"However... we cannot fire the first arrow."
Jiang Yu's voice rang out, her expression as cunning as Gu Qingyan's. "Even if we wanted to fight, we couldn't just give others cause for gossip. This time, the Qin family made the first move in Ju County; we were merely defending ourselves."
"But if we had struck first, we might be the ones being blamed now."
"Mother, what if the Sun family and the Gong family don't make a move?"
"Then let's find a way to get them to do it, that's extremely simple."
When Kui Ruo left the palace, her eyes stopped twitching, and she sat in the carriage with her eyes closed to rest.
"My lord, you seem particularly tired today."
"I'm not tired, I'm happy."
The happy emperor surpasses his predecessor, and the happy empress dowager always gets what she wants.
Inside the palace.
Gu Qingyan was in high spirits after hearing about the great victory in Ju County, so he decided to take a walk with Jiang Yu in the Imperial Garden.
"Mother, I have asked Mei Chu. If a woman's pregnancy is stable, she can go out for a walk every day, which will be beneficial for childbirth."
Jiang Yu laughed out loud upon hearing this, "You went to ask Mei Chu yourself?"
"Of course. When my mother gave birth to me, she suffered a lot because she had no experience. This time, I will definitely ask her carefully."
As Gu Qingyan left, he kept glancing at Jiang Yu out of the corner of his eye, saying, "Mother, watch your step."
"Ayan, what do you think of Gu Qingfeng?" Jiang Yu pursed her lips and still brought up Gu Qingfeng. That note... to be able to target Gu Qingfeng, he really had some scheming.
“He demanded to be sent back to Qingcheng, and then he pretended to accept their conditions.” Gu Qingyan’s eyes narrowed. “Mother, after thinking about it, I think the Pei family is the most suspicious.”
Jiang Yu nodded. "The Qin family, the Sun family, and the Gong family are all mobilizing troops to deal with us. The Yun family has already submitted. Only the Pei family has remained an outsider."
"Let's do as Gu Qingfeng said, and have him pretend to accept the other party's conditions." Jiang Yu continued walking steadily, "and give him the appropriate reward after it's done."
"That's what I think too."
The shadows of the mother and son were stretched long in the setting sun. Behind them, Yingzhi and Wanji exchanged a glance, their eyes full of smiles.
......
"My lord, the exit of the Fengshan Tunnel has been found."
In less than a month, the village was almost completely transformed. With Gu Lin in charge, almost all the officials, big and small, were racking their brains to find a stable way for the villagers to make a living.
The final decision was to relocate the village.
"Where is the exit?" Gu Lin was studying the map hanging on the wall when Ling Hai's voice rang out again, "In Yun County. Yun County is about the same distance from the Qin, Sun, and Gong families, and they are very close. I guess all three families are interested in Fengshan, so they chose Yun County."
"How shameless."
A fierce look flashed across Gu Lin's face.
"I also found... a lot of bones." Ling Hai recalled the scene. "After the flood, I led people into the tunnel to investigate and found a lot of bones, which should all be the bones of men."
"Where are the bones?"
"Still below Mount Feng."
“Bring it back and build a joint tomb.”
Gu Lin marked Yun County on the map, then stared at it for a long time. "I'm going back to the capital the day after tomorrow."
The villagers now have land to cultivate, and the remains of the missing men have been found. It's time for him to return to the capital and have a good fight with these powerful families.
"yes."
No sooner had Ling Hai left than Jiang He strode in.
"Axi beat the Qin family to a pulp, it was truly satisfying!" Jiang He laughed heartily. "If I were to personally take up arms and lead the charge, it would be even better!"
"You'll have your chance when you set off back the day after tomorrow."
"real?"
Jiang He's eyes lit up immediately. "I've wanted to beat up these hypocritical bastards for a long time."
Just before they were about to set off, Gu Lin and Jiang He were completely surrounded by villagers.
Everyone brought out the last of their family's food supplies. "Your Majesty, Marquis of Dingyuan, you are our great benefactors. You must accept these things."
"Keep these things for yourselves."
Gu Lin rarely showed a hint of gentleness, "Your peaceful and happy lives are the greatest reward for me."
On the way back, Jiang He whispered to Ling Hai about crickets whenever he had a spare moment.
"Didn't your master refer to himself as 'I, the lonely one' when he was in Da Ning? Why is he calling himself 'I, the Emperor' now?"
Ling Hai's lips twitched upon hearing this. "My lord, I do not know."
"fool."
Jiang He glanced at Ling Hai; this guy was practically a blockhead.
Then Jiang He ran up to Gu Lin again and asked the same question.
Gu Lin didn't even raise his head. "I am no longer alone."
This immediately left Jiang He speechless.
"You should first think about who will take care of Yao Yao since neither you nor Bai Qian are in the capital."
Gu Lin casually uttered these words, and Jiang He was stunned for a moment, then his face immediately turned ashen.
......
Jiang He rode back to the capital at breakneck speed, heading straight for the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.
"My lord."
"Where is the princess?" Jiang He stared intently at the steward with his fierce eyes. "Is the princess in the palace?"
"Reporting to the Marquis, the Princess is currently in the manor."
Immediately, Jiang He had an extremely ominous premonition.
In the courtyard.
"Master, when do you think Father and Mother will come back?"
Jiang Yao sipped her tea slowly, her small eyes filled with confusion. Her father and mother had been away from home for a long time, and she missed them every night.
"The princess must miss the marquis and his wife."
Yunmo smiled and said, "The Marquis is in Fengshan. There is a group of people living in great hardship there. The Marquis is helping them find food and water."
"The lady is leading troops into battle and has won a victory. She is an extremely capable general."
"Yaoyao's father and mother are really amazing!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yao's lips immediately curled up, and the gloomy and longing mood she had just felt vanished instantly. "Master, Yao Yao wants to go out and play."
"Then we'll have to ask the Empress Dowager. If she agrees, Master will take you out."
Listening to these conversations, Jiang He's agitated heart suddenly calmed down. Yun Mo was indeed somewhat like a master; at least he wouldn't secretly try to sow discord between Yao Yao and him.
Thinking of this, Jiang He took a few deep breaths.
"Vast and distant."
"Father!"
Upon hearing Jiang He's voice, Jiang Yao immediately jumped up, dropped what she was holding, and ran towards Jiang He, saying, "Daddy, Yao Yao missed you so much."
Just as the father and daughter were being affectionate, Yunmo had already quietly left.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com