The Empress Kneels in Her Palace to Admit Her Mistakes After Slaying Her Ways in the Female-Oriented

"Daughter-in-law..."

Hu Shaoyou's mother spoke up, "I heard that the people from the imperial court have already entered the city, is that right?"

"Yes, have they already entered the city?" Hu Shaoyou's father also said, "When I came, I saw so many soldiers, but they weren't from Yuancheng; they were all imperial troops, weren't they?"

"Oh dear, what should we do?"

Anxiety instantly filled their faces.

"Shaoyou wouldn't listen to advice and insisted on going against the court. You are his wife, and you didn't stop him. Now that the battle has been lost, the court will definitely come to investigate. At that time, our old couple's lives will be over."

"Oh dear, you and Shaoyou have really gotten your mother-in-law and me into trouble."

Hu Shaoyou's father and mother, one after the other, quickly pointed out the seriousness of the matter, and then their expressions became even more bitter.

"What sins have we committed to deserve this? We raised Shaoyou with such difficulty, and now not only has he outlived us, but he's dragging us down with him now."

"My dear wife, why don't we compensate the imperial army? If we give them enough money, they probably won't take our lives."

"But we don't have any money! The little we've saved isn't even enough to fill someone's teeth! We... we're going to die this time!"

"If Shaoyou dies, we'll both die too!"

As if they had reached a point of deep sorrow, Hu Shaoyou's parents were already shedding tears, their desolation particularly palpable in the cold wind blowing through the hall.

Gu Qing felt a pang of pity, but there was nothing she could do for the time being.

She knew that as long as she sent money and goods to the imperial army, she would definitely receive some degree of exemption, but where did she get so much money and goods?

The original amount borrowed from Yuancheng was over four million taels. If they were to serve the imperial court, the total would be an astronomical figure.

The Gu family does own quite a few properties, but even if they sold them all, they still wouldn't have enough money.

"Daughter-in-law..."

Seeing that Gu Qing remained silent, Hu Shaoyou's parents spoke up again: "Right now, we can only rely on you. You have to pay for this."

"Yes, without Shaoyou, we can only rely on you, daughter-in-law. You still have to pay for this!"

Gu Qingzao understood what the two people meant, but when they spoke, her face was filled with bitterness, and she collapsed: "But, but I don't have that much money!"

"Working? You're so capable!" Hu Shaoyou's mother immediately said, "You can run such a big business, you can push Shaoyou to the position of city lord of Yuancheng, and... the sweet potatoes from Yunjing are the best. With your skills, making money is a piece of cake, isn't it?"

"That's right!" Hu Shaoyou's father chimed in, "Do you really have the heart to let the court take its anger out on your mother-in-law and me?"

"We're all so old, we can't take any more trouble. If we get beaten up by the imperial army, we...we're really finished."

Hu Shaoyou's parents, whether from rushing on their journey or something else, arrived looking disheveled and wretched. As they spoke, tears streamed down their wrinkled faces, a sight that was heartbreaking to witness.

Gu Qing naturally wouldn't let the two elderly people suffer like this, and besides, she was the one who couldn't stop Hu Shaoyou from resisting the imperial army.

She can't escape responsibility!

For Hu Shaoyou, whom she loved deeply all her life, for Hu Shaoyou's parents, and for the sake of upholding the integrity and honor of her Gu family, Gu Qing couldn't think of any reason to refuse.

Gu Qing took a deep breath, then said decisively, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please rest assured."

"The debt Shaoyou owes is a joint debt of my husband and me. I will not shirk it, nor will the imperial army allow him to!"

"I, Gu Qing, will take over!"

When Gu Qing said the words "Next is" he almost uttered them through clenched teeth, because this debt, as heavy as a mountain, was no small matter.

Her promise meant a life of utter darkness, a life forever neither human nor ghost!

Hu Shaoyou's parents both showed joy on their faces.

Gu Qing has always kept his promises. With this promise, it means that even if mountains crumble and the earth splits, or the sea dries up and rocks crumble, Gu Qing will never break his promise.

They all exclaimed in praise.

"Alas, although Shaoyou has had a hard life, he has at least married a good wife."

"Daughter-in-law, no matter what, you are Shaoyou's wife. These debts should be your responsibility anyway. Just... bear the burden a little longer."

While Hu Shaoyou's father and mother were still trying to persuade him, a series of noises suddenly came from outside the door. When they looked up, they saw a group of people approaching quickly.

The man in the lead was clad in light armor, its silver sheen dazzling. He had a handsome face, but his eyes held a deep, imposing presence that commanded respect.

Hu Shaoyou's parents, not knowing who the visitor was, only assumed it was a high-ranking official from the imperial court, and hurriedly knelt down in fear.

Gu Qing also knelt down, but almost instantly guessed the identity of the person who came.

—Ren Tianye, the Duke of Ren!

After all, apart from Ren Tianye, the Duke of Ren, she couldn't think of anyone else who could make General Zhang Shi, a general who had swept across the grasslands and plundered the enemy's territory, so subservient.

But the despair in my heart was even deeper.

With the Duke here, the mountain of debt that had been placed on her shoulders became an even greater burden. From now on, Gu Qing could not die; she could only live a life neither human nor ghost, spending her entire life repaying her debts.

Fortunately, despite the immense pressure, her will was not broken. She kowtowed and bowed, saying, "Gu Qing, wife of the criminal Hu Shaoyou, pays respects to the Duke."

"My husband, Hu Shaoyou, is dead and gone, but I, Gu Qing, will take full responsibility for the mess he left behind, including the money distributed in the imperial granary, treasury, and armory, as well as the enormous wealth borrowed from surrounding towns!"

"I will never break my promise!"

"I will dedicate my entire life to mending this hole."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Shi almost jumped up.

"What did you say?"

"Not only did he empty Yuancheng, but he also borrowed a lot of money from all around? What does Hu Shaoyou need so much money for? It would be enough for him to live a carefree life for several lifetimes!"

Zhang Shi tried to lift Gu Qing up again, but Ren Tianye stopped him.

Ren Tianye looked the kneeling widow up and down, then glanced at the elderly couple beside her. He learned from the guards that they were Hu Shaoyou's parents. Finally, his gaze fell on the coffin.

He looked at Hu Shaoyou, who was already dead.

But suddenly a thought struck him, and he felt that something was not right.

……