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

Chapter 148 If you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place.

Gu Fangchen chuckled inwardly.

To be honest, that force actually hurt a bit...

If he hadn't possessed a peak sixth-grade physical body, that kick could have broken the leg of a lower third-grade cultivator.

For him, it might be a bit bruised and swollen.

After all, Xiao Yinghao's anger from a moment ago hadn't subsided, so she definitely needed to vent it now.

However, compared to the level of a martial arts master at the third rank, this force is already very restrained, and can even be described as gentle.

Gu Fangchen's strategy was very simple.

It's a classic case of feigning indifference to lure someone in.

First, we need to dissuade Xiao Yinghao from the idea of ​​making his status as the imperial son-in-law official.

Gu Fangchen's actions were simple: she maximized her status as a spoiled brat, instantly lowering Xiao Yinghao's favorability towards her.

Xiao Yinghao has her own pride and would never allow someone she dislikes to become her fiancé, even if only in name.

However, Gu Fangchen did not want this impression to remain with Xiao Yinghao, causing her unnecessary distress and wasting her relatively high level of goodwill.

Based on Xiao Yinghao's performance, if favorability ratings could still be quantified, Gu Fangchen estimated that her rating would be between 40 and 50.

For this princess, this level of favorability is already quite high.

Even her younger brother and her mother only have a favorability rating of around 70.

Others, needless to say.

Therefore, after Gu Fangchen lowered the favorability rating to achieve her goal, she must immediately raise it back.

According to the information Gu Fangchen knew.

Although Xiao Yinghao appears to be a tough military leader with a cold and serious expression, seemingly never smiling, she also has a surprisingly soft and gentle hobby.

That is... she likes children.

The White Dragon Army established orphanages in various places to take in homeless children and train them according to their aptitude. Most of these children were the source of the White Dragon Army.

If they lack martial arts aptitude and are not suitable for military service, they will be taught various skills and raised until they are about fifteen years old, at which point they will be sent out to make a living on their own.

After these people left, they were essentially like spies, infiltrating various industries in the Great Wei to provide intelligence to Xiao Yinghao.

However, Xiao Yinghao would take some time each year to disguise herself and visit the shelter, spending some time with the two- or three-year-old children as an ordinary White Dragon Army soldier.

Perhaps living in a royal family where kinship is cold, what she longed for was the innocent purity of a child without scheming.

Xiao Yinghao's younger brother, the sixth prince Xiao Yi, was only placed under house arrest and not killed in the later struggle for the throne, which is enough to show that Xiao Yinghao was quite tolerant of children.

Especially someone like Xiao Yi, who is spoiled, lacks common sense, and is obsessed with chivalry.

In other words, Gu Fangchen is actually seizing a portion of Xiao Yi's market share.

Just as Xiao Yinghao was about to misunderstand, Gu Fangchen didn't back down but instead advanced, changing her purpose from overstepping her bounds and flirting to secretly delivering something.

This kind of behavior of slacking off and passing notes during a formal banquet is quite "childish".

Gu Fangchen's words were, in effect, a tacit admission of her identity.

If he hadn't been on the battlefield of Qiu'an Road at the time, this Fire Essence Stone array eye would never have come into his hands.

Furthermore, he has already repaired the formation within this key element.

As long as a suitable ore vein is found and replaced, the mine protection formation can be activated again.

At this moment, Xiao Yinghao realized that she had just "misunderstood" Gu Fangchen's good intentions.

Although Gu Fangchen was the one who did all the work, the cause was Xiao Yinghao's misjudgment, which led to her being trapped and leaderless, allowing Qingman to launch a successful sneak attack.

The blame should ultimately fall on Xiao Yinghao, the military region leader.

This includes the destruction of the mine protection formation.

Even after Gu Fangchen turned the tide of the battle, the loss of the mine protection formation might be the area where Xiao Yinghao should be held most accountable.

Gu Fangchen clearly wanted to secretly return the array core to her to make amends for what she had done, and also to shift the blame onto Xiao Yinghao...

However, Gu Fangchen's "good intentions" were misunderstood by Xiao Yinghao because of his audacious behavior.

This made Xiao Ying feel both amused and annoyed.

The funny thing is, Gu Fangchen's behavior is just as childish as a child's!
Only children who are still learning would pass notes to their deskmates during class, but Gu Fangchen did something so willful at a royal banquet, which is incredibly childish.

Xiao Yinghao didn't even think that Gu Fangchen was doing this on purpose... because the risk was too great. Given Xiao Yinghao's reputation, she didn't think anyone would dare to mock her in such a way. If she lost her temper, she would be killed on the spot.

Besides, Gu Fangchen didn't actually do anything...

He stopped at her feet with utmost restraint, without a single extra thought.

What's infuriating is that her preconceived notions about Gu Fangchen caused her to miss this best opportunity.

Even though he was certain that Gu Fangchen's playboy exterior was all an act, he still ended up angering Gu Fangchen because of it...

Gu Fangchen mouthed the words with an innocent and aggrieved expression:
“Here you go. If you’re unhappy, give it back. Why did you kick me?”

Then he withdrew his foot, looking completely betrayed and as if his good intentions had been taken for granted.

Xiao Ying suddenly remembered that Gu Fangchen, who was opposite her, was actually only nineteen years old and had not yet come of age. She was only three years older than her younger brother.

Compared to her, he was just a child.

Her heart softened, and she thought, "So be it... what's done is done, there will always be another chance."

Gu Fangchen knew from her expression that she had regained her favorability.

When Emperor Yong'an read the battle report, he immediately realized that his daughter was simply trying to sow discord between Gu Yuye and the emperor.

He chuckled and said:
"So that's how it is... Minister Gu, do you know your crime in this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuye immediately knelt down and said in a deep voice:
"I know the crime!"

But he wasn't actually flustered. If Emperor Yong'an were truly angry, he would never speak in this tone.

Therefore, the news was most likely related to what he had done, but not enough to convict him of a serious crime.

As expected, Emperor Yong'an handled it gently, saying:

"It's good that you admit your guilt. Go and receive your punishment after the banquet."

Others either breathed a sigh of relief or were curious about what the message actually said...

Gu Yuye thanked the emperor, but did not stand up. Instead, he continued:
"Your Majesty, my loyalty is as clear as day."

"Therefore, there are some things I must say."

"Regarding the matter of the heir apparent, I am willing to accept the consequences of my bet. Regardless of whether he is my son or not, the title of Prince Zhenbei was established for the sake of the country and its people, and I will naturally obey Your Majesty's arrangements."

He knew perfectly well that Gu Fangchen's blatant propaganda with Gu Yuandao was a prelude to attacking the latter and further damaging his reputation.

Therefore, he had to strike first.

The outcome of the bet is set, but that doesn't mean Gu Fangchen can secure his position.

There's still one hurdle he needs to overcome!
Gu Yuye continued:
"However, this person's identity is still unclear. The coachman's testimony was very certain that the Demonic Sect had switched Yuan Dao's baby with this person's."

"If he was too young to know back then, he met that coachman three years ago. It's hard to say that the Demonic Sect was colluding with him at that time!"

He said in a deep voice:

"If we cannot clear this person of suspicion and instead allow him to become the heir, we are likely falling into the trap of the evil cult!"

"Moreover, his actions are so brutal. My son was seriously injured by the Demonic Sect, and he refused to treat him along the way. This is truly the style of the Demonic Sect!"

"Your Majesty, please take a closer look!"

Indeed, besides not being of royal blood, Gu Fangchen also carried the crime of colluding with the demonic sect.

But now, the solution to this predicament has been personally delivered to Gu Fangchen by Gu Yuandao.

Gu Fangchen also stood up, walked to Gu Yuye's side, and said in a low voice with a cold smile:
"Gu Yuye, if you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. I want to give you this advice, and to your precious son as well."

He bowed to Emperor Yong'an and said:

“Your Majesty, I have witnesses who can prove my innocence! They can also answer your questions about why I treated Gu Yuandao in this way.”

Emperor Yong'an was very interested:

"Oh? Who?"

Gu Fangchen flipped her hand and took out a scroll.

That was precisely the magic weapon that the Confucian sage gave to Gu Yuandao—

Landscape painting.

(End of this chapter)