The Wei residence.

"My lord, news has come from Eunuch Xu that His Highness... His Highness has given the sword you gave him to Marquis Dingyuan."

Wei Sheng's face was so gloomy it seemed like ink could drip from it. None of the assassins he sent to Heng County to kill the Third Prince had returned, while His Highness the Crown Prince had become very friendly with the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.

"Didn't Xu Dong say that His Highness's relationship with the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion had become estranged?" Wei Sheng slammed the table over, panting heavily with anger. "I've paid such a high price, and now you're telling me it's all for nothing?"

If the assassins he sent out were captured, it would be tantamount to him deliberately exposing himself.

The veins on Wei Sheng's forehead bulged as he thought about his current situation.

"I tried to persuade you, sir, but you were blinded by the so-called merit of following the emperor's lead." The wizard remained calm. Wei Sheng, it seems, is beyond saving...

"What's the point of saying all this now!" Wei Sheng glared at the wizard. "If I were to perish in the Heng County affair, what good would it do you, wizard?"

The wizard smiled upon hearing this. He had helped Wei Sheng climb to the position of Minister of Personnel, but after so long, he still hadn't gained the trust of the Emperor of Daqing. He was truly incapable of being of great use.

Avenging the destruction of his Di Kingdom is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Even without Wei Sheng, there will be many more suitable candidates.

As for Wei Sheng, it's time for him to play his final role in alienating the Emperor and Crown Prince of Daqing.

"If His Highness is willing to go to such lengths to get close to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, why can't you, sir, do the same?" The wizard's words made Wei Sheng's eyes narrow. "Sir has already introduced His Highness to many officials. If His Highness were to reveal all of this to the Marquis of Dingyuan, what would you, sir, do?"

"Even if you have to tie him up, you'll tie His Highness to your ship."

The wizard left leisurely, leaving Wei Sheng behind, clenching his fists: Absolutely not, absolutely not allowing His Highness the Crown Prince to be tied to the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion.

For the next few days, Wei Sheng made a big show of sending all sorts of rare and unusual things to Gu Qingling in the palace.

Gu Qingling didn't pay attention at first, until Cen Hai invited him to the Taihe Hall with a smile.

Zhaoning Palace.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince was invited to the Hall of Supreme Harmony today and did not go to the Marquis's residence."

Jiang Yu, who was tending to the flowers and plants, laughed out loud when she heard this. She never expected that Gu Qingling would run to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence every day.

This time, Gu Qingling actually pushed Wei Sheng to the brink. The Crown Prince's aggressive efforts to win over court officials have always aroused the suspicion of emperors throughout history.

"Tell my brother that we don't need to wait for Gu Qingling at the Marquis's residence for the next few days." Jiang Yu glanced in the direction of Heng County. "We can now properly investigate the matter in Heng County."

[If Gu Qingfeng were to seize this opportunity and stage a power struggle with Gu Qingling, it would be incredibly exciting.]

Jiang Yu was thinking to herself, completely unaware of the strange light that flashed in Gu Qingyao's eyes as she sat quietly to the side.

Gu Qingling cannot escape responsibility for Gu Qingfeng's broken leg. If Gu Qingfeng can curry favor with Gu Heng, he will surely gain Gu Heng's pity, and he will actually have a chance of winning against the current Gu Qingling.

A smile appeared on Jiang Yu's lips as she continued to trim away the excess flower branches.

......

"Your son greets Your Majesty."

Gu Heng, who would normally wake up immediately, acted out of character today, as if he hadn't heard Gu Qingling's greetings, and continued to bury himself in reviewing memorials.

In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Gu Qingling's face turned deathly pale.

"I've heard you've been very busy lately, almost as busy as I am."

Gu Heng's casual remark immediately made Gu Qingling kneel on the ground. The coolness of the ground on her forehead brought her back to her senses.

"I wouldn't dare."

Gu Heng then put down his vermilion brush and looked at Gu Qingling with a hint of suspicion. Was this eldest son, on whom he had placed great hopes since birth, already impatient to take his place?

"What have you been doing at the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence lately?" Gu Heng still didn't let Gu Qingling get up. "I haven't seen you running to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence like it's your day before."

“Your Majesty, I… I wish to learn martial arts from my uncle. He has been teaching my third brother, and I would like to take advantage of his absence from the capital to ask him for instruction.”

"And what about the wind?"

Gu Heng suddenly felt sorry for Gu Qingfeng. "You, as the eldest brother, hardly ever visit him. Instead, you go to the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion to practice martial arts. Are you trying to shoot another arrow into his heart?"

“Father, you are wise. I have never had such thoughts.”

"Plop—", sweat dripped onto the ground, and Gu Qingling's vision blurred.

"What about Wei Sheng? He sends you things every day. I noticed you used to visit the Wei residence often. Why did you switch your route to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence?"

Gu Heng's eyes were mocking. He had schemed against Gu Lin before, so he knew the lowest point of human nature.

Gu Qingling was unable to defend himself for a long time. He wished he could turn back time and stay in the palace properly.

"Since you have nothing to do these days, you should stay in the study and listen to the Master's lessons."

In short, this effectively restricted Gu Qingling's movement.

Gu Qingling limped out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, but Gu Heng's gaze lingered on her. "Cen Hai, have I been too lenient with the Crown Prince in the past?"

He became so arrogant that he was ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, and of the proper order of ruler and subject.

Cen Hai didn't dare to respond at all. Gu Heng hadn't expected Cen Hai to agree anyway, so he just lowered his head and pondered for a few moments. "Send someone to keep a close eye on Wei Sheng. This man is too restless."

......

At the same time, a letter was sent from the capital.

News has come from the capital that Wei Sheng has lost the emperor's favor.

The bandages on Gu Qingyan's right hand have been removed. After the injury, Gu Qingyan's chin has become even thinner. "The mole in the county government has been found. Now we just need to find out the whereabouts of all the missing women."

"We will all obey the Third Prince's arrangements."

After their visit to Hengxian, the soldiers were completely convinced of Gu Qingyan's abilities.

Gu Qingyan nodded slightly, "Then let's wait until everything is ready, and then strike decisively."

Before being adopted by his mother, he never showed his own thoughts, and he pretended to be a puppet who obeyed orders.

Only in that way could he survive in the cannibalistic palace.

"Third Prince, what should we do during this time?" Chang Qing was punished with a board for recognizing Mei'er as also wearing the Peace Crane, but after being beaten, he became even more fond of hanging around Gu Qingyan.

A rough, uncouth man stared at him, and Gu Qingyan couldn't help but twitch his lips.

“You are strong, go and help those families with only elderly people and children to grow crops.”

Gu Qingyan glanced around and said, "I'll go with you so that they can have enough to eat during the harvest season."

My mother once said that those in power must care about the people; if the people cannot go hungry, it is because those in power are incompetent.