The Grand Finale

She said she was going home to enjoy her retirement.

She enjoys the good fortune herself, and Jin Huayu bears the hardships alone.

Jin Huayu begged her not to leave, acting like a madman, but was met with cold sarcasm from Shi.

The Second Concubine simply watched all of this unfold in a blank stare.

When Jin Huayu tearfully asked her what he could do to win back Shi, the Second Concubine was truly heartbroken.

Her brother didn't ask her what would happen to her in the future.

That's enough. From now on, let each go their own way, and let each person have their own destiny.

The Second Concubine temporarily stayed with the Third Concubine to keep her company.

When Shi returned home, her mother was gone, and all her efforts had been in vain, leaving her empty-handed. She wanted to find Jin Huayu Jin Huayu, but he had already been swindled out of all his money.

With nowhere else to go, Shi was sold to the mountains by her stepmother.

--The arrogance of the Shi when they were in power had already offended their stepmother.

The belated revenge was so ruthless.

The Jin family affair came to a close in June.

The emperor suddenly fell seriously ill.

Gu Wanning would pray at home every day, asking all the gods to bless the Emperor with a long and healthy life.

Because of Gu Yuanshi and Xu Weibei, it will be difficult to encounter such wise rulers again.

After the Prince of Qin died, his brothers were no better off than him.

Gu Wanning sincerely hoped that the Emperor could persevere for ten or twenty years until the reform was completely successful.

Otherwise, the future of the reform is truly worrying.

Both the Gu family father and brothers, as well as Xu Weibei, were extremely nervous about this matter.

The emperor seemed to have a bad feeling and ordered Xu Weibei to the palace to take command of the Imperial Guards.

In this time of widespread anxiety, he placed the utmost trust in Xu Weibei.

Xu Weibei did not disappoint this trust.

He stayed in the palace, waiting for orders day and night, and didn't go home for more than a month.

Gu Yuanshi and his son also remained in the palace.

Gu Wanning heard that some Princes seemed to be unable to contain themselves, and various rumors were rampant despite repeated attempts to stop them.

She lived her life behind closed doors, ignoring outside news and refusing to see anyone.

She knew that although she was a complete novice, her father, brothers, and the men around her were simply too outstanding.

She couldn't offer much help, nor did she cause any trouble.

We must not be taken advantage of at a time like this.

Xu Weibei sent many people to surround her Xiaoxiao residence.

Er Ya said it felt like being in prison.

Gu Wanning stated that even if she had to go to jail, she would still have to do her job honestly.

In the palace.

Late at night.

Xu Weibei looked at Gu Yuanshi's figure was slightly hunched, and he looked quite old. Xu Weibei was somewhat moved.

If we're talking about him from the perspective of his father-in-law, Xu Weibei doesn't want to care about him at all; he might even want to curse him.

However, from the perspective of serving in the same court and considering Gu Yuanshi's character and integrity, Xu Weibei admired him.

The benefits of the reforms are gradually becoming apparent.

An even grander plan requires Gu Yuanshi to take the lead.

It would be hard to find another person as resilient as him, willing to sacrifice everything for the country and its people.

This kind of thing happens only once in a century.

"Go and rest for a while," Xu Weibei said.

"No need," Gu Yuanshi refused. "I'll wait for news here."

"I'm afraid that when the Emperor wakes up, you'll be gone first."

Gu Anqi, who was standing to the side, cleared his throat.

"Your eyes are black, look at you! I still want to marry Gu Wanning in a grand ceremony, don't let her mourning interfere with our happy occasion." Xu Weibei said bluntly, each word more infuriating than the last.

Gu Anqi said, "Father and Grand Secretary Weng live together, Grand Secretary Weng snores like thunder..."

During this special period, everyone stayed in the palace, crammed together in one place.

Someone like Gu Anqi can only fit five or six people in one place.

Xu Weibei, as the Imperial Guards, did have a separate residence.

"Come to my place. It's spacious. I Chief Grand Secretary Gu's bed and the Lord Gu's couch. After I've finished my inspection, I can just go back and take a nap on the kang (heated brick bed)."

Xu Weibei made very good arrangements.

Gu Yuanshi was initially unwilling, but after being persuaded by Gu Anqi, he went.

The father and son were finally able to get a good night's sleep.

This past month or so has really worn me out.

Xu Weibei, however, encountered some trouble—he was suspected of having ulterior motives.

If someone else encountered this situation, it would cause a huge uproar.

Xu Weibei is much simpler.

He bluntly ordered his men to drag those who questioned him away and imprison them. His gaze sweeping over the crowd, he raised his sword and shouted, "Anyone else who disagrees, step forward!"

Nobody's that stupid.

It didn't take long to deal with this matter, but suddenly someone launched an attack; I wonder if they have a backup plan.

Xu Weibei dared not let his guard down and led his men to inspect the Imperial Palace again.

By the time this trip was over, it was already dawn.

When Xu Weibei returned to his residence, his clothes were soaked with dew.

He was too exhausted to wash up, so he took off his clothes, went shirtless, and lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed) wearing only his underpants. He closed his eyes and almost immediately fell asleep.

This sleep, however, brought about a turning point.

Chapter 296 The Grand Finale

When Xu Weibei woke up, it was already broad daylight outside.

There was another person in the room.

It took him a moment to realize that Gu Yuanshi and Gu Anqi had been called over to rest yesterday.

Xu Weibei slowly opened his eyes, only to unexpectedly meet Gu Anqi's gaze.

Gu Anqi was standing by the kang (a heated brick bed) looking at him, his brows furrowed almost into a deep frown, his gaze complex and profound, his face serious.

Xu Weibei was baffled.

That's creepy, doesn't he know that?

Apart from Gu Wanning, there really isn't a single normal person in the Gu family.

How does Your Marquis explain this?

Gu Anqi extended his index finger and pointed it towards Xu Weibei's lower body.

Xu Weibei looked in the direction he was pointing, and belatedly realized what he was talking about.