Chapter 417: Loyalty
Gu Nianting was delighted as he recounted Lin Mu's sincerity. From his words and actions, it was clear that he was particularly satisfied with having such a counselor.
He was so absorbed in the story that he forgot to even think about offering people a seat. After Gu Nianting finished speaking, he noticed that the three of them had been standing.
"Please take a seat. Today is a great day. No need to be polite."
It was a rare opportunity to get a seat, so Wu Yan sat down quickly without giving it much thought.
Qi Lei and Tao Kangping stood still and looked at each other to confirm each other's thoughts.
Lin Mu saw through everything, chuckled to himself, and didn't say anything.
Gu Nianting didn't understand what he meant, so he turned to look at the two of them and asked.
"Why don't you sit down?"
Before the two masters could answer, a servant came in and said, "Your Majesty, the food is ready."
Gu Nianting couldn't wait to give orders.
"Hurry up and serve the food."
The servants responded, each carrying a jade plate, and walked in one after another, soon filling the table with delicious food.
Gu Nianting picked up a pair of clean chopsticks and took the initiative to pick up some food for Lin Mu.
"Eat it while it's hot, don't leave hungry."
Lin Mu was more cautious and quiet. He made sure the food was correct before picking up his chopsticks.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gu Nianting kept picking up food and didn't pay any attention to Qi Lei and Tao Kangping.
"Try this. It's something the cook has just learned. I think it's quite delicious."
"Try this again..."
After a while, the plate in front of Lin Mu was filled with all kinds of delicacies.
Gu Nianting brought an empty plate and continued to serve him food without getting tired of it.
Qi Lei couldn't bear to watch it anymore and couldn't help but speak out to stop it.
"Your Majesty..."
As if she didn't hear his words, Gu Nianting didn't react at all. She just stared at Lin Mu. Seeing Lin Mu's happiness, he was also pleased.
"What dishes do you like to eat?"
Tao Kangping could no longer bear it, and without caring about etiquette, he raised his voice and spoke.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say and I must inform you!"
Her interest was suddenly interrupted by him, and Gu Nianting frowned slightly, looking a little impatient.
"What's the matter?"
Tao Kangping looked serious and expressed what was in his mind.
"Your Majesty, Lord Lin is extremely suspicious. His so-called surrender is nothing but a false surrender."
"Last year, the Emperor had arranged for him to lurk beside Prince Dijin. This shows that he had already pretended to surrender. How could Your Majesty trust him so easily?"
Qi Lei was on guard, glanced at Lin Mu, and then seconded the proposal.
"That's what Lord Tao said."
"This person has been playing both sides and getting all the benefits, but he is still not satisfied. Now he wants to play all three sides. It is obvious that he has bad intentions!"
Gu Nianting immediately spoke sternly.
"No nonsense."
"Do you know how much hard work Lord Lin has put in for us?"
"The last time the emperor planned to seal the throne, it was all thanks to Lord Lin's eloquence that my uncle was able to obtain the imperial decree to ensure your safety and solve the urgent problem."
"You treat your life saver so disrespectfully. No wonder I don't have anyone I can use by my side."
Hearing these remarks, Tao Kangping was deeply shocked.
"Your Majesty, don't be deceived by this villain..."
Dissatisfied with the word "villain", Gu Nianting immediately interrupted the conversation, filled with righteous indignation.
"Who do you think is the villain?"
"In my opinion, those who use sharp words and malicious intent to embarrass their colleagues are villains!"
After waiting for them to argue for a few sentences, Lin Mu spoke slowly.
"I am short-sighted and frightened. Please, Your Majesty, do not conflict with the two adults. Disharmony among friends will only bring pain to relatives and joy to enemies. This should never be done."
Gu Nianting praised generously.
"Master Lin's vision is truly a great man."
After praising them, he pointed at the two gentlemen and made direct judgments.
"Look at how petty you are. You are making a lot of noise and ostracizing others, fearing that your own position will be in jeopardy."
As he spoke, he brought up old events.
"Last year, when I wanted to marry Xi'er, you also tried to stop me. You said that you were looking for other things and couldn't be of great use. But in fact, you were just greedy and worried that Xi'er would harm your interests."
Tao Kangping refuted with reason and evidence.
"It has been proven that Princess Yuexi abandoned the family and turned to King Dijin, isn't it?"
This made sense, and Gu Nianting was speechless after being refuted by him.
“My king…you…”
When Gu Nianting was defeated, Lin Mu put down his chopsticks and officially started the debate.
"My Lords, you are wrong."
"I have two things to tell you."
"From the past till now, there are traces that I have never really worked for Prince Di Jin, let alone lived in Prince Di Jin's mansion. This is it."
"However, today, I am loyal to the prince, and I have come here despite my family's objections. In the first place, I will seize the governor's platform for the prince and offer it with both hands to show my sincerity and respect; in the second place, I will take the initiative to request to live in the Prince Chen's mansion so that I can plan at any time."
"When the emperor ordered me to accompany King Di Jin, I was still an infant, so how could I stay dormant? Your Majesty has deep feelings for me and hopes that King Di Jin will take into account our friendship as we grew up together and be a little lenient with me and allow me to find out some simple information from time to time. These are the two things."
"The so-called feigning defeat and lying low, you will know what is so dangerous. Your Highness the Prince and I did not grow up together. I would like to ask you two lords, how can I, a mere imperial physician, have the courage to feign surrender?"
Qi Lei smiled contemptuously and told the truth.
"Master Lin is a man of great loyalty, so he is naturally willing to do dangerous things."
After hearing these words, Gu Nianting thought deeply about the pros and cons, and his mind was slightly shaken.
Tao Kangping noticed a clue and took advantage of the opportunity to further persuade him.
"Since he was a baby, Lord Lin has been following the Emperor and accompanying Prince Dijin. He can be called a senior official."
"Just like Lord Qi and I, we have been following the Zhong family and loyal to the prince for many years."
"Please think carefully, Your Majesty. Given our sincerity, will we abandon you?"
"Lord Lin should be the same. No matter which side he is loyal to, he will not give it up easily, let alone switch to the prince!"
Gu Nianting remained silent, and it was clear that he was moved a little.
Lin Mu waited respectfully for them to finish speaking before responding.
"What is my purpose?"
"I am a humble person with little knowledge and talent, and I do not understand the benefits of feigning surrender. I hope you two adults will be generous enough to teach me."
Qi Lei saw through the situation and pointed it out directly.
"Lord Lin knows what your purpose is, so why should we tell you? No matter what you do, your evil intention is only for Feng Zhengtai."
Tao Kangping followed closely behind, explaining the benefits of feigning surrender, not to answer Lin Mu, but to wake up the prince.
"Feigning surrender may seem like we are deep in the enemy camp and in a dangerous place, but it is actually more convenient for us to carry out our strategy. In addition to disintegrating their power, it can also alienate people's hearts. If we allow them to hide inside, we will be defeated in the end, and there will be no possibility of recovery!"
Gu Nianting jumped out of his old memories and gradually regained his sanity.
Seeing the fish taking the bait, Lin Mu smiled secretly with satisfaction and calmly made a proposal.
"Since you and I are both sincere and loyal, then please go to the enemy and pretend to surrender for the sake of the prince. This will prove that the so-called loyalty is willing to take dangerous actions."
"I don't know what your opinion is?"
Unexpectedly, Lin Mu had this intention. When Qi Lei and Tao Kangping heard it, their faces turned pale.
"what?"
When Gu Nianting heard this, he felt as if he had suddenly woken up from a dream and his mind was suddenly enlightened.
Lin Mu also took advantage of the victory and pursued, not giving the opponent a chance to breathe.
"The benefits of feigning surrender seem innumerable. If you two are willing to sacrifice your egos and accomplish the prince's great cause, the enemy will inevitably be defeated and there will be no chance of recovery."
"is it?"
Gu Nianting looked at him sharply, without saying a word, but with a question in his voice.
Noticing the prince's scrutinizing gaze, Qi and Tao felt guilty and avoided his sight at the same time, remaining speechless.