Chapter 725: My daughter, it's not his turn to be wronged
"Why aren't you talking?" Zhao Chen'an looked at her pale face, his tone carrying a hint of the calmness of a victor. "Now you understand that I'm not forcing you, but saving you?"
"As long as you go to the Yongding Palace and admit your mistake, I can then intercede with the emperor and this matter can be reduced to a small matter."
He looked at her as if he were looking at a bird trapped in a cage. No matter how strong its wings were, it could not fly out of his palm.
"This is the only way. Otherwise, do you really want to let your father be drowned in the spit of those censors in the court just for your ridiculous bit of backbone?"
Gu Qingchen doesn't care about her reputation or what the world thinks of her.
But she couldn't help but care about her father and the entire Zhenguo Mansion.
The confidence that she has always been proud of and that allows her to act recklessly comes from her family's infinite love and tolerance.
But now, her willfulness has become the biggest burden to her family.
Qian Zhenyun clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
He took a step forward, standing in front of Gu Qingchen, and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, this matter is not her fault. As the Crown Prince, you should not be so confused about right and wrong."
Zhao Chenan sneered and glanced at him with contempt.
"Right and wrong? In this deep palace, the most important thing is never right or wrong, but the balance of pros and cons."
He stood up, straightened his sleeves which were not wrinkled at all, and looked down at them condescendingly.
"That's all I have to say. Gu Qingchen, think it through for yourself."
After saying this, he didn't even look at the two of them again, and turned and left with the eunuch.
The plate of dim sum from the imperial kitchen was still delicately placed on the stone table...
After a long while, Gu Qingchen finally found his voice and said, "Go away, am I useless?"
She always believed that as long as her kung fu was good enough and her fists were strong enough, she could settle all the injustices in the world.
But in the end, faced with these bloodless political schemes, she was powerless to fight back.
"No." Qian Zhenyun turned around and looked at her eyes that had lost all their spirit. He felt as if something was pulling at his heart.
He raised his uninjured hand, wanting to rub her head as usual, but he paused in mid-air and finally just landed lightly on her shoulder.
"This isn't your fault. You don't have to apologize. The Duke of Zhenguo wouldn't allow his daughter to bow to someone in such a matter..."
After he finished speaking, without waiting for Gu Qingchen's reaction, he turned around and strode out of the yard.
"Where are you going?" Gu Qingchen asked subconsciously.
Qian Zhenyun did not stop, leaving only a calm word.
"Go find the Duke."
The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, study.
Gu Junze had just returned from the Ministry of War and was taking off the sword at his waist when he heard Chu Ruohan talking about the prince's visit.
"He wants Qingchen to apologize?"
Chu Ruohan handed over a cup of warm tea. "That old fox, Prince Yongding, isn't asking for justice at all. He's clearly using a little quarrel between girls to test your bottom line in the court."
She blew away the tea foam gently. "The Crown Prince wants to calm things down and keep Prince Yongding calm, so naturally he has to put our daughter in a difficult position."
Gu Junze picked up the teacup, but did not drink it. He just rubbed the warm wall of the cup with his fingertips.
"It's not his turn to feel wronged for my daughter."
Chu Ruohan nodded. "I've already sent someone to investigate. Prince Yongding's recent illegal salt shipment in Jiangnan has caused quite a stir. There are many ways to punish him, but..."
However, how to avert the emperor's suspicion without harming Qingchen in the slightest requires a very precise balance.
Just then, the butler announced outside the door.
"My Lord, Madam, Young Master Qian requests an audience."
Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan looked at each other, both a little surprised.
"Let him in."
Qian Zhenyun walked into the study, his arm still in a sling, but his expression was no longer as gentle as usual, and his eyes were calm and sharp.
He bowed and got straight to the point without any nonsense.
"My Lord, Madam. Qingchen cannot apologize for this matter."
Gu Junze looked at him, noncommittal. "Oh? Then what do you think we should do?"
"Retreat, but don't admit your mistakes."
Qian Zhenyun raised his head and met Gu Junze's scrutinizing gaze.
"We don't have to go to the Yongding Palace, let alone bow our heads. But we can prepare a generous gift and send it to the palace, and have the Empress deliver it to Princess Jiahe, saying, 'We are shocked to hear that the princess accidentally fell into the water. We are deeply disturbed and want to express our condolences.'"
A hint of admiration flashed in Chu Ruohan's eyes.
This move not only gave face to the royal family, but also characterized the incident as an "accident." It showed its stance, but it didn't admit a single mistake.
Gu Junze's expression remained unchanged as he continued, "And then? Prince Yongding won't let this go."
"The Duke, please only have the Censorate report Prince Yongding," Qian Zhenyun continued calmly. "It doesn't have to be a major incident. Just say he's not a good steward of the household and indulged his daughter inappropriately, leading to the princess arguing at a palace banquet and falling into the water, bringing disgrace to the royal family."
He paused, his voice lowering even more.
"This matter could be big or small, depending on the Emperor's wishes. But Prince Yongding will undoubtedly be overwhelmed and unable to take care of himself, leaving him with no energy to pursue Qingchen. By then, who is right or wrong will be unimportant."
Retreat in order to advance, remove the fuel from under the cauldron.
The study became quiet for a moment.
Gu Junze looked at the young man in front of him for a long time.
This guy usually follows the prince and looks a bit honest, but he is actually so meticulous.
His words not only helped Gu Qingchen out of trouble, but also took into account the public opinion in the court and the pros and cons.
"Did you come up with this idea?" Gu Junze finally spoke.
"Yes." Qian Zhenyun lowered his eyes, "My nephew doesn't want to see Qingchen suffer any injustice."
Gu Junze suddenly smiled.
He walked up to Qian Zhenyun and patted his uninjured shoulder with considerable force.
"Good boy."
"In this capital, everyone wants to climb up the ladder by stepping on the Zhenguo Mansion. Few people dare to truly plan for Qingchen."
He withdrew his hand, turned to Chu Ruohan and said, "Just do as he says."
The temple fair at Jingxin Temple is an annual event in the capital.
Before daybreak, the official road leading out of the city was already bustling with traffic and people.
An inconspicuous blue cloth carriage, mixed in the crowded crowd, headed towards Jingxin Temple.
Inside the carriage, Gu Lanxin felt uneasy.
She specially changed into a simple and elegant light blue dress today, which made her face look more beautiful and her temperament more gentle.
"Jiayou, are we...are we really going to that place?" She twisted the handkerchief in her hand, her voice filled with timidity and anticipation.
Lin Jiayou sat opposite her, reached out, held her hand, and patted it soothingly.
"Why, are you scared?" He looked at her with a smile, "Don't you want to know my feelings? Today, I will let you know."
Gu Lanxin's cheeks turned red when he looked at her, and she lowered her eyes shyly.
The carriage did not stop at the main gate of Jingxin Temple, but went around to a secluded mountain path in the back mountain.
Lin Jiayou helped Gu Lanxin get out of the car and told the driver, "Wait here."
After saying that, he took Gu Lanxin's hand and walked towards the depths of the forest.
The mountain road was rugged, but Lin Jiayou always kept her by his side, sometimes clearing away branches that blocked her way, and sometimes reminding her of the stones under her feet.
That thoughtfulness made Gu Lanxin's heart sink completely.
After they walked for about an incense stick's time, the view in front of them suddenly became clear.
An exquisite villa suddenly appeared among the mountains and forests.
There was no plaque on the gate of the courtyard, and the surroundings were quiet and deserted, with only the rustling sound of wind blowing through the leaves.
"This is..." Gu Lanxin looked at the courtyard in front of her in surprise.
"This is my mother's private property. I lived here with her for a while when I was young."
Lin Jiayou pushed open the gate and led her inside. "After my mother died, no one came here anymore...
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