Li Xiangru's eyes flickered, and a thousand thoughts raced through her mind, but she did not refute Meng Hongqu's words.
Everyone knew that the Emperor of Chennan Kingdom intended to hand over the empire to Regent Qin Moyuan, but the latter was uninterested and had openly refused.
However, the Emperor had never changed his mind over the years, which made Crown Prince Qin Yexiu's position particularly awkward.
Even more awkward was that Qin Yexiu was only a few years younger than Qin Moyuan.
It was precisely because of this that Qin Yexiu had been at odds with Qin Moyuan since he was sensible.
It was estimated that those who most wished for Qin Moyuan's death in all of Chennan Kingdom were them.
Li Xiangru tried hard to recall what she knew in her previous life, but unfortunately, all her attention was focused on pleasing the Second Prince, and she knew very little about court affairs.
Even when she died, the Second Prince was still fighting with the Crown Prince.
However, she clearly remembered that the Regent had disappeared a long time ago, his whereabouts unknown, and he had never returned.
Could it be that because of her rebirth, things had changed?
As she was thinking, Meng Hongqu's voice pulled her back. "Ru'er, some things, as your mother, I shouldn't say as a minister, but you will be the Crown Princess in the future, and I hope you will be well."
"Although the Regent is aloof, he is not a person who strives for success. He said he didn't care about that position, and he would never fight for it. You have the opportunity to advise the Crown Prince more and don't put too much thought into dealing with the Regent."
Meng Hongqu said with a worried face, "Your father worked with the Regent and understands his temper. If you push him too hard, it might backfire."
Moreover, the current Crown Prince was by no means a match for the Regent, and making an enemy of him was not a good thing.
These words were difficult for their Gu family to say to the Crown Prince, so they could only hope that Ru'er could hint at it indirectly.
Facing Meng Hongqu's concern, Li Xiangru nodded obediently.
Seeing this, Meng Hongqu became even more worried.
The imperial palace, though appearing opulent, contained much unseen filth and misery.
Her daughter, whom she had finally found, was about to be sent to such a place before she could even compensate her for the suffering she had endured over the years. Naturally, her heart was full of reluctance.
Especially since this child had incurred such a grudge with the Second Prince.
Meng Hongqu affectionately held Li Xiangru's hand and anxiously warned again, "The Second Prince suffered a great loss at your hands and will certainly not give up."
"You and His Highness are not yet married, and many variables may arise. You must be extra careful."
"Don't worry, Mother, I understand." Li Xiangru smiled gently and changed the subject. "Mother, after the New Year, the Crown Prince and I will be married. Will Father come back?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Of course, he has to come back for such an important event as his daughter's wedding." Meng Hongqu calculated the time. "When your brother finishes the disaster relief in Guanzhou, your father should also be setting off from the border."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Li Xiangru looked overjoyed, but she was also thinking about other things.
...
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed, and Qin Moyuan's birthday arrived as scheduled.
As a great nation, Chennan Kingdom should have held a grand celebration for Regent Qin Moyuan's birthday, even inviting envoys from other great nations.
But on the sixth day of November, not even a single visitor came to pay their respects, let alone hold a banquet.
The vast regent's mansion was no different from usual, as if no one remembered that it was the master's birthday today.
Although Li Yueshu was puzzled, she did not ask further and taught A'yi as usual.
However, Qin Moyuan came to Ru Mo Residence early in the morning, wearing a white jade hairpin and an robe embroidered with exquisite brocade patterns. His tall figure, set off by the blue robe, added a touch of approachability to his abstinent and aloof face.
As soon as he entered, he stared intently at Li Yueshu. When she told him to practice shooting, he kept missing the target, clearly preoccupied with something.
Li Yueshu was not stupid and naturally sensed his gaze, but she chose to ignore it.
This man had deliberately arranged for people to "gossip" in front of her, and today he specifically came to make his presence known. The meaning was already very clear.
Unfortunately, he encountered someone with a naturally rebellious spirit like herself.
She was determined to pretend she knew nothing!
Thus, Qin Moyuan followed Li Yueshu around like a shadow for the entire day, but she directly hid in her space to study the Scarlet Flame Vine.
Qin Moyuan looked at the closed door and the watchful Mother Mo at the entrance, feeling that even the wind today was colder than usual.
Had his hints not been obvious enough, and Ah Shu had not understood?
Yan Bo came in at this moment.
He saw Qin Moyuan at the door at a glance. His back looked like that of a discarded puppy, indescribably pathetic.
Yan Bo's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly dismissed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, walking forward cautiously. "Your Highness, Eunuch Cao is here."
Qin Moyuan waved his hand. "Tell him to put the things directly into the storeroom."
Every year on this day, Cao Zhuang would come to the regent's mansion. Without thinking, he knew what he was here for.
"Yes."
Yan Bo responded respectfully and was about to turn away when Qin Moyuan suddenly called him. "Wait!"
He looked at Mother Mo. "Aunt Mo, go in and tell Ah Shu that there is an imperial edict from the palace, and she needs to come out to receive it together."
Yan Bo looked at Qin Moyuan in shock, then at the closed door, his expression cracking.
So His Highness was being locked out by Miss Li?
He was truly a discarded little...
Yan Bo lowered his head, silently muttering "Forgive me, forgive me," in his heart, but he couldn't resist his desire to watch the show and secretly looked at his master several times.
Qin Moyuan did not notice the eyes behind him and was happily waiting for Mother Mo's reply.
A moment later, the door opened again, and Mother Mo indeed brought Li Yueshu out.
Li Yueshu had just washed her hands and was wiping them with a handkerchief.
She looked at Qin Moyuan with a puzzled expression. "Why would the Emperor issue an edict to me?"
Qin Moyuan said with a straight face, "I don't know what the edict is about. Ah Shu, let's go and see together!"
Yan Bo behind him twitched his lips and buried his head even lower.
Li Yueshu did not suspect anything. After handing the handkerchief to Mother Mo, she followed Qin Moyuan to the front hall.
At this time, Cao Zhuang was respectfully waiting in the front hall.
As a favored official of the Emperor, even the imperial concubines had to show him respect, but in the regent's mansion, he dared not be presumptuous at all.
Soon, Li Yueshu and Qin Moyuan arrived with their entourage.
Cao Zhuang glanced at Li Yueshu, who was walking side by side with Qin Moyuan, and surprise flashed in his eyes.
He quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "This servant greets the Regent."
"Rise." Qin Moyuan slightly raised his hand. "Eunuch Cao, is there something you need at the regent's mansion today?"
This question stumped Cao Zhuang, and he subconsciously looked up.
He came every year on this day. Why would the Regent ask this?
As the head eunuch who had served the Emperor for many years, although Cao Zhuang did not know what had happened, he still replied, "Today is Your Highness's birthday. This servant has been specially sent by His Majesty to deliver gifts to Your Highness."
After speaking, he instructed the palace attendants behind him to open the chests placed in the courtyard.