"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Zhi Niang's tone was tinged with worry as she looked at Gu Junze, her voice soft yet full of concern.
Gu Junze shook his head slightly, his expression calm yet tinged with a hint of coldness.
With Zhi Niang's help, he slowly got up. His steps were a little unsteady, but his back was straight, as if he was being supported by a breath.
He moved to a chair and sat down, his gaze sharp as a hawk's as he swept over the direction Gu Zhixing had just left, a cold smile curving his lips.
As soon as Gu Zhixing left, the guards who had been blocking the way retreated like a tide, and the servants and maids rushed forward to carefully carry Qi'er away, leaving only Zhi Niang and Gu Junze facing each other.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy, as if even the air itself had solidified into thick, heavy fog.
"Your Highness, shall we make a move?"
Zhi Niang's voice carried a hint of ruthlessness, and her eyes revealed a resolute determination.
She had been married to Gu Junze for many years and knew his temperament well.
How could he let Gu Zhixing off so easily after humiliating him like this today?
However, Gu Junze simply stared coldly at the spot where Gu Zhixing had just stood, narrowed his eyes, and sneered, his tone laced with mockery and helplessness: "Kill him? If I kill him, won't my aunt and I be locked in a life-or-death struggle?"
His voice was not loud, but it conveyed an undeniable calmness and restraint.
Gu Zhixing wanted to kill him, but definitely not now.
His position as crown prince is not yet secure. Although he has suppressed his brothers, the power of the court is still in the hands of the eldest princess.
If he were to kill Gu Zhixing now, the Princess would surely seek revenge at all costs.
The eldest princess held a much higher position in the emperor's heart than he, her son, so he was bound to face numerous difficulties at that time.
Therefore, now is definitely not the best time to take action against Gu Zhixing.
Zhi Niang was slightly taken aback, then couldn't help but say with concern, "But he dared to be so presumptuous today, barging into the East Palace. What if he does something even more outrageous in the future?"
Gu Junze gently patted Zhi Niang's hand, a deep thought flashing in his eyes, as if he were weighing something.
His voice was deep and powerful, each word sounding as if it had been carefully considered: "Don't worry, he won't amount to anything."
Zhi Niang looked up and saw that Gu Junze's gaze was as deep as an abyss, as if he could see through all the illusions of the world.
Gu Junze closed his eyes, recalling his diligent first half of life.
Because the emperor's reliance on and trust in the eldest princess was almost unconditional, and because the late emperor had left a will that the eldest princess's sons could take their mother's surname, be listed in the imperial genealogy, and have the right to inherit the throne, Gu Junze had been paying close attention to Gu Zhixing all these years.
This was not out of familial affection, but out of vigilance against potential threats.
However, for the first ten years or so, Gu Zhixing's behavior was extremely dissolute, spending his days eating, drinking, and having fun, living a life of debauchery and not doing a single serious job.
Such useless behavior made Gu Junze realize that he had been worrying too much and that his previous excessive attention was completely unnecessary.
However, the Xie family incident became a turning point.
Gu Zhixing brazenly stole Xie Er's corpse and hid it, so much so that even Gu Junze couldn't find it.
At that moment, Gu Junze began to wonder for the first time whether Gu Zhixing's past playboy image was just a carefully planned disguise.
To verify his suspicions, he secretly instructed Grand Tutor Shen to go and test him.
However, Gu Zhixing's performance put his mind at ease.
Because Gu Zhixing still couldn't keep his temper in check, he would only make a scene whenever something happened, and was easily outmaneuvered by Grand Tutor Shen, and even used as a pawn by Shen Huaixu.
Gu Junze was now certain that Gu Zhixing was still the same good-for-nothing playboy, and that the Xie family incident was just an accident.
Today's events have allowed Gu Junze to see Gu Zhixing's temperament and character more clearly.
For the sake of a woman, she dared to break into the Eastern Palace, openly threaten him, and personally hand over such a huge handle to him.
Gu Junze sneered, thinking that Gu Zhixing must have been kicked in the head by a donkey to make such a stupid move.
Even if there were ten more people like him, they wouldn't be enough to fill Gu Junze's teeth.
"master."
Mo Shu, the leader of Gu Junze's secret guards, pushed open the door and entered, his voice low and respectful.
Gu Junze's gaze was as cold as ice as he swept over Mo Shu and said coldly, "Kill all the guards responsible for protection today."
His voice was calm and even, as if he were simply arranging an ordinary dinner, but his words revealed an undeniable determination and ruthlessness.
These guards failed in their duty to stop Gu Zhixing, and those who fail in their duty have no reason to exist.
Mo Shu paused slightly, then lowered his eyes and replied in a deep voice, "Yes."
He turned and took the order, his steps steady and powerful, without the slightest hesitation.
Gu Junze watched Mo Shu's departing figure, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Gu Zhixing is temporarily unable to act, but he will never tolerate such a group of incompetent lackeys remaining by his side.
What he needs is a group of absolutely loyal and capable people, not these useless people who only know how to eat and do nothing.
Kyoto, East Gate.
"My lord, the carriage is ready."
Liu Huo drove the carriage well, bowed slightly, and looked at Shen Jintang.
Shen Jintang raised her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the plaque at the East Gate.
The characters on the plaque, weathered by time, have long lost their former brilliance, yet they still exude majesty and solemnity.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
