Inside the Prime Minister's Mansion
Gu Kexing sat in front of the table with a worried look on his face.
He had been pestered by Gu Chengqi for almost an hour, and the constant noise was giving him a headache.
He had no idea what had gotten into this brat. He insisted that Gu Kexing ask the emperor for a marriage decree to marry the Eldest Princess Yongning.
Not to mention that the princess had been spoiled and willful since childhood. If she were to marry into the prime minister's mansion, she would surely turn the place upside down.
Moreover, the princess had extremely high standards. How could she take a fancy to this good - for - nothing son of his?
"Father, please agree to it!" Gu Chengqi pleaded with eager eyes.
Gu Kexing waved his hand. "You might as well give up this idea."
Hearing his father's refusal, Gu Chengqi was so frustrated that he almost wanted to throw a tantrum on the ground. "I don't care. I must marry the princess!"
Gu Kexing sighed helplessly. "You can have any beautiful woman you want. Why do you have to choose the princess?"
Gu Chengqi thought for a moment and replied, "Because I'm in love with her! Father, please agree. In all my years, she's the only woman I've ever loved."
"Nonsense!" Gu Kexing scolded in a low voice. "Last month's Miss Taohong from the Ningxiang Pavilion and the courtesan from the Hongxiu Tower the month before last. Didn't you claim to love them all?"
Gu Kexing had heard about his son's amorous affairs more than once.
What was he pretending for in front of him?
Hearing this, Gu Chengqi pouted, looking extremely guilty.
Who on earth was so stupid as to tell his father about these things?
If he ever found out, he would surely tear that person's mouth apart.
Then, he put on an obsequious look and said, "Father, actually, my reason for wanting to marry the princess is not for myself, but for the entire prime minister's mansion."
"Oh? You have such a thought?" Gu Kexing asked suspiciously.
Gu Chengqi nodded vigorously and continued, "A few days ago, you were blamed by the emperor because of Uncle's matter. If our prime minister's mansion can become even closer relatives with the emperor at this time, wouldn't it alleviate the emperor's anger and stabilize your position in the court?
Besides, the princess is just the daughter of the late queen and is not favored by the emperor. So what if she's arrogant and willful? Once she marries into our prime minister's mansion in the future, I'll teach her to be obedient and make sure she won't worry you, Father."
Hearing Gu Chengqi's well - reasoned speech, Gu Kexing became even more suspicious.
He frowned and asked, "Who taught you to say these things?"
A flash of panic crossed Gu Chengqi's eyes, but he quickly calmed down, not letting Gu Kexing detect anything amiss.
He replied calmly, "No one taught me. I just want to share your worries, Father."
After hearing this, Gu Kexing put away the suspicion on his face and nodded with relief. "My Chengqi has finally grown up!"
"All thanks to your good upbringing, Father!" Gu Chengqi bowed respectfully.
"Fine. I'll submit a memorial to the emperor tomorrow to ask for a marriage decree for you!"
Hearing this, a flash of pride crossed Gu Chengqi's eyes.
He thought to himself that it was a good thing he hadn't told his father that these words were all from Cui Jin. Otherwise, all the credit would have gone to Cui Jin!
Since Gu Kexing had been punished and was not allowed to enter the palace without an imperial summons, he had to send someone to deliver the memorial to the palace.
But when he opened the memorial that had been reviewed by the emperor with great joy, his face instantly turned ashen, and he immediately flew into a rage.
All of this was seen by Cui Jin, who was hiding in the dark.
She felt secretly delighted.
Sure enough, just as Ruan Jiu had said.
At first, when Ruan Jiu told her to mention the matter of marrying the princess to Gu Chengqi, saying that it would not only boost Gu Chengqi's ego but also relieve Gu Kexing's worries, she immediately rejected the idea.
Gu Kexing already had great power. If the prime minister's mansion were to form a marriage alliance with the royal family, wouldn't Gu Kexing be even more powerful?
But Ruan Jiu had said that since there was already a Queen Gu in the palace, the emperor would never allow another son - in - law with the surname Gu.
Sure enough, as soon as the emperor received Gu Kexing's memorial asking for a marriage decree, he immediately rejected it.
However, although this marriage proposal had been rejected, what should they do next?
Thinking of this, Cui Jin immediately sent someone to the Jinxiu Pavilion to summon the shopkeeper to the mansion to take her measurements and make some new clothes for her.
When she saw that it was Ruan Jiu who came, Cui Jin dismissed all the servants.
She carefully closed the door and told her personal maid to stand guard outside.
"Miss Shen, the emperor really rejected the marriage between Gu Chengqi and the princess. So what should we do next?"
As soon as she sat down, Cui Jin couldn't wait to ask.
Ruan Jiu pursed her lips and said, "You go and give Gu Chengqi another idea. Tell him to ask the queen to hold a banquet and invite all the noble young men in the capital to the palace.
Then, secretly drug the princess. By the time the princess and Gu Chengqi have consummated the marriage, even if the emperor is unwilling, he will have to agree."
Hearing this, Cui Jin frowned tightly. "Do you really want to bring about the marriage between the princess and Gu Chengqi?"
She was getting more and more confused about what Ruan Jiu was up to.
Whose side was she really on?
"Don't be impatient, Madam." Ruan Jiu said with a smile. "Don't worry. They won't succeed. Moreover, Gu Chengqi will be disgraced because of this."
After hearing this, Cui Jin thought for a long time. "However, this move will surely plant a thorn in the emperor's heart. Gu Kexing is a cunning old fox. He probably won't take this risk."
"That's easy. Just tell the princess that the deed is done. For the sake of her reputation, she has to ask the emperor for a marriage decree herself. In this way, the prime minister's mansion can stay out of it completely." Ruan Jiu raised her eyebrows.
She seemed quite satisfied with her own idea.
But Cui Jin was still a bit worried and shook her head. "It's still not appropriate. We can't enter the palace. How can we keep track of what's going on in the palace? What if Gu Chengqi succeeds and the princess is forced to marry him? Wouldn't it be even more difficult to deal with Gu Kexing and Zhou Ru?
It was so hard to get rid of Zhou Ru's family. If Zhou Ru were to get a daughter - in - law with the status of the current eldest princess, it would be almost impossible to avenge Tan'er in the future."
Ruan Jiu smiled faintly.
She patted Cui Jin's hand and said, "Don't worry, Madam. I have my own way."
Seeing Ruan Jiu's determined eyes, Cui Jin's restless heart seemed to gradually calm down.
For some reason, although this little girl was much younger than her, she always made her feel at ease.
Well, since she had already chosen to form an alliance, she should firmly believe.