Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 121 Minglan's Scheme, Gu Tingye's Merit

About an hour after an incense stick has burned, the carriage was already parked outside the gate.

The maids, who were going to accompany the young lady into the palace, also dressed up extra carefully.

Xiao Tao has always been a simple-minded and clumsy girl. She was originally sent to Ming Lan's side because Mo Lan and Ru Lan had rejected her.

The old lady was worried that she wouldn't be able to give Minglan timely advice if something happened, so she specially asked Danju to accompany Minglan today.

Danju was wearing a brand-new lotus-root-colored jacket, with a light blue cross-collar ruqun underneath, and small jade earrings dangling from her fair earlobes.

She doesn't have a strikingly beautiful appearance, but she possesses a gentle and charming temperament that makes it hard to look away.

Seeing that Minglan was following behind her with slightly slower steps, Rulan couldn't help but tug at her sleeve.

"Our elder sister is letting us into the palace; this is a great opportunity to make us proud."

"Countless people in Bianjing City envy you, why don't you seem excited at all?"

Upon hearing this, Minglan snapped out of her daze and gave a dry laugh, saying, "Of course I'm excited, but I'm a little afraid that if I break the rules after entering the palace, I might embarrass my family and my elder sister."

Rulan straightened her back and proudly raised her chin, "What's so special about that!"

"Little Six, you're a bit younger than me, but you're still not as clever and composed as I am."

"Don't worry, with your big sister here, what mistakes could possibly happen to us? Just follow behind me."

"Okay, thank you, Fifth Sister." Minglan smiled brightly and boarded the carriage with Danju.

Inside the carriage, Minglan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her expression somewhat grave.

Aunt Wei only stayed at home for six or seven days before heading south back to Yangzhou. She never forgot what happened when she was eight years old.

The young woman lay on her blood-stained postpartum diapers, barely alive.

If it weren't for my quick thinking and crawling out of the mansion through the dog hole to seek help, my mother and Liu-ge'er wouldn't be alive today.

But when she told Wei Xiaoniang and her aunt about her desire for revenge, Wei Xiaoniang refused to let her get involved.

Minglan knew that, given her personality, she would definitely wait until she got married and her younger brother grew up before she would take action against Lin Qinshuang to avenge the day she died.

She could wait until then, but I didn't have that patience.

Having been by the old lady's side for so many years, she had figured out Sheng Hong's personality quite well. Just by giving him the pulse-taking doctor's report, she would definitely try to downplay the matter and make it a thing of the past for the sake of the Sheng family's reputation.

My grandmother, eldest sister, and second brother have all treated me very well, so I'm worried that things might escalate to the point of going to court.

They will surely lose face as well, and even if they get their revenge, they will spend the rest of their lives in guilt and unease.

Therefore, after much deliberation, she felt that this matter required Lin Qinshuang to commit an irreparable mistake.

They must be smothered in the inner quarters, and Sheng Hong must be made so fearful that he has no choice but to deal with them.

Danju turned her head and saw that Minglan was still looking uneasy. She said softly, "Is Miss still worried about going to the palace?"

"Hmm..." Minglan responded vaguely, raising her hand to lift the carriage curtain and look outside.

Inside another carriage, Mo Lan sat upright on a soft cushion, gently waving a round fan in her hand.

She and Lin Qinshuang utterly despised this newly arrived second sister-in-law.

To leave a good impression on the Hai family, Sheng Hong took the initiative to reduce the expenses of Linxi Pavilion before Hai Chaoyun entered the house.

You should know that over the years, their food, clothing and daily necessities have always been the most luxurious in the mansion, sometimes even surpassing those of Wei Rui Xuan!

"What remarkable person is he that Father values ​​so highly..." Mo Lan snorted and muttered to herself.

Before long, the carriage slowly came to a stop outside the palace gate.

After the imperial guards on duty verified their identities, a eunuch stepped forward and respectfully led them to the Mingde Hall.

Rulan couldn't contain her curiosity and looked around. The magnificent palace, the vermilion gates, and the gleaming glazed tiles.

There was also a group of palace maids passing by from time to time.

"Little Six..." she lowered her voice and was about to call Minglan when Hai coughed lightly and gestured for her to shut her mouth.

Rulan shrank her neck and hurriedly moved closer to Minglan.

After spending time with her, she realized that her second sister-in-law was also a very rule-abiding person.

Following the eunuch, we wound our way along the flat bluestone path for quite a while before finally stopping in front of a palace.

While the eunuch was delivering the message, Sheng Changbai pointed at Rulan.

Of the three younger sisters, she was the most audacious and reckless.

Rulan pouted defiantly, then glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw an eunuch already standing outside the hall, announcing loudly, "Lord Xuansheng and his family are here to pay their respects—"

Led by Sheng Changbai, the group stepped into the hall, where they saw Zhao Han and Hua Lan looking at them with smiles on their faces.

"Your subject/your wife/your daughter pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess."

Zhao Han's gaze swept lightly over them, and she said gently, "We're all family, no need for formalities, please have a seat."

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of palace maids brought over soft stools. After everyone expressed their gratitude, they sat down.

"Now that Changbai is married, he seems to have become even more mature and composed."

Sheng Changbai nodded slightly and said respectfully, "Your Highness is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise."

"From now on, I will be even more diligent and self-disciplined, and live up to Your Highness's expectations."

Since entering the Hanlin Academy, Sheng Changbai has been meticulous in his work, and the memorials he handles are well-organized and clear.

He looked exactly like Grand Tutor Wang when he first entered the court, and even Emperor Zhao Zhen paid close attention to him.

Hua Lan was filled with relief and said softly, "Seeing how well you two match, I, as your older sister, can finally rest easy."

Then, she looked at Hai Chaoyun and said, "Your sister-in-law comes from a scholarly family and is very well-mannered."

"If Changbai does anything improper in the future, I hope you will forgive him."

Hai Chaoyun smiled gently, stood up and said, "Husband and wife are one, and my husband and I will definitely support each other from now on."

Hua Lan nodded in satisfaction.

"Changfeng's marriage will probably have to wait a few more years, but Fourth Sister can start looking for a partner now."

The Sheng family only proposed marriage to the Wang family after Sheng Hong achieved academic success, and Sheng Changbai only discussed marriage after passing the imperial examination.

Therefore, the old lady and Sheng Hong unanimously decided to postpone Changfeng's wedding.

Given the Sheng family's current status, if he were to pass the imperial examinations in the future, he would have no trouble marrying a legitimate daughter from a prestigious family.

However, if you meet a suitable family, you can also give them a try.

Upon hearing this, Mo Lan's eyes flickered slightly, and she said softly, "Your Majesty is right."

"Your Majesty, Madam Wu from the Yongchang Earl's Mansion has been sending us invitations lately, she's been very enthusiastic."

Rulan glanced at her and continued shaking her head, "I wonder if she has any intention of proposing marriage, Fourth Sister, what do you think?"

Mo Lan knew she was being sarcastic, so she twisted her handkerchief and smiled, "Who Madam Wu takes a fancy to is her business. As young women, we shouldn't be discussing such things. Fifth Sister, you seem to care a lot, could it be..."

"What did I care about!" Rulan immediately widened her eyes, trying to defend herself.

Upon seeing Sheng Changbai's sharp gaze, she reluctantly shut her mouth.

Hua Lan shook her head helplessly, "How old are you two? You're still so childish."

"If you continue arguing, I will send you both out of the palace later. I will only keep Sixth Sister." Upon hearing this, Mo Lan and Ru Lan exchanged a glance, both of them lowering their eyes in dissatisfaction.

Minglan sat demurely on the soft stool, her eyes glancing lightly at Zhao Han, when a thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

The person who could instill such fear in Sheng Hong that he was forced to deal with Lin Qinshuang was none other than his brother-in-law…

But will he help me?
Minglan hesitated for a while, but after thinking about it for many days, she had already come up with a solution.

Everything is ready, except for someone who can put pressure on the father!
While Hua Lan, Hai Chaoyun, and others were talking in the inner hall, Zhao Han and Chang Bai moved to the study in the side hall.

"Your Highness, if I may be so bold as to ask, is Zhonghuai doing well in the army?"

Zhao Han smiled slightly, "Don't worry, Marquis Gu cares about this son more than anyone else."

"The good news just arrived in the capital last night. Zhong Huai has repeatedly made meritorious contributions in battle and personally beheaded the Nong family father and son."

"It's just that the mountains and forests around Guangnan are dense, and the remnants of the rebel army have scattered and fled, making it quite difficult to wipe them out, which is why it has been delayed until now."

"If my prediction is correct, I should be able to return to the capital before the end of the year."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Changbai finally felt relieved after being anxious for many days.

He shook his head and said, "Although I have not known Zhonghuai for long, we get along very well."

"The day before he set off with the army, he specifically told me that in the future, one of us would be a civil official and the other a military officer, and we would serve Your Highness together."

"He may seem carefree, but he's actually more insightful than anyone else."

Zhao Han raised her hand and patted his shoulder, "Don't worry."

"The fact that His Majesty allowed Zhonghuai to accompany the army shows that he has long since calmed down. Upon his return to the capital, he will receive all the rewards he is entitled to."

"Your Highness, I thank you!" Sheng Changbai bowed deeply with particular solemnity.

Even setting aside their personal relationship, he still felt that Gu Tingye was a rare talent.

After Hai Chaoyun and Hua Lan finished speaking, Sheng Changbai took her away from the palace.

The three girls were temporarily housed in a side hall of Ciqing Hall.

The following day, after Hua Lan led the three young ladies to pay their respects to Empress Cao, they went together to the Imperial Garden.

The dazzling array of flowers and plants, along with the uniquely shaped artificial rocks, was a feast for the eyes.

Minglan was preoccupied with other things and had no interest in these matters, so she simply followed behind Rulan.

Mo Lan maintained a composed demeanor, occasionally raising her hand to smooth the stray hairs on her forehead.

She could tell that Madam Wu had designs on Minglan; nine times out of ten, the invitations sent by the Liang family specifically mentioned that the Sixth Miss was to attend.

She couldn't understand what Minglan had to offer besides her excellent polo skills.
Is it based on looks? But I'm not bad myself!

Mo Lan grew increasingly angry and couldn't help but glare at Ming Lan with resentment.

"Ru'er, has Mother ever made things difficult for Hai Shi?" Hua Lan asked softly, knowing her mother's temperament all too well.

Unable to place concubines in Changbai's household, he had to establish his authority in other ways.

Rulan stared at the goldfish in the pond, looking nonchalant. "Big sister, don't worry about that."

"My mother's little bit of prestige is nothing compared to my second sister-in-law. Even my grandmother keeps praising my second sister-in-law."

“I think the key to our house will be in her hands soon.”

Hua Lan looked at her with some skepticism, but in private, she still preferred her younger sisters to call her "big sister."

-

Meanwhile, after the news of the deaths of Nong and his son was read aloud in the Chuigong Hall, the officials were astonished.

It wasn't because of the speed of the suppression of the rebellion, but because no one expected that Gu Tingye would be able to make the greatest contribution!
Especially Gu Yankai, whose face, which was originally slightly tired and pale, was now beaming with joy.

My second son has made something of himself. When he goes to the afterlife, he will have some face to meet the Bai family and the old master of the Bai family.

Lord Jia of the Duke of Lingguo's mansion could not hold back any longer. He gripped his official tablet tightly, stepped forward, and asked, "Your Majesty, is this report of victory true?"

As soon as he said it, he realized it was inappropriate and added, "I am not questioning the military report, it's just that Gu Tingye..."

Zhao Han glanced at Zhao Zhen and said solemnly, "The victory report not only bears the personal seal of the pacification envoy, but also the personal endorsement of the military supervisor. It is absolutely true."

"Lord Jia, do not make unfounded speculations about Gu Tingye's military achievements because of past grievances."

Upon hearing this, Lord Jia immediately deflated and could only bow and stammer, "I misspoke; I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Zhao Zhen was not angry; he simply smiled and looked at the group of ministers.

The court gained another capable and skilled general, and what's even better is that he's on good terms with the crown prince. It's truly a stroke of luck for the Great Zhou Dynasty.

After Gu Yankai returned from court, news of Gu Tingye's military achievements quickly spread throughout the mansion.

After personally removing his court robes, Madam Qin smiled and said, "I knew Erlang was a promising young man. He is of the Gu family bloodline, how could he be an ordinary person?"

"When he comes back, we must give him a proper welcome-back party."

Gu Yankai's gaze darkened slightly.

He learned from Zhang Fu that when Zhao Han recommended Gu Tingye at the Wenhua Hall, he mentioned the Gu family both openly and subtly.

Upon careful reflection over the past few days, I've vaguely sensed that something is amiss.

Is Erlang really just inherently unruly?

"Let's see if he wants to come back or not. There's no need to worry about this brat," Gu Yankai waved his hand, pretending not to care.

Madam Qin continued to patiently comfort him, but secretly decided that it was time to have the Bai family send Zhu Manniang over.

Ever since Bai Dalang died, the hatred that the second and third branches of the Bai family harbored for Gu Tingye was no less than hers.

In a relatively quiet courtyard on the east side of the Marquis's residence, filled with the aroma of medicinal herbs.

"Cough cough cough—" Gu Tingyu sat up from the soft couch and gritted his teeth, saying, "I knew Erlang wouldn't be defeated so easily, but I didn't expect it to happen so quickly."

"My lord, after he returns, what if..." Madam Shao's face was full of worry.

She came from a humble background; her father was just a minor official.

If Gu Tingyu hadn't been frail and sickly since childhood, and if no girl of equal social standing was willing to marry him, this marriage wouldn't have been her turn.

Since entering the household, Madam Shao has taken meticulous care of Gu Tingyu, and over time, Gu Tingyu has also come to value her highly.

Over the years, they have only had one daughter, Xianjie.

Initially, Mrs. Shao was determined to have another son so that he could inherit the title in the future, but unfortunately she was unable to conceive for seven or eight years.

To this day, Gu Tingyu no longer has the strength to even have sex, so he has no choice but to give up on the matter.

“Our Lady Qin won’t sit idly by; she’s even more afraid of Erlang gaining power than we are.”

As soon as Gu Tingyu finished speaking, he was hit with another violent cough.

Madam Shao gently patted his back and sighed, "If my husband's health weren't so weak, this Marquis's mansion wouldn't be in such a state of infighting."

"Don't worry, the sordid affairs of the Marquis's mansion have nothing to do with you. No matter what happens in the future, I will find a way out for you and Xian'er."

Gu Tingyu smiled helplessly and gripped Shao's hand tightly.

(End of this chapter)