FDPBCT 07

Chapter 07

Since Heaven Had Given Her a Second Chance at Life (Page 1/2)**

On the other side, Consort De’s bedchamber.

*”Clatter—crash!”*

A fine set of tea utensils was swept violently to the floor, shattering instantly. Scorching hot tea mixed with tea leaves splashed across the ground.

“Fine, just fine!”

Consort De’s face was ashen. “That venomous woman, the Empress—she did that on purpose! Putting on airs as the Empress in front of me, rejecting every single word I said! She’s just jealous that our Gu family has been rising recently, so she instigated that fool Princess Zhaoyang to cause this scene.”

“His Majesty used this as an excuse to rein in our Gu family!”

She paced back and forth, her heart seething with anger and anxiety, then turned to Gu Qingyu. “Qingyu, what you said before—that this servant called A-Nu would be of great use in the future—what did you mean by that?”

Gu Chengyang was dumbfounded upon hearing this. “Elder Sister, that A-Nu is just a servant I bought from the fighting arena. He’s even mute. What possible use could he be?”

Consort De shot him a fierce glare. “Shut your mouth! If it weren’t for you, this A-Nu would still be a member of our Gu household, and today we wouldn’t have angered His Majesty. From now on, behave yourself and stop provoking that Princess Zhaoyang. If you dare cause trouble outside again and bring disaster upon the Gu family, don’t blame me for disregarding our aunt-nephew bond.”

Gu Chengyang shrank his neck and dared not speak further, quickly responding, “Yes, Aunt. Chengyang will remember.”

Though he agreed verbally, he was seething inside. Not only had he been beaten for no reason, but more importantly, that runaway slave was clearly at Prince Duan’s manor. If it weren’t for His Majesty’s favoritism…

Consort De paid no attention to what he was thinking and turned back to her niece. “His Majesty didn’t punish your brother today, probably out of consideration for the fact that you saved His Majesty at the royal hunting grounds last time. Otherwise, just based on his fighting with the manor guards at the gates of Prince Duan’s manor today—regardless of the cause—the officials at court would have submitted memorials impeaching the Gu family.”

Gu Qingyu lowered her head, the image of Princess Zhaoyang throwing a reckless tantrum before the Emperor and Empress surfacing in her mind.

In her previous life, it was Princess Zhaoyang who had taken the arrow for His Majesty. The one kicked in the head by a donkey and left with amnesia had been herself.

Princess Zhaoyang, having saved His Majesty, was showered with favor and even granted a golden immunity amulet.

Meanwhile, she herself, after losing her memory, had not only forgotten the person she originally loved but had also been muddled into marrying that hypocrite from the Chen family.

Half a month ago, at the royal hunting grounds, she had lured Princess Zhaoyang to the path with the mad donkey, and she herself had successfully saved His Majesty.

But having saved His Majesty, she had received only the title of County Princess.

Yet that amnesiac Princess Zhaoyang still lived a life drenched in favor.

Her eyes darkened. Since Heaven had given her a second chance at life, why shouldn’t she fight for what that useless Princess Zhaoyang could obtain?

Not only that—she would return every grievance she had suffered in her previous life tenfold upon everyone who had wronged her.

“Qingyu, what’s wrong with you?” Consort De frowned at her.

This child had kept her head down ever since she entered, and when asked a question, she didn’t respond.

Had she been frightened by His Majesty?

Gu Qingyu slowly raised her head, a hint of apology on her face. “I’m sorry, Aunt. I was thinking about something and got distracted. What did you say just now?”

Consort De glanced at Gu Chengyang beside her. Thinking about what she was about to say next, she paused, then sent him back to the Gu household first.

After Gu Chengyang had left, she asked again.

“Qingyu, what exactly is A-Nu’s future use?”

Gu Qingyu’s eyelids drooped slightly, concealing the emotions in her eyes. “Your niece isn’t entirely sure—it’s more of a premonition. Aunt, you know that in this period of time, your niece’s premonitions have never been wrong. A-Nu was originally a servant of our Gu household. Your niece thought we could get him back from Prince Duan’s manor, treat him well in the future, and if he truly has good fortune, he could one day become an asset to my cousin.”

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She remembered in her previous life that this servant named A-Nu had escaped from her younger brother’s hands. Years later, when they met again, he had become the renowned general under General Qin’s command—a man whose very name struck fear into the hearts of the enemy. His military achievements were illustrious, and even His Majesty held him in high regard, bestowing him with constant rewards.

If her younger brother had treated him well instead of tormenting him endlessly, their Gu family wouldn’t have fallen to such a state in the previous life.

Upon hearing that he could become an asset to her son, Consort De grew anxious. “Now that this A-Nu is in Princess Zhaoyang’s hands, we might have to ask your eldest brother to intervene. But your eldest brother detests Princess Zhaoyang so much…”

“Aunt, no matter how unwilling my eldest brother may be, for my cousin’s sake, I believe he will find a way to get A-Nu back from Princess Zhaoyang.”

“It’s unfair to your eldest brother.” Consort De looked deeply gratified.

But then, something occurred to her, and her brows furrowed slightly. “However, I heard that Princess Zhaoyang has lost her memory. Could she have forgotten about your eldest brother entirely?”

Gu Qingyu was also uncertain upon hearing this.

“Princess Zhaoyang was so smitten with my eldest brother—surely seeing him again will rekindle her feelings.”

In her previous life, after she had lost her memory, she had indeed forgotten that she once loved General Qin.

But years later, when he returned from the border and she saw him again, despite being married, she couldn’t help feeling her heart stir. That affection came flooding back, and with it, all the memories of the past instantly returned.

With a solution for the A-Nu matter in hand, Consort De breathed a sigh of relief.

But thinking of how she had angered His Majesty today, her anxiety returned.

She fumed, “As long as the Crown Prince stands, the Empress’s position in His Majesty’s heart remains unshakable.”

“Aunt, be careful with your words. Walls have ears.”

Gu Qingyu glanced around, relieved that the palace attendants were all those her aunt trusted.

She leaned close to Consort De’s ear. “The Crown Prince has been frail since childhood. Father once said that imperial physicians had pronounced he would not live long. Aunt, rather than keeping your eyes fixed on the Empress, perhaps you should consider other things—”

She remembered that in her previous life, the Crown Prince had died of illness three years later. After his death, the Empress, unable to bear the blow, followed not long after.

The Crown Princess had sent the young Imperial Grandson into the palace to be raised by His Majesty.

But that child had rarely spoken since birth, often locking himself in his room alone and ignoring everyone around him.

No one had paid him any mind.

Who would have thought that after the Emperor’s death, the one who ultimately ascended the throne would be precisely this Imperial Grandson whom everyone had overlooked?

She withdrew her thoughts and turned to Consort De, her tone casual as if making ordinary conversation.

“Though the Crown Prince’s health is poor, at least he has a healthy young Imperial Grandson.”

At these words, Consort De’s fingers paused on her teacup.

Then she frowned, her tone dismissive. “That Imperial Grandson? Suffering from that strange illness of his, never saying a word all day long, like a block of wood—what use could he possibly be?”

“Perhaps he’ll get better when he grows up?” Gu Qingyu asked lightly.

That single sentence made Consort De’s expression grow somber.

She stared at the pillars outside the hall in silence for a long time, a shadow gradually creeping into her eyes.

Indeed—no matter how inconspicuous a hidden danger, if it ever gains momentum, it becomes a fatal threat.

As this thought took root, a flash of ruthlessness gleamed in her eyes.