Chapter 138 Liu Zhao's Invitation

Ning Wangfu.

The garden pavilion is surrounded by a screen to block the howling cold wind.

Inside the screen, there is the sound of the piano.

The sound of the piano is melodious, revealing a bit of laziness.

The maid and the servant waited on the side, and did not dare to approach without ordering.

Liu Zhao played the piano alone, his expression relaxed.

The ups and downs outside could not affect his mood of playing the piano.

The sound of the qin gradually became passionate, revealing that the person who played the qin was very ambitious.

The guard Zhao San came towards the pavilion, and when he heard the sound of the piano, he involuntarily relaxed his steps.

He did not disturb Liu Zhao, but waited outside the pavilion, waiting to be summoned.

"Is Zhao San here?" Liu Zhao's cold voice came from the screen. Accompanied by the sound of the piano, in winter, it is like ice, which makes people tremble subconsciously.

The guard Zhao San bowed and replied, "My subordinates are here."

"come in."

"As ordered."

Zhao San lifted his steps, walked up the steps, removed the screen and walked into the pavilion.

It is as warm as spring in the gazebo.

Zhao San looked down and saw the brazier placed in the corner.

Liu Zhao continued to play the qin, the sound of the qin was low, as if he was sympathizing for someone.

Liu Zhao mixed several pieces together and played it for nearly half an hour before stopping.

As soon as the piano sound stopped, the maid came in from outside the screen, holding hot water, and wiped Liu Zhao's fingers.

Wipe each finger carefully. After wiping, massage to relax.

After enjoying for a while, Liu Zhao waved his hand, and the maids left the pavilion in silence.

He picked up the hot tea, took a sip, and asked, "What's the matter?"

Zhao San bowed and said, "Qingping Racecourse has sent another batch of horses to Beijing."

"That's it?"

Liu Zhao lifted his eyelids.

Indifferent eyes.

Zhao San hurriedly said: "As expected, things are going according to your son's plan. Lord Gu was imprisoned last night. This morning, Marquis Pingnan entered the palace to face the Holy Spirit and wanted to intercede for Lord Gu. But His Majesty did not give Marquis Pingnan. Opportunity. At this meeting, Ping Nanhou should have asked Li Shizhong to talk."

Liu Zhao was expressionless and remained silent.

Zhao San pondered for a while, and said cautiously: "Master, Gu is the father of the second girl. If Gu is planted this time, the future of the second girl will be worrying. She will definitely not be able to marry a good family by then."

"Are you worried about her?"

Liu Zhao asked indifferently.

Zhao San said with deliberation: "After all, she saved the son."

The corner of Liu Zhao's mouth was slightly raised, "You are right, she saved my son after all."

The servant Lin Shuping walked into the pavilion, bowed and saluted, "Young Master Qi, the princess has a request."

Liu Zhao's eyebrows moved slightly, and he asked calmly, "Why does the concubine want to see this son?"

"I don't know." After a pause, Lin Shuping guessed, "Or for the son's marriage."

Liu Zhao rarely frowned.

Regarding Liu Zhao's marriage, Zhao San did not dare to speak.

Liu Zhao was silent for a moment, then said to Zhao San: "Go to the study and wait. This son will go to meet the mother and concubine first."

"Subordinates obey."

Liu Zhao got up, and the maids silently walked into the pavilion and put on a cape for him to ensure that he would not be attacked by the cold wind.

Liu Zhao went to Chunhe Hall, where Princess Ning lived.

Walking into the main room, I saw Princess Ning, Pei Shi, chatting and laughing with two concubines and beauties.

Several younger sisters of Liu Zhao also accompany Princess Ning for fun.

He stepped forward with a blank face, bowed and said, "My son pays respects to the concubine and concubine. How is the concubine's health these past few days?"

Princess Ning originally had a smiling face, but from the moment she saw Liu Zhao, her smile gradually subsided and her eyes became serious.

She looked at Liu Zhao indifferently, "Come on, sit down. Now that you are old, it is not easy to see you."

Liu Zhao expressionlessly sat down next to Princess Ning's Pei Shi.

The side concubine and the beauties got up one after another, "The maiden has something to talk about with the eldest son, I will leave first."

Several sisters of Liu Zhao also said their goodbyes.

Princess Ning's Pei Shi waved her hand, "You guys can go."

As everyone said goodbye, the main room was almost half empty in a blink of an eye.

The maid brought a cup of health tea and put it in the hands of Princess Ning Pei.

Princess Ning, Pei Shi drank a sip of health tea, but never said a word.

Liu Zhao was very patient and did not speak.

After Princess Ning finished her tea, she could not help frowning when she saw that Liu Zhao didn't speak.

"Don't you have anything to say to this princess?"

Liu Zhao bowed slightly, "Mother concubine called her son over, didn't she have an order? The son just listened."

Princess Ning, Pei Shi frowned, clearly dissatisfied. She suppressed the anger in her heart and said calmly: "You are too old, and you should hurry up with the marriage. Your younger brother has already started talking about kissing, how long will you delay?"

Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows and laughed, "I'm tired of worrying about my concubine. My son's marriage will be resolved when the time comes. No need to worry, concubine."

"You are my son, how can you not be in a hurry. I think that girl Pei Yun is very good. She has been thinking about you since she was a child, and you are a perfect couple."

Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows, "This is the meaning of the concubine, or the meaning of the king."

Princess Ning, Pei Shi suppressed her anger, "Is there a difference?"

Liu Zhao bowed slightly and said directly, "Pei Yun is not suitable."

The Marquis of Lu himself held a heavy army and held a high position. As the so-called tree is big and attracts wind, marrying Pei Yun is bound to attract the attention of people from all walks of life.

Liu Zhao now needs to keep a low profile and minimize his presence as much as possible. Marrying an unremarkable wife is more suitable for his current status.

Princess Ning's Pei Shi was dissatisfied, "Pei Yun is not worthy of you. Or, you are dissatisfied with this princess, so you don't want to marry Pei's daughter?"

"Mother and concubine misunderstood. The son has absolutely no intention of looking down on Pei's daughter. It's just because Pei Yun is not suitable for the son, and there is no other meaning."

Liu Zhao's tone was cold and he said calmly.

Princess Ning Pei Shi snorted coldly, "Don't care how many reasons you have, your marriage must be settled within a year. Don't forget, you are already twenty, and you have three or five children from a clan as big as you. It's you, who has been dragging on not getting married, what kind of formality."

Liu Zhao was unmoved, but he still said: "I know what the concubine means, the son will settle the marriage as soon as possible, so you don't need to worry about it."

"You, you're just ignorant. The marriage matters, the words of the matchmaker ordered by your parents, what is it that I don't need to worry about this princess. When this princess sees you, the bigger it is, the more outrageous it is."

Princess Ning's Pei Shi was so angry that her heart ached.

Liu Zhao smiled, "Mother concubine, don't forget that your son is a clan. The young man will worry about his son's marriage. When he enters the palace in the first month, the son will meet with the commander of the young mansion and ask him if he is suitable. Girl. When the time comes, the son will choose one directly, will the mother and concubine be satisfied?"

"In the end, you are the girl who refuses to marry the Pei family."

Liu Zhao did not deny it, "Yes, a son cannot marry a girl from the Pei family. If the mother and concubine insist on being in-law with the Pei family, it is better to ask the father and the prince of Lu first. I'm afraid they have no plans to be in-law. ."

Princess Ning's Pei Shi frowned, "What's wrong with the Pei family that you all dislike it so much?"

Liu Zhao smiled softly, "Mother and concubine misunderstood. It's not that the Pei family is bad, but the Pei family is too good. It's so good that the son doesn't dare to marry."

Princess Ning's face changed drastically, her lips opened and closed, and finally there was only a sigh left, "You...you can do it yourself. The marriage should be resolved as soon as possible, or when His Majesty remembers, he will directly refer you to the marriage, and then you will not be allowed to go back on your words."

"Thank you for the reminder, the son knows the importance. If the mother has nothing else, the son will leave."

Princess Ning, Pei Shi waved her hand, "Go, go. Now that this princess wants to see you, she has to find an opportunity."

Liu Zhao bowed to say goodbye and left Chunhe Hall.

He went straight back to the study, where Zhao San was waiting.

"Son!"

Liu Zhao waved his hand, indicating that Zhao San did not need to speak.

He stood by the window, looking at the dead branches outside the window, before asking for a long time, "Master Gu has been imprisoned?"

"Exactly."

Liu Zhao smiled contemptuously, "The Empress is becoming less and less particular now."

Zhao San echoed: "After all, the Queen's time is short, she has to hurry up and remove all obstacles for His Royal Highness."

"It's a pity that she wasted her time. His Royal Highness can't support the wall with mud, and the group of officials in the East Palace are all thirsty, selfish and selfish."

Liu Zhao was not polite at all, and criticized the East Palace as worthless.

Zhao San asked cautiously, "What is your son going to do?"

Liu Zhao smiled softly, "That girl Gu Er must be in a hurry."

"Subordinates don't know."

Liu Zhao made a decisive decision, "Send her a letter, and my son will invite her for an interview."

Huh?

Zhao San couldn't seem to react.

I don't understand, I don't understand at all.

"Why does the son want to see the second girl Gu?"

Liu Zhao said willfully: "Because I want to see her, I want to see her. The time is about tomorrow afternoon. I hope she will not disappoint me."

Zhao San didn't ask more, and bowed to take orders, "Subordinates obey. Subordinates will make arrangements."

...

Gu Mansion, Zhilan Courtyard.

Gu Jiu came to the study, ready to practice calligraphy and meditate.

If you are not calm, you cannot think calmly.

When she opened the copybook, a letter fell.

This is an unsigned letter.

Gu Jiu frowned, first sniffed it, and made sure there was no poison or something, before she tried to open the envelope.

This is an invitation letter, inviting her to meet at the Taoist Temple in the city tomorrow afternoon.

Signature: Gongzi Zhao.

It turned out to be the imperial edict?

How could Young Master Zhao take the initiative to see her?

How could Young Master Zhao know about her little person? It's unbelievable.

Gu Jiu's mind was confused, and she had a feeling that she had overlooked some important clues.

She reread the letter several times, it shouldn't be fake.

Who would make such a joke?

"Qingmei, Qingmei..."

Gu Jiu shouted outside the study.

When Qingmei heard the movement, she walked in.

"The girl called the servant girl, but there is something to order?"

Gu Jiu asked directly, "Has anyone entered the study today?"

"No. Why don't the servants go and ask, maybe the little maids came in to clean up when the girl was away."

Gu Jiu hurriedly said: "Go and ask, and ask clearly. Ask them if they have seen anyone come in, and then ask if they have seen an unsigned letter in the study."

"Girl, is something wrong?"

Qingmei looked at Gu Jiu worriedly.

Gu Jiu said, "It's not a big deal, don't worry. You can ask first."

"The slaves obey."

Qingmei walked out of the study and asked the little maids one by one.

I asked around, but nothing came up.

Qingmei told Gu Jiu anxiously, "Reporting to the girl, the little girls all said that no one ever entered or left the study during this period."

Gu Jiu frowned, this letter was too strange.

It seemed to fall from the sky and landed on her desk.

That Young Master Zhao, what a powerful method. Entering the Gu Mansion is like entering and exiting a land of no one.

Gu Jiu pursed her lips, feeling depressed.

At this moment, Xiaocui hurried back from the outside.

"Girl, girl..."

"Don't run around, be careful to bump into the girl." Qingmei glared at Xiaocui.

Xiao Cui was embarrassed, so she quickly slowed down and walked into the study in an orderly manner, "Miss Qi, there is an important matter, and the servants need to report."

"But there is new news from the Hou residence?" Gu Jiu asked hurriedly.

Xiaocui shook her head, "It's not about the master, it's Mrs. Wu who is guarding the back door. She suddenly grabbed the slave and gave her a key. The slave didn't respond at the time. After that, the slave secretly went to the back door and tried the key. The key, yes, can open the back door. Really, the slave did not lie."

Xiao Cui quickly took out the key and put it on the desk, "This is the key to the back door. With this key, the girl can sneak out of the house in the future without worrying about being discovered."

Gu Jiu looked at the key and took a deep breath.

This young master's edict was so powerful that she even took into account the problem of her going out.

Whether the son-in-law has placed eyeliner in Gu Mansion, or has he bought Gu Mansion's gatekeeper in such a short period of time.

No matter what the situation is, it is not very good for Gu Jiu.

Obviously, the Gu Mansion, Master Gu, has been targeted from the very beginning.

Gu Jiu rubbed his brows, it seemed that the meeting tomorrow afternoon was inevitable.

Qingmei was still asking Xiao Cui, "Are you sure this can open the back door?"

Xiaocui nodded again and again.

Qingmei asked, "Are you sure it was given to you by Mrs. Wu, who guards the back door?"

Xiaocui said, "It's absolutely true, it was indeed given to me by Mrs. Wu. Sister Qingmei, if you don't believe me, let's go to the back door and try this key."

Qingmei bit her lip, "Okay, I'll go with you to the back door and try this key."

Then, Qingmei asked Gu Jiu for instructions.

Gu Jiu's face was sinking like water, and he said, "Go ahead. You might as well give it a try. But that key must be real."

"Why is the girl so sure?"

Gu Jiu laughed at himself, "Because this girl is going to leave the house tomorrow."

"what?"

Ome is unknown.

Gu Jiu waved his hand, "You all go to work first, and we'll talk about it later."

Gu Jiu's own thoughts were all messed up.

She always felt that she had overlooked some important clue, but she couldn't remember it.

What puzzled her the most was why Young Master Zhao took the initiative to see her?

She is just a little-known boudoir girl, and she is not a jewel in the capital, everyone knows. How could Young Master Zhao think of meeting her?

You can't have known each other before.

Qingmei personally went to the back door and tried the key, and sure enough, she could open the back door.

She couldn't understand at all, how Mrs. Wu would take the initiative to give the key.

At first, she didn't pay Mrs. Wu any money. When she gave up, Mrs. Wu took the initiative to give the key.

What the hell is this.

Qingmei was very worried, she whispered to Gu Jiu, "Could it be that Mrs. Wu is trying to harm the girl. Could it be that someone else bought Mrs. Wu, and when the girl secretly leaves the house, she will go to the wife to file a complaint?"

It was true that other people bribed Mrs. Wu, but not to complain, but to make it easier for Gu Jiu to leave the house.

Gu Jiu couldn't say this.

She said to Qingmei: "You don't need to think about this matter, Mrs. Wu has no ill intentions. Keep the keys and accompany me out the door tomorrow afternoon. In addition, let Li Chuan inform Er Zhuang and ask Er Zhuang to prepare the ox cart. "

"The servant knows. The servant will go to see Li Chuan."

Qingmei walked to the door, turned around again, and confirmed again, "Girl, does it really matter?"

"Don't worry, it doesn't matter."

Gu Jiu has been waiting for news from the Hou residence.

However, the old man worked hard for a day, but no good news came.

Things are stuck.

The old marquis clearly said that if things continued to stalemate, it would be extremely detrimental to Master Gu.

The most afraid of a situation is that Mr. Gu is in a state of anxiety when he is locked in the prison, but His Majesty has completely forgotten about him.

When His Majesty remembers it one day, maybe a year, two years, or even three or five years have passed.

At that time, Master Gu will be completely destroyed.

This forgotten situation is even more terrifying than exile.

Exile, at least he knows his own situation. With the help of the Houfu, the days of exile may not be difficult. And maybe, one day, there will be amnesty and recovery.

In exile, anything is possible.

To be forgotten is the real misery.

I was in constant panic every day, and there was always a sharp sword hanging above my head, and I didn't know when the sharp sword would fall.

In these days, people who are not strong enough will be imprisoned in the imperial prison all day long without seeing the light of day, fearing that they will be driven crazy.

The old man's meaning is very clear, this matter cannot continue to be a stalemate, no matter the outcome is good or bad, it must be resolved as soon as possible.

Gu Jiu agreed with this.

However, the negotiations between the old man and the empress did not go well.

The Empress showed the carriage and horses and refused to give face to the old marquis.

Gu Jiu can only count on the meeting with Young Master Zhao tomorrow.