Quick Transmigration: The Female Supporting Character's Counterattack, A Guide to Cunning Strat

This matter came to an end, and then Emperor Chengping suddenly mentioned:

"It's quite a coincidence. Your mother and I were quite troubled about naming you for a long time and couldn't reach a conclusion. In the end, we decided to follow your mother's wishes and name you 'Shi'an'. Now your name also contains the character 'An', so it's quite a coincidence."

Shi An means prosperity, longevity, and good health.

Although Gu Yanli had never met his mother in this life, he could glean some of her love for her son from the descriptions given by Emperor Chengping and Granny Li.

This made Gu Yanli curious about her: "Father, could you tell me more about Mother? She must be a very gentle person."

"Yes, Xin'er." Emperor Chengping said with a touch of reminiscence, then paused and explained, "Your mother's name was Luo Yunxin, and she was truly an extremely gentle person."

Everyone says that he favors Xin'er so much only because of her ethereal beauty.

But this is just the most insignificant thing about her.

She was kind, gentle, and talented, like flowing water, always able to soothe his heart unintentionally.

Being with her is incredibly comforting.

The bold statement he made back then, "Of all the waters in the world, I will only take a sip," was sincere, but unfortunately, fate played a cruel trick on him.

Fortunately, after many twists and turns, their son returned to his side.

They grew up so well, even in places unseen by them.

I imagine she would be happy if she knew.

Xin'er, please don't blame him for bringing their prince back to the palace.

He promised that this time, he would protect their son and ensure his safe and successful ascension to the position of the most honored person in the world.

"The little room your mother prepared for you, and the clothes and toys inside, I have ordered people to keep them safe and take care of them every day. If you have time, let's go and take a look together."

"Yes."

"However, you have already come of age. If your mother were still alive, she would be troubled by your marriage. Your father will also consider this matter carefully for you."

Gu Yanli frowned, lowered his head and knelt down, hurriedly saying, "Father, your son..."

Emperor Chengping raised his hand to interrupt Gu Yanli, "I know that you are interested in Lin, the girl from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. However, although she is outstanding in appearance, she is really shrewish. If you marry her, you will not have a peaceful life. Besides, how many women have you seen? There are thousands of women in this world. My son deserves someone better."

Gu Yanli said, "Father, just as the world does not understand the affection between you and Mother."

"Without opening the oyster shell, others can only judge which one is more exquisite by its appearance. Only by opening it yourself can you discover the more precious pearl hidden inside."

"Miss Lin is easygoing, which makes her easy to misunderstand, but once you get to know her, you will find that her sincerity and passion are unique."

At this point, Gu Yanli smiled and his eyes rippled: "I have already seen the most beautiful flower in the world. All others seem inadequate. I hope Father Emperor will understand."

Emperor Chengping looked at Gu Yanli and felt as if he were seeing the late Empress again, who had smiled at him gently under the apricot blossoms and light rain that year.

She was the same way; when she loved someone, her heart and eyes were filled with that person, and there was no room for anyone else in her sight.

"Very well." Emperor Chengping helped Gu Yanli up. "The autumn hunt will be in a while, and the young ladies of various families in the capital will attend. My son, you can take another look. If you still insist on this, your father will bestow a marriage upon you."

Gu Yanli's gaze held a hint of helplessness.

He has not yet expressed his feelings to Lin Shuwan, and if he were to grant her marriage directly, it might anger her.

Although Emperor Chengping loved his son dearly, he was still an emperor after all.

He couldn't keep humiliating him.

Fortunately, there was still some time before the autumn examination, so he could think of another way.

I had no choice but to agree: "Thank you..."

A sudden commotion came from outside the door:

"Make way, this princess wants to go in!"

"Third Princess, Third Princess, His Majesty is in the middle of a meeting. Please go to the side hall and wait."

"How dare you! This princess is going to see my father, the Emperor! What right do you lowly creatures have to stop me!"

"Princess, princess..."

……

"What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket? Let her in." Emperor Chengping frowned, his voice turning cold.

"Yes." Ma Lugui hurriedly ran out to greet the Third Princess.

Jiang Youning gave a smug snort: "See? Father won't stop me!"

Jiang Yiheng, who was a step behind, subtly tugged at Jiang Youning's arm, signaling her to behave herself.

Jiang Youning then composed herself and followed Ma Lugui inside.

After Jiang Yiheng and Jiang Youning finished exchanging greetings, Gu Yanli was about to make a move when Emperor Chengping stopped him.

Emperor Chengping said to the two of them, "This is the Crown Prince, and also your elder brother. Don't forget to pay your respects next time you see him."

"Didn't the Crown Prince already..." Jiang Youning's eyes revealed suspicion.

Jiang Yiheng pulled her along, shook his head slightly, and said to Gu Yanli, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

“We are siblings, no need for such formalities,” Gu Yanli said, quickly offering his assistance to the two of them.

Emperor Chengping was relieved to see this. Although he harbored resentment towards Consort An, her children were still princes and princesses and should not be confused with each other.

Jiang Youning was completely puzzled. Her brother had been plotting for the position of Crown Prince for so long, only to have it so easily obtained by someone who appeared out of nowhere.

Just who is this person?

However, the main reason for her visit today is the demotion of her mother, so everything else can be put aside for now.

Following her usual way of interacting with Emperor Chengping, Jiang Youning said in a half-coquettish, half-complaining tone, "Father, just now, Consort Mother was thinking about how hard you work every day, so she and I prepared a medicinal meal to send over. After receiving the decree, she even told me not to forget to remind you to take care of your health. Father, what did Consort Mother do wrong? Why did you suddenly issue that decree?"

Emperor Chengping's mind flashed back to the times he had spent with Consort An over the years, and he felt a pang of sympathy.

But when her gaze fell upon Gu Yanli beside her, her softened heart hardened again, and she said coldly, "Consort An's character is flawed; this matter should not be mentioned again in the future."

Gu Yanli lowered his head, concealing the darkness in his eyes.

Although he disliked Consort An's betrayal, Emperor Chengping's actions of "loving her and wishing her to live, hating her and wishing her to die (Note 1)" were somewhat too ruthless.

"Father! Why?" Jiang Youning, spoiled and somewhat carried away by his usual indulgence, persisted, "If you don't explain it to me clearly today, I won't leave!"

"Insolence!" Emperor Chengping's brows revealed an unquestionable authority, his face cold and stern. "You have lost all the manners of a princess. First, you trespassed into the Qianqing Palace, and now you're throwing a childish tantrum in front of me."

Jiang Youning had never seen Emperor Chengping show her such an expression before. Her eyes were filled with tears, and she murmured, seemingly frightened, "Father..."

Seeing her like this, Emperor Chengping, after all, was his daughter whom he had doted on for many years, so he restrained his sternness and said, "Alright, go back and confine yourself for two months to reflect on your mistakes. You can come out after you have learned the proper etiquette."

After saying that, he looked at Jiang Yiheng, his eyes showing displeasure: "As the elder brother, you let your sister act like this. It seems you haven't learned the rules well. You don't need to come to the morning court next month."

Jiang Yiheng pulled back Jiang Youning, who was about to resist, and obediently cupped his hands, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree."

After saying that, he took his leave with Jiang Youning.

Before leaving, I overheard a conversation between Emperor Chengping and Gu Yanli:

"Let's not talk about those two spoilsports anymore. Where were we?"

"We were just talking about the autumn hunt."

"You brat, I meant that you should look at other noble ladies during the autumn imperial examinations, and not just think about that girl Lin. You're quite the opportunist."

"Your Majesty is wise; I couldn't hide my little thoughts from you."

……

The only Miss Lin that Gu Yanli knows is Lin Shuwan.

Could it be that he wants his father to bestow a marriage upon him and Wanwan?

Jiang Yiheng was startled by his own guess, and found it even harder to accept than not being able to attend court for a month.

……

……

……

(Note 1: "To love someone is to wish them life, to hate someone is to wish them death" comes from Confucius's Analects, Yan Yuan chapter, Spring and Autumn period.)