Seizing the throne, abolishing the adopted son, the imperial concubine rose to prominence

"Sister Gu, wait a moment."

After paying his respects, not long after leaving Fengyi Palace, Gu Youning was stopped by a gentle voice.

There were people coming and going nearby, so Gu Youning naturally couldn't pretend not to hear anything, so he stopped.

"Is there something wrong with Lin Cainu?"

When Gu Youning turned around and saw the person, he was stunned for a moment.

Lin Zhaoyi, the mother of the future emperor's eldest daughter, was promoted to the rank of Concubine Dowager after Xiao Heng's death.

She had a deep impression of Lin's mother and son, simply because in her previous life, the favorite concubine who was having an affair with Xiao Yun'an by her sickbed was Lin's daughter, Xiao Yunhui, who was then respected as the eldest princess.

Thinking of this, Gu Youning's eyes turned cold.

Although his death in the previous life was not the fault of the Lin mother and son, it still made him feel uncomfortable.

"Zhaoqing Palace is adjacent to Changchun Palace. Can you go back with me?"

Lin, who is still a lowly courtesan, is born timid and has a soft voice. When she talks to people, she dares not even raise her eyes and just holds the handkerchief in her hand. If Gu Youning says no, she will probably burst into tears.

"Of course you can."

There is only one shortest way from Fengyi Palace to Changchun Palace. There was a cool breeze outside, and Gu Youning didn't plan to take a detour and suffer. If Lin Cainv wanted to follow, then let her.

"Thank you sister."

Lin Cainv happily agreed with a look of flattery on her face.

On the way back, Lin Cainv tried to talk to Gu Youning cautiously at first, but then she saw Gu Youning's cold expression and shut up tactfully.

When they reached the intersection, Gu Youning said goodbye coldly.

"This Concubine Gu is too arrogant. She really thinks she is a person. She didn't even dare to speak in front of the imperial concubine just now, and she is so perfunctory to you, the master."

"Don't talk nonsense. I am of low rank and not favored by the emperor. It's normal for Sister Gu to look down on me."

"Let's go."

Lin Cainv scolded her maid and turned around with a look of disappointment in her eyes.

When he saw Lin Cainv and recalled the pain and frustration he felt when he died in his previous life, Gu Youning looked a little ugly when he entered the hall.

After the lesson early in the morning, Tan Yin didn't dare to speak casually. Xian Yu was a man of few words, and the silence in the hall was a little dull for a while.

"Mother, what's wrong with you?"

Until a soft voice sounded in front of Gu Youning.

"Mom is just a little sleepy, just take a rest."

"What is Zheng'er doing?"

Gu Youning concealed the gloom on his face and asked softly.

"Zheng'er is practicing calligraphy."

Xiao Yunzheng pointed at the desk not far away.

"Then mother, please take a look at whether Zheng'er's handwriting has improved?"

Gu Youning stood up with a smile and held his son's warm little hand in his. The coldness and gloom in his heart gradually dissipated.

"Mother, is Zheng'er's writing good? When the emperor sees it, will he be happy to praise Zheng'er?"

"Yes, but you can write better. Mother will teach you."

There was a hint of guilt in Gu Youning's loving eyes.

According to the memories of the previous life and what the emperor expressed last night, it is likely that the emperor will not be seen in Changchun Palace for a long time.

"Mom is so awesome!"

After a moment, Xiao Yunzheng looked at the words on the rice paper with his eyes widened.

"Zheng'er, you should practice writing two more large characters every day."

Both he and his mother were taught calligraphy by their father, but his mother's handwriting is already so good, she must have been practicing secretly while he was asleep.

Gu Youning smiled and said yes. Seeing his son enthusiastically starting to practice calligraphy, he quietly got up and went to the outer room.

"The eldest prince is sensible and studious. He is a blessing to His Majesty."

Tan Yin watched her master's expression soften, and only then did she dare to smile and say a few words while serving him tea.

"Tan Yin, secretly check all the eunuchs and maids in the palace, especially find out who left Changchun Palace early this morning."

Gu Youning took a sip and put down the teacup with a serious expression on his face.

"Master, do you mean someone is delivering a message?"

Tan Yin immediately thought of the place.

Gu Youning nodded. She had a prince and had just returned from the temporary palace. The women in the harem must want to know the emperor's attitude towards her.

So this morning she deliberately acted disrespectfully with the emperor in front of the palace maids. As long as the emperor doted on her very much, those in the palace who were interested would see it and take action.

But she didn't expect that Cheng'an Palace would reveal its intentions so quickly.

Today, Concubine Zheng not only gave her a warning, but also revealed hostility and disgust in her eyes.

"Master, rest assured, I will definitely take care of this matter."

Tan Yin immediately promised.

"Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to see if there's anyone useful among the eunuchs."

Xianyu will have to take care of Zheng'er in the future. Although Tanyin is smart, she has to serve him closely. Someone has to be in charge of things outside.

"Yes, I will keep my eyes open and carefully select someone for my master. I will definitely not choose someone with ulterior motives."

"Thanks a lot."

Loyalty or not cannot be determined in one or two days, not to mention that people's minds change, and loyalty at one time cannot be guaranteed in the future. Apart from Tan Yin and Xian Yu, she could not fully trust other palace people.

After the mother and son had lunch and coaxed her son to take a nap, Gu Youning returned to the outer room and sat down to listen to Tan Yin's report of what happened in the morning.

"Among the eunuchs who left the palace today were Xiao Linzi and Xiao Shengzi, and among the palace maids, only Cai Yuan was there. Xiao Linzi went to the Imperial Food Bureau to get breakfast, and the whereabouts of Cai Yuan and Xiao Shengzi are unknown."

Tan Yin hesitated for a moment, but still said the following words: "I think among the eunuchs, Xiao Shengzi looks the most clever, but..."

"Call Xiao Shengzi in."

Gu Youning said after pondering for a moment.

After a while, a short eunuch came into the hall and kowtowed to Gu Youning.

"Your servant, Xiao Shengzi, pays respects to the Concubine."

"Get up."

Gu Youning called out quickly.

"Have you ever worked in another palace before?"

"I have been working in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, doing some chores for the eunuch in charge."

Xiao Shengzi answered respectfully with his hands lowered.

"You are able to work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so you should be able to do things properly. From now on, the external affairs of Changchun Palace will be handed over to you."

Gu Youning looked satisfied.

"Thank you, Concubine, for your kindness. I will do my best in the future."

Xiao Shengzi was stunned for a moment before kneeling down to express his gratitude.

"Hurry up, I have something to ask someone to do. My mother's family will come to visit tomorrow. I'm new to the palace and don't know the rules of rewarding. I'm afraid that if I'm not careful, I'll attract criticism from the masters of the other palaces. Go to Fengyi Palace and ask the head nanny beside the Empress."

Gu Youning raised his hand to let the person get up.

"Slave, go right away."

Xiao Shengzi bowed and went out.

"Master, this little Shengzi also left the palace this morning. If he is a man planted by someone else, wouldn't it be too dangerous for Master to let him take charge?"

Tan Yin was a little worried.

"Didn't you say he was a clever man? A clever man should be used well."

It is often said that people who are doubtful should not be employed, but Gu Youning is not afraid to employ people who are doubtful.

It would be good if Xiao Shengzi had a clean background, but it would also be fine if he was really from Cheng'an Palace.

"Watch the movements of these three people carefully over the next few days and find that person as soon as possible."

Gu Youning instructed Tan Yin again that this person was useful to her.

"in addition……"

Gu Youning motioned Tan Yin to come closer and whispered a few words to him.

"Master, isn't this a bit too eye-catching?"

After hearing this, Tan Yin's expression changed slightly.