Chapter 88 Part 1: Confession

There were fine calluses on Gu Hui Yan's fingers. This was the mark left by many years of martial arts and military service. The rubbing felt itchy on her face. Lin Wei Xi knew that when Gu Hui Yan was relaxed or in a good mood he liked to touch with his thumb. It used to be a porcelain teacup, but now it gradually became her face.

Lin Wei Xi originally hung her head and let Gu Hui Yan's hand linger on her face. For some reason, she suddenly turned her face away quickly, her voice faintly like crying: "You lie to me."

"I didn't." Gu Hui Yan knew that Lin Wei Xi was crying, and he also knew that she didn't want to be seen, even though there were only the two of them in the room now. He lowered his voice and slowly coaxed: "In fact, before you went to see me that day, I just received a letter from Aunt Shou Kang. She wanted to take you to the princess mansion. You were an unmarried girl and lived without reason or any relations in Yan Wang Mansion, it's not good for your reputation. I know you will never come back if you go. And I'm busy with government affairs and never participate in the world of women of the inner house. If I really let you go, I basically won't see you again."

Lin Wei Xi was crying and sobbing, but still forced herself to say, "Weren't you reading First Assistant Zhang's letter at that time?"

"Yes, I heard someone coming and deliberately covered it up." Gu Hui Yan had a soft smile in his eyes. "If you go further, you will see under Zhang Jiang Ling's letter there was Princess Shou Kang Mansion's letter."

Lin Wei Xi couldn't help it anymore and cried with her hands over her eyes. Gu Hui Yan encircled Lin Wei Xi's shoulders and slowly put her in his arms: "It's not what you think. At that time agreeing to your proposal is like pushing the boat along the river1, but actually it's me who receive benefit from your action."

"You are coaxing me again."

"When did I lie to you, you can go to the study to see if you don't believe me."

Lin Wei Xi couldn't restrain herself from crying. She had heard the story of Gu Hui Yan and Shen shi since a long time ago. During the first few days of married, Shen shi's dowry servant proudly ran over to warn her. She knew that she went out of the convention by recommending herself as bedfellow, then Yan Wang agreed to marry her. If a beautiful young woman took the initiative, could that man refuse? Every time she heard about the past events between Yan Wang and Wangfei Shen, she became short-temper. One was love at first sight and the other took the initiative to seek marriage herself. How could she dare? How could she compared herself with her predecessor?

But Gu Hui Yan's patience and meticulousness was a huge trap. She couldn't help but wonder why he did this, and if it was another person, would he still treat another woman with such tenderness?

In both previous and present lives Lin Wei Xi had become the victim of her husband's sweetheart, the defeated opponent of other women, with Gao Ran was like this, and with Shen shi was also like this. Her natural disposition was strong, but emotionally she was as cautious and cowardly as an escaping soldier. She was afraid that the tragedy of the previous life would happen to her again. She could walk out of Gu Cheng Yao's shadow, but this time she couldn't.

She never thought that she would hear such words.

Gu Hui Yan allowed Lin Wei Xi to cry in his arms, he was also very regretful. He recalled the first time he saw Lin Wei Xi's appearance, she because Zhao Wangfei insulted him, specifically brought back this appearance. And that day, ten thousand miles red makeup (wedding day) when he lifted her veil, Lin Wei Xi glanced at him quickly. At that time, the red curtain were hanging high, and the candlelight swayed gently, Lin Wei Xi was sitting in the room full of people, radiating brilliant light and amazing beauty.

Until now, she was pregnant with his child, uncontrollably crying in his arms, trembling weakly like a lamb. Gu Hui Yan paused for a while, his voice gentle, but it seemed to be coming from a distance: "Xi'er, I marry you because I don't want you to leave my sight, and I don't want another man to possess you. I am also very selfish. Selfish enough to obey the heart's matter, but reluctant to admit it for a long time, so let you always under tremendous pressure. Marriage is men' feeling and women' wishes, this marriage can happen, not because you took the initiative, and I am not good at refusing. Xi'er, any man who says this to you is lying to you."

Lin Wei Xi was crying and could hardly speak, Gu Hui Yan picked her up and carefully wiped the tears on her face: "Don't cry, I feel distressed when you cry. I will promise you whatever you want, and we will have a long life to do these things together in the future. Oh that's right, there's also our children."

Gu Hui Yan's words seemed to be a bit rueful: "I have vaguely testing you several times before, and when you heard about children you were not happy. I thought you were unwilling to have children. I actually thought to just leave it to fate, as long as you are still here, that's enough. But when you were told that you are pregnant today, and you were worried that riding a horse might hurt your fetus, I'm really happy."

Lin Wei Xi with great difficulty stopped her tears and asked between her sob, "I thought you still missed Wangfei Shen and unwilling to let me give birth to children, so as not to touch the interests of Shizi... No, when did you testing me?"

Gu Hui Yan couldn't help but laugh, he hugged Lin Wei Xi in his arms, his voice was low and inaudible: "Several times. You didn't notice it once."

Lin Wei Xi thought about it carefully, only then vaguely remembered that there were indeed a few times, Gu Hui Yan spoke ambiguously, and his eyes were very strange. It turned out he was testing her at that time. This was just what she remembered. More often than not, she would be trapped away, but she didn't know anything. Lin Wei Xi got more and more angry, couldn't help but clenched her fist, and bitterly punched Gu Hui Yan a few times on his chest.

This little strength was really not painful or itchy, when her soft hands punched him, on the contrary, it brought out a wonderful numbness. Gu Hui Yan hurriedly stopped, straightened up and looked at Lin Wei Xi in a serious and honest manner: "Blame me for making you cry twice today. You are still pregnant, so lie down and rest quickly."

Lin Wei Xi was indeed tired. She was lying on the cloud-like soft and warm bedding, her fingers still holding Gu Hui Yan's sleeve reluctantly: "You are not allowed to go, you have to accompany me."

"Alright, I will stay here, I won't leave."

Lin Wei Xi, still felt uneasy, hooked Gu Hui Yan's clothes with her fingers. In a daze, it seemed that someone had been watching her gently and intently. Then, she fell asleep completely.

1 Pushing the boat along the river, taking advantage of the situation for one's own benefit.↩

Chapter 88 Part 2: Confession

This time Gu Hui Yan really didn't break his promise. When she woke up the next day, Gu Hui Yan was still with her. Lin Wei Xi was very embarrassed when she thought about what happened yesterday. She actually cried like that in front of Yan Wang, really disgraceful. She asked while unnaturally avoided his sight, "Why is Wangye still in the mansion today, you don't need to go to His Majesty's side?"

"I took leave from the court." Gu Hui Yan said confidently and calmly. "Wangfei is pregnant. I have to look after Wangfei in the mansion."

Lin Wei Xi smiled and glanced at Gu Hui Yan. Gradually, she realized that Gu Hui Yan looked serious and didn't seem to be joking: "You really said that?"

"Yup."

Lin Wei Xi couldn't close her mouth for quite a while, a moment later, she collapsed and covered her face with her hands: "God, you... how do I go out and meet people later?"

Gu Hui Yan really did what he said. Starting from the day when Lin Wei Xi was diagnosed with pregnancy, he stayed in the mansion to accompany Lin Wei Xi for several days. The eunuch next to the Emperor personally invited him to hunt but he refused. Just like this, Gu Hui Yan openly released the pigeons1 to the Emperor, important ministers, and everyone.

Thanks to Gu Hui Yan's blessing, the news of Yan Wangfei's pregnancy spread like it has wings all over the palace inside and outside.

Gao Ran had been mentally and physically exhausted these few days. On one side she was bother by Han shi and the adoption matter, and on the other side she heard that Lin Wei Xi was pregnant, and Yan Wang also made a special leave to accompany his furen. Between these two things, Gao Ran became more and more irritable, and there were always lingering anxiety and gloom between her eyebrows, unlike the calm and smooth appearance before marriage.

The Emperor came to the outside palace full of enthusiasm to hunt, he finally got away from the shackles of First Assistant Zhang, at once crazily had fun for a few days. However, the things that should have come couldn't be avoided, letters from the capital came frequently, and Zhang Xiao Lian urged the Emperor to return to the palace every day, shouldn't play around till he was saddled with incapable ruler' reputation. The Emperor was bored by the lecture, and during his stay in the outside palace, there was also the accident of Duke Yingguo Shizi who died because of blood loss. Many people found it unlucky. Due to external forces and internal factors, the return to the palace was quickly put on the agenda.

Lin Wei Xi was relaxed when she came out, but when she returned, everyone was like facing an enemy. The carriage was paddled and cushioned, and the carriage wheel were also carefully wrapped, for fear that it would jolt Wangfei too much.

In the capital, Grand Princess Shou Kang had received the letter. When His Majesty returned to the capital, the long entourage also followed along. Grand Princess Shou Kang, regardless of her body, immediately ran to Yan Wang Mansion to see Lin Wei Xi and the little life in Lin Wei Xi's belly. Grand Princess Shou Kang was already old, and naturally did not fit for this kind of tiring thing like going to the outside palace to escape the summer heat, but who would have thought that after only a few months, she who stayed in the capital received a letter from Gu Hui Yan saying that Lin Wei Xi was pregnant.

Oh! Grand Princess Shou Kang was so happy that she couldn't sleep for several days. When Lin Wei Xi came back, she hurried over to visit. Lin Wei Xi leaned on the big pillow and her waist was also cushioned with a brocade pillow. Her complexion was rosy, and her smile was peaceful, she had the soft light of someone who was about to become a mother. At first glance, people could see that the marriage was very good.

When Grand Princess Shou Kang saw Lin Wei Xi's face, she put down half of the weight in her heart. She took Lin Wei Xi's hand and asked carefully, from the basics of daily necessities to sitting and sleeping everyday patterns, all kind of details very patiently. After asking, Grand Princess Shou Kang put down the other half of the weight in her heart back in her stomach: "You and Yan Wang get along very well, now I can rest assured. The time is so fast. I obviously feel that you have just been married not long ago. How come even the children already have?"

Lin Wei Xi was very embarrassed when she heard the words, Wan Xing covered her mouth and smiled next to her, and said, "Grand Princess, it's not your illusion, it is indeed the young master who come quickly. Today, on the tenth day of September, is less than ten months since Wangfei got married, now Wangfei already three months pregnant."

"Wan Xing." Lin Wei Xi glared at her warningly, and Wan Xing stuck out her tongue, not really afraid. Grand Princess Shou Kang laughed: "Very good, it's a good thing that the child comes quickly. You husband and wife have a good relationship, which means that this matchmaker has done a good job. In another day I have to let Yan Wang invite me for a drink. To marry such a good Wangfei, this aunt's contributions is not small."

Lin Wei Xi's cheeks blushed hearing this, the whole person became more gorgeous. Grand Princess Shou Kang looked happily, and patted Lin Wei Xi's hand with relief, meaning something: "Sister Xi, Yan Wang is always worried about you. You should take care and wait for next year to give birth to a big fat baby. Let those who can't get on the stage get angry."

Lin Wei Xi understood what Grand Princess Shou Kang meant. She once didn't want to have a baby because she was not sure about Gu Hui Yan's opinion, but now Gu Hui Yan looked forward to this unborn baby more than her. What should Lin Wei Xi be afraid of? If Gao Ran wanted to harm her, it depends on her ability.

Lin Wei Xi return the grip on Grand Princess Shou Kang's hands and smiled: "I understand, thank you for remembering me."

In Qingsong Garden, the atmosphere in the main courtyard was not easy. Gao Ran became very anxious, and spoke aggressively: "Shizi, should we find father to talk in private these few days?"

Gu Cheng Yao looked at her bafflingly: "What are you finding father for?"

Gao Ran clicked her tongue, hate for iron not becoming steel, leaned two steps closer, and whispered: "Wangfei is pregnant, if she gives birth to a boy, wouldn't it be..."

Gu Cheng Yao was stunned for a moment before realizing what Gao Ran meant. He looked at Gao Ran incredulously: "What are you talking about? She is pregnant with father's heir. If it is a boy, then it is my brother, we are born from the same parent's brothers. How could you think in this direction?"

Gu Cheng Yao couldn't believe it, since when did Gao Ran become such a person? Or, has she always been like this?

Full of schemes and keen to fight in the nest (internal strife).

1 Released the pigeons, in here means not keeping promises or breach of contract.↩

Chapter 89 Part 1: Moonlight

"Brother?" Gao Ran almost found it laughable, and she really laughed, "You treat him as a brother, but the other side may not be. In this world how many conflict happened because of the stepmother and the previous wife's di son. The succession of Qinwang's title, who can resist this temptation?"

Gu Cheng Yao subconsciously felt unhappy after hearing these words. He did not like to hear someone talked like this about Lin Wei Xi: "Others are short-sighted and blinded by greed, but she is not such a person."

Gao Ran originally just wanted to give a reminder, but hearing Gu Cheng Yao's words, the rage in her heart burst out, and her tone became extremely bad: "What does Shizi mean? Do you think she is not such a person? Huh, what a joke. She is selfish and cold. Now because of her pregnancy, father is even more confused by her, and will give her anything she want. Do you really think she doesn't care like she showed? Okay, even if she doesn't care about the title now, but once she gives birth to a son, will she have no crooked mind at all?"

Gu Cheng Yao felt that this conversation could not go on, how could Gao Ran become so unreasonable. Gu Cheng Yao said: "The succession of title is a ritual law. That kind of fight hand and foot for the title will not happen in our family. My father is not such a person, nor is she. I don't know where you heard such words, it's an insult to father and her. Besides, where did you put me? I'm eighteen years old. Do I still need to rely on very low inner house tricks to keep my position?"

Gao Ran, as if her tail being stepped on, was unusually stirred up: "Very low? Who is Shizi talking about?"

"I just stated the facts and didn't point to anyone." Gu Cheng Yao said coldly, "Why do you think this is a personal attack?"

Although he said so, but both of them well aware that what Gu Cheng Yao talked about was Gao Ran's attack to Yun Hui. This matter had been covered up, and Yun Hui had also sent out for almost half a year. But feelings were like a mirror, once there was a crack, it would not be able to return to the original form no matter how much it repaired. Yun Hui's affair was the crack that lies between Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran. Gao Ran's conspiracy was revealed, her public persona collapsed, and Gu Cheng Yao refused to trust Gao Ran anymore.

Gao Ran's eyes felt sore at the thought of this, and couldn't bear her tears. It's because of Yun Hui, and also because of that Yin Yang pot. If it wasn't for that wine pot that was not handled cleanly, how could she be suspected by Gu Cheng Yao, and how could Duke Yingguo Shizi be angry at Han shi because of the matter of spoiled concubine years ago.

The wrong step was because of her small mistake here, the Yin Yang pot was discovered by Gu Cheng Yao, and her image for many years had also ruined. Later, Duke Yingguo Shizi being meddlesome and annoyed Gu Cheng Yao. Gu Cheng Yao threw the yin yang pot to Duke Yingguo Shizi, causing Han shi and Gao Chen to fall into crisis. Han shi was afraid of exposing what she had done, when Duke Yingguo old madam asked about Shizi's whereabouts, she concealed her conscience and shook her head, said didn't know, which led to the death of Duke Yingguo Shizi. Now Han shi was living in panic every day. The old madam seemed to be suspicious. She had been checking who Shizi had met before his death. What if the old madam traced along the vine and found out about Han shi?

During this time, Gao Ran's inside and outside matters were not going well. In Duke Yingguo Mansion, Gao Ke had a strong momentum, and the adoption's matter became very noisy. Han shi was also in desperate situation because of Duke Yingguo Shizi's death. Gao Ran was exhausted by these things, but her husband and wife relationship with Gu Cheng Yao was also getting worse.

Gao Ran felt unspeakably at a loss. Wasn't her current situation the same as before Gao Xi's death? The husband and wife were indifferent, and they were fed up of seeing each other. Gao Ran always laughed at Gao Xi when she married Gu Cheng Yao. She felt that Gao Xi had no EQ and no brains to lead her life like that, and actually destroyed such a good hand. Then what about her? She obviously married as a live-saving benefactor who lost and regained her identity, but what was she doing now?

Gao Ran was so scared to think about it. She was different from Gao Xi, at any rate Gao Xi had a princess grandmother, but she had nothing. Once she lost Gu Cheng Yao, her situation would be much worse than Gao Xi. Gao Ran was sobbing and choking. She had been good at calculating all of her life, if she cried she must cry perfectly, lovely pitiful. But only then did Gao Ran realize that when she was really sad, she couldn't care about her appearance.

This was probably the first time Gao Ran really cried in years, but Gu Cheng Yao still looked at her coldly. He didn't believe Gao Ran was really crying, he just felt that Gao Ran was acting again.

"Shizi, it was so beautiful when we met, why is it like this now?"

Gao Ran really couldn't figure out the answer. She always felt that she was different from others. What's more, she and Gu Cheng Yao met before marriage and had such an unforgettable love. They had been going around for several years, during which they almost married other people, with great difficulty they were together again. To reach here was not easy, and the emotional foundation was so deep. Why it become like this?

Gu Cheng Yao seemed to think of what happened back then. Gao Ran saw Gu Cheng Yao standing quietly in place, seemingly recall the past, she slowly leaned over, wanting to hug Gu Cheng Yao.

Gao Ran approached step by step. When her hand was barely encircle Gu Cheng Yao's body, he grabbed her wrist. Gu Cheng Yao slowly but unhesitatingly pulled her away.

"I'm in love with the kind and charming girl who is willing to save a life even if she never know him, not you."

Gao Ran's face was drained of the blood: "Why is it not me? Shizi, it's indeed I who rescue you at the back of the mountain that year. The time, place, and details of your clothes at that time, I can match them all."

"But you said that the jade pendant was originally yours, and you also said that Gao Xi learned that I was looking for a lifesaver, so she forcibly snatched half of your jade pendant, and even collude with Grand Princess Shou Kang to send the jade pendant to father to replace your credit. You also said that you did not have a good life in Duke Yingguo Mansion. Because you are a shu daughter, you always suffer in silence. You were bullied by Gao Xi but you didn't dare to say anything, even when she snatched your predestined marriage you were helpless. "

"Shizi, this is a misunderstanding." Gao Ran sadly clutched Gu Cheng Yao's sleeve, raised her face and said to him, "How can you think of me like that just because Yun Hui's one side words?"

"Misunderstanding?" Gu Cheng Yao couldn't help but laugh. Although he was laughing, there was a sadness that could not be concealed in his laughter. "Then do you know that Gao Xi is dead because of these misunderstandings? Do you think she is already dead anyway and won't be able defend herself, so you pour dirty water on her, saying that she bullied you, pushing you around, and took your life-saving grace. Even after we got married, you still stopped me in the Duke mansion's garden in order to destroy your sister's marriage."

Chapter 89 Part 2: Moonlight

Gao Ran's face was pale and scary: "You blame me for ruining your relationship with Gao Xi? But this is originally mine. I told you the real person who saved you is me, so you blamed me for telling you the truth?"

Gu Cheng Yao closed his eyes in pain. If there wasn't Gao Ran or if he didn't accompany Gao Xi back to Duke Yingguo Mansion back then, what would happen? He still thought that Gao Xi was the girl who saved him. The sweetness of the first month of their marriage could continue. Gao Xi would slowly let go of her defense and spikes, becoming coquettish and clingy, perhaps very soon, they would have their first child...

But that would never be possible, and he would never have the chance to know if he hadn't treat Gao Xi coldly, would they have become a couple. Gao Xi was dead, and his father got out of his mother's influence and married Lin Wei Xi.

Gu Cheng Yao's obsession with life-saving grace was all influenced by Shen shi. The impact of childhood on a person was ineradicable. When he was a child, Shen shi told him every day about Yan Wang's life-saving grace to her, in the end the two broke through the secular barriers and became husband and wife. Gu Cheng Yao was not interested in these heroes rescued damsel in distress' story who was full of female fantasy, but when the same thing happened to him, he still couldn't help but fall into Shen shi's reasoning. He fell madly in love with a girl without seeing the other person's face, and even traveled far to find his savior, which was similar to what happened to Shen shi back then.

At first Gu Cheng Yao thought that the person was Gao Xi, the two get along well in the first month, but then Gu Cheng Yao found out that he had been deceived. The person who saved him was not Gao Xi, but Gao Ran. Gu Cheng Yao couldn't bear such deception, more so couldn't prevent the faint condemnation in his heart. Shen shi had great admiration for life-saving grace, if he continued to treat the false benefactor Gao Xi well, it would be like betraying his mother.

Therefore, the following things was out of control. He married Gao Ran, his real benefactor, but he couldn't find his original feelings. Before he could develop a relationship with Gao Ran, he learned that Gao Ran used despicable means to frame Yun Hui and always slander her sister Gao Xi.

Yun Hui had been with Gu Cheng Yao for eleven years, and in his heart she was like an older sister. Gao Ran even used the crime of adultery to slaughter Yun Hui. Gu Cheng Yao couldn't bear it. In particular, what Gu Cheng Yao couldn't accept was the truth about the sisters Gao Xi and Gao Ran that Yun Hui revealed.

What was true and what was false?

With so many things happened, why Gao Ran thought they could go back to the beginning? Gu Cheng Yao felt more and more that it was too arbitrary for him to fall in love with someone just for life-saving grace, but when he finally understand his heart, it was too late.

Gu Cheng Yao pushed Gao Ran away, disregarding her pale, paper-like face, and said coldly: "I have something to do outside, so I won't be back at night. You are after all Shizi Consort, as long as you know your place, I will give you the primary wife's face. Let me remind you again, Wangfei's pregnancy is a happy occasion for the mansion. Whether she gives birth to a boy or a girl, it is my sibling. If you dare to have a crooked mind, not only me, but my father will not spare you lightly..."

Gao Ran's tears slipped uncontrollably from her eye, her knuckles turned white, and she exhausted all her strength to grab the corner of Gu Cheng Yao's clothes: "Shizi..."

However, Gu Cheng Yao pried her hand bit by bit, and then left without looking back.

Gao Ran was so close but sadly unable to hold Gu Cheng Yao. Gu Cheng Yao took his clothes away from her hand, she suddenly lost the strength in her hand and fell to the ground. Gao Ran sat on the ground, and stared at the beautiful decorations around her, for a long time lost her senses.

She always knew that she was different. She had more knowledge, a more open mind, and a richer experience in wooing men than these feudal women. So she had always been confident that she could put everyone under her feet and lead a life that everyone envied. The first half of her life was just like the novels she had read in the previous life. Although she was a shu daughter, but in all aspect her life went smoothly. Her noble di older sister was not as good as her, her cute cousin was not as good as her, all women were not as good as her, and all men secretly in love with her. Gao Ran married grandly as she wished for, she married a first-rate aristocrat, and she deserves to live a life where everyone was inferior to her. But why was her situation like this?

Gao Ran sat on the ground for a long time. The maid outside heard Shizi and Shizi Consort quarreled and did not dare to approach, even until a long time they did not hear Shizi Consort's movement. They were afraid that something happened, gathered their courage and lightly knocked on the door: "Shizi Consort..."

Gao Ran came to her senses, and quickly wiped her face, wiping away the tears that were not dry on her face: "What's the matter?"

"There are people from Duke Yingguo Mansion here, Han yiniang send someone to give you something."

"Send it in." Gao Ran ordered coldly. She got up from the ground and sorted her clothes with a gloomy face. After a while, she suddenly remembered something, "How can Duke Yingguo Mansion suddenly come Yan Wang Mansion? Who brought it?"

"It's Master Gao Ke. The young master is grateful to Wangfei for her grace, so he made a special trip to thank Wangfei."

Hearing this name, Gao Ran's face quickly sank. She sneered, and cursed in an angry voice: "Birds of a feather flock together."

The maid outside vaguely heard what Gao Ran said, but she didn't hear clearly, so asked carefully: "Shizi Consort, what did you say?"

"Nothing." Gao Ran replied lightly. She held the table and slowly sat on the embroidered stool.

The words from the previous life were true, men are unreliable. Only money, power, and brother from the same parent would not betray you.

A fierce light flashed in Gao Ran's eyes. How could she catch a tiger if she didn't enter the tiger's lair. She must let her younger brother become the heir of Duke Yingguo Mansion. All those who stand in the way must die.

Chapter 90 Part 1: Doubt

At the end of September, without warning, the conflict between the Emperor and First Assistant Zhang broke out.

It started with a scholar who had just entered officialdom and was full of the righteousness of the world. He actually gave memorial to impeach Zhang Xiao Lian for dominating the court, wantonly embezzled and formed parties for personal gain. Zhang Xiao Lian was dominating alone for ten years, and never thought that someone would dare to impeach him. Zhang Xiao Lian snorted and naturally pressed down this memorial. He didn't think it was a big deal.

It was unprecedented to dare to impeach First Assistant Zhang. This scholar was beaten twenty times with the crime of slandering First Assistant. His superior was afraid of getting involve, no one would protect him, and the scholar soon lost his post. The scholar was only a bookworm all of his life, and his physical condition was not good. Now he was injured and lost his official position. In grief and anger, he even developed a high fever, and died within a few days.

After his death, the matter finally became big. After the incident reached the imperial censor's table, more and more talkative officials were impeached in the morning court, only then the Emperor aware about this matters.

Now half the court was Zhang Xiao Lian's people, Zhang's party naturally tried their best to refute, and then the impeacher was demoted or lost their job within a few days. This increasingly confirmed Zhang Xiao Lian's dictatorial and forming a clique reputation. The scholars in this dynasty paid attention to moral integrity, if they you were beaten or even went to jail because of these impeachment, it was not a disaster, it was a good reputation. The court was completely in shambles arguing about this, and Zhang Xiao Lian suppressed it strongly, while other literary officials continued to impeach him with enthusiasm.

In the carnage of morning court, Zhang Xiao Lian's power was still strong. After a period of time of troubles, the incident was finally suppressed. Instead, it was the people who impeached Zhang Xiao Lian who lost their post or suspended. In short, none of them had a good end. After this incident, Zhang Xiao Lian showed his power and might to the whole world. Although his title was First Assistant, but in reality he was the real power regent in this world.

The Emperor supported First Assistant Zhang in the morning court, and according to the teacher's wishes, sent off all officials who dared to say that First Assistant had embezzled, accepted bribes and manipulated power. However, there was a faint rumbling in the inner palace. It was heard that the Emperor said to the eunuch close to him that First Assistant Zhang was too powerful, and the Emperor seemed to be unhappy.

The wind rises at the end of Qingping1. Although this incident was finally suppressed, everyone could tell that the Emperor and the First Assistant had a conflict, and the outbreak of a political crisis was only a matter of time.

Duke Yingguo Mansion was also terrified by this incident. A junior from the Gao family wanted to enter the six departments, but in terms of qualifications he was insufficient. According to the unspoken rules in the officialdom, the Gao family gave the First Assistant some filial piety, and the junior of Gao family also had his wish fulfilled by squeezing out his colleagues, and got the lucrative post in the six departments.

Such things were not uncommon in officialdom. Which nobility had never done this kind of thing in the overcrowded imperial court? Only Duke Yingguo Mansion slammed into the wind, and when the imperial censor wantonly impeached First Assistant Zhang, the Gao family was also found out, and they were labeled as Zhang's party. Although in the end it was only a false alarm, First Assistant Zhang used his iron fist to settle all this, and naturally Duke Yingguo Mansion also cleared from impeachment, but this incident scared the Gao family.

They were used to easy life and had not experienced such big battle for a long time. And because Yan Wang wanted to accompany the pregnant Wangfei, he frequently took leave from the court in the past few days, and perfectly missed the impeachment storm. Without Yan Wang in the front, the Duke Yingguo Mansion could only endured the entire political storm head-on.

Duke Yingguo was so frightened that he trapped himself in the study for several days and kept calling his advisors to discuss matters. Although Duke Yingguo Mansion was unscathed in the end, the Duke well aware that they were lucky this time. But what about next time? Seeing the Emperor was about to be in power, even if Zhang Xiao Lian was powerful, could his energy compared to the young Emperor? Duke Yingguo Mansion was labelled as a Zhang's party in this turmoil. If they didn't do anything, afraid they would suffer in the future.

The Emperor was fifteen this year, some people in the morning court had already mentioned the election for the empress. The Emperor's big wedding was followed by the young Emperor personally govern the court. If there was no accident, this matter would be officially handled next year.

Duke Yingguo Shizi had unexpectedly passed away, and the shu eldest son Gao Chen was only nine years old this year. Duke Yingguo could wait, but could the current political situation wait for Gao Chen to grow up?

Duke Yingguo sat in the study all night, boiling almost half his remaining hair white. The next day, he summoned the Gao family's elders to come in to discuss the matter of Gao Ke's adoption under Shizi Consort Wei.

In the face of the entire family's survival, even the blood line would have to make way. Although Gao Chen was the grandson of Duke Yingguo, the difference between Gao Chen and Gao Ke was like heaven and earth, no matter in age or intelligence, the difference was too large. The second-generation pillar of Duke Yingguo Mansion had unexpectedly died. Duke Yingguo Mansion urgently needs an heir who could support the entire family as soon as possible.

Gao Ran had been paying attention to the news of her maiden family. When she heard that her grandfather was going ahead with the adoption, she was so angry that she threw a tea set.

"Is grandfather stupid? Chen boy is his real grandson. We have a huge family business, why he want a cheap outsider?"

Tao Mama hurriedly stepped forward and covered Gao Ran's mouth: "Oh miss, you can't say such things, it's a taboo word. Duke Yingguo is your grandfather, you can't speak like this about Duke Yingguo."

Gao Ran was still very angry. Once Gao Ke adopted under Wei shi, Gao Ke was the son of Wei shi and Gao Xi's younger brother, and he was the di son of Duke Yingguo Shizi. Moreover, he was older than Gao Chen, so wouldn't Gao Ke become the eldest brother? With the di eldest son, how could the title of the Duke fall to Gao Chen?

What's more, in this case, Gao Ke would inevitably enshrine Wei shi's incense. Han shi cautiously accept a compromise her whole lifetime, did she still have to look at Gao Ke's attitude in the second half of her life?

Why was Gao Ke, a different branch's child whose parents had both died, stole the things from their family?

1 The wind rises at the end of Qingping, the original meaning is that the wind is generated from the ground. At the beginning it whirls gently on the grass and it will eventually become a strong and sturdy gale, and that gale develop into a small wind. This metaphor indicates that the big influence and big thought originated from subtle and difficult to detect things.↩

Chapter 90 Part 2: Doubt

Gao Ran couldn't sit still, and immediately set up the carriage and took people to return to the Duke Yingguo Mansion.

Duke Yingguo Mansion was also not peaceful, Gao Ran first went to see Duke Yingguo old madam. Duke Yingguo old madam didn't look good, but she was still calm. After Gao Ran greeted her, she hurriedly said: "Grandmother, grandfather want to adopt Gao Ke under father?"

"Yes." After a few days, the old madam had accepted this fact. She was indeed partial to her grandson, but these days Gao Ke paid respect every morning and evening. Even if the old madam wore the halo of the matriarch, she had to admit that Gao Ke was much better than her grandson. If their husband and wife were selfish and forced to let Gao Chen became Shizi, then after two years, or maybe not even a year, when the Emperor gets married next year, the catastrophe of their mansion would come.

The heir was too young and couldn't be put in power, coupled with Gao Chen's shu background, quite possibly make their political opponents argue about their rank, and would reduce Duke Yingguo Mansion's duke title to a marquis or even a count. The situation could even worse, if then someone in the court attacked the Duke Mansion as Zhang's party, only relied on Duke Yingguo alone, could they withstand it?

After hearing these things, Duke Yingguo old madam could only resign to their fate. Who made her son die early? If Duke Yingguo Shizi was still alive, why would they need to worry about this? Her son' children blessing were thin, he only had two daughters and a son under his knees, and Gao Xi passed away early. Duke Yingguo old madam knew that her son had always feel guilty to Wei shi all of these years. Maybe if they adopt an intelligent son for the two of them, let the husband and wife' incense to continue, let Gao Xi has a younger brother to rely on, her son in the underworld would be happy.

The old madam accepted this fact, and she focused more on investigating the night Duke Yingguo Shizi had an accident. The manservant next to her son said that Shizi had been investigating Yun yiniang's affairs for the past few days. Perhaps, he galloped on a moonlit night and caused the horse to fall, was also related to this matter?

Seeing the old madam's calm expression, Gao Ran was almost furious. She hated iron for not becoming steel, looked at the old madam like an idiot: "Grandmother, are you confuse? Chen boy is father's biological son. Apart from his surname Gao, what does Gao Ke have to do with our family? Why don't you care about your own blood, but give the family property to an outsider?"

"He is adopted under your di mother, he is your brother from the same parent." The old madam reminded Gao Ran coldly, "He will become Wei shi's di son, you and Gao Xi's younger brother. If you are wronged by your in-laws, in the future you have to count on Gao Ke to support you. An outsider, why is it so unpleasant to hear."

The old madam was an authentic ancient woman who grew up in a patriarchal society and had a high degree of acceptance for such things like adoption. The ancient clan paid attention to the family, not the blood relationship. As long as he was adopted under Shizi and Wei shi, Gao Ke would worship the incense of these two people. He would have nothing to do with his own family, even if he met his biological mother, he would call her "Auntie". Of course, the human's heart made out of flesh, the grace of giving birth, the grace of raising up your children, it could never be severed. But Gao Ke was a bit fortunate in this aspect, his parents had passed away for many years, and his family only had the widow sister-in-law and nephew. Gao Ke's blood relationship with his original family was very weak. In the future, there was no need to worry about getting close to his biological mother and not to Duke Yingguo Mansion. Adding his own talent, he could make up for the fact that he was not the biological son of Shizi.

The inheritance of children, wasn't it for incense offerings? The old madam really didn't understand how Gao Ran had such selfish and strange thoughts.

Gao Ran became angry and couldn't help but used Yan Wang Mansion to pressure people: "Grandmother, after all, Chen boy is my younger brother from the same mother. If the mansion is handed over to someone else in the future, then how about the in-law relationship between the Gao family and Yan Wang Mansion?"

Duke Yingguo old madam's eyes became even more baffle: "After the adoption, Gao Ke will personally come Yan Wang Mansion. Adoption after all an orthodox ceremonial rite, how can Yan Wang only care about a mere blood line and not recognize the proper heir? And not only that, Yan Wangfei also have the grace of recognizing Gao Ke's worth. This name is very useful, so we can go to Yan Wang Mansion often to please Yan Wangfei."

Whose attitude was the most important in Yan Wang Mansion now? Of course it was Yan Wang. However it was not easy to please Yan Wang, but if you pleased Yan Wangfei, it was far more useful than to please Yan Wang.

When it was over, Gao Ran found out that she and the old madam didn't have the same wavelength. The old madam really thought that after adopting, it would become their own son. Gao Ran, who grew up in a small modern family, couldn't understand it. Both the old madam and Gao Ran felt that the other party was unreasonable and stupid, so the conversation broke up on bad terms.

Gao Ran came out from the old madam's courtyard and went directly to see Han shi. Han shi looked panic, when she saw Gao Ran she immediately pulled her and cried: "Ran'er, Lord Guo will adopt Gao Ke under Wei shi. At that time Gao Ke will become Wei shi's son. Of course he will stand on Wei shi's side, and towards us, the people who compete with him for the title, how can he have a good face?"

Gao Ran sighed, of course she thought of this too. In case the adoption was successful, they would not only lose tens thousands wealth of the Duke Yingguo Mansion, but also bear the risk of being snubbed by Gao Ke, which made matters worse. Han shi cried without manners, and tightly clutched Gao Ran's hand: "Ran'er, I heard people say that your grandmother investigate Yun Niang's matter these past few days. If she finds out the truth about Yun Niang, she will knows that I lied to her, fully aware where Shizi was but didn't save him, will she kill me?"

Gao Ran was silent. If Gao Chen became the Shizi, then of course the future Duke Yingguo's biological mother would not be sold, but if it was Gao Ke who inherit the title... then Han shi would just an ordinary concubine. With the old madam's character who always doted on her son, it was hard to say what would happen.

Han shi kept crying in Gao Ran's ear, and her cry made Gao Ran feel agitated. Gao Ran cursed unhappily: "Don't cry, these things originally is your fault, what's the use of crying now?"

Han shi was stunned, tears hung on her cheeks, looking very ridiculous. Obviously she hadn't expected Gao Ran to say this.

Gao Ran took a deep breath, she had no way back, she could only give her all into this fight. It seemed that since Lin Wei Xi appeared in the capital, Gao Ran had continuously been unlucky, everything went wrong. Now Lin Wei Xi was pregnant, threatening Gu Cheng Yao's Shizi position, even Gao Chen also messed up by Lin Wei Xi and missed the Dukedom.

Gao Ran suddenly felt a strange feeling, why did Lin Wei Xi target her like this? Why did Lin Wei Xi get involved in the battle over the successor of Duke Yingguo Mansion? What kind of relationship did she have with Duke Yingguo Mansion?

Gao Ran curled her fingers lightly. In the end, she need to know whether they had relationship.