Lin Xihe sighed softly and said in a low voice, "You should at least restrain yourselves a little in front of His Majesty."
"Your Majesty is perfectly clear-headed, how could you not know?" Gu Qinghuai muttered softly, looking aggrieved.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe's heart stirred, and she wanted to take the opportunity to find out His Majesty's attitude towards Ji Zhuo.
After all, judging from the events just now, His Majesty seemed to appreciate Ji Zhuo quite a bit, and clearly turned a blind eye to some of Ji Zhuo's actions.
"So, His Majesty is quite lenient with you?"
"It's only because we're still useful."
Gu Qinghuai's gaze was calm, his understanding clear: "It's nothing more than mutual exploitation and each getting what they need. In the current court situation, no matter how much Ji Zhuo and I cause a ruckus, ultimately no one can immediately replace us. But the political landscape is ever-changing, and fortunes can change in an instant. Once a virtuous and capable person emerges and rises to prominence..."
"So, will the situation continue like this until then?" Lin Xihe pressed.
"Now that the northern border has been pacified and the four directions have been initially settled, as long as there is no further conflict with Nanzhao and friendly relations with the Western Regions are maintained, and there are no external worries or troubles, Your Majesty will surely devote your energy to rectifying the court and sweeping away the long-standing problems."
Gu Qinghuai analyzed the situation clearly and logically. After finishing, he couldn't help but look at Lin Xihe with curiosity, "Why are you suddenly concerned about these court affairs today?"
Listening to Gu Qinghuai's words, Lin Xihe secretly pondered that if Ji Zhuo continued to act as he pleased, he might one day lose the Emperor's favor.
But if Gu Qinghuai takes the initiative to annul the engagement, will His Majesty go along with it and grant them their wish?
She paused for a moment before replying casually, "I was just asking. I don't want to stay outside anymore; I want to go back to my tent."
After saying that, she turned around and was about to walk back, but after taking a few steps, she found that Gu Qinghuai was still standing there dumbfounded.
"What are you standing there for? Go do what you're supposed to be doing." Lin Xihe turned around and said to Gu Qinghuai in an annoyed tone.
"My feet hurt, I'm afraid I won't be able to walk." Gu Qinghuai looked at her pitifully.
"Tch! I only gave you a light kick, and you can't even walk anymore?" Lin Xihe said with disbelief.
Gu Qinghuai, however, shamelessly insisted, "I really can't walk, I need help."
"Hmph, dream on!" Lin Xihe snorted and left without even glancing at Gu Qinghuai's aggrieved expression.
When Lin Xihe was invited out of the tent again, several bonfires were already burning brightly on the flat lawn in the venue. Low tables and the incomparably luxurious dining table specially prepared for His Majesty were arranged in a staggered manner to form several layers of circular dining areas. Under the firelight, the whole scene appeared both lively and solemn.
Lin Xihe followed the palace maid who came to lead the way, slowly walking towards the direction of the main seat. When they were almost near His Majesty's main seat, the palace maid stopped.
"Miss Lin, His Majesty has specially arranged for you to sit with General Gu."
The palace maid turned to the side, facing the empty seat, and gracefully gestured for the other to proceed.
Gu Qinghuai had not yet arrived. Lin Xihe took her seat as instructed, and looking around, she found that the seats further away were already almost full.
The seats next to and opposite him were all empty except for himself.
Lin Xihe was pregnant and had been starving for a long time. Although she ate some pastries in the house, the food was not enough to satisfy her hunger.
After Lin Xihe thanked the palace maid in a low voice, Ling Shuang, who was standing to the side, quickly handed over a reward to the maid who had led the way. The maid accepted the money, thanked her repeatedly, and then withdrew.
Before long, people came and sat down one after another, and Ji Zhuo also appeared, but his seat was opposite.
Even so, Lin Xihe could still see His Majesty's favoritism towards Ji Zhuo.
According to official rank, Ji Zhuo should not be able to sit in the frontmost position like Gu Qinghuai.
As soon as Ji Zhuo sat down, he cast a concerned glance at Lin Xihe. Lin Xihe glared at him gently, signaling him to keep a low profile. Ji Zhuo simply lowered his eyes slightly and smiled faintly.
The moment Lin Xihe saw Ji Zhuo, she instinctively searched for Ji Zhuo's mother. Sure enough, she saw Chu Yunni on the second floor behind Ji Zhuo. Chu Yunni had probably seen everything Lin Xihe had just done, and her face was now extremely gloomy.
Lin Xihe lowered her eyes and stopped looking at Ji Zhuo.
At this moment, people took their seats to her left, right, and behind her. Lin Xihe was not familiar with these people, so she simply sat quietly in her seat without moving.
Suddenly, Lin Xihe heard a sound behind her and turned around to see Gu Qinghuai's parents.
Although she didn't have any good feelings towards these two people, she still stood up and greeted them out of courtesy: "Greetings, Lord Gu; greetings, Madam Gu."
"Um."
Gu Qinghuai's father responded indifferently.
He knew in his heart that if it weren't for Gu Qinghuai's influence, he, from a fallen aristocratic family, would never have been able to sit in such a high position.
Thanks to his son, the family has returned to its former glory. So even though he was dissatisfied with Lin Xihe, he had to give her a response for the sake of his son.
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