Don't Act Rashly

"But I can't say for sure about my father, and besides, it's always better to have more options and peace of mind in these situations; you can never have too many people willing to help," Gu Wanning said. "Let's go find my second sister-in-law."

"Princess?"

"Yes, find the princess."

Gu Wanning knew very well that how this matter was handled was entirely up to the Emperor.

Therefore, she planned to start directly with the Emperor.

Although Princess Qingyi was not favored in the past, she grew up in the palace and survived cautiously. The emperor was the biggest boss, so she would have some understanding of his preferences.

This is a subtle perception from a woman's perspective.

With her elder brother handling the arguments in court and the Grand Princess appealing to family ties, Gu Wanning planned to offer the Emperor a pie in the sky first, to understand his preferences and see if he preferred sweet or savory food.

Gu Wanning took Er Ya to the Princess's Residence.

When Princess Qingyi saw her, she came over, took her hand, and comforted her gently, "I've heard about what happened; it's put you in the spotlight again. But you have to think positively; things will eventually pass..."

"Second sister-in-law, I need to save the Marquis." Gu Wanning got straight to the point.

Princess Qingyi was completely taken aback; she was still heartbroken for Gu Wanning's shock. After a long while, she finally said, "You want to save the Marquis? But you and the Marquis..."

Wasn't things getting really tense?

How could they possibly get a divorce unless things escalated to a certain point?

Princess Qingyi viewed Xu Weibei's actions today as possessiveness, as all she had heard of Xu Weibei was that he was eccentric and capricious.

"My relationship with the Marquis is very good," Gu Wanning said. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have stood up for me. Second Sister-in-law, I'm very worried, please listen to me..."

"Alright, go ahead, no rush. Have some water first, drink slowly. This cup is for the prince consort; he should be home by now."

There was something else she didn't say: Gu Anwei wasn't home yet, most likely because of this matter.

Gu Wanning picked up her teacup and took a sip. The temperature was just right, a testament to her sister-in-law's thoughtfulness towards her brother.

She thought unwisely that if her second brother could have such a loving marriage, his resentment towards their father would probably be lessened.

"You said that as long as the prince consort and I can help, we definitely will. It's not for the Marquis, it's for you."

"Second Sister-in-law, things happened so suddenly, I won't stand on ceremony. I want to ask you, if I were to go and ask the Emperor for an audience and tell him that I could help him find more new crops and solve the food problem for many people, would the Emperor make an exception for the Marquis because of this?"

"No!" Princess Qingyi exclaimed immediately, "Absolutely not!"

Her voice rose a few decibels with excitement, but she immediately realized that even though all the scary people had been sent away, she still glanced outside, her eyes filled with wariness.

Gu Wanning thought that those days in the Imperial Palace must have been very difficult and dangerous for her.

Therefore, she cherishes her current happy marriage and, out of love for her husband, even offers him advice and suggestions.

"Gu Wanning, you absolutely mustn't go," Princess Qingyi said in a lower voice. "That would displease the Emperor and might even implicate your father."

The emperor was naturally suspicious, but he was quite satisfied with Gu Yuanshi.

On the surface, it appears that Gu Yuanshi wanted to implement reforms, and the Emperor supported him despite opposition. However, in reality, reforms had always been the Emperor's wish.

The emperor simply chose from among his ministers the one who most agreed with him to be his mouthpiece.

However, this did not diminish his gratitude towards Gu Yuanshi for recognizing and patronizing his talents.

--I've done everything I could to help you, yet your daughter has held back. Now you're trying to make demands of me?

"... Father believes that everything you possess or are about to obtain should be given up selflessly. You're only giving it up now, so what did you hold back before?"

Gu Wanning suddenly felt a chill down her back.

"Furthermore, your standing up for the Marquis is not what Father Emperor wants to see, do you understand?"

Gu Wanning nodded dejectedly.

Yes, she and Xu Weibei divorced, and she is now Gu family woman again.

The Emperor would not want to see her marry Xu Weibei.

In the past, it was acceptable for them to be a quarrelsome and resentful couple, but if they were to be harmonious and loving, the emperor would ask, "Do you both aspire to rule the world?"

Therefore, she could not stand up for Xu Weibei.

She's being too naive; she needs to find another way.

"Second sister-in-law, if you were me, what would you do now?" Although Gu Wanning was taken aback, she quickly rallied.

--If she doesn't try, is she just going to stand by and watch Xu Weibei, who has already suffered a great blow, wallow in self-pity and give up in prison?

No, her war goddess cannot fall, her divine status cannot be lost!

Chapter 229 Don't Act Rashly

"Gu Wanning, you are the Prince Consort's only sister, and also the person he worries about the most; now that there are no outsiders present, tell me honestly, do you really need the Marquis now?"

Princess Qingyi's expression was solemn as she carefully stroked her belly.

Although her body wasn't yet fully formed, Gu Wanning could tell that she cherished this hard-won child immensely; the act of stroking her belly was almost an unconscious habit.

"It's not that I can't live without him; I can choose not to marry," Gu Wanning said. "But second sister-in-law, I want to help him. I want to try being with him."

She knew very well that her current state was probably like that of someone in love.

She realized her feelings for Xu Weibei, wanted to see him, and couldn't bear to see him suffering in pain.

Love is longing, love is concern, love is weathering storms together.

But whether they can truly work through the differences and eventually get married, even if Gu Wanning is acting impulsively now, she knows that's all uncertain.

Love can be impulsive, but marriage is far more complex.

But now is not the time to think about these things. Regardless of whether they can get together, Xu Weibei is someone Gu Wanning wants to save.

Even if it costs her everything.

"If I were to get married, I would only consider him. Otherwise, with my willful and competitive nature, and my inability to tolerate being wronged, I'm afraid I'd never get married in my entire life," Gu Wanning said self-deprecatingly.