Zhao Rong took a sip of tea, glanced at Gu Yiwu who looked puzzled, and said with a smile:

"Brother Yiwu, do you have a grudge against that Zhou Dufu? Did someone of his contact you and contradict you?"

Gu Yiwu shook his head.

"No. We have been waiting here for a few days. We listened to your instructions, watched the dance and listened to the music. In addition to drinking wine, we ordered all kinds of entertainment and food. There was nothing unusual during this period... Tzuyu, from what you said... Are we waiting for them to come in person?"

Zhao Rong did not comment, but smiled:

"Then why are Brother Yiwu's words biased? Zhou Dufu may have his own reasons for not handing over the military power, or he may really be loyal to the late emperor."

Gu Yiwu thought about it and nodded.

"It is indeed possible. However, I heard that almost everyone in Xingzi Town said so, and the public opinion is roughly the same, classifying him as a warlord with his own troops."

"Well, public opinion may be misled, and we cannot trust everything that everyone believes, but there are some things that cannot be hidden from people with discerning eyes, and everyone knows what is going on."

He paused and analyzed his own views.

"Zi Yu, in fact, based on what I have learned in the past few days, I tend to believe that the young emperor and the Empress Dowager Dugu behind him are not puppets supported by a certain party, but are truly exercising the rights to the throne of Dali."

There was silence in the Xuan box.

Everyone's attention was focused on Gu Yiwu and Zhao Rong who were analyzing the situation.

Zhao Rong held the warm teacup in both hands and walked to the observation deck inside the box.

The private rooms are located on the third floor of Zuixianlou. Each room has a viewing platform, which is similar to a floor-to-ceiling transparent glass that provides a view of the lobby on the first floor of Zuixianlou.

The private rooms are separated by soundproofing arrays so they do not disturb each other.

Zhao Rong took a sip of hot tea, turned his back to everyone, and nodded, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Brother Yiwu, continue."

Gu Yiwu nodded solemnly, rolled up his sleeves, and paced around the box.

"A month ago, when the late Emperor of Dali passed away, the imperial power was vacant for a few days, which was the most dangerous. We don't know what happened at that time, but we can see the result."

"The young prince ascended the throne as he wished and inherited the throne. Empress Dowager Dugu also gained the power of regent, and as for the virtuous prince Li Mingyi, he became the regent. This was probably an exchange of interests at the time. Now, the turbulent period has passed and the political situation has stabilized."

"Only the great general Zhou Dufu seems to have gained nothing. Instead, he seems to have been ganged up on. Now he is alone in the Western Army, facing pressure from all sides. Perhaps this is also the limitation of a warrior. He did not seize the opportunity and stand in line."

Gu Yiwu said in a serious tone:

"The current Li Emperor was designated as the Crown Prince by the previous Emperor of Dali a long time ago. Although he is a little young, he is the most legitimate heir. There is no rival among the heirs of the same generation. No matter what, the young Crown Prince deserves to ascend the throne."

"Only his uncle Li Mingyi was a bit threatening, and he might have planned a drama where the brother died and the younger brother took over. But at the critical moment of the succession of the throne, Li Mingyi also chose to give in, which now seems to be a smart move."

"Because this is the situation that is in line with the interests of most people in the Dali court. It is also the best solution for a dynasty as large as Dali."

He said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "The trend is hard to reverse."

"Li Mingyi and Zhou Dufu are two warriors. They are indeed powerful. They have both military power and military force. It is indeed dangerous for the Dali emperor to leave behind a pair of orphans and a widow after his death, but we cannot ignore some forces that cannot be underestimated."

"In the court of Dali, there are still a large number of capable ministers and generals left by the previous emperor. They all came from the previous chaotic times and are not good-for-nothings. Moreover, Dali governs the country according to our Confucian ethics and the royal family also practices filial piety. Ethics and ethics are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of Dali."

"Because the late Emperor of Dali had done it deliberately, there are a lot of Confucian scholars in the court and the country, and the civil service system is almost entirely made up of our Confucian scholars. In addition, the people of Dali below respect the late Emperor of Dali, and they are sympathetic and friendly to the orphans and widows left behind by me."

"They all naturally tend to favor the legitimate young crown prince to ascend the throne. The former must uphold the sage's ethics and can assist the young emperor and win a good reputation in history. It is obvious how these forces and individuals should choose."

The burly scholar shook his head.

"Besides, Dali has just emerged from the chaotic times, and the dynasty has not been stable for a few years. If Zhou Dufu and Li Mingyi think that the throne has an opportunity and can do great things, and go to war, then Dali will not be able to have peace, and everyone will not be able to eat at ease on the table that was built with great difficulty. The chaotic times will come again, and the mountains and rivers will be broken, and there will be seas of blood and mountains of corpses."

“I guess this is something that many people would not allow to happen.”

"Except for those who are devoted to Zhou Dufu and Li Mingyi, who can take a gamble, those who have already achieved success and fame in the court, the vested interests, why would they be willing to take the risk of reshuffling the cards again?"

"Isn't it safer and more righteous to assist the young emperor in governing this stable and huge dynasty? It can also leave a name in history. Ha, some of the teachers and brothers in our Linlu Academy are now compiling history on the seventh floor of the library."

Gu Yiwu raised his eyes and looked at Zhao Rong's back.

"Tzuyu, this is the 'momentum' that Mr. Qi taught us in the chess class at the academy when he was fighting with the black and white pieces."

Zhao Rong nodded.

This Mr. Qi is also the chess teacher of his school, Ruexingtang.

It is hard to tell how deep Zhao Rong's cultivation is. He has just arrived and has little contact with Mr. Qi in and out of class.

Well, except for Yu Huaijin, who is a 'good student' and 'lackey' and seems to be liked by every art teacher, some academy teachers with dull personalities have very little contact with these Mo Chi students.

Most of them come when classes are in session and leave when they are over. The study atmosphere in the academy is relaxed.

For example, a female teacher who liked to worry about the bottleneck of the Nascent Soul Realm in front of him, a student, and who shamelessly wasted fabrics, even handed over the two calligraphy classes of the Mo Chi Academy directly to the assistant teacher Zhao Rong.

Damn it, the fine tradition and style of the headmaster and chief priest of Linlu Academy to support the younger generation seems to be spreading to the lower levels...

Zhao Rong was secretly alert.

So Mr. Qi, like several other gentlemen, liked to mention Yu Huaijin's name when playing chess in class. Well, and Li Xueyu. He seemed to like this well-behaved and serious little girl very much.

And I heard that Mr. Qi is also a strategist in Youlan Mansion.

Therefore, Zhao Rong's chess class was his favorite course. Occasionally, he would hear some interesting and "contrarian but reasonable" remarks...

At this moment, in the Xuan box.

Gu Yiwu felt a little emotional.

"Now let's look back. It seems that there was a very powerful woman among them. She should have keenly seen this trend at the time and cleverly used it."

"Well, so this pair of orphans and widows successfully sat in the highest position in the court."

The students who were listening nearby had slightly dazed expressions.

Zhao Rong heard this but remained silent.

However, he smiled and nodded.

Gu Yiwu didn't pay attention to the other students, but kept his attention on Zhao Rong.

Seeing that Tzuyu finally showed a reaction that seemed to approve, he was cheered up.

He said with great energy:

"Now she sits firmly in the highest position of the temple of the largest mountain dynasty in Beiwangquezhou. I want to go to Hanjing to see the gorgeously made-up woman behind the pearl curtain as soon as possible. The political scheme she planned at the critical moment a month ago was indeed ingenious."

"Besides, I don't know how much planning and operations she has behind the scenes."

Gu Yiwu paused and rubbed his hands together, as if he was itching.

His eyes subconsciously focused on the small broom in the corner of the room.

But there are so many people watching around, and I am not alone with Zhao Rong.

It seems very shameful to exercise the man's pleasure - dancing with a long hard stick.

Gu Yiwu had no choice but to give up and continued to laugh:

"This Empress Dowager Dugu is no ordinary person. She seems to be very sharp and intelligent, and she is also good at taking advantage of situations, especially the situation of our Confucian scholars."

"It was a big show in the mourning hall of the late Emperor Dali. Tzuyu, to be honest, I don't believe that a child of such an ignorant age would have a clear concept of the death of a relative and would faint in front of the coffin crying bitterly."

"And this Empress Dowager Dugu, it is true that she went on a hunger strike for three days without eating or drinking, but to say whether she was really haggard or just pretending to be haggard..."

He paused and shook his head.

Many students from the Hall of Justice in the box looked at each other and nodded.

"However, this is a pure, caring and filial matter, and the common people just buy into it. The Confucian scholars and officials in the court and the public also approve of this behavior."

"For the common people, this is a manifestation of the fact that the imperial family is just as humane as the common people. People who value family affection and filial piety so much, no matter how bad they are, can't be that bad. Besides, what's wrong with the little prince and Empress Dugu?"

Gu Yiwu imitated the tone of ordinary people and said worriedly:

"The little prince lost his father at a young age, which was so pitiful. Empress Dugu was virtuous and loyal, kind-hearted, and treated the people well. The Music Bureau she established also saved thousands of separated girls. Such a person who was like the goddess of the moon, lost the pillar of the family, and was weak and could not support the family alone."

"Alas, what should this orphan and widow left behind by the late emperor do when faced with such a huge 'family property' and the evil people who may jump out at any time to forcibly divide the 'family property'?"

The burly man smiled.

"For the Confucian scholars inside and outside the court, the most important thing is the message conveyed by the actions of the young emperor and the empress dowager."

"That is, we will definitely continue the policy of the previous emperor of Dali to respect Confucianism, abide by the rules of the game that we agreed upon before, govern the country with etiquette and morality, and put filial piety first."

Zhao Qian'er, who was standing beside Zhao Rong waiting, wondered what memories she was thinking of.

She turned around and spoke a fair word for the orphan and widow in the court of Dali.

"That makes sense. However, as outsiders, we can see clearly and see some traces of human intervention. But if we were in the situation and put ourselves in the shoes of this woman, we would think that Empress Dowager Dugu is indeed worthy of understanding and sympathy."

Zhao Qian'er shook her head. "And maybe he really has feelings for the late Emperor Dali and wants to protect the Li family's kingdom."

"But now they are the only ones left, an orphan and a widow, surrounded by wolves, so they have no choice but to try their best to protect themselves. It is understandable that they put on a show, otherwise they will probably be eaten together with the little prince, and not a single bone will be left."

Gu Yiwu was slightly stunned when he heard this, and nodded in agreement:

"What Fairy Zhao said makes sense. We have heard a lot of things along the way."

"The people of Dali all love and support the Empress Dowager Dugu. She implemented many benevolent and good policies in Dali. She also often gave advice to the previous emperor of Dali or pleaded for his subjects. She was like a phoenix mother who modeled the country for the rest of the country."

"Now that she is ruling the country from behind the scenes, everyone in and outside the court of Dali is convinced."

Gu Yiwu suddenly laughed and listed everything to Zhao Rong.

"Ziyu, besides being virtuous and polite, this Empress Dowager Dugu is also known to be the most beautiful woman in Dali, with the most beautiful waist and unrivaled beauty. Especially her dancing posture, it is said that it is so beautiful and graceful that she can even dance on the lotus leaves and duckweed in the pond."

"It is said that women in Lidi are good at dancing with slender waists, and the slender waist of this Empress Dowager Dugu is the best in Dali. Such a beauty, the people of Dali say that she is a fairy who came down from the Ninth Heaven Moon Palace. The people in the mountains also say that she is a Li woman with extremely pure bloodline, close to the ancestors of Lidi."

"It's a pity that now that she is wearing a phoenix crown and wearing gorgeous makeup, sitting high on a dragon throne with rolled-up curtains, no one is qualified to witness her dance. Sigh, it's a great pity..."

The burly man shook his head.

Upon hearing this, the other students from the Hall of Justice made faces and teased Gu Yiwu.

The latter laughed and scolded him a few times.

The silent atmosphere in the box suddenly became lively.

Although they are Confucian scholars, they are young and rebellious at an age. Most of them are descendants of immortals in the mountains. Currently, they study Confucianism more because of the arrangement of their family elders.

Moreover, they are all just students of Mochi and have not yet become scholars of the academy.

So when talking about beauties, pretty widows, wives and the like, they would joke around without restraint in private.

Nowadays, as envoys sent by Linlu Academy, the students have the support of a powerful force, and they have an inevitable sense of superiority over the common people of the secular dynasty down the mountain.

What about the Empress Dowager Dali, the mother of the country?

Don't we still have to ask them for help in the Fengshan ceremony while we wait anxiously in Hanjing?

Even the calm and careful Gu Yiwu could not avoid this mentality.

However, can the affairs of scholars be called obscene?

Well, romantic.

Zhao Rong looked back at his classmates and knew exactly what they were thinking.

He smiled and shook his head.

Zhao Qian'er ignored these boring men who were talking about that every other day, and kept her attention on her sweetheart.

She held his clothes by the hem.

The little girl whispered softly, "You like women dancing, and those with thin waists?"

Without waiting for Zhao Rong to come back to his senses and respond, she turned her eyes away, looked at the ground beside her, bit her pink lips, and said, "I... I know a little bit, I can go and learn."

She suddenly frowned again, "But Qian'er still can't grow tall. She doesn't have the tall and slender figures of them..."

Zhao Rong grabbed Zhao Qian'er's little hand and shook his head, "You don't have to deliberately imitate others. Xiao Qian'er is already very good now."

Zhao Qian'er was still looking at the ground without raising her head.

But she was already narrowing her peach blossom eyes in joy, with the corners of her lips curved. However, she immediately suppressed her giggle and said with a pouty mouth, "I'm fine, fine. But you didn't want me before, and you didn't even want the young lady. Well, fortunately, you still had a little conscience later, and the young lady and I were not in vain in our love for you..."

The vengeful little girl shook her hand that was held by Zhao Rong, somewhat unwillingly.

Zhao Rong coughed lightly and didn't respond.

He turned around, glanced at Gu Yiwu and the others, and said softly:

"Don't even think about it. Don't forget what we are here for. Let's talk business first. Brother Yiwu's analysis is very good. If you have any other opinions, please continue."

Everyone quieted down, sat up straight, and nodded.

The atmosphere quieted down.