Xie Chen was stunned, as if what was said made sense.
Innocent? Not innocent. Because the masters of the Lu family, every single one of them, used what the Lu family had seized by force, not by consent.
"It still depends on how His Majesty decides," Xie Chen said.
Gu Sinian hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Sitting in that position, his thoughts never aligned with theirs.
"Nothing to do today, I'll go to your residence to see the little girl," Xie Chen changed the subject.
Gu Sinian frowned, "What are you going to do?"
The relationship between them was not proper, nor was it good enough for casual visits.
Xie Chen ignored Gu Sinian's full face of resistance, "Isn't it clear? I'm going to see the little girl."
Gu Sinian couldn't really refuse him, but this person was thicker-skinned than a city wall. Even after he refused, he would still follow him back to his residence with a straight face.
Qi Zhenzhen saw Xie Chen as an elder. If nothing unexpected happened, Xie Chen would likely be upgraded to father-in-law in the near future.
Coincidentally, Qi Tianming was also off duty today and had come over.
Although the two had no prior interaction, Xie Chen was now a capable general for His Majesty. Qi Tianming was also a person with keen political senses. One was willing to build connections, and the other was willing to make them. The two chatted very well, appearing to have met each other late.
Xie Chen's intention was to befriend all the people around Gu Sinian and Qi Zhenzhen.
A Xue valued Gu Sinian and his wife the most.
Yes, a roundabout way to save the country, no matter how far, it was worth it.
When the two left, they had already agreed on the time and place for their next drink.
"You clearly don't dislike Xie Chen..."
Gu Sinian turned his head, a stubbornness on his face.
After a while, he spoke softly, "I just don't want him to get what he wants so easily."
Alright, Qi Zhenzhen understood his thoughts.
It was nothing more than worrying that if Xie Chen got it too easily, he wouldn't cherish it.
It was also worrying that Xie Chen was unwilling to let go because he was 'unreconciled.'
What one cannot get, one always craves.
"Mother is not a little girl who can be easily fooled," Qi Zhenzhen laughed.
Gu Sinian grunted dully. Gu Suian woke up. Gu Sinian leaned over. An An had not opened her eyes when her father-in-law and Xie Chen were here. Now that they had left, An An woke up.
The unique comfort from his daughter instantly improved Gu Sinian's mood.
·
The Imperial Palace.
Emperor Chongwen sat alone in his study for a long time before finally getting up.
He summoned a confidant to go to Empress Lu's palace.
Empress Lu was not polite to Emperor Chongwen. This was her palace, filled with her and the Lu family's confidants who knew about this plan. Therefore, Empress Lu did not give Emperor Chongwen a good look, "Didn't I tell you? If there's anything, I'll have someone notify you. Who allowed you to come to my palace? Don't forget your identity!"
Emperor Chongwen sat directly beside Empress Lu, calmly looking at the slightly angered Empress Lu.
No matter what, he was genuinely grateful to her and the Lu family.
If the Lu family had been well-behaved, he would have given them the respect they deserved.
If he were a foolish emperor, and the Lu family could not bear to see the people suffer and wanted to replace him, he would accept it.
But ever since he ascended the throne, he had been diligent and dared not slacken in anything.
Why did the Lu family look down on him so much?
The second son, without a doubt, was a good child. Perhaps, if cultivated well, he could also be a good emperor. But at least, the current second son could not compare to him. Or perhaps, he was now old and powerless.
But none of these were the case.
He was in his prime, and he wanted Da Feng to be better.
Why couldn't they continue to assist him properly?