The National Master Hall was initially the most valued institution by the monarch, and the National Master was the most qualified person to discern the real monarch from the false one. But now the National Master has become a "partner in crime" in Shangguan Yun’s conspiracy to rebel. How much credibility can his words still hold?
The family went to the study room in the Feng Courtyard.
Except for the children.
— Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun were considered children.
Gu Yan, with a darkened face, returned to their room with Gu Xiaoshun.
As soon as Manager Zheng left, the two of them pressed themselves against the wall.
In the study room, the Aunt and the Old Sacrifice Wine sat at the head position, with the Lady of the South and Master Lu on the Aunt’s left side, and Duke An, Gu Jiao, and Xiao Hen on her right side.
Gu Chengfeng did not sit. He furrowed his brows, clutching his chin, pacing back and forth in the room.
He said puzzled, "I just don’t understand, since the Han Family managed to restore the crown prince’s title, why not just clear her own name and then crown herself as the empress? Anyway, the monarch is in her hands, and I have the imperial decree!"
Gu Jiao thought for a moment and said, "The Han Family believes the jinxing technique was done by Consort Wang. To clear her name, she must deal with Consort Wang. And to crown herself empress would mean opposing the entire Imperial Harem. She simply doesn’t have the energy for that right now."
Xiao Hen nodded in agreement: "Moreover, the monarch in her hands is indeed fake. No matter how desperate she is, she would still feel guilty. Restoring the crown prince was already a risky move. She needs to observe the reactions in the Court; if no one suspects, only then will she boldly take the next step."
Gu Chengfeng asked, "So, is there anyone in the Court who suspects?"
Xiao Hen shook his head: "Things happened too suddenly. Everyone probably hasn’t reacted yet. Once they return and think it over behind closed doors, they might detect something amiss. However, the monarch has always been capricious. No one dares to question any absurd decisions he makes."
Gu Chengfeng felt his head spinning: "If that’s the case, why is the Han Family being so cautious? Why not have the fake monarch kill us all directly?"
Xiao Hen said, "Because we have the real monarch in our hands, which is always a threat to the Han Family. Today’s actions were both a test of the ministers in the Court and a test of us. She wants to see how we will respond."
Gu Chengfeng voiced an uncertain "Oh," and asked, "Then what should we do?"
Master Lu made a chopping motion with his hand: "Charge into the palace! Kill the false monarch!"
Xiao Hen shook his head again: "Impossible."
By now, the Han Family must have made thorough preparations. The Imperial Forest Army and the Duwei Prefecture must be on high alert. Even with experts like Long Yi, they couldn’t wipe out an entire army.
The Han Family is just waiting for them to fall into the trap.
Master Lu scratched his head: "If we can’t kill him, should we confront them in Court? But who would believe that the monarch we have is real? Honestly, the third princess has a terrible reputation, while the crown prince, despite his deceit and hidden malice, maintains a good reputation among the people... on the other hand, the third princess has always been a habitual rebel. No matter how you look at it, the monarch she presents seems more likely to be fake..."
What others dared not do, Xuanyuan Li would dare.
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