Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

Gu Jinyan realized that his sister, with her thoughtfulness and wisdom, had woven a dense net within the mansion, incorporating all her confidants into it.

She put down her wine cup, feeling a chill in her heart.

She never revealed the Quran to her, nor did she make a show of her actions, yet she was able to subtly change the hearts of those in the household, gradually alienating them from her and drawing them toward her.

Back in her room, Gu Jinyan was already on guard.

She stared at the jade pendant on the table, her mind churning with thoughts.

The Quran has laid a net that is both ingenious and tight, capturing all the trusted confidants in the palace without leaving a trace.

This cunning and scheming made Gu Jinyan look at him differently, and even develop a bit of respect for him.

But she won't stand idly by.

In her eyes, the Gu family was not just a clan, but also the culmination of her years of hard work.

If the Quran continues to gain power, it will eventually erode its foundation.

A cold glint flashed in Gu Jinyan's eyes as he murmured to himself, "Lan Ci, your methods are indeed brilliant, but this game is far from over."

Her gaze was calm and resolute, and she had already conceived a strategy for counterattack.

The Quran may win over loyal followers, but to truly shake her position, more leverage is needed.

Next, she will delve deeper step by step, carefully planning and observing every development in the Quran, waiting for the right opportunity to act.

As night fell, the lights inside the tents were dim, and the candlelight flickered.

Zhao Lingfeng, clad in armor, sat before the desk, his expression cold and stern.

His gaze pierced through the tent flap, looking out over the endless, desolate night, as if it reflected the countless storms and battles he had endured over the years.

Although the clamor of the battlefield has faded away, there is an even more complex battlefield in his heart that he can never find peace in—the court where power struggles and interests are intertwined.

Zhao Lingfeng tapped his fingers lightly, and the teacup in his hand made a soft clattering sound.

He was not fond of war, but due to his talent and family mission, he had to charge into battle time and again.

He led his iron cavalry across the battlefield, slaying countless enemies and earning a reputation on the battlefield and the awe of his soldiers.

Behind these seemingly glorious facades lies a hidden worry that he cannot shake off.

Inside and outside the court, many people coveted his military power, ready to push him into the center of the vortex at any moment.

Zhao Lingfeng knew clearly that the military power he held had become a threat.

Neither the emperor nor those powerful nobles would sit idly by and watch a military general who controls a large army on the frontier rise to power easily.

He had sensed the undercurrents within the court more than once—those civil officials who wielded their pens in books, and those political enemies with ulterior motives, were waiting for him to be careless for a moment.

He smiled slightly, but the smile was full of coldness.

The power struggles in the imperial court appear far more insidious and treacherous than the sword fights on the battlefield.

Enemies on the battlefield fight to the death with swords drawn, while enemies in the court hide their true intentions behind smiles.

"Those people in the court are probably calculating my every move..." Zhao Lingfeng sneered inwardly.

With his military power in hand, he has become the target of public criticism.

Those civil officials may have feared his military might, but they also saw him as an outsider, a force that could threaten the balance of power within the court.

He slowly rose and walked outside the tent. The night wind blew, and his cloak fluttered in the wind.

The army camp before him was quiet and still, yet his heart, like the night before a storm, harbored unfathomable waves.

Zhao Lingfeng narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance, the shadow of the imperial court seemingly appearing in his mind.

It wasn't a battlefield, but it was more dangerous than any other battlefield.

To protect oneself and one's family in this invisible war, one must not rely solely on military power.

“A marriage alliance,” Zhao Lingfeng murmured to himself, a thoughtful look in his eyes, “may be the only way for me to break the deadlock.”

The word "marriage alliance" lingered in Zhao Lingfeng's mind for a long time.

As the eldest son of the Zhao family, he not only had to plan for his own future, but also for the long-term interests of the entire family.

Although his name was renowned in the army, he was isolated and helpless in the imperial court.

Without strong allies in the central government, his military power is a double-edged sword; it can protect him, but it could also cause trouble at any time.

He thought of the Gu family.

The Gu family wielded considerable power in the court, especially Gu Yuande, who held a high position and controlled the civil service.

If he could form a marriage alliance with the Gu family, Zhao Lingfeng could leverage the Gu family's influence in the imperial court to pave a relatively safe path for himself in the political arena.

“Gu Jinyan…” he murmured softly, the image of the resilient eldest daughter of the Gu family appearing in his mind.

Her reputation had already reached his ears; she was not only outstanding in appearance but also intelligent and decisive.