AWB Chapter 126 Giving in
Chapter 126 Giving in
"Miss Jiang, look, Jinghao likes you very much too. If you marry into the palace, I will be your support. If Jinghao dares to bully you, I will be the first to not allow it!"
The emperor is preparing to adopt a policy of appeasement towards Jiang Qingyue.
In his eyes, Jiang Qingyue was more considerate and had a softer personality, so he would probably agree to compromise for Gu Linsen's sake.
However, he was wrong this time.
Jiang Qingyue in this life is not that kind of person. She was just pretending to avoid arousing suspicion and trouble. Especially her shocked look just now, it was obvious that General Gu did not give her any prior notice, which is why she reacted that way.
This made him even more certain of his guess.
Unfortunately, he miscalculated.
Jiang Qingyue glanced at Gu Linsen and stood firmly beside him, "I will follow Grandpa's arrangements in everything."
Jiang Qingyue wasn't that ungrateful. Her grandfather had given up everything for her sake. If she refused, she would not only lose face for him, but also make things difficult for him in the future.
Moreover, since her grandfather dared to say that, he must have already made a plan and arrangements. She trusted her grandfather and decided not to cause him any trouble.
The emperor never expected that Jiang Qingyue, whom he had always thought was easy to control, would actually agree to the old man Gu Linsen's request.
"Miss Jiang, have you thought this through? Are you really prepared to make such a huge sacrifice for General Gu at his age?"
"Your Majesty!" Gu Linsen stepped forward. "I am getting old and should be enjoying my retirement. Please grant my request!"
Gu Linsen was very satisfied with Jiang Qingyue's answer.
He was afraid that Jiang Qingyue would refuse because of the emperor's few words and for his own sake, but he didn't expect... she really is his granddaughter.
“Minister Gu, I am only thinking of you. Have you considered what others will think if this gets out? They won’t think you are good. They will only say that Miss Jiang is ignorant. I am only thinking of her reputation.”
The emperor was already suppressing his anger. Anyone would be unhappy to be humiliated repeatedly.
"This is my family matter; I hope Your Majesty will grant my request!"
"You... Gu Linsen, you're completely unreasonable!" The emperor slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups on it to shake.
Qin Jinghao frowned as well. He stared at Jiang Qingyue for a moment without saying a word.
Gu Linsen lowered his head and remained silent.
"Gu Linsen, do you know that you are defying the imperial decree! Do you think I dare not do anything to you?" The emperor was on the verge of exploding with rage, and anyone could see that.
"The decree has been fulfilled, so how can there be any talk of disobeying the decree?"
"You..." The emperor was so angry that he pointed at Gu Linsen but couldn't speak, and he almost couldn't catch his breath.
"I will write it right now, as a reward, to betroth Jiang Qingyue to the Crown Prince as his Crown Princess. You are defying the imperial decree!" The emperor was so angry that he uttered such willful nonsense.
"If Your Majesty insists on doing this, then there is nothing I can do."
Gu Linsen's reaction made the emperor feel like he had punched a cotton ball.
"Good, good, Gu Linsen, you're doing very well! Guards, seize him and throw him into the dungeon!"
The Imperial Guards rushed in and surrounded Gu Linsen and his companions, then hesitated.
Is Your Majesty sure you are not mistaken?
"What, you dare to defy the imperial decree?" The emperor never expected that even the imperial guards would dare to disobey him!
The Imperial Guards reacted quickly and immediately stepped forward to seize Gu Linsen.
"Wait!" Qin Jinghao interrupted, "Father, please hear what your son has to say."
Qin Jinghao knew that if things continued like this, they would get out of control, and the royal family would lose face.
“Father, since General Gu has said so, and Miss Jiang has no intention of marrying into the Jiang family, and I have already taken her as my daughter, why not let it go? Let's do a good job for each other. General Gu will be grateful for your kindness, and the people will praise your magnanimity.”
Qin Jinghao's words directly gave the emperor a way out.
After all, the words had already been spoken, and for the sake of face, the emperor couldn't say them aloud. Qin Jinghao just happened to provide this opportunity.
At the same time, Qin Jinghao also gave the emperor a meaningful look.
The emperor sat down without hesitation. "Since the crown prince has said so, then I will grant your wish!"
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Gu Linsen, along with Jiang Qingyue, bowed deeply to the Emperor.
"Alright, get out of here. I'm annoyed just looking at you!" The emperor impatiently gave them the order to leave.
Gu Linsen tactfully led Jiang Qingyue away.
After the two of them left, the emperor turned his gaze to Qin Jinghao, "What you just said, and your expression, suggest you have a plan in mind?"
Qin Jinghao nodded. "Yes, Father. Since Gu Linsen has said so, why not take this opportunity to reclaim military power? Although it is very different from what we wanted before, the result is the same."
Your Majesty, I understand your concerns. Rest assured, this is only temporary. Why not use this opportunity to bestow favors upon the Gu family, granting their request and further granting them a title, allowing Gu Linsen to enjoy his later years in peace? They will find no fault with you, and the historians will also leave behind a good reputation for you.
As for what happens after I agree, Father, I knew that everything depends on human effort, and there's still plenty of time. We'll have plenty of time to plan everything slowly, and I believe that by then, we'll be able to completely control the Gu family army.
At worst, we can find an opportunity to force the issue, and then, what chance will he have of refusing?
Qin Jinghao chose a compromise, a method he had learned from Jiang Chuchu.
After listening, the emperor nodded thoughtfully, "Then I'll leave the arrangements to you, but you can't do it yourself, lest you give others cause for gossip."
"Father, rest assured, I will not handle this matter myself. Someone will do it willingly."
The father and son reached a consensus.
At this moment, Gu Linsen and Jiang Qingyue, who had already left, arrived at the palace gate. To take care of Jiang Qingyue, Gu Linsen specially arranged for a carriage to be prepared.
Inside the carriage, the grandfather and grandson sat facing each other.
“Grandpa, you really don’t need to make such a big sacrifice. This tiger tally… I’m afraid…” Jiang Qingyue was worried that after the emperor obtained the tiger tally, he would take the opportunity to deal with Gu Linsen.
Although she guessed that the emperor might have some reservations, having lived two lives, Jiang Qingyue knew their true colors all too well.
Gu Linsen patted Jiang Qingyue's head. "Don't worry, Grandpa knows what he's doing. You were very good just now, you didn't stop Grandpa."
Gu Linsen was very pleased that his granddaughter hadn't been overly compassionate and acted like a pushover. He was quite satisfied. Recalling the rumors, Gu Linsen's face darkened; it was all the work of that couple.
"I'm afraid it will affect your plans."
"Hahaha, as expected of my granddaughter Gu Linsen! Don't worry, since your grandfather dared to hand over the Tiger Tally, he has naturally prepared a way out. You can relax!"