After being reborn, I was won over by the heartfelt words of my loyal bodyguard.

Chapter 210: Gratitude

Gan Yanling had already told Xu Jiu the whole story, and Xu Jiu, upon learning it, naturally spoke up for Gan Luo.

Because Xu Jiu understood that Gan Luo was not that kind of person at all. She had been staying in Gan Luo's princess residence these past few days, and Gan Luo had treated her very well. Xu Jiu was not an ungrateful person.

Moreover, now that Xu Jiu has become Gan Yanling's concubine, Gan Luo is actually quite disappointed, but Xu Jiu must repay the favor.

"I never expected that my beloved concubine would speak up for my sister. This truly makes me quite happy. Have you had any trouble staying in this palace these past few days? Or is there anything in the palace that is different from where you lived before?"

Xu Jiu hadn't expected Gan Yanling to care about her, and spoke softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. To me, the palace is no different from my hometown."

For some reason, Gan Yanling always felt that Xu Jiu had changed from before. Before this, Xu Jiu was actually willful and capricious, but now he could not see any willfulness or capriciousness in Xu Jiu.

"May I ask you something?"

Xu Jiu saw that Gan Yanling had something to say, so she nodded, indicating that she was willing to tell Gan Yanling whatever she wanted to know.

"I actually want to know why you have changed so much since you first arrived. I have some doubts about it. In fact, I want to tell you that if you want to be willful and capricious, I will allow it."

Xu Jiu shook her head, indicating that she was a little naive when she first arrived, but after experiencing these things, she had come to understand some things. Being willful and capricious cannot last, can it?

Moreover, she is so beautiful that she could bring ruin to the country. If the ministers in the court knew that she was unruly and willful in the harem, wouldn't she be labeled with a bad name?

She didn't want to be labeled like that for no reason, nor did she want Gan Yanling to have a headache because of it. Xu Jiu didn't want to cause Gan Yanling any trouble.

Gan Yanling immediately embraced Xu Jiu and promised to treat her well. In fact, Xu Jiu didn't know how long the emperor's favor would last, but she didn't care at all.

"Since you are the princess of the neighboring country, and now you have become my concubine, I have decided to send someone to the neighboring country tomorrow to present some gifts as a token of my appreciation. What do you think?"

Xu Jiu was a little surprised, not expecting Gan Yanling to have such thoughts. Xu Jiu then told Gan Yanling that everything was up to him, and he could do whatever he wanted.

"I want to ask you, why are you so casual?"

"Because I am Your Majesty's concubine, and as Your Majesty's concubine, it is only natural that I must be of one mind with Your Majesty in everything, isn't it? Although Your Majesty was once a princess of a neighboring country, the moment I became Your Majesty's concubine, I was no longer a princess of the Republic of China."

These words pleased Gan Yanling greatly, and he was overjoyed.

Gan Yanling suddenly seemed to remember something and looked up at Xu Jiu. "I seem to have heard about your affair with Shangguan Mufeng. Did you ever have feelings for Shangguan Mufeng?"

Xu Jiu denied it without hesitation and told Gan Yanling that she had never liked Shangguan Mufeng. In the past, she only regarded Shangguan Mufeng as her brother, after all, Shangguan Mufeng had taken good care of her.

As Xu Jiu said this, he was inwardly agonizing, but he had to endure it. He had to do it for the sake of his country and for Shangguan Mufeng. If the emperor found out that Xu Jiu had once admired Shangguan Mufeng, Shangguan Mufeng's career would be in jeopardy, and he would be constantly suspected by the emperor.

She didn't want Xu Jiu to go through these things; she only hoped that Xu Jiu could serve as a responsible official in the court.

Looking at the vast palace, with its towering red walls and green tiles, Xu Jiu understood that he would be trapped here for the rest of his life.

Gan Yanling was about to rest when he unexpectedly found that the Minister of War had already arrived at the palace.

In the end, Gan Yanling naturally went to the study to discuss matters with the Minister of War, leaving Xu Jiu alone in the palace. The palace maid beside Xu Jiu couldn't help but whisper among herself, "Why did His Majesty leave again? We thought His Majesty would stay here with Her Majesty, but it seems he's busy with court affairs again."

The palace maid beside Xu Jiu couldn't help but complain, but Xu Jiu hadn't expected that he would tell the palace maid that since His Majesty was busy, then let His Majesty be busy.

For some reason, this palace maid always felt that their mistress was completely different from the one described in the storybooks.

"These stories are full of it; all the concubines hope to gain the Emperor's favor, but why..."

“I am a living, breathing person, while the characters in the storybooks are not living, breathing people. Naturally, there are some differences. Besides, I am the last and only concubine in the palace. What is there for me to fight for?”

Xu Jiu then looked up and saw that the palace maid had become the one asking the question. Now that she was a concubine, she was allowed to enter and leave the palace because she wanted to see Shangguan Mufeng. After all, she was still a little worried, as she had heard that Shangguan Mufeng had been seriously ill.

"If Your Highness wishes to enter or leave the palace, you must obtain His Majesty's permission. If His Majesty agrees, Your Highness may leave the palace. If His Majesty does not agree, Your Highness will not be able to leave the palace."

Now that she has lost even her freedom, Xu Jiu is filled with regret. If she had known this would happen, she should have been more ruthless back then, otherwise she would not have become Gan Yanling's concubine.

In the imperial study, Gan Yanling and the Minister of War were chatting. The Minister of War was reporting on the events of the past few days, but he noticed something amiss. When Gan Yanling learned of this, he asked the Minister of War what was wrong.

The Minister of War naturally told Gan Yanling everything in detail.

Gan Yanling took the notebook from his hand and examined it carefully, but couldn't see anything wrong with it.

"Don't worry about minor matters. You may leave now. I'm tired."