"The Empress fainted because of the Third Prince."
"When the Third Prince was ordered to go to Heng County in a time of crisis, it was understandable that the Empress, as his mother, was worried about him."
"Even so, Her Majesty only asked the Emperor to send someone to protect the Third Prince, and did not ask the Third Prince to return to the capital. She is truly a virtuous empress."
Public opinion quickly reversed, and Gu Qingyan's contributions began to be mentioned by the people.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Gu Heng swept all the memorials on the table to the ground. Cen Hai lowered his head and didn't dare to breathe. Gu Qingfeng also obediently stayed to the side, but in his heart he was full of mockery: it was just that his mother had exposed his schemes and he was angry and embarrassed.
"How is the Empress doing?" Gu Heng gasped for breath; the Empress had truly slapped him hard this time.
“Father, I asked Yao’er, and Mother is indeed overwhelmed with worry.” Gu Qingfeng stared at the furious Gu Heng. “My third brother is only ten years old this year, and he even celebrated his birthday in Heng County. It is understandable that Mother cannot bear it for a while.”
"If she can't bear it, she can tell me in private. Do you think I won't let Yan'er return to the capital?"
Gu Heng was like a trapped beast. Jiang Yu's move directly exposed his scheme to everyone, and his move to deliberately suppress Gu Qingyan became a useless piece.
"Father, this was indeed a matter of the Empress Dowager's oversight. The Empress Dowager is ignorant of politics. Your son apologizes on her behalf."
Gu Qingfeng changed the subject, "Father, did my third brother really experience several assassination attempts as Mother said?"
Gu Heng paused upon hearing this, of course he knew that Gu Qingyan had been assassinated.
If I'm not mistaken... it was probably Gu Qingling's doing again...
"My original intention was to wait for Yan'er to return before conducting a thorough investigation." Gu Heng looked sullen. His suspicion of Gu Qingling was partly due to the assassination attempt on Gu Qingyan.
Gu Qingling clearly told him that she had only deployed people outside the capital, but she lied to him.
“Father,” Gu Qingfeng said solemnly, “if that is the case, then I think Mother’s actions are completely without fault.”
"you!"
Gu Heng looked at Gu Qingfeng, who was stiff-necked, and finally let out a sigh.
It's a good thing that the wind has such an upright character.
"I'm going to Zhaoning Palace to see Mother. Father, please send more people to Heng County to protect my third brother."
Gu Qingfeng left in a wheelchair, while Gu Heng stared blankly out the window for a long time.
"Cen Hai, do you think Feng'er will suffer in the future with her personality?" Cen Hai quickly picked up the memorials from the ground. "And the Empress, is she really only acting out of love for her son?"
"Your Majesty, this servant is foolish."
Gu Heng didn't press Cen Hai any further; the answer had already slowly emerged in his mind.
......
Zhaoning Palace.
Jiang Yu lay on the bed in the inner room, while Gu Qingyao stood guard in the courtyard outside.
"Second Brother!" Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng appear, Gu Qingyao excitedly jumped in front of him. "What did Father Emperor say?"
Gu Qingfeng looked around and deliberately raised his voice, "Father is angry, but he doesn't seem to intend to take it out on me. He should send someone to protect my third brother later."
Gu Qingyao finally felt relieved, but Jiang Yu in the inner room suddenly opened her eyes.
Given Gu Heng's vengeful nature, this matter will definitely not be left unresolved.
Jiang Yu knew in her heart that her repeated resistance had basically angered Gu Heng.
Gu Heng is fundamentally a heartless and ungrateful person. The conflict between the brothers Gu Qingling and Gu Qingfeng was tacitly approved by Gu Heng. Ayan will only have a more difficult time after returning to the capital.
In the courtyard, Gu Qingfeng and Gu Qingyao also fell silent, exchanging a bitter glance.
The Empress Dowager is making such meticulous plans for Gu Qingyan, yet in her heart, they are like strangers...
[My plan is to let everyone know that Ayan's absence from the capital is due to court duties, and that we can only protect him for the time being.]
Jiang Yu slowly pondered how to break the deadlock in the future, her eyes growing increasingly dark.
Remove Gu Qingling from the position of Crown Prince, and then what?
Should Gu Qingfeng succeed to the throne?
Jiang Yu's fingertips trembled slightly. For the first time, Jiang Yu fixed her gaze on Gu Heng's throne.
If there is no other way, she will fight for Ayan.
......
On the other side, Mount Ling.
When Ling Shan and Ling Hai brought Gu Lin to Master Jingyuan, they were covered in wounds of all sizes.
“This is your third time visiting Mount Ling.” Master Jingyuan murmured a Buddhist chant helplessly. “I have said that Mount Ling is too cold and gloomy, and it is not advisable to come here too often.”
"Master, please prescribe a remedy for the Lord."
Gu Lin's eyelashes were covered with frost, and he lay motionless on the bed.
Master Jingyuan stared at Gu Lin for a long time after hearing this before taking out a pill from the box. "This medicine works very quickly, but it also greatly shortens one's lifespan."
After taking the pill, Gu Lin woke up in just half an incense stick's time.
"I've warned you a thousand times, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened. You'll lose three years of your life after taking one Detoxification Pill." Master Jingyuan said irritably. There were only two or three people in the whole world who would speak to Gu Lin like that.
"I didn't have much time left to live anyway," Gu Lin said with a self-deprecating laugh. "If it weren't for the master's help, I would already be in hell by now."
Gu Lin straightened his expression. "Master, I need to live for at least three more years."
He had to help Ayu and Ayan reunite as mother and son, and teach Ayan how to protect himself.
“If you continue to disobey this old monk, even this old monk cannot protect you for three years.” Master Jingyuan glanced at the bruises on Gu Lin’s arm. “Back then, I clearly could have…”
As he spoke, Master Jingyuan fell silent.
“Master, the one I would risk my life to save must be more important than myself.” Gu Lin’s eyes were filled with tenderness. “I have never regretted that matter.”
If his wife and children die, what is the point of him living alone?
“I can’t argue with you.” Master Jingyuan waved his hand and began tending to his herbs. “I’m most afraid of seeing you. As soon as I see you, it means you’ve given me another problem.”
Gu Lin's lips were pale, but the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. He was calculating the time; it was time for A Yan and the others to make their move.
But when Gu Lin shifted his gaze to the side and saw Ling Shan, his smile gradually disappeared.
"Didn't I order you to stay in the capital?"
An overwhelming pressure swept over him, and Ling Shan couldn't help but kneel on the ground. "My lord, I have failed in my duty. Please punish me."
"My lord, it was I who sent a message to Ling Shan, which is why Ling Shan left the capital." Ling Hai also knelt down to plead for Ling Shan. A few breaths later, Gu Lin removed the oppressive aura that had been pressing down on the two of them.
"Ling Shan, what I entrusted to you is also my life."
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