Marrying six wives with powerful backgrounds-did third brother want to contend for the throne?

Uncle Fu said, "The second Su Clan?"

"Clever."

"Who came in third?"

"Royal family."

"That's not right, Your Highness."

Uncle Fu frowned.

"Would someone who includes the royal family in their accounts really become close to the Second Prince?"

You're still too honest.

Gu Moran put away his pen.

Ye Qingyun may not be good at opening up to people, but he knows how to leverage resources.

Uncle Fu nodded slowly.

"The Second Prince offered a way out, Ye Qingyun stepped up; they all thought they had gained something."

"That's more interesting."

Gu Moran smiled slightly.

The second son thought he was offering a way out.

Ye Qingyun thought he had borrowed a favorable wind.

"As for which way the wind will blow once they actually stand together, that's not up to anyone to decide."

Uncle Fu looked up.

"Your Highness wants them to misjudge each other?"

"I am so kind, how could I do such a thing?"

Gu Moran stuffed the blueprints into the hidden compartment, then pushed the compartment back in.

"I just helped him cover the potholes by the roadside with grass and put up a sign that read, 'This road leads to heaven.'"

Uncle Fu remained silent for a moment.

"Your Highness, that doesn't sound very kind."

You don't understand.

Gu Moran picked up the folding fan and tapped it against his palm.

"When a spoiled brat does bad things, it's called absurd; when a clever person does bad things, it's called scheming."

"My reputation is so tarnished, it would be a waste not to use it."

Gu Moran tapped the table, making a soft sound.

"However, this second son is younger than the crown prince."

Uncle Fu said, "Your Highness, please be extremely vigilant today."

Gu Moran smiled.

"Their scheme today is nothing more than a test to see if I have any ambitions. I'm not afraid; I'll meet force with force and water with water."

He pondered for a moment, then spoke again.

"Oh, and remember to change the code word on Boss Zhao's side."

Uncle Fu took out another small piece of paper.

"This old servant has already had someone change it."

Gu Moran looked at him.

Uncle Fu lowered his head.

"Your Highness mentioned it last night, and this old servant took care of it first thing this morning."

Gu Moran leaned back in her chair and stared at him for a couple of breaths.

" Uncle Fu, you're becoming more and more like the worms in my stomach."

Uncle Fu bowed.

"This old servant dares not; the insects don't get their monthly pay."

"You've certainly learned to be sarcastic. By the way, speaking of which, we've always called him Boss Zhao, but what's his full name?"

"Your Highness, Boss Zhao is the fourth child in his family; his full name is Zhao Si."

Gu Moran was speechless, and picked up her teacup to cover her trembling lips.

No wonder Boss Zhao's name was never mentioned in the original book.

He coughed lightly.

"Then let's call him Boss Zhao, that's more impressive."

Then he quickly changed the subject.

"Remember, keep an eye on Shuhe first, especially with Ye Qingyun."

Uncle Fu asked, "Are you only focusing on the Shuhe?"

"Hmm, don't touch Ye Qingyun yet."

Gu Moran pressed his fingertips against the edge of the table, the newly acquired strength not yet fully under his control, and a soft sound came from the wooden surface.

" Ye Qingyun is now like a bowstring drawn taut."

"If you touch the string, he will shoot the arrow."

Uncle Fu nodded, and then said...

"By the way, Your Highness, did you notice any martial arts aura about him yesterday?"

"I can tell."

"What if he really goes to the martial arts school?"

"Let him go."

Gu Moran looked towards the south of the city.

"He lost a poem yesterday, but this morning he went to a martial arts school."

"He chose this path himself."

Uncle Fu said, "Your Highness, please remember to guard against him making a move."

"That's natural."

Gu Moran raised his right hand and looked at it; his palm still held the force that had almost crushed the fan ribs.

"But we can't stop them."

Uncle Fu looked at his hands.

"Did Your Highness plan this all along?"

Gu Moran his hand into his sleeve.

"I'm not a fortune teller."

He paused, a smile playing on his lips.

"What we need to do is to dig pits in advance along the paths Ye Qingyun can walk on, and line them with bedding so he can be more comfortable."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Fu felt much more at ease and forced back his tears.

He bowed and said, "Your Highness, it's getting late, please have your meal first."

Just past 9 AM, in the side hall of the Eastern Palace.

Gu Moran followed the young eunuch who was leading the way through the side corridor, and after turning two corners, they finally arrived at their destination.

The side hall was small, with a low square table, a pot of tea, and two cups on it.

Crown Prince Gu Moyuan sat behind his desk, holding a scroll in his hand. He put it down when he saw him enter.

"Third brother arrived early."

"Your Majesty, you are in a hurry."

Gu Moran sat down casually, picked up the teapot, and poured himself a cup.

The crown prince had only one personal eunuch by his side, who stood outside the door, which was half-closed.

The tea is this year's pre-Qingming Longjing, with a slightly bitter taste upon entry and a slow, sweet aftertaste.

Gu Moyuan watched him drink tea, and only spoke after the cup was placed back on the table.

"Your wife, Madam Xie, was truly outstanding at yesterday's poetry gathering."

"That's just how she is, full of knowledge and refinement."

"One poem 'Gazing at the Sacred Mountain,' three poems to seal the show—even Qian Muzhi copied them down on the spot. My third brother is truly blessed."

Gu Moran scratched his temple with the rib of his fan.

"Your Majesty flatters me. I've frequented brothels for many years, so naturally I have a better eye for women."

Gu Moyuan chuckled and reached out to refill his tea.

"My third brother is modest."

"Rumors are circulating outside that there are many hidden talents in Prince Yi's Residence."

The spout of the teapot was pointed at the rim of the cup, and hot water was poured in, causing the tea leaves to turn over.

Gu Moran looked at the spout of the teapot.

"Who told you that, Your Majesty?"

"Everyone in the capital is talking about it."

Gu Moyuan put the pot down.

"Especially Ying Ye Qingyun's line, 'Everyone says there's a mastermind behind this.'"

Gu Moran picked up the refilled tea.

"That's because the talented Ye lost face; he needs to find a way to save face."

"Saying there's a master in my household? That's the funniest joke in the world."

"Does Third Brother find this funny?"

"Your Majesty doesn't find it funny?"

The two stared at each other for a moment across the low table.

Gu Moyuan turned to a page of the book in his hand and pushed it over.

"Third brother, take a look at this."

Gu Moran glanced down at it.

It's not the contents of a book, but a handwritten copy containing Xie Wanqing's poems from yesterday's poetry gathering, including poems on spring themes and three poems written outside the event.

The scribe's handwriting was neat, and a few words were written in red ink next to it.

Its refined style cannot be achieved without ten years of dedicated effort.

After reading it, Gu Moran pushed the copy back.

Who approved it?

"An old gentleman from the Hanlin Academy copied a document and sent it to the Eastern Palace last night."

Gu Moyuan looked at him.

"Third brother, these poems are masterpieces."

"I've heard that before the Xie Clan siblings entered the household, they were never competitive."

"After entering the mansion, the moment she stepped onto the stage, she overshadowed half the scholars of the capital."

"It's inevitable that it will arouse suspicion."

Upon hearing this...

Gu Moran looked terrified and quickly closed the fan.

"Your Majesty is truly wise; your analysis has made me somewhat fearful."

"How?"

"Alas! The women in the household are too capable; I fear I cannot control them."

"From now on, I will make them play cards every day, and if they lose, they have to cry a couple of times, so that they don't cause any trouble and get blamed on me."

Gu Moyuan paused for a moment as he held the teacup.

He smiled and pressed the teacup lid over the rim.

"Third brother, don't interrupt."

" The Chancellor's Residence, the Grand Commandant's Residence, the Imperial Medical Bureau, the Northern Frontier Envoy Delegation, the Imperial Academy, and the Flower-Between Pavilion."

"If these six threads were in the hands of anyone in the capital, Father Emperor would take a second look."

Gu Moran blinked.

"Then, elder brother, how many times will Father Emperor even glance at me?"

The crown prince asked, "What do you think?"

Gu Moran thought about it seriously.

"Father will probably glance at me first, then glare at me, and finally look at Mother, then curse me as a rebellious son, a good-for-nothing."

The prince cup lid stopped, and he gave a perfunctory smirk.

Gu Moran shrugged.

"Brother, don't laugh. Father always speaks with great emotion when he scolds his rebellious sons."

"My brother is with Father Emperor, and his main strategy is to maintain stability by eliminating a useless person."

Gu Moyuan put down his teacup.

"Third brother, I didn't invite you here today to listen to your witty remarks."

"What would you like to hear, Your Majesty?"

I want to hear the truth.

A palace maid walked by outside the side hall, her shoes treading on the blue bricks, the sound quickly fading into the distance.

Gu Moyuan looked at him.

"What exactly do you intend to do by marrying these six wives?"

Gu Moran did not reply immediately.

If you accept the same item twice, the Crown Prince will record it.

If you handle it too lightly, it will look too fake.

The safest way is to stuff the truth into nonsense, so that no one can find fault with it.

He picked up the teacup, smelled it, and then put it down.

"Does Your Majesty really want to hear this?"

"Explain."

--

[Guys, the sky has fallen! I didn't get back until 8:30. My bad! The coffee is ready. I'm not going to sleep until 3 a. m. tonight.]

Thank you all so much for urging me to update, and for the positive feedback! I really didn't expect you all to be so enthusiastic today, I'm truly flattered.

(´;ω;`)

Special thanks to: Wenzhou and Bawangbian for their character summons, Zhaomeng and Miaotui for their inspiration capsules, Yule and Furi, euzhg for their update reminder, Guichen and Wolong, Henchi for their likes, and Daren de Hua.

[I'm so sorry to all my fans, I'll definitely make up for it with an extra chapter tomorrow, I was wrong.]