After the daughter was treated harshly by her family, everyone knelt down and begged for forgiveness

Fang Zhixuan asked in confusion.

"Who exactly is the one that my royal brother is referring to?"

There was a hint of doubt in Gu Mengzhen's eyes.

"Xu Mingqian."

"I'm afraid you'll be alone outside and encounter something unexpected, so I've arranged for him to protect you."

"Are you sure he didn't look for you?"

Fang Zhixuan's words were sincere.

"Indeed not."

"I did not meet Lord Xu during my entire journey from leaving the capital to returning."

"When did he leave? Did he happen to miss me?"

Hearing that he didn't seem to be lying, Gu Mengzhen gradually began to trust him.

"He set out a long time ago. I estimate it will take at least ten days, no more, no less."

"In theory, he should return to Beijing with you."

"Strange."

"How come you haven't met?"

"Could it be that he..."

Fang Zhixuan frowned and looked deep in thought.

"So, what Miao Si said was not a divisive tactic."

Gu Mengzhen was shocked when he heard this.

"A plan to divorce?"

"What did Miao Si say?"

Fang Zhixuan seems to be right.

"Your Highness heard her talking to the maid. She said that Ji Feiyan had plotted to have Lord Xu leave the capital and go to Shanchang County to join her and assist the Shanchang County Supervisory Office in finding Crown Prince Zhengxian."

Gu Mengzhen's face darkened.

"Ji Feiyan plotted something? Meet up with Miao Si?"

"Her words clearly implied that Xu Mingqian was determined to follow Emperor Jin."

Fang Zhixuan echoed and added to the explanation.

"Yes, my royal brother is wise."

"When I heard this, I didn't think much of it. I just thought Miao Si realized I was lurking nearby and was taking advantage of the opportunity to sow discord and undermine our forces."

"Now that I think about it, it seems she was completely unaware of the presence of others nearby. Otherwise, why would she reveal that she planned to kill Lord Ning after finding Prince Zhengxian? She even stated the details of her plan without any hesitation."

Recalling the past, after some thought, Gu Mengzhen completely trusted his brother and sighed.

"Ever since Prince Di Jin escaped from Qianyan Snow Mountain, I have suspected Xu Mingqian of harboring ulterior motives."

"However, my doubts have been dispelled by him several times."

"Alas, how could I not have thought that with his humble talent, he could resolve the crisis perfectly. There must be someone with great wisdom behind the scenes."

"On the day of the performance of 'Washing Willows,' the musicians Leng Man invited spoke inexplicably and rudely, slandering Empress Zhenyu. I didn't find it strange at the time, but now I think about it, I realize it was all caused by a villain."

"Xu Mingqian really did everything he could to marry Ning Jiewei. Prince Di Jin was even more unreasonable, and he actually adopted her scheme and allowed others to slander the Queen Mother."

Fang Zhixuan waved his hand and sarcastically said so.

"That's nothing unusual."

"Prince Di Jin is a hypocritical person, pretending to be filial. In reality, he doesn't take his father, the emperor, and his mother, the empress, seriously at all."

"I dare to say something outrageous. A monarch like him, while enjoying the respect and love of his subjects, is not worthy of his reputation."

He has a sly look and is a gossipmonger.

"Ever since Emperor Mu ascended the throne, the Yan clan has been unwilling to trust the Fang clan. I truly cannot understand why my people would risk their lives to serve Lord Yan. Even more, I cannot understand why the destiny of heaven should only be entrusted to the Yan clan."

"My aunt and the others may have a penchant for being humiliated and insist on assisting a king without virtue. I am different. Perhaps I have been spoiled by my brother, the emperor, and I cannot tolerate even the slightest humiliation."

"Whoever treats me well, I will repay the kindness. This is the truth. Suffering injustice and sacrificing oneself to achieve so-called noble virtue is a ridiculous thing. I, your humble servant, would never do it."

"Today, we rarely have a heart-to-heart talk, but I dare to say something outrageous. Fortunately, the Fang clan has been eradicated by my royal brother. Otherwise, if they all came to force me to give up everything for loyalty to the emperor and love for the people, I would surely go crazy."

Gu Mengzhen was very pleased.

"Brother Zhuang's words are so beautiful and touching."

Fang Zhixuan pretended to be depressed.

"I have spoken from the bottom of my heart, yet Your Majesty suspects that I am flattering you?"

"How unreasonable."

"Just because my brother's family belongs to the enemy camp, you are prejudiced against him?"

"My dear brother, I have only been with my family for eight years at most, and I was only a child. My memories are vague, so how can I have any deep feelings for them?"

"You and I have walked together for twenty-two years. Isn't our bond deeper than blood? My Royal Highness, please consider, how many twenty-two years can a person have in their lifetime?"

Gu Mengzhen spoke in a gentle tone.

"My dear brother, you are absolutely right. I was wrong. I apologize."

"sorry."

He thought about it and nodded in agreement.

"Lord Jingshan, although he is my relative, his heart is with Prince Dijin. Your argument is reasonable. Where our family belongs has nothing to do with personal aspirations. I should not be biased."

Fang Zhixuan was good at speaking comforting words.

"Brother Shao was just confused for a moment."

"Prince Di Jin's men were cunning and sly, and my brother Shao was simple-minded, so it's understandable that he fell into their trap and was deceived."

"Brother Emperor, there is no need to worry. Let me persuade him slowly. One day, Brother Shao will figure it out."

Gu Mengzhen smiled with relief.

"Well, I'm not in a hurry."

Fang Zhixuan suddenly felt melancholy.

"Brother Shao, will the Emperor abandon me now that I am back?"

Gu Mengzhen immediately expressed his opinion.

"What nonsense are you thinking? How can I bear to abandon you?"

"You two are both my most beloved brothers. I treat you equally, without any distinction."

Fang Zhixuan turned his worry into joy.

"Thank you, my royal brother, for your kindness."

Gu Mengzhen peeled an orange with his own hands and handed it to his brother.

"I am too inexperienced and have never seen anyone from the enemy camp truly submit to me, so my care for them may be inappropriate. I hope you will bear with me and offer me your corrections. I will humbly accept them and will not accuse you of anything."

Fang Zhixuan held the orange in both hands and treated it as a treasure.

"Your Majesty is too modest, and I, your humble servant, feel ashamed."

Gu Mengzhen smiled and pushed his hand away.

"Why are you holding it in your hand? Eat it. I've tasted it and it's very sweet."

He got back to business.

"The Crown Prince is about to return to the capital, and the situation is not good."

"In my opinion, if the Crown Prince orders me to abdicate, how should we respond?"

There was a hint of viciousness in Fang Zhixuan's pupils.

"Why don't you eliminate them along the way, my royal brother?"

Gu Mengzhen looked panicked.

"No, no, no."

"The current political situation is so clear-cut that the Crown Prince passed away mid-term. Who would have thought it was my doing?"

Fang Zhixuan has a plan in mind.

"I have a plan to present to you, my brother."

Gu Mengzhen became interested.

"Please speak, my dear brother."

Fang Zhixuan looked calm and spoke in a relaxed manner.

"The Crown Prince's return to the capital has not yet been announced to the public and remains a secret. My Royal Brother can pretend to be ignorant of the situation."

"Without children, it is somewhat inappropriate for Prince Di Jin to inherit the throne. My brother, please be kind and choose an outstanding prince or princess and ask for your approval to adopt them to Prince Di Jin."

"Prince Di Jin has always claimed that he has a deep bond with his brother and would never refuse a good offer."

"As long as he accepts his stepson or stepdaughter, my brother will shift the blame for the Crown Prince's assassination onto someone else."

"By then, my royal brother need not say much. Outsiders will naturally guess that the man, who lived in Prince Dijin's palace, overheard secrets and was deeply afraid that the crown prince would fight for the throne and take away the honor that belonged to him. So, he set an ambush on the road and assassinated the crown prince."

"Anyway, the prince and princess are not my brother's biological children. Whether they are executed or deposed, let him be. We just need to clean up the mess, leaving no trace, and sever all ties with him."

A flash of surprise crossed Gu Mengzhen's dragon eyes.

"Brother, what a brilliant idea!"