The Cannon Fodder and Villain’s Happy Ending

Chapter 268

In Gu Jing’s opinion, Gu Zezhi probably got the news about him assisting one step earlier and knew what happened in the Golden Palace, so he was able to behave so calmly.

Also, Gu Jing doesn’t really care, what was important was his emperor father had already issued a verbal order in the court earlier so it didn’t matter what Gu Zezhi thought about this matter.

“Imperial Uncle,” Gu Jing sounded troubled and considerate as he said, “I know Imperial Uncle has something going on at home and know it’s tiring so why don’t imperial uncle leave the peace talks to this nephew. This nephew will definitely make proper arrangements and will not disappoint emperor father and imperial uncle.”

Gu Jing said this just to insult Gu Zezhi on purpose, he knew that Gu Zezhi could not let go of this matter easily. After all, compared with Gu Chenzhi, the heir of Duan Wangye, who had great military achievements, Gu Zezhi now has neither military achievements nor qualifications. Besides being a legitimate son, what does he compare with Gu Chenzhi?!

So, this peace talk was the simplest and most effective opportunity for him to make contributions. As for his emperor father, he was letting Gu Zezhi take charge of the peace talk because he was also intending to let him compete with Gu Chenzhi, so as to make Duan Wangye abolish his heir apparent.

Gu Jing looks down at Gu Zezhi who was only one case away from him with a detached look.

However——

“En.”

From the beginning to the end, Gu Zezhi only gave this word, then took up the blue and white porcelain tea cup with his hand and drank tea elegantly.

“….”

Gu Jing couldn’t believe his ears as his eyes slightly widened looking at Gu Zezhi who was sitting on the imperial chair, who now looked shorter than him, with a boiling haze of doubts and suspicion.

Why was Gu Zezhi willing to give in and let himself take charge of the peace talks?

Was he trying to show his goodwill to him, was that it?

Impossible!

Between the two of them, their relationship was not something that show each other goodwill, also, he didn’t think that Gu Zezhi would have such a broad mind to let this opportunity pass…

Gu Jing suppressed his doubts, thinking that no matter what Gu Zezhi’s intentions were, the most important thing for him right now was to do well in the peace talks. As for Gu Zezhi’s intention, if he has any plans, he would reveal them sooner or later.

In the next few days, Gu Zezhi really let Gu Jing do all the talk making him feel like a fish back in the water* having frequent contact with Prince Yelu Luan to discuss the terms of the peace talks between the two countries. The progress of the peace talks could be described as swift.

(*glad to be back in one’s proper surroundings)

In just two days, Gu Jing asked Prince Yelu Luan to agree to give a gift to Daqi, in addition to the five hundred Turkic horses, he also agreed on giving another one hundred mares with young horses. So, on the 24th day of the first month, the emperor, at Gu Jing’s request, sent Prince Tai to northern Xinjiang to receive the six hundred horses.

All eyes of the court and the public fell on Gu Jing, the second prince. Making only a few people notice that Yu Fuyun had left the capital quietly, and the emperor once again have Gu Zezhi, look after Gu Zhen, the sixth prince.

After not seeing each other for a while, Gu Zezhi’s first sentence to Gu, Zhen was: “Xiao Zhen, you have to read it slowly and calmly with your eyes, think about it after reading, and tell me when you think you understand.”

Gu Zhen blinked his pair of mirror-like eyes and nodded solemnly: “Thank you for the guidance of the imperial uncle.”

He made an earnest bow to Gu Zezhi again in a proper manner.

Gu Zezhi smiled slightly. The next moment, he saw the little guy raise his head and asked in his childish voice, “Imperial Uncle, can I go to play with Sister Jiu?”

The smile on Gu Zezhi’s face deepened, and leaned over to rub Gu Zhen’s head, his voice was so gentle that it sounded like dripping water, “Xiao Zhen, when you understand what you read, I will take you there.”

There was also a bit of coaxing that could be heard in his voice.

Gu Zhen nodded vigorously, feeling that he must work hard!

Qin Jiu, who was missed by a certain little guy, suddenly felt some tickling in her throat and covered her mouth with a handkerchief to cough. Seeing this, Old Madam Qin asked nervously, “Jiu’er, you didn’t catch a cold, did you?”

Old Madam Qin hurriedly ordered a maidservant to serve her hot tea and help her.

“I’m fine.” Qin Jiu casually said, “Maybe someone is thinking about me.”

Old Madam Qin was still worried, she immediately ordered someone to give Qin Jiu a hand stove then she looked at Qin Jiu and flatteringly said, “Jiu’er, all your spring clothes for this season are already done. After you go back, try it quickly so if you don’t like it there is still time to change them.”

Qin Jiu likes the new clothes and was already anticipating wearing one but after thinking of fitting all of those clothes she felt burdensome. Ancient clothes were really complicated to wear not to mention the layer she needs to wear, and because of this, she sweats every time. She had already predicted that she would be wasting her time in the morning by just trying four clothes, so why would she go her way and waste her time!

She said with a smile: “Grandmother, the needlework is good so it is certainly good……” there is no need to try.

“You still have to try.” Old Madam Qin interrupted Qin Jiu as she patted her hand and continued, “You are growing fast at your age. I think you are much taller than last year.”

Old Madam Qin expressed her affection to Qin Jiu awkwardly.

Ever since she took back the right to run the residence from Madam Su, she had gradually noticed Madam Su’s negligence towards Qin Jiu.

Qin Jiu’s autumn clothes and winter clothes were left over by other girls last year not to mention the materials and patterns were out of date. The furniture in the room was all old things, not only that, Madam Su deliberately made things difficult for her when it comes to her meals making sure that her servants won’t listen to her.

Every time Old Madam Qin thinks about it she felt ashamed to face her dead eldest son and daughter-in-law.

And whenever she remembered them, Old Madam Qin looked at Qin Jiu with complicated emotions. If it weren’t for the girl’s cleverness, she might have suffered a lot from Madam Su’s hand.

Thinking about how this girl has suffered for more than ten years, Old Madam Qin feels she really owed her granddaughter.

***