Zhen Daijin salute and stepped forward.
"This humble general will today take stock of the troops of the Zhechong Command, select the capable soldiers, and first defend Black Wind Pass, North Post, and the Salt Road."
Si Renyou also bowed.
"I will immediately issue official documents to all prefectures and counties in Jiannan Circuit to allocate grain, carts, and artisans. Anyone who dares to delay will be personally listed in the register."
Yun Shuyue stuffed the steamed cake into her mouth and chewed it thoroughly.
She looked up, and the pom-pom on her snowman hat wobbled.
What about me?
Gu Moran looked at her.
Yun Shuyue patted her chest.
"I can run, I can hear, I can scale walls, and I can even recognize Tubo."
"I'll take the courier to keep an eye on all the post stations. If there are any unfamiliar caravans, strange travel permits, or people wandering around at night, report it immediately."
Gu Moran did not agree immediately.
Seeing his hesitation, Yun Shuyue quickly added a sentence.
"I will not leave the city alone."
Lin Qingdai stepped out from behind the pillar and spoke softly.
I've sent two experts to follow her.
Gu Moran then nodded.
"Can."
Yun Shuyue's eyes lit up.
Shen Ling'er stood beside her and, seeing that she was so happy she was about to jump for joy, reached out and stuffed a medicine bottle into her hand.
"Running is fine."
Apply the wound medicine on time.
Yun Shuyue held the medicine bottle and quietly agreed.
As Gu Moran watched the people in the hall accept their orders, she suddenly felt a great weight on her shoulders.
He had military power, money, six wives, Si Renyou and Zhen Daijin, Xue Huan and Yun Shuyue, and this vibrant Yi Prefecture City.
He raised his hand and pressed down on the imperial edict on the table.
Zhen Daijin asked a question.
"Your Highness, given such a major incident, will the fireworks display still proceed?"
"Fireworks displays are especially important during times like these."
Si Renyou was taken aback.
"Your Highness, the capital is in chaos, and there are enemy threats on the border. If someone with ulterior motives were to see this and ask why you are celebrating so lavishly while His Majesty is ill?"
Gu Moran looked out the window.
People in the city have already started hanging lanterns.
The common people are unaware of the bloodshed in the capital.
They need good days, not fear.
"Proceed as usual."
Gu Moran repeated it.
"The lantern market remains open, and fireworks continue."
"What's happening in the capital must be kept secret. No matter what happens, the people's hearts must not be thrown into disarray."
The sound of the wind swept across the eaves outside the hall.
Yun Shuyue hugged the snowman hat tightly, watching Gu Moran's back, and suddenly felt that this prince, who was always said to be sickly, stood more firmly than a city wall.
In the warm pavilion of the Prince Anyang's Residence, a charcoal brazier burned, and the paper windows rustled softly in the wind.
Gu Mochen placed the secret letter from the capital on the table, his fingertips repeatedly tracing the lines "Crown Prince murders brother" and "Emperor is in a coma."
The gloom that had been weighing on his face gradually dissipated, and even the cooled tea on the table seemed more pleasing to the eye.
The crown prince is completely ruined.
The fifth prince is dead.
The emperor fell into a coma.
No matter how much the old ministers in the capital try to delay, they can't possibly bring back a madman who murdered his brother to the Eastern Palace.
Gu Mochen stood up, walked to the Great Yan Map hanging on the wall, and moved his gaze from the capital city all the way southwest, finally landing on the mountain range of Jiannan Circuit.
Gu Moran took control of the situation.
But so what?
The Tubo occupied the highlands, and the mountain roads were treacherous. The Great Yan army suffered greatly when they entered the mountains. Their supplies were insufficient, their warhorses could not run, and they had difficulty even breathing.
With only a small number of people guarding the city gate, Gu Moran was already considered lucky by his ancestors.
Once the Tubo truly begin their actions, Gu Moran will either die in Jiannan Circuit or be branded as incompetent in defending the territory.
By then, who in the royal family will be able to step forward?
Gu Mochen raised his hand and pressed it against the location of the capital on the map, unable to suppress the upward curve of his lips.
Zhou Huaili stood by the table, observing his lord's expression. After a long hesitation, he whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, although the situation in the capital is chaotic, the Emperor is still alive, and the Crown Prince has not yet been convicted. If we take any action now, it may easily give others grounds for criticism."
When did I say I wanted to make a move?
Gu Mochen turned around, a long-lost sense of ease on his face.
"I am only worried about my father."
"The capital has lost a crown prince, and the border is in turmoil. As a prince, can I just sit in Anyang and do nothing?"
Seeing that he was in high spirits, Zhou Huaili did not continue to argue, but instead lowered his head to organize the military reports on the table.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
The matron in the inner courtyard of the Prince's mansion lifted the curtain, her face beaming with joy, and even her manners were quicker than usual.
"Your Highness, great news!"
Gu Mochen frowned.
"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"
The old woman quickly knelt down, her voice trembling with suppressed excitement.
"Her Highness the Princess Consort just summoned the royal physician, who diagnosed her with pregnancy; it has been over a month!"
The warm room fell silent.
The paper in Zhou Huaili's hand fell onto the table.
Gu Mochen stood there, motionless for a long time.
The princess is pregnant.
This news caught him even more off guard than the chaos in the capital.
The fact that the crown prince had no heir became common knowledge throughout the city, and the emperor grew increasingly wary of the adult princes. But everyone knew that if one wanted to compete for the throne, having soldiers, money, and court officials was not enough.
You also need a son.
There is an eldest son who can be presented to the imperial family, court officials, and the people of the world.
Gu Mochen's throat went dry, and he walked towards the inner courtyard.
That's wonderful! If this good news gets back to the capital, Father Emperor might wake up immediately and make him the Crown Prince!
Hahaha!
In the courtyard where the princess lived, the charcoal fire burned brightly, and the aroma of herbs and sweet soup mingled together.
When Gu Mochen lifted the curtain and went in, the princess was leaning against a soft pillow, her face somewhat pale, with a bowl of unfinished plum juice beside her.
When she saw Gu Mochen arrive, she pretended to get up.
Gu Mochen quickly went over and put his arm around her shoulder.
"Lie down."
The princess looked up at him, her lips pursed.
"I originally dared not disturb Your Highness, but I have been feeling sleepy these past few days, and the smell of greasy food makes me feel uncomfortable. I only dared to make a diagnosis after the royal physician examined me."
Gu Mochen looked at her lower abdomen, which was still flat and showed no signs of anything.
But another image had already surfaced in his mind.
A boy dressed in a small python robe stood beside him, surrounded by officials from the Imperial Clan Court, the Ministry of Rites, and courtiers.
If he enters the capital, he will no longer be a rootless vassal king.
He is Prince An, who has a legitimate son.
Inheriting the throne is a matter of course!
Gu Mochen reached out and placed his hand on the back of the princess's hand, his voice unusually soft.
"You have rendered a great service to me."
The princess blushed slightly and lowered her head, remaining silent.
The old nanny beside her quickly chimed in with a smile, "Her Highness the Princess has been thinking of the Prince all these years, and now she finally has good news; she will surely give birth to a son for the Prince."
Gu Mochen nodded and instructed, "From today onwards, everything in the manor will prioritize the Princess's well-being during her pregnancy. Use the best medicinal herbs, tonics, and charcoal."
Anyone who dares to be negligent will be skinned alive by this king.
The nanny readily agreed.
The princess smiled too.
Gu Mochen sat on the edge of the bed, watching the princess drink the plum juice with her head down, and a strange feeling slowly arose in his heart.
More than a month.
He has been busy training the army, sorting out the accounts in Anyang, and is also overwhelmed by the so-called policy of enriching the army and supporting the people in Yi Prefecture.
At the beginning of last month, the princess said she was feeling unwell and moved to a small courtyard next to the Buddhist temple to recuperate.
He remembered that he seemed to have been staying in the study for those few days.
Gu Mochen tapped his knee twice with his fingers.
He tried to recall.
On the fifteenth of last month, he was inspecting the cavalry formation at the military camp.
On the seventeenth of last month, Zhou Huaili delivered a document from the Ministry of War urging them to submit their request.
On the 20th of last month, he summoned several salt merchants.
As for the princess...
I can't remember.
Gu Mochen's expression gradually darkened.
Noticing his gaze, the princess put down her spoon and asked with displeasure, "Is something troubling your lord?"
Gu Mochen looked up and saw the weariness of pregnancy between her brows, and he suppressed the doubts in his chest.
Never mind, the princess loves him the most and never allows him to take a concubine.
The princess was a woman who upheld traditional virtues.
Moreover, this child is his most important bargaining chip right now.