"I have no contact with her."
Gu Jiu's attitude was tough and indifferent.
After a pause, she slowed down her tone and said, "I said a long time ago that she is not my maid. I had nothing to do with her when I sent her to Beijing. She is now Empress Shuyi, She is His Majesty's woman."
Liu Zhao nodded expressionlessly, "I know all these things."
Gu Jiu stared at him suspiciously, "You don't believe me? You know you're still asking me?"
She is angry.
The most important thing between husband and wife is trust. What is Liu Zhao suspicious of her
"I didn't disbelieve you. I believed what you said from the beginning to the end." Liu Zhao said loudly.
Gu Jiu shook her head and smiled indifferently, "Tell me, what do you want to do? Let me contact her to get news about Concubine Xue Gui and King Zhao?"
"you misunderstood."
Gu Jiu sneered and remained silent.
Liu Zhao said with a serious face: "I want to remind you that Jiang Yan's status is not what it used to be, and you should be prepared."
"what to prepare?"
Gu Jiu's attitude was a bit aggressive.
Liu Zhao's expression darkened, and he said, "You should be prepared, if one day she comes to you, what position will you take to face her
If one day, she becomes the knife in Concubine Xue's hands and kills you, how will you deal with yourself
Xiaojiu, some problems cannot be solved by escaping. When it comes to the palace, any tiny matter cannot be taken lightly. "
Gu Jiu looked up at the roof.
After a long time, she asked, "You didn't tell anyone about my relationship with Jiang Yan, did you?"
Liu Zhao nodded.
Gu Jiu breathed a sigh of relief, "Very good! Please remember, this matter must be rotten in your heart, and don't tell anyone. Between me and Jiang Yan, the initiative has fallen into her hands. In the future, I will have a good relationship with her. I can't predict where I will go. So, don't expect me to win her over and do something for you."
Liu Zhao said blankly: "I don't need your help to win anyone over. But I hope you can maintain the relationship with her. It's not easy to establish a relationship in the palace, especially after the palace was purged. She didn't say to cut off the relationship, so you have the right not to know."
Gu Jiu bit her lip, "Li Zhaoyi is pregnant, and if she gives birth to a prince, the situation will change drastically. You are all panicking. You would rather maintain the current situation than have a new competitor join the battle for succession Especially when this competitor is still a child, but can get all the favor of His Majesty. You, you are a little panicked."
Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows, neither denying nor admitting.
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled, "Guess what Li Zhaoyi is thinking?"
Liu Zhao was silent.
Gu Jiu continued on his own, "From the standpoint of a woman, let me guess what she thinks.
What she is thinking about now is to give birth to the child safely, and the second is that the child should be a brother. The last one, Jiang Shuyi has more favors in the palace, and she has to rely on her children's solid favors.
As for what you are worried about, with her current confidence, she still dare not think about it.
But if the three ideas I just mentioned can be realized one by one, in another ten or eight years, she will definitely have the idea of seizing the heir for her son. "
The premise is that the emperor can live to that time.
The lifespan of the emperor will be the key to the battle for succession.
Liu Zhao is naturally aware of this.
I heard him say to Gu Jiu: "The emperor's grandfather has recently listened to the imperial physician's advice and started to take care of his body. And there is an additional secretary department in the palace, and some young people who have learned well from the three provinces and six departments have been promoted to fill it up and handle various official duties. Including reviewing memorials."
Gu Jiu said softly: "With the Ministry of Secretary, the emperor can save a lot of time. Believe it or not, in a few decades, this new Ministry of Secretary will surpass the three provinces and six ministries and become the most powerful terrorist organization. After all, a person's energy is limited, and the Secretary has done a good job of sharing the government affairs for the emperor."
Liu Zhao frowned, "Are you reminding me, you must seize the opportunity of the newly established Secretary Department and plant your own nails in it?"
Gu Jiu shook her head, "I didn't say anything. I just took a guess, and you can listen to it too."
Liu Zhao laughed, "I accept your kindness, thank you."
Gu Jiu pursed her lips, "You're welcome."
The concierge came to report that someone had asked to see him.
Gu Jiu asked, "Who wants to see Mrs. Ben?"
"The person who came said that it was an old friend who asked to see him, and asked the servant to hand this note to Madam."
Gu Jiu spread out the note and saw that the word "Jiang" was scrawled on it.
She quickly closed the note, "Please come in."
"The servant obeys."
Gu Jiu hurriedly lit the candle and burned the note.
"what happened?"
Liu Zhao asked.
Gu Jiu took a deep breath, "Jiang Shuyi sent someone to see me. Do you want to avoid it?"
Liu Zhao nodded, "I'll avoid it first."
After a pause, he reminded: "Have you thought about how to deal with it?"
Gu Jiu looked at him and whispered two words, "Congxin."
Liu Zhao took her hand, "That's right. Just do it according to your heart, don't worry about other things."
Gu Jiu gritted her teeth and asked, "You said she sent someone to see me, why?"
"It's nothing more than three things, wealth, power, and affection."
Gu Jiu laughed when he heard the words, "You're right, it's nothing more than showing affection, luring them for profit, or using power to force them."
"If you are worried that it will be difficult to deal with it, I can accompany you."
Gu Jiu shook her head, "No need. I can handle it alone."
Liu Zhao squeezed her hand, got up and left.
Zhou Miao was invited into the East Courtyard of the Palace. He looked all the way, very curious.
His posture is very relaxed, and his attitude is like seeing an old friend, very comfortable.
When he arrived at the East Courtyard, after being notified, the first time he saw Gu Jiu, he sighed in his heart, "It really is the sharp-mouthed girl I met in the ruined temple back then."
Zhou Miao recognized Gu Jiu.
Back then when Wang Yi jumped off the cliff, Da Zhuang stopped him, and Mr. Zhou sarcastically sarcastically, but Gu Jiu sternly beat him up, which stimulated Mr. Zhou to leave the ruined temple resolutely.
At that time, there was a little beggar next to Mr. Zhou, who followed Mr. Zhou's footsteps and left the ruined temple to the capital.
By chance, the little beggar transformed into a small yellow door in the palace, and named himself Zhou Miao.
Gu Jiu did not recognize Zhou Miao.
The little beggar back then was so dirty that he couldn't see his face clearly. And after many years, the little beggar has grown taller, and he is also a talent.
No matter what, Gu Jiu couldn't connect the little yellow gate in front of him with the little beggar who broke down the temple back then.
Zhou Miao didn't reveal the relationship between the two, he smiled and said, "Greetings to Mrs. Zhao."
"Excuse me. Are you?"
"The younger one's surname is Zhou, and his name is Zhou Miao. Mrs. Zhao can call the younger one Xiao Zhouzi, even Xiao Miaozi."
"Oh!" Gu Jiu pretended to be suddenly enlightened, "Where do you work?"
"The younger one works at Shangshan Supervisor. The younger one is from the Northwest, and she is from the same town as Mistress Shuyi. Mistress Shuyi asked me to bring a letter to Madam Zhao, Madam Zhao, please read it."
Zhou Miao took out the letter and offered it with both hands.
Gu Jiu hesitated for a second, then decisively accepted the letter.
"Empress Shuyi, what else do you want to say?"
"What Empress Shuyi wants to say is in the letter."
Gu Jiu opened the envelope calmly, took out the letter paper inside, and unfolded it to read.
Two pages of letter paper, written a lot. Missing the past, thanking her for the opportunity, and talking about how difficult the situation is today. Finally, I talked about my purpose.
After reading the letter, Gu Jiu folded the letter paper, put it back in the envelope, and said nothing.
Zhou Miao was suspicious, "Is there nothing Madam Zhao wants to say?"
Gu Jiu smiled, "Miss Shuyi is not what she used to be, why are you still talking about the past. I have long forgotten about the past, so you go back and tell her, so you don't need to mention it again."
"Oh? Could it be that Mrs. Zhao wants to clear her relationship with Empress Shuyi?" Zhou Miao stared at Gu Jiu with a half-smile.
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "That's not true. You can deliver the letter for Empress Shuyi, so you should be someone she trusts. Let me just ask, what is her plan next?"
"Empress Shuyi wrote very clearly in the letter."
Gu Jiu smiled and remained silent.
Zhou Miao lowered his head and smiled, it was really not easy to fool.
Instead, he said sincerely: "Miss Shuyi just wants to save her life."
Gu Jiu said: "She relies on Concubine Xue to save her life."
"Not enough. Concubine Xue Gui can't guarantee that she will be safe and wealthy forever."
Gu Jiu smiled, "I will be stable and rich all my life, but how many people struggle for a lifetime can't achieve it. Don't you feel a little bit overwhelmed?"
Zhou Miao said: "When Mistress Shuyi was in her late age, Mrs. Zhao was willing to help her. Now that she is Mistress Shuyi, why are Mrs. Zhao so worried? Or is Mrs. Zhao afraid?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Of course I'm afraid. As you said, she is now the empress Shuyi, and she doesn't need my help. As long as she shows a little bit of interest, many people are willing to give her money."
"Other people's money is too hot to handle, how can Madam Zhao's money be used with peace of mind."
"Are you complimenting Mrs. Ben, or scolding Mrs. Ben?"
"Madam thinks I'm boasting, so it's boasting. Madam thinks I'm scolding, then it's scolding."
"You are a bit interesting. It's strange that you can get so close to Empress Shuyi."
"Things are divided into groups, and people of a kind flock together. I am actually the same kind of person as Empress Shuyi."
Gu Jiu smiled, "Empress Shuyi really only wants to be stable and rich for the rest of her life?"
Zhou Miao said affirmatively: "Of course it is. She is like a rootless duckweed in the palace, so I dare not expect too much."
Gu Jiu heard the words and said: "I can give her money in my own name. I don't need her to pass on news, and I don't need her to inquire about the activities of the imperial concubine and King Zhao. I just need her to promise me three things."
"What's up?"
Gu Jiu avoided answering, "I will write a reply letter and you will bring it to her. If she agrees, you can come to Madam Ben and ask for money when you leave the palace next time."
Zhou Miao frowned, and said in disgust, "It's too long-winded."
Gu Jiu ignored him, picked up a pen and wrote a simple letter, put it in an envelope, and sealed the envelope.
"Don't peek."
Zhou Miao grinned, "Does Madam not trust me?"
Gu Jiu asked him back, "Will you trust someone you meet for the first time?"
Zhou Miao had nothing to say and left with the letter.
Liu Zhao silently appeared behind Gu Jiu, almost startling her.
He gently massaged her shoulders and asked, "how is it?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "The ambition is as big as before, and even bigger. But it's a little more stable than before."
Liu Zhao said without any emotion: "She is in the palace, it is a good thing to be ambitious. A person like her is the most suitable to survive in the palace."
Gu Jiu enjoyed Liu Zhao's service and closed her eyes comfortably.
"Concubine Xue brought her up, it's only been over a month, and she has already given birth to two hearts. Don't be close friends." Gu Jiu sighed casually.
"She may be thinking of your old love."
When Gu Jiu heard this, she laughed, "Do you believe it? In her eyes now, I am just someone who is useful to her but will not hinder her. If there is a conflict between me and her, I will There is no doubt that she will raise the butcher's knife against me."
"So unsure of yourself?"
"I came to this conclusion only after seeing her through. So, don't expect to use her through me, she is unreliable."
Liu Zhao asked another matter, "What three requests did you make to her?"
"Temporarily confidential."
…
A few days later, Zhou Miao came to Prince Ning's Mansion again and took five thousand taels of silver from Gu Jiu.
The five thousand taels were taken by Gu Jiu from Zhenbaozhai.
If it weren't for Zhenbaozhai's money-making tool, she really wouldn't be able to come up with five thousand taels of silver for a while.
Before leaving, Zhou Miao said with a smile: "Yesterday, there were a few more alchemists in the palace. Your Majesty chatted with the alchemists for two hours, and even missed the meal. The conversation was very speculative. Your Majesty specially ordered that a certain place The side hall was changed to Wentian Temple, allowing alchemists to practice alchemy in the imperial city and seek longevity."
Gu Jiu's expression froze, "Alchemy asks about longevity?"
Could it be that the Son of Heaven wants to follow the example of Emperor Qin and Han Wu, and was tricked by a group of alchemists.
"Exactly! Longevity, who doesn't want to. Especially if you are the emperor, you want longevity even more."
Gu Jiu sneered, "Does Your Majesty summon Jiang Shuyi frequently?"
"Gao, but most of the time, I let Jiang Shuyi take care of the pen and ink, or read and practice calligraphy, and don't have sex. Madam, after all, your majesty is old. When you are old, your body is useless. The imperial doctor's method is slow to cure the symptoms but not the root cause. If there is a kind of elixir, eating it can make people look like dragons and tigers, and make people twenty years younger, even if they know there are side effects, they will swallow it."
There was something in Zhou Miao's words, and he made no secret of it.
Gu Jiu tentatively asked, "Jiang Shuyi told you to say that?"
Zhou Miao smiled lightly, shook her head and said, "I had a very happy conversation with Madam last time, and I want to make friends with Madam. I wonder what Madam would like?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "As long as Little Eunuch Zhou doesn't dislike the simplicity of my wife's place, feel free to come here when you have time. It just so happens that I've lived in the Northwest for many years, so it's good to talk about the local customs and customs."
"Madam is insightful. It's too late today, so I'll bother Madam next time. Farewell!"
Gu Jiu watched Zhou Miao leave.
This Zhou Miao is not easy.
At first, she thought that Zhou Miao was attached to Jiang Yan and was Jiang Yan's pawn.
Now it seems that the two are simply dependent on each other.
Gu Jiu called Qian Fu, thought for a while, and then ordered: "Send a letter to Young Master, telling him to pay attention to the alchemist in the palace. Maybe someone wants to start with the alchemist."
Qian Fu was obviously taken aback, "Is there an alchemist in the palace?"
"This matter is absolutely true. Since yesterday, there have been several alchemists in the palace, and they are trusted by His Majesty. Remind you, be careful."
"The old slave will send someone to deliver the message to the young master."
Qian Fu bowed and left.
…
There is a wave of ups and downs in the palace, and another wave rises again.
Before Li Zhaoyi's child was born, Jiang Shuyi and Li Zhaoyi fought openly and secretly. This is not over yet, there is another group of alchemists in the palace, who spend the whole day talking about alchemy for longevity.
The court was very disturbed, and there were many discussions.
In the early days, one after another went to the book to persuade the emperor.
Call the son of heaven to be a good minister, far from a villain.
Whoever is a villain is naturally those alchemists who deceive the public with lies.
Of course the emperor couldn't listen to it, he reprimanded several courtiers who spoke the most rude words on the spot, and at the same time bestowed official positions on several alchemists to specialize in alchemy.
The courtiers stamped their feet angrily.
Your Majesty is old and confused.
Inside Changchun Palace.
Concubine Xiao Shu sat opposite King Ning, and the mother and son were playing chess.
Concubine Xiao Shu said: "Those courtiers are just too anxious. The alchemist just entered the palace, and he hastily accused His Majesty of doing something wrong, and made His Majesty look like a villain. Isn't this demolishing His Majesty's platform. How can His Majesty be happy.
Anyway, let those alchemists stay for a while and let them make some achievements. After the elixir is practiced, you will know whether it is useful or not.
However, Bengong estimates that most of the pills are useless, and even if they are useful, they are medicines for tigers and wolves. At that time, there will be a ready-made handle to drive those alchemists out of the palace. "
King Ning laughed, "It's still the concubine who works prudently."
Concubine Xiao Shu smiled, "My palace has been ups and downs in the palace for decades, and I have never seen anything. Your majesty is old, old and young, and you have to smooth your hair. The more you fight against your majesty, the more counterproductive it is. You, next time Your father scolded you, don't talk back."
"My son never talks back." King Ning spoke boldly.
Concubine Xiao Shu gouged him out, and then said another thing, "Don't worry about Li Zhaoyi. My palace has always sent people to watch."
"My son is not in a hurry. The ones who are in a hurry are Concubine Xue Gui and King Zhao."
Concubine Xiao Shu laughed, "You're right."