Chapter 405 - 310: Thrilling Afternoon Tea (Part 3)
Marquis Gu and Madam Zhou never imagined that next door, Gu Changting studied literature and would not lead troops in battle, while Gu Lan had gained military achievements, proving herself.
In this situation, Marquis Gu actually preferred for Gu Lan to restore her identity openly.
Of course, this is very difficult.
So at this point, they can only take one step at a time, and let things drag on for now.
Seventeen heard her words, her eyes flickered, and suddenly remembered something, couldn’t help but say:
"Brother Lan, I have been at the Southern Border for years, hearing nothing but some offbeat remarks, so what I’m about to say might sound a bit strange..."
The three of them had been shopping for a long time, and Gu Lan directly led them to a small tavern by the roadside, calling out:
"Waiter, two roasted chickens, a pot of clear tea, and a plate of side dishes."
"Alright, sir, please wait a moment."
"Let’s eat and talk, I want to hear how strange it could be," Gu Lan said, looking behind her, waving a hand, "Zipei, bring the milk tea."
The three of them had bought so much stuff that Zipei had to return to the Marquis Mansion halfway to put things back, picking up three cups of homemade milk tea exclusive to the mansion, which she held in her hands, now just the right temperature.
After the three sat down, they simultaneously took a big sip of the milk tea, squinting contentedly, basking in the warm afternoon sun, nearly falling asleep.
So delightful.
Gu Lan felt warmth in her heart, having never gone shopping with friends before, nor experienced the simple pleasure of sipping on milk tea with girlfriends when tired from shopping.
Even when not on a mission, she’d only stay home, sleeping or reading novels, briefly relaxing her weary and tense spirit.
But now, she need no longer worry about life and death, only to enjoy life to the fullest.
After resting for a while, Nan Shiqi looked around, realizing there was no one else near their table, then lowered her voice and said:
"I often stay at the Southern Border, which is now guarded by Prince Xiang, so the people there highly respect him... A few days ago, the Crown Prince was deposed, and the Second Prince got implicated to repent behind closed doors. It’s said among the commoners that the Second Prince has lost the Emperor’s favor, and the Emperor might want to adopt a child from the Rong family in the Imperial Family as the new Crown Prince."
Gu Lan was taken aback; how quickly had such news spread among the people?
"The Emperor hasn’t hidden the rewards given to Yan Qing and Rong Heng," Gu Lan said, "It seems he intentionally wants the whole world to know this, making the Second Prince live in constant fear and anxiety, as punishment for his cunning."
Nan Shiqi said in a deep voice, "But does the young master know about a previous dynasty, where Emperor Ying of Qing Country, having no prince, made his younger brother the Imperial Brother... Later, when Emperor Ying died, it was his brother who ascended to the throne; this story has been widely told among the people at the Southern Border recently."
Gu Lan was slightly startled: "The Imperial Brother?"
She seemed to understand something.
Only to see Shiqi nodding, continuing to say:
"Yes, so the people of the Southern Border say, since there’s such a precedent, it wouldn’t be impossible for Dayan today; the Crown Prince has lost virtue, the Second Prince is incompetent, better to make Prince Xiang the Imperial Brother, who could succeed the Emperor one day."
Gu Lan: Could it really come full circle like this?
"Is this really a rumor among the people?" Zijin’s heart raced upon hearing this.
"The way you put it, it does seem possible; after all, the Prince is the fifth son of the former Emperor, once showered with favor, and the Xiao family’s affairs have been so long past... Young master, wouldn’t you then become the Crown Princess Consort?"
Gu Lan thought, being Crown Princess Consort doesn’t sound as esteemed as being Princess Xiang.
"Ahem, why can’t Rong Heng become the Heir Consort to my Princely Heir?" she coldly retorted.
Zijin: "As expected of you."
Nan Shiqi cautiously said: "Though I haven’t heard such talk since arriving in the Capital City, this idea has indeed spread in the Southern Border, even the storytellers think so."
Discussing the Emperor and Crown Prince privately is a serious crime that could cost lives, yet this matter concerns Gu Lan, and no matter how afraid she is, she must report it truthfully.
"The Emperor surely knows..." Gu Lan murmured.
If such remarks become increasingly rampant and no one stops it, does that mean... the Emperor might truly have such intentions?
However, Gu Lan quickly thought, in Rong Jing’s mind, Rong Heng was still uninterested in women; if he were actually made an Imperial Brother, wouldn’t the Imperial Family lineage end there?
Yet for an emperor like Rong Jing, who doesn’t even care about his own offspring, making any absurd decisions seems quite normal...
Nan Shiqi’s forehead was dripping with sweat, she slowly said:
"Brother Lan, what I want to say is, if Prince Xiang truly becomes the Imperial Brother and ascends to the throne one day, you could restore your identity seamlessly then, perhaps asking the Emperor to decree that the Imperial Family has known everything all along, without implicating the Marquis Mansion.
The only concern is, would Prince Xiang change his mind over time."
The human heart is fickle; Prince Xiang now harbors deep affection for Gu Lan, but what if he becomes Crown Prince, an Emperor, in the long years ahead, could he still accept a woman who defies convention?
Gu Lan calmly tore off a chicken leg, smiled and said:
"That should be Rong Heng’s worry. If such a day does come, why don’t I usurp the throne myself and marry a hundred male concubines instead."
Zijin: ?
Shiqi: ...