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

Chapter 147 The Skirt and Toes Under the Table (Two-in-One)

The moment Gu Fangchen and Xiao Yinghao's eyes met, Gu Fangchen noticed a fleeting mischievous glint in Xiao Yinghao's eyes.

He twitched his lips, immediately understanding.

This woman is definitely looking for revenge...

She had to clean up the mess left by the series of things he did on Qiu'an Road under the guise of being her husband.

Therefore, they decided to turn his pretense of being a prince consort into his actual fiancé.

For Gu Fangchen, confirming her status as the imperial son-in-law would have both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage is that it will be stamped with Xiao Yinghao's seal from now on. There is a possibility that the fabricated pretext will be exposed, but the marriage contract that is made public will be a real backing.

Given Xiao Yinghao's status and strength, in reality, she is a level above Gu Yuye at this time.

From now on, as a royal son-in-law officially recognized, anyone who wants to take action will have to consider Xiao Yinghao's attitude first.

How could things have changed so drastically? Everyone's convinced he's a discarded pawn, and anyone dares to kick him while he's down...

Furthermore, Xiao Yinghao's beauty is so striking that she ranks third among the female characters.

However... whether she can pluck the most beautiful peony in Huangtian City with her strength is not yet up to Gu Fangchen to decide.

Thinking about this, Gu Fangchen suddenly understood why the princess had stared intently at his face as soon as she arrived.

She wasn't thinking about anything at all; she was simply looking at how he looked.

Only after he was satisfied did he choose to officially confirm his title as the emperor's son-in-law.

In other words, if Gu Fangchen were less attractive, Xiao Yinghao would have had to find a different way to get revenge... maybe she would have cut off his head and strung it up like candied hawthorns.

However, the downside of this incident was that it also earned Xiao Yinghao's approval.

One problem is that it is difficult to obtain real power, especially military power.

Xiao Yinghao was already a powerful minister with a large army. If Gu Fangchen were to divide Gu Yuye's military power, the result would naturally be that Xiao Yinghao would become the only one in power.

This is not the situation that Emperor Yong'an wanted to see.

Emperor Yong'an supported Gu Fangchen from the very beginning, wanting her to be a lone minister who could stand against all forces at any time, a tool simply for his use.

Instead of making Xiao Yinghao an even more powerful consort.

Gu Fangchen did not believe that Emperor Yong'an would treat her any special way just because she was his descendant.

It should be understood that when the "Master of Hengchang Dao" has descendants, it means that the "unchanging" Dao has been broken.

So, theoretically, he should have been trying to eliminate himself...

Therefore, it is also possible that Emperor Yong'an originally intended to kill him, which is why he handed him over to Gu Yuye to torment.

But for some unknown reason, I've changed my mind.

If she became an obstacle to Emperor Yong'an's establishment of his eternal dynasty, Gu Fangchen believed that Emperor Yong'an would not hesitate to kill her.

Secondly, Gu Fangchen didn't spend those days maneuvering in danger just to be anyone's henchman.

Now that this title is firmly established, it brings temporary safety, but it may also cause the other second-rank officials to feel apprehensive and suspicious.

Having lost these reasons that made them hesitate, it became even more difficult for Gu Fangchen to deceive people in the future.

Therefore, Gu Fangchen must never be inferior to anyone.

He cannot accept the title of imperial son-in-law.

In a flash, Gu Fangchen mentally reviewed all the useful information related to Xiao Yinghao at that moment.

Because of Gu Fangchen's survival, the butterfly effect is bound to occur. It hasn't deviated too much in the short term because even the change at the first major juncture hasn't been stabilized yet.

Gu Fangchen has extensive experience in this area.

After all, "Mirror in the Dust" is a game like this, and the interaction between the various side quests is the first thing to consider when making a strategy guide!
As a player, finding the path to the ending by balancing the side quests is commonplace.

The tasks we need to do now are about the same.

Only after today's banquet confirms the crown prince's identity can a major plot twist occur.

Gu Fangchen had anticipated this; it was impossible for everything to go exactly as he hoped, but he could try his best to avoid and correct it.

After making up his mind, he sat up straight, his face serious, looking down as if it were none of his business, but... his leg under the table moved to the side and touched the hem of Xiao Yinghao's long skirt.

The two were seated close together, and when Xiao Yinghao stood up, she took a step toward him.

This actually made things convenient for Gu Fangchen.

The palace banquet was quite grand, with thick brocade fabric covering the tables, accompanied by palace bells hanging from the four corners, stretching long and winding to the ground.

The brocade patterns on each table are different, representing the social status of the people seated there.

Normally, this magnificent and exquisite brocade would be a perfect complement to the palace banquets in the Ziji Hall.

At this moment, the long piece of cloth also concealed Gu Fangchen's secret movements.

The usually aloof and dignified "God of War" raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, wondering what Gu Fangchen wanted to do.

Then, she clearly felt Gu Fangchen deftly lift her crimson skirt with her toes and nimbly slip inside.

His martial arts skills, at the half-step grandmaster level, were on full display at this moment.

His movements were gentle and careful, without disturbing even the palace bells hanging from the four corners of the tablecloth.

Inside the Purple Extreme Palace, everyone restrained their cultivation and dared not act rashly.

Even Ding Xingfeng, who followed in later and told Xiao Qiu not to call out his name, and instead drank alone in a corner, was the same.

Gu Fangchen, however, acted as if she were in an empty place.

Xiao Yinghao: "..."

She truly hadn't expected Gu Fangchen to be so bold!

In broad daylight, under the watchful eyes of everyone, they dared to do such an outrageous and outrageous thing!
They're treating the palace like their own home!

Xiao Yinghao's face turned cold, and she was almost laughing with anger. Where did he get the audacity to do such a disrespectful thing to a dignified third-rank official like her?
By borrowing the title of imperial son-in-law, does he think that I am his possession, and should be subservient to him as his plaything?
I really don’t know what to say!
For a fleeting moment, Xiao Yinghao even doubted whether she had really misjudged the person or mistaken him for someone else.

This guy's spoiled and arrogant demeanor didn't seem like an act at all; it was completely a genuine expression of his feelings...

Normally, any other man who approached Xiao Yinghao with even the slightest lewd intentions would be turned into a candied hawthorn.

But at this very moment, at Emperor Yong'an's banquet.

No matter how high Xiao Yinghao's position and how outstanding her strength, she would never lose her temper and kill someone in the Ziji Palace at this time.

Moreover, Gu Fangchen was the main character of the banquet. Killing him or injuring him would be tantamount to disrespecting Emperor Yong'an.

What she's doing is no different from rebellion...

Xiao Yinghao could almost guess that Gu Fangchen was so unscrupulous precisely because she was certain of this.

Just then, Gu Fangchen curled the corners of her mouth, narrowed her eyes, and revealed a bright smile.

At this moment, he was the kind of person Xiao Yinghao hated most in her life.

No matter how domineering he is, this princess is still a woman, and it's impossible for her to be indifferent to her marriage. And now, his actions are enough to erase the curiosity and goodwill she had previously felt.

More importantly, it dissuades her from the idea of ​​making Gu Fangchen the prince consort!

In fact, this was consistent with Gu Fangchen's previous strategy, except that he underestimated the positive image he had in Xiao Yinghao's mind.

Xiao Yinghao's previous lack of attention to Gu Fangchen was not actually a negative effect.

If she had actually paid any attention to Gu Fangchen, she would have been prejudiced from the start, resulting in a negative initial impression. Even if she tried to improve it further, she would only catch up. However, she didn't.

In the past, Gu Fangchen didn't even have the right to enter her sight.

Therefore, Xiao Yinghao's preconceived notion was actually that of Gu Fangchen after the time travel.

He turned the tide of battle on Qiu'an Road, and Xiao Yinghao's unique White Dragon Army Formation repeatedly defeated Gu Yuye... All these deeds first created an undeniable image of a young hero.

Afterwards, when Xiao Yinghao collected more information, she would simply smile and marvel at how much effort Gu Fangchen had put into concealing her true abilities.

It wouldn't diminish her feelings for Gu Fangchen.

Therefore, Xiao Yinghao's previous lack of reaction to his reckless behavior was simply because he hadn't acted out big enough!

Gu Fangchen has now truly reached the critical point in Xiao Yinghao's favorability.

After a brief pause.

Xiao Yinghao was furious, gnashing her teeth. She gave Gu Fangchen a cold look, then turned away and changed the subject:

"Originally, that was what I was thinking, but the Prince of Zhenbei just asked about the Qiu'an Road battlefield..."

"This reminds me of something that also puzzles me greatly."

"I wonder if the Prince of Zhenbei could enlighten this princess?"

Gu Yuye frowned, wondering why Xiao Yinghao would suddenly change her mind.

She could bring Gu Fangchen under her wing with just a word, and it was clear that she had already planned to do so.

Gu Fangchen has indeed changed a lot.

However, he started too late, and even now, at the sixth rank, he has no potential. In fact, for Xiao Yinghao, it would be better to stifle his potential and let him focus on working for her rather than investing in him.

Therefore, suppression and deterrence are also very necessary.

For Xiao Yinghao, making Gu Fangchen her son-in-law was a sure win.

However, in the blink of an eye, what changed Xiao Yinghao's decision?

Gu Yuye could never have guessed that Gu Fangchen would dare to directly use her foot to lift the "God of War's" skirt. This was not only unbelievable, but downright shocking!

If I told anyone, no one would believe me...

Moreover, doing so is completely reckless and foolish.

Given Gu Fangchen's cunning and wicked nature in Gu Yuye's mind at this moment, it is absolutely impossible for her to do such a foolish thing.

Gu Yuye suppressed his unease and said:

"This Qiu'an Road battlefield is within the White Dragon Army's garrison area, not under the jurisdiction of the Xuanhuang Army. I am not very familiar with the situation there... May I ask if the Princess has any questions?"

Xiao Yinghao's opening remarks were a bombshell.

She said coldly:

“One of my personal guards intercepted a message from Qingman Tiansa to the Golden Tent after the battle of Qiu'an Road ended.”

"That message actually mentioned the name of Prince Gu Yuye of Zhenbei. Don't you all find that strange?"

"Your Highness, this is not under the jurisdiction of the Xuanhuang Army. Why did Qingman mention you? And what is your opinion on this?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's attention was immediately diverted from Xiao Ying's good husband.

This news is huge!
"How could this be?"

"Why would Qingman suddenly mention the Prince of Zhenbei..."

"I heard that the Princess was trapped this time because of an internal traitor!"

Xiao Yinghao's trip was unsuccessful, and there were already many unfounded rumors. Now that she brought it up, it naturally made everyone connect the two.

Gu Yuye's expression changed slightly, but he still kept a stern face and reprimanded:
"Princess, if you have anything to say, please speak freely!"

"It is common knowledge that I, Gu, am loyal to the court and His Majesty. I have always been upright and have nothing to fear from rumors!"

"If there are treacherous and wicked people spreading rumors and instigating trouble, we can confront them in court!"

"Otherwise, what are your intentions in putting me in such a precarious position with your vague words?"

He wasn't really sure, because his initial cooperation with Qingman was based on getting them to follow his instructions.

He was adamant that there would be no problem.

However, in the end, Gu Fangchen interfered and ruined the entire plan.

The Qingman people have ignored his messages so far, possibly because they suffered too many losses and are now enraged, perhaps even planning to expose him...

However, Gu Yuye is not afraid of these things.

The traitor has lost all witnesses and physical evidence.

The words of the Qingman people can be directly dismissed as lies; who would believe what the enemy says?

Xiao Yinghao dared not speak frankly, and most likely did not possess any substantial evidence; at most, she was merely stirring up public opinion.

As long as the Xuanhuang Army cannot be shaken, Gu Yuye's position cannot be shaken.

Xiao Yinghao was indeed just trying to trick Gu Yuye.

The message did mention Gu Yuye, but it was contradictory, portraying Gu Yuye as a loyal but treacherous figure, which was both laughable and absurd.

Bringing it up is just a way to cover up the previous topic.

Above, Emperor Yong'an sighed, seemingly quite troubled, and said:
"Alright, alright, Yinghao, have someone bring the message over, I'll take a look."

Xiao Yinghao then called someone forward.

While Emperor Yong'an remained silent, Xiao Yinghao stood still, but suddenly noticed... Gu Fangchen moved.

He stopped after he put his foot under Xiao Yinghao's skirt.

When Xiao Ying was easy to talk to, he didn't make a move.

But then he moved again, bumping into Xiao Yinghao's slender, rounded calf, and kicked the side of her shoe with his toe.

Xiao Yinghao's eyes were icy cold. She thought to herself that if he dared to offend her, she would immediately break his leg bones.

The next moment, a top-grade fire essence stone rolled out from under Gu Fangchen's feet.

It was the central core of the protective array for the destroyed fire crystal mine.

He actually took it away then.

Xiao Yinghao: "..."

The princess remained expressionless, inwardly stunned and silent, feeling as if she had been tricked by this young man...

Gu Fangchen blinked, looking completely innocent, seemingly unaware that she had only returned a stone and yet the princess was so angry.

Xiao Ying stared blankly at the young man in front of her, feeling both angry and amused. She pursed her lips, raised her foot, and kicked Gu Fangchen's leg.

The force is gentle.

It was an ambiguous situation, like flirting under the table...

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.

PS1: I'll post a separate chapter later to explain the specific rules for the monthly ticket bounty.

PS2: I recommend a friend's book, "I Can Travel Through All Heavens, But the System is a Mess," you can check it out if you're interested, the link is below!
(End of this chapter)