Chapter 429 Please cooperate
Su Ding and others received orders from Gu Mengzhen and took their positions according to the plan.
Gu Nianting also followed the plan and took the initiative to ask to see Concubine Rong and He Shu.
The morning mist was covered with a touch of colorful morning glow and gradually dissipated.
When He Shu heard that Prince Chen wanted to see her, she agreed without hesitation and even greeted him with a smile, as if she was meeting her own son.
"Ting'er."
Recognizing his aunt from afar, Gu Nianting hurried forward to salute.
"My young prince Gu Nian Ting, respectfully wishes the Empress Rong good health."
The title of concubine and the title of prince both belong to the first rank. According to the rules, Gu Nianting can be exempted from the etiquette and can greet with a simple courtesy. However, the relationship between the imperial concubine and the prince is nominally mother and son, so Gu Nianting can still perform this great ceremony in accordance with etiquette.
Seeing that he was so sensible, He Shu was both touched and distressed.
"Why do we have to be so polite to each other? Stand up quickly."
"It's still chilly in the morning, why don't you put on a cloak, Ting'er? Please come to the main hall to talk, so you don't get cold."
Looking around and confirming that they were all his confidants and no outsiders, Gu Nianting waved his hand and politely declined the invitation to the main hall.
"Aunt He, please wait. I am here for something important. I beg you to cooperate with me."
He Shu was slightly stunned.
"Oh? What's the matter?"
Gu Nianting relayed Lin Mu's plan in an orderly manner, but did not mention Lin Mu.
Lin Mu specifically instructed that if he was mentioned, Concubine Rong would also have some concerns, just like the two gentlemen Qi and Tao, and then the prince would have to listen to some advice again.
Therefore, Gu Nianting pretended that this was Zhong Hua's plan.
Even so, He Shu still had doubts.
"Is this... really Alliance Leader Qi's plan?"
Anticipating that she would hesitate, Lin Mu had already taught her the method of persuasion. Gu Nianting followed his instructions and acted like a lonely and pitiful woman, and intentionally or unintentionally changed the respectful address.
"Madam Rongfei, are you unwilling to help by asking this?"
"Oh, that's fine."
"I still remember my mother telling me about the old days. When Concubine Rong married into the Gu Mansion as a commoner, she and you hit it off right away. In the early years of Shengping, my father ascended the throne and conferred titles on you two, Shuyi and Xiuyuan respectively. Your positions were not high and you had no titles. You shared the same suffering and cherished each other even more."
"Last year, my mother rose to prominence and ascended the throne. The first thing she thought of was not her family or her beloved son, but you. Not only did she support the position of concubine, she also recommended the title to my father. 'Honor' means to bring honor to myself and glory to you."
"I thought that with the friendship between us and the support from her, Concubine Rong would treat her old friend's son well. I didn't expect..."
He Shu watched him grow up, and she hated to see him helpless and timid. Whenever she saw him like that, she felt soft-hearted.
"I asked one more question because I was worried. Look at you, you are full of complaints."
Hearing the change in tone, Gu Nianting smiled secretly and changed back to the respectful address at the appropriate time.
"My mother passed away, and Imperial Concubine Yi didn't want me. All children without my mother are like this. Aunt He has never experienced this, so she doesn't feel the pain."
He Shu had no doubts at all and responded gently, comforting him patiently.
"Your mother left you against her will. Noble Concubine Yi, let's not talk about it. Why did you stoop to be her son?"
"It's a pity that you and I are considered aunt and nephew. In name, it's not easy for me to adopt you. Otherwise, you should stay with me. You and I are a family. No matter whether I am favored or not, or how powerful I am, family members always get along more warmly than other people."
Gu Nianting nodded slightly, silent and pitiful.
"What Aunt He said is very true."
He Shu's jade hands relaxed, her brows relaxed for him, and she smiled happily, no longer doubting him.
"Ting'er, don't be sad anymore. I will listen to you. Let's go and catch the pair now, okay?"
It turned out that she was just acting and she was not really sad. Gu Nianting smiled instantly.
"Thank you, Aunt He."
He Shu realized that it was all a show and didn't suspect anything.
In her opinion, Ting'er Baishui was pure and innocent, and had never had any bad intentions. The so-called acting was just a way of being coquettish.
"Come here, quickly prepare the carriage and go to Wanying Palace."
The morning glow is like a brocade, illuminating the majestic mansion, and slowly lingering in the palace.
Concubine Wan, whose name was Shen Honglin.
Su Ding arrived early and asked her to pretend to get up in the morning and dress neatly and sit in front of the dressing mirror; he wore his underwear and lay on the bed.
In this way, it will not affect the implementation of the plan and can also preserve Shen Honglin's chastity, achieving the best of both worlds.
Next, he waited quietly for Gu Nianting and others to arrive.
I didn't wait long before I heard a sudden noise outside.
"Empress Rong, you can't trespass into the bedroom. Empress Zhaoyi hasn't woken up yet."
"Yes, may I ask your permission?"
He Shu's words, which sounded intimidating without any anger, were heard immediately.
"How dare you!"
"I am a concubine, so it is only right that Wan Zhaoyi should come out to greet you. How can I ask for an audience to report to you?"
"You are so guilty, is there a stranger in the room? Don't try to stop me, just get out of my way!"
As soon as she finished speaking, He Shu rushed in.
Gu Nianting avoided the issue of men and women, so he did not invite anyone to meet him and could only wait outside the door.
Su Ding pretended to wake up suddenly.
"Empress Rong?!"
Seeing that he was only wearing his underwear, He Shu quickly turned aside.
Following the palace maid, also turning sideways.
Su Ding was getting dressed in a hurry and accidentally fell off the bed. He fell to the ground and knelt down.
Shen Honglin was also panicked and stood up tremblingly to salute.
Both of them said in unison.
"I wish you the best of luck, Empress Rong."
The accompanying eunuch whispered that Su Ding had already put on his outer coat.
He Shu turned around slowly and sat down unhurriedly, letting them kneel without signaling them to stand up.
"What does Sister Wan mean? Why is Lord Su here?"
Shen Honglin hesitated to speak.
"This……"
He Shu looked away indifferently, her majesty was self-evident.
"Do you know what the punishment is for having a private meeting with a man other than you?"
Shen Honglin said without hesitation, taking all the blame.
"I know this very well, but please Sister Rong, Lord Su is unaware of the situation. This is all my fault. I should bear all the blame."
Su Ding followed closely and expressed his decision resolutely.
"Please understand, Concubine Rong. I forced you to do this. Concubine Wan Zhaoyi did not do it voluntarily and is innocent."
They acted sincerely and there was nothing wrong with it.
Following her nephew's wishes, He Shu played the good guy.
"So you two have such a deep affection for each other. I am really touched. However, the palace rules are strict. I am a concubine, so I have to follow the law, report the matter truthfully, and deal with it seriously. I hope Master Su and Sister Wan will forgive me."
At this time, Gu Nianting asked for a meeting outside the door, and was allowed to enter only after He Shu's permission.
He knelt in front of He Shu and bowed solemnly.
"I beg Aunt He to have mercy on them and let them go."
He Shu gave earnest advice.
"Ting'er, you are so confused. How can you plead for them? Don't you understand the current situation?"
Gu Nianting's every word was sonorous, and his plea for mercy was particularly firm.
"My nephew is begging for mercy, not for the sake of the court, but only for admiration. To be honest, I have heard of Lord Su's reputation for a long time, and my nephew has secretly regarded him as a role model, from childhood to adulthood, and it has been many years."
Su Ding showed an expression of emotion at the right time.
He Shu did not agree immediately, but expressed disbelief and asked for confirmation.
"Is this true?"