Upon stepping out of the dungeon, Xie Lin immediately gave Zhou Gu a thumbs up.
Zhou Gu glanced at him, "Don’t play the spy. I can save your life once, and I can equally take it."
Xie Lin jumped in fright, "Hey, don’t turn against me. Do you take me for a fool? Why would I deliberately seek death when I have a perfectly good life? Does it make any sense for me to spy or betray you to the second prince now?"
"It would, he still wants to destroy the evidence, there’s still a chance." Zhou Gu explained, "After all, my manpower is limited, and so is that of the Crown Prince’s."
At Zhou Gu’s words, Xie Lin understood and said crossly, "Alright, there’s no need for you to test me, I get it. Should I get my people to help you collect evidence against the second prince?"
Zhou Gu corrected him satisfyingly, "You mean collect it for the Crown Prince. I will report this to the Crown Prince. Rest assured, if you successfully pull this off, the Crown Prince will merit you."
Xie Lin had a stiff face, "I thank you first." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
"No need for thanks," Zhou Gu waved his hand, "I’m going."
Xie Lin had enough of his antics and waved back, "Fine, don’t expect to be shown out."
Who would have guessed that his intent to relax today turned into a huge task for him?
Alas, he had this sinking feeling. Was he destined to end up like his father, always having to handle challenging and bitter tasks?
After leaving the Rui’an King’s Residence, Zhou Gu headed straight to the Eastern Palace.
The Grand Tutor Qin was discussing with Yan Huisheng that the list for the Imperial Examination was almost ready; the great scholars had wrapped up the papers and set the rankings. Once approved by the Emperor, they could announce the results.
Yan Huisheng asked, "Who is the top scorer?"
Grand Tutor Qin shook his head, "To avoid suspicion, I did not inquire."
Yan Huisheng nodded, "I will send someone with a message tomorrow morning, to be submitted to the palace for the Emperor’s review."
Grand Tutor Qin nodded and asked Yan Huisheng, "Has His Majesty not seen you today? But the Empress?"
Yan Huisheng nodded.
Grand Tutor Qin commented, "That’s a good sign."
Yan Huisheng offered no comment.
Grand Tutor Qin remarked, "After so many years, you are finally being looked upon favorably. Thanks to Lady Su Qi, she is incredibly sharp and a true testament to Xie Yuan’s teachings."
Yan Huisheng smiled, "She must be truly extraordinary."
As the Grand Tutor watched Yan Huisheng, upon mentioning Su Rong, Yan Huisheng’s face visibly softened, his gaze tender and tone warm. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Is the person you confessed to having feelings for earlier, Lady Su Qi?"
By this point, Yan Huisheng naturally won’t deny, "Yes, it is her."
Although already anticipated, hearing Yan Huisheng’s affirmation still sent a jolt through the Grand Tutor, "Your Highness, Lady Su Qi is the princess daughter of Nanchu King, it’s impossible between you two."
I understand." Yan Huisheng replied calmly, "I didn’t foresee that she was the princess of Nanchu. I was still hopeful when I first found out. But ever since she came to the capital, I knew it was impossible when she decided to return to succeed as the heir of Nanchu."
Grand Tutor Qin breathed a sigh of relief, "Your Highness, you are destined to succeed as King of Daliang. Since you already know it’s impossible, let it go! Although it’s challenging to find someone like Lady Su Qi, there are still many good women around."
Yan Huisheng hummed in agreement, "You may rest assured, Tutor."
Grand Tutor Qin felt relieved. Having trained the prince himself, the prince has self-disciplined and stayed upright for over twenty years aiming for the throne. He wouldn’t risk his standing. A marriage between the King of Daliang and the Princess of Nanchu is impossible, and now that Su Rong is with Ye Guixue, she wouldn’t choose Yan Huisheng, deciding "to ruin her country for him."
Thinking of Ye Guixue, the Grand Tutor sighed, "The second young master of Ye family in Nanchu, Ye Guixue, truly lives up to his reputation. Lady Su’s decision to choose him shows how clear-minded she is."
Yan Huisheng glanced at the Grand Tutor, carefully saying, "Tutor, what if Zhou Gu goes to Nanchu to become a king consort?"
"What?" The Grand Tutor exclaimed, his voice pitch increasing.
Yan Huisheng calmly repeated, "I mean, what if Zhou Gu goes to Nanchu to become Su Rong’s king consort?"
The Grand Tutor’s face drastically changed, "How could he? He’s an auxiliary minister I spent great effort grooming for you, how could he go to Nanchu to become a king consort? Would the old Duke agree? How much effort has he put into Zhou Gu to push him to the Eastern Palace as the attendant reader, wasn’t it because he saw potential in him? Which position is more prestigious, an auxiliary minister or a king consort? The former is a minister whose name will go down in history, the latter is a king consort who depends on the queen, Isn’t this squandering his abilities?"
The more the Grand Tutor spoke, the more anxious he became, "Your Highness, is this your idea, or is it Zhou Gu’s? What are you thinking?"
Yan Huisheng calmly soothed the Grand Tutor, "Calm down Tutor, don’t get worked up."
The Grand Tutor was about to stamp in frustration, "How can I not panic?"
Yan Huisheng said, "These are the Emperor’s thoughts."
The Grand Tutor heaved a huge sigh of relief, "So it’s His Majesty."
So the idea wasn’t their own. Otherwise, wouldn’t their years of nurturing be in vain? It would be a waste of Zhou Gu’s learned skills.
He said to Yan Huisheng, "Your Highness, you also know that the Second Young Master of the Nanchu Ye Residence is widely acclaimed, anyone who meets him would praise his deserved reputation. But Zhou Gu is not inferior. If it hadn’t been for His Majesty suppressing you and the Duke Residence, forcing Zhou Gu to keep a low profile due to circumstances, he could have stepped into the officialdom a few years ago, honing his skills for a few years, and by now, when he stands next to Ye Guixue, he wouldn’t necessarily lose to him. Whether in terms of demeanor, talent, or capability."
Yan Huisheng chuckled, "If he were here today, hearing such high praise from you, he would be very pleased."
After all, the Tutor rarely compliments Zhou Gu, for fear of him becoming complacent.
Grand Tutor Qin stroked his beard, "I only speak the truth. The Second Young Master of Nanchu’s Ye Residence, having been fostered by both the Nanchu King and Ye Xiang, has managed to rise through the ranks in spite of the dominant Nangong family. Nanchu King assured a balance, affording Ye Guixue sufficient opportunities to grow and hone his abilities, resulting in his renown today."
He continued, "Although Zhou Gu started a bit later, there’s no rush. He is still young, and though he is yet to be polished, once he undergoes tempering, he will grow rapidly and his future prospects show great promise."
He furrowed his brows, "Even if His Majesty has this idea in mind, he can’t be allowed to make it happen."
Yan Huisheng added, "Su Rong outright rejected the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor was completely relieved, "Lady Su has a clear mind. If she successfully returns to Nanchu, and becomes its ruler, then Nanchu’s prosperity is just around the corner."
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