Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Informing Gu Qingping

Ms. Su reluctantly held Gu Qingli’s hand and said, “I’ll come back to see you later.”

Gu Qingli smiled at her and said, “Alright, you should rest first. We’ll have plenty of time later.”

“Hmm.” Ms. Su let out a sigh before leaving with Wuqing and Wuyou.

Once they left, Gu Qingli lay down to rest for a bit. She had been standing in the courtyard for a long time, and after such a long conversation, she was truly tired.

Seeing her wanting to sleep again, Xiao Yunjing carried her to the bed. The bed had heated bricks beneath it and was warm, unlike the unheated spot where she had been resting. Xiao Yunjing helped her undress, and covered her with a quilt after she lay down.

Then he sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her.

“Go to sleep, Li’er. I’ll be with Ms. Su, so don’t worry.”

“Mhm, I don’t worry as long as you’re with me.” Gu Qingli reached out and held his large hand. With him here, I feel like a pig that only needs to eat and sleep, without having to do anything else.

At over five months pregnant, her body was growing more cumbersome. Even if she wanted to do something, Xiao Yunjing wouldn’t let her. He even attended to her when she needed the latrine; he truly treated her exceptionally well.

Such a man is truly exceptional. I doubt anyone could find another like him, even if they searched with a lantern.

Gu Qingli also genuinely loved him. Even though her pregnancy was so difficult, she never acted coy or lost her temper with him, nor did she ever try to take advantage of his good nature.

Ms. Su was indeed exhausted and didn’t even get up for dinner that night.

Only Gu Qingping and his wife, and Xiao Yunjing and his wife, had dinner together.

After dinner, Ms. Li sat for a while before returning to her room, leaving Xiao Yunjing, Gu Qingli, and Gu Qingping alone.

Of course, they had something to discuss.

“What’s the situation here?” Gu Qingping asked directly.

Instead of answering directly, Xiao Yunjing asked Gu Qingping, “What do you think of the King of Qing and Chu Xiong?”

Gu Qingping hesitated, not knowing what Xiao Yunjing meant. He shook his head and said, “One is a King and the other is the Emperor; as a commoner, I wouldn’t dare to judge them.”

“Don’t you think there’s something wrong with Qingchen being enfeoffed as a King?”

“Yes, it’s truly inappropriate. Everyone is confused as to why the Emperor would make such a move.”

“It’s not just inappropriate; more inappropriate things are yet to come.”

Gu Qingping was intrigued. “What do you mean?”

Xiao Yunjing pointed to his own head and said to Gu Qingping, “Think about it carefully. For what purpose did Qingchen originally raise troops, and why was he then enfeoffed as a King? Now, think about what he intends to do next.”

Xiao Yunjing said this to Gu Qingping to remind them. After all, Gu Xicheng was the current Senior Grand Secretary, and now their families were connected. If Qingchen couldn’t use a powerful official like Gu Xicheng, the outcome was easy to guess.

Gu Qingping wasn’t a fool. With a little thought, his expression changed dramatically.

“Are you saying his goal is… that?” He pointed to his head, indicating the Emperor.

“Yes. After he succeeds, he’ll deal with us.”

“You?”

“Yes. Don’t you think I look a lot like Chu Xiong?” Xiao Yunjing reminded him again.

Gu Qingping looked at Xiao Yunjing carefully for a few moments. This look astonished him even more. Thinking of Xiao Yunjing’s maternal clan, he stammered, “Then you’re Concubine Xiao’s… You didn’t die back then?”

“Hmm, you have some insight. That was indeed my mother consort. So, we cannot go to the Capital City, and our path ahead will be very difficult. Also, your family might be implicated because of us.”

Xiao Yunjing didn’t intend to hide anything from Gu Qingping because what he said was the truth. In the future, when Qingchen came to power, the Gu family would either be used by Qingchen against him, or they would be eliminated. Knowing Qingchen’s character, he would first use them and then discard them. In the end, he would use them as leverage to threaten the Gu Family, squeezing out their last shred of value. Once they had no value left, death would await the Gu Family.

Moreover, they were currently staying in the government office in Beijing County. Gu Qingping and the others could easily deduce the situation with a little thought. So there was no use hiding anything; it was as plain as day, after all. What remained was to see how they would act.

Listening to Xiao Yunjing’s words, Gu Qingping broke out in a cold sweat despite the chilly weather. The things he learned today were so shocking they felt as unreal as a dream, yet they were undeniably real.

Back in Qinghe Village, I thought Xiao Yunjing looked familiar. It turns out he bears some resemblance to the current Emperor. I’ve sometimes accompanied my father to the palace for evening banquets, so I’ve seen the Emperor before. However, I never considered this possibility. How could a country bumpkin look like the Emperor? On further reflection, Qingchen also resembles them both, especially in the eyebrows and eyes. So that’s why.

However, this meant that regardless of whether Qingchen or Chu Xiong became the Emperor of Daqian, they would inevitably oppose Xiao Yunjing. What should our Gu Family do then? If we stay in Daqian, our future will be grim. The reason, of course, is my sister. She would never cut ties with Xiao Yunjing and return to the Capital City with us. Even if she did sever ties, who could guarantee that the Emperor would trust the Gu Family?

After taking a deep breath, Gu Qingping said, “Then my mother will stay here for now. We must hurry back to the Capital City.”

He needed to return to the Capital City to inform his father about this matter. As for the decision, that would be up to his father.

Xiao Yunjing nodded. “Within a year, Qingchen will come to power.”

I can only hint this much. As for Chu Xiong being controlled by the cursed insect, I won’t mention it. It’s better to let Qingchen come to power; that way, I’ll face one less enemy. If necessary, I can even help push things along. Days ago, people from the Secret Sect saw Xi Chenqing in Qingchen’s camp. That’s when I realized she had joined Qingchen. With the cursed insect in her possession, controlling Chu Xiong will be easy. Chu Xiong’s empire will eventually be Qingchen’s. But why a year? Chu Xiong still has several sons. Although they aren’t capable, they are still his children. Even if Chu Xiong dies, it wouldn’t be Qingchen’s turn. So, this year is the time for Qingchen to eliminate these people. Once Chu Xiong has no heirs, he can stage an ’accident,’ and Qingchen will naturally take power. Undoubtedly, Qingchen’s plan is quite good.

Poor Chu Yan, though. Poisoned and tortured since childhood, he was only detoxified two years ago, and now he’s in danger again. But no matter how pitiful Chu Yan was, Xiao Yunjing wouldn’t extend a helping hand.

“Mhm, I understand. I’ll head back first. You two should also rest early.” Gu Qingping glanced at Gu Qingli, who was dozing off in Xiao Yunjing’s arms.

Xiao Yunjing nodded, and Yun No. 8 escorted Gu Qingping back to his room.

「The next day.」

Gu Qingli was still in bed when Ms. Su arrived with the breakfast she had prepared.

“Li’er, are you awake yet?” Ms. Su put down the tray, walked to the bedside, and looked lovingly at Gu Qingli, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Gu Qingli rubbed her eyes and nodded. “Why are you up so early? Did you not sleep well?”

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