Lu Nianfu was exhausted after the banquet and just wanted to go home and sleep.
Unfortunately, she could only sit in the flower hall of Chengqian Palace, waiting, because Emperor Changwu wanted to have a heart-to-heart with his newly acknowledged son. She was truly left to sit, the palace maids only gave her a cup of tea and then left her alone.
They didn't even give her a storybook to pass the time.
It seemed the Emperor was more than a little displeased with her as a daughter-in-law.
Imperial Study
Emperor Changwu smiled kindly, "Little Seven, the Rui Prince's estate is still under renovation, so you should stay in the palace for now."
Gu Yanchen quickly shook his head, "Forget it, the palace has too many rules. This humble son is afraid he won't be used to it."
"Rules are for restraining subordinates, why would a master like you worry about such things? Don't worry, if anyone tries to suppress you with rules, tell them to come see me."
"Thank you, Father Emperor, but this humble son still wishes to live outside the palace."
"The Rui Prince's estate is not yet habitable, you can't possibly still be living at the Guangling Marquis's estate, can you?"
Gu Yanchen was unfazed by his concern, "This humble son has his own residence, on Hulu Street. It's very convenient for attending court or working at the Dali Temple."
Emperor Changwu paced a few steps, "The Jinnian Hall is in the palace, wouldn't it be more convenient to live in the palace?"
Gu Yanchen cupped his hands, "This humble son would be convenient, but it would be too much trouble for Nianfu. She has opened two shops and two workshops, and she has to go out several times each month. Living in the palace would be too taxing. Moreover, as a daughter-in-law, wouldn't she have to pay her respects to the Empress every day if she lived in the palace?"
She could only endure the trouble caused by the Guangling Marquis's wife, let alone the Empress of the nation. By then, she didn't know how she would be wronged.
Never would he have imagined that the reason his son wouldn't enter the palace was this.
Emperor Changwu was angry, "What? You still plan to let your wife do business? Quickly close those two shops for me. A dignified princess consort constantly showing her face is hardly proper. It makes people think you can't afford to support your wife."
"This humble son can't afford it," Gu Yanchen smiled, his smile carrying a hint of nostalgia. "Father Emperor, you may not know, but when this humble son married, he emptied his pockets and could only come up with a hundred taels of silver. Half of that was from the profits from the inn gifted by his wife. For a long time after marriage, this humble son's expenses exceeded his income until I returned to the capital and received rewards, thus ending the days of living off my wife."
Gu Yanchen sighed with emotion. He didn't feel that life was bitter; on the contrary, he found it quite interesting.
It was a playful intimacy between him and his wife.
But Emperor Changwu clearly didn't understand. He listened with immense sympathy, "Little Seven, you truly suffered."
If he had grown up by his side, Little Seven wouldn't have had to worry about a betrothal gift of only a hundred taels? Gu Rong, that old scoundrel, a three-rank demotion wouldn't quell his anger.
Gu Yanchen blinked, "What does Father Emperor mean by that? Isn't it just being poor? How does that relate to suffering?"
"How can my son suffer poverty? I will have a good talk with Gu Rong tomorrow."
Gu Yanchen: ...
"No, Father is actually very good to me, just not very involved in management." He steered the conversation back, "What I'm telling you is that it's good for my wife to earn money. When we were poor, we relied on her business to get by. Now that I have status, I find her business embarrassing? Isn't that typical of someone who eats the meal and then curses the bowl?"
Emperor Changwu was choked for a long time, "So, you still intend to indulge your wife in business?"
Gu Yanchen spread his hands, "If she doesn't do business, wouldn't she be bored at home every day?"
Emperor Changwu snorted, "Is being a princess consort that easy? Doesn't she have to manage the household?"
"There are only the two of us as masters in the estate, where is there a household to manage?"
Emperor Changwu seized the opportunity, "You don't have any heirs yet, so you'll have to take a concubine to spread your branches and leaves in the future..."
Gu Yanchen's eyes widened and he quickly interrupted him, "Wait, Father Emperor, why are we talking about taking a concubine so suddenly?"
"You still have the nerve to ask? You've been married for almost three years, and your wife's belly is still completely silent. Don't you worry? She can't give birth, so of course, you need to find someone who can. Don't worry about this. I didn't choose well when you got married, but this time I'll definitely choose a good one for you. I see the daughter of the Right Prime Minister seems quite interested in you. If you like her..."
"I don't like her," Gu Yanchen's expression was displeased, but he patiently said, "Father Emperor, this humble son does not like her."
"You don't like her, it's alright. There are other girls."
"Is it necessary? My wife isn't infertile. Isn't taking a concubine for no reason just a waste of money?"
Emperor Changwu wanted to find fault with Gu Rong again. How did he grow up to be so stingy? He took a deep breath, "Is this a matter of money?"
Since returning to the capital, Emperor Changwu had always treated him with a pleasant demeanor, making Gu Yanchen completely unaware of the danger of 'accompanying a ruler like accompanying a tiger'. Upon learning that he was his son, he was even more convinced that he was a good father, and therefore spoke with even fewer reservations.
He thought for a moment and replied, "It's not entirely a matter of money. The main thing is that having more women means more trouble, and this humble son is unwilling to expend that energy. Besides, my wife is capable of earning money and brings good fortune. Why should I upset her for other women?"
Emperor Changwu frowned. He knew about her earning money, but: "Where does this 'brings good fortune' come from?"
Gu Yanchen stated righteously, "Since marrying her, in less than three years, this son has gone from an unarmed constable to a prince. Is that not bringing good fortune enough?"
Emperor Changwu's breath caught in his throat, almost making him choke.
He had always been very satisfied with this son who he had lost and regained. He felt that apart from being a bit straightforward and not having read much, he was pleasing in other aspects. He was skilled in martial arts, capable of fighting, and astute in handling cases, making him a promising official.
If he were nurtured well, succeeding him would not be impossible.
But only today did he realize that once his wife was involved, his train of thought went haywire.
Had that Madam Lu cast some kind of spell on him?