Chapter 810 Brothers Confrontation
Su Ding's analysis is very pertinent.
"As the old saying goes, doctors are like parents to their parents. Although the emperor's punishment of those doctors can silence them, it will inevitably arouse public anger. This move is really unacceptable."
As his thoughts turned, he suddenly understood.
"I remember that Master Ning had a brilliant theory before. If the two rumors were the same, they would confuse right and wrong, making it difficult for everyone to tell which was true and which was false."
"Your Majesty, please spread a rumor that Prince Dijin is normal and that the imperial decree was a false one."
Gu Mengzhen looked worried.
"It is not easy to fabricate falsehood."
"If it's too true, it will anger Prince Dijin. I can't stand it anymore and stand up to make myself clear. I can't refute it and I'm in danger of abdicating. If it's too false, no one will believe it and we won't achieve our goal."
"This matter is more difficult than ascending to heaven."
Su Ding smiled gently and spoke in a lingering tone.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty."
"Young Master Ning is good at making up lies and misleading people. In my humble opinion, he is second to none in the world in terms of his ability. No one dares to claim to be first."
The old scenes emerged in his mind, and Gu Mengzhen chuckled.
"Oh, yes."
"I will never forget how he plotted his way from the Xingliang Palace to return safely to the capital."
Su Ding observed the emperor's expression and sensed a hint of disgust.
After all, Young Master Ning was a prince, so he didn't dare to slander him directly. Therefore, he knew when to stop and flatter him to win his favor.
"Young Master Ning, you have inherited the emperor's wisdom and talent, so escaping from the Xingliang Palace is a piece of cake."
"It's a pity that Young Master Ning is a little cunning and clever, but he doesn't use his intelligence in the right way. He probably inherited his mother's wisdom, which is completely different from the emperor's upright character."
Gu Mengzhen smiled silently and did not give a direct response.
Following Su Ding's advice, Gu Mengzhen summoned Ning Fengzhe and told him to come to see the emperor immediately without having to bathe or change clothes.
The two chatted about family matters, during which time Ning Fengzhe went to Changsheng Palace.
There were no palace servants serving around. The only people in the hall were his father, Lord Su and Young Master Zhuang. Ning Fengzhe quickly glanced at them and then lowered his eyes and saluted.
"I wish you the best of luck, Father."
"I wish you the best of luck, Lord Su."
Recalling the old days, Gu Mengzhen was already dissatisfied with Ning Fengzhe. Seeing him follow Yu's order and perform the usual etiquette, he felt even more disgusted, and his tone of voice was filled with contempt.
"I will give you a seat if I am flat."
It was another inexplicable cold treatment. Ning Fengzhe had no idea why his father was angry. He felt uneasy and took his seat cautiously.
"Thank you, Father."
Gu Mengzhen spoke sternly and seriously, as cold as ice.
"Do you know why I summoned you?"
If you don't say things directly, people will always have to guess. Ning Fengzhe has complaints in his heart but appears to be obedient on the surface.
He observed his father's appearance and tried to guess what was on his father's mind. After a moment, he got the answer.
"Your Majesty is stupid, I guess it's because of Yu's order that your Majesty is upset?"
Knowing the cause of his annoyance, he still dared to show common courtesy. Gu Mengzhen became even more furious and glared at Ning Fengzhe with murderous intent.
"How to solve it?"
Thinking about Xi'er at home who would have to be left unattended, Ning Fengzhe swallowed his resentment, thought quickly, and shared his father's worries. He did not seek to please anyone, but only to keep himself safe.
"I will first spread the rumors to cover up the truth, and then quell the rumors to prevent Emperor Jin and his eccentricity from being spread to the outside world."
Gu Mengzhen found fault.
"As much as possible?"
"You can't guarantee that it will remain secret?"
Ning Fengzhe showed weakness appropriately and appeared somewhat fearful.
"I am incompetent, please forgive me, father."
Gu Mengzhen softened his tone a little, but remained stern.
"In your spare time, you should seriously practice strategies and tactics, and never neglect them."
Ning Fengzhe is well-behaved.
"My son, I obey."
Gu Mengzhen asked indifferently.
"I want to see King Dijin, what should I do?"
If he answered directly, it might seem like he was ordering his father; if he didn't answer directly, it would be like he was talking too much and would anger his father. Therefore, Ning Fengzhe spoke in a humble tone, and his words and actions were measured and appropriate.
"Prince Dijin is Lord Yan. It is against etiquette for your father to summon you to see him."
Gu Mengzhen scolded immediately.
"Why do you need to tell me?"
"Rules and etiquette, don't I understand it myself?"
Ning Fengzhe quickly took over the conversation.
"My son, I know my mistake."
Gu Mengzhen understood and asked for confirmation.
"You mean, I can go to Prince Dijin's Mansion?"
Ning Fengzhe replied.
"Yes, it's safe."
Gu Mengzhen was reluctantly satisfied and returned to his normal color.
"Okay, step back."
Ning Fengzhe stood up and bowed.
"My son, please retire."
He turned to Lord Su and bowed again.
"Xiao Ke will take his leave."
Ning Fengzhe's words served as a reassurance to Gu Mengzhen, who felt relieved and headed for Prince Dijin's palace.
Yan Yu chose the main hall of the palace to receive the distinguished guests.
"Royal brother Sheng An."
Gu Mengzhen responded with a flat salute.
"My royal brother is safe and sound."
Yan Yu stretched out her little hand and pointed in the direction of the throne.
"My Royal Highness, please take a seat."
In their previous relationship, Gu Mengzhen, in order to satisfy his greed, deliberately taught Yan Yu to give up the throne to his elder brother out of respect for his elders.
Yan Yu pretended to be a child and did not expose him, which showed that he was respectful to his elders. However, Gu Mengzhen already knew that he was gifted, so he naturally regarded it as a teasing.
Listening to his pretended immature tone and seeing his still pretentious behavior, Gu Mengzhen felt ashamed and angry, gritting his teeth with every word.
"Royal brother, you have issued several imperial decrees in succession, which shows that you are extremely talented. Why are you still pretending not to show your true colors?"
"I am not a petty person. I don't blame you for teasing me on purpose. It's normal for children to be a little naughty and lively."
Realizing that the visitor had ill intentions, Yan Yu slowly put away his respectful expression and sat down on the jade throne.
Since he had been fooled by the label and it was useless to explain, he did not make any rebuttal and just went along with it.
"Thank you for your tolerance, my brother."
Hearing that it seemed like an admission, Gu Mengzhen's face turned even more embarrassed. He turned around and sat to the side of the jade throne.
He didn't want to say more about the embarrassing matter, so he changed the subject and explained the reason.
"My brother is very sensible. I believe you know the situation of the government very well without my instruction."
The brothers turned against each other without any warning, catching Yan Yu off guard. His displeasure was clearly written on his face.
"Brother, just say what you want to say. No need to beat around the bush."
In Gu Mengzhen's opinion, this malicious face is Yan Yu's true face.
"It is not easy for my brother to protect himself just by seizing the governor's office and the supervisor's office. I sincerely advise you that if you want to make progress, you may end up in failure."
"In my opinion, my brother, it is best for you to stay within your proper place. I will take good care of the honor and wealth you deserve and will never neglect it."
Yan Yu was so angry that she wanted to laugh.
"My surname is Yan, and yours is Gu. How do you define the honor and wealth that I deserve?"
"Excuse me, brother, what is the royal family name of the Yuesheng Dynasty?"
There was a hint of cruelty in Gu Mengzhen's dragon eyes.
"Is this a formal declaration of war, my brother?"
"Forgive my blunt words, but after losing the Fang clan and Beizhaotai, you are now vulnerable."
Yan Yu remained calm and took it easy.
"I have no ambition to be the emperor, and I have no intention of competing with him."
"My words of reminder are only meant to make my brother understand that this is a kind of sacrifice. I don't fight, not to be content with my lot, but to give up myself. I hope you will be happy."
"I hope my brother will consider our friendship and forgive others when he can."
Gu Mengzhen interpreted these words as a plea for mercy, and then he smiled triumphantly.
"Okay, it's a deal."
"I hope my royal brother will not break his promise."
It was obvious that he didn't know what was good for him, and Yan Yu was deeply disappointed.
After two lifetimes as an orphan, he thought he had finally found the family love he had longed for, but he never expected that his beautiful dream would be shattered so quickly...