The night Gu Ren couldn't hold it in and peed in the emperor's arms again, Yan Mo personally came to Lu Zheng's house.
"Your Majesty, the man has been apprehended. I have him detained in the camp, and from his words, I learned that a large quantity of Pleasure Powder has been transported to the capital. There are people in the capital making contact, and the information has already been disseminated. Please give your instructions, Your Majesty." Yan Mo knelt and reported.
He was somewhat frightened. If it weren't for the girls accidentally stumbling into the camp and Gu Nian and Lu Zheng providing the information later, his life would have been over.
The emperor pondered for a moment, then made a decision.
That evening, he left Sanchakou Village with Eunuch Fu and the guards, gave Lu Zheng some instructions, and didn't have time to say goodbye to the Gu family.
Xue Qianyu was left behind by him to protect Empress Dowager Jiang.
After the emperor left, only Xue Qianyu and Lu Zheng remained in the room.
Xue Qianyu: "Are you very familiar with Gu Nian?"
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow: "Not bad!"
Xue Qianyu asked, "How did she know about the 'Beauty Flower'? Did she read about it in Grandma Xiao's book?"
Lu Zheng: "I think so! My grandma really likes the sisters. When they're tired from work, they come out for a walk and come to our area. Grandma will teach them to identify some herbs."
Xue Qianyu pursed his lips and asked again, "I remember Grandma Xiao didn't make rouge, did she? Did she teach them?"
Lu Zheng chuckled: "Xue Er, don't underestimate her. This is her own skill, not something my grandmother taught her. She often comes to talk to my grandmother about the effects of medicinal herbs, and she even gives my grandmother a lot of inspiration! Do you think growing up in the countryside means you don't know anything? My dear Xue Er, put away your prejudice and contempt!"
Xue Qianyu glanced at Lu Zheng noncommittally, then asked, "Don't you think the Emperor's attitude towards the Gu family is rather strange? Do you really think it's just that the two families get along well?"
Lu Zheng looked at Xue Qianyu but didn't say anything.
Xue Qianyu continued, “Last year and this year, I accompanied the Emperor to seven places in total. Six last year, and only Qingzhou this year. Last year, the Emperor would leave the palace for half a month to a month every two months, and the eldest prince would handle all the affairs of the court. Last year, there were six places, and each one was different. But this year, it’s already May, and the Emperor has only come to Qingzhou twice.”
Lu Zheng shook his head: "Xue Er, you've committed a grave mistake by presumptuously speculating about the Emperor's intentions. Whatever the Emperor does outside the capital, you just need to do what he orders. Or are you dissatisfied with the Emperor handing over the reins of government to the First Prince, and feeling indignant on behalf of the Empress?"
Xue Qianyu scoffed, "Lu Er, you've changed."
Lu Zheng shrugged: "I'm Zhou Yuan, naturally different from Lu Zheng. If you consider me a brother, let me remind you: our Emperor is incredibly wise. Don't reveal your true intentions in front of him. Otherwise, no matter how deep his feelings for the Empress are, they can't overcome his empire. As a subject, if he orders you to protect the Empress Dowager, then protect the Empress Dowager. Don't overthink it, and don't discuss court affairs with a country bumpkin like me; I'm not interested. Alright, I'm going to sleep!"
After saying that, Lu Zheng went to the kitchen to fetch water to wash up.
Xue Qianyu was alone in the courtyard, his brows furrowed as he pondered Lu Zheng's words.
...
The next morning, Xue Qianyu went to the second branch of the Gu family. He needed to tell Empress Dowager Jiang about the emperor's departure as soon as possible.
Gu Nian opened the door. She was dressed in a neat white outfit, and her hair was all tied up in a bun on her head, with only a few stray hairs blowing in the breeze.
Gu Nian has a great figure; she is tall and slender with fair skin, thin and long eyebrows, and large, bright eyes.
A clean-cut face appeared before Xue Qianyu, and he was stunned for a moment.
The other day when they knocked on the door, it was Gu Xin who opened it, while Gu Nian was already sweating profusely from practicing.
He arrived early today; the Gu family girls hadn't started exercising yet.
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