The fake prince was exposed at the beginning, and I took office as emperor on the spot

Chapter 143 The Eldest Princess Returns Home in Triumph (Part 2)

Fourteen days later, after traveling thousands of miles, Gu Yuye and the puppet double he had carefully chosen for his son faced each other again.

This directly marked the complete failure of the first step of his plan.

Moreover, it was the kind of failure he least wanted to see.

Gu Yuye's view of Gu Fangchen had changed from initial disdain and contempt to complete murderous intent and rage.

At this moment, Gu Fangchen's attitude made no attempt to conceal the fact that the two had broken off relations.

If it were at the very beginning, even if Gu Fangchen knew everything, she would at most cry foul in front of Ning Caiyong, but would not reveal the truth right away.

Simply because she was Gu Fangchen, she was doing things to protect her own life and thus change her status.

Because he doesn't have the power to speak about the truth.

If measured numerically, Gu Fangchen's initial reputation is -100, while Gu Yuye's reputation is 10,000!
This wasn't something Gu Fangchen made up. In the game, Gu Yuye, who successfully pushed Gu Yuandao to the center of the political stage, was at the height of his power, and his reputation in the Great Wei was a full 10,000.

He was on par with Emperor Yong'an.

Gu Fangchen dared to speak, and Gu Yuye dared to kill him directly, without even going through the proper procedures.

After all, how could the Prince of Zhenbei deliberately switch his son and let him suffer so much hardship among the common people? That's absurd and clearly nonsense!

Moreover, these are words spoken by Gu Fangchen, a playboy who has committed countless evil deeds.

Even if some people have doubts, Gu Yuye's reputation will only decrease from 10,000 to 9,900, which has no impact whatsoever.

Most people might think that Gu Yuye was putting righteousness above family ties and eliminating a scourge for the people.

Just like that unlucky guy who died at the city gate.

Even in Huangtian City, right under the emperor's nose, Gu Yuye dared to do this, not afraid of being attacked for any reason. If it were in Jinlin City, he would truly be all-powerful.

Gu Yuye's first step in his plan was to ensure that the original owner of this body would die without a burial place.

The original owner was a person of unknown origin. Having lost his status as a prince, he had no place to stand among these demons and monsters.

Once you lose the ground beneath your feet and begin to fall, it's an abyss from which you will be shattered to pieces.

Between him and Gu Yuye, it was either him or her.

For every step one takes forward, the other must take a step back, until the other is completely destroyed.

From the very beginning, Gu Fangchen only had a small patch of land beneath his feet, just big enough for him to stand on by himself.

The person who provided this land was named Ning Caiyong.

It was also the starting point after he traveled through time.

Now, outside Huangtian City, Gu Fangchen stood firm, her smile unrestrained, staring at Gu Yuye who was blocking her way.

"presumptuous!"

Gu Yuye was taken aback at first, then flew into a rage, his gaze icy cold:

"You unfilial son! Do you know what you're saying?!"

Insulting the Prince of Zhenbei in the street is something even Emperor Yong'an never did!
Gu Yuye was furious and his aura suddenly erupted.

"boom!"

The ground around them suddenly collapsed, and the passersby also changed their expressions. Because of the terrifying pressure, they immediately knelt down in fear.

Gu Fangchen shook her head, raised her hand and picked at her ear with her little finger, then raised an eyebrow and said:

“Gu Yuye, save your energy. If you want to scold your son, you can do it in private. Don’t you feel ashamed doing it in public? I feel embarrassed for Gu Yuandao!”

His words were an admission that he was not of Gu Yuye's blood.

The truth that Gu Fangchen had repeatedly fooled him about before, and the fact that Gu Yuye most wanted to clarify, was now casually revealed by Gu Fangchen.

Unfortunately, at this moment, Gu Fangchen no longer needed this pretense to prolong her life.

It's laughable that Gu Yuye still habitually refers to the original owner of this body as "the wicked son".

"Sharp teeth and sharp mouths!"

Gu Yuye's face was ugly as he stared coldly at him. The next moment, he suddenly raised his hand.

This time was different from the one in front of the White Horse Temple. Gu Yuye already knew that the Martial Saint was behind him, so he used all his strength, especially at such close range...

However, Gu Yuye, who had almost lost his mind and was determined to teach Gu Fangchen a lesson, suddenly stopped.

Because Gu Fangchen casually took out the imperial edict from her sleeve!

The secret edict that was originally with Gu Yuandao and was supposed to be read aloud by him is now in Gu Fangchen's hands.

Gu Yuye's movements stopped abruptly.

Just like back then in front of the White Horse Temple.

However, back then, it was Ding Xingfeng who stopped Gu Yuye, but this time, it was Gu Yuye who stopped on his own.

In that instant, Gu Yuye clenched his fist and stopped right in front of Gu Fangchen's face.

The strong wind dispersed to both sides, yet the surrounding buildings did not sway in the slightest.

It is evident that the dignified Prince Zhenbei and the Sage of War have reached the pinnacle of control over power... but every bit of this extreme control seems to have slapped Gu Yuye in the face.

His face turned blue and purple...

Absolutely fantastic.

Gu Fangchen, composed and unhurried, raised her hand, unfolded the imperial edict, and slowly blew away imaginary dust, saying:

"Oh dear, I almost forgot. Such an important document as the imperial edict should be held directly in my hand to show my respect for His Majesty."

"Especially this secret edict, which concerns the future of the entire Zhenbei Prince's Mansion."

"Gu Yuye, don't you think so?"

Gu Yuye stared intently at the imperial edict.

Things are made secret, and words are leaked.

Gu Yuandao would certainly not easily produce the imperial edict before completing his mission. How did Gu Fangchen obtain it?
No, I should say, how did he know?!

At that time, there was absolutely no one among those present who would have gone to tell Gu Fangchen.

Emperor Yong'an did not send anyone to Jiange.

How did Gu Fangchen learn the contents of this secret edict and snatch it from Gu Yuandao?
However, no matter how unwilling Gu Yuye was, he could only bow his head in the face of the imperial edict.

Seeing that he was still standing in the same spot, Gu Fangchen said with a half-smile:

“Your Highness, I now hold the imperial edict in my hand, and I am the messenger who reads it aloud. In other words, I now represent His Majesty.”

He kindly explained:

"Ordinary people should kneel down when they see an imperial edict, while practitioners should respectfully bow when they see an imperial edict."

"Before the Imperial City, right under the Emperor's feet, how many people are watching?"

Holding the imperial edict, Gu Fangchen leaned forward and said with a smile:
"Gu Yuye, you wouldn't be thinking of disrespecting His Majesty, would you?"

Gu Yuye took a deep breath, then another, and then withdrew his hand and flicked his sleeve.

He suppressed his boundless resentment and pent-up anger, and coldly rebuked:
"I am granted the privilege of 'not having to bow when entering the court, nor having to mention my name when being praised' by His Majesty. If I see an imperial edict, I need not kneel. In this dynasty, only I and the Confucian sage have this honor."

Then, Gu Yuye's expression returned to calm, and he said expressionlessly, "You ignorant brat, you are extremely ignorant. I have acted uprightly and sat straight. How can you say I am disrespectful?"

Gu Fangchen thought to herself that Gu Yuye was indeed much more difficult to deal with than a hothead like Gu Yuandao.

Especially after suffering losses in the past, they are now much more cautious.

Even after provoking him so much, he was still able to restrain his strength at the last moment...

If Gu Yuye's force had even slightly grazed Gu Fangchen, he could have made a big deal out of it, but unfortunately, it hadn't.

Gu Fangchen's gaze fell on Gu Yuye, then she shrugged and said:

"It seems I misunderstood. However... Your Highness may not need to pay respects, but the imperial decree must precede the journey to Huangtian City."

His smile remained unchanged as he looked at Gu Yuye.

After staring at him for a few seconds, Gu Yuye finally took a step back expressionlessly and moved aside.

Gu Fangchen waved her hand and swaggered forward, with the convoy following behind.

Gu Lianxian pursed her lips, her lips trembling slightly, but she ultimately didn't say anything, and continued walking forward while supporting the unconscious Gu Yuandao.

Gu Yuye stood there, coldly watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance.

Ning Caiyong, who remained inside the car, never got out.

This is the first time in nineteen years that Gu Yuye has made concessions to Gu Fangchen.

But this will certainly not be the last time.

……

Inside the Purple Palace.

Emperor Yong'an, as always, sat behind the heavy curtains, looking down at the many seats below.

However, the difference is that today's banquet, according to Emperor Yong'an, is a "family banquet," and he told the officials not to be reserved, but simply to eat and drink.

Therefore, to the right and below Emperor Yong'an sat the current Empress, Dugu Linluan.

Dugu Linluan was born in Lutai Dao of Jiangnan and was the eldest daughter of the Dugu family, the largest clan among the immortal sects.

Wherever there are cultivators, it is called a celestial gate.

The major sects of the immortal sects are immortal sects, and the clans of the immortal sects are also immortal sects.

Sects rely on lineage, while clans rely on blood ties.

Within a sect, although the position of sect leader is often passed down from generation to generation, most of the time it is still passed down from master to disciple, with ability being the primary factor.

A clan is able to become a clan because its bloodline is different from others and it can indeed pass on some special abilities.

For example, the Dugu family has a chance of having children with congenital double pupils.

Having double pupils is both a supernatural power and a symbol of innate ability. Once you have double pupils, it means that you have the potential to become a saint!
Although Dugu Linluan was over 160 years old, she relied on the art of preserving her youth with elixirs and was a fifth-grade grandmaster. She looked almost the same age as 30, with a beautiful face, fair skin, and rosy cheeks full of vitality.

But her hair was snow-white.

Some say that this is because Empress Dugu's talent was limited, her strength was only at the fifth rank, and her lifespan was already limited, which is why she had a full head of white hair.

Some say that the Empress had grown her hair white out of pity for her son, Crown Prince Xiao Sheng, and didn't want him to face his father and mother, who were younger than her, every day. So she deliberately kept her hair white to comfort Xiao Sheng and prevent him from being too sad.

The first row of seats below was reserved for princes and princesses.

The first seat at the head of the table belonged to Xiao Sheng. He sat upright, his eyes closed as if resting, but his hands, resting on his knees, were constantly tapping up and down with his fingers, revealing a hint of anxiety.

However, many seats in this row were empty.

The Third Prince is still practicing at the Garan Temple, while the Eldest Princess is driving out the remnants of the Qingman tribe in Shuobei and stabilizing the battle situation in Qiu'an Road.

The eunuchs outside the palace gates kept calling out names, and those who entered were all officials of at least the third rank, imperial relatives, and nobles.

In addition, there were a group of Confucian practitioners who remained in Huangtian City to cooperate in the investigation of the incident on the day the "Demon Sect impersonated the Prince of Zhenbei and caused a ruckus at the Qionglin Banquet" occurred.

Liu Xuan and Li Qingguang were among them.

At this moment, many cultivators looked on with curiosity and whispered among themselves, wondering why Emperor Yong'an would suddenly hold this "family banquet".

Li Qingguang sighed and muttered a complaint:

"Senior brother, I've already said that drinking leads to trouble, but you still managed to create such a huge mess!"

"If you want to give your father's sword to someone else, that's fine. But if the Prince of Zhenbei really has the ability to recite those poems, it won't be an insult to 'first-class'."

"But you went and gave that sword to someone from the Demonic Sect! And you didn't even know that person's true identity!"

"Thank goodness Dad isn't angry..."

"Next time, you mustn't drink too much again!"

"Okay, okay, I promise... I'll never drink too much again!"

Liu Xuan raised his hand with a serious expression, agreeing verbally, but his eyes remained fixed on the wine pot in front of him.

The main hall gradually became lively, while the singing of famous singers gradually subsided.

But Emperor Yong'an above remained silent.

This made the atmosphere below a bit awkward. After exchanging pleasantries, they looked at each other, unsure of what to do next, and the hall suddenly became quiet and cold.

Xiao Sheng stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said in a deep voice:

"Father, now that everyone is almost here, shall we begin the banquet?"

Emperor Yong'an said calmly:

"Where are all the seats? There are still plenty of empty seats."

Xiao Sheng opened his mouth, turned his head to look at the seat next to him and across from it, which was occupied by the Second Prince. His pupils contracted, and his heart sank instantly.

What we're missing now are just these two people.

Could it be that they're coming back now?
This is extremely bad!

Both of these people were his competitors, and neither of them were easy to deal with.

However, they were all away from home for long periods of time and were not as close to the center of power as he was.

If these two people return, wouldn't it mean that Father has some other intentions in his heart?
Xiao Sheng's fingers curled up.

Just then, they heard the sound of names being called out from outside.

"The heir of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion—!"

Everyone's eyes widened, and in an instant, some even disregarded etiquette and stood up abruptly.

The heir of the Prince of Zhenbei?!
The battle between the real and fake heirs has been raging for almost a month, and now it's suddenly back?!

Moreover, the voice that called out the names sounded just like the voice of Emperor Yong'an's personal eunuch!
Doesn't this mean that this is Emperor Yong'an's certification?!
Who exactly is this "Prince" referring to?

Before the crowd could calm down, they heard the eunuch call out names again:

"The Eldest Princess—"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: I think it's because I haven't had enough sleep, my head is so dizzy, and the world spins around as soon as I move. I'm going to collapse (falls to the ground).

(End of this chapter)