Novel All
Chapter 234: The Palace
Chapter 234
"Your Excellency, this is a gift from my relative who has made a small fortune in the capital this year," said the woman.
The person sitting in the carriage let out a cold snort.
This lie was too obvious! Moreover, looking at this woman's practiced etiquette, only the strict rules of the imperial palace could train such a servant.
"The date for palace maids to leave the palace has passed months ago. Could it be that you've escaped from the palace?"
With a wave of his hand, the person in the carriage ordered his servants to seize the palace maid.
Meanwhile, Gu Sang, disguised as a palace maid, carefully observed the area near the palace. The entrance was heavily guarded, which meant there were surely hidden guards inside as well.
Trying to sneak in to rescue her grandmother would quickly lead to discovery.
So, Gu Sang thought of another plan. She first returned to the imperial kitchen and revealed her identity to the kitchen matron.
Yes, she was taking a gamble!
A gamble on human nature!
She recalled the words of the purchasing maid, remembered Consort Zhao and Consort Li, how they all wished to live in the future and were willing to change to realize that dream.
Those millions of merit points were a reflection of the changing mindset of people from ancient times.
Perhaps it wasn't enough for the entire ancient world, but if she lost this gamble, the worst she'd face was Pei Changying.
But what if she won?
Gu Sang chose to think positively, to believe in the beautiful side of human nature.
When Gu Sang told the kitchen matron her name, the woman's jaw dropped in shock, looking as if she wanted to cry out.
Just as Gu Sang became alert, ready to use her electric baton to stun the woman, the kitchen matron quickly covered her own mouth to prevent herself from shouting in excitement.
The matron hurriedly looked outside, and seeing no one passing by, she anxiously asked Gu Sang, "Miss Gu, why have you come back? You must leave quickly, the Emperor has set up a trap waiting for you."
Gu Sang calmly held the kitchen matron's hand and said, "My grandmother is here. I can't leave. Only by rescuing her can I be free from her threat."
Being in the position of a female official, the kitchen matron was clearly shrewd. She immediately guessed that Gu Sang needed her help.
"Miss Gu, if there's anything this servant can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask. Though my position is lowly, I wish to do my part."
Gu Sang looked at her deeply before speaking:
"When do you deliver meals? Could you arrange for me to go along?"
The kitchen matron hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Thank you! You've helped me, and I won't stand by and watch anyone who helps me die in this palace."
"After I send my grandmother out, I'll arrange for someone to help you leave the palace."
The kitchen matron shook her head, "I'm long past the age when I could leave the palace. I haven't left because I no longer have any family outside."
"Miss Gu, don't worry about me. I'll find a way to clear myself of suspicion."
"Thank you," Gu Sang said again gratefully.
Knowing time was short, the kitchen matron gave Gu Sang a few instructions about delivering food, then took her to bring a meal to Grandma Gu.
After passing through strict checks, they finally entered the room and saw grandmother.
There were hidden guards in the courtyard outside, but grandmother was alone in the room.
As soon as Gu Sang saw that familiar figure, her eyes welled up with tears!
She took a deep breath and carefully walked up to her grandmother, whispering:
"Grandma, I've missed you so much."
The moment Grandma Gu heard Gu Sang's voice, her body froze.
Grandma Gu suddenly raised her head!
Seeing Gu Sang, whom she had been thinking of day and night, right in front of her, Grandma Gu reached out with trembling hands and tearfully pulled Gu Sang into her embrace.
"Sang-sang, it's my Sang-sang!"
"It's alright now. Seeing you safe puts my mind at ease."
Gu Sang hugged her grandmother tightly, reluctantly leaving her embrace.
"Grandma, let's talk more after we leave."
"First, change clothes with her," Gu Sang said as the kitchen matron came over and exchanged clothes with grandmother.
"Thank you!" Gu Sang said earnestly after the kitchen matron had changed.
Though the kitchen matron could clear herself of suspicion, she might face punishment by caning.
Her willingness to help like this filled Gu Sang's heart with gratitude, but the urgent situation only allowed her to deeply engrave this kindness in her memory for now.
After grandmother changed clothes, Gu Sang knocked out the kitchen matron.
Then, she successfully led her grandmother out of the palace.
With the kitchen matron's token, Gu Sang and her grandmother could leave directly through the palace gate.
As Gu Sang handed the token to the guards at the gate for inspection, something unexpected happened—
"Thump thump thump!"
Over a hundred guards surrounded Gu Sang and her grandmother.
"Consort Gu, where might you be going?" An official walked in calmly, face to face with Gu Sang.
Upon confirming with his own eyes that the captured person was indeed Gu Sang, joy was evident on his face.
Gu Sang didn't recognize this man, but Grandma Gu did.
This official was Consort Li's father!
"Pah! Spineless coward, how could someone as resolute as Consort Li have such a weak-willed father?" Grandma Gu angrily cursed.
Gu Sang looked around. The front row of guards held swords, while archers in the distance aimed their bows at her and her grandmother.
Even if Gu Sang had weapons, how could she fend off so many blades?
Moreover, she had her grandmother with her and had to ensure her safety!
In just a few seconds, Gu Sang had weighed all the pros and cons!
Never mind, grandmother's safety was most important.
Everything else could be compromised!
As long as the news of her capture spread, besides the Elder Princess and Zhou Qichen, there was another hidden ally — the Prime Minister! Today would just have to be counted as an unsuccessful attempt.
The chances of her and grandmother safely leaving were still quite high.
So, after Gu Sang gave up resisting and heard her grandmother's words, she turned her gaze towards Lord Li.
"So this is the Lord Li who sacrificed his own daughter for promotion and wealth?"
"Lord Li, I have a question for you. Do you sleep soundly in the official position you exchanged for your daughter's life?"
"Do you have nightmares at night, dreaming of your daughter coming to find you, blood flowing from seven orifices, her intestines spilling out?"
As soon as Gu Sang spoke, Lord Li's face changed dramatically.
Grandma Gu reacted even more strongly, grabbing Gu Sang's hand and asking in disbelief, "Consort Li is dead? How did she die?"
Gu Sang glanced at Lord Li, her eyes full of contempt and mockery.
Gu Sang said, "She had a father who only cared about his own promotion and wealth."
"Judging by your expression, you don't seem too shocked. I suppose you've already received news of your daughter's death."
"I'm quite curious, do you know that your daughter was tortured to death by poison?"