As Shen Baozhu's coming - of - age ceremony approached, many people rushed back. Therefore, a few days before the ceremony, when Yin Susu brought Gu Xuyang to the estate, someone recognized Gu Xuyang and mentioned what the Cui family had done.
Yin Susu was shocked by this news and couldn't believe that she was with the son of her enemy.
She locked herself in the room, eating and drinking aimlessly. Finally, she decided to break off contact with Gu Xuyang.
Father and Mother Yin were heart - broken and worried. They could only invite Shen Baozhu.
In the dim room, Yin Susu wrapped herself in the quilt. Her eyes were red, obviously from crying for a long time.
A gentle embrace wrapped around her. Yin Susu looked up and saw Shen Baozhu.
She threw herself into Shen Baozhu's arms. "Baozhu, does Cousin hate me? I didn't mean to. I didn't know Gu Xuyang was the Third Prince, and I didn't know what the Cui family had done."
Putting herself in someone else's shoes, if Gu Chen was close to someone she didn't like, Yin Susu would definitely be furious. Moreover, Gu Chen was a petty man.
Shen Baozhu hugged Yin Susu and coaxed her softly, "No, Susu is so cute. How could Gu Chen hate you?"
These words were like an anchor, stabilizing Yin Susu's mind. She hugged Shen Baozhu tightly and asked expectantly, "Baozhu, do you really think I'm cute?"
"Forget it. I won't ask. If the petty man knows, he'll surely get angry."
Yin Susu had long noticed that usually Gu Chen was quite generous, but when it came to Baozhu, he became a petty man.
She hugged Shen Baozhu's arm and said excitedly, "Baozhu, can I be with Gu Xuyang?"
"When are you going to be with Cousin? But let's make it clear first. Even if you're with Cousin, I won't call you cousin - in - law. We'll address each other as usual!"
Hearing Yin Susu's jumpy words, a blush appeared on Shen Baozhu's fair face. She subconsciously changed the topic, "Bring Gu Xuyang to my coming - of - age ceremony in a few days. I'll see how Gu Chen reacts."
"By the way, don't mention this to Qiuqiu. Be careful she gets angry."
Yin Susu blinked, "Mention what? The fact that I'm with Gu Xuyang? But I think she accepted it quite well."
"No, don't mention me and Gu Chen. I'm afraid Qiuqiu will get angry." Shen Baozhu turned her head, looking a bit unnatural. It was the first time Yin Susu had seen her like this. Immediately, she threw Gu Xuyang out of her mind and pestered Shen Baozhu for details.
...
Gu Xuyang was with Yin Susu and even going to become a son - in - law!
The emperor was the last to know this news, and it was even revealed by Ping Hai accidentally.
Seeing the emperor's铁青 face, Ping Hai was puzzled, "Your Majesty, don't you know?"
The emperor was so angry that he laughed, "Do I look like I know?"
Gu Xuyang was summoned to the palace by the emperor for a scolding.
The emperor looked at the tall young man and felt a little relieved. The child had eaten well and lived well these years.
He said, "You and Yin Susu are not a good match. I'll choose a noble lady for you and bestow a marriage. I thought you were still young before. It was my mistake. Seventeen is the right age to get married..."
"No way! I don't want it." Gu Xuyang refused directly. "You didn't care about me before. Why are you pretending now?"
The emperor was angry again, "I didn't care about you? Why did I take money from my private treasury every month for you? Why did I send you to Grand Tutor Ye if I didn't care about you?"
Gu Xuyang remained calm and continued to complain, "Then why didn't you let me return to the palace for the palace banquet?"
The emperor was a bit shocked, "It was you who refused to change your ways. You were always shouting about killing people. How could I let you come back? Later, when I invited you back, you said you were ashamed. Why are you blaming me now?"
Gu Xuyang sneered, "Other people's elders would send them things, thick quilts and warm clothes in winter, thin shirts and handkerchiefs in summer. I had nothing. Do you know what they said about me? They said I was an orphan. I could only tell them that I was a concubine's son, my mother was dead, and my father was paralyzed!"
Mentioning this, the emperor suddenly felt weak. He leaned towards Ping Hai, "Do I have to send such things?"
"No, how could you tell outsiders that I'm paralyzed? Rebellious son!"
The rebellious son, Gu Xuyang, said expressionlessly, "You deserve it. Gu Chen looks like the empress. If you had taken a look at him, you wouldn't have been deceived by the Cui family. If you had taken a look, the Cui family wouldn't have been so blatant in harming Gu Chen."
"You keep saying you didn't know and push all the evil deeds onto the Cui family. You can't cover up the fact that you disliked Gu Chen for being a fool. You're also partly responsible!"
Gu Xuyang really didn't hate the empress and Gu Chen anymore, but he needed to vent his emotions. So he hated the emperor.
He wasn't the empress's child, so the empress had no responsibility to take care of him, but the emperor did!
The emperor was speechless. He sighed, "I'm indeed in debt, but you must not be with Yin Susu, let alone become a son - in - law. The dignity of the royal family cannot be damaged."
Gu Xuyang didn't plan to become a son - in - law while the emperor was alive. Gu Chen was Yin Susu's cousin. He originally wanted to get married first, and then become a son - in - law after the emperor died and Gu Chen ascended the throne. He didn't expect the emperor to be so resistant. Since that was the case... he would definitely become a son - in - law! And he would do it in front of the emperor.
Seeing the emperor sigh, Gu Xuyang seemed to be inspired. He started his show.
First, cry.
"Father, do you know how the students in the Imperial College look at me? They all mock me for having no relatives. Every time they receive things from their families, they deliberately show off in front of me."
"In the cold winter, they wore warm clothes sent from home, while I only had those bought on the street..."
Gu Xuyang couldn't control his expression well. He covered his face, afraid that the emperor would see his smile. These words were half - true and half - false. The things were indeed bought on the street, but it didn't mean Gu Xuyang was pitiful. He just lacked care, but his material conditions were much better than others.
He was good at his studies and rich. Gu Xuyang was hated in the Imperial College. Others could only attack him for being unloved.
Second, make a scene.
"Enough! I hate you. It was you who didn't take good care of Gu Chen, allowing the Cui family to steal him away. It was also you who disliked Gu Chen for being a fool and didn't even look at him. I was also spoiled by you. Why do both I and the Cui family have retribution, while you have nothing?"
After brewing his emotions, Gu Xuyang looked up, showing his blood - shot eyes to the emperor.
Third, threaten to hang himself.
"Finally, there's someone who treats me well. If you stop me from being with Susu, I'll smash my head against this pillar and die!"
Under Gu Xuyang's performance, the emperor relented, "Fine, fine. I'll let you be together, but you can't become a son - in - law!"
Gu Xuyang's expression changed. He rushed towards the pillar. Just as he was about to get a bloody head, the secret guard appeared in time to stop him. "You can stop me for a while, but not forever. You're just deliberately stopping me from being with Susu. You know Susu only accepts a son - in - law. Father, you deliberately want your son to die!"
"Mother, why did you enter the palace? Why didn't you strangle me?"
After many years, Gu Xuyang called the Cui family "Mother" again, which made the emperor extremely angry.
The emperor glared at Gu Xuyang. They stared at each other for a long time. Finally, the emperor gave in first, "Fine, fine. It's all up to you, but you can become a son - in - law, but not as the Third Prince."
This meant that the Third Prince had to fake his death and change his identity to become a son - in - law.
Gu Xuyang's eyes lit up, "Can I be registered under the Mu family?"
The late emperor had gone to great lengths to make the Mu family extinct, but now his grandson was eager to join them.
The emperor was so angry that he slapped the table, "I think you want to lose your love!"
Gu Xuyang quickly gave in, "If not, then not. Why are you so fierce?"