Chapter 18: County Princess Zhaoshan

Three days later, Luoyang welcomed its first sunny day of this winter.

During the morning court session, after the Governor of Luoyang finished reporting on the disaster relief efforts, Emperor Kangzhi's countenance, which had been gloomy for half a month, finally cleared like the sky after rain, and the heavy weight in the hearts of the officials was lifted.

Seeing the Emperor's great pleasure, Yin Wei continued, "Your Majesty, the reason this relief effort has been so successful is, firstly, because Your Majesty is wise and benevolent, treating the people as your own children; secondly, because the various officials have been diligent and conscientious, fulfilling their duties; and thirdly, because the people have been united in purpose, extending their helping hands."

Emperor Kangzhi nodded.

"However, your servant believes there is one person whose contributions are also significant."

"Who?" Emperor Kangzhi asked.

"The Fifth Young Mistress of the Prince Xuan Mansion, and the legitimate eldest daughter of the Duke of Wei's Manor, Tang Zhao," Yin Wei said. "The national treasury was empty and the victims lacked food and clothing. When Your Majesty called for nationwide donations, Miss Tang was the first to lead by example, which is loyalty. Miss Tang followed the will of her late mother by donating her entire dowry, which is filial piety. Her forty-seven thousand taels of silver accounted for nearly thirty percent of the total donations; Miss Tang, through her own strength, soothed the panicked refugees, which is benevolence. The people of Luoyang, even the beggars, were deeply moved by Miss Tang's virtue and successively went to the government office to donate, which is righteousness."

"Your servant believes that such virtues of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness make her a paragon for all women under heaven."

Emperor Kangzhi nodded. "What do the rest of you think?"

The court officials began to discuss fervently.

Gu Liu, the Heir Apparent of Prince Xuan, stepped out from the ranks. "Your servant concurs."

The Minister of Revenue mocked, "The Heir is truly one who promotes the virtuous without sparing his kin."

"If she is truly virtuous, why spare kin?" Gu Liu said calmly. "If she were not virtuous, what use would there be in sparing kin?"

The Crown Prince stepped forward and said, "I concur."

The Minister of Revenue shut his mouth in indignation.

Seeing that both the Crown Prince and the Heir of Prince Xuan agreed, the civil and military officials naturally followed suit in agreement.

Emperor Kangzhi gave a half-smile; this was the first time the Crown Prince and the Prince Xuan Mansion held the same opinion. "In that case, issue the decree."

After the morning court, the Grand Eunuch Zhou Zheng personally delivered the decree. The gates of the Prince Xuan Mansion were thrown wide, and the incense and ritual tables were already prepared. Tang Zhao knelt at the very front, listening to that majestic yet piercing voice declare

"By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Tang Zhao, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Duke of Wei, the legitimate maternal granddaughter of the Protector General, and the wife of the General of the Gallant Cavalry, rescued the people from misery during the Luoyang snow disaster. She responded to the call for donations, sacrificing wealth for the greater good. She is gentle, virtuous, intelligent, and graceful; she excels in domestic management and possesses both loyalty and filial piety. Having deeply won Our heart, she is hereby enfeoffed as a County Mistress of the second rank, with the title 'Zhao Shan.' By Imperial Decree!"

Tang Zhao was stunned. Who was this talking about? Was it her? Was it her?

The Princess Consort of Prince Xuan prompted her from behind to express her gratitude. Recalling scenes from television dramas, Tang Zhao gave a heavy, resounding kowtow. "I thank Your Majesty."

After Grand Eunuch Zhou finished announcing the decree, he returned to his usual Maitreya-like smiling face and personally helped her up. "Please rise, Your Ladyship. This old servant congratulates the County Mistress."

Tang Zhao felt as if she were in a dream, dazedly saying, "Thank you, Eunuch."

With a wave of the Grand Eunuch's hand, a line of young eunuchs stepped forward carrying gift boxes. He said with a feigned complaint, "The County Mistress is truly something; how could she not have kept a few items of her biological mother's to serve as mementos?"

*She was only thinking about destroying the Duke of Wei's Manor.* Tang Zhao masked everything with a smile.

The Grand Eunuch did not expect an answer. He pointed to the boxes and said, "His Majesty specifically ordered the Governor of Luoyang to select some items that the late Duchess of Wei, of the first rank, loved, to leave for Your Ladyship."

Tang Zhao realized then; no wonder Yin Wei had written to her yesterday, telling her to write down anything she took a liking to. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Grand Eunuch was satisfied. "Then this old servant shall take his leave."

"Please take care, Eunuch," Gu Liu personally escorted him out of the mansion gates.

In the courtyard, the Princess Consort of Prince Xuan stepped forward, took her young daughter-in-law's hand, and said to the crowd, "Rituals must not be neglected. All of you, come and pay your respects to the County Mistress."

"How can I do that?" Tang Zhao asked in surprise.

The Princess Consort held her steady. Gu Liu led Gu Ci in a bow, the Heir's Consort curtsied, and the guards, servants, and elderly nannies of the mansion filled the courtyard, kneeling. "We pay our respects to the County Mistress."

"Quickly, get up," Tang Zhao felt this was even more awkward than kneeling to receive the imperial decree just now.

"Thank you, County Mistress," the crowd rose.

Following that, Tang Zhao was like a marionette, led by the Princess Consort to worship the ancestors and the gods, and to prepare the victory banquet. After a day of noisy busyness, Tang Zhao collapsed onto her bed on an empty stomach.

This was more exhausting than her previous life spent in the social circles of fame and fortune.

At least in her past life, she could sneak a few biscuits; now, with dozens of eyes watching her, she didn't even dare to drink water.

Nanny Song felt both gratified and heartbroken. She coaxed her into eating a bowl of red date porridge, and after attending to her washing and grooming, she carefully tucked in the corners of the quilt to ensure not a single draft could enter before blowing out the lamp and quietly leaving.

In the Minghui Hall, Gu Ci pressed his hand to his forehead.

"Previously, when you found excuses to sleep in separate rooms, your mother did not interfere. But now that Zhao Shan has been enfeoffed as a County Mistress, the eyes of all Luoyang are fixed upon her. If you continue to sleep separately, it will surely draw suspicion," the Princess Consort said in a heavy voice. "The Emperor has bestowed this marriage. If you act this way and the Crown Prince's faction discovers it, they will certainly file a petition against you."

She looked at her son's expressionless face. "Your marriage to Zhao Shan was bestowed by the Emperor; there is absolutely no possibility of divorce or severing ties. Forget about her; you are destined to be together without being a couple."

"Your son knows."

Watching her son's desolate silhouette, the Princess Consort cursed Prince Xuan bitterly in her heart.

Gu Ci walked all the way back to the Bidan Courtyard, rolled up the bedding from the study, and carried it to the main courtyard, returning to the bedroom he had been away from for two months.

The lights in the master bedroom were already out. Gu Ci, whose night vision was excellent, looked at the person sleeping like a lazy pig on the bed. His lip twitched. He placed the quilt at the edge of the bed, lay down in his clothes, and kept his eyes open until dawn, but unexpectedly, the person beside him did not wake up for a long time.

Tang Zhao had a good night's sleep. As she stretched her limbs and turned over, she felt she had pressed against something hard and warm.

She lifted her left eyelid in a daze and peeked. Oh, it was a handsome man!

In her previous life, Tang Zhao had lived nearly thirty years, taking in everything like a Pi Xiu and never letting anything out; she couldn't bear to spend money on "pretty boys." As a straight woman who had been single since birth, she had never even had a dream of spring!

Therefore, as her first dream across two lifetimes, Tang Zhao found it very novel. She felt around, touching up, touching down, touching left, and touching right, enjoying her groping immensely.

Gu Ci did not expect that after a moment of surprise, he would be groped all over—he didn't even let "Little Gu" go! He immediately grabbed the lecherous hand that was molesting him and forcefully flung the person away.

Her body felt light, and then she fell onto the silk quilt. Tang Zhao opened her eyes in anger and glared. Which nightclub did this gigolo come from? Did he not know that the customer is God?

Then, she met Gu Ci's eyes, which were flashing with a cold light.

Tang Zhao was momentarily stunned. "Wait, why does this pretty boy look exactly like that stone-faced Gu Ci?"

All her interest vanished!

Gu Ci laughed out of pure rage. "Tang Zhao, open your eyes wide and look closely at who I am."

If a person looked like Gu Ci, sounded like Gu Ci, and even got angry like Gu Ci, then in all likelihood, that person was Gu Ci.

Tang Zhao gasped and struck first. "Why are you here?"

"If I weren't here, how would I know what kind of messy dreams the eldest Miss Tang has?" Gu Ci sneered. "It seems my mother was right; I have indeed neglected my wife."

Gu Ci began to undress with slow, deliberate movements. "Do not be in a hurry, wife. I shall satisfy you right now."

Tang Zhao:?