Gu Rushuang had a good understanding of the princes' temperaments. Taking Ying Zijun as an example, he was a boastful wastrel who chased after pleasure; it was absolutely impossible for him to suddenly become so meticulous.
Li Jin frowned slightly and said, "In reply to Your Majesty the Empress, I share that feeling. But I still have no clue as to who the person behind it is."
Hearing this, Ying Yuan's mouth twitched involuntarily.
Li Jin seemed to notice the subtle change in Ying Yuan's expression and silently mouthed the word 'be good', which immediately made Ying Yuan's ears turn red.
Gu Rushuang nodded, agreeing with Li Jin's words. "Indeed, you and Yuan'er usually don't have major conflicts with anyone, aside from Ying Zijun who often provokes you. It seems This Palace must investigate this matter carefully and in secret."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Li Jin performed a salute to Gu Rushuang.
"There's no need for such formality, Jin'er, please rise quickly." Gu Rushuang stopped Li Jin from saluting. "It's just you, me, and Yuan'er here. Such formality would create distance."
After seven years of interaction, Gu Rushuang's feelings towards Li Jin were no longer purely about cultivation, they now included a measure of familial affection. He naturally didn't wish for Li Jin to be constantly saluting him.
"Yes."
Li Jin was not an affected person. Since Gu Rushuang was extending goodwill, Li Jin simply stopped the saluting gesture.
"Jin'er, Yuan'er, take these two jade pendants. You must wear them on your persons." Gu Rushuang took two jade pendants from his sleeve and gave them to Li Jin and Ying Yuan respectively.
The two pendants Gu Rushuang produced were crafted from the finest mutton-fat jade, their pure white surfaces gleaming with an oily luster like congealed fat. They were clearly made from high-quality mutton-fat jade from Hetian, and carved upon them was a hornless dragon.
Li Jin took the pendant and quickly recognized the hornless dragon carved on it as a chi dragon.
[Chi Dragon (螭龙, chī lóng): a hornless dragon motif in Chinese art and architecture, symbolizing power, prosperity, and divine protection, often depicted as a youthful, ascending creature.]
"Mother Empress, why are you giving pendants to me and Li Jin?"
Ying Yuan looked at Gu Rushuang with a puzzled expression.
Gu Rushuang sighed silently. "Because these two pendants might help you at a critical moment."
Gu Rushuang knew that Li Shiyun disliked Li Jin, which was why he specially gave them the pendants, to guard against the possibility that Li Shiyun might intentionally delay sending reinforcements should unrest truly erupt in Zhuzhou.
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress (Mother Empress)."
Gu Rushuang had spoken so clearly that Li Jin and Ying Yuan immediately understood his unspoken meaning.
"You must be careful in all matters when you go to Zhuzhou."
Gu Rushuang repeatedly warned them, unable to feel at ease.
Li Jin and the others' trip to Zhuzhou happened to coincide with the upcoming Wan-Sou Festival of Ying Zhengjing in a few days. Therefore, Ying Zhengjing specially permitted Li Jin and Ying Yuan to depart for Zhuzhou after the Wan-Sou Festival.
[Wan-Sou Festival (万寿节 - Wànshòu Jié): the name given to the birthday celebration of an emperor or empress in imperial China, literally meaning "Ten Thousand Longevities Festival"]
"Yes."
Li Jin and Ying Yuan nodded in agreement simultaneously.
"And also..."
Gu Rushuang seemed very uneasy about their trip to Zhuzhou. After finishing the main discussion, he repeatedly urged them to be cautious at all times, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance in their actions.
After about a little while.
Zhiqiu, seeing that the time was almost up, knocked on the door and said, "Your Majesty the Empress, the time is almost up. His Majesty the Emperor will be coming to see you later, so you should return and prepare."
"Mm, This Palace knows."
Gu Rushuang inside the room responded to Zhiqiu, then slowly stood up. "Jin'er, Yuan'er, This Palace has other matters and won't stay longer. However, later I will have someone bring some books related to Zhuzhou for you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress (Mother Empress)."
Li Jin and Ying Yuan hurriedly expressed their thanks.
Gu Rushuang's action was a great help to them. Actually, it wasn't difficult for Li Jin and the others to find books related to Zhuzhou themselves, but there was no guarantee that someone might deliberately obstruct them and give them incorrect books.
Li Jin's worry was not unfounded—it had indeed happened before, and it was a method thought up by Ying Ziqi himself in his previous life.
Only after Gu Rushuang's figure disappeared did Ying Yuan turn to Li Jin with a puzzled look. "Li Jin, just now you clearly guessed it was Third Brother's doing, so why did you conceal it from Mother Empress?"
Li Jin smiled gently. "Seventh Prince, currently His Majesty the Empress has a very good impression of the Third Prince. If I were to state it rashly, I'm afraid His Majesty the Empress wouldn't take it to heart."
Li Jin's thought did not appear out of thin air, it was based on actual events. Although Ying Ziqi missed the chance to become the Empress's adopted son due to Li Jin's intervention, Ying Ziqi did not give up. Instead, he spent even more time trying to please Gu Rushuang, determined to win him over to lay the foundation for his future plans.
"..."
Ying Yuan's eyes widened in sudden understanding.
Yes, why didn't I think of that?
On the other side.
Ying Zijun could not conceal his joy and laughed heartily, "Hahahaha, heaven really helps me! Sixth Brother, your suggestion this time is truly excellent."
"Thank you for the praise, Fifth Brother." Ying Zirui smiled, then continued, "However, because of this, Li Jin and Lao Qi will certainly hold a grudge against us. So, to prevent them from coming back alive to seek revenge, it's better if we strike first."
Having said that.
Ying Zirui made a 'kill' gesture.
Ying Zijun's pupils constricted. "You want me to kill Li Jin and Lao Qi?"
"Yes." Ying Zirui nodded. "Fifth Brother, don't you think that Li Jin is too sinister? If we don't kill them this time, perhaps next time it will be us who die."
"Fine, then kill them." The enmity between Ying Zijun and Li Jin was already irreconcilable, so Ying Zijun didn't think for long before agreeing to Ying Zirui's proposal.
Seeing that Ying Zijun had taken his advice, Ying Zirui immediately pressed his advantage: "Fifth Brother, let's start discussing how to deal with them now…"
"No need." Ying Zijun arrogantly interrupted Ying Zirui's unfinished words. "I have my own methods."
Over the years, Ying Zijun had secretly gathered quite a few forces through the Lan family, and Zhuzhou was one of them, which he could now put to use.
"Does Fifth Brother have people in Zhuzhou?"
Ying Zirui asked, pretending to be casual.
"Lao Liu, that's not something you should ask." Ying Zijun's face darkened.
"Uh..." Realizing his misstep, Ying Zirui quickly attempted to remedy the situation: "Fifth Brother, Li Jin is too cunning. I'm just worried about failure. Should we perhaps plan more carefully?"
Ying Zijun listened to Ying Zirui's explanation, and his furrowed brows gradually relaxed. "Alright, leave dealing with Li Jin to me. You don't need to worry about it. Just focus on keeping an eye on Lao San for me."
"Yes."
Ying Zirui didn't dare to refute and quickly nodded in agreement, but a trace of hatred flashed in his eyes.
…
The Prince of Dingbei's Mansion.
The moment Li Jin stepped into the Prince's Mansion, Wei Shiwan's voice, full of worry, came through: "Jin'er, what exactly happened? Why did His Majesty send you to such a dangerous place? No, your health is too weak, how could you withstand a long journey? I must write a letter to the Prince asking him to petition His Majesty to cancel this assignment."
Li Jin curled his lips in an amused smile. "There's no need to trouble the Successor Princess Consort. My going to Zhuzhou has already been decreed by His Majesty's imperial edict. He has also sent a letter by fast horse to inform Father."
"Ah? Then what should we do? Your health is poor. Isn't this putting you in a difficult position?"
"If the Successor Princess Consort can't bear to let me go, you could always send Second Brother instead. Second Brother is also a legitimate son. If he volunteers, His Majesty might change his mind."
"No, that won't do." When it involved Li Yanshen, Wei Shiwan instinctively rejected Li Jin's suggestion. However, she quickly recognized the impropriety in her tone and immediately sought to correct herself: "Jin'er, don't misunderstand. I said that because I'm also concerned about Shen'er's health. You know, Shen'er has been plagued by a strange illness all these years. I'm really afraid something might suddenly happen to him…"
"Successor Princess Consort, there's no need to worry. I was only joking. I am aware of Second Brother's illness, how could I be willing to let him go to Zhuzhou in my place while he is sick?"
Hearing this, Wei Shiwan smiled awkwardly and immediately changed the subject: "Jin'er, you must be hungry? I specifically ordered some pastries made for you to try. But if you don't…"
"Alright, thank you for your kindness, Successor Princess Consort."
"..." Li Jin's unexpected agreement immediately left Wei Shiwan speechless, and various questions popped into her mind.
What is Li Jin up today? Doesn't he always refuse my invitations? Why did he agree this time? Does he want to take this opportunity to do something? No, everything in the Wangfu is under my control, what trouble can he possibly stir up?
"Successor Princess Consort, what's wrong? You look a bit strange. Could it be... you're unwell?"
"Uh... It's nothing. I'm just... just happy."
"Happy?"
"Mm." Wei Shiwan forced herself to continue: "Speaking of which, this is the first time you've accepted my invitation."
"Is that so?" Li Jin noncommittally shot Wei Shiwan a meaningful look, making her scalp tingle, before withdrawing his gaze. "Then let's go quickly. I'm afraid the pastries won't taste as good if they sit for too long."
"This... Alright..."
Initially, Wei Shiwan was just being polite and never expected Li Jin to actually agree. She had no choice but to lead him to have the pastries.
"Mother, you're finally back?" Seeing Wei Shiwan return, Li Ruoyan immediately stood up and smiled in welcome. However, the smile didn't last long before turning extremely unpleasant. "Li Jin? Mother, why did you bring him along?"
"Yan'er, sit down. Don't be rude."
"I..."
"Yan'er, are you not even listening to your mother now?"
"It's not that."
"If it's not, then sit down. What is all this noisy fuss?" After scolding Li Ruoyan, Wei Shiwan looked at Li Jin full of apology. "Jin'er, Yan'er's words just now were spoken without thought. Please don't take them to heart."
"Naturally, I won't."
Li Jin gave a light laugh and looked meaningfully at Li Ruoyan.
What are you looking at?
Li Ruoyan was infuriated by Li Jin and glared back fiercely. However, because she had been thwarted by Li Jin countering her moves before, she was too cowardly to oppose him directly.
Li Jin didn't mind Li Ruoyan's provocation and simply started eating.
"Third Brother, you can have mine too."
Li Siyuan, who had little presence nearby, suddenly placed the plate of pastries in front of him before Li Jin.
Li Ruoyan roared in fury, "Li Siyuan, what are you doing?"
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