nucmednet Chapter 450 How did I anger His Majesty?
Chapter 450 How did I anger His Majesty?
Gui Shan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed sarcastically, without saying anything more.
For three days in a row, she stayed in the courtyard without going out. Occasionally, she would send someone to the second room to inquire about the progress of packing.
The Gui family estate is quite large, with several courtyards. Now, apart from the eldest son's family, everyone else is going back to their hometown. The houses, shops, estates, and so on will all be exchanged. What can be sold will be sold, and what can be taken will be taken.
Everything must be neatly arranged.
Except for the eldest son, who was doing nothing, everyone else was busy.
Madam Gui came several times, but her mother turned her away each time, saying that the young lady was unwell.
On the fourth day, Gui Shan finally prepared to go out.
Madam Gui chased after her early in the morning: "Shanshan, are you going to the palace? Don't you look a bit too thin? I have a ruby headdress, why don't you..."
Gui Shan said, "Mother, there's no need to trouble yourself. I'm not going to the palace today; I plan to go to the estate instead."
Lady Gui was anxious: "How can that be? Why can't we go to the estate anytime? Going to see the Emperor is the most important thing."
Gui Shan looked at her without saying a word.
Madam Gui blushed unconsciously and softened her voice, saying, "Shanshan, what I mean is that the Emperor has pardoned our family, but you haven't yet gone to the palace to express your gratitude."
Just as things were at a stalemate, someone came from outside to deliver a message, saying that a palace eunuch had come to invite Miss Gui to the palace.
Lady Gui was overjoyed and readily agreed, saying she would come right away. She then urged Gui Shan to get ready, saying, "You silly child, you still have to wait for the Emperor to send someone to invite you. You should have already submitted your petition and entered the palace to express your gratitude."
Gui Shan did not redo her makeup, saying she was afraid the Emperor would get impatient, and followed the eunuch into the palace.
Upon arriving at the palace, it was still the Imperial Garden, but everything had changed.
Gui Shan thought that before entering the Eastern Palace, the Emperor was not yet the Empress, so she invited them to the palace to keep her company. There was her, Du Shangge, and Hu Manman.
Du Shangge later became a female official. Hu Manman was already dead, and she…
"Shanshan."
Gui Shan turned around and saw the empress in front of her dressed in imperial robes, her face heavily made up. She was no longer the beautiful young girl who was once so pure and unforgettable.
She knelt down and bowed, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
The younger sister accepted the greeting and asked her to rise and sit down. After dismissing the others, she smiled and said, "I have been busy since I ascended the throne. I have been thinking of summoning you to the palace, but I have not had the time. I wonder how you are doing now?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am doing well."
The younger sister sized her up, then smiled and asked, "What are your plans for the future? Do you need my help?"
Gui Shan hesitated for a moment before saying, "This humble woman wishes to ask for Your Majesty's grace."
"You said."
Gui Shan rose and knelt down, saying, "This humble woman wishes to become a female official in the Dali Temple, but my status is awkward. If I go there on my own, I fear it will arouse people's jealousy. Therefore, I have no choice but to ask Your Majesty for help."
After all, she was once the Crown Princess. Xiao Jingxu was deposed, but she was unharmed. The best thing she should do is to disappear from the world and never mention this past again.
In the past, she might have considered leaving, but when she saw the three Si sisters, each more capable than the last, she realized that women could also achieve great things.
She refused to accept this; she wanted to fight alongside them.
The younger sister stood up and personally helped Gui Shan up, smiling as she said, "I'll grant it. I'll talk to Prince Ning later and have you assigned to the Dali Temple. But even though you're close to me, you'll have to start from scratch."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your kindness."
The younger sister asked with some doubt, "But I thought you would ask for official positions for your father and brothers."
Gui Shan replied, "The Gui Shan of the past might have been able to, but I am no longer the Gui Shan of the past."
The younger sister laughed: "We are not the same people we used to be."
Gui Shan then briefly recounted the events at home, explaining, "Your Majesty, my father and brothers are muddle-headed. I am worried that they might do something detrimental to Your Majesty in the future. I privately think that it would be better if Your Majesty sent them back."
The younger sister stared at Gui Shan for a long time before saying, "You are really smart, you are prepared for danger even in times of peace, that's good."
When Gui Shan came out of the palace, she was in a rather disheveled state. Her younger sister sent someone to deliver an imperial decree, saying that the Gui family had committed a breach of morality and were not allowed to stay in the capital.
The other branches of the Gui family were alright, but the eldest branch was terrified, especially Madam Gui, who grabbed Gui Shan's clothes and questioned her about what she had done and how she had offended His Majesty.
Uncle Gui Er angrily retorted, "Sister-in-law, have you had enough? You forced her into the palace to seek favors in return. When you forced her, you should have thought that His Majesty can speak of marital affection, but Shanshan cannot. Thunder and rain are both forms of imperial favor. If you feel this is inappropriate, then go to Qinghua Gate and beat the drum to appeal for justice!"
Master Gui was a timid man after all, how could he dare to do such a thing? He immediately stopped Madam Gui and told her to quickly pack her things and go back to her hometown with her second brother and the others.
As for Gui Shan, they couldn't even be bothered to give her a second glance.
I originally thought I would be able to bring Gui Shan along, but to my surprise, His Majesty issued another decree the next day.
It is said that Gui Shan's insatiable greed angered His Majesty, who originally intended to demote her to slavery. However, after His Highness Prince Ning pleaded with Princess Xintong, she was allowed to go to the Dali Temple to serve as a female official under Princess Xintong.
Gui Shan breathed a sigh of relief, and the Gui family, fearing the Emperor's further anger, dared not cause any further trouble.
However, when Master Gui left, he sold off all of the Gui family's properties and took them with him, leaving nothing for his daughter who was still in Kyoto.
It was Uncle Gui who found Gui Shan and handed her a land deed.
“It’s your second aunt’s family’s private property, not from the Gui family’s public funds, so you don’t need to worry.”
That was part of my second aunt's dowry.
Gui Shan blushed slightly: "Second Uncle, Shan Shan thanks you and Second Aunt for your great kindness."
“We’re family, no need to be so formal. I watched you grow up, you’re not much different from my own daughter. It’s just… I can’t give you anything more, you have to walk your own path from now on.”
Gui Shan nodded.
Uncle Gui said again, "I was thinking of letting you go back if I could find an opportunity. But looking at your parents like this, it might not be better if you go back... You should stay in Kyoto. If anything happens, write home. After all, that's your home."
Before leaving the Gui family, Gui Shan gave two letters to Gui Ershu, asking him not to tell her father. She had obtained these from Si Muyan.
Both letters were introductions from well-known businessmen in their hometown.
"This is a letter from the eldest daughter of the Si family. But please remember, Second Uncle, if you can't establish yourself, even having such connections will be useless. So please think it over carefully before you go."
The Katsura family's convoy departed Kyoto in a grand procession.
When Gui Shan went to see her off, Madam Gui was genuinely moved. She held Gui Shan's hand, her eyes brimming with tears of reluctance, and gave Gui Shan a lot of money and jewelry from her dowry chest.
When things are peaceful, there is still a deep bond between mother and daughter.