Li An was silent for a moment, then smiled, "Favor? I never took it seriously. I'm just taking back what's rightfully mine. He has so many sons, each eyeing that position. I'm his son too, why shouldn't I eye it?"
"With true skill, of course, no one would say anything. But are you relying on true skill? You know Qin Lang's origins better than anyone. The Northern Frontier has always been unwilling to submit to Da Feng. What are their intentions? You've been in official circles for years, you must know, right?"
"So, if I were to obtain that position, and the Northern Frontier submitted to Da Feng, wouldn't that be a good thing?" Da Feng Novel Network
Not just the Northern Frontier, but also those aristocratic families. Gu Sinian didn't believe they weren't colluding with Li An. Emperor Chongwen had always wanted to suppress those old aristocratic families, and he had been doing so step by step over the years. However, the deeply entrenched old aristocratic families were not so easily moved. After all these years, only the surface had been touched, and their foundations were not shaken at all. Even so, while these families outwardly obeyed the court's decrees, they secretly defied them. They felt that the court had infringed upon their interests.
Li An must have promised them that if he became emperor, he would not target the aristocratic families and would even offer them various preferential treatments.
For the aristocratic families, it didn't matter who became emperor, as long as their interests were not harmed.
It was likely that under such circumstances, both sides would reach an agreement.
"Young Master Gu, you are a wise man," Li An said meaningfully.
"Precisely because I am a wise man, I will not associate with those who consider themselves wise," Gu Sinian said, and left without looking back.
Li An stood where he was, watching Gu Sinian's retreating figure. He wasn't in a hurry; he was confident that Gu Sinian would come back to him.
Gu Sinian was somewhat agitated. It was because Emperor Chongwen felt guilty towards Li An that he tolerated him. To put it another way, if any of his other sons had colluded with foreign tribes to seek the throne, Gu Sinian was certain that Emperor Chongwen would have dealt with the matter with thunderous means. But when it came to Li An, Emperor Chongwen hesitated.
In Gu Sinian's opinion, thunderous means might not be a bad thing.
Li An currently possessed some influence, but compared to Emperor Chongwen, it was insignificant.
So, why not use the simpler method?
As for those aristocratic families, a warning to others would certainly be more effective. Even if it couldn't subdue them, it could at least sow discord among them, making it easier to deal with them.
But Emperor Chongwen hadn't done so. Besides the old aristocratic families, there were also some newly rising aristocratic families that he had to consider.
Lost in thought, Gu Sinian shook his head. He was investigating the evidence Emperor Chongwen wanted. As for other matters, he would take it one step at a time. He had a family, and ensuring their safety was the most important thing.
Upon returning to the Duke's mansion, Gu Sinian went directly to Yanniang Courtyard.
The old madam had been injured by the蛊虫 (gu worm) and had lost vital energy. She was now recuperating, and her spirits were not as good as before. Most of the time, she stayed in the small Buddhist hall.
Seeing Gu Sinian, the old madam was very happy. She looked him over and saw that he had lost weight, but his spirits seemed good. After a few pleasantries, she turned the conversation to Madam Da Qin and Qi Zhenzhen. "They can't live in the temple forever, can they? What kind of situation is this? Zhenzhen is pregnant and should come back to recuperate properly. With such a grand Duke's mansion, what is it if the main wife doesn't manage the household?"
After Madam Da Qin went to Taihe Temple, Dong Ningxin became restless again. Coupled with her foolish son's support, she acted as if she were the mistress of the Duke's mansion every day. She wanted to intervene, but she was ultimately powerless. Therefore, the old madam felt that her daughter-in-law should return to take charge of the overall situation.