After reading the note, Gu Yifeng handed it to Chi Liancheng and then began to ponder it.
Why does Your Majesty suddenly wish to see the young master today?
After reading the note, Chi Liancheng couldn't help but ask.
"Isn't that simple? Father Emperor probably saw that I was constantly suppressing the power of the second son, so he couldn't help but come to me. He probably has two requests. First, he wants me to attend court and govern. Second, I'm afraid he wants me to give up the factional struggle."
After thinking for a moment, Gu Yifeng gave this answer. In fact, he was not sure about the old emperor's purpose. After all, the old emperor had been secretly monitoring the entire palace and was a deep thinker, which was definitely not comparable to Gu Ran, a hothead.
The most important thing right now is, of course, to get back to the prison.
With Chi Liancheng riding at full speed, the two of them arrived back outside the palace in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. They gathered their spiritual energy under their feet and instantly disappeared from the spot, taking the opportunity to sneak into the Heavenly Prison in a moment.
About the time it takes for another incense stick to burn, the imperial carriage arrived outside the imperial prison. With Chang Fu's help, the old emperor slowly walked in, and all the prison guards immediately knelt down to pay their respects. Even Qian Si, the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Observatory, came out to greet him.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Gu Yifeng bowed respectfully, displaying a dignified yet humble demeanor towards the old emperor.
"You may all leave. I have some private matters to discuss with the Crown Prince."
The old emperor nodded slightly upon hearing this, and then with a flick of his sleeve, he activated a soundproof barrier. Chang Fu, being quite sensible, led the group out of the prison.
"My son, you've been in the imperial prison for almost a month now. Your counterattack has scattered and captured many of the Second Prince's henchmen. Shouldn't you let your anger subside by now?"
After everyone had left, the old emperor slowly spoke, looking earnest and thoughtful, as if the two were not father and son of an imperial family, but just ordinary people.
"Father, I have long since calmed down. As for my second brother, I have nothing to say to him."
Gu Yifeng smiled upon hearing this and said slowly.
"If that's the case, why don't you attend court? I'm not dead yet, and your position as crown prince is very secure. If the two prime ministers were to rule in your place, and the Great Chu and the State of Han found out, I would be in deep trouble!"
The old emperor finally revealed the purpose of his trip. Indeed, he was telling the truth. If neighboring countries knew that Da Gan was embroiled in factional strife and internal turmoil, there would inevitably be external threats.
“In that case, wouldn’t it be better for Father to personally attend to state affairs than for me? I think Father’s health is no longer a problem, so it would be appropriate for him to handle some of the affairs and leave the rest to the two prime ministers.”
Gu Yifeng glanced at the old emperor's aura before speaking calmly.
"You! Cough cough... cough pfft! Never mind, it's my fault. Before, in front of the Consort Xian case, I did pretend to be sick and not come out. But after the Consort Xian case, I was truly exhausted and fell seriously ill. Now, it's just a last gasp before death."
The old emperor coughed twice in anger at Gu Yifeng's words, then spat out a mouthful of blood, which immediately frightened him. After hearing the old emperor's words, Gu Yifeng was also shocked.
"My time is running out. I hope you can attend court and govern the country. Do not let momentary anger lead you into a major crisis."
Seeing that Gu Yifeng seemed to be wavering, the old emperor continued to speak.
"I can govern, and I can oversee the country. Father, you should go back now. The imperial prison is bitter and cold; you cannot stay there for long."
Gu Yifeng did not give a verbal agreement, but only gave a vague response. The old emperor smiled upon hearing this, then turned and left the prison.
After seeing the old emperor off, Gu Yifeng and Chi Liancheng whispered a few words to each other. Then, Fang Xuan led his servants, carrying stacks of memorials and documents, back and forth to the prison for a whole day before finally ending the journey.
Such an unusual occurrence naturally caught Changfu's attention.
That evening, at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"What did you say? The Crown Prince ordered someone to send the document to the Imperial Prison? Nonsense, utter nonsense! Is the Imperial Prison a place where official documents and government affairs can be handled? Really, never mind, let's see what tomorrow morning's court session brings."
Upon hearing the news, the old emperor was initially furious, but then he simply didn't want to muster any more energy to be angry with Gu Yifeng, so he went back to bed and fell into a deep sleep.
...
The next morning, at the time when court should have been in session, a long line of officials formed in front of the imperial prison. Whether it was the two prime ministers or the ministers of the six ministries, they all waited patiently in line, arranged according to their official rank, with civil and military officials alternating.
Such a strange event naturally attracted the attention of the palace.
After Qin Shan escorted the last official who wanted to go to the Hall of State Affairs to line up in front of the Heavenly Prison, he was grabbed by Chang Fu and blocked his way before he could return to the Heavenly Prison to report.
"Commander Qin, let me ask you this: what exactly is His Highness the Crown Prince preparing for? When he arrives at court, he orders all the civil and military officials to line up in the imperial prison. Is he venting his personal grievances?"
Chang Fu asked Qin Shan with a hint of helplessness.
"Chief Steward Changfu has misunderstood. His Highness is naturally broad-minded. It's just that His Highness feels that the suffering in the Imperial Prison is something that all civil and military officials can understand, so the morning court session has been moved to the Imperial Prison."
Upon hearing this, Qin Shan scratched his head and smiled, then spoke frankly.
Upon hearing this, Chang Fu's expression changed, and without lingering, he hurried towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! His Highness the Crown Prince has violated ancestral rules and etiquette, and is now holding court in the imperial prison!"
Chang Fu shouted, then knelt down outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony in a state of trepidation.
"Rebellion! Rebellion!"
The next moment, the old emperor's angry shout came from inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, followed by the sound of objects being smashed. The smashing continued for the whole morning until a eunuch announced that there were no more officials in the imperial prison. Only then did the gates of the Hall of Supreme Harmony slowly open.
The old emperor stormed out of the palace and, led by Chang Fu, entered the imperial prison.
"Crown Prince! I appointed you to oversee the country, and this is how you disgrace me?!"
Before the old emperor even entered the prison, his angry shouts reached Gu Yifeng's ears, and then all the servants who were with him knelt down.
“Father, I believe there is nothing wrong with this. After all, this Heavenly Prison is my blessed place.”
Gu Yifeng spoke calmly upon hearing this, then his eyes flashed with light, and the next moment, a powerful aura surged into everyone's hearts.
This aura is already very close to the early stage of the Opening Mansion Realm.
"You! You've broken through! My good son, you're about to break through to the Opening Mansion Realm?!"
Sensing Gu Yifeng's aura, the old emperor's anger instantly dissipated, and he looked at him with great surprise and asked.
“That’s right, that’s why I’m unwilling to leave the Heavenly Prison. In the Heavenly Prison, I’m constantly cultivating, honing myself, and improving my cultivation level.”
Gu Yifeng smiled and spoke, but inwardly he was secretly delighted. He had made the right bet. In the old emperor's eyes, scheming and plotting were probably secondary.
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