Lu Zheng had already arranged for people to be near the Lin family, and this was further aided by the information that Li Shan had given to the Lin family.

He was 100% certain that Li Shan had been reborn, because the things Li Shan had told him after arriving in the capital all came true, as if she were a prophet.

This time, Li Shan told Lin that he was going to transport a batch of goods that were highly valued by the emperor. Naturally, Lin would not allow him to gain the emperor's favor, so she planned to ambush and kill him en route.

What Li Shan didn't know was that the emperor had already seen it personally last year.

Lin learned of the value of these crops from Li Shan. After the robbery and murder, she tried to steal the goods and pin the credit on the Seventh Prince, hoping he would gain the Emperor's favor.

As for why Madam Lin trusted Li Shan, a young girl from a remote area, it was simple: this girl knew a lot of things, and everything that had happened or hadn't happened matched up perfectly. She was like a powerful sorcerer, so how could Madam Lin not treat her as an honored guest?

Lu Zheng had already thought it through. Instead of immediately getting involved with Li Shan, he would let Li Shan get on the Third Prince's pirate ship, let Lin Shi see it, and then let them fight like dogs!

He had discussed it with Gu Shouxin, and they decided to keep Li Shan around to disrupt the power struggles among the princes in the capital, to see how capable she was and how far she could go.

The more she jumps around, the more miserable her death will be. Just kill her with one blow; that's too easy for her. Let her bring this upon herself!

Gu Shouxin can no longer act as he used to, only thinking of himself. He has elderly parents to care for, young children to raise, and a wife he loves very much.

Once the prince learned of his father's existence, his family became a thorn in everyone's side, even worse off than Lu Zheng.

Therefore, he collaborated with Lu Zheng.

Moreover, both of them knew in their hearts that the current prince was useless. Lu Zheng was the prince who understood the situation best after his rebirth. If he hadn't had to fight with the Lin family in his previous life, he wouldn't have bothered with so much.

Gu Shouxin learned about this from Gu Ren. In order to show how awesome the male protagonist was, Gu Ren didn't write a prince with the aura of an emperor. Gu Shouxin didn't think much of it at all and thought it would be better to let the emperor live a few more years and have more children.

Neither of them wanted to rebel and become emperor; they both just wanted to live a peaceful life with their wives and children. Managing the world was too troublesome; it would be better to cultivate a qualified emperor.

Although neither explicitly said that the current prince was bad, they both understood each other's meaning and didn't need to say it outright.

Li Shan was their first move; once she lost her value, she was naturally no longer needed.

...

When Gu Xin returned home, she called her sisters to the pavilion in the corridor.

She said with a serious expression, "I miss my parents and sister very much. Why don't we go to the capital with Brother Yuanyuan?"

Gu Nian was taken aback: "Is Zhou Yuan about to leave?"

Gu Xin nodded: "Yes, he just told me that we're leaving in a couple of days."

Gu Hui immediately poured cold water on her idea: "Grandpa and Grandma will definitely not allow it."

Gu Xin laughed and said, "I know, if we go and tell Grandma, we'll definitely get scolded again. So, I'll have Brother Yuanyuan tell her, hehe!"

Looking at her smug, praise-seeking face, Gu Hui and Gu Nian were speechless. You idiot, she's practically begging to be with you! And you actually think you're the one getting the better deal.

Gu Nian thought for a moment and said, "I'm not going. There are still some things to be handed over at our rouge shop. Xin Xin really wants to go. Zhou Yuan has also persuaded Grandpa and Grandma. Sister Hui Hui, why don't you go with Xin Xin? Sister Si Si will come with me. We'll accompany Grandpa and Grandma to the capital."