"Mother, it is most appropriate for me to casually reveal this matter to Father."
After school, Gu Qingyan sat down next to Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu was pondering how to reveal the truth to Gu Heng, and she was somewhat surprised to hear Gu Qingyan's words.
"Do you have any good ideas?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyan scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly and revealed his entire plan.
So for the rest of the evening, Jiang Yu stared at Gu Qingyan as if he were some kind of treasure. She still remembered when Ayan first came to Zhaoning Palace, he was so thin that even Ling Mama was afraid to get close to him.
How long has it been, and you've already become so insightful?
Before going to bed, Jiang Yu couldn't help but ask Granny Ling, "Granny, what kind of personality do you think Ayan has?"
Ling Mama couldn't help but twitch her lips. As a servant, she dared not speak ill of the Third Prince's temperament.
"Your Majesty, this servant thinks our Third Prince is a steady and reliable person."
Jiang Yu nodded thoughtfully. Ling Mama couldn't help but smile as she looked at Jiang Yu. The Third Prince clearly had one personality in front of the Empress and another in front of others.
I'm afraid only the Empress thinks the Third Prince needs protection.
[Yan was only nine years old when he came up with such a meticulous plan...]
The next day, Gu Qingyan approached Gu Qingfeng. Now, when Gu Qingfeng looked at Gu Qingyan, there was only a faint envy in his eyes. "What do you want?"
"I heard you've made some progress in your martial arts recently. Tomorrow, the teacher will give us a day off. Shall we go to the training ground and have a match?" Gu Qingyan and Gu Qingfeng stood facing each other. Jiang Yu had taken excellent care of Gu Qingyan, and in just over half a year, Gu Qingyan's physique was almost the same as Gu Qingfeng's.
"I've wanted to have a match with you for a long time. I want to see how capable someone personally trained by my uncle really is."
Gu Qingfeng took a step forward to close the distance with Gu Qingyan, and punched Gu Qingyan in the chest with his elbow. "See you at the training ground tomorrow."
On the other side, Consort Yi, while rubbing her belly, casually said, "Your Majesty, I heard from the Empress today that the Second Prince and the Third Prince will be having a martial arts competition at the training ground tomorrow!"
"Hmm?" Gu Heng became interested. "Are those two going to have a competition?"
"Your Majesty also said that everyone should go to the training ground tomorrow to take a look." Consort Yi lowered her head shyly. "However, Your Majesty also specifically instructed me that I do not need to go."
Gu Heng thought about it and realized that he hadn't seen Gu Qingfeng for a long time. In fact, of the three children, he had focused all his energy on Gu Qingling, and he had never paid much attention to Gu Qingfeng and Gu Qingyao.
"Then I will go and take a look for you tomorrow."
"Then I will wait for Your Majesty to tell me about the exciting scene tomorrow night." Consort Yi's longing expression pleased Gu Heng, who embraced her and said, "Once my beloved consort's pregnancy is stable, I will have them fight again for you."
If Jiang Yu knew this, she would probably curse Gu Heng in her heart for three whole days.
......
The next day, the training ground was tidied up early in the morning. Except for Consort Yi and Consort Rong, all the concubines in the harem came to watch. Gu Heng also took his seat with Gu Qingling.
Gu Qingfeng's martial arts teacher was also a renowned general in the army. When he faced off against Gu Qingyan, Gu Qingfeng did not lose in the slightest in terms of momentum.
With each move, each attack and defense, the two fought to a draw.
Gu Heng's expression was starting to show displeasure. He had thought Gu Qingfeng was in a sure win, but the fight had lasted for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn without a winner. How could Gu Qingyan have learned so many skills in such a short time?
Just as murderous intent began to fill Gu Heng's eyes, Gu Qingyan stumbled and was knocked to the ground by Gu Qingfeng.
"Mother, I have lost."
Gu Qingyan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and let the palace servants wipe away his sweat.
"It's just a competition. Besides, losing to your second brother isn't a nobody." Jiang Yu was quite open-minded and even breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Ayan made a mistake today; otherwise, Gu Heng might have wanted to kill him.
Gu Qingfeng looked down at his still trembling hands. Only he knew that Gu Qingyan hadn't used his full strength at all, and that the stumble just now was intentional...
"I will definitely work hard in the future and learn from my second brother."
Gu Qingyan grinned and ran up to Gu Heng, "Father, Second Brother's martial arts are truly superb; I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."
"Qingfeng is a year older than you, and in good health." Gu Heng immediately found Gu Qingyan more pleasing to the eye and even gave Gu Qingfeng a few admiring glances.
"Father," Gu Qingyan raised his head, "why haven't I seen Father at the training ground?"
Upon hearing this, Cen Hai, who was behind Gu Heng, immediately stepped forward and covered Gu Qingyan's mouth, saying, "Third Prince, you can't say such things carelessly."
Gu Heng nearly lost his life during the autumn hunt that year, and since then he has not only never held another autumn hunt, but he has also never been to the training ground.
Jiang Yu watched Cen Hai's actions and clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
“Hmm… If Father is afraid, Mother can stay with him!” Gu Qingyan broke free, grabbed Gu Heng’s sleeve and leaned closer, continuing to speak in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Mother saved Father back then, so Mother is a lucky star. With Mother by his side, Father will not be afraid.”
"What?"
Gu Heng's eyes narrowed sharply. "Say what you just said again."
Gu Qingyan seemed startled and took a step back. "I heard it from Mother when she was chatting. She said that she saved you during an autumn hunt."
"However, Mother was quite angry at the time." Gu Qingyan clasped his hands timidly, "saying that he should have known better than to save you."
For some reason, Gu Heng believed Gu Qingyan's words when he heard "I should have known better than to save you".
A mix of emotions surged through Gu Heng's heart. He couldn't help but look at Jiang Yu in the crowd. Wasn't it Rong'er who saved him back then, but Jiang Yu?
It took Gu Heng a full half-incense stick's time to process this information. He then lowered his head and pulled Gu Qingyan onto his lap. "Please don't tell Mother what Yan'er said to me today, okay?"
"Will Father punish Mother for this?" Gu Qingyan continued to feign innocence.
"Won't."
"Then I will keep it a secret for Father." Gu Qingyan smiled innocently.
After the competition ended, Gu Heng walked towards Lingxi Palace without saying a word. Along the way, even Cen Hai didn't dare to provoke Gu Heng.
Many images of his time with Consort Rong flashed through Gu Heng's mind, finally settling on the scene of his rebirth on the day of the autumn hunt, when he held Consort Rong in his arms.
"emperor."
Having not seen Gu Heng for a long time, Consort Rong excitedly got out of bed and pounced on him.
Gu Heng symbolically put his arm around Consort Rong's shoulder to protect her belly, "Rong'er, today when I watched Feng'er and Yan'er compete, I suddenly thought of the time when you saved me."
"I would like to hear you say it again."
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