Chapter 456: Queen Jueli's Path
Gu Nianting's angry expression turned into a smile.
It's great to have so many people under your command, and you can come up with endless plans.
"Masters Su and Du, please give us some good advice."
Su Ding acted understanding and was not in a hurry to explain his strategy.
"In my humble opinion, what Lord Tao said is correct."
"Assassinating Prince Dijin is too dangerous and should not be done rashly. Lord Xiaochi is loyal, but he is still young and does not think things through. If he accidentally leaks secrets, Qi and Tao will be in danger, and Lord Xiaochi himself will be in danger."
Gu Nianting raised a satisfied smile and responded gently, with a warm and radiant look.
"I can tell that Lord Su's words are kind and convincing. They are not meant to deny the strategy, but only to resolve the conflict."
"Lord Su is so thoughtful. I am deeply grateful."
Qi Lei couldn't stand it any longer and rolled his eyes at him.
Gu Nianting caught it accurately, her peach-colored eyes dimmed, and she gave him a cold look in return.
Although the conversation was silent, it caused dissatisfaction in both parties.
Looking at the way they were angry with each other, Su Ding just treated it as a joke, with an imperceptible disdain curling up at the corner of his lips.
"Your Majesty, your words are very serious. I am deeply terrified by them."
Enough of the politeness, he told his plan back, just like the two gentlemen from the governor's office, he also first talked about the interests involved.
"Given the current situation, there are many rumors that His Royal Highness Prince Li will return to the capital soon."
"I don't need to say much about the court situation. Your Majesty knows it all. If you allow Prince Li to return to the capital and establish a foothold in the court, then Your Majesty will become a discarded pawn. If Your Majesty does nothing at this critical moment, you will undoubtedly be captured and killed."
Speaking of this, Gu Nianting couldn't help but be curious.
"Master Su, you have followed my father for many years. May I ask if the rumor is true?"
Su Ding was calm and serious.
"pretty close."
Gu Nianting looked down at her, full of grievance.
"I have assisted him wholeheartedly, why is my father so cruel?"
Su Ding lowered his head and was humble.
"The reasons are quite complicated. Please allow me to give you an example."
Gu Nianting responded modestly.
"Master Su, please give me some advice."
Su Ding looked straight ahead and began his argument with righteous words.
"First, there is no doubt that on the night of the fire in Prince Chen's mansion, the emperor learned that Zhong Shuyi seemed to have rebellious intentions, and based on this, he inferred that the prince might be doing something wrong."
"The second one is the most important one, which made the emperor determined to use Prince Li instead."
Before he finished speaking, Gu Nianting had a guess in his mind, so he asked quickly.
"Was it that time when I wanted to exchange the prescription for my father's old illness for the secret platform, and then get the key to the national treasury, which led to my father's misunderstanding?"
Su Ding responded neither arrogantly nor humbly.
"Your Majesty is wise."
To this day, when Gu Nianting talks about this incident, he is still filled with anger and indignation.
"But this king, not only did I fail, I almost lost the throne. I was so angry that I fainted for several days."
"My plan failed, and I still have to face his suspicion. Why is he so unreasonable?"
Su Ding had obtained the emperor's approval long ago, and he used his words freely, doing his utmost to belittle the emperor in order to praise Gu Nianting.
"I know that whether the prince seizes the eight platforms or seeks the keys to the national treasury, it is all for the people."
"The emperor is only interested in his own interests and is cold and heartless. How could he understand these things? He only cares about the throne and power, and does not care about the safety of the people at all. That is why he has been in power for 22 years and still does not have the support of the people."
"Your Highness is really kind, that's why he was bullied by evil people. This matter is not your fault, it's all the emperor's fault, please don't blame yourself."
After he said that, Gu Nianting reacted.
As a son, he shouldn't complain about his father. Even if he did, it would only be self-blame.
Now he was in trouble.
How to blame yourself?
After thinking for a long time but finding no answer, he sighed with disappointment and made up an excuse to maintain his reputation of being filial and righteous.
"I understand. It is useless to blame myself. Both of us are people who will be abandoned by our father."
Du Hanping continued with Lord Su's words and analyzed.
"Don't worry, my lord. This difficulty can be easily solved."
"As everyone knows, the title of a prince is of the first rank, and only those with outstanding achievements can be conferred. Therefore, there are only two people in the court who hold the title of prince, namely, the prince and His Royal Highness Prince Li."
"Your Highness Prince Li was granted a title in his early years because he was a military strategist and made military plans. Your Highness Prince Chen was granted a title last year because he was a doctor and provided good medicine to save the emperor."
"From the above, it can be seen that what the emperor needs from Prince Li is the art of war, and what he needs from Prince Chen is health."
"Now that Xingliang has been destroyed, it is a time of peace and prosperity. For the emperor, some small tribes on the border are not a concern, and Prince Li's wisdom is almost useless. But it is different for the prince. Health is the most important thing in life."
"In my humble opinion, the Emperor has not really given up on the Prince. On the contrary, he has a secret plan to use him."
Gu Nianting's eyes flashed with a hint of flattery.
"You mean, after the emperor decides to pass the throne to me?"
"Then why is he secretly moving as if he wants to release the eldest brother?"
Du Hanping explained the meaning reasonably.
"If the prince wants to take over, the emperor must be convinced before he agrees."
Gu Nianting suddenly realized and smiled.
"So, my father wants me to defeat my eldest brother, rather than letting him return to the capital and destroy me in one fell swoop."
Du Handing's speech is calm and her analysis is profound.
"Your Majesty should have two plans for this move."
"If Prince Li wins, the Emperor will pretend to be a kind father and tell Prince Li that he can return to the capital, which is indeed a sign of concern; if Prince Ye wins, the Emperor will pretend to be a strict father and tell Prince Ye that he will release Prince Li, which is a test of his ability."
Gu Nianting's brows were stern and his eyes were determined.
"In that case, I must win this battle."
"My Lords, what's your plan?"
Du Hanping remained calm and explained the strategy.
"Prince Li has the people of Beizhaotai, so it is not easy to attack him for the time being. In my humble opinion, we must first eliminate the power of the harem to cut off Prince Li's retreat. Prince Li is deeply in grief and will definitely be vulnerable. At this time, the prince can win by surprise, and a battle will be enough to determine the outcome."
Gu Nianting listened carefully and responded seriously.
"Lord Du's intention is for me to send someone to get rid of Concubine Xian?"
Du Hanping nodded solemnly.
"It is also."
Gu Nianting asked with bated breath.
"How to do it?"
Su Ding had a kind face and answered softly.
"An Song, the head of the Imperial Hospital, is on good terms with me. He once said that he was interested in surrendering. He was involved in this plan."
He reached into his sleeve, took out a small brocade box and opened it to show it.
"This is Lord An's secret medicine pill. It is colorless and tasteless when dissolved in food. The prince arranged for his trusted people to enter the palace and deliver food to the virtuous concubine. Even if she only eats one bite, the medicinal properties will activate and she will die."
After Lord Xiaochi, another Lord An was accepted. Gu Nianting was ecstatic and it was obvious from his expression.
“Who can do this?”
Some time ago, Lord Du said that there was a plan to seize Tongshitai, which was probably to use Lord Su's connections to appease Lord An first.
Since the eldest brother has Yi Zhi, why should he worry that his younger brother An Pengyi will not change his ambition?
As soon as Lord Tongshi Cheng'an arrived, the little follower Xu Mingqian came uninvited.
As soon as Lord Xu arrived, he was followed closely by General Leng.
Although the Grand Minister and the Grand Marshal no longer have real power, the influence they hold cannot be underestimated.
My eldest brother has the Grand Minister Xue in his hands. If I can get Lord Leng, it will be like adding wings to a tiger.
By then, the little King Li will be defeated at the first touch.
Qi and Tao looked at each other, understood each other, and smiled bitterly, having guessed what Su Ding was going to say next.
As expected, Su Ding said calmly.
"Reporting to the prince, Lord Qi and Lord Tao, you will be able to handle things easily in the palace."