I've Got Thick Skin

On the surface, it was a rebuke of Gu Yuanshi for Gu family, but in reality, it was a reminder to the Emperor that if he truly cared about Gu Yuanshi's contributions, he would have to support him in the future.

Because today's summons was so sudden, even irregular, the Emperor was able to completely rule out the possibility that the father and daughter had rehearsed it beforehand.

"Your humble servant is terrified." Gu Yuanshi bowed and then fell silent.

He didn't explain a single word more.

I don't know what she's thinking.

The Emperor could see that Gu Yuanshi was restraining himself in front of Gu Wanning.

The Emperor looked at Gu Wanning again, sighed, and said, "You clever and quick-witted girl, no wonder you managed to bewitch my Marquis of Yingchuan."

Gu Wanning felt a chill run down her spine.

Her words today were not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather something she had pondered repeatedly in her mind.

However, she never expected to have the opportunity to stand before the Emperor today.

Her original thought was that if she had the chance in the future, she would be lucky to have someone else pass on these words to the Emperor.

I never expected to have the opportunity to meet the Emperor today.

This kind of opportunity won't come again; you'll regret it later if you don't take it.

On her way here, she had already gone over these words in her mind several times.

Although she appeared indignant and unable to control her emotions, she had actually thought through every single word repeatedly.

Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; one must not be presumptuous in front of the emperor.

Beneath her "arrogance" and "grievances" lay the most meticulous planning and the most cautious probing.

Of everyone in this house, she has the lowest IQ.

Her idea was completely transparent to the three cunning men.

However, this was also part of Gu Wanning's calculations.

--The point is to tell the Emperor Gu Wanqing and plainly that if he truly cares about Gu Yuanshi, he should arrange a way out for the Gu family and leave them a way to survive.

Gu Wanning knew that a sword, personally hung over the heads of the Gu family, was a sword that Gu Yuanshi had placed over their heads.

Within her capabilities, she hoped to save herself.

Because Gu Yuanshi has gone mad with evil.

He sacrificed the lives of his entire family as a tribute to the reform movement.

Gu Wanning was not happy about it.

She hasn't lived enough yet!

After a long while, the emperor let out a long sigh.

"Gu girl, you don't understand me, but your father does. Xu Weibei doesn't understand, but if Xu Weibei's father were alive, he would understand too."

Gu Yuanshi knelt down, "Your Majesty is benevolent."

"I have never been one to be suspicious of my subjects."

Gu Wanning silently added a question mark to the end of that sentence.

Yeah?

Why didn't she notice?

How many times had Xu Weibei been made difficult by him since he returned to the capital in triumph?

Now he has a kind and benevolent face, isn't it because Xu Weibei wisely dispersed his military power early on to support the reforms he insisted on?

Gu Wanning didn't think he was a kind person.

The Emperor's expression revealed regret and a hint of nostalgia as he looked at Xu Weibei: "In the past, you may have had some doubts about the cause of your father's death."

At this point, even Xu Weibei couldn't stand still.

He knelt on the ground, also in silence.

Gu Wanning looked at her kneeling father and man, feeling that she was standing out awkwardly, so she reluctantly knelt down.

These floor tiles are strangely cold, especially since it's late autumn.

"I've already explained it to you," the Emperor said. "He's my right-hand man, a relative, and we grew up together. So even if he made a mistake, I can forgive him. Why would I betray my own people and harm him?"

At this moment, Gu Yuanshi said, "When the news of the Marquis's passing arrived, His Majesty wept uncontrollably. I still remember that you suspended court for three days."

The Emperor smiled wryly, "My dear ministers, you still remember. All of you, stand up and speak. Today I finally have the chance to speak my mind with you, so don't try to pull that act on me."

Gu Wanning: Okay.

She secretly rubbed her knees, and only slowly got up after watching her father get up.

Xu Weibei, however, thought she couldn't get up, so he grabbed her arm and pulled her up.

Gu Wanning gasped.

Those iron pliers are going to crush her arm!

The Emperor rubbed his temples and suddenly asked Xu Weibei, "Do you know which family you belong to on your mother's side?"

Xu Weibei was stunned.

"Which one exactly?" These few words contained a profound meaning that made him think deeply.

Since I can remember, I haven't had much contact with my maternal family.

Xu Weibei assumed that his grandmother disliked the other party's lower social status and was unwilling to associate with them.

He had no affection for his maternal family, but out of respect for his deceased mother, he secretly helped promote two of his maternal cousins.

However, due to his personality, Xu Weibei never mentioned it to anyone.

Why did His Majesty suddenly bring up his maternal family today?

The Emperor glanced at him and said to Gu Yuanshi, "Just look at his foolish appearance; you can tell he's still being kept in the dark."

He paused, then continued, "Originally, my great-aunt didn't want to tell you about this, and I didn't want to be the bad guy. But now that they've come looking for you, you should know. I heard that the Southern Border Princess is all over this girl."

Gu Yuanshi said, "Let me tell you about what happened back then, Your Marquis."

"I will speak," the Emperor said, "So that your great-aunt won't complain about you later. If she does complain, let her come to me."

Gu Wanning thought to herself, "You're quite loyal, aren't you?"

Only then did the emperor tell him about Xu Weibei's background.

Gu Wanning listened intently.

Some questions that I had been struggling with for a long time have finally been answered.

Chapter 272 I'm Thick-skinned

It turns out that Xu Weibei's mother was Southern Border Princess.

In other words, his mother should be Yiling and Yi Xiu's aunt.

No wonder Yiling kept saying that she was the one who gave Xu Weibei to her.

Marriage between cousins is perfectly normal here.