It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

"Thank you, Your Highness." General Guo took the teacup and drank the fragrant tea in one gulp, as if he wanted to use the coolness of the tea to temporarily forget his worries.

The regent lowered his eyelids slightly, and glanced at General Guo seemingly inadvertently, with a playful smile on the corner of his mouth: "Why, who made you unhappy? With your temperament, you can't be easily influenced by the outside world."

After General Guo finished drinking his tea, he could no longer hold back and said with a bit of helplessness and indignation in his tone: "It's my little sister who was harmed by those evil people of the Zheng family. As her elder brother, I can do nothing about it."

The Regent raised his lips slightly: "Oh? Given General Guo's temperament, why don't you come to ask for an explanation? Are you afraid of something?"

General Guo put down his teacup, his face showing sorrow, and smiled bitterly: "Your Highness, you are joking. Lord Zheng has the support of the old Lord behind him. If I act rashly, wouldn't I be courting death?"

The Regent calmly poured another cup of tea and chuckled, "Taking a person's life involves more than just robbing him or her. Everything in the world has its weak point. If you find that weak point, you can overturn it."

General Guo frowned, obviously curious about what the Regent said: "Your Majesty means..."

The regent continued in a deep and magnetic voice: "There are many ways to put people in desperate situations, such as corruption and bribery, and treason. These are all methods that are not obvious but can put people to death."

General Guo's face turned stern, and he thought to himself, "Did the Zheng family offend the prince recently?"

The Regent picked up the teacup and sipped it gently. His action was extremely elegant, but it also cleverly concealed his inner emotional fluctuations: "Today I am giving advice to the general, not asking you to do things for me, but I don't want to see a loyal and honest man suffer this injustice."

Upon hearing this, General Guo quickly leaned forward, knelt on one knee, and said with his hands clasped, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will keep this in mind."

Gu Linjun drank the last sip of tea, the fragrance of the tea lingering in the air. He slowly said, "Collaborating with the enemy and treason is a heinous crime, and the entire family will be implicated. I'm afraid even the Guo family will be implicated. Why not charge him with corruption and have Lord Zheng thrown into prison and exiled to the frontier? Then, wouldn't his life be in your hands?"

General Guo hesitated for a moment, and finally promised: "I understand, and I will live up to your trust, Your Majesty."

"Go ahead. Tomorrow I will propose that Lord Zheng go to Qingzhou to supervise grain supply. You should act flexibly and seize the opportunity."

Gu Linjun stood up, his dark robe swaying in the wind, and the laurel embroidery on his lapels came alive in the sunlight.

Although he had worn this robe for several days, it had a special meaning to him. Fang Qing had urged him to change it many times, but he was reluctant to do so.

General Guo clasped his fists and saluted, his voice loud and firm: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will do my best."

Gu Linjun stood up and walked to General Guo's side, saying calmly, "No need to thank me. Once it's done, I will naturally speak well of you in front of His Majesty. I will see your loyalty and ability."

The sadness in General Guo's eyes was instantly replaced by joy. This was not only an opportunity to avenge his sister, but also a great chance to gain the favor of the Regent. It was killing two birds with one stone and great news.

He sighed in his heart, if he really had to blame someone, he could only blame the Zheng family for not knowing when to advance or retreat and even daring to offend the Regent.

General Guo left Princess Zhan Yan's palace with great anticipation, thinking about how to take advantage of this opportunity.

Gu Linjun watched General Guo's smug figure leave, and slowly took out a small jade ring from his arms.

The jade ring was emerald green, clear and transparent, and should have given people a cool feeling, but because he had carried it close to his body for so many years, it actually had a slight body temperature, just like his forbearing and burning heart.

The next evening, the setting sun was as red as blood, dyeing the sky into a picture of purple and orange. The golden sunlight shone through the window lattice and gently fell on Su Wanyu's face, adding a bit of gentleness and mystery to her.

The long eyelashes cast tiny shadows under the eyelids, gently covering the deep eyes.

"Miss, the old lady just made a fuss in front of the master again." Yun Yi walked in with a smile, with a bit of helplessness and ridicule in his words.

"The Guo family is in mourning right now. Not only does the old lady have no intention of handling the funeral, she also repeatedly urges the master to find a way to rescue her sister. It is said that one day in the cold palace means one day less of hope for survival." Yun Yi continued.

"How could the master have the energy to care about Huipin's affairs? This morning, His Majesty ordered him to go to Qingzhou immediately. When Madam Zheng learned that he was leaving, she was unhappy and flew into a rage in the mansion."

Su Wanyu turned around, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, and asked, "Master, are you going to Qingzhou?"

Yun Yi nodded in confirmation: "That's right, His Majesty has issued a new order. The war in Qingzhou is about to break out, and the border is in urgent need of food and fodder. His Majesty has specially sent me to supervise the transportation."

Su Wanyu's eyes flickered. At this time in her previous life, Emperor Xuan did not send Marquis Zheng to Qingzhou. This sudden change made her suspicious.

What variables caused the original historical trajectory to deviate?

Just as she was lost in thought, a figure suddenly appeared in her mind—Gu Linjun.

Now, almost all power in the court is under his control. His Majesty's decree is actually the embodiment of his will. He deliberately arranged for Lord Zheng to travel to Gyeongju to achieve a certain purpose.

Su Wanyu suddenly realized and turned to Siqi and asked, "Siqi, how many people were there with the Regent when he went to Jiangzhou?"

Siqi recalled for a moment and replied, "My lady, there are only a few dozen trusted people."

Su Wanyu asked again: "Did you bring a cook and servants?"

Siqi shook her head: "No, only close confidants."

"wrong!"

Su Wanyu's eyes flashed with surprise, and she took two steps back, her tone full of certainty, "No, it shouldn't be just his confidants. The regent will go to Jiangzhou to control the flood, which will take at least half a month. He never lets outsiders get close to him, and he will definitely bring his own cooks and servants with him, just in case."

She was startled and looked up suddenly, with a glimmer of insight in her eyes: "He didn't intend to go to Jiangzhou from the beginning!"

Upon hearing this, Siqi and Yunyi were both stunned, with confusion and surprise written all over their faces.

Su Wanyu's legs trembled slightly, and an unprecedented sense of urgency surged in her heart.

She carefully recalled a series of recent events: Pei Sina was appreciated smoothly by the Regent, the always cautious Huipin inexplicably angered Emperor Xuan, Zheng Chengyan's poetry collection was despised and rumors spread, and the sudden decision of Zheng Houye to be sent to Gyeongju.

All of this was beyond her original memory and expectations. Obviously, someone was fanning the flames and manipulating all of this from behind.

That person, Gu Linjun.

He, like her, experienced rebirth, but seemed to have a more far-reaching layout and plan.

"Yunyi, Siqi, help me prepare the horse." Su Wanyu looked solemn.

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the backyard, and took out the black cloak she wore last time. The cloak looked even more mysterious in the night.

Siqi took a few quick steps forward, the bluestone pavement beneath her feet making a slight noise due to her hurried steps. She asked softly, "Miss, is there something urgent going on? Why do you suddenly want to leave the house?"