Gu Nanjiao looked embarrassed: "Oh... okay!"
The two discussed until dawn, when Gu Nanjiao listed a whole bunch of formulas and explained them to Lu Yanzhao.
Finally, Lu Yanzhao decided to move into the Zhuangyuan Mansion before studying the production of firearms.
Gu Nanjiao told Lu Yanzhao about what happened during the day.
Lu Yanzhao's dark eyes were deep and unfathomable: "We can't just sit and wait for death. Since it's impossible to guard against, we might as well expose this matter to the scorching sun."
Gu Nanjiao glanced at the pigskin mask, then tossed it aside. No matter how she hid, Consort Yue wouldn't let her go, so she might as well expose the truth.
Lu Yanzhao got up and looked at the sky. There were still two hours until dawn. He was going to the Crown Prince's villa.
The following day, the story of the Prince Replaced by a Civet Cat was being sung in every street and alley of the capital, in brothels and teahouses.
Firstly, it was by divine intervention.
Secondly, it was because Heaven was protecting the royal infant.
It's like the tip of a knife.
Stealing from the Crown Prince brings health and prosperity.
That evening, Prince Cheng received a letter stating that he was not of the emperor's blood and that the crown prince had obtained evidence that Consort Yue had switched the baby with a real one, and that he was going to report her to the emperor.
Combining the rumors and gossip circulating during the day, King Cheng was so anxious that he couldn't sleep at night. He rushed to Qixiang Palace without stopping, but the palace gates were locked. Helpless, he had no choice but to go back and discuss the matter with his advisors.
Halfway there, a masked man in black blocked King Cheng's path.
The guards, fully armed, instantly went on high alert. The man in black spoke in a low voice: "Your Highness, regarding the matter of switching the dragon for the phoenix, I have a plan to offer you."
King Cheng sat on his horse, looking down at the man in black before him, and sneered, "Speak your plan here."
The man in black curled his lips: "This matter is a palace secret, and can only be told to His Highness."
The prince's guards said solemnly, "Your Highness, you mustn't! What if it's an assassin?"
King Cheng waved his hand, signaling the guards to step back. He was a master of martial arts; why would he fear a mere assassin?
The man in black slowly approached, and King Cheng dismounted.
"Recently, a story about a raccoon dog replacing the crown prince has been circulating in the capital, and the person in the story is none other than His Highness Prince Cheng. Prince Cheng, do you think you are the raccoon dog or the crown prince?"
Suppressing his unease, Prince Cheng knew that Consort Yue had always been indifferent to him, beating and scolding him for failing to complete his lessons. He had never seen a mother's love in her eyes. When he received that letter, he was almost certain of the message from the capital.
"What about the raccoon dog? What about the prince?"
"Your Highness, I have learned a secret of the palace. Many years ago, after Consort Yue stole the dragon and switched the phoenix, she pulled another trick of replacing the crown prince with a cat."
King Cheng frowned; the more he listened, the less he understood.
"Your Highness is the Crown Prince, but the current Crown Prince is the raccoon dog!"
"Wh...what?" This news left King Cheng's head spinning; he couldn't understand the man in black's words no matter how hard he tried.
The more I listen, the more confused I get.
What do you mean he's the crown prince? Is he the empress's son?
Before the Prince could react, the man in black said, "Do you think the Empress has been in the Cold Palace for many years and why she isn't in a hurry to come out?"
"Furthermore, the Crown Prince has been back in the capital for several days now, why haven't we seen him interacting with the Bai family?"
"Is it really because the Bai family is avoiding suspicion? Even if the Empress is in the Cold Palace, why didn't they send someone to inquire after her son's return?"
Prince Cheng lowered his eyes, recalling the events of the past years, his mother's strict upbringing, and the Empress's gentle smile.
But King Cheng still couldn't believe everything the man in black said; he thought it was all too absurd.
Since he was the legitimate son of the Empress, why would the Empress allow Consort Yue to switch her child?
"The Empress gave birth in the Cold Palace back then, and Consort Yue thought you were born to a third-class palace maid in her palace."
"After the Empress left the Cold Palace, she was framed by Consort Yue and sent back to the Cold Palace within a few years. The Emperor was wary of the Bai family, and he was also behind the Empress's imprisonment. The fact that the Empress allowed you to be raised under Consort Yue's nose for so many years is undoubtedly the best protection for Your Highness."
King Cheng was stunned for a moment, then quickly regained his senses: "What evidence do you have to prove that what you said is true?"
The man in black slowly pulled down his mask, his gaze fixed intently on King Cheng: "Do you believe me now?"
"It's you?"
...
Besides taking care of the business at Jiaoniang Pavilion, Gu Nanjiao also made a trip to the Zhuangyuan Mansion.
Looking at the magnificent mansion of the top scholar, Gu's father's eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Oh my, my son-in-law is really capable."
Lu Yanzhao smiled and said, "Father-in-law and mother-in-law can move in with us. There are plenty of rooms in the house, and each of you can have two rooms."
Gu Qingyan waved his hand: "Hey, it's better for your mother-in-law and me to live in the compound. We're getting old and just like a lively atmosphere. Bring your mother and younger sister over another day, and I won't come to join in the fun."
The inspectorate's compound is safe, and he feels at ease living there. Besides, it makes no sense for a father-in-law and mother-in-law to live at their daughter's house.
Gu Nanjiao stepped over the high threshold and saw a desolate landscape overgrown with weeds.
Lu Yanzhao didn't seem to care much: "This is the former Grand Secretary's residence, where Zheng Shanchang used to live. Now that he's been demoted, no one has lived here for many years."
Such a large mansion was a bit too much to clean up, so Gu Nanjiao simply hired more than a dozen farmhands to help with the cleaning.
They also bought two maids from a slave trader. They were young but efficient.
After everything was almost packed up, Bai Luochen came over carrying the gift box.
To Gu Nanjiao's surprise, Lu Yanzhao politely accepted the gift and said courteously, "Young Master Bai, please come in."
Bai Luochen nodded and entered the Lu residence.
Lu Yanzhao followed closely behind, and the two walked side by side, exchanging a few words from time to time.
Gu Nanjiao was confused. When did these two become so close?
Anyone who didn't know better would think it was the two of them...
Bai Luochen leaned closer to Lu Yanzhao and whispered, "When will you give me the improved version of the musket?"
Lu Yanzhao smiled and said, "That depends on Young Master Bai's sincerity."
"Damn it, I've already been completely honest with you and did everything you asked. What? You want to go back on your word?"
“I am not the kind of person who goes back on his word. I have been busy with the relocation recently, and the improved version of the musket has not yet been made. Young Master Bai, please wait a little longer.”
"You..." Bai Luochen gritted his teeth in anger. He hated himself for speaking too quickly. When he saw the simplified version of the musket, he acted impulsively and told everyone everything.
Lu Yanzhao said that there were even more sophisticated and powerful firearms still being improved, but Bai Luochen had to do something for him.
If this matter succeeds, he will align himself with the Bai family and lend them a helping hand.
Bai Luochen admired Lu Yanzhao's meticulousness, and the two talked for a long time before finally being honest with each other.
Bai Luochen paused, but couldn't help urging, "Then hurry up, and Gu Nanjiao too, you two study it together."
If a powerful musket were developed, it would be invincible, unstoppable, and unstoppable.
Who would bother with procrastinating planning? It's not only a waste of time, but also a waste of human and financial resources.
Gu Nanjiao pricked up her ears to listen: What kind of riddles are these two playing?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com