"Master, Qianlan has returned, and she requests your presence." Little Jiu said as he arrived at the outer courtyard, speaking to Ning Xi.

  Ning Xi was thinking in the house when Qian Lan suddenly came back, and he was startled.

  He quickly walked into the inner courtyard.

  The little servants at the two gates of Wangfu's mansion were slightly surprised.

  Qianlan is the king's concubine, this they know.

  The king is not in the mansion, how can Mr. Ning not avoid suspicion and go straight to the inner courtyard?

  There was a small and thin little servant who was quick-witted. He whispered: "Why does Qianlan often look for Master Ning?"

  "Shh!" another one immediately tensed up and said.

  The thin little fellow did not understand what was meant, and looked at his companions.

  Another servant whispered: "...I heard from outsiders that it was like this in Lu state. The prince doesn't know anything, many things in the mansion are taken care of by Lord Ning, which is ordered by the emperor and the empress dowager. When Qianlan was with the prince, sometimes when the prince had something to do, he would let Qianlan order Lord Ning. If a servant dared to slander Qianlan and humiliate the prince, Lord Ning would cut off whose tongue!"

  "The people outside", did not refer to those outside the palace, but rather to those living in the outer courtyard, several carters from Luozhou.

  Those carters were not under Ning's command. They often drank with the young men from other courtyards and sometimes whispered a few words in private.

  The thin little servant hastily covered his mouth.

  He was very afraid and didn't dare say more.

  But in her heart, she still thought: Why is it that saying Thousand Orchids young lady and Ning gentleman are unsuitable is an insult to the prince?

  Since you're afraid of offending the prince, why does Lord Ning always go to the inner courtyard?

  It was his own actions that caused the king to be humiliated, so why shouldn't people be allowed to talk about it?

  It's as if saying it is slandering, how strange.

  This is really hard to say.

  The guards in the mansion all obeyed Ning Gongzi, and the stewards listened to his arrangements. Like the young servants, they naturally kept their mouths shut and didn't dare say a word of idle chatter.

  The thin little servant couldn't help but think: It's better to stay in this separate building. Although there isn't much profit on ordinary days, at least I don't have to be so nervous and anxious all the time.

  About two quarters of an hour later, Ning Xi came out from the inner courtyard with a furious face.

  Two small servants stood respectfully beside the gate, bowing their heads and not daring to make a sound.

  It usually takes half a time unit or one time unit to get in, how come it's so fast today?

  At night, the maids heard Qianlan's loud crying.

  ——*——*——

  Another night of heavy snow.

  Snowflakes flutter and fall in a flurry. Inside the house, the censer is lit with myrrh, wafting wisps of blue smoke that permeate the quilted bedspread.

  Qianlan did not sleep all night, tossing and turning.

  "...But I let you go see if the king is healthy, so that I can rest assured. How did you say that even Ning gentleman is also loyal and devoted? Did I ask you to express loyalty on my behalf?"

  He then turned and left with a flourish.

  For so many years, Ning Xi was treating Qian Lan with such a bad attitude for the first time.

  Tears of sorrow fall on my face and trickle down onto my pillow.

  Ning Xi couldn't sleep either.

  What happened last night was too suspicious.

  He also didn't dare to act rashly again.

  Lost a capable subordinate, but got confusion in return.

  The king is dead, he doesn't know. He can't see his face.

  The Gu residence across from them seemed to have very few guards, yet was even more secure.

  Li Mu's kung fu was not bad, but he was caught off guard in an instant. He was poked in the throat and couldn't even utter a warning, so Ning Xi had no idea what had happened across from him.

  The more you don't know, the scarier it is.

  But the other party should not know that it is Li Mu at this moment, and did not chase after him.

  Now Ning Xi didn't fall into the hands of the Gu family either.

  He made another move, and he might have fallen into his opponent's trap.

  Luyang Wang is just a fool, he is now controlled by Gu's family. Ning Xi has no way out.

  He mustn't panic; the more he panics, the more mistakes he'll make.

  Manage the family with quietness and calmness, and be even more calm when sitting on a cold mat. If one doesn't have this ability, they should also put away their heart of contending for honor and boasting.

  Can't sleep all night long. Can't fall asleep even for a moment.

  The next day, thick snow had accumulated outside.

  Gu's family sent someone over and called Tao Ren over to talk.

  Ning Xi's heart skipped another beat.

  There was a wild beast lurking behind him, hiding in the darkness, and from time to time it let out a roar. Ning Xi didn't know when the beast would pounce on him, his heart couldn't calm down no matter what.

  This is meant to disturb his mind and make him reveal his true intentions!

  Ning Xi clenched her fists tightly and then acted as if nothing had happened.

  "He snorted inwardly: 'Let's see who can outlast whom!'"

  Tao Ren then went to the Gu family's side to respond.

  Half a day later, Tao Ren came back.

  Ning Xi asked him: "What is the king's summons about?"

  "The king said, he's been feeling bored lately and wants to find Qianlan to keep him company." Tao Ren smiled all over his face, "The king has remembered Qianlan again. I'll arrange for Qianlan to get ready and go over there early tomorrow..."

  Ning Xi's heart tightened again.

  Why is it that every move he makes is always beyond his expectations?

  This time, it made his emotions even harder to calm down.

  What kind of person is Qian Lan, Ning Xi knows best.

  There is no Ning Xi by her side to guide her, she will soon be exposed.

  What's wrong?

  Now take action, Ning Xi himself will be exposed; if he doesn't take action, Qian Lan will eventually expose him!

  He advances and retreats in a valley.

  Ning Xi's face changed again and again.

  Entering the inner courtyard of the king is a capital offense.

  Ning Xi really wanted to marry Qian Lan and had the support of Qian Lan's father. But at this moment, he was already in a desperate situation. He couldn't let Qian Lan fall into the hands of the Gu family.

  "Go ahead." Ning Xi said with a light smile to Tao Ren.

  Qian Lan couldn't leave his line of sight.

  As soon as she heard that she had to go to Gu's house to serve Wang Ye, Qianlan became anxious again and burst into tears.

  Xiao Jiu'er felt sick at heart: Can't you stop crying?

  Always crying for no reason!

  It's because Qian Lan will cry that everyone spoils her?

  "It's better to surrender quickly." Xia Jiu said, "You were originally serving in front of the king, if you don't go, Master will be killed by you!"

  "But I don't want to leave Master!" Qianlan wailed.

  It was night, Ning Xi quietly entered Qian Lan's courtyard.

  ——*——*——

  On the second day, Gu Jin sent someone to pick up Qian Lan.

  The little servant returned and said: "Qianlan is ill, she had a fever last night."

  Gu's smile was ambiguous, seeming to be both a smile and not a smile at the same time.

  "Go tell Manager Tao to get a doctor for Qianlan, would you?" Gu Jingyu said, "The prince's health is fragile. If he catches a cold, it won't be good. Let her rest easy over there for now and we'll talk about it later."

  The little servant said, and then turned around and left again.

  Gu Jinzhi said to Zhu Zhongjun, "Ning Xi is testing us. If we insist on taking Qianlan in, he'll know we're suspicious and might not let her out of the mansion, and she'll die a tragic death. He doesn't dare kill Qianlan rashly now, so he must have his own concerns. Since he has concerns, Qianlan won't die. Keeping Qianlan is keeping evidence, don't push too hard. Otherwise, even a mad dog will bite people."

  Zhu Zhongjun smiled and said, "Alright, I'll listen."

  Qian Lan had just heard Ning Xi's words and was pretending to be ill, but then she heard that the other side of the mansion disliked her because of her poor health. Afraid of infecting Wang Ye with a cold, she cried again in joy.

  Ning Xi's heart has finally returned home.

  It seems many things are coincidental, and the person on the other side is not suspicious of Qianlan.

  It seems like this, but I'm afraid there's another matter... He's just overthinking it...

  Louyang King is just a fool, Gu's family daughter is a woman of inferior status.

  Even if Gu Yanwu was behind the scenes, he couldn't plan everything for them. What do two children know? Also fighting with Ning Xi?

  Afterwards, Ning Xi didn't dare to act rashly again and calmly spent these days in Beijing.

  Zhu Zhongjun and Gu Jinzhi's goal has also been partially achieved.

  Song Pan'er thought Qian Lan was a thorn in her eye.

  Gu Jin didn't care, but Song Pan'er felt uncomfortable in her heart.

  Luyang Wang is a person without judgment. Gu Jinzhi can coax him, and maybe Qianlan will be fine in the future... Song Pan'er's heart cannot be put down.

  It is said that the daughter will replace Luoyang Wang to welcome Qianlan. Song Pan'er hated that she couldn't pinch her to death.

  But later on, I always feel that Gu Jin is planning something.

  She refused to say anything.

  Finally, Qian Lan didn't come.

  Everyone is delighted.

  After such a commotion, Zhu Zhongjun and Gu Jinzhi had an 80% understanding of the situation in Lu State's Wang Fu. They also knew where the enemy was.

  This is their harvest.

  It snowed for three consecutive days, and Beijing was shrouded in thick white snow.

  "In the south, battles are still being fought. In the north, with such heavy snow, many of the Tartars' cattle and sheep will freeze to death, and there will be no end to the plundering." At mealtime, Gu Yanwen worried about the country and its people.

  The rebellion in Annan country in the south broke out in October, and it is said that there has been no news of victory so far, and the troops may not have arrived in Annan yet.

  Because it's far away, everyone doesn't care much.

  The Tartars are approaching, and once they start fighting, they may reach the capital in half a year.

  The people of the capital are more worried about the Tartars.

  Gu Jinzhi consulted with her mother: "In case there is a war in the west, let's donate 400 catties of our family's gold as military funds."

  Song Paner was shocked.

  Four hundred kilograms of gold is enough for them to live a life of luxury.

  "Mother, the Emperor always distrusts Prince Wang." Gu Jin explained to Song Pan'er, "This batch of gold can be very useful. In the future when I marry Prince Wang, this gold will belong to him. The Emperor's heart will have another thorn. Prince Wang has a fiefdom, and I won't go hungry. There are still 100 catties left, which is enough for you all to eat and drink."

  Song Pan'er's heart skipped a beat.

  She has been indoors for a long time and sometimes thinks about problems much more simply.

  Gu's words suddenly hit Song Pan'er's heart: "Good, if there is a war in the west, we will donate it."

  As long as the Emperor does not suspect Luoyang Wang, Gu Jin will be safe.

  For Song Pan'er, nothing is more important than her daughter's safety.

  Taking care of the family is not about being extremely wealthy and noble, but also not about going hungry or thirsty.

  Besides, there are still 100 catties left, which can be eaten for half a lifetime.

  By the end of the winter month, as expected, there were reports that the Tartars had raided the border towns and requested support from the imperial court.

  The imperial court had long been prepared for the Tatars, with troops and generals already in place.

  Received the imperial edict, began preparing for the expedition.

  Gu Jin let Gu Yanwen take out 400 catties of gold and donate it as military expenses for the expedition.

  The whole country was shocked for a time.

  The emperor received the memorial handed over by the Gu family and did not move his eyes for a long time.

  Then he smiled and accepted the gold.

  When Gu's family presented the gold, the emperor rewarded Gu Yanzhong with a imperial edict, appointing him as Follower of the Imperial Carriage General, with an annual salary of 600 dan of grain, not hereditary.

  This Gong Guo General title is of the third rank, and accordingly, Song Pan'er was also granted a third-rank Shu Ren.

  Gu Yanzhong threw away all the books after receiving the imperial edict.

  He never wants to read books again!

  ——*——*——*——

  Second update seeking pink tickets O(n_n)O~