Chapter 710 Collaboration - Setting Up a Scheme
Lu Yuanbin was already grinding his teeth in frustration as he listened to Gu Renjie's report. He never expected that this kid would find a loophole in his struggle with Lu Changqing.
Although Di Renjie was not a member of the royal family, Lu Yuanbin still felt envious seeing the emperor's eagerness to personally help him up.
Despite being deeply favored by the emperor over the years, there has never been a situation where the emperor personally tried to help him up.
Even for those younger children, the thought of sitting on the emperor's lap was a luxury.
Because Gu Renjie received special treatment from the emperor, not only Lu Yuanbin felt displeased, but even Lu Changqing's gaze towards Gu Renjie's back turned to gloom.
As the least respected fourth prince, he had to be subservient to the palace servants from childhood, even for survival.
After meeting Gu Renjie, Lu Changqing thought that at least he had not been abandoned by the emperor, and was much luckier than him.
But it was only at this moment that Lu Changqing realized: "So, regardless of whether Gu Renjie joined or not, I am still just his dispensable son."
A wave of sadness welled up in his heart. Not wanting to give himself away in front of the emperor, Lu Changqing quickly lowered his head and hid the resentment in his eyes.
"You two brothers should learn from Minister Gu in your future actions, and stop being so self-centered and judging things based solely on appearances."
While the emperor affirmed Gu Renjie's merits, he also secretly gave his two sons a good beating.
Lu Yuanbin was unaware of the truth and thought that his father was disappointed in him and his brother, which was why he said those words.
Lu Changqing knew that the emperor's last words were just a formality, meant to appease his two sons and continue to incite them to fight, so that Gu Renjie could remain hidden behind the scenes without any mishaps.
Sure enough, once the emperor set his sights on a target, he would go all out, even scheming against his own son.
Lu Changqing had never hated the emperor as much as he did at this moment. Perhaps it wasn't so much that he hated him, but rather that he loathed him.
"Your subject will humbly follow your father's teachings."
Forcibly suppressing the urge to stab the emperor to death, Lu Changqing lowered his head and replied to the emperor.
Lu Yuanbin didn't have as many thoughts as Lu Changqing, but when he lowered his head to respond, an unprecedented ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
As the saying goes, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Before that, he was still hesitant and dared not actually lay a hand on the emperor.
Now it seems that if I want to get to that position, it will be troublesome unless I use some extraordinary means.
Watching the father and his two sons practice Tai Chi, Gu Renjie quickly exchanged a glance with Yun Yichen, then quickly looked away.
"Alright, I'm a little tired too. You may all go back now!"
The emperor waved his hand, ordering everyone to leave.
As a proud young man who had been arrogant for over a decade, Lu Yuanbin would never bow down and ask for advice from a mere subject, even if the emperor spoke up.
Most importantly, in Lu Yuanbin's mind, Gu Renjie's current situation was nothing more than opportunism. For a prince like himself to learn from him was utterly shameful.
As soon as he stepped out of the main hall, Lu Yuanbin waved his hand and quickly left the crowd behind.
The others walked out together, but none of them spoke.
"Your Highness, His Majesty requests your return."
The eunuch hurriedly caught up from behind and, seeing Lu Hexuan still following behind, quickly stepped forward to greet him.
"I?"
Lu Hexuan clearly hadn't expected the emperor to summon him. He pointed at himself, his surprised expression making the young eunuch feel embarrassed.
"Yes, His Majesty requests that the Prince come over."
After the eunuch repeated it, Lu Hexuan nodded, but following behind the eunuch, he appeared somewhat timid and hesitant.
Seeing the Prince in such a state, the young eunuch didn't dare to offer much advice, but simply led him back to the Emperor's bedchamber.
As soon as he stepped into the palace, before Lu Hexuan could even bow to the emperor, the emperor said, "Give the Prince a seat."
Seeing the eunuch bring over a stool and place it to the side, Lu Hexuan smiled awkwardly and said, "I wonder if Your Majesty has something to say to me?"
Lu Hexuan's obsequious and ingratiating demeanor pleased the emperor greatly.
Years of being in a position of power had numbed him to the feeling of being held in such high esteem. But today, with Gu Renjie first and Lu Hexuan following suit, the emperor felt a surge of excitement, much like when he was first called "Your Majesty."
"Speaking of which, it has been a long time since I last spoke with my brother. Why don't we take this opportunity to have a chat?"
The emperor was actually right. In the past, because he was wary of his younger brother who was still young, the emperor tried every means to force him out of the capital.
Later, Lu Hexuan grew up and showed no intention of opposing him, so the emperor lowered his guard.
This was a rare opportunity for people to sit down, and since Lu Hexuan had personally participated in the investigation, the emperor wanted to hear his opinion on some issues.
"Since Your Majesty has spoken, I will naturally obey."
Lu Hexuan's face showed some unease and anxiety, especially when facing the emperor alone, he always seemed unsure of what to do.
It was precisely because of this seemingly useless appearance that the emperor was completely at ease with Lu Hexuan. As his gaze swept across Lu Hexuan's face, the emperor couldn't help but reveal a genuine smile.
"Your Majesty, you witnessed what just happened. My two sons are truly unreliable. Yet, after all these years, only these two children are capable of shouldering great responsibilities. This truly worries me!"
As the emperor spoke, a cloud of worry appeared on his face, as if he were truly troubled by matters concerning the establishment of the new emperor.
Lu Hexuan naturally couldn't just stand by and watch the emperor complain, so he quickly comforted him, "Your Majesty is in the prime of your life. If you don't trust either of your two nephews, you can always train another one."
Speaking of this emperor, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. He had once had the same idea, but as it turned out, it was simply not feasible.
Furthermore, since he already had another son, the emperor completely erased the idea of having another child from his mind.
"I am old and have no energy left to raise a crown prince. As long as these children do not cause trouble and can protect the Great Zhou Dynasty for me, I will not pursue anything else."
The emperor sighed, then continued seemingly casually, "Speaking of which, what does Your Majesty think of that boy, Gu Renjie?"
Lu Hexuan listened quietly to the emperor's story until he asked about Gu Renjie. Then Lu Hexuan said slowly, "I had heard before that the children of the Gu family were all very outstanding. Today, it seems that Lord Gu is indeed a person who can shoulder great responsibilities."
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