Guide to Failing as a Full-Level Green Tea-Chapter 20 - When It Comes to Following the Plot, Look to Sister Gu

Shen Roujia clenched her back teeth tightly. At the last moment, as she fell off the corridor, she grabbed Rong Shuyao’s hair.

The Emperor, hearing the commotion, hurriedly ran over.

Shen Roujia was honorably injured. Luckily, with Rong Shuyao as a cushion, she only scraped her palms.

Concubine Jia stood safely, dumbfounded. The Emperor rushed to her first. “Huan’er, are you alright?”

Rong Shuyao was unlucky. She had intended to stand by and watch the spectacle but ended up falling so badly that she couldn’t get up.

Tears filled Shen Roujia’s eyes as she was helped up. Just as the Emperor was about to inquire, she immediately spoke with a sobbing tone. “Father, don’t blame Chief Advisor Rong. She accidentally bumped into Concubine Jia!”

Rong Shuyao screamed and grabbed Shen Roujia. “What are you saying! I didn’t! It was you!”

The Emperor coldly glanced at Rong Shuyao. “How unseemly to shout like that. The Crown Princess defends you, yet you repay her with accusations?”

Rong Shuyao didn’t have time to defend herself. Concubine Jia, looking frightened, avoided Rong Shuyao’s gaze.

“Your Majesty, I was pulled down by the Crown Princess.”

The Emperor frowned slightly and looked at Shen Roujia’s clear eyes.

Shen Roujia had an innocent face that made it hard for anyone to believe she could do anything wrong.

“Wasn’t she pulling you to prevent you from harming Concubine Jia?”

Rong Shuyao, relying on her status and old feelings, had forgotten she was just a minor female official.

The Emperor, supporting Concubine Jia with a look of concern, said, “Chief Advisor Rong, for overstepping your bounds and startling Concubine Jia, go receive your punishment.”

He didn’t forget to order someone to escort Shen Roujia back.

Left alone, Rong Shuyao, unable to stand steadily, clung to a pillar, muttering bitterly, “Shen Roujia, you’ll pay for this!”

Shen Roujia touched her nose and obediently let Xiao Fu apply medicine.

“Fortunately, nothing serious happened. Everyone outside says that Concubine Jia has the backing of the Qiao family, and now that she’s carrying the Emperor’s heir, her status is already overshadowing Concubine Bai’s.”

Shen Roujia frowned slightly. “The Qiao family?”

“Isn’t the Qiao family the late Empress’s family? What’s their connection to this Concubine Jia?”

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Xiao Fu was also puzzled. “I’m not sure, but I heard outside that Concubine Jia resembles the late Empress. It seems her mother was a cousin of the Qiao family.”

Shen Roujia propped her chin on her hand. It made sense for Rong Shuyao to ally with Concubine Jia.

Tsk, the Crown Prince had quite a plan. Even the Emperor’s consort was a pawn he placed.

Even though the late Empress was gone, he made sure his father always had people around to remind him of his ill-fated wife.

Shen Roujia nodded. “By the way, isn’t the Spring Festival coming up? Can we go out again?”

Xiao Fu smiled. “Your Highness remembers correctly. It’s in half a month.”

Shen Roujia picked up a dried fruit and popped it in her mouth. “Yes, these days, pay more attention to Bai Wei and Zisu. Make sure they don’t cause any trouble.”

Xiao Fu paused. “Zisu is a bit lazy, but Bai Wei seems honest and doesn’t talk much. Your Highness, why…”

Shen Roujia shook her head. “If you can’t figure it out, don’t ask. Just do as you’re told.”

Xiao Fu scratched his head. “Yes.”

The Spring Festival on the third of March.

According to the plot, this was an important event.

The royal ritual was just a setup for Gu Zhi’s business ventures.

Shen Roujia’s role was to be a supporting character. When it comes to following the plot, look to Sister Gu.

The royal rituals were unified. Shen Roujia stood beside Xu Zening, wearing her ceremonial attire, looking solemnly at the central altar.

The Ministry of Rites was making announcements. This Spring Festival had gathered civil and military officials with their families.

For seven days, according to ritual, everyone had to bathe, fast, and pray for spring’s return and good weather.

Shen Roujia yawned and looked up, meeting Rong Shuyao’s resentful gaze.

She clicked her tongue slightly and deliberately moved closer to Xu Zening. “Your Highness, how was the soup last time?”

Xu Zening’s face darkened instantly. “I’ve never seen such a shameless woman.”

Shen Roujia pretended to be hurt. “I was just thinking of your health.”

Xu Zening pursed his lips tightly, clearly unwilling to engage with her.

Seeing him like this, Shen Roujia felt quite satisfied.

At that moment, the sky unexpectedly darkened.

A minister holding a tortoise shell in the middle of the altar looked up at the sky and suddenly rushed to kneel before the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, a disastrous star has appeared!”

The Emperor, growing older, not only believed in elixirs but also in the words of the astrologers.

“What? How can this be?”

Shen Roujia, bored, looked down at the observing officials.

By chance, she caught Gu Zhi’s gaze.

Shen Roujia smiled and nodded slightly at her.

The security a man couldn’t give, Sister Gu could.

Shen Roujia turned her attention back to the commotion. On the stage, only Shen Roujia and Xu Zening remained calm and composed.

Shen Roujia kindly spoke. “These things are to be believed or not.”

Xu Zening steadied his wheelchair and replied faintly.

“The disaster star is a woman born today.”

As soon as the astrologer finished speaking, there was an uproar among the officials’ families.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Gu Yunqing screamed and fell to the ground. “My eldest sister’s birthday is today!”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Gu Zhi. Shen Roujia’s heart tightened.

Gu Zhi stood straight, silent.

The astrologer pointed at her from above and said, “This woman has an ominous look. Keeping her will harm the country. Your Majesty, make a swift decision!”

Gu Zhi’s gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping over the crowd. She shouted coldly, “Who are you to judge my character?”

The astrologer’s eyes widened. “Insolence!”

In a similar scene in a past life, Xu Liangeng had stepped forward like a god, the only one willing to speak for Gu Zhi.

At that time, Gu Zhi thought he was her salvation, never imagining it was the beginning of all the schemes.

“Father, you mustn’t. Gu Zhi is the only daughter of General Gu. If we dispose of her as the astrologer suggests, it will break the hearts of the soldiers at the border!”

Gu Zhi looked at Xu Liangeng in a daze. The words were exactly the same as before.

Now, they seemed even more cutting.

Shen Roujia frowned slightly, ignoring Xu Zening’s signals, and spoke to the astrologer. “Spring Festival is such a grand event. Are you suggesting we sacrifice Miss Gu?”

She hesitated and added, “Are all you Taoist practitioners this cruel?”

The astrologer was rendered speechless, his face turning red. “How, how preposterous!”

As the argument reached an impasse, a steady sound of wheels came from outside the altar…