people in the Marquis Mansion and confused the populace to stabilize the court... It is clear that although Rong Jing is a madman, he is a clever madman.
"Lan, don’t!"
Zhou Wanqing, realizing her daughter was going to obey the decree and enter the palace, spoke in a hoarse voice, her eyes turning red with tears streaming down.
Gu Lan tucked her folding fan into her waist, looked at her, and gently curved her eyes, a soft smile on her red lips.
"Mother, I must go. You know what I once told Marquis Gu, so I must go. Besides, this is also an opportunity."
Her voice was very gentle, every word clear and audible, revealing a stubborn determination.
Zhou Wanqing’s face was pale, yet she recalled the words her daughter had once spoken.
She remembered,
her daughter said she wanted to ride the wildest horses, reclaim lost lands, drive out the Qiangrong, protect those she cared about, lead warriors to achieve supreme contributions, and at that time... she also wanted to tell the world that she was a woman.
Gu Lan’s words were vague and unclear, yet Zhou Wanqing faintly guessed that Gu Lan’s desire to enter the palace had something to do with reclaiming her female identity.
However, a mother’s nature made her extremely uneasy, unable to allow her daughter to take such a risk!
Once Gu Lan enters the palace, who knows what might happen? Perhaps the Emperor fears Gu Chengzhao and wouldn’t harm Gu Lan’s life, but even with just her life kept, there are too many things that could be done!
Facing Zhou Wanqing’s pleading eyes, Gu Lan blinked, dissipating the sourness in her eyes, and then looked at the old madam: "Grandmother, you trust me, don’t you?"
Old Madam Gu’s eyes were full of wisdom and calm. She took the hand of Madam Zhou, lightly patting it twice, and laughed:
"Grandmother has always believed in you, you must believe in us too, Lan, don’t worry."
With the old madam giving her such a response, Gu Lan completely eased her mind.
Only, Gu Lan hadn’t expected that because of Zhou Wanqing... no, her mother’s gaze, she would feel an impulse to cry.
Gu Lan clutched the decree tightly, composed herself, her eyes filled with disdain and coldness:
"Using Gu Changting and Gu Chengye to threaten me, the Emperor is truly... brilliant."
The two little eunuchs trembled in fear, not daring to speak anymore, afraid that the seemingly unstable Young Master Gu would suddenly cut them down.
"Then... then let’s go, Young Master."
Gu Lan took one last look at the people of the Marquis Mansion; her expression was uncertain, yet her eyes reassured them.
"Into the palace, lead the way."