"The Fourth Prince has actually partnered with Jiang Yuanqing?"

After ending the communication between the four, Xu Nian looked a little dazed. She had thought that Jiang Yuanqing would persuade Jiang Yuanlang.

He had considered the possibility that the court intrigue on their side might have ended, and Jiang Yuanqing had become the sole candidate for the throne. But he never imagined that Jiang Yuanqing would actually cooperate with Jiang Yuanmo!

“After all, he’s an older brother I’ve lived with for over twenty years.” Gu Zhan wasn’t surprised at all; after a little thought, he understood the key point.

After all, he was an older brother he had known for over twenty years, even if he knew they weren't blood relatives.

But feelings remain; he cherishes all the good things Jiang Yuanling has done for Jiang Yuanmo over the years.

Jiang Yuanmo was conflicted. He knew these matters had nothing to do with Jiang Yuanling, yet he couldn't bring himself to ask his mother to release the Crown Prince. Overwhelmed with guilt, he could only try to alleviate his anxiety in other ways.

It was Jiang Yuanche who leaked the information.

If Jiang Yuanqing were to reveal even the slightest flaw at this moment, allowing Jiang Yuanmo to find a clue, he would be able to uncover the truth of the matter.

It is not surprising that they would join forces with Jiang Yuanqing.

Gu Zhan didn't need to explain this clearly; Xu Nian understood it perfectly.

She sighed helplessly. The intrigue and backstabbing in the court were simply beyond her control. Just thinking about it gave her a headache.

Gu Zhan bent down and picked Xu Nian up, placing her on the bed. "You haven't had a proper rest lately. Take advantage of their investigation to get some sleep. I'll stay with you."

With her husband's broad and warm chest, Xu Nian leaned against it and snuggled into a comfortable position. "You're not allowed to leave. Wait until I wake up."

She was really tired, and her speech became slower and slower.

Until finally, she could no longer hear a sound, her breathing became completely steady, and her arms were tightly wrapped around Gu Zhan's waist, as if she couldn't even sleep peacefully.

Marshal Gu felt a pang of tenderness at the sight. He lowered his head and kissed her smooth forehead, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Okay."

Xu Nian slept for a long time, and when she woke up, she felt much more relaxed. Gu Zhan was still in the same position she had been in when she fell asleep, his strong arms tightly wrapped around her waist.

With her eyebrows flat, she opened her eyes with just a slight movement.

His still somewhat dazed appearance was rather cute, and Xu Nian's heart stirred. She raised her head and pressed her red lips to the man's lips.

She tried to pull away after just a light touch, but Marshal Gu didn't give her the chance. He pressed down on the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

When they parted, Xu Nian's red lips were slightly parted, and she was breathing softly.

Gu Zhan's eyes darkened further as he watched, his desire and reason tug at each other, his gaze seeming as if he could devour Xu Nian at any moment.

Now that it was late, the moonlight shone in, and the two slowly drew closer in the hazy moonlight.

Their bodies were pressed tightly together, leaving not a single gap.

As Gu Zhan's large hand peeled off Xu Nian's clothes, the ring on the dressing table flashed twice, and Jiang Yuanqing's indifferent tone came out, "I have found out that Elder Xun is indeed not in the capital. The matter in your Canggu City should be related to him."

Her muddled mind suddenly cleared, and Xu Nian pushed the person away, knowing full well that Jiang Yuanqing couldn't see her.

She still felt a sense of shame at being caught in the act, and hurriedly got up, trying to straighten her clothes. Gu Zhan reacted and pulled her back into his arms.

Jiang Yuanqing waited for a while, but Xu Nian did not reply. He glanced at the sky outside, which had just darkened into a deep blue.

They probably aren't resting.

"Xu Nian? Xu Nian?"

The girl, her cheeks flushed, nudged the strong chest of the man in front of her. Gu Zhan continued working, raising his voice towards the dressing table, "Nian'er has gone outside to see patients. I will relay what Your Highness said truthfully. Thank you for your trouble."

They were some distance from the dressing table, so the soft sounds didn't reach Jiang Yuanqing's ears.

Hearing Gu Zhan say this, she had no doubt at all. "Marshal Gu is joking. Helping you is also helping myself. I have other things to do, so I won't bother you any longer."

The ring's shimmering light went out.

Gu Zhan felt a little uncomfortable that he said goodbye so decisively. "You two have a pretty good relationship?" The Second Prince actually left as soon as he heard that someone was not there.

Xu Nian kicked him, "Why are you being so jealous? She and Fukang have a great relationship."

"Yes, they have a good relationship. Then let's get together tonight too."

The crimson curtains on the bed fell, and only a faint, almost inaudible sound spread through the room in the quiet night.

The moon blushed and hid behind the clouds.

The next day, Xu Nian was awakened by loud banging on the door. The marshal who had been working all night was no longer in bed. She hesitated for a moment before getting up.

Unable to hear her voice from outside, someone outside began shouting, "Princess, there's movement outside the city!"

The person who was getting dressed paused, glancing sideways at the yellow talisman she had placed on the bedside table. Sure enough, it was faintly flashing a red light, and she immediately stopped dawdling.

He dressed as quickly as possible, casually tied his hair into a bun, and without even needing the servant to urge him, he immediately used the shrinking earth technique to get to the city gate.

Above the city gate, the mist churned, and the white fog that had been drifting steadily around the city gate suddenly seemed to be sealing off the invisible barrier.

When Xu Nian came up, the soldiers on the city wall were already on high alert, ready to fight if the fog broke through the barrier.

"Gu worms are also considered evil creatures. The plaque above the city gate was written by the city lord himself, and the door gods pasted on it also exude righteousness. They won't be able to break in for a while."

However, she couldn't let her guard down. Just as she was about to speak, a golden light suddenly flashed through the mist.

Gu Zhan immediately realized, "It was the formation you set up back then."

Everyone stared intently, and Mo Yun suddenly shouted, "It's not light, it looks like... it's lightning?! Has the mastermind behind this revealed himself?"

No one could see anything in the thick fog; only the rumbling thunder and the occasional bursts of flame gave one a brief glimpse of the scene.

It did indeed look like someone was standing in the middle, whose steps were likely blocked by lightning and a formation.

It kept flying up and down, using its movement techniques to defend itself. The air was already filled with the faint smell of burning, which must be because all of its Gu worms had perished in the fire.

Xu Nian's eyes flickered, and she suddenly exclaimed, "Elder Xun, it's been a long time! How have you been? What's wrong? You weren't happy with the Fifth Prince, so you've defected to the enemy?"

It was unclear whether the people in the formation heard her words or not; one of them was still flying up and down.

The more he moved, the more frequently lightning and flames appeared. Finally, a gale arose from within the formation. A torrential rain fell upon it, completely scattering the churning mist!

Within the array outside the city gate, the figure gradually appeared.

With his graying hair, still wearing somewhat worn-out clothes, and a gloomy expression and pale face, he was none other than Old Man Xun, whom Xu Nian had met in the Fifth Prince's residence.