0p0 Chapter 157: Su Mansion Proposes Marriage
Chapter 157: Su Mansion Proposes Marriage
Gu Zhiyi walked in front of the guards guarding the palace gate, and everyone else subconsciously moved away.
When the guards saw her, respectful smiles instantly appeared on their faces and they bowed their heads in greeting.
"Your Majesty the Queen Mother, you are here. Please wait a moment, I will inform you right away." One of the guards said respectfully.
Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, her eyes swept across the crowd, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her lips. Seeing her so calm, the people behind her couldn't help but be more in awe of her.
After a while, the guard came back and made a gesture of invitation: "Madam, you can go in."
Gu Zhiyi walked slowly into the palace, and saw the magnificent palace with towering walls, which looked solemn and mysterious. As soon as she entered the palace, she saw Luluo hurriedly coming over.
"Madam, you are finally here. The emperor is in the inner palace." Luoluo said in a low voice.
Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, nodded to Luoluo, and then walked straight towards the inner palace.
Walking into the inner palace, I saw the Queen Mother sitting in the first seat, with the Queen and the Crown Prince on either side. Gu Zhiyi bowed slightly and saluted to everyone: "Your Highness Gu Zhiyi greets the Queen Mother, the Queen, and the Crown Prince."
The queen smiled slightly and said, "Sister Gu, there is no need to be polite. Please take a seat."
Gu Zhiyi thanked the Queen and sat down beside her. As soon as she sat down, the Queen Mother spoke.
"Zhi Yi, do you know why I summoned you to the palace today?" asked the Queen Mother.
Gu Zhiyi smiled softly and said, "I guess it's because of the Crown Prince's marriage."
The Queen Mother's eyes flashed with approval, and she nodded and said, "Yes, that's right. Your Highness the Crown Prince is already 20 years old, and it's time for him to start a family and build a career. The Emperor discussed with me and wanted to select a beautiful woman with both talent and beauty for Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The Queen interrupted, "Zhiyi, do you know who the Emperor has in mind?"
Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "I guess it should be the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Su Ruomei."
The Queen and the Queen Mother smiled at each other, and the Queen said, "Zhiyi is indeed smart. Yes, it is Su Ruomei. Her family has a good relationship with our Ningguo Mansion. Ruomei has been smart and clever since she was young, and she is both talented and beautiful. She is indeed a good daughter-in-law."
The Queen Mother asked, "Zhiyi, what do you think?"
Gu Zhiyi smiled softly and said, "I think Su Ruomei is indeed a good daughter-in-law. However, whether His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is willing or not is up to His Royal Highness to make the decision himself."
Upon hearing this, the prince smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, mother, I am willing."
The Queen and the Queen Mother both smiled with satisfaction. The Queen said, "In that case, I'll have to trouble Zhiyi to go to the Su Mansion to propose marriage."
Gu Zhiyi stood up and said with a smile, "I obey your order."
Seeing Gu Zhiyi respond so calmly, everyone present was even more in awe of her. But Gu Zhiyi secretly sighed in her heart: This palace is indeed a place of trouble. Although she has stayed out of it, she still can't avoid being involved.
The marriage proposal was naturally smooth sailing. Gu Zhiyi brought the prince's betrothal gifts and went to the Su Mansion in person. Seeing that she came in person, everyone in the Su Mansion did not dare to neglect her and gave her a warm reception.
Su Ruomei's father, the Prime Minister, personally welcomed Gu Zhiyi. Gu Zhiyi presented the prince's gift and said, "Prime Minister, this is the prince's gift, please accept it."
The Prime Minister took the gift and said with a smile, "I am honored that the wife of Duke Ningguo has come here in person. I will naturally agree to this marriage."
Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, Prime Minister. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will definitely treat Su Ruomei well."
The Prime Minister laughed and said, "Don't worry, Madam Gu. Su Ruomei has been loved by me since she was young. She has a gentle personality and will definitely get along well with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Gu Zhiyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, this marriage was finally settled.
After returning to the palace, Gu Zhiyi rested in a side hall and was then led to the queen's bedroom. She saw the queen sitting on a phoenix chair with a peaceful look, while the queen mother sat beside her with a smile on her face.
Gu Zhiyi bowed and told the two of them everything about going to the Su Mansion to propose marriage on behalf of the prince.
Upon hearing this, the Queen gently put down the teacup in her hand, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she regained her composure: "Zhiyi, why are you doing this? The prince is young, and we should be the ones to arrange his marriage. Why do you have to do it yourself?"
Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and replied, "Empress, Zhiyi's move is firstly for the welfare of the Crown Prince, and secondly to find a helper for herself. Su Ruomei from the Su Mansion is both talented and beautiful. If she can become the Crown Princess, she will definitely be able to assist the Crown Prince and govern the Western Wei."
The Queen Mother nodded and said with a smile, "Zhiyi, you are really smart and thoughtful. Since you have proposed marriage for the prince, I will trouble you. However, we still need to be cautious about this matter. After all, the Su family has a prominent status, and we must not be careless."
The queen nodded in agreement and asked, "What is the reaction of the Su family?"
Gu Zhiyi said: "Everyone in the Su family was overjoyed, and Su Ruomei was so excited that she cried. Madam Su said that if she could become the Crown Princess, she would be willing to do her best to assist the Crown Prince."
The queen smiled and said, "That's great. Zhiyi, you've worked hard this time, I will definitely reward you handsomely."
The Queen Mother said, "Yes, Zhiyi, you have made great contributions this time. I have a treasure that I want to give to you as a reward."
Gu Zhiyi hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager, how dare Zhiyi covet treasures? As long as I can assist the Crown Prince and train a wise monarch for the country, Zhiyi will be satisfied."
The Queen Mother smiled and patted Gu Zhiyi's hand: "Zhiyi, you are a smart person, I will certainly not let you work in vain. You must accept this treasure."
Seeing this, the Queen also said, "Zhiyi, you must not refuse the Queen Mother's reward. This treasure will definitely be helpful to you in the future."
Gu Zhiyi could not refuse any more, so she had to thank the Queen Mother and the Empress. The three of them chatted for a while before Gu Zhiyi said goodbye and left.
After returning to her residence, Gu Zhiyi took out the treasure given by the Queen Mother, which turned out to be a jade pendant passed down from the state. She knew the value of this jade pendant and was grateful.
……
The next day, Gu Zhiyi entered the palace again to discuss the prince's wedding arrangements with the queen and the queen mother.
The three were discussing in full swing when suddenly, a palace maid ran in hurriedly with a letter in her hand.
The queen took the letter, opened it, and her face suddenly changed. She handed the letter to Gu Zhiyi and said, "Zhiyi, take a look at what this is?"
Gu Zhiyi took the letter and saw that it said: "Long live the emperor. Su is risking his life to report that the Su family has recently discovered a major conspiracy that may endanger our country. I am willing to give away all my property and only ask for the emperor's protection."
Gu Zhiyi was shocked. This letter was of great importance. She hurriedly said, "Empress, this is of great importance. We must report it to the Emperor immediately."
The Queen nodded and immediately summoned the Emperor. Not long after, the Emperor arrived and the Queen handed the letter to him. After reading the letter, the Emperor's face turned pale and he immediately ordered: "Pass the order down and conduct a thorough investigation of the Su Mansion to thoroughly investigate this conspiracy."