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

Chapter 170 It's Not You
The next day.

As soon as Gu Fangchen pushed open the door, she saw Qingjian standing quietly by the door, completely covered by a black robe.

He raised an eyebrow:
"Has Prajna Lotus Moon finally come to her senses?"

Qing Jian turned around and shook his head helplessly:
"The princess is still sulking..."

"So you came here without permission?"

Gu Fangchen moved closer, lifted a strand of black hair beside Qingjian's somewhat stiff face, smelled it, and said with a smile:

"You smell of incense on you. Have you been visiting the Dharma Protector and Medicine Master these past few days?"

Qing Jian had grown somewhat accustomed to Gu Fangchen's uncanny ability to predict events. She pursed her lips and nodded silently.

"I looked... but he can't refine the Jade Refining Pill."

Or rather, after trying for so long, a month, I've failed every time.

Although it was just an experiment, the pharmacist immediately realized that he didn't have the ability, or rather, even if he could figure out the refining method, it would be a very, very long time before he could...

Gu Fangchen's smile remained unchanged.

This elixir has been lost for a long time and is of a high grade, so it's normal that pharmacists can't refine it.

In particular, he did not write down the specific refining steps in the recipe, only the types of materials, and the rest had to be figured out by himself.

If it were that easy, and could be refined in a short time, this recipe wouldn't have been lost for so many years.

These past few days, Qingjian had watched his princess anxiously await news from the followers, but none of it was true. He knew in his heart that the princess would most likely have to come back to find this guy again...

So, she was just paving the way for the princess in advance, so that the princess wouldn't be embarrassed later... it wasn't acting on her own initiative.

“Princess, I hope you will forgive me for my previous offenses… This ‘Lotus in the Womb’ is a sacred object of my Tara religion, and it is understandable that you acted a little hastily.”

"These past few days, the princess has actually felt quite remorseful..."

Qingjian subtly created a few steps for his own saintess.

As the saying goes, those who understand current affairs are heroes.

Qingjian felt that as the princess's personal maid, she was genuinely considering her best interests.

If the princess fails to obtain the "Lotus Treasury in the Womb," she will surely regret her stubbornness for the rest of her life... Therefore, she is the only one who can act as a mediator.

It's definitely not just about getting the Jade Refining Pill.

Gu Fangchen certainly didn't believe that Banruo Lianyue, whose personality was more like a demoness than a saintess, would regret it. However, it was clear that Qing Jian had been completely turned against her by Yu Lian Wan and "corrupted".

Then it won't be long before we can control Prajna Lotus Moon...

"It's alright. As the saying goes, to err is human, to forgive divine."

Gu Fangchen remained calm and composed, sighed, and waved her hand:
"It's enough that she knows she was wrong. I'm always magnanimous and won't hold a grudge against a young woman like her!"

Prajna Lotus Moon, who was secretly listening: "..."

She gritted her teeth secretly. If it weren't for the missing sacred artifact, she would have rushed out right now and torn this arrogant guy to pieces!
Qing Jian breathed a sigh of relief and whispered:

"That's good."

Gu Fangchen smiled:

"I just happened to have Xuexiang buy you a pill furnace so I can refine the Jade Refining Pill for you on the way."

Upon hearing this, Qing Jian was taken aback.

She thought that, given his personality, she would have to use a lot of coaxing and pleading for a while...

It turns out that it was prepared in advance.

Qingjian quickly bowed, his tone softening:
"Thank you, sir."

……

Xuexiang looked curiously at the alchemy furnace in the center of the carriage, while Ning Caiyong looked out the window at the scenery.

Gu Lianxian leaned against Ning Caiyong's side, shrank back a little, and looked at Gu Fangchen with her neck stiffened, saying:
"I... I only came because I was worried about my mother's safety, that's why I didn't want to ride in the same carriage as you..."

Gu Fangchen believed that she really didn't want to ride in the same carriage as her.

But why did she insist on coming along? The reason probably wasn't what she claimed—concern for Ning Caiyong. After all, a Martial Saint was with them; if anyone should be worried, it should be someone else…

Gu Fangchen smiled and touched her chin, pondering that she probably didn't want to stay in the palace because she felt insecure.

In the past, Gu Lianxian would have felt completely safe wherever Gu Yuye was.

Her current reaction is enough to prove that the unease Gu Yuye brings her has surpassed that of the guy she used to hate the most, the one who witnessed her learning to bark like a dog.

The training was a great success...

Gu Yuye was no longer Gu Lianxian's primary source of support; in fact, he had become a source of unease.

Gu Fangchen was too lazy to argue with her, since they could move on to the next step soon anyway.

He turned his head, looked at Ning Caiyong, and lazily called out:

"Mom~ Look at her~"

Ning Caiyong shook his head, patted Gu Lianxian's head, and said seriously:

"This trip is not for sightseeing, so don't cause trouble for Chen'er."

Gu Lianxian immediately wilted.

"Oh……"

The reason she came along was indeed for "sightseeing".

I never had the chance to come out before, but the last time I did, I was ganged up on and beaten up, and the experience was extremely painful.

This time, the opportunity to go to Gushu naturally stirred up her excitement once again.

And coincidentally... her father approached her, hoping she would follow Gu Fangchen and report their movements and information about Gu Fangchen's strength.

So she followed him out.

However, Gu Yuye did not expect that Gu Lianxian had already transformed into the shape of that non-existent mysterious person, and had long lost her previous trust in Gu Yuye.

Going with the flow was actually more about getting away from Gu Yuye, hoping to escape that dark shadow in Gushu...

Gu Fangchen was controlling the flames in the alchemy furnace when Qing Jian's voice suddenly came from outside.

"Young master, it seems someone ahead has been stopped."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lianxian's eyes lit up, and she was the first to lift the curtain and look over.

Then he suddenly frowned:
"Huh? Isn't that... Miss Xiuxiu?"

Gu Lianxian naturally recognized this person who was a key target of Gu Fangchen's previous bullying.

Several times, she secretly tricked Gu Fangchen, all to avenge Xiuxiu... A few days ago, when she heard that Gu Fangchen had redeemed someone from prostitution, although she was still a little skeptical, her opinion of Gu Fangchen had changed somewhat.

At least this time... this guy actually did something.

Gu Lianxian looked ahead and saw that Xiuxiu was in the carriage, while several martial artists with shallow cultivation had been knocked down. The few survivors hurriedly ran to the side, shouting for help.

Above, the figure of an old man floated.

Judging from his cultivation level, he's at least at the fifth rank!

Seeing the survivors preparing to escape, he snorted coldly, waved his hand, and the heads of those people fell to the ground, blood splattering everywhere.

Xiuxiu noticed the commotion, her face paling as she looked in their direction, and quickly called out:
"Help!"

The old man raised his head and gave a sinister snort:
"We've finally waited for you, Your Highness!"

Gu Fangchen lifted the curtain and nodded:
"I've been waiting for this for a long time too."

The old man narrowed his eyes: "Such arrogance, does Your Highness think I'm the only one?"

Gu Fangchen glanced at him:
"You've misunderstood. I wasn't talking about you."

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.: Post first, edit later.

(End of this chapter)