After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

"It can be returned to the Imperial Household Department." Gu Ce deliberately brought this up to show his attitude.

The items belonging to the Imperial Household Department were the Emperor's private treasury. The Emperor could use them as he pleased.

Emperor Taikang stared at the land deed for a long time before pushing it back: "Since you acquired it, it belongs to you. There are many wealthy people in the capital. You can continue to run your gambling den, but you must register with the Jingzhao Prefecture. You must not do anything that violates the law, you must not induce gambling, and you must not cheat."

Gu Ce was stunned. Not only did the emperor refuse it, he also allowed him to continue using it to run a gambling den.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gu Ce bowed respectfully. "It's just that it's inappropriate for me to carry it all by myself."

"Oh?" Emperor Taikang raised an eyebrow. This child is so honest.

"Last night, I didn't actually contribute much; it was mainly my wife, Prince Li, and the Fourth Prince who did the most work. Since His Majesty has given me this opportunity, I would like to invite you and the others to join me. What do you think?" Gu Ce said earnestly.

By involving the Emperor, the Crown Prince will have to think twice before he tries to cause trouble.

"Haha, you little rascal, you're so cunning." Emperor Taikang knew Gu Ce's purpose as soon as he heard it. "Alright, I'll take 20%, and you can decide how to distribute the rest. But I won't contribute any money."

Emperor Taikang was very pleased.

"No need to spend any money. The money seized from the gambling den is more than enough to keep it running." Gu Ce thought of the 800,000 taels of working capital that were seized, and he knew how profitable the gambling den was.

Such high profits are certainly related to the gambling dens' use of unfair methods. If everything were done legally, the profits might not be this high, but it's still more profitable than other businesses.

"Is the fourth prince really able to stand up again?" Emperor Taikang's smile faded, and his expression turned serious.

That child was a great disgrace to his life. When he was young, he disliked this son and left him to fend for himself.

Five years ago, Zhang'er suddenly disappeared, but he didn't pay attention to it. It wasn't until Zhang'er returned last year with a crippled leg that he realized he had gone too far as a father.

But over the years, a rift had formed between father and son, so he could only instruct the imperial physician to treat him properly.

Now he has no children, only the crown prince is healthy.

No matter how much the Crown Prince's arrogance is suppressed, the throne of Southern Xia will eventually be handed over to him. He just needs the Crown Prince to obediently wait for him after his death.

But the crown prince couldn't wait for him to pass away and wanted to seize power from him, which he couldn't tolerate.

He was naturally delighted to learn that Zhang'er had a chance of recovering.

If the crown prince goes too far, he will have other options.

"He can only stand up, not walk yet. Madam said he needs another month to recover before he can try walking. However, Madam suggested that even if the Fourth Prince can walk, he should pretend to be disabled and wait for the right opportunity to stand up," Gu Ce said truthfully.

Last night, Gu Ce was also surprised to see Yuwen Zhang stand up in public. His wife's medical skills were truly remarkable. In just two months, she had cured him to the point where he could stand up again.

He knew that An Yi had immediately relayed the news to the Emperor.

"Please thank your wife for me."

Rong's consideration for the fourth son was correct.

On the surface, it seems that the Crown Prince was behind the scheme that he was plotted against on the battlefield, but I don't think it's that simple.

The Crown Prince looks down on the Fourth Prince. Consort Cao hasn't harmed him all these years, so there's no reason for her to do so now that he's on the battlefield. This doesn't align with the usual practices of Consort Cao and the Crown Prince.

"Do you suspect that someone else ruined the Fourth Prince?" Gu Ce had always believed that it was the Crown Prince and Consort Cao who did it.

"The Crown Prince is now twenty-five years old, and the Eastern Palace has only two princesses so far, with no imperial grandsons. This is the biggest point of suspicion."

Even the shrewd Consort Cao and the Crown Princess couldn't detect the problem, and I also had my own people investigate, but they found nothing. This shows that the person behind it all is very discreet. However, this is just my guess.” Emperor Taikang sighed.

He has failed the late emperor; he only has two sons left. How can he face his ancestors?

"Your Majesty, I have a premonition," Gu Ce said after a moment's hesitation.

"What premonition?" Emperor Taikang was taken aback.

"It's very likely that the Second Prince can be found." Gu Ce said, then lowered his head slightly.

He might have been too hasty, but he also wanted to give the Emperor hope. With this hope, the Emperor could hold out longer and be more ruthless in the face of the Crown Prince and Consort Cao's various actions.

"What's your basis?" Emperor Taikang's eyes lit up instantly, but he wasn't a child and couldn't believe everything Gu Ce said.

"There's no basis for this; it's just a premonition. However, my wife once read a book on physiognomy and feng shui."

After she first met you, she returned to her residence and told me that Your Majesty should have three sons to please you, but you only have two. That's why I had this premonition." Gu Ce decided to be more explicit now that he had said this.

He had no basis for his claim, so he could conveniently use the fact that his wife could read faces as an excuse. The Emperor only needed to inquire a little to know that his wife was knowledgeable in metaphysics.

"Ah Ce, I know you're trying to comfort me. Twenty-one years have passed, and there's been no news. How can I believe your so-called premonition?" Emperor Taikang sighed again.

That was his only legitimate son, the child born to the woman he loved, but he went missing.

He still remembered that year when he took his princess Xian'er to visit the lantern festival. Xiao'er was only two years old and wanted to go with them. When Xian'er asked, he agreed and carried her around the streets himself.

But fate is unpredictable, and they were attacked.

For the child's safety, he sent a bodyguard with the child away first; the assassin wanted to kill him.

But when everything calmed down, the body of the guard lay in a dark alley, and the child was nowhere to be found.

After searching for many days without success, neither the living nor the dead could be found.

He dared not tell Xian'er the truth about this.

He had been lying to her all along, claiming that the child was lost.

The Empress had long been ill with lovesickness and was nearing her death.

"Your Majesty, you can use these words to comfort the Empress. My wife once secretly checked the Empress's pulse and said that if she continues to worry, her life may be in danger." Gu Ce was afraid that something might happen to the Empress.

The Empress lived a secluded life, and he rarely had the chance to see her. Every time he did see her, he never saw a genuine smile on her face.

"Your idea is good. I know what to do." Emperor Taikang was very moved. In his presence, A'ce truly cared for him and the Empress as if he were a junior.

Moreover, he could tell that A-Ce was sincere and not the kind of minister who flattered and fawned.

The Gu residence.

Rong Yingluo wanted to go out and join the fun, and Li Xuanye was the first to know. Without saying a word, he dropped what he was doing and insisted on going with her.

He climbed into Rong Yingluo's carriage without her permission.

"Hey, with such a big thing happening last night, aren't you busy?" Rong Yingluo rolled her eyes.

"Of course I'm busy, but there's something on my mind that I can't get answers to. It's like a cat scratching at my heart." Li Xuanye looked like he was asking for help.

"If you need answers, you should consult a gentleman. What's the point of getting into my carriage? Don't you know the proper separation of men and women?" Rong Yingluo deliberately feigned anger, but the smile in her eyes clearly carried a teasing tone.