Oh my god, can you play like this?

When the emperor heard Gu Lanzhi's request, there was no change on his face. After all, he knew very well about the cancellation of the engagement and even planned a second move.

But knowing it in his heart is one thing, and giving an explanation to all the officials is another.

The engagement between Gu Lanzhi and the fifth prince was granted by him himself. Now that Gu Lanzhi wants to cancel the engagement, it is like a slap in his face. The emperor must pretend to be nice.

"Lord Gu, your engagement with the Fifth Prince was arranged by the Fifth Prince's mother and your mother. I have also issued an order. Are you sure you want to disobey the order and cancel the engagement?"

Gu Lanzhi also knew that it was not so easy to break off the engagement. He must pay something, and this payment had to be attractive enough to impress the emperor.

Otherwise, the emperor would never have agreed to cancel the engagement!

After all, just like the emperor said, Gu Lanzhi was disobeying his order!

What was the concept of disobeying an imperial order in ancient times? Not only would his newly-appointed position as Marquis Dingguo be in jeopardy, but even the entire Gu family might lose their heads.

This is also the reason why the eldest lady advised Gu Lanzhi to think it over when she heard that he wanted to cancel the engagement.

You want to cancel the engagement just because nothing happens, how is that possible?

The adult world is full of various exchanges of interests. If you want to get something, you have to exchange it with something equal.

Gu Lanzhi kowtowed to the emperor again, straightened his back and said neither servilely nor arrogantly: "Your Majesty, you have also seen that the person the fifth prince likes is not me, even if I fulfill the marriage contract, it is just a decoration.

In this case, it would be better to help the Fifth Prince and let him marry the person he loves and live together forever, which would also create a good story."

As soon as Gu Lanzhi finished speaking, the Fifth Prince wanted to say that he had no one else in his heart, but the Emperor stopped him from speaking with a look.

The fifth son cannot suppress Gu Lanzhi. Even if he really lets the fifth son marry Gu Lanzhi, he will definitely not be able to make Gu Lanzhi obedient.

In this case, it would be better to let the second son take over. Even if the second son cannot suppress Gu Lanzhi, he can at least restrain Gu Lanzhi with his brain.

Gu Lanzhi also noticed the Fifth Prince who was eager to try. In order to prevent the Fifth Prince from interfering, Gu Lanzhi took out the military token from his arms, actually from the space, and raised both hands above his head.

"Your Majesty, my Gu family, young and old, have all rushed to the border, and except for me, they are all buried at the border.

The border is now stable, and the country to the west has also sent a letter, and there is no war on the border.

I have been staying at the border these years, separated from my family. Now that Dongshun Kingdom is stable, I want to stay at home and spend more time with my family. My younger brothers and sisters still need my careful care.

It would be safer if this military token is returned to Your Majesty.

I have many hidden injuries from the war, and now that I have been granted the title of Marquis, I want to take a rest and recuperate at home."

Gu Lanzhi had already decided to hand over the military order. Hundreds of thousands of troops were a hot potato to hold in his hands, so it would be better to exchange it for breaking off the engagement.

Gu Lanzhi is now a marquis, his status is there, it doesn't matter to him whether he has a military token or not.

Just like Gu Lanzhi said, Dongshun Kingdom is very stable now, and the military token is just a decoration in your hand.

Moreover, the emperor has been relying on the Gu family to fight wars for so many years. To be honest, there is really no general in Dongshun Kingdom who can compare with the Gu family.

Even if the emperor wanted to support a new general to take charge of the military power, once the war broke out, it would be hard to say whether the general would be able to come back.

Fighting a war is not as easy as it seems on paper. The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly. If you don't have keen observation skills and decisiveness, it will be useless even if you are promoted to a general.

Gu Lanzhi knew very well that even if the military token was handed over, it would return to his hands as long as Dongshun Kingdom went to war again.

Handing over the military command now is just to make the emperor feel better and give an explanation to all officials.

In addition to Xilin Kingdom, Dongshun Kingdom also borders Nanjiang and Beiyu.

Even if there is no war between countries, the people of Dongshun Kingdom are almost starving due to the heavy taxes and levies for so many years, and there are so many bandits occupying the mountains and becoming kings in the country. Gu Lanzhi is not worried at all that the military order will not be returned.

Besides, Gu Lanzhi really didn't want to lead troops to fight anymore. It was too tiring and stressful.

It would be better to be a leisurely marquis, with status, position and salary, without having to bear any responsibilities. How great is that!

This is definitely the kind of life that Gu Lanzhi wants! It would be even better if he didn't have to attend court.

What Gu Lanzhi said just now was very clear. I have handed over the military token, and I want the position of Marquis. You, the emperor, cannot touch me.

The emperor's eyes lit up when he saw the military token held in Gu Lanzhi's hands.

The biggest reason why he was afraid of Gu Lanzhi was that Gu Lanzhi had hundreds of thousands of soldiers under his command.

Although those soldiers are from Dongshun Kingdom, Gu Lanzhi can mobilize them at will as long as he holds the military token, which is always a hidden danger for the emperor.

Now that Gu Lanzhi had taken the initiative to hand it over in exchange for breaking off the engagement, the emperor felt it was very appropriate and his expression became much more relaxed.

In fact, Gu Lanzhi did not imply to the emperor that the position of Marquis Dingguo could not be moved, and the emperor would not remove Gu Lanzhi from the position of Marquis Dingguo.

The emperor knew better than anyone that if he really removed Gu Lanzhi from his position as Marquis Dingguo just because of a broken engagement, not only would it discourage all officials, he would not even be able to suppress public opinion.

The eunuch ran to Gu Lanzhi in small steps and took the military token in Gu Lanzhi's hand to the emperor.

After the emperor confirmed that it was the real military token, he suppressed his anger and said in a gentle voice, "Lord Gu, I did hear those rumors, and I thought they were just random rumors among the people.

But today it seems that this rumor may not be groundless."

After saying that, he looked at Lan Xi meaningfully, then turned his gaze to the cabinet scholar, then to Gu Shurui, and finally to the fifth prince.

"Fifth Prince, look at the trouble you've caused!"

The fifth prince was frightened by the emperor's roar and trembled all over. He quickly knelt on the ground, lowered his head and dared not look the emperor in the eye.

"My son... my son..."

"Let me ask you, are the rumors about you and Mr. Gu Si true?"

The Fifth Prince lowered his head, his eyes darting around, thinking about what to say to preserve his relationship with Gu Shurui.

There was no room for maneuver in breaking off the engagement with Gu Lanzhi, so he had to do as his father had said before and at least keep Gu Shurui.

"I know I was wrong, but Shu Rui and I love each other. Although doing this will bring shame to your reputation, I have no other choice. Please forgive me, my father, and punish me."

Hearing the Fifth Prince's words, Gu Lanzhi snorted coldly, but his voice was so low that only he could hear it.

Gu Shurui heard the words he always wanted to hear, but he didn't feel happy at all.

The Third Lady couldn't suppress the smile on her face. She thought that her son and the Fifth Prince had no hope, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better and she was back on the path she had planned for her son.

Lan Xi, who had been standing in the middle of the field, lost all color in the face and became shaky after hearing the Fifth Prince's words, and she almost fainted.

Why did she make such a fuss today? Wasn't it just to become the fifth prince's consort?

Now, the Fifth Prince didn't even bother to pay attention to her and directly said that he and Gu Shurui were in love with each other.

Then what is Lan Xi? Isn't she a joke among everyone?

Lan Xi knew without a doubt what everyone would say and discuss about her after the palace banquet.

How is she, a girl who has not yet married, supposed to live? !