First annul the engagement, then sever ties with the empress; the empress reigns supreme.

Leng Xuanjue's expression froze, then he suddenly laughed in anger.

He truly hadn't expected Mu Lingxuan to be so unreliable.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; little did I know I would become the mantis in someone else's eyes.

“If the Crown Prince is still undecided, he can think it over again. I am not in a hurry.” Qingyanzi stood up: “Mu Lingye is now fully powerful. Even if you have a Gu that can control him, it will be extremely difficult to bring him back to Yan. Besides, I can remove that Gu at any time.”

Qingyanzi's words were clearly a threat.

Seeing that Qingyanzi had already reached the door, Leng Xuanjue's eyes flashed and he called out to stop him: "Grand Preceptor, please wait. This prince agrees to your request."

His purpose in coming to Dasheng this time, besides Mu Lingye, was to plunder the Sheng Kingdom's property and resources.

Qingyanzi's visit indicates he intends to take action against Mu Lingye.

If they start fighting, it's inevitable that both sides will suffer heavy losses.

If Qingyanzi defeats Mu Lingye, he will definitely suffer losses as well. He can take the opportunity to launch a war against Dasheng and plunder its property and resources, which will not be a loss for him.

Even if Qingyanzi loses, it will still be a battlefield between him and Mu Lingye.

As for cooperation and trustworthiness, he never had any of those qualities.

Qingyanzi smiled: "Alright, then I wish you a pleasant cooperation in advance."

After leaving the post station, Qingyanzi went to the Prince Xuan's mansion.

When facing Mu Lingxuan, his words were the same as Leng Xuanjue's, yet different.

"I know you are infatuated with Gu Junxi, and I also know you drugged her. But the drug that can control her came from my hands. Moreover, it is not a drug, but a poison. Let's make a deal. I can help you get Gu Junxi, but you must make Xiaoyue'er the Crown Prince."

If Mu Lingxuan becomes the crown prince, Gu Juntang's son will be the imperial grandson. If Mu Lingxuan ascends the throne in the future, this child will naturally be the crown prince and eventually become the emperor.

"Why? Did you know that Gu Juntang has disappeared?" Mu Lingxuan was shocked that the medicine came from Qing Yanzi, but he also began to doubt Qing Yanzi's motives.

When Gu Juntang was alive, it was understandable that Qingyanzi favored this disciple. But now that Gu Juntang has disappeared and his fate is unknown, why would Qingyanzi still care so much about the child born to Gu Juntang?

Moreover, Qingyanzi has more than just Gu Juntang as a disciple.

Qingyanzi's eyes flickered slightly, and he said sadly, "Your Highness, you may not know this, but although I have many disciples, only Gu Juntang's birth chart is most compatible with mine. As you know, I once told Xiaoyue'er's fortune, and he was born with nobility and a wise countenance. I paved the way for him, partly out of personal motives, but also in accordance with the will of Heaven."

That's not actually the case. Although Gu Juntang is Qingyanzi's daughter, his relationship with Gu Juntang was never deep. What he cared about was the trace of his blood flowing in Gu Juntang's veins.

Therefore, he didn't care whether Gu Juntang disappeared or died.

Now, he wants to support Mu Zhuoyue to take the throne because Mu Zhuoyue has his blood flowing in her veins.

He wanted his descendants to sit on the throne in the future.

"Is that really all there is to it?" Mu Lingxuan didn't believe it and remained skeptical.

Qingyanzi smiled and said, "Of course, I have no reason to deceive Your Highness. The little prince has your blood in his veins, and it has little to do with me. Whether or not to make this deal is still your decision. You can think it over before giving me an answer."

After expressing his thoughts and meaning, Qingyanzi did not force him, but stood up neatly and prepared to leave. However, he left a message as he left: "If Your Highness really can't figure it out, why not go to the palace and see Consort Li?"

Mother!

He really hadn't come over for quite a while.

Mu Lingxuan frowned.

Ever since his mother was demoted to a low-ranking concubine, every time they met, she would pressure him to improve himself in various ways, and she would also throw tantrums.

After Feng Wu's marriage to Mu Lingche failed, her mother's temper became even more volatile.

He was already somewhat afraid to see his mother.

Mu Lingxuan was somewhat irritated.

Xingchi came in from outside and reported: "Your Highness, someone from the palace has come. Consort Li requests that you come to the palace immediately."

Whatever you say comes.

Mu Lingxuan instinctively resisted.

But in reality, Mu Lingxuan is also a filial son.

Consort Li was strict with him from a young age, unlike other mothers and sons who were affectionate with each other. But the more she was strict with him, the more he wanted Consort Li's approval. At the same time, he was a little rebellious.

The way she treated Gu Junxi back then was partly out of spite towards Consort Li.

Despite his reluctance, Mu Lingxuan instinctively stood up, took two steps, and turned back to instruct, "Bring Xiaoyue'er along to see Mother Consort."

Because Emperor Sheng favored Mu Zhuoyue, Consort Li always regarded Mu Zhuoyue as a tool for her to regain the emperor's favor.

Mu Lingxuan brought Mu Zhuoyue with him into the palace, hoping that Consort Li would be more lenient with him out of consideration for Mu Zhuoyue.

Upon arriving at the palace, Mu Lingxuan had barely entered the hall when Consort Li, sitting on a soft couch, began to make trouble: "Why did you take so long? Is it because I have lost the Emperor's favor and you no longer regard me as your mother?"

As he questioned her, he casually swept everything off the nearby table and smashed it to pieces on the floor.

The palace maids serving inside the hall were so frightened that they knelt down on the ground.

Mu Lingxuan felt the oppressive atmosphere, but he still habitually yielded and endured it. He took Xiaoyue'er from Xingchi's arms and said to the furious Consort Li.

"Mother, look, Little Yue'er has come to see you. Would you like to hold him?"

Consort Li's gaze fell on Xiaoyue'er's face, and her emotions calmed down somewhat. She stretched out her hands. Mu Lingxuan quietly breathed a sigh of relief and handed Mu Zhuoyue to Consort Li.

However, as soon as Consort Li's hand touched Mu Zhuoyue, Mu Zhuoyue's shy eyes darted around, and she began to cry in resistance.

Consort Li waved her hand dismissively, feeling annoyed: "Take her away, take her away. You're useless, all you know how to do is cry. You can't even win over your grandfather."

Consort Li was so angry because not only had her position been replaced by a newly promoted concubine, but also because Emperor Sheng was getting older and more dissolute. He used to visit her palace occasionally, but now he stopped coming altogether.

So she blamed all of this on Mu Lingxuan and the child.

If it can't bring her any benefit, then what's the point of having it?

Consort Li disliked Mu Zhuoyue, but Mu Lingxuan genuinely loved his first child.

Mu Lingxuan held the child and gently shook him: "Mother, Xiaoyue is still young."

"He's young, but you're not." Consort Li seized the opportunity to press her advantage, finding fault with Mu Lingxuan's words: "Tell me, when will you become the Crown Prince? When will I recover my pregnancies? When will I be able to freely enter and leave this dilapidated palace?"

Consort Li's barrage of questions reminded Mu Lingxuan of the deal Qingyanzi had mentioned.

He knew that Emperor Sheng was currently so fond of Qingyanzi, so if Qingyanzi helped him with all his might, it shouldn't be difficult to dethrone Mu Lingye and make him the crown prince.

It was out of desperation, and also by some strange twist of fate. Mu Lingxuan said, "Mother, I will soon ascend to the position of Crown Prince, and you will soon be able to leave this palace and regain your freedom."

"Really? You already have a concrete plan." Consort Li's eyes lit up, and she immediately asked with interest.