The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1536 - 1533: Even if His Majesty Is Foolish, He Will Still Protect Me
Wang Yongzhu raised her head with a flattering smile at Gu Changqing: "Uncle, isn’t it because I have you to back me—"
Gu Changqing sneered: "Don’t use the tricks you play on Laosan with me. I’m not like Laosan, who has no principles and can be coaxed with a few words."
Wang Yongzhu pulled a long face and shuffled over to the desk.
Among all the male elders and contemporaries around her, the one she admired most was Gu Changqing, whose methods, cunning, and disposition were top-notch.
He was also very fond of Wang Yongzhu but was definitely not the kind who indulged without principles. So when Wang Yongzhu saw Gu Changqing’s face turn cold, she indeed felt an unspeakable fear.
"Uncle—"
Seeing Wang Yongzhu’s pitiful appearance, Gu Changqing was reminded of how his younger sister used to slide over cautiously, blinking her eyes at him after she made a mistake as a child.
His heart softened at once, almost enough to offer comforting words.
The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he held them back, forcing himself to keep a stern face: "Speak, what exactly is going on?"
Only then did Wang Yongzhu honestly explain everything clearly, without concealing a single detail.
Gu Changqing listened with a dark face, feeling that the two youngsters were like newborn calves unafraid of tigers, just fooling around.
Such a big issue, yet Laosan, that muddlehead, dared to keep it from him!
In the morning court session today, he already felt something was amiss.
Song Hong, that old fox, suddenly showed a strange attitude, casting sideways glances at him.
It was a kind-hearted clansman who quietly mentioned to him two things when no one was watching: one, the Imperial Noble Consort’s fetus might not be born smoothly; two, Wang Yongzhu was being summoned to the palace every day by the Imperial Noble Consort.
Gu Changqing, being an old fox himself, immediately understood upon hearing this.
He also understood why Song Hong had suddenly changed his face.
These were minor matters; what worried him most was Wang Yongzhu. Getting involved in the harem’s fight for offspring could easily lead to endless trouble.
Feeling anxious, angry, worried, and scared, he had to maintain his composure on the surface.
After barely enduring the morning court, he planned to personally confront the Emperor for clarity.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the court session ended, the Emperor summoned Qin Bohan and others, saying he wanted to consult regarding the Ministry of Personnel.
He had no choice but to wait outside.
Only close to noon did a message come out, saying if there’s no major issue, to go back first.
Gu Changqing immediately understood that the Emperor was avoiding him, fearing he’d be questioned.
Knowing he likely wouldn’t meet the Emperor that day, he left the palace gate, only to be approached by a pile of issues awaiting resolution. Once he managed those, his Chief Attendant came with news that his cousin had returned to the mansion.
Unable to sit still, Gu Changqing delegated the tasks to others and hurried back.
His long-standing anxiety slightly eased upon seeing Wang Yongzhu.
His belly full of anger couldn’t be vented on the delicate Wang Yongzhu, so he attributed it entirely to Gu Changque.
Last time Gu Changque returned, he didn’t speak the truth, vaguely claiming Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu were fine, and that his sister and Yongzhu would return after the New Year for his wedding.
If Gu Changque were in front of him, Gu Changqing might have lost control and given him a scolding.
Yet looking at Wang Yongzhu, any anger Gu Changqing had could only be swallowed.
Enough, at least this girl now understands the gravity of the situation, thus behaving herself.
What can a senior do? If you don’t protect your own child, what else can you do?
Taking a deep breath, calming his expression, Gu Changqing asked: "How is the Imperial Noble Consort’s pregnancy? How confident are you?"
Wang Yongzhu didn’t dare conceal anything, honestly saying, "I told the Imperial Noble Consort I have fifty to sixty percent confidence. Actually, if she adjusts the fetal position diligently before the due date, along with the Imperial Physician’s and the palace midwives’ help, there’s a seventy percent chance mother and child will be safe."
Gu Changqing’s expression remained unchanged as he continued asking: "Things in the palace change rapidly; no one can predict. If something goes wrong with the Imperial Noble Consort and her child, you should know, regardless of whether His Majesty holds you accountable, the other concubines in the palace, the princes, Duke Weiguo’s political opponents, and even the Imperial Noble Consort’s family, won’t tolerate you!"
"Have you considered these? If they unite, not to mention my little Gu Family, even His Majesty might have to hand you over under pressure, or to appease them." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
"What were you thinking? Have you thought about your mother? Your mother has struggled all her life, and you’re her only hope and concern. If something happens to you, how will she live?"
"It’s simply outrageous! Just because you know some medical techniques, you behaved recklessly, getting entangled with the harem! How many heads do you have to lose?"
His words made Wang Yongzhu lower her head.
After a long pause, she said: "Uncle, can’t you see that this is all His Majesty’s intention? On one hand, it’s defying an imperial order. Now, since my husband still has a use, fine. But I’m afraid once the Chicheng County matter is resolved, he’ll find an excuse to act against us. What then?"
"Better seize this opportunity to fight. There might still be a slim chance. Besides, who could have predicted the Imperial Noble Consort’s fetus would be entangled with the umbilical cord so many times!"
Wang Yongzhu felt wronged, pushed to this point by the situation.
The Imperial Noble Consort’s fetal position was an accident, unavoidable. Otherwise, with her safe delivery, the grassland trade route reopened, it would have been a joyous outcome.
Doesn’t Gu Changqing understand? But can he criticize the Emperor?
Heaving a long sigh, "Alright! At this point, we can only take one step at a time! Rest assured, no matter what, Uncle will ensure your safety!"
Wang Yongzhu felt touched, knowing that Gu Changqing’s words risked the entire Gu Family’s safety.
This profound favor felt overwhelming to her.
Blinking, she quietly said: "Uncle, rest assured, even if something unexpected happens to the Imperial Noble Consort and her child, I have a way to save myself."
Gu Changqing looked over with wide eyes.
Wang Yongzhu leaned closer and whispered: "While my mother and I were in Chicheng County for the past few years, we didn’t idle about. We purchased several farms in the county, attempting to cultivate higher-yielding wheat, which has shown results—"
Gu Changqing was so shocked he stood up abruptly, his face serious: "Is what you say true?"
Wang Yongzhu nodded: "This year, we trialed ten acres on the farms, increasing the yield by fifty pounds per acre. If all goes well, we plan to promote it around Chicheng County next year, letting the people try it out!"
Gu Changqing knew Wang Yongzhu, though bold, wouldn’t lie about such things, so he believed her words immediately.
He couldn’t help but ask: "Since you have such a good thing, why not report it to the Imperial Court promptly?"
Wang Yongzhu smiled bitterly: "Initially, His Majesty’s plan tied me and my husband firmly to the Imperial Noble Consort’s side. We thought, given this, we might as well make things look better. Once the Imperial Noble Consort gives birth, gets promoted, then during the All Saints Day, just after the wheat harvest. We planned to submit a memorial, as a special birthday gift for All Saints Day!"
"No one expected such a mishap in between! Fortunately, this way, with this yield-increasing method, even if the Emperor plays dumb, he’d have to protect me!"
Gu Changqing exhaled deeply, pointing at Wang Yongzhu with his finger, momentarily at a loss for words.
