Chapter 1089: I Do Not Know

"Tang Ji, do you know how difficult it is for a woman to survive in this chaotic world?"

Tang Ji lowered her head slightly, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes, "I am naturally aware. Ever since my father passed away, I have been like duckweed, without support, drifting from place to place."

Gu Yi sighed softly, his tone filled with concern, "You were originally a person of the imperial family, yet due to the turmoil of the times, you have fallen to this state. But you must believe that fate will always have a turning point."

Tang Ji looked up, her eyes filled with a trace of doubt, "A turning point? What does the Prime Minister mean?"

Gu Yi smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a sense of depth and confidence, "The turning point is that you have met me. From now on, you are no longer that helpless orphan girl, but the woman of Gu Yi. I will give you a stable life, a harbor that can shelter you from the wind and rain."

Hearing this, Tang Ji's cheeks flushed, and complex emotions surged in her heart. She had once been an Empress; although it was only a marriage in name, she was someone who had seen the world. However, the Gu Yi before her made her feel an unprecedented sense of security.

"But... I was once the wife of the deposed Emperor. Will this identity bring trouble to the Prime Minister?" Tang Ji asked hesitantly.

Gu Yi laughed heartily, his wave of the hand displaying great boldness, "Trouble? In this chaotic world, what does Gu Yi have to fear from trouble? Furthermore, you and the deposed Emperor never had a real marriage; why must you be constrained by that empty name? I want you as a person, not your past."

Listening to Gu Yi's words, a warm current gradually surged in Tang Ji's heart. She knew that she had finally found a shoulder she could rely on.

"Prime Minister, I... am willing to follow you, whether in life or death, and will never betray you." Tang Ji's voice, though soft, was filled with firmness.

Gu Yi nodded with satisfaction and reached out to hold Tang Ji's hand, "Good. From now on, you are my woman. I will give you a brand-new beginning, a future that belongs to us."

The two looked at each other and smiled, as if at this moment, all suffering had become a thing of the past.

At the same time, in another tent, Zhuge Jin was conversing with a newly acquainted colleague.

"Brother Ziyu, it is truly gratifying that you have gained the favor of the Prime Minister this time!" a scholar congratulated him with a bow.

Zhuge Jin smiled modestly, "You flatter me, you flatter me. It is truly the fortune of my family; I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

The scholar shook his head, "Brother Ziyu, why be so humble? The Prime Minister has a discerning eye; to be valued by him, you must have extraordinary qualities."

Hearing this, Zhuge Jin pondered secretly. He knew well that although he had some talent, it was not easy to be mentioned in the same breath as the many strategists under Gu Yi. Behind this, he feared it was more due to the silk bag left by his younger brother, Zhuge Liang.

"By the way, Brother Ziyu, have you heard about the woman brought by Wang Lang?" the scholar suddenly changed the subject and asked.

Zhuge Jin was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, "I have just arrived and am not aware of this."

The scholar smiled mysteriously, "That woman is the Empress of the deposed Emperor Liu Bian, named Tang Ji. Wang Lang presented her to the Prime Minister, and his intention is self-evident. However, looking at the Prime Minister's attitude, he seems quite taken with that Tang Ji."

Hearing this, Zhuge Jin's heart stirred slightly. Although he did not care about the matter of the deposed Empress, since it involved Gu Yi, he had to pay a little more attention.

"Oh? What is special about that Tang Ji?" Zhuge Jin asked, feigning curiosity.

The scholar lowered his voice, "It is said that Tang Ji is beautiful and has an outstanding temperament. More importantly, she was once a person of the imperial family, and her status is noble. The Prime Minister taking her as a concubine is undoubtedly a manifestation of his power."

Zhuge Jin nodded, but pondered secretly. This Gu Yi was ambitious and had brilliant methods. Taking Tang Ji as a concubine was probably not as simple as just manifesting power. There must be deeper considerations involved.

However, these were not things he could pry into. His current task was to gain a firm foothold under Gu Yi as soon as possible and seek more benefits for his family.

Night fell, and Gu Yi's tent was brightly lit. Tang Ji sat quietly to the side, grinding ink for Gu Yi. Her movements were gentle and skillful, as if she were performing a sacred ritual.

Gu Yi was focused on the documents before him, sometimes frowning, sometimes raising the corners of his mouth. He knew that in this chaotic world, every step needed to be taken with caution. And he was stepping, step by step, toward that supreme position.

"Tang Ji, do you know why I want to keep you by my side?" Gu Yi suddenly put down his pen and turned to look at Tang Ji.

Tang Ji was slightly stunned, then shook her head, "I do not know. I ask the Prime Minister to clarify."

Gu Yi smiled, his eyes revealing a sense of depth, "Although you are a deposed Empress, you have the blood of the imperial family flowing in your veins. In this chaotic world, the blood of the imperial family is a kind of power. And I need this power to consolidate my position."

Hearing this, Tang Ji's heart trembled slightly. She had never thought that her identity would become a tool for Gu Yi to consolidate his position. However, when she saw Gu Yi's firm gaze, she knew that she could no longer escape this fate.

"Prime Minister, rest assured, I will definitely do my best to help you achieve your hegemony." Tang Ji's voice, though soft, was filled with determination.

Gu Yi nodded with satisfaction and reached out to stroke Tang Ji's cheek, "Good. With these words from you, I am at ease. Remember, no matter what the future holds, you are my most important woman."

Tang Ji looked at Gu Yi's affectionate gaze, and a sense of inexplicable emotion surged in her heart. She knew that she had completely fallen into this man's trap of tenderness. And perhaps, all of this was an arrangement of fate. ===== CHAPTER 1780 =====