Clouds and Moon Shadow

For example, being assassinated by someone hired by the Third Prince is the best example.

If you don't participate, you'll be eliminated!

You say you won't side with Prince Li or oppose the Crown Prince? Who believes that!

Even without the marriage between the younger sister and Prince Li, she would still face the attempts of several princes to win her over or to attack her.

"So?" Gu Yuanchen asked.

“So, we need to make some decisions!” Gu Yuanming’s voice came from outside the door.

He led the delegation back to the capital and was temporarily housed in a camp on the outskirts of the capital to await a new appointment. Unexpectedly, he has now returned to the capital.

"Third Brother is back?" Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow, she didn't expect her third brother to return so quickly.

"Yes, you've brought Father and Mother back to Beijing. It must have been hard work," Gu Yuanming said, looking around and smiling.

"What decision did you just say you were going to make?" Gu Yuanen pressed.

“This is naturally a decision that will benefit the long-term stability of the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion!” Gu Yuanming bowed slightly and sat down in the chair.

Looking at his weathered third brother, Gu Yuanjin was a little worried. It seemed that his third brother had rushed back early in the morning. What had happened?

"Third brother, has the appointment been made?"

Gu Yuanjin pondered for a moment and then asked.

Gu Yuanming nodded and took something out of his pocket—a new appointment letter.

Everyone gathered around immediately.

The appointment letter clearly states: Gu Yuanming, a fourth-rank Xuanwei General, is being transferred to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army of the Suzhou Camp in the Northwest Circuit, and is required to leave the capital and take up his post before the end of the month.

In other words, the third brother, Gu Yuanming, retained his official rank of fourth grade, but his position changed from a battalion-level general to a deputy general of the Grand Commander of Suzhou, a substantive post and the easiest position to be promoted to.

Immediately, the three brothers patted him on the shoulder and even pinched his cheeks to congratulate him.

Seeing Gu Yuanming's face turn almost black, Gu Qingyue couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Gu Qingyue's laughter made everyone laugh along.

Gu Yuanming rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Alright, didn't you see I was given a deadline to leave the capital?"

Everyone then realized that, yes, the third brother (youngest brother) might not be able to attend his younger sister's wedding ceremony.

"Does that mean Third Brother can't attend my wedding ceremony?" Gu Qingyue realized and felt very regretful.

"Yes, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau has calculated the wedding date; it will probably be the 18th of the 11th month, next month."

Gu Yuanen spoke up, saying that his younger sister had just told them the news Mu Yun Chu had brought. They were also surprised, but considering the old emperor's current situation, it was normal, and the sooner the better.

Gu Yuanming shrugged. This was orchestrated secretly by Prince Li.

The two had planned to go to the Suzhou camp in the Northwest long ago. He didn't expect that the appointment would come down so quickly after he returned to the capital, and that he would even be given the position of Grand Commander of Suzhou.

Gu Yuanming said, "This brother-in-law is a good match!"

Both their vision and their methods are top-notch!

"It hasn't been finalized yet. Once the wedding date is set, according to royal custom, it will be announced, and a royal wedding ceremony schedule and gift list will be sent to your residence."

Gu Yuanjin pursed her lips. The most urgent matter concerning her younger sister's marriage was Prince Kang. Prince Kang had put in a lot of effort to expedite the marriage between her younger sister and Prince Li.

Although it might seem like a connection to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, it's ultimately for the sake of Prince Li and his younger sister, a couple who are in love, so it's a win-win situation.

He didn't mind.

It's perfectly normal for a prince to have such methods and ideas.

Most importantly, he wouldn't object as long as it was beneficial to his younger sister and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Besides, everyone knows that my younger sister is destined to marry the Prince of Li. If anyone dares to object, the first person to do so will probably be my younger sister herself.

Gu Qingyue: ...Big brother understands me best!

“Yes, that’s true. We’ll know once the royal protocol and gift list arrive at your residence,” Gu Yuanchen nodded in agreement.

“That’s right, I might even be able to attend my little sister’s wedding,” Gu Yuanming said, sitting up straight.

“We need to make a decision about what to do,” he continued.

He shared the same view as Gu Yuanjin, and now it was time to make a decision.

“Of course we support Prince Li!” Gu Yuanen said.

Is there even a need for discussion? Isn't this already a done deal?

“But he has no intention of vying for the throne,” Gu Qingyue knew that her brothers all favored Mu Yun Chu, but Mu Yun Chu himself did not want that position, and neither did she.

She still prefers a free and unrestrained life and the vast world.

“If King Li doesn’t want to, what about King Kang?” Gu Yuanjin suddenly asked.

Everyone was startled and turned to look at him.

Including Gu Qingyue.

Over such a long period of time, she had really neglected Prince Kang.

Although she knew that the King of Kang's health must have improved, she hadn't really thought about it that way.

"What my elder brother means is..."

Gu Yuanen was surprised. Had Prince Kang fully recovered? He had lived in seclusion for so many years; did he have the ability? Did he have anyone to support him? What did he have to fight for?

He completely overlooked the fact that the man had a younger brother, the King of Li.

Gu Yuanjin thought for a moment, then beckoned his siblings over and recounted the recent developments in the court and his speculations.

At first, everyone was shocked, then felt a mix of emotions, and finally, they were overjoyed!

If Prince Kang were to ascend the throne, it would be entirely beneficial to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion...

Their thoughts were confirmed when Gu Changling returned to his residence that afternoon.

The imperial court is about to make a major move!

When Gu Changling left the palace, he had a list of royal wedding procedures and gifts entrusted to him by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Observatory. The wedding date was set for seven days later, on October 26th!

It was even earlier than when Mu Yun Chu told Gu Qing Yue!

Everyone was shocked!

Even more shockingly, the emperor had already drafted an edict in front of Gu Changling, ordering Prince Kang to oversee and reorganize the Ministry of Revenue, the fourth prince, Prince Zhen, Mu Yuntian, to oversee the Ministry of Works, and the sixth prince, Prince Sheng, to assist.

The imperial edict has been sealed and is effective immediately.

The fact that the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fifth Prince were not mentioned completely set the stage for the battle for the throne.

As for why he was so frank with Gu Changling, whom he hadn't seen for sixteen years, he drafted several imperial edicts after discussing matters with him.

This is because there is another imperial decree, which is to reappoint Gu Changling as a second-rank Assistant General of the State!

Of course, this official rank seems very high, but in the Great Chu, the title of Assistant General is an honorary title and does not actually have any real power.

But for Gu Changling, who had been away from the Great Chu for sixteen years, this was a favor from the old emperor.

This was probably also in consideration of the assassination attempt on the old Duke by his son a few days ago, and it seemed like an attempt to appease the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Regardless of the old emperor's thoughts, everyone was still very happy. This showed that the old emperor did not intend to let Gu Changling retire at home, and it seemed that he would still need him in the future.

"Father, you said the Emperor appointed Prince Kang to oversee the Ministry of Revenue?"

Gu Yuanjin was startled.

Since his injury, Prince Kang has not participated in court affairs and has been recuperating at his residence.

If he made a high-profile appearance, it was when he came to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to present the betrothal gift to Prince Li a while ago; that's when he reappeared in front of everyone.

In just a few days, the old emperor has entrusted him with an important task: overseeing the Ministry of Revenue?!

The Ministry of Revenue is practically the lifeblood of the imperial court, yet it was given to Prince Kang?

How did he do it?