Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 82

Unfortunately, Gu Huai Zhong had already lowered his head to undo the belt on his official attire, so he was completely oblivious to the slight panic and unease that flashed in Liu Yue’s eyes.

“What exactly happened?” Liu Yue’s voice became even softer as she gently asked, using sweet and gentle words. She took the belt from Gu Huai Zhong and hung it on a nearby clothes rack. Then, she fetched a light robe and helped him change into it.

“What else could it be? It’s that defiant girl and that hag!” Gu Huai Zhong snorted coldly, speaking through gritted teeth.

Liu Yue breathed a silent sigh of relief. As long as it was not related to her, she was fine. She had been genuinely scared when he mentioned being troubled. She had thought that Gu Huai Zhong had somehow found out about her actions.

Gu Huai Zhong proceeded to explain what had happened in the southern study today. Liu Yue’s heart tightened as she listened. Her teeth clenched together.

Damn it. Was Gu Yu Qi sent by fate to make trouble for her? She had always been on her guard against her at the mansion. Now that Gu Yu Qi had finally left, and just when she thought she would be promoted to the Madam of the Marquis’ residence, she suddenly reappeared like a thorn in her side.

“What is the emperor’s attitude towards the mother and daughter?” Liu Yue asked cautiously.

“What attitude?” Gu Huai Zhong’s anger flared up whenever he mentioned this. “His Majesty actually told me to go back and reflect! He said that I should return only when I’ve sorted out the mess at home!”

Liu Yue’s face paled after hearing this, “What does that mean?”

“What does it mean? Isn’t it obvious?” Gu Huai Zhong’s voice dripped with bitterness, “His Majesty wants to reward Gu Yu Qi, but due to her previous bad reputation, he has no way to do it. So he asked me to come back and sort things out!” Emperor Jing had already mentioned wanting to reward her heavily, but due to Gu Yu Qi’s past rumours, he had not figured out how to do it yet. Summoning Gu Huai Zhong back to sort things out with Gu Yu Qi was a way to give both of himself and Gu Huai Zhong an excuse.

Having been by Emperor Jing’s side for so long, Gu Huai Zhong understood Emperor Jing’s intentions well. He wanted him to acknowledge that daughter of his again. The emperor could not reward a troublemaker who had beaten her own father and been driven out of the house!

The question was, could he really reconcile with Gu Yu Qi after all the mess between them?

Gu Yu Qi had banished herself by giving him a resounding slap in the face. He had also divorced Liang Huai Yu, which left her with the power to potentially ruin him. How could he deal with this?

If he was cruel enough, he could just kill the mother and daughter outside and it would be over for once and for all. However, both Liang Huai Yu and Gu Yu Qi were skilled martial artists, not delicate women. They were surrounded by guards from Jiangnan who were carefully selected by his father in law and one of them could count for ten regular guards. Zhao Wu, the commander of these guards, had surrendered his identity and followed Liang Huai Yu out of gratitude. His abilities were such that he could easily command respect as a general.

Now, the Emperor Jing wanted him to acknowledge his daughter and, by extension, bring back Liang Huai Yu. However, Liang Huai Yu had already grown distant, as evidenced by her decisive actions that day. She posed little threat to him outside, but once she returned to the capital, she could potentially use the divorce papers to blackmail him. If she constantly threatened him with the divorce papers, what kind of life would he have left?

Inside, Gu Huai Zhong was growing increasingly restless, and he did not want to say much to Liu Yue. After changing his clothes, he walked into his study and locked himself in.

The more he thought about it, the more something seemed amiss. Frustration and unease welled up within him and finally, he slammed his hand onto the table. He stood up and his eyes revealed a hint of viciousness.

People often say that even small amounts of poison can harm nobility, and a husband without ruthlessness is not a true man! He had worked tirelessly to climb to his current position and it could not be so easily threatened by someone like Liang Huai Yu! Regardless of whether she would reveal the divorce letter, allowing such a hidden danger was unacceptable!

The emperor had told him to go back and reflect and he had contemplated that neither Gu Yu Qi nor Liang Huai Yu could remain in this world.

Was the emperor not planning to reward Gu Yu Qi? If she were to die an untimely death, how could the emperor reward her? He could simply bestow a posthumous title. Currently, Emperor Jing was overwhelmed and he would not be pursuing the details of how Gu Yu Qi died!

Gu Huai Zhong’s heart turned ruthless. He immediately wrote a confidential letter, sealed it with his signet ring, and then summoned his butler, instructing him to send the letter out.

If they did not let him live in peace, he would not allow the mother and daughter to have a peaceful life either!

Meanwhile, in the Jin Hua Palace, the Virtuous Consort was sitting calmly on a luxurious couch, with a young palace maid gently massaging her legs.

A subtle fragrance from the peacebloom blossoms filled the air, creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity throughout Jin Hua Palace. Compared to the turmoil outside, this place felt like an oasis of tranquillity.

The more chaotic it was outside, the more advantageous it was for her and her son. Although she had not been promoted further in status, His Majesty had granted her residence in the Jin Hua Palace. Within the entire palace, this place was second only to the Feng Yi Palace where the Empress resided. Although she did not hold the title of an Imperial Noble Consort, she had gained the power and influence of one.

The Crown Prince was currently in distress. The affairs of his household were far from peaceful. His Crown Princess, who had been married to him for years, had not borne him any children. It had taken great effort for one of his concubines to become pregnant, but just days later, news had spread that the child was lost. Despite investigations, they could not find the cause. The emperor was furious. How could he entrust the entire Qi dynasty to someone who could not even manage his own household. Moreover, the recent floods and the plague had left the emperor with some doubts about the Crown Prince. Even the empress, who had always stood by the Crown Prince’s side, was showing signs of wavering loyalty.

This was good. The more chaos outside, the more advantageous it was for Yun Yi. The entire kingdom might be in disarray, but the Virtuous Consort could sit peacefully within these walls, enjoying her comfort.

“Imperial Consort, Prince Jing has arrived,” a palace maid with light steps announced as she entered.

The Virtuous Consort slowly opened her eyes and allowed the palace maid to help her sit up, “Send him in.”

“Yes,” the palace maid responded, retreating. Not long after, Yun Yi walked in.

“Mother Consort,” Yun Yi did not bother with formalities as he sat down beside the Virtuous Consort and grabbed a cup of tea to gulp down.

The Virtuous Consort rarely saw her son so lacking in decorum, and she could not help but raise an eyebrow, “Has something happened in court?” She lowered her voice and asked.

Yun Yi recounted what had happened in the southern study and the Virtuous Consort could not help but be startled, “Are you talking about Gu Yu Qi? The Gu Yu Qi from the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence?” Of course, she knew about that girl, she was quite famous. Back then, she had even granted her an audience herself, albeit only at the hunting grounds.

“Yes, Mother Consort, it’s her,” Yun Yi could not contain his joy when he mentioned Gu Yu Qi.

He had not seen her in a long time, but four years ago, she had been so beautiful. After four years, she must have grown even more stunning. Yun Yi could picture the young lady standing before him with a smile if he closed his eyes.

Back then, she had been quite young, but now she was of marriageable age. Unfortunately, before he could meet her again, she had caused such a commotion and left the capital.

If Yun Ke’s letter was true, it meant that she had not burned her mother in the fire. Instead, her mother had left with her.

Now that she no longer had the notorious reputation of killing her mother, other things could be overlooked. Being expelled from the Marquis’ residence was not a big issue. She had achieved such a great feat, and even the emperor intended to reward her. Most likely, the Ding Yuan Marquis would take her back into the family. She was still the eldest legitimate daughter of the Marquis’ residence and her status was more than enough. Even if she could not become the main concubine, being a side concubine would be more than sufficient.

“Mother Consort, such a woman is rare in this world. Do you remember when I said she was a blessed person back then?” Yun Yi smiled and held his mother’s hand. He knelt before her, saying, “Mother Consort, I beg you, can you talk to the emperor and ask for Gu Yu Qi to be my bride? Even Seventh Brother has his own child now, but I don’t even have a princess. I really like her.”

Yun Yi’s words made the Virtuous Consort’s expression freeze.

Why was this child so shortsighted?

The Virtuous Consort had seen Gu Yu Qi. She was overly striking. Such a woman would likely bring trouble to Prince Jing’s residence. Moreover, she had noticed that her naive son had been infatuated with this girl named Gu Yu Qi for a long time, otherwise how could she always be on his mind? This was even worse. What if Gu Yu Qi were really brought into the family? Would her son not be completely submissive to her and listen to her in everything?

However, what Yun Yi said was not entirely unreasonable. This child was indeed a fortunate person. She saved Yun Ke, which was equivalent to helping Yun Yi. She did not want all the effort Yun Yi and Yun Ke had put into Jiangxia City to go to waste.

Furthermore, she found the cure that not only saved Yun Ke but also benefited the people all over the world. What a great merit! Even Yun Ke would gain from this. When he returned to the capital this time, the emperor would surely reward him generously. At that time, she could suggest allocating some of the Crown Prince’s authority to Yun Yi and Yun Ke.

If she only gave it to Yun Yi, her intentions would be too obvious. With Yun Ke sharing the responsibility, no one could find fault with her.

The Virtuous Consort had a well thought out plan, but she was unwilling to budge when it came to Yun Yi’s request to marry Gu Yu Qi.

Seeing his mother’s stern expression and silence, Yun Yi felt disappointed, “I understand your intentions, Mother Consort. I’m not asking for Gu Yu Qii to be the main concubine. As long as she’s a side concubine or something, it’ll be fine. Mother Consort, considering that I’ve had so few desires all these years, couldn’t you fulfil this one? I know you have your eye on my cousin from the Zhang family, but couldn’t my cousin also be waiting for an opportunity? That’s why she’s still unmarried.” Zhang Wan Yi was not getting any younger and even if she delayed, she could only wait another two years or so.

Prime Minister Zhang would naturally become anxious.

“The Crown Prince’s residence is not going well right now. If the Crown Prince finds out that the side concubines’ miscarriages were the work of the Crown Princess, she might be deposed,” the Virtuous Consort spoke earnestly to Yun Yi, “Don’t you know that the Zhang family has coveted the position of Crown Princess for a long time?”

“I understand,” Yun Yi said, suppressing his disappointment and lowering his gaze.

“Zhang Wan Yi has waited for so many years, just to keep comparing you with the Crown Prince,” the Virtuous Consort continued, “Why don’t you wait a little longer? Wait until Zhang Wan Yi is married into the family, then consider Gu Yu Qi. Gu Yu Qi is still young and can wait. The Zhang family, on the other hand, can’t afford to wait any longer. If you bring Gu Yu Qi into the family before Zhang Wan Yi, even if she’s just a side concubine, aren’t you afraid the Zhang family will choose the Crown Prince instead?” the Virtuous Consort patted Yun Yi’s hand, “Be good. Wait a bit longer. It’ll take a while for Gu Yu Qi to return to the Gu family. Give Mother Consort some time. Mother Consort will definitely let you get Zhang Wan Yi and with the support of the Zhang family, you can also marry a beautiful woman and fulfil your wishes.”

Yun Yi smiled, “So, it’s like having the best of both worlds?”

“You’re my son,” the Virtuous Consort said with a smile, patting Yun Yi’s shoulder, “Of course you deserve the best in the world.” Her eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement.

Her son’s affection for Gu Yu Qi was obvious so she could not allow Gu Yu Qi to enter their lives first and capture her son’s heart. Zhang Wan Yi, the girl she had watched grow up, was cunning and skilled. If she entered first and secured the position of the main concubine, there would be no room for Gu Yu Qi to cause trouble.

Thinking of this, the Virtuous Consort felt relieved. However, Gu Yu Qi was indeed a fortunate girl. After bringing her into their household, she might turn out to be an unexpected source of support for Yun Yi!