I'll Give You Everything You Want (Continued)

This time, Gu Wanning cautiously stated her request.

"... It's not that I'm exempt from kneeling in front of you, it's just other people... It's cold, the ground is too cold."

"My dear Minister Gu, your daughter is truly... interesting." The Emperor laughed heartily.

From the "unreasonable request" of Death-Exemption Gold Plaque to the ridiculous request of a "no-kneeling" card, Gu Wanning's enormous demands made the Emperor unable to suppress his laughter.

"Your Majesty, does this mean you agree?" she asked.

She discovered that the emperor actually preferred her to be a little silly.

Let's go all the way with the naive and innocent image.

She works faster than a rabbit, and when it comes to rewards, she beams with joy at the slightest favor. Gu Wanning couldn't help but think that if she were the boss, she would like her too.

"What if I don't agree? What other conditions do you want to change?" the Emperor teased her deliberately.

Gu Wanning shook her head. "Then that's all. I lack nothing."

What she lacks is just a little bit of security, and a little bit of pride.

"You're quite easily satisfied." The Emperor's gaze swept over her clothes, which were about 50-60% new.

He abruptly changed the subject, "Since that's the case, I'll grant your wish. Guards, bestow upon Gu Wanning Death-Exemption Gold Plaque, and also grant her the right not to kneel except when she sees me."

Gu Wanning was dumbfounded.

Did happiness come so suddenly?

Her reaction greatly pleased the emperor, making him burst into laughter.

Gu Yuanshi couldn't help but remind his stunned daughter, "The Emperor's grace is boundless, why don't you thank him!"

Gu Wanning knelt down with a thud and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

She knelt down with genuine sincerity.

She traded kneeling for millions of dollars in refusal to kneel—she made a killing!

"Get up," the Emperor joked. "It would be a shame to exempt you from kneeling, seeing how smoothly you knelt."

Gu Wanning: "His Majesty's words are law and cannot be changed. From now on, I will certainly do my utmost to find more crops for His Majesty and for the people of the world, devoting myself to the cause until my dying breath!"

Xu Weibei looked at her with a smile.

In fact, he would smile every time Gu Wanning spoke.

The emperor laughed at his foolish appearance.

Gu Yuanshi bowed again on behalf of Gu Wanning to express his gratitude.

The Emperor looked at Gu Wanning and said meaningfully, "Gu family girl, I've said it before, I'm not one to kick someone when they've served their purpose. As long as you sincerely want the well-being of the people, I can give you what you want."

"Your Majesty is wise and mighty, possessing extraordinary talent and strategic vision, and your achievements are unparalleled throughout the land. You will surely be remembered in history... Yes, you certainly will!"

She stopped herself in time, swallowing the words "forever immortal."

The emperor was clearly pleased, but he remained rational and was not swayed by her sweet talk.

His joy was fleeting, only flashing in his eyes.

"I dare not hope to be remembered in history; I only hope that the people can live a better life."

Gu Wanning was filled with respect. "It is a blessing for all the people of the world to have a wise ruler like you."

"Gu girl, I have only two requests of you," the Emperor said. "First, as you said, work for the well-being of the people; second, manage my Marquis of Yingchuan well. I cannot afford to lose another Marquis of Yingchuan. This empire belongs to me, and I can tolerate meritorious officials. Do not disappoint me."

This time, Gu Wanning knelt down with Gu Yuanshi and Xu Weibei with genuine sincerity.

She was genuinely happy.

She also understood why Gu Yuanshi was so loyal to the Emperor.

Whether it was genuine or not, the emperor gave them ample reward.

--As long as you are devoted to me, I will give you the rights you desire; I can satisfy any need you have.

The Emperor then said to Xu Weibei, "Alright, I won't interfere in your affairs. Young people should handle their own business. But cherish your blessings and don't be reckless. Gu is a strong-willed girl; whatever you promised her, you must keep."

Gu Wanning found these words strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

It's alright, this is where the benefits of kowtowing become apparent.

--It can mask all emotions.

Finally, the Emperor said to Gu Yuanshi, "I've been thinking, I'll move your second son to a different place too. Don't say anything, let me finish—"

He stopped Gu Yuanshi from declining the offer in time.

"Officially, this child has been neglected for several years, yet he remains true to his original aspirations, demonstrating remarkable composure; personally, I know he is devoted to Qingyi."

Compared to other imperial sons-in-law who either slept around with women or even men, or caused all sorts of trouble, Gu Anwei was much less of a worry for him.

Gu Yuanshi still tried to refuse.

Gu Wanning quickly replied, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness on behalf of my second brother."

Continue kowtowing.

It's not that she doesn't like kowtowing; as long as the price is right, she can kowtow forever.

"You and your second brother are doing well," the Emperor said with a laugh and a scolding tone. "You and Qingyi are doing well too. That one's a reclusive child, but you're doing well."

Gu Wanning cursed inwardly, "You don't care about him, and you even say he's aloof. Ugh, what a scumbag!"

One thing at a time, she wouldn't ignore the Emperor's scumbag side just because he was generous.

Gu Wanning left the Imperial Palace with a great deal of satisfaction.

However, despite her joy, she still had to carefully consider Xu Weibei's feelings.

Although upon closer reflection, Xu Weibei's mother passed away many years ago, it doesn't really make much difference whose daughter she is.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Xu Weibei said, "I'm quite pleased. I originally thought you would be afraid in front of the Emperor, but not only were you not afraid, you handled it with ease."

He was proud of her.

"Your Majesty is so generous," Gu Wanning said with a smile.

"That depends on who you're talking to," Xu Weibei patiently advised her. "You shouldn't think too highly of the Emperor."

"That won't happen."

Those were people she couldn't understand, people who held the power of life and death in their hands; Gu Wanning wasn't that distant.

"Why don't you go back and ask your grandmother about what happened back then...?"