Seizing the throne, abolishing the adopted son, the imperial concubine rose to prominence

"I don't know."

Gu Youning shook her head blankly, lowered her eyes and paused for a moment before continuing, "I don't know who wanted to harm Zheng'er today, but when Zheng'er felt so uncomfortable in my arms, I felt that everyone in this palace might be the murderer."

"Am I too stupid to understand anything?"

Gu Youning's voice is light and airy, but the sadness and helplessness in it makes people sad to hear.

She didn't know whether the emperor's question was a test or just a casual remark, but she would not give the emperor a chance to doubt her.

She even wanted to give the emperor the feeling that she was being forced to the point of losing her innocent heart.

What could be more heartbreaking than seeing a beautiful thing about to disappear with your own eyes, and what could arouse the emperor's competitive spirit more than protecting the simple beauty that he loves.

"My Ning'er is not stupid. I like you to always be as innocent and pure as you are today."

The emperor held the person in his arms, stroked Gu Youning's half-hanging black hair and spoke softly.

Pure and innocent? What a foolish idea!

Gu Youning smiled slightly inwardly.

The emperor did have some affection for her and was a kind father to Zheng'er, but if she only had the clear and foolish trust in the emperor in her eyes as she did in her previous life, I am afraid that she and her son would still not be able to escape the miserable fate of their previous life.

But Gu Youning understood that Xiao Heng had never been loved by his biological mother since he was a child. From the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace to the emperor who ruled the world, there were conspiracies and calculations everywhere. Therefore, he liked the real, fresh, simple and bright life he once had.

"But Zheng'er...if Xiao Shengzi hadn't been alert today, Your Majesty and I wouldn't have been able to see Zheng'er. Your Majesty doesn't know that I saw Zheng'er so distressed that his face turned pale and he was almost frightened to the point of fainting. He had no choice but to pinch his palms tightly."

"The Empress has told me many times that the palace is not like the temporary residence, and the Emperor cannot take care of me in everything and be considerate of me, but I don't want to see Zheng'er get into trouble again."

Gu Youning raised his eyes, his gaze filled with confusion and conflicting struggles.

A look of displeasure flashed in the emperor's eyes. No wonder Ning'er's trust in him was always shaken from time to time. It turned out that it was because of the queen's words.

If the emperor had heard these words on ordinary days, he would not care at all, and might even think that the queen was kind and considerate. However, after seeing the woman's confusion and her solo confrontation in the hall just now, these words sounded particularly harsh.

Gu Youning noticed the emperor's displeasure, and a flash of satisfaction appeared in her lowered eyes. The queen had cooperated closely with Concubine Zheng today, and she also had to respond.

"Don't worry, Ning'er. I promised to protect you and your son, and I will definitely do it."

However, Gu Youning did not look at the emperor with the same trust as before, but kept his eyes downcast and remained silent.

When the emperor saw this, he realized that he had made this promise too many times. Thinking of the woman being falsely accused and frightened one after another tonight, a blush of shame unconsciously appeared on his handsome face.

"Have the palace maids prepare. I will personally escort you and Zheng'er back to Ci'an Palace."

The emperor thought about it for a long time and this was the only option that could produce the most immediate effect for the woman.

Gu Youning did not disappoint him. Her dim eyes instantly brightened up. She grasped the emperor's arm in surprise and said, "Your Majesty, are you telling the truth? Can I really take Zheng'er back with me?"

"Of course, my Lord never jokes. I never lie to Ning'er."

"Your Majesty is so kind!"

Gu Youning put his arms around the emperor's neck and gave him a quick kiss on the face.

"Don't wake Zheng'er up."

Although the emperor reminded her in a low voice, he felt a sense of pride in his heart when he saw the joy and admiration in the woman's eyes.

Gu Youning got the result he wanted and was very satisfied. He quickly told Tan Yin and Xian Yin to pack up their things.

"Let me come."

The emperor took the son that Gu Youning was holding reluctantly in his arms.

"emperor."

As soon as I walked out of the palace gate, I ran into the queen coming out of the main hall.

"I am sending Concubine Gu and her son back to Changchun Palace. I will trouble the Queen with Mother's affairs here."

Because there was a sleeping child in his arms, the emperor deliberately lowered his voice.

"The eldest prince is going back?"

The Queen frowned slightly and said softly, "But over at the Sitiantai..."

Seeing the emperor's unhappy expression, the queen hurriedly explained, "My mother is not feeling well right now. If the eldest prince returns like this, I'm afraid everyone in the harem will talk about him."

It sounded like the Queen's words were indeed for the Emperor's consideration. Everyone in the palace knew that the Queen Mother and the Emperor were not as harmonious as an ordinary mother and son. When it came to the matter of filial piety, the Emperor could not give the Queen Mother a handle.

"I know Sister Gu feels sorry for the eldest prince's suffering, but after this incident, the emperor and I will definitely have the palace servants serve him carefully and will not let the eldest prince..."

The queen turned and looked at Gu Youning again.

"Queen, it was my wish to let Zheng'er go back."

Sensing the uneasiness and hesitation of the woman, the emperor interrupted the queen.

"Yun'an is still here. That day, Qin Tinglu only said that the prince should live in the Queen Mother's palace. Zheng'er can do it, and of course Yun'an can do it too."

He couldn't let the woman down again today.

"Since the Emperor has made up his mind, I will not say much. However, it is late at night and the dew is heavy. The eldest prince has just suffered a crime and cannot stand the breeze. Concubine Gu's sedan chair is small. It would be better to let Concubine Gu and the eldest prince take my ceremonial escort back, so that the eldest prince can sleep more comfortably."

The queen did not dwell on this and smiled gently.

"Your Majesty, I dare not overstep my bounds."

Gu Youning sneered in his heart. This time, the Queen was willing to spend a lot of money and even lend her ceremonial equipment to him.

If I really use it in a fit of rage, regardless of what the emperor will think of me, the women in the harem will really regard me as a thorn in their side, and even the previous dynasty will report me as a concubine who is bringing disaster to the country and has bad intentions.

"Don't be alarmed, Concubine Gu. This is just an extraordinary time for extraordinary measures."

The Queen reached out her hand to help Gu Youning up, but Gu Youning took a step back, still bowing: "I dare not, please take back your order, Your Majesty."

"The Queen is kind, but this is indeed against the rules."

The emperor spoke.

"The eldest prince..."

"The imperial chariot is spacious. Concubine Gu and the eldest prince can ride with me."

The imperial way.

"Your Majesty is very thoughtful."

A dark light flashed in the queen's eyes, but her face was smiling gently.

"Concubine, please retire."

Only then did Gu Youning stand up.

The queen watched the two of them walk forward almost hand in hand, looking very much like a family of three.

"The eldest prince was nearly killed today. The emperor must be feeling very sorry for Concubine Gu and her son. Your Majesty, don't worry."

Zhichun advised in a low voice.

"I underestimated her."

The Queen said something ambiguous and then turned to Zhichun, "How did the last matter go?"

"My Lord, those who had contact with Fourth Miss Gu were all from the Wen family's main branch. But when our people went to look for them, they were no longer useful. I think Lady Wen must have already discovered them and dealt with them."

"As for the others, since Lady Wen entered the palace, she rarely used the Wen family's personnel, so we don't know their backgrounds. Including the one that the nanny confessed earlier, they are all useless. There is only one person - Jinhua, the senior palace maid beside Lady Wen."

"Your Majesty might be able to use it."

Zhichun whispered.