Chapter 3620 Worst Plan
Gu Qiqing said solemnly, "But dismissing my father from his post just to launch a military operation against the Kingdom of Dan is not something Your Majesty would do."
Zhu Chengxuan was silent for a while before he said, "It's indeed not the case."
“…”
"In fact, it is always difficult for outsiders to understand what the emperor does."
“…”
"Especially when he's about to do something big, he often starts with something insignificant, something seemingly unreasonable to ordinary people. Just like when he quelled the Yue Rebellion three years ago, he'd been planning it for over a decade. The decisions he made back then baffled everyone, even Li Wushang, the man who carried out those plans. Until the end, the truth was revealed, and everything was set in stone."
“…”
"And this time..."
Gu Qiqing said seriously, "Your Highness, are you saying that the Emperor's treatment of my father this time might be the beginning of another major event?"
Zhu Chengxuan nodded.
Gu Qiqing's eyes flickered and his expression became more serious.
She whispered, "So, what big thing is His Majesty the Emperor going to do?"
“…”
"What big thing is it that must start with dealing with my father?"
Zhu Chengxuan was silent for a long time before he said, "Although I have always been reluctant to mention it, but, Qiqing, you always know that my father has always treated me--"
Gu Qiqing's expression changed immediately.
She grabbed Zhu Chengxuan's hand and stopped him from continuing: "Your Highness!"
Zhu Chengxuan looked up at her.
Gu Qiqing's face turned slightly pale, and he said anxiously, "Your Highness, don't say that."
“…”
"Perhaps, when Your Highness was young, the Emperor did neglect Your Highness a little. However, ever since He appointed Your Highness as Crown Prince, the Emperor has entrusted You with important tasks over the years and has never treated You poorly."
Zhu Chengxuan said, "I know."
“…”
"I'm just telling you that for some things, we have to prepare for the worst."
“…”
"I discussed this with them all night in the study. Seeing how cautious everyone was, I understood that none of them dared to bring this up. Only Wei Ying dared to speak up. I'm afraid the final finger of blame on this matter will still be on me."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qiqing's heart sank.
Zhu Chengxuan sighed and said, "What he said is actually what I think."
“…”
"Although the Emperor's biggest taboo is the formation of cliques among court officials, and my father-in-law and I have never dared to engage in private dealings, but, no matter what, my father-in-law is still my father-in-law, and he is indeed my greatest supporter in the court. Over the years, every time the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine went out on tour, I stayed in the capital to supervise the country, and it was only thanks to my father-in-law's unwavering support that I was able to handle everything properly."
“…”
"Over the years, although I have established a strong foundation in the court, it is not completely solid. If I lose my father-in-law—"
Having said that, he smiled faintly.
This smile was not as calm and relaxed as he had hoped. On the contrary, Gu Qiqing could clearly see that he was gritting his teeth, and the little smile he forced out even looked a little distorted at this moment.
And his eyes couldn't stop turning red.
Gu Qiqing understood that even from childhood to adulthood, he had never been valued by the emperor and was accustomed to being ignored and losing. In the end, he was able to sit on the position of crown prince after many efforts - but after all, he had already obtained all this, and no one would be willing to let it go.
No one is a saint.
Seeing him like this, Gu Qiqing felt heartbroken. She stretched out her hands and grabbed Zhu Chengxuan's hands tightly. The soft palms and warmth seemed to wrap him up and hug him, preventing him from suffering any more grievances and injuries.
Gu Qiqing said softly: "Your Highness..."
As a wife, seeing her husband in such trouble, her instinct was to want to solve it, but she also knew that this was a matter of the court, and it was a major matter that she could not touch at all due to her status.
So, she whispered, "Since Your Highness has thought so, then, what does Your Highness plan to do?"
Zhu Chengxuan's throat choked for a moment before he slowly said, "What can I do?"
“…”
"I'm just prepared to endure the worst."
Hearing him say this, Gu Qiqing pondered for a moment, then leaned in and looked straight into Zhu Chengxuan's eyes. Those gentle eyes were also filled with gentle strength. She said solemnly, "Anyway, no matter what happens, no matter what the emperor wants to do, I will always be by your side."
Zhu Chengxuan smiled faintly: "Of course I know."
Gu Qiqing thought for a moment, then continued, "But, there is one thing I still need to make clear to His Highness."
"you say."
"Your Highness, everything is still unclear. Although Your Highness must prepare for the worst, you must not go down the wrong path."
“…”
"If you take the wrong path, everything will be lost."
Zhu Chengxuan's eyes were originally red, and there was a rare chill in his eyes, but when he heard his wife's words, it was like a gentle spring breeze blowing, and the ice in his eyes immediately melted into a pool of spring water.
He looked at his wife tenderly, and a smile slowly appeared on his face.
After a while, he held her hands, placed them under her chin and kneaded them gently.
He said, "How could I do that when I have such a virtuous wife?"
Having said this, he seemed to have let go, heaved a long sigh, and said, "No matter what the outcome is, everything I have now was given by the Emperor. If he wants to take it back, I won't hold on to it."
Gu Qiqing said: "Your Highness can't be too casual."
“…”
"Since His Royal Highness is the foundation of the country, and everyone knows that His Royal Highness will be a good emperor in the future, what we must protect is not just the throne, but the future that everyone has high hopes for."
“…”
"Your Highness shouldn't give up so easily."
“…”
"Of course, it's too early to say anything about this now. The one thing we should understand right now is what the Emperor is really thinking."
Having said this, she thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, do you want me to go back to my parents' home and ask my father?"
Zhu Chengxuan looked up at her.
Of course, he also wanted to know what the emperor was thinking, and Gu Tingqiu, who was at the center of the storm, should be the person who understood it best. In fact, they were a little surprised that Gu Tingqiu would openly confront the emperor because of the issue of sending troops to the Kingdom of Dian.
Of course it would be best if you could ask clearly.
but--
Zhu Chengxuan thought for a moment and said, "For now, don't act rashly. Your father-in-law has just been punished, and you're going back to your parents' home right away. This is too obvious."
Gu Qiqing came back to his senses and nodded: "That's true."
As they were discussing, a servant suddenly came running out and said hurriedly, "Your Highness, someone is coming from the palace!"
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