Chapter 330: A Well-Staged Play

As they approached Concubine Hui's Lan Zhi Palace, they saw her kneeling outside, dressed in simple white robes, her hair devoid of any ornaments. Behind her, kneeling, were Second Prince Gu Cheng'an and a young palace concubine. Remembering Laifu's words, Gu Yanxi took a closer look at the palace consort.

With her head bowed, her face was hidden from view. At first glance, she seemed no different from any other palace consort.

"It seems you've figured it out," the Emperor approached, his tone flat, revealing no emotion.

Concubine Hui felt increasingly uncertain, but for her son's sake, she had to gamble everything.

"An'er told me he had done wrong and wished to bid me farewell before going to confess his sins to Your Majesty," she kowtowed, her voice trembling. "I know I have no face to plead for him. It is my fault as a mother for not having raised him properly. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to bear some of An'er's punishment. Take my life, if you must, but please spare An'er's. He is my only son."

"No, Mother, I won't let you," Gu Cheng'an knelt and crawled forward, his voice choked with tears. "Father, it is my fault. I have listened to evil counsel and committed unforgivable acts. Whatever punishment you bestow upon me, I will accept. But my mother has done nothing wrong. Father, please, for the sake of Mother's many years of faithful service without ever making a mistake, do not involve her in this. It is all my fault. I will take full responsibility."

Gu Yanxi immediately understood the mother and son's plan. When Gu Chengde had thrown himself at the mercy of the court to save himself, and Consort Rong had taken all the blame, Gu Cheng'an had not uttered a word. Later, the Emperor had lamented his lack of compassion and thus grown even more disdainful of him. Now, Gu Cheng'an was doing the opposite, and he had indeed touched on the Emperor's soft spot.

Perhaps because of his old age, the increasingly suspicious Emperor had developed a fondness for those who valued old relationships, like the Zhu family.

Even if Gu Cheng'an was merely confined, it would be a mere moment before he could make a comeback. And even if he were truly exiled to the border, with the mother and son acting in such a manner, the Emperor would remember their loyalty. If the palace consort were to whisper a few words in the Emperor's ear, this serious matter could easily be turned into nothing.

Their calculations were quite clever. Gu Yanxi watched coldly, knowing that even so, he could still make sure that Gu Cheng'an would never be able to turn things around.

But, was it necessary?

Upon hearing the emperor's satisfied sigh, Gu Yanxi's expression under his mask became almost frosty.

"Finally showing some backbone. This matter has nothing to do with the Concubine Hui, do you really think I am that clueless in your eyes?"

Both mother and son felt a heavy weight in their hearts as Gu Cheng'an heavily bowed, "Son thanks the Emperor, son, son......"

Gu Cheng'an slapped himself hard, causing half of his face to immediately swell up, showing the force he used, "Son is unfilial, son has disappointed the Emperor."

Watching his second son repenting on the ground, the Emperor felt that he had neglected him too much in the past. He did all this just to gain his acknowledgment, but now that he admitted his mistake and showed filial piety, perhaps he could take on some responsibilities if he reforms.

Upon hearing footsteps, Gu Yanxi looked back and took a few steps back without leaving a trace.

"Leader, we found out that this girl is a distant relative of the Tong family, she can be considered as a daughter of the Tong family."

Gu Yanxi casually asked, "Has she always been living in the Tong family?"

"Not exactly. She returned to the Tong family when she was ten. They say she was not treated well by her father, so she bravely wrote a letter to Lady Tong, who took pity on her and brought her to live with them." The reply was paused before continuing, "This information was obtained here and has not been confirmed yet. I've already sent someone to Yuzhou..."

"Yuzhou?" Gu Yanxi interrupted him. Hearing that name, Gu Yanxi's nerves tightened, and as the father and son looked affectionate, Gu Yanxi led his subordinates further away. "Tell me more."

"Yes." The subordinate tried to remember, making sure not to miss any important information. "Tong Yi is a distant branch daughter of the Tong family. Her branch has declined, and she married into a wealthy family as a wife. However, she passed away when Tong Yi was nine, and the husband remarried and had a son. Tong Yi's situation became difficult, so she wrote to Lady Tong for help, and Lady Tong took her in. According to the investigation, Tong Yi is indeed listed in the Tong family genealogy under the second son."

"Was she alone when she was brought back?"

"She brought along a mute servant, claiming that her mother saved him..." The subordinate suddenly looked up, realizing that no mother would place a man beside her daughter, even if he was mute!

"Quick, find out more."

"Yes."

"Wait." Gu Yanxi frowned slightly. "Also investigate whether Tong Yi entered the palace voluntarily or under duress. And find out about her situation in the Tong family over the past few years, and who her tutors were."

"Yes."

Gu Yanxi walked back to the Emperor's side. At this point, the father and son seemed to have become somewhat affectionate, not like they were planning to confine their son, but seemed like they had just recognized a new one.

"Alright, everyone get up." The Emperor looked at his second son who was helping up the Concubine Hui with satisfaction and patted his shoulder. Then, he walked over to the young palace concubine and helped her up.

Gu Yanxi saw the Concubine Hui's face momentarily contort, then quickly cover it up, and turned to adjust his son's collar, but her peripheral vision was watching the scene.

The young concubine finally looked up, showing a face that was very pleasing, with a hint of coquetry in her innocence. Her gaze towards the Emperor was affectionate and trusting, as if the person in front of her was just her lover, not a sovereign.

She entered the palace on her own initiative, not under coercion, Gu Yanxi confirmed this point.

The Emperor clearly enjoyed this, holding Tong Yi and walking inside. After a few steps, he stopped and turned to Gu Yanxi, "Although An'er has committed a serious mistake, the ability to admit mistakes and change is good. Confine him to the Prince's Mansion for now, and he can't leave without permission."

Confinement turned into house arrest, and the demotion to commoner was not even mentioned. Gu Yanxi felt a stifling feeling in his chest, he had prepared so much, with all the evidence, even a crime like plotting against the border guard and collusion with the enemy, enough to have a subject sentenced to death, was just overlooked like that?!

Would the Second Prince be seen as a dutiful son by tomorrow?

Would the Crown Prince of Daqing Dynasty be established like this in a couple of days?

Seeing Gu Cheng'an's face, pretending to be remorseful but clearly displaying a smirk, Gu Yanxi clenched his fists behind his back, his disappointment in his Imperial uncle reached its peak at this moment.

People rushed inside, and Lai Fu sighed before trying to follow. Suddenly, his arm was grabbed.

"Where does Tong Yi live?"

Lai Fu cast a quick glance around, his sharp eyes narrowing as he tried to decipher the Shizi’s intent. Without asking unnecessary questions, he gestured subtly toward the left. “The side palace, over there.”

The Shizi’s voice dropped, smooth but firm, the kind that left no room for negotiation. “I need fifteen minutes. Make sure the Emperor and Tong Yi don’t even think about heading that way. Stall them—any way you can.”

A slight bow of acknowledgment. “Understood. I’ll handle it.”

Lai Fu wasn’t a fool; he knew these princes like the back of his hand. Survival in their orbit wasn’t just about deference to rank. The Shizi had a magnetic authority about him, a dangerous charm that drew people close. Sticking by him wasn’t just prudent—it was the only way to keep his own head firmly attached to his neck.