She forced a smile, then knelt down: "Your Majesty, I am already deeply fortunate to have your favor. However... if you rashly bestow upon me the title of princess, I fear that the news of the concubines being harmed and the switcheroo will spread throughout the land, which would be an insult to Your Majesty's dignity. It would be better to set this matter aside and let everyone know the truth."

Gu Nanjiao didn't care about being a princess; if she were a legitimate princess, that would be fine. But unfortunately, she wasn't the Chu Emperor's biological daughter, and this matter could be kept secret for a while, but not forever.

Lu Yanzhao's move has a high chance of bringing down Consort Yue and the Minister's Mansion, but it is also dangerous.

Her intuition was always accurate; she always felt that things weren't over yet, that there was a powerful force controlling everything behind the scenes, and that they were just pawns on that person's chessboard.

The Empress Dowager gave Gu Nanjiao a satisfied look and beckoned to her. Gu Nanjiao obeyed and stepped forward.

"Unperturbed by honor or disgrace, indifferent to fame and fortune. What a filial and good child, knowing to consider your father's reputation."

The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and scolded him, "Why haven't you issued an imperial edict yet? Is your reputation more important than your daughter?"

"Yes, yes, I will get off now."

...

The imperial decree bestowing upon Gu Nanjiao the title of Princess Protector of the Nation was quickly issued, and the news caused an uproar in the capital.

Inside the Crown Prince's residence, Chu Luoxun smashed the rare treasures inside the hall to pieces.

The evidence of Consort Yue's debauchery in the harem was irrefutable and was presented to the Empress Dowager through Fu Yang.

Why is Prince Cheng still considered the emperor's son?

Where exactly did things go wrong?

Chu Luoxun couldn't understand it at all. The plan was clearly foolproof, yet Prince Cheng and Gu Nanjiao acted as if nothing had happened, while Consort Yue and the Zhou family suffered the consequences.

Zhou Wan pushed open the door and came in carrying lotus seed soup. Seeing the broken pieces all over the floor, she quickly ordered the servants to clean it up.

Chu Luoxun looked coldly at Zhou Wan: "Look what you've done?"

"Your Highness!"

Zhou Wan felt somewhat aggrieved, as everything was done according to the Crown Prince's plan. Fu Yang couldn't bear it any longer and went to the Empress Dowager to report it, but a mistake occurred at the blood test for kinship.

Strangely enough, Gu Nanjiao's blood was compatible with the Emperor's, and Prince Cheng was also the Emperor's son.

No matter how I look at it, it feels like I'm doing all the work for someone else.

Zhou Wan knelt on the ground, her eyes fierce: "Your Highness, the most urgent matter is to eliminate Princess Fuyang. If she goes mad and implicates us, His Majesty will become suspicious..."

It would be bad if Fu Yang exposed her. The most important thing now is to get rid of the Crown Prince's residence.

"The Imperial Aunt was unwilling to agree to a marriage alliance and committed suicide at the Princess's residence out of fear of punishment. What a perfect reason." Chu Luoxun stood up, a low and terrifying laugh emanating from his throat, sending chills down one's spine.

Zhou Wan knew that Princess Fuyang probably wouldn't survive the night.

"Your Highness, it's getting late, you should rest soon." Zhou Wan smiled charmingly and tucked her messy hair behind her ear.

"Alright, do as you please." With that, Chu Luoxun strode out, but Zhou Wan called after him, "Where is Your Highness going?"

"The study!" Chu Luoxun didn't turn around, but stopped halfway there as if he had thought of something, turned back and pointed at Zhou Wan: "You..."

Zhou Wan was overjoyed. She moved with light steps, her eyes full of anticipation as she looked at Chu Luoxun: "Your Highness..."

"You, tomorrow morning, prepare some congratulatory gifts. Go and congratulate my good sister on being granted the title of Princess Protector of the Nation."

"Yes." Zhou Wan was somewhat disappointed, and a bitter feeling welled up from her heart, even causing a slight pain.

Watching Chu Luoxun's departing figure, a glint of light flashed in Zhou Wan's eyes.

This can't go on.

The Zhou family mansion collapsed like a towering building, leaving her with no one to rely on. Even if the Zhou family mansion hadn't fallen, she would still be a useless pawn.

Therefore, she has to rely on herself!

Zhou Wan gently stroked her lower abdomen, and her eyes suddenly lit up. If she were to have His Highness's child, would things change?

She couldn't wait any longer. Having made up her mind, Zhou Wan picked up the cooled white fungus soup and went to the kitchen.

The night was quiet and cloudless, with bright stars and a clear moon.

When Gu Nanjiao returned to the Lu residence, it was already late at night.

The mansion was brightly lit, and Gu Qingyan paced back and forth, his expression worried.

"Do you think this can work? This is a heinous crime of deceiving the emperor! What are you talking about?!"

Looking at the composed Lu Yanzhao, Gu Qingyan had a hint of gritted teeth.

He wasn't angry that Lu Yanzhao made his daughter recognize the Chu Emperor as her father; what angered him was that this move was too dangerous.

When Gu Qingyan learned from Lu Yanzhao that Gu Nanjiao's biological mother was not a concubine's daughter from the Ministry of Rites but Consort Yue, he was so shocked that he fell off his chair and landed flat on his back.

He was immediately panicked and broke out in a cold sweat. No wonder he was being hunted down as soon as he entered the capital. No wonder his daughter had no peace, and had to cover her face with pigskin and hide behind a light veil every day to get a few days of peace.

Lu Yanzhao calmly took a sip of tea, his expression composed: "Father-in-law, there's no need to worry. Although it's a risky move, it ensures that Jiaojiao will live in the sunshine in the future, without having to be trembling with fear every time she sees the Emperor of Chu. I've already arranged all the backup plans, and I won't put her in any danger."

Gu Qingyan sighed helplessly and sat down. When he looked up, he found Gu Nanjiao already standing at the door.

"Father!" Gu Nanjiao cried out. At this moment, she felt that there was no way forward or backward, and her inexplicable confusion was as if she had suddenly walked on a thin tightrope. She dared not look down, for even one glance would have made her lose all courage.

"Jiaojiao, you're back."

Gu Qingyan rushed to Gu Nanjiao like a gust of wind, looked her up and down, and finding no injuries, he took her hand and choked up, "It's all my fault for being useless and unable to protect you. Now that you are the daughter of the Chu Emperor, I am happy. Jiaojiao, don't feel guilty."

Gu Nanjiao forced a smile: "Father, you don't blame me for acknowledging someone else as my father?"

"No, no, as long as our family is safe and sound and doesn't suffer any harm, why should Father care about such trivial matters?"

Suddenly, a pair of large hands gripped hers. Gu Nanjiao turned around and saw Lu Yanzhao frowning at her: "Why are your palms so cold?"

Gu Nanjiao silently withdrew her hand and remained silent.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Gu Qingyan quickly made his escape: "Well, Jiaojiao, your stepmother is still waiting at home, so I'll head back first."

"Father, let me see you off."

"No need, no need." Gu Qingyan waved his hand and ran off quickly.

The night was quiet, so quiet that it seemed as if you could hear each other's breathing.

After a long silence, Gu Nanjiao broke it first: "Why did you do this?"

Lu Yanzhao pulled Gu Nanjiao into his arms from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. His thin lips gently brushed against Gu Nanjiao's fair earlobe, and his cautious voice was slightly hoarse: "Jiaojiao, you are my bottom line. I will not allow you to be in danger. I do not want you to live with this disgusting pigskin every day. We came to the capital to live a better life, not to live in the shadows for the rest of our lives."

"Jiaojiao, let's move forward hand in hand. Don't be afraid of the days ahead. I've already paved the way. Jiaojiao, just sit there and enjoy it."

Gu Nanjiao remained silent. Lu Yanzhao panicked and his voice trembled uncontrollably: "Don't be angry. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would worry. Please don't ignore me."

"Lu Yanzhao, you son of a bitch!" Gu Nanjiao suddenly turned around and threw herself into his arms, bursting into tears, leaving Lu Yanzhao stunned.