Chapter 431 Nothing is Absolute
In this respect, compared to the Liu family, the Sun family's power naturally carries the risk of interference in politics by the maternal relatives.
However, it is said that the emperor's thoughts are unfathomable. Even after so many years as his bedmate, Consort Liu still could not fathom the emperor's thoughts.
"Mother, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."
Consort Liu was a scheming woman, and so was Lu Youming. Even when facing his own mother, who gave birth to him, Lu Youming kept many things from her.
Rather than saying this was to avoid worrying Consort Liu, it would be more accurate to say that Lu Youming simply didn't trust Consort Liu and was afraid she would reveal the truth.
The mother and son were each lost in their own thoughts. Gu Shuyan, on the other hand, heard about the Crown Prince's punishment after Gu Jin returned.
"I never expected that even in this situation, His Majesty would still be able to save the Crown Prince's life."
As Mingyu spoke, she bit her head. In her opinion, any of the emperor's sons were better than the crown prince. She didn't know what the emperor was thinking, insisting on making such a person the crown prince.
"I'm not surprised at all. How did His Majesty manage to seize the throne back then? Now he only has a few sons. How could he bear to watch his sons be plotted against and killed by his own brothers? So His Majesty used this roundabout method to try to save Lu Tianhua's life."
Unfortunately, the emperor still managed to expose Lu Youming. Based on Gu Shuyan's understanding of him, Lu Youming would never let Lu Tianhua go. Even if it was to cut off all possibilities, he had to make Lu Tianhua disappear from this world.
"Miss, the master wants you to come over!"
Fei'er walked in from outside and reported to Gu Shuyan.
After dealing with Li Yingxue, Fei'er came to serve Gu Shuyan. Gu Shuyan had asked Fei'er if she wanted to leave, and she would give her some money, but Fei'er insisted on staying.
She also said that if it weren't for Gu Shuyan, she would never have been able to avenge her great grudge, so she vowed to stay by Gu Shuyan's side for the rest of her life.
Seeing that she couldn't persuade the little maid, Gu Shuyan didn't stop her. Instead, Fei'er returned to the North Courtyard and changed her name back to her original name, Yufei.
Did Father say anything about it?
Gu Jin has rarely sought out Gu Shuyan lately, so the fact that he sent someone to invite her today prompted Gu Shuyan to ask this question.
"They said it was about the eldest son."
Yu Fei answered, and Gu Shuyan nodded and followed her out.
Upon arriving at Gu Jin's study, Gu Shuyan saw Gu Renjie standing under a tree in the courtyard from afar, his hand behind his back, quietly gazing at the green bamboo in front of him.
"Big brother."
Gu Shuyan jogged over, like a cheerful little bird, and pounced directly on Gu Renjie.
"Shu'er, slow down."
Seeing Gu Shuyan, Gu Renjie quickly reached out to support her. When he met Gu Shuyan's smiling eyes, Gu Renjie was momentarily flustered.
"But did Father call my eldest brother over?"
Gu Shuyan looked at Gu Renjie. She had been so busy these past few days that she hadn't had a proper talk with her older brother.
"Um."
Gu Renjie nodded and gently tucked the stray hairs behind her ear back into place.
"You're all here? Come in!"
Gu Jin came out of the study and saw his two children waving at him. Gu Shuyan and Gu Renjie then went back into the house.
"Father, what do you want to talk to me and my elder brother about?"
Gu Shuyan was always direct. Seeing that the servants had all left, she directly asked her question.
Gu Jin nodded upon hearing this, wrote down the last word in his hand, and then let the two of them sit down to the side.
"Shu'er should already know about the Crown Prince's matter. What do you think of the current political situation?" Gu Jin's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it clearly reached Gu Shuyan's ears.
Logically speaking, the women and young ladies in the inner quarters should not concern themselves with court affairs, but for some reason, Gu Jin felt that his daughter was different from those women in their secluded chambers, especially since some of her insights even surpassed his own.
Gu Shuyan clearly didn't expect Gu Jin to ask so directly. In the past, although she had discussed things with her father, she mostly shared her own views or helped Gu Jin refine his ideas. When had she ever asked her so directly?
"Dissatisfied with her father, the daughter is not optimistic about the current political situation."
Gu Shuyan stated her thoughts directly, and seeing Gu Jin nod, she continued, "The deposed crown prince had accomplished nothing, and being deposed by his brothers was an accident. If it weren't for His Majesty's continued favor and protection over the years, the crown prince position would have been changed long ago. As for the other princes, the fourth prince's congenital illness goes without saying, and whichever of the third or fifth prince becomes emperor, it would likely be a disaster for the people of Great Zhou."
This wasn't the first time Gu Shuyan had said something like this, but she had never said it so absolutely, nor had she ever belittled the other person so harshly.
Seeing that Gu Shuyan had voiced her thoughts, Gu Jin's gaze fell on Gu Renjie's face. "Renjie, what do you think?"
"Your son thinks my sister is right. None of His Majesty's sons are qualified to be the crown prince."
Gu Renjie remained calm. Gu Jin's gaze lingered on his face for a moment before he slowly continued, "Yi Chen had tea with me yesterday and mentioned His Majesty's punishment of the Crown Prince. The result of the punishment was exactly as he described."
Gu Jin's words were somewhat ambiguous, and Gu Renjie and Gu Shuyan couldn't help but raise their heads. It was impossible for the two of them to really just drink tea. What they talked about after drinking tea was probably the main reason why Gu Jin had called them here.
Facing the gazes of the two, Gu Jin couldn't help but breathe a slight sigh of relief before continuing, "Yi Chen wants to completely overhaul the royal family."
Gu Shuyan and Gu Renjie both frowned upon hearing Gu Jin's words.
The two of them naturally understood the meaning of this major reshuffle in the royal family, but it was precisely because they understood it that they unconsciously frowned.
Gu Shuyan suddenly remembered her past life. Lu Youming had said that Yun Yichen was a traitor and rebel. She was afraid that Yun Yichen had raised an army and rebelled without her knowledge.
Is Yun Yichen destined to walk that path again in this life?
No, as long as Gu Shuyan is alive, she will never allow Yun Yichen to die again for rebellion. Even if the Lu family is unworthy to sit on this throne, she will not let Yun Yichen bear the stigma of rebellion.
"Father, did Brother Yun say something to you, or did you two reach some kind of agreement in private?"
Gu Shuyan's gaze was somewhat chilling. She would not allow Yun Yichen to act so immaturely, nor would she allow him to drag the Marquis's mansion into this mess.
She finally managed to change the original course; if everything goes back to square one, what will all her efforts have amounted to?
Gu Jin had not expected Gu Shuyan to react so strongly. Based on his understanding of Gu Shuyan, he thought she would agree.
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