Chapter 689: Qinglian's Obedience

Princess Fuqing's meaning could not be clearer; she had probably already had him in her heart, only not knowing when he had settled deep within.

Consort Rou was utterly stunned; her daughter was the most opinionated, and she had not the slightest idea when she and Prime Minister Gu had become of one mind.

A sudden, overwhelming sense of helplessness washed over her; she felt that she was truly an incompetent mother.

Perhaps she had never truly understood her own daughter.

Gu Jiu Ling now found it hard to say anything; on one side was her own younger brother, on the other the woman she valued more. They seemed a good match, yet something felt off.

"Please, Empress, grant your approval!" Gu Kang bowed heavily before Gu Jiu Ling, a red imprint forming on his forehead, his desire to marry being unusually intense.

Gu Jiu Ling stared steadily at Gu Kang, wondering if the fellow had recently sensed something.

Xiao Yin did not fully trust Gu Kang; moreover, Gu Kang was indeed a difficult person to deal with.

Xiao Yin had already reformed the central bureaucracy, splitting the Prime Minister's authority in two and establishing Left and Right Vice-Prime Ministers to assist Xiao Yin in governing the state.

At this moment Gu Kang suddenly proposed resigning; could it be a retreat to advance?

Even so, this marriage matter could probably not be blocked.

Gu Jiu Ling steadied herself, seeing the slightly hopeful expression on Fuqing's face, and had to compromise.

"Since that is so, today is a good day; then I shall grant you both a marriage!"

Princess Fuqing's body trembled slightly, so excited she didn't know what to say, and hurriedly bowed low to thank.

Gu Kang, however, kept his usual complexion and slowly bowed, saying, "I thank the Empress for her approval."

Gu Jiu Ling rose slowly, helped Princess Fuqing to her feet, and then gestured to Gu Kang.

Gu Kang stood beside Princess Fuqing; her cheeks were flushed a vivid red, and being next to the object of her secret love made her heart race so fast.

Gu Jiu Ling seized Gu Kang's wrist and placed Princess Fuqing's hand onto Gu Kang's distinctly jointed palm.

Princess Fuqing's ears felt as if they would bleed, as she carefully rested on the hand she had coveted for so long.

Gu Kang's hand had clear knuckles and a large palm; her hand rested in his palm, the icy feel making her heart tremble slightly; she lowered her head and dared not speak.

Gu Jiu Ling stared hard at Gu Kang's eyes: "Marriage is no child's play; if one day you wrong Princess Fuqing, don't say I'm your sister—I will be the first to destroy you!"

Gu Kang's stern face briefly showed a hint of an unusual expression, but it flashed away and returned to its usual calm.

He tightly grasped Fuqing's hand and said, "I will treat her well; elder sister, rest assured."

Gu Kang turned and walked to Consort Rou, then fell to his knees with a thud.

Consort Rou was greatly frightened, quickly stood and repeatedly stepped back.

"Mother Consort, please accept my bow,"

Gu Kang bowed his head to Consort Rou; the address in his mouth had already changed, and Consort Rou turned even paler with fear.

"Lord Gu, it cannot be done, it cannot be done."

Gu Jiu Ling sneered inwardly; she had just agreed to grant the marriage for the two of them.

The official marriage decree had not yet been issued, and this youngster had already changed his address.

"Mother-in-law? Ha! The term is indeed affectionate, but looking left and right I still can't discern Gu Kang's intentions or faults."

Gu Jiu Ling had to say, "Since that is so, I will grant you both a marriage. This matter still needs to be discussed with the Emperor; I shall return now."

Gu Jiu Ling had not expected to encounter such a matter when she came to the princess's residence today; having said everything she needed, she rode a phoenix carriage with her attendants back to the palace city.

Gu Jiu Ling had just entered Fengyi Hall when she hadn't even sat down, Xiao Yin hurriedly walked in.

Gu Jiu Ling quickly went to greet him; just as she was about to bow, Xiao Yin grabbed her arm.

When only he and his wife were present, Xiao Yin would not allow his beloved woman to kneel before him repeatedly; it was too intimate.

Gu Jiu Ling led Xiao Yin to the low table beside the bed; the palace maids placed seasonal fresh fruit on it, and Gu Jiu Ling personally brewed tea and presented it before Xiao Yin.

"Your Majesty, I have today visited Princess Fuqing's residence,"

Gu Jiu Ling said slowly.

Xiao Yin had spent the past few days dueling wits and bravery with those old fellows; it was truly a headache.

Now he finally found time to come to Fengyi Hall to relax, but Gu Jiu Ling had also just returned from outside, likely having something to tell him.

He set down the tea cup, looked at Gu Jiu Ling: "What happened? If you cannot handle it, I will deal with him."

Gu Jiu Ling laughed, "Now who dares to bully me? With the Emperor present, I can stride across all of Southern Qi. This is not about me; it's about Princess Fuqing's matter."

Gu Jiu Ling calmly explained the Li family's despicable conduct; Xiao Yin's brows furrowed sharply, "What a Li Zhao, daring to offend me?"

"I haven't even written the marriage decree, yet why is he crying outside Sima Gate?"

"What a misfortune; does my royal princess not match a petty Mingjing Section scholar? What a joke?"

"Hehe, it's not that I think I can pass the imperial exams to become an official; I want to see if she has the ability, Zhao Defu!"

When Uncle Zhao heard Xiao Yin call him, he hurried in, knelt before Xiao Yin, and said, "Your servant is here!"

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows, thought for a moment, then said slowly, "Send my orders: you go personally to the Li family and tell them that since their son believes himself exceptionally talented and bound to become the top scholar, I will grant him a favor."

"Li family's son Li Zhao, by imperial decree to take the exams; if he does not become the top scholar, he shall never hold office."

As soon as Xiao Yin finished speaking, Gu Jiu Ling, seated nearby, was momentarily stunned, then thought to herself that Xiao Yin was formidable.

An imperial decree to sit for the exams means that Li Zhao, besides repeatedly taking the exams, cannot even hold a minor capital office.

Even leaving the capital to serve elsewhere has become a luxury.

According to Xiao Yin's intention, the only way for you to become an official in this life is to top the exams.

One year failing, two years failing; if one never passes in a lifetime, he will forever be a pitiable worm without any title, forever wandering the exam path.

Even though Li Zhao had taken the exams for many years, passed the Jinshi level, ranking among the top sixty, and could serve as an official elsewhere, now this path has been completely cut off by Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin guessed that Li Zhao truly lacked real talent, and would spend his whole life wandering the road.

Xiao Yin smiled, "Princess Fuqing chose him because she holds him in esteem."

"The Empress, to preserve the Li family's face, sent someone to the Li household to negotiate. Now you cause me so many chaotic troubles; if I don't give him a taste, does he truly think the world belongs to the Li family?"

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but raise her hand and give Xiao Yin a thumbs‑up, "Your Majesty truly is a ruthless person."

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