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

Chapter 18: Master Gu (Two in One)

Ning Caiyong was not unaware of her husband's character, and she had often heard about the horror of "inner demons."

She has no cultivation, and apart from her appearance and family background, she is just an ordinary girl.

Her greatest pursuit is to support her husband, raise children and manage the household business.

For so many years, her entire life revolved around her children, and she didn't even have her own friends.

To Ning Caiyong, her husband's reputation outside was just a distant concept.

Sometimes, she would feel honored for this and proud of her brave husband fighting for the Wei Dynasty.

But most of the time, she could only smile knowingly, and then look back at the children in the palace with loneliness.

But she never imagined that one day it would be her turn to experience this fear and anxiety.

Ning Caiyong's becoming Gu Yuye's princess was a marriage mostly based on interests.

At that time, Jiange had just experienced civil unrest. Ning Songjun held the head of Feng Liu, the "Zhengrong Sword" who wanted to split Jiange, and used the sword to cut the land into a boat.

This sword directly cut off the land within a thousand miles where the entire Jiange was located. It floated into the water with a deafening roar and turned into an island in Donglong Lake.

Thus he achieved the title of "Sword Saint"!
After a great battle, Jiange was unable to take care of itself, and as the largest sect of Liuhua Dao, it naturally made many enemies.

In times of internal and external troubles, it is impossible to maintain such a large immortal sect with only a sword master who is ignorant of worldly affairs.

At this time, Gu Yuye, the King of Zhenbei, took the initiative to come to Ning Caiyong to ask for her hand in marriage, saying that he had met her by chance in Gusu and fell in love with her.

The Pavilion Master had always loved his eldest daughter. After much deliberation and inquiring about Ning Caiyong's wishes, he finally agreed to the marriage.

From then on, Jiange and King Zhenbei were tied to the same boat.

Thanks to a son-in-law like the King of Zhenbei, Jiange was able to recuperate from the civil strife and regain its position as the largest sect in Liuhua.

Ning Caiyong actually didn't remember where he and Gu Yuye had met in Gushu.

The first time she saw Gu Yuye was when the latter came to propose marriage. She hid behind the curtain and took a quick look.

Although Gu Yuye has a cold look, he has an excellent appearance. When he was young, he was a young general full of vigor and vitality. As he grew older, he also became calm and composed, with the demeanor of a scholar.

But when he mentioned Ning Caiyong, his eyes would soften a little.

It was not difficult for Ning Caiyong to imagine what it would be like if this man became her husband.

He should be her ideal "suitable husband".

Reliable and stable.

After that, they lived in the palace for many years and always treated each other with respect.

Whether in the eyes of outsiders or herself, this marriage is extremely successful... except for her incompetent son.

But in Ning Caiyong's opinion, Gu Fangchen's bad temper and incompetence were not innate defects.

She had seen Gu Fangchen's seriousness and hard work when he was a child, and had also seen the despair and unwillingness of that little child. Only then did she understand why Gu Fangchen had gone astray now.

This is also the reason why she has always protected Gu Fangchen.

Ultimately, it was because they failed to protect the child that he suffered so many injuries.

...Ning Caiyong originally thought that Gu Yuye thought the same.

She thought that no matter how cruel her husband's methods were or how cold-blooded his temperament was, those were still methods used against the enemy.

Just like the first time they met and saw each other, she saw a hint of softness and warmth in Gu Yuye's eyes when he mentioned her name.

Even if he had raised someone else's child by mistake, after so many years of getting along, could Gu Yuye be so cruel as to break off all ties overnight?

Ning Caiyong still hoped that he could persuade Gu Yuye to keep Gu Fangchen in the palace and adopt him as his adopted son and continue to raise him.

But I didn't expect that Gu Yuye would not only kill Gu Fangchen directly, but also say such heartbreaking words!

Ning Caiyong's greatest pursuit was to take care of her husband and children. For this reason, she hardly left the palace for decades after her marriage.

Even my younger brother, I have rarely seen him since he got married.

But now, Gu Yuye is suspicious of her!
Ning Caiyong took two steps back with a pale face. This most beautiful face ever seen in the world did not dim at all. Instead, it had the pitiful look of Xi Shi, who frowned and held her heart.

Just like the fragile and slender moon in the water, it is so beautiful that people want to hold it in their hands, but it will easily slip through their fingers.

No matter who sees it, they will feel pity.

She trembled:

"Your Majesty, what are you doubting?"

A trace of pity flashed across Gu Yuye's eyes, but he took a deep breath and said coldly:

"Whatever you think I'm doubting, that's what I'm doubting."

Ning Caiyong has done nothing wrong over the years, and he can hardly find any point to exploit. The only flaw is her constant protection of Gu Fangchen...

Saying these words would hurt her feelings.

But leaving Gu Fangchen behind is his weakness.

Gu Yuye would not allow any flaws to appear in himself or his own son's path to success.

So Gu Fangchen must die!
Gu Yuye looked at Ning Caiyong, sighed, took her hand, and said in a deep voice:

"Cai Yong, you should think clearly. He is not your child, but a nail left behind by the Demon Cult."

"Even if we take a step back, what qualifications does he have to be your son? Think about it, haven't he done enough stupid and bad things over the years? You're so upset and sad about this, but does he even show any understanding for you?"

"He was born a lowly and bad child, which is why he is so difficult to teach. Fortunately, God has mercy on me and allowed me to recognize our biological son."

"Our biological son, a true saint, a fifth-rank divine cultivator, this is the son we should be proud of."

"He's almost had his faith destroyed by that little bastard. You should go and see him. He's never had the intimacy and love of a mother in all these years, and you're just turning a blind eye?"

Gu Yuye held his wife's hand tightly, and his cold eyes softened, as if filled with affection:
"Don't let me down again, okay?"

Ning Caiyong was silent for a while.

Just when Gu Yuye thought she had finally figured it out, Ning Caiyong pulled his hand away, raised his head, and spoke word by word:
"Your Majesty, is it that Chen'er is difficult to teach, or have you never considered teaching him well from the beginning?"

Gu Yuye's pupils suddenly constricted.

Ning Caiyong looked at him, his eyes suddenly becoming unfamiliar, and he said softly and mournfully:

"Your Majesty, as soon as you came back, you invited Monk Shenxiu to heal Yuan Dao's injuries, and you personally protected him. How serious could his injuries be?"

"But have you forgotten? When Chen'er's Dantian was destroyed, you only came back for a quick look before returning to the border."

"Chen'er has practiced the sword techniques you left behind countless times, but because his Dantian was destroyed, he couldn't even practice. You never knew his pain."

She paused and said:

"Your Majesty, I raised Chen'er with my own hands. He may not be the son of the King of Zhenbei, but he will always be my, Ning Caiyong's, son."

"If you want to doubt it, then doubt it. I, Ning Caiyong, have a clear conscience."

"If after investigation, Chen'er has no connection with the Demon Cult, and you still don't want to acknowledge him, then I will take him back to Jiange."

After saying that, she turned around, pushed the door open and left.

Gu Lianxian, who was eavesdropping outside, screamed in alarm and quickly dodged to the side. Gu Yuye walked out expressionlessly, reaching out to grab the doorframe. Watching his wife leave, his face sinister, he subconsciously exerted force, and with a "crack" the doorframe shattered.

Gu Lianxian came out and murmured:
"Why can't mother figure it out?"

She was actually a little jealous in her heart. Among the three children in the family, Gu Fangchen always received the most favoritism.

As the saying goes, the crying child gets the milk.

Although Gu Fangchen is useless, she is the one Ning Caiyong has spent the most time and energy on, so their feelings are naturally deep.

Gu Yuye understood this principle very well, but he did not expect that Ning Caiyong, who was as gentle as water in the past, would bite people when he was forced into a corner today.

And... as he spoke, he seemed to have some doubts about Gu Yuye's previous attitude.

King Zhenbei exhaled, looked at the dim sky, and squinted his eyes.

Well, as long as it is confirmed that Gu Fangchen is connected with the Demon Cult and Ning Caiyong sees the truth, no matter how deep the relationship is, it will be broken.

And for this purpose, he had already set up the plan three years ago.

Martial Saint?

Even the Martial Saint could not resist the imperial power.

……

When Gu Fangchen returned to the palace, he saw Ning Caiyong standing at the door holding a lantern and waiting from afar.

The pale blue light from the sky shone on her, making her red dress stand out even more. The lantern swayed, and the beautiful woman looked around worriedly.

Seeing Gu Fangchen land, he relaxed his brows and revealed a gentle smile.

She stretched out her hand and gestured:
"Chen'er, come here quickly."

Gu Fangchen took two steps at a time and subconsciously went up to hug Ning Caiyong, shouting:
"mother!"

After he finished shouting, he realized that he shouted much more fluently than before, and he felt a little ashamed.

As expected, some things, if you do them more often, you will get used to them...

Ning Caiyong first raised the corners of his mouth and smoothed out Gu Fangchen's hair, then Gu Yuye's words suddenly flashed through his mind...

Her fingers froze when they touched the young man's forehead, and she muttered something in her mind.

If you have a clear conscience, what is there to be afraid of?
Gu Yuye deliberately used this to provoke her. Would she do as he wished and distance herself from Chen'er because of this?

Then who can Chen'er rely on?
Although the old Martial Saint accepted Chen'er as his true disciple, Chen'er was unable to practice after all. How sincere could he be?
Besides, with this unreliable character, it is obvious that he will not be able to teach Chen'er martial arts well.

There is only myself.

Ning Caiyong thought of this, and Gu Fangchen suddenly turned his head, pointed his finger, and said:
"Mother, this is Miss Qing Jian. Although Princess Prajna can't cure the poison in me for the time being, she is kind-hearted and we felt a strong connection from the moment we met, so she specially sent someone to take care of me."

Qing Jian: “…”

This person is really good at telling lies with his eyes open.

She bowed to Ning Caiyong and said, "Princess."

Ning Caiyong was in a daze for a moment, then he realized that this was not... wasn't this the attendant Xiyin from the Tara religion?

Qing Jian continued calmly:

"The princess asked me to serve Master Gu."

Serve, serve? !

Ning Caiyong opened his eyes wide and was immediately startled.

Previously, when the attendant Xiyin came to convey Princess Prajna's order, even Gu Yuye did not take it seriously. Although he appeared respectful and polite, he did not give in at all.

He clearly looked arrogant and cold!

However, given the lofty status of Attendant Xiyin in the Tara religion, he is only slightly lower than Princess Prajna.

Although his cultivation level is not among the best in the Tara religion, no one dares to look down on him because he can basically represent Princess Prajna.

Why would he be willing to serve Chen'er?
Given Chen'er's reputation, Princess Prajna should have avoided him if possible!
Giving a personal maid to a man and asking her to take care of him and serve him, there is a lot of room for maneuver.

What does Princess Prajna mean by this?
Ning Caiyong was really confused.

If Princess Prajna was interested in the poison in Chen'er and wanted to take a look, then it would be explainable.

But such behavior is totally incomprehensible.

Although she doted on Gu Fangchen, she knew even better what kind of person her son was. It was impossible for him to be favored by someone like Princess Prajna.

However, Ning Caiyong looked at the Martial Saint on the left and then at the Xiyin waiter on the right.

Finally, she turned her head and looked at the dark sky in the west.

Strange, the sun didn’t rise from the west today?
"Mother, what's wrong? You're still standing at the door."

A cold voice sounded.

Gu Youren's figure appeared at the door, and then he noticed Qing Jian, who was wearing a black cloak and had a pair of golden lotus eyes, and was stunned.

Her expression changed. "Waiter Xiyin? But is Princess Prajna here to visit?"

Qing Jian's expression remained unchanged as he continued calmly:

"I am now Mr. Gu's maid."

Gu Youren looked puzzled at first, then frowned and said strangely:
"Is this what Princess Prajna meant?"

Qing Jian nodded, his voice very cold:
"Princess Prajna was worried about Master Gu's safety, so she asked me to take care of him."

Gu Youren nodded, glanced at Gu Fangchen, snorted coldly, and agreed:
"Indeed, once their identities are exposed, some despicable people can't wait to get rid of the real boss so that they can continue to occupy his position."

"Princess Prajna has such a clear vision. Protecting the noble and guarding against the villains is indeed a necessary move."

When everyone heard this, they all looked strange.

Ning Caiyong opened his mouth, only then realizing why his eldest daughter's tone was so wrong...

Why was she just curious, but not surprised or questioning?

Instead, he even expressed his approval.

When Ning Caiyong first heard this, he thought that his eldest daughter had changed her personality, but he didn't expect... she actually thought that Qing Jian was sent by Princess Prajna to protect Gu Yuandao!
Gu Fangchen blinked, spread his hands, and then made a serious expression of gritting his teeth and said angrily:
"Gu Youren! I've fallen so low, and you're still mocking me like this! Are you still human?!"

"Couldn't Princess Prajna have sent someone to protect me?"

Gu Youren chuckled:
"Oh, you?"

"Don't you know why Gu Yuandao's Dao heart was damaged? Only a despicable person like you would harm others as soon as they meet."

Gu Fangchen's expression remained unchanged as he continued to shout:
"Who is mean? It's just that Gu Yuandao's cultivation is not good enough. He was broken by a few words from others. He is not as good as me!"

Gu Youren's eyes became even colder:
"Whoever Princess Prajna is guarding against is a despicable villain. Don't you admit it?"

Gu Fangchen raised the corner of his mouth:
"That's what you said."

----

P.S.: I copied it from a coding software recently and was in a hurry, so I always copied it wrong. I have corrected it now.
(End of this chapter)