prynovel Chapter 21 How could I not trust my mother and brother Su?
Chapter 21 How could I not trust my mother and brother Su?
Gu Xiaoxiao's face darkened as she looked at the three thousand elite cavalrymen from the Western Frontier who were perfectly aligned and obeyed only the orders of Prince Su, Gu Suyue.
Why did she feel that the tiger tally she had just received from Gu Suyue was completely useless?
But... since things have come to this, she'll just pretend she knows nothing!
Since the "war" is over, there's no need to stir things up again!
……
……
Soon, Gu Xiaoxiao and Gu Suyue arrived at the Empress Dowager's bedroom.
The Empress Dowager had been waiting at the palace gate for quite some time.
She was dressed in gorgeous clothes, wearing a phoenix crown, and had a loving smile on her face, looking exactly like a loving mother who was looking forward to her son's return.
"My youngest child... my son!"
The Empress Dowager opened her arms and strode quickly toward Gu Suyue.
Gu Suyue immediately stepped forward, knelt down, and bowed, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
"Get up! Get up! Let your mother see! Let your mother see you properly!"
The Empress Dowager helped Gu Suyue up, took his hand, looked him up and down, her eyes brimming with tears.
"You've lost weight! You've gotten so dark! You've suffered so much! My precious child, you've suffered so much!"
Gu Suyue let the Empress Dowager pull him along, his expression a mixture of helplessness and pampered happiness: "Mother, I am doing well. Thank you for your concern!"
"What's so good about it? What's so good about that harsh, cold place like the Western Frontier?" the Empress Dowager scolded, then looked at Gu Xiaoxiao beside her, "Xiaoxiao, really, why are you letting your brother stand outside? Come inside and speak!"
Gu Xiaoxiao: "..."
What you're saying... If you're blocking the entrance, how are we supposed to get into the hall?
Besides, this is your bedroom. Even if you want to invite someone in, you, the Empress Dowager, have to say so!
However, having just suffered a defeat, Gu Xiaoxiao was too lazy to argue with the Empress Dowager about such trivial matters, and immediately accepted her mother's criticism: "Your Majesty is right, it was my negligence!"
Then, Gu Xiaoxiao led everyone directly into the Empress Dowager's bedroom.
After the guests and hosts were seated, the Empress Dowager dismissed everyone else, leaving only Gu Xiaoxiao and Gu Suyue.
"Yue'er!" The Empress Dowager poured Gu Suyue a cup of tea and said gently, "You must have had a long journey! I heard you won another great victory in the Western Frontier?"
"It was just good luck!" Gu Suyue said humbly as he accepted the tea.
"What's there to be modest about? Your mother knows your abilities perfectly well," the Empress Dowager smiled, then changed the subject, "I summoned you back to the capital this time for two reasons: firstly, I miss you, and secondly... there are some things I'd like to discuss with you two brothers!"
"Oh?" Gu Suyue raised his eyes. "Please speak, Mother!"
The Empress Dowager glanced at Gu Xiaoxiao and said meaningfully:
"These days, some people in the imperial court are becoming increasingly outrageous!"
"His Majesty is young and inexperienced, and is inevitably susceptible to being deceived by treacherous individuals!"
"Yue'er, you are the Emperor's younger brother, wielding military power. You are a true member of the royal family and should share His Majesty's burdens!"
…………
Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but sneer inwardly—Here it comes! The Empress Dowager is finally showing her true colors!
"What Mother means is..." Gu Suyue seemed not to understand and immediately asked in return.
"What Mother Empress means is..." Gu Xiaoxiao suddenly interrupted the Empress Dowager, "to have my younger brother take command of the Imperial Guards and assist me in handling state affairs!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes flashed, and she chuckled lightly, saying, "Xiaoxiao seems to understand her mother's thoughts quite well. Indeed, that's exactly what I intend!"
Gu Suyue looked at Gu Xiaoxiao, whose face showed no abnormality, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
Commander of the Imperial Guards?
This is the most elite force in the capital, and the last guarantee of imperial power... How could my brother hand it over so easily?
Although the current emperor can no longer mobilize any of the imperial guards, in name, the imperial guards are still under the emperor's command.
Sometimes, a mere "name" can accomplish a great deal, even turning the tide against all odds!
Under such circumstances, why would the emperor so easily relinquish the "nominal" power to command the imperial guards?
"His Majesty……"
Gu Suyue hesitated for a moment before speaking, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by the Empress Dowager.
"What? Yue'er is unwilling?" The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. "Your imperial brother has begged you so earnestly, are you really going to refuse his good intentions?"
"Your subject has absolutely no such thought! Your subject... will obey Your Majesty's decree!"
Gu Suyue's mind raced. He realized that no matter what Gu Xiaoxiao was thinking, the Imperial Guard's nominal military power was real. So why shouldn't he accept it?
"Good! Good! Good!" The Empress Dowager was overjoyed upon hearing this. "This is truly a responsible son who is willing to share the burdens of both me and your brother!"
Then, the Empress Dowager turned to look at Gu Xiaoxiao: "Xiaoxiao, look how sensible Yue'er is! From now on, you two brothers must work together to govern this great Liang empire well!"
"I... understand!" Gu Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes, concealing the hatred in them.
"Alright! Alright! You two brothers haven't seen each other for so long, you must have a lot to talk about!" The Empress Dowager stood up, deliberately leaving the space for Gu Xiaoxiao and Gu Suyue. "You two can chat here for now, I won't disturb you any longer!"
Just as the Empress Dowager was about to leave the hall, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Then, under the watchful eyes of Gu Xiaoxiao and Gu Suyue, she spoke again.
"Yue'er, you may stay in your mother's palace tonight. It's perfect timing, your mother has many things to say to you tonight!" The Empress Dowager turned around and looked at Gu Suyue with loving eyes.
"Yes, Mother!" Gu Suyue immediately agreed.
Satisfied, the Empress Dowager left the main hall.
……
……
When only Gu Xiaoxiao and Gu Suyue remained in the main hall, the hall fell silent instantly.
After a long silence, Gu Suyue finally spoke, asking, "Brother, do you... really intend to abandon the Imperial Guards?"
"Of course! With Prince Su helping me command the Imperial Guards, my workload will be much lighter!"
Gu Xiaoxiao, who was preparing her own female army, honestly looked down on the so-called Imperial Guard. Therefore, when asked by Prince Su, Gu Suyue, she answered without hesitation.
However, Gu Xiaoxiao's somewhat "eager" answer was clearly misunderstood by Prince Su, Gu Suyue, who thought that Emperor Gu Xiaoxiao did not dare to show any unwillingness in front of him, the "beneficiary".
After a moment's hesitation, Gu Suyue, realizing he shouldn't push the emperor too hard, solemnly assured Gu Xiaoxiao:
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. My return to the capital this time is solely to share your burdens. Once Your Majesty has stabilized the court, I will return to my fiefdom in the Western Frontier. I hope Your Majesty will not misunderstand the Empress Dowager's or my intentions!"
"Brother Su, please rise! Brother Su, please rise!" Seeing this, Gu Xiaoxiao quickly got up to help Prince Su up. "How could I... not trust Mother and Brother Su?"