The Taiji Hall
The Crown Prince volunteered to negotiate peace, but Emperor Yong'an naturally refused. Father and son were at an impasse, and the ministers did not know whom to advise.
To persuade the Emperor to agree would be to send the new ruler to his death. After all, they had just petitioned the Emperor to abdicate, and if the new ruler were to investigate later, they would not fare well.
But their families were in Gu Bohao's hands. Gu Bohao had gone mad, and who knew what he would do.
Just as the stalemate persisted, Prime Minister Mo suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I believe there is one person most suitable."
"Who!"
"Xie Jiayan!" Prime Minister Mo replied.
The ministers were instantly overjoyed.
That's right, Xie Jiayan was the most suitable.
The Xie family and Gu family had old ties. Xie Yuanlang's recommendation for his position as Siyue in the Imperial Academy was by Gu Bohao.
"I second that."
"We second that!"
The ministers all agreed. The Emperor's brows furrowed. If he colluded with Gu Bohao, wouldn't it be even more dangerous?
"Father Emperor, this son believes it is not suitable."
The Father Emperor had wanted his life just moments ago, and now he wanted to push him into such a dangerous task. Such a move was too shameless.
He had no such obligation, nor responsibility.
Moreover, the Xiao family and Great Wei owed him a great deal.
Just as Prime Minister Mo was about to speak, he met Ye Feisheng's gaze. It was chilling, as if he wanted to kill someone.
Prime Minister Mo couldn't help but shiver. The words "When the country is in trouble, every man has a responsibility" were ultimately left unsaid.
He also knew that this move was inappropriate, but weighing the pros and cons, it was the best option.
Ye Feisheng had once served as Xie Jiayan's bodyguard and greatly admired his character. Furthermore, he was the person Sixth Miss loved. Regardless of any personal motives, he did not wish for Xie Jiayan to take such a risk.
When he was sent out by the Crown Prince's order just now, he happened to overhear the guards reporting. When he told them not to escort him further, he understood his choice.
The stark contrast between humanity's utmost benevolence and goodness and selfishness and coldness made him feel even more that this court was treacherous and dangerous, worthy of disdain.
"Report!" A guard reported again, "Miss Yu Liu and General Lu are leading troops to reinforce, and are currently confronting the Northern Army."
"Yu Mingyue?"
"The Yu family guards led by Miss Yu Liu and the five-city troops led by General Lu are at Yingtiangate and Shenhugate."
...
Yu Mingyue did not expect to encounter Lu Jingxing on the way. Since the Gu family incident, Yu Mingyue had regarded Lu Jingxing as her mortal enemy. She never thought she would cooperate with him one day, and that they would be facing her Uncle Gu together.
"Miss Yu Liu, do you still believe that protecting the Gu family was the right thing to do today? If you hadn't sent people to give Gu Bohao acupuncture daily, he might not have woken up at all, and today he wouldn't be pointing arrows at you," Lu Jingxing said.
"I only do what is right at the moment. I do not regret saving Uncle Gu, but I will not show mercy today either," Yu Mingyue said calmly.
On that day, Uncle Gu was not wrong. The Gu family members were indeed innocent. She, along with Brother Tingyun and Youyou, had grown up together and should have offered assistance, so she did not regret it.
"If the person standing opposite you were your Brother Tingyun, could you still strike?" Lu Jingxing turned to look at Yu Mingyue.
Yu Mingyue let out a cold scoff. "Why do I feel that General Lu hopes I would show mercy?"
Lu Jingxing's expression was complicated, and a hint of mockery curved his lips. "Miss Yu Liu, do you think she will appear?"
Gu Bohao had already woken up and secretly colluded with the Five Great Clans. How could he not contact his own daughter? Was Youyou in the capital?
"If you knew today would come, why did you act that way in the first place? The Gu family did wrong the Lu family first, but between you and her, you wronged her. Lu Jingxing, let go. After today, there will be even less possibility between you and her," Yu Mingyue sighed softly.
Before today, she had always felt that Lu Jingxing was using Youyou. But he, who was usually so ruthless, was actually hoping for Youyou's appearance at this time, which surprised her.
However, Youyou was no longer the Youyou of the past, and the Gu family was no longer the Gu family of the past. They could never go back.