Chapter 750 Great Gift
Qian Zhenyun looked at the change in her expression and knew that she had figured it out.
He walked back to the table, poured her another cup of hot tea and handed it to her.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince came today to express gratitude. This is an open courtesy."
His voice was not loud, but every word struck Gu Qingchen's heart clearly. "Second, it was to 'take'. He took something from the Duke's Mansion in a way that you couldn't refuse, nor could you get angry about it."
"He let everyone see that the Twelfth Prince had been wronged, and that you, his 'beneficiary,' should compensate him. A wooden horse in exchange for your help yesterday, and the Crown Prince's comment of 'lax discipline,' he made a very good deal."
Gu Qingchen held the warm teacup, his fingertips turning slightly white.
She thought of Zhao Heng's seemingly innocent but actually extremely accurate accusation, and the prince's just-right rebuke and helplessness.
It turned out that it was not a farce, but a calculation.
A plot disguised as a child's innocence, full of tenderness, but with the majesty of the royal family.
The prince was not indulging his brother's mischief. He was telling her and everyone that even if the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion had great achievements, he was still a minister.
As a minister, you should be devoted to your king.
"He... was hitting me." Gu Qingchen's voice was a little dry.
"It's not a warning." Qian Zhenyun corrected, "It's a reminder. To remind you, and also to remind the Fifth Prince and the Seventh Prince's people, that you, Gu Qingchen, are the one Zhao Chen'an is protecting."
"He can 'take' a beloved pony from you today, and in the future, he can make those who want to touch you pay a greater price."
The hall fell silent again.
The silver charcoal in the stove was burning brightly, making a slight crackling sound.
The anger of being bullied in Gu Qingchen's heart had dissipated completely without him noticing, and was replaced by a cold and sharp clarity.
She looked down at the tea leaves floating in the cup and suddenly laughed softly.
The laughter was light at first, then grew louder and louder, carrying an indescribable sense of relief and exhilaration.
Qian Zhenyun looked at her quietly without interrupting her. He knew that the irritated little beast had already sharpened its claws.
"I understand." Gu Qingchen raised his head. There was no anger in his beautiful eyes, only the shining fighting spirit.
"His Royal Highness has bestowed upon me such a valuable 'favor'. If I don't accept it, wouldn't I be letting him down for all his hard work today?"
She drank the tea in the cup and put it heavily on the table.
"GongGong, you're right. Only when you're full can you have the strength to fight jackals."
There was a cunning glint in her eyes. "Now, someone has helped me to trap the jackals. I just need to figure out how to make them bite each other on their own."
She is no longer the passive Gu Qingchen.
Whether it's the crown prince or the prince, she not only has to play this game of chess, but also has to play it beautifully.
Qian Zhenyun looked at the fighting spirit that was rekindled in her eyes. The smile on the corner of his lips did not change, but he did not immediately agree.
He stood up and walked slowly to the empty compartment of the Duobao Pavilion. He stretched out his slender fingers and moved a white jade Ruyi from the shelf next to it, placing it exactly where the wooden horse had originally been.
Gu Qingchen looked at his actions, somewhat puzzled.
After Qian Zhenyun finished all this, he turned around and looked at her calmly.
"The prince took away a warhorse carved by a renowned Northern Frontier artist. It represents the Duke of Zhenguo's military achievements and their unwavering loyalty."
He paused, his voice becoming deeper and clearer: "He 'took' it away in front of everyone today, to show His Majesty and everyone in the court that he, Zhao Chen'an, dared to accept and could accept this military achievement from the Zhenguo Mansion."
Gu Qingchen's heart suddenly shook, and he instantly understood the deeper meaning.
The prince's move was not only a warning to the fifth and seventh princes, but also a political statement for the emperor to see.
In this way, he tied the warship of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion firmly to himself, and completely cut off the thoughts of other princes who wanted to win it over.
This move is really brilliant.
After figuring this out, Gu Qingchen took the initiative to ask Qian Zhenyun, "Is there any grand event in the capital recently that could bring all these princes together for a good 'lively' occasion?"
Qian Zhenyun saw through her thoughts and slowly uttered two words: "Winter Hunting."
As soon as these two words came out, Gu Qingchen's face turned slightly pale for a moment.
The thrill of Dong Lie being assassinated, the despair of being dragged off the cliff by that bastard Zhao Chen'an, and the token of the previous dynasty found when he was trapped in the cave... one thing after another came to his mind like a tide.
She shook her head subconsciously, "The winter hunt is over."
She raised her eyes, and the coldness in them was even colder than the winter snow outside the window.
“If there is no opportunity, then create one.”
She pressed on, "What are the weaknesses and soft spots of the Fifth and Seventh Princes?"
Qian Zhenyun seemed to have anticipated her question and replied without hesitation, "The fifth prince, Zhao Zhang, lost his mother at a young age and was raised by the Empress. He is a man eager for quick success and instant gratification, and he values military achievements above all else."
"The Seventh Prince, Zhao Rui, whose mother comes from a distinguished family, is extremely calculating and greedy for money."
Military merit and wealth.
It was as if two lines were lit up in Gu Qingchen's mind instantly, and a vicious plan of "killing two birds with one stone" quickly took shape in her mind.
She wanted to set up a trap, and the bait of this trap must hit the "merit" of the fifth prince and the "profit" of the seventh prince at the same time.
A cold smile appeared on her lips, and her whole body exuded an unstoppable edge: "He uses an open strategy, so I will use an open strategy."
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, doesn't he love his younger brother? Then I will let everyone in the capital see how the Fifth and Seventh Princes 'love' the Twelfth Prince."
Gu Qingchen moved closer to Qian Zhenyun, lowered his voice, and told him the plan that had just formed in his mind.
Qian Zhenyun listened quietly, his eyes showing growing approval. After she finished speaking, he slowly nodded.
"This plan is feasible. However, we still need someone to help us."
"Who?" Gu Qingchen asked immediately.
Qian Zhenyun looked at her and calmly uttered a name.
"Lin Jiayou."
This name was like a thin needle that pierced into Gu Qingchen's heart without warning.
Her expression paused slightly, and her eyes, which had been bright just now, dimmed a little, and her fingers curled up unconsciously.
During this period, first there were the troubles at home, and then the prince disturbed her peace. She almost wanted to temporarily expel Lin Jiayou from her mind.
When Qian Zhenyun suddenly mentioned it at this moment, the dull pain of being betrayed was still clear.
But she had to admit that when it came to familiarity with all sorts of people in Beijing and those shady connections, there seemed to be no one more suitable than Lin Jiayou.
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