Are you going to send her away with just one request?

As long as she becomes the concubine of the royal palace, with a noble status, and wears gold and silver and enjoys endless wealth and splendor from now on, isn't that better than making a request and then leaving?

Only a fool would choose.

What's more, her family was being held hostage by someone and benefits had been promised to her, so it was even more impossible for her to listen to the Princess of the County.

Gu Zhiyin was not surprised by Lu Xuan's words. If she was so easy to deal with, she would not have pestered her father. She was just using courtesy before force.

"In that case, then tell me the rules after you become a concubine." Gu Zhiyin said lightly.

The corners of Lu Xuan's mouth slightly raised, with a hint of pride on her face.

"I am all ears."

She is beautiful and pretty, and younger than the princess. The prince just doesn't like her now. Once she officially becomes the concubine of the prince's palace and has a formal status, the prince will fall in love with her sooner or later.

She had inquired about it and found out that Prince Pingyang had no other women except the princess.

Gu Zhiyin ignored the smugness in her eyes and said expressionlessly: "Although you are my father's concubine, the power of the palace is in my hands. The entire Pingyang Palace is in my hands, and my mother is just assisting from the side. So when you enter the palace in the future, you have to listen to me."

"I am the prince's person, and in terms of seniority, I am your stepmother." Lu Xuan reminded.

Gu Zhiyin: "That's in an ordinary wealthy family. In the palace, I am the princess of a county prince, and my status is more noble than yours, so when you see me, you have to kneel down and salute. Besides, a concubine is, after all, half a slave, and cannot be considered the master of the palace. Do you understand?"

Lu Xuan widened her eyes and looked at Gu Zhiyin in disbelief.

How could she understand the rules of a noble family? She always thought that being a concubine in an official's house was very honorable.

How come the concubine in the palace became a slave?

"And your father has been tricked by you and doesn't like you very much. You are unwilling to leave on your own initiative. Now that rumors are spreading outside, he can't just deal with you casually, but..." Gu Zhiyin stopped talking halfway. She looked at Lu Xuan with a smile that made Lu Xuan's scalp numb.

"Miss Lu, just because I can't touch you now doesn't mean I can never deal with you."

"There are so many ways to make someone die quietly."

Lu Xuan was immersed in her dissatisfaction with being a servant even after entering the palace. When she heard Gu Zhiyin's words, her eyes almost popped out of her head in shock. She stood up from her chair abruptly and wanted to say something, but her throat seemed to be blocked by a ball of cotton. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a sentence dryly: "Are you threatening me?"

Gu Zhiyin looked at her excited expression, sneered, and said slowly: "The girl hurried to Beijing in the middle of winter, accidentally caught a cold, and was bedridden. She died a few months later. When the news gets out, outsiders will only sigh that she is unlucky."

Lu Xuan's face turned pale, and she subconsciously took a step back. There was no trace of smugness in her eyes, only fear: "You...you are taking human life lightly."

"So what? You were the one who had the audacity to plot against Prince Pingyang first. You should have known the consequences of offending him. Didn't you deliberately want to become the prince's concubine? If you want wealth and glory, you have to pay a price. It's glorious enough for you to die as the prince's concubine."

Bah! What a sham.

She came here to enjoy life, not to die.

"You want to take my life. You're so vicious! Aren't you afraid that your reputation will be ruined if it gets out?" Lu Xuan clenched her fists and pretended to be calm.

"Will it spread?" Gu Zhiyin looked at Lu Xuan as if she were a fool. "Now that you have entered the gate of Prince Pingyang's Palace, can you still get out? There are servants all over the palace, who will be loyal to you?"

"I...I..." Lu Xuan's heart sank to the bottom and she finally realized that she was scared.

Gu Zhiyin quietly looked at her pale and frightened face, and was silent for a long while, then slowly spoke again: "I know you were used by someone, that's why you got entangled with father. In the end, it's the fault of the person behind the scenes. I won't make it difficult for you. You clarify this matter and clear your father's name. After that, I will report to my grandmother, father and mother, and ask them to adopt you as their adopted daughter. With the identity of the second legitimate daughter of the Pingyang Palace, I will find a good marriage for you in the capital. It's not as honorable to marry into the palace as a mistress, but to be the mistress is not as honorable as being a concubine. What do you think, Miss Lu?"

As the saying goes, "After a hit, there is a sweet date." When Lu Xuan thought she was dead, suddenly such a big pie fell on her head and knocked her out.

I was so happy that I felt dizzy.

Is there any need to choose between the prince's adopted daughter and concubine?

"I do, I do." Lu Xuan's frightened expression immediately turned into surprise, and she nodded in response hurriedly.

Gu Zhiyin smiled slowly: "Miss Lu is indeed a smart person. Then let Mother Hu accompany you to Jingzhao Prefecture. When you come back, I will record your name in the family tree."

"Okay, okay." Lu Xuan's mind was filled with the sudden benefits, and she couldn't think of anything else, so she nodded repeatedly.

Gu Zhiyin winked at Mother Hu.

Mother Hu understood, smiled and stepped forward, bowing politely to Lu Xuan: "Miss, please."

After the two left, Gu Zhiyin took Mother Yang into the palace.

As the year draws to a close, the streets of the capital are bustling with activity, and all officials, except those on duty, have been given holidays.

Outside Jingzhao Prefecture, there was a sudden sound of drums, which startled everyone in the government office.

The sound of Lu Xuan's drum also attracted people on the street, and they gathered at the door.

The bailiffs brought the man in. Lu Xuan knelt before the prefect of Jingzhao and told him that she had been instructed to falsely accuse Prince Pingyang of abducting a woman.

Jingzhao Yin was so shocked that he couldn't recover for a long time.

The people outside the door also opened their mouths wide.

What a big gossip.

The victim’s personal clarification is stronger than any evidence.

"Prince Pingyang is so miserable."

"That's right. He has made great contributions, but he was plotted against like this. I don't know what kind of ambition and courage this prefect of Pengzhou had to frame and plot against the prince."

"He's probably afraid that Prince Pingyang will block his way."

"Bah! If the Prince of Pingyang's Mansion hadn't brought food to provide disaster relief, Pengzhou would have suffered a serious disaster. He wouldn't have had a good ending. The Prince of Pingyang clearly saved his life. This is pure ingratitude."

"I heard that he was the one who submitted the impeachment memorial."

"You are such a shameless dog official."

The people outside the government office were talking louder and louder. Jingzhao Yin came to his senses and looked at Lu Xuan seriously, "Are you telling the truth?"

Lu Xuan nodded heavily, "I swear to heaven that I will never lie. If Lord Yu hadn't threatened me with my family, I would never have dared to frame the Prince of Pingyang. I thought the matter was over, but Lord Yu sent me directly to the capital. I was really terrified, and I couldn't bear that the prince had saved the people of Pengzhou but was slandered like this."

After today, Prince Pingyang will be her adoptive father, and as his daughter, she will naturally try her best to restore his image.

When Jingzhao Yin heard her say this, he asked her to sign and then put her in jail.

Lu Xuan jumped up in fright: "Sir..."

The Jingzhao Yin waved his hand impatiently, and two yamen runners walked up to her and looked at her ferociously, which made Lu Xuan stop talking. She turned back in horror to look for Mother Hu, but she couldn't find Mother Hu among the crowded people at the door.

Lu Xuan was so frightened that she wanted to run but didn't dare to. While she was in a daze, someone pushed her and said, "Why are you in a daze? Hurry up and leave."

Lu Xuan was imprisoned in the jail of Jingzhao Prefecture. She could only comfort herself in her heart that after the matter of Prince Pingyang was settled, the Princess would definitely send someone to pick her up.

These days, the news about Prince Pingyang forcibly abducting a woman has spread in the capital. All the officials in the court know that Fu Zheng returned to the capital yesterday and went to the palace to see the emperor, but the emperor did not issue any decree of reward. Everyone knows that Fu Zheng cannot escape the charge, but the emperor did not punish him either. I guess he did it because he had made contributions to the Pengzhou disaster, so his merits and demerits offset each other.

But today things took a drastic turn. Jingzhao Yin did not dare to delay and hurried into the palace.

The people spread the news one by one, and then another. It was almost New Year, and there were more people on the streets than usual, so soon many people knew about it.

The news reached the Prince of Pingyang's Mansion. As soon as the old princess finished listening to Fu Zheng's excited retelling, she heard the voice of Zheng Guanshi coming from afar: "Old princess, Your Majesty, the Queen Mother sent someone to send a reward, as well as an imperial decree!"

The two looked at each other, then stood up and went to the front yard.

The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial eunuch's message was a strange one. It was probably because Yu En's hand was injured and it was inconvenient for him to deliver the imperial edict.

The old princess first glanced at Gu Zhiyin who was standing next to the eunuch. Countless doubts lingered in her mind, but she knew that this was not the time to ask questions.

When everyone came to the front yard, they knelt down and the eunuch read the decree.

For his meritorious service in disaster relief, Prince Pingyang was rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold and a garden, and was appointed Minister of Revenue, who took office a year later.

Then she expressed the Queen Mother's consolation, saying that the prince had made great contributions but was framed by a villain and suffered injustice.

After receiving the imperial edict, Fu Zheng excitedly shook his head repeatedly, saying that he was not wronged and would fulfill his duties and serve the court in the future.

"It's cold outside, and you've had a hard time coming here, sir. Please go to the main hall and have a cup of hot tea." Fu Zheng said with a smile.

"Your Highness, you are too polite. I will not sit down any longer. I have to go back to the palace to report to the Queen Mother." The eunuch bowed respectfully.

Not to mention that he was not the chief eunuch of the Cining Palace, even Eunuch Yu who was beside the Empress Dowager did not dare to act arrogantly in front of Prince Pingyang. Outsiders did not know, but the servants in the Cining Palace knew that the Princess of the County was the Empress Dowager's beloved granddaughter, so they had to be respectful when meeting any master of the Prince of Pingyang's Mansion.

Fu Zheng didn't know about this yet. Seeing that the eunuch was in a hurry to return to the palace, he didn't dare to keep him. He asked Zheng Wei to escort the eunuch out of the house and stuffed a silver note into his pocket.

The old princess had a hunch that this matter was related to Gu Zhiyin, otherwise why would Lu Xuan suddenly take the initiative to run to Jingzhao Mansion to confess, so as soon as the people left, she pulled them into the main hall and couldn't wait to ask for clarification.

Gu Zhiyin explained them one by one.

Lu Xuan's face turned pale, and she subconsciously took a step back. There was no trace of smugness in her eyes, only fear: "You...you are taking human life lightly."

"So what? You were the one who had the audacity to plot against Prince Pingyang first. You should have known the consequences of offending him. Didn't you deliberately want to become the prince's concubine? If you want wealth and glory, you have to pay a price. It's glorious enough for you to die as the prince's concubine."

Bah! What a sham.

She came here to enjoy life, not to die.

"You want to take my life. You're so vicious! Aren't you afraid that your reputation will be ruined if it gets out?" Lu Xuan clenched her fists and pretended to be calm.

"Will it spread?" Gu Zhiyin looked at Lu Xuan as if she were a fool. "Now that you have entered the gate of Prince Pingyang's Palace, can you still get out? There are servants all over the palace, who will be loyal to you?"

"I...I..." Lu Xuan's heart sank to the bottom and she finally realized that she was scared.

Gu Zhiyin quietly looked at her pale and frightened face, and was silent for a long while, then slowly spoke again: "I know you were used by someone, that's why you got entangled with father. In the end, it's the fault of the person behind the scenes. I won't make it difficult for you. You clarify this matter and clear your father's name. After that, I will report to my grandmother, father and mother, and ask them to adopt you as their adopted daughter. With the identity of the second legitimate daughter of the Pingyang Palace, I will find a good marriage for you in the capital. It's not as honorable to marry into the palace as a mistress, but to be the mistress is not as honorable as being a concubine. What do you think, Miss Lu?"

As the saying goes, "After a hit, there is a sweet date." When Lu Xuan thought she was dead, suddenly such a big pie fell on her head and knocked her out.

I was so happy that I felt dizzy.

Is there any need to choose between the prince's adopted daughter and concubine?

"I do, I do." Lu Xuan's frightened expression immediately turned into surprise, and she nodded in response hurriedly.

Gu Zhiyin smiled slowly: "Miss Lu is indeed a smart person. Then let Mother Hu accompany you to Jingzhao Prefecture. When you come back, I will record your name in the family tree."

"Okay, okay." Lu Xuan's mind was filled with the sudden benefits, and she couldn't think of anything else, so she nodded repeatedly.

Gu Zhiyin winked at Mother Hu.

Mother Hu understood, smiled and stepped forward, bowing politely to Lu Xuan: "Miss, please."

After the two left, Gu Zhiyin took Mother Yang into the palace.

As the year draws to a close, the streets of the capital are bustling with activity, and all officials, except those on duty, have been given holidays.

Outside Jingzhao Prefecture, there was a sudden sound of drums, which startled everyone in the government office.

The sound of Lu Xuan's drum also attracted people on the street, and they gathered at the door.

The bailiffs brought the man in. Lu Xuan knelt before the prefect of Jingzhao and told him that she had been instructed to falsely accuse Prince Pingyang of abducting a woman.

Jingzhao Yin was so shocked that he couldn't recover for a long time.

The people outside the door also opened their mouths wide.

What a big gossip.

The victim’s personal clarification is stronger than any evidence.

"Prince Pingyang is so miserable."

"That's right. He has made great contributions, but he was plotted against like this. I don't know what kind of ambition and courage this prefect of Pengzhou had to frame and plot against the prince."

"He's probably afraid that Prince Pingyang will block his way."

"Bah! If the Prince of Pingyang's Mansion hadn't brought food to provide disaster relief, Pengzhou would have suffered a serious disaster. He wouldn't have had a good ending. The Prince of Pingyang clearly saved his life. This is pure ingratitude."

"I heard that he was the one who submitted the impeachment memorial."

"You are such a shameless dog official."

The people outside the government office were talking louder and louder. Jingzhao Yin came to his senses and looked at Lu Xuan seriously, "Are you telling the truth?"

Lu Xuan nodded heavily, "I swear to heaven that I will never lie. If Lord Yu hadn't threatened me with my family, I would never have dared to frame the Prince of Pingyang. I thought the matter was over, but Lord Yu sent me directly to the capital. I was really terrified, and I couldn't bear that the prince had saved the people of Pengzhou but was slandered like this."

After today, Prince Pingyang will be her adoptive father. As his daughter, she will naturally try her best to restore his image.

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