Chapter 727 Collaboration - Meeting

"As far as I know, the portraits of all the deceased princes were burned by the emperor. Lu Hexuan was only five years old at the time, and he had no one to rely on. How did he manage to get the portraits out?"

Yun Yichen's words puzzled everyone, including Gu Jin.

"It seems that to find out the whole story, we still have to ask the people involved."

Gu Shuyan meant that they needed to go to Lu Hexuan's place to find out the origin of the painting. Most importantly, Gu Shuyan wanted to discuss a business deal with Lu Hexuan.

That night, a letter was quietly placed on Lu Hexuan's bedside table.

The letter was written by Yun Yichen, and it asked Lu Hexuan to meet at Ruyi Restaurant the next day to discuss something.

Although Lu Hexuan didn't know why Yun Yichen suddenly wanted to see him again, he felt guilty and remorseful after thinking about what Yun Yichen had said that day, so he appeared at Ruyi Restaurant as promised the next day.

Sitting in the VIP private room of the restaurant, Gu Shuyan looked at the uniquely styled pastries in front of her and smiled at Yun Yichen.

"I remember someone saying before that this restaurant definitely wouldn't last long, but now I actually enjoy eating here."

Gu Shuyan was referring to what the couple had said when they came to try the iced drinks last year. Now, seeing that Ruyi Restaurant had become one of the top restaurants in the capital, Yun Yichen coughed to cover up his embarrassment.

Do you think he'll come?

Gu Renjie, who was also sitting in the private room, seemed a little nervous. Ever since he learned the news last night, he had had a strange feeling in his heart.

As the emperor's rejected son, Gu Renjie had never been interested in that position. Now that he had become the son of the deceased seventh prince, what right did he have to compete with others?

As for Gu Renjie's question, Yun Yichen and Gu Shuyan were not sure either. After all, Lu Hexuan had entered the palace in such a terrible state yesterday. If someone saw him coming to the restaurant unharmed today, it might be reported to the emperor.

If the emperor questions Lu Hexuan and finds out he was feigning illness, it would be better to let the emperor know from the beginning that he was deliberately pretending to be sick.

After eating most of the food they ordered, just when the three of them thought Lu Hexuan wasn't coming back, Lu Hexuan came in dressed as a waiter in a restaurant.

Upon seeing Lu Hexuan, Gu Shuyan couldn't help but be the first to speak up: "I never expected that a prince would be dressed like this."

Whether it was because the clothes were too small or because Lu Hexuan was too big, the clothes looked absolutely ridiculous and laughable on him.

"No, can't you change into something that fits? Dressed like this, are you afraid people won't recognize you?"

Compared to Gu Shuyan's merciless sneer, Yun Yichen gave Lu Hexuan a cold, icy look.

Looking at his clothes, Lu Hexuan knew that his outfit would easily draw attention to his appearance, but what could he do? All the waiters in the restaurant were short, and although Lu Hexuan considered himself to be of average height, he still felt that the clothes were too small.

"Alright, let's stop this and get down to business!"

It's not good for Lu Hexuan to sneak out; he needs to hurry back soon.

Upon hearing this, the three exchanged glances, and then Gu Renjie personally took out the painting.

"How did this end up with you?"

Lu Hexuan knew the painting inside and out. Although it had not been unfolded yet, he recognized it immediately.

"Never mind that. Just tell us, is this painting of the Seventh Prince?"

The only person who would dare to speak to Lu Hexuan so disrespectfully is probably Yun Yichen.

After glancing at Yun Yichen, Lu Hexuan roughly guessed the reason. In addition, Yun Yichen mentioned the Seventh Prince so accurately that Lu Hexuan knew that Yun Yichen must have already investigated the painting.

Left with no other choice, Lu Hexuan could only nod, "The painting does indeed depict Seventh Brother!"

This answer was consistent with Gu Jin's guess. Yun Yichen continued, "How did this painting end up in your hands?"

Yun Yichen interrogated Lu Hexuan as if he were a criminal. Lu Hexuan struggled for a moment, looked at the three people for a while, and finally said to Gu Renjie, "Seventh Brother gave it to me."

"Given by the Seventh Prince? This painting clearly shows signs of burning. If it really was given to you by the Seventh Prince, why would he give you a painting that has already been burned?"

"Besides, he could have easily redrawn one and given it to you. So, if I'm not mistaken, this painting must have been dug out from one of those destroyed bonfires. And you couldn't have moved around freely at that time. Your Highness, tell me, how did the deceased Seventh Prince manage to deliver the painting to you?"

Gu Shuyan hadn't confronted anyone like this in a long time. Listening to her reasonable words, Lu Hexuan couldn't help but smile wryly.

"This really came from Seventh Brother!"

Lu Hexuan persisted in his statement, and his demeanor didn't seem to indicate he was lying, leaving Gu Shuyan somewhat bewildered.

If it really was given to Lu Hexuan by the Seventh Prince, then the Seventh Prince, who was disfigured and dismembered, did not die by substitution.

Upon realizing this possibility, Gu Shuyan immediately covered her mouth.

Lu Hexuan knew that he could no longer hide the truth about the Seventh Prince, and with Gu Renjie watching over his family, he decided to stop concealing it.

"Actually, after Seventh Brother was captured by His Majesty, he wasn't actually dismembered. His Majesty wanted to get a secret from Seventh Brother, so he kept him imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. And that painting was given to me by Seventh Brother when he escaped from the Heavenly Prison."

As he spoke, Lu Hexuan slowly opened the painting, looking at the Seventh Prince whose face was somewhat blurry, a look of nostalgia appeared in his eyes.

Of his eight older brothers, the seventh prince was the one who mentored him the best. Lu Hexuan originally thought that the seventh prince would become the crown prince, and Touqu, at a young age, was already preparing to assist his elder brother.

But no one expected that the final outcome would be like that.

"Renjie, there's something I need to tell you."

Suddenly, Lu Hexuan looked at Gu Renjie with a solemn expression. His eyes held a complex mix of emotions: excitement, relief, and a hint of something else that was hard to detect.

"I know what you want to say. My father already told me yesterday that the Seventh Prince is my biological father." Gu Renjie spoke calmly, as if he were recounting someone else's story.

Lu Hexuan was surprised that Gu Hou knew the truth, but considering that Gu Renjie was raised as his legitimate son, it was not surprising that he knew the truth.

Seeing that Gu Renjie had no expression, Lu Hexuan knew that this matter must have been a huge blow to him.

“This painting was given to me by your father. He instructed me to find you and give this painting to you.”

Lu Hexuan didn't know how to comfort Gu Renjie, so he simply handed the painting in his hand to Gu Renjie. Gu Renjie looked up at the person in the painting, hesitated for a moment, and then took the painting.