Chapter 728 Collaboration - Negotiation

Although he was unwilling to accept the truth deep down, this was, after all, the only portrait his biological father had left in the world.

Even though he had the other man's blood in his veins, he should still keep the painting safe.

"Your Highness, you said the Seventh Prince escaped from the Heavenly Prison, do you know where he is now?"

Gu Shuyan thought, if the Seventh Prince were still alive, why hadn't he come to find Gu Renjie in person all these years?

"To be honest, I don't know whether my seventh brother is alive or dead, or where he is. I only remember that when he came to find me, he was covered in blood and looked like he was seriously injured. At that time, His Majesty's pursuers were close behind, and he only had time to give me the painting before he left in a hurry."

Aside from knowing that Gu Renjie was Consort Yun's son, the Seventh Prince didn't leave him a single word.

"According to what you're saying, given the Seventh Prince's condition at the time, I'm afraid his chances of survival were slim."

As a doctor, Yun Yichen understands best the hardship of a person fleeing for their life while covered in wounds.

Moreover, in his view, the chances of the Seventh Prince successfully escaping the Emperor and surviving were less than one in ten.

"Alright, the items have been returned to their rightful owner, and I should head back now."

Lu Hexuan thought the three of them had come to ask him about his seventh brother, but he was interrupted by Gu Shuyan just as he was about to stand up.

"Your Highness, please wait a moment. There is something we need to discuss with you."

Although Gu Shuyan spoke politely, Lu Hexuan felt a sense of foreboding as soon as he saw her calculating eyes.

"What, what is it?"

Lu Hexuan didn't think Gu Shuyan would have anything to discuss with him. Even if she did, he was probably just ordering him around.

It must be said that Lu Hexuan was truly prescient.

Gu Shuyan didn't come to discuss things with him; she came to ask him for work.

"Your Highness must be aware of the current situation at court!"

Even though Lu Hexuan had previously appeared as a carefree prince, Gu Shuyan believed that Lu Hexuan must have had some merit to have survived under the emperor's nose for so many years.

Furthermore, the emperor had instigated a conflict between his two sons while secretly promoting several young officials, among whom Gu Renjie was the most favored by the emperor. Lu Hexuan was well aware of this.

"Don't tell me you still want to help Renjie rise to power."

If it were before, they would have thought that Gu Renjie was the emperor's son, and it would have been normal for them to have such thoughts.

But now that everyone knows Gu Renjie is Seventh Brother's child, how can they still have such thoughts?

"Why not?" Gu Shuyan retorted.

"because……"

Suddenly, Lu Hexuan didn't know how to refute it. The emperor had originally taken the throne from his seventh brother. If his seventh brother had succeeded to the throne, then Gu Renjie, as his son, would have been the rightful ruler.

But just because the emperor murdered his father and brother to seize the throne, does that mean Gu Renjie can't reclaim what rightfully belongs to him?

Seeing Lu Hexuan lower his head and remain silent, Gu Shuyan couldn't help but smile and said, "I know, Your Highness originally intended to continue supporting the former Crown Prince to ascend to the throne."

Gu Shuyan's words startled Lu Hexuan. Lu Tianhua was so low-key, not at all like someone with imperial ambitions, so how could Gu Shuyan still know their intentions?

Seeing Lu Hexuan looking at her, Gu Shuyan became even more certain of her guess.

"Among the emperor's sons, the crown prince may be a bit lecherous, but he is actually more foolish than the others. If he ascends the throne, Your Highness only needs to search for beautiful women all over the world to control him, and use the emperor to command the princes. At that time, Your Highness, as the emperor's uncle, will stand in the court and become the regent who holds great power. Wouldn't the affairs of the world be decided by Your Highness?"

Gu Shuyan's words struck Lu Hexuan's heart, but there was one thing Lu Hexuan refused to admit.

“I did this simply to make it easier to find Renjie, and only when I have absolute power can Renjie be recognized as a descendant of his ancestors.”

Lu Hexuan retorted very quickly, his face turning bright red as Gu Shuyan's words came true.

"Why is Your Highness so angry? I never said that Your Highness wanted to seize power!"

Gu Shuyan didn't expect Lu Hexuan to react so strongly. Before, seeing his carefree and irresponsible demeanor, Gu Shuyan thought he was a good-tempered person.

But looking at him today, it seems he's also someone who gets easily provoked. The reason he was able to hide it so well before was because he suppressed the turbulent edges of his heart.

Lu Hexuan realized he had been too excited and calmed down a bit, slowly regaining his normal expression.

"Tell me! What exactly do you want me to do?"

Since Gu Shuyan has seen through him and figured out his actions, it's impossible that she's just talking to him.

Seeing that Lu Hexuan reacted quite quickly, Gu Shuyan nodded in satisfaction.

"It's nothing major, just that the prince used his power to help my elder brother ascend to that position."

Gu Shuyan's goal was simple and clear: she didn't need any fancy stuff, she just wanted Gu Renjie to become emperor.

This was the first time Gu Renjie had heard his younger sister say these words in person, and he couldn't help but look at her.

It seems that from the moment Gu Shuyan learned of her identity, Yun Yichen had been pushing her closer to that position.

She volunteered to go to the frontier, creating an environment to win the emperor's favor, gradually luring the emperor to discover her identity, and doing everything she could to cure the fourth prince's incurable illness...

All of this shows that they had such a clear goal.

But why is Gu Shuyan so determined to become emperor? She should know that all she wants is to be a member of the Gu family, someone who, in the eyes of outsiders, is related to them by blood, nothing more.

Lu Hexuan had considered this question after learning Gu Renjie's identity.

Moreover, he knew that Gu Renjie, who had the support of both the Gu and Ji families, was more likely to sit on that throne than any other prince.

But Lu Hexuan still refused, saying, "I'm not willing."

Lu Hexuan's answer was somewhat resolute.

"Why?"

In Yun Yichen's view, Lu Hexuan had been looking for Gu Renjie all along. All he had done over the years was for his own sake, but Gu Renjie was also a factor in it.

But now, all they wanted was for him to help them, but Lu Hexuan refused without even thinking.

"There's no reason why, I just don't want to." Lu Hexuan didn't want to explain further.

Seeing this, Yun Yichen wanted to say something, but Gu Shuyan quickly reached out and tugged at his sleeve.

Then Gu Shuyan said in an unyielding tone, "Your Highness must be mistaken. I'm not here to ask you anything, but to inform you."