Xianzong’s gaze on Gu Xinglang shifted. Suddenly, he desperately wished this son-in-law could go die. Gu Xinglang was startled once again and asked Yu Xiaoxiao, “This–what’s going on?” A sovereign of a nation, apologizing to him? Has His Majesty really lost his wits?
Xianzong hesitated. Although he had the courage to admit his wrongs, this was his son-in-law. Could a father-in-law really apologize to his son-in-law? After all that effort to raise his daughter, this guy was getting it easy. Even if he decided to hit him instead, what of it?
Yu Xiaoxiao saw Xianzong staring at Gu Xinglang and asked, “What are you waiting for?”
Gu Xinglang realized that father and daughter were serious about the apology business and quickly waved his hand at Xianzong. “Your Majesty, this subject doesn’t dare accept.”
Xianzong grew disdainful. “Even Zhen doesn’t shy from it, so what’s there for you to fear?”
Yu Xiaoxiao patted Gu Xinglang on the shoulders. “That’s right. Sit there and don’t move.”
Jing Mo, Zuo You, and the room full of retainers were all watching the show closely. This was probably the only time in their lives they’d get to see an emperor apologizing to his subject.
Xianzong cleared his throat.
Yu Xiaoxiao grew impatient. “Is it that hard to just say ‘I’m sorry?’”
Xianzong was serious and solemn as he faced Gu Xinglang. “Zhen knows that I’ve wronged you this time. How’s this? Your entire Gu Clan can be restored to their posts. As for that Zhao Beicheng, Zhen will punish him severely.”
“Tch,” Yu Xiaoxiao tsk’ed. Is that an apology? Looks like this fatuous ruler’s good at nothing except sleeping with women.
Gu Xinglang was thoroughly floored. “Your Majesty means to say?”
“Gu Chen will still be the Defender General in the future. Guo Xingnuo and Gu Xingyan will both–” Xianzong paused when he realized he’d forgotten the two brothers’ original posts. In the end he simply said, “Both of them will rise one rank, while the Gu Clan women will recover their imperial mandate as titled ladies. Urk, are you satisfied if Zhen does this?”
How could Gu Xinglang be dissatisfied?
Hearing Xianzong’s words, Yu Xiaoxiao felt that to rise a rank was a pretty good repayment. She asked Gu Xinglang, “What kind of officials were our big brother and second brother?”
Xianzong wanted to know too.
Gu Xinglang said, “My eldest brother and second brother were both First Rank Generals. If they rise another rank, they’ll have noble titles.” So speaking, Gu Xinglang looked at Xianzong. Was his father-in-law really going to confer titles on his siblings?
Xianzong gave a start. As an emperor, one of his greatest fears was high-ranking military men, because this gave them the power to run rampant. As a family of four generals, the Gu Clan only had Gu Chen as a member of nobility in the past.
Yu Xiaoxiao saw that her father had fallen silent after Gu Xinglang’s words. She asked, “You won’t go back on your words, right?”
Xianzong wanted to go home. Every time he met his daughter, he always felt distressed.
Yu Xiaoxiao said, “You’re really going back on them? Aren’t the emperor’s words ‘pearls from a golden mouth?’”1 If even emperor’s words could be treated as farts, then who was she supposed to believe in this world?
Xianzong said, “Are you asking for official positions for the Gu Clan?”
Yu Xiaoxiao pointed at Gu Xinglang’s legs so her father could see. Xianzong saw at once that Gu Xinglang still couldn’t move his feet.
Yu Xiaoxiao said, “How do you think you should repay him for his physical trauma? You smeared Little Gu’s innocence with a single word, so shouldn’t you restore his reputation? Little Gu wasn’t just hurt physically, but psychologically too!” Yu Xiaoxiao used her limited knowledge of history to reason with Xianzong. “Are you planning to forget everything after raising some memorial archway2 or something?”
Everyone in the room felt that there was something off with her phrasing. Xianzong only felt a headache coming on.
Gu Xinglang wasn’t faring much better and asked, “Your Majesty, how did you know it was Zhao Beicheng who made false charges against this subject?”
This son-in-law isn’t likable at all! Xianzong still wanted to go home. Will this Gu fellow only be happy after he forces me to retell how I was tricked by my subjects one more time?
Yu Xiaoxiao began, “Zhao Beicheng himself said–”
“Confer the titles,” Xianzong said promptly. No matter how shameless he was, he couldn’t allow his daughter to reveal his black history in front of Jing Mo and Zuo You. “Zhen will issue the decree tomorrow. In a few days, Gu Chen will go to Wangxiang Pass and resume his post as Commander in Chief there.”
Gu Xinglang knew the matter was cinched as soon as Xianzong mentioned an imperial decree. “This subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace,” he said and prepared to kneel.
Once again, Xianzong stopped him. “Forget it, no need to pay respects. In the future, just take good care of Linglong.”
Yu Xiaoxiao pressed her hand on Xianzong’s shoulder before setting him in a chair next to Gu Xinglang. “Alright, that’s all set then. Let’s eat.”
Xianzong looked at the plates on the table and said, “They’ve already touched these. You want Zhen to eat these dishes?”
Yu Xiaoxiao cut straight to the chase as she picked up a fat meatball with her chopsticks and stuffed it into Xianzong’s mouth. “It’s already good enough that there’s food to eat. People should count their blessings.”
The head commander of the shadow guards wanted to test for poison, but swallowed his words at the sight of Xianzong nearly choking on his meatball. Even if it was poisoned, the thing was already in the emperor’s mouth by now.
Yu Xiaoxiao told Xiao Zhuang, Xiao Wei, and the four royal shadow guards, “You guys should sit down and eat too.”
Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei settled down at a table nearby before picking up their chopsticks and digging in. The other four shadow guards didn’t dare to move. How could they sit down and eat when Xianzong was seated too? They should at least maintain some degree of respect towards the emperor, right?
Gu Xinglang carefully verified with Xianzong, “Your Majesty, this subject’s grandfather and brothers can really resume their posts at Wangxiang Pass?”
Xianzong had finally managed to swallow the meatball in his mouth with difficulty. He gave Gu Xinglang a loathing look before replying, “Is there anything you doubt about Zhen’s words?”
Yu Xiaoxiao told Gu Xinglang, “That’s good, then. Both grandpa and our big brothers are alright. Let’s start eating since we don’t have to pay anyways.”
Jing Mo almost dropped his wine cup. The bill isn’t even the main issue here!
Gu Xinglang looked at his wife. Ever since marrying Yu Xiaoxiao, every day had felt like a dream. Meanwhile, Zuo You knitted his brows and asked Yu Xiaoxiao, “Didn’t you go out to buy roasted chestnuts? Why did His Majesty come? Why was the verdict reversed against the Gu Clan? What did you do?”
Everyone wanted to know the answers to these questions.
Yu Xiaoxiao spoke around a mouthful of food. “Xiao Zhuang, Xiao Wei and I went to the prisons. Then I brought my imperial father there while Zhao Beicheng himself admitted to the deeds.”
“Why would Zhao Beicheng admit his crimes?” Jing Mo asked.
“Princess, what did you do to Zhao Beicheng?” Zuo You added.
Is that wretch Zhao Beicheng still alive? Everyone was wondering.
Yu Xiaoxiao wanted to say that Zhao Beicheng’s father was going to kill him, but suddenly remembered her agreement with the man and changed her words. “He felt like he’d wronged my family’s Little Gu, so he decided to admit his guilt.”
Everyone wanted to ask the princess whether she thought they were all idiots. Even three-year-olds wouldn’t buy that excuse, alright?!
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