Gong Shangjiao handed over the book in his hand and quickly stopped the person who was about to open it to read, lowering his voice to remind him: "Yuanzheng, you must not let anyone else see this book. You can only read it secretly by yourself."

"Okay, I understand, brother!" Gong Yuanzheng happily took the book, hugged it tightly to his chest, and was so excited that he wanted to rush back to Zheng Palace and hide away to read it secretly.

Looking at the person in front of him, Gong Shangjiao shook his head helplessly. He thought to himself: My brother Yuanzheng is still as innocent as a child. If he gets married in the future, he must not be like this anymore.

“Brother Yuanzheng, how about we choose a bride for you to keep during this palace selection? You can marry her when you come of age.” Then he said, “Brother Yuanzheng, you said you would also choose a bride during this palace selection. Why don’t I take the initiative to choose a suitable bride from among these women? You can marry her when you come of age. What do you think?”

Gong Shangjiao secretly calculated in his heart that there were ten brides participating in the selection this time, three of whom were Wufeng assassins, while the other seven were real brides.

Why not just choose one of those seven real brides? After all, the next palace selection might not be for another ten years or so.

It would be better to take this opportunity to arrange a marriage early, so that Yuanzheng can slowly develop feelings for her in the days to come, so that she won't end up like me, only starting to consider marriage at this age.

"No! I don't want to marry a bride. I have my brother and Ruan Ruan!" Gong Yuanzheng refused quickly, almost blurting it out the moment Gong Shangjiao finished speaking. At first, Gong Shangjiao just thought that his younger brother Yuanzheng didn't understand, but seeing his cheeks turn red quickly, he knew that things were not simple.

Could it be that I encountered something during my expedition while I was away from the palace?

Gong Shangjiao didn't think this was a good thing. If he really liked expeditions, he wouldn't have waited until now. Gong Shangjiao thought of Shang Gong. Could it be that he was like Shang Gong?

He decided to first have Jin Furu investigate who Yuanzheng had contacted at the palace gates. Only by understanding the ins and outs of the matter could they better protect Yuanzheng from harm.

"Brother, I'm going back first!" After saying that, Gong Yuanzheng, as if afraid his brother would call him, quickly and swiftly darted out of the room, picked up Gong Ruanruan, and fled from Jiaogong.

Standing at the door, watching Gong Yuanzheng's disappearing figure, Gong Shangjiao's eyes darkened. He wanted to see who had bewitched his younger brother, Yuanzheng.

"Jin Fu, go and find out who you've been in contact with during the expedition," Gong Shangjiao instructed, his hands behind his back.

After receiving the order, Jin turned and went to investigate.

[You scared me! I thought you were going to expose me.] Gong Ruanruan, locked in the room, almost thought she was going to be handed over as a demon. Thinking of this, she patted her chest with her unfounded claws.

As soon as Gong Yuanzheng returned to the palace, he excitedly threw Gong Ruanruan onto the bed. After looking around, he sat on the bed and carefully opened the book. What came into view was a mass of white flesh. Gong Yuanzheng slammed the book shut.

Feeling he might have misread the book, Gong Yuanzheng tentatively opened it again and glanced at it. His face instantly turned bright red, but he continued reading with a flushed face. Since his brother had given him the book, he must have his reasons. Yes, I trust my brother, and I'll start with myself!

"Brother! You actually watch this kind of stuff!"