“My Gu Clan is also a Three Dynasties Veteran, and once assisted the Taizu in establishing the Lin Country dynasty, making great merit for Lin Country.” Gu Yan was filled with righteous indignation, excitedly waving his arms, but his right arm was unable to exert any force, and “slammed” on the table. “Although the imperial family does not consider kinship, Rui'er is after all my nephew, and from a young age he was intelligent and wise, with lofty ambitions, and devoted himself to governing the country and ensuring national peace and the people's well-being, but unfortunately, heaven does not fulfill wishes…”
“Uh…” Is this person talking about proper business or not?
Zhou Chang was about to start talking about the key points, but Gu Yan complained again.
Why talk so high and mighty? Isn't Duke always wanted to be the Crown Prince and become the Emperor since he was young?
Gu Yan allowed himself to vent again, and finally turned his eagle eyes towards Zhou Chang, his voice suddenly becoming low and solemn: “Prince Yi, you are also a Prince, you should also have expectations for that position, right?
“What is the ‘position’ you are referring to, Duke?” Zhou Chang's expression did not change, but his heart couldn't help but tremble.
Previously, from Prince Yi Feng Ming's consciousness, it could be known that he dared not even think about that position, and Zhou Chang's thoughts were never on that.
But if we talk about the throne…
If there is an opportunity, saying you don't want it is a lie.
Gu Yan's eagle eyes stared closely, his tone was without any ambiguity: “Naturally, it is the Crown Prince's position, and even the future Emperor's position.”
Zhou Chang secretly took a deep breath.
Duke of Xu, Gu Yan, Duke's own uncle, why would he ask Prince Yi such a question?
What is the intention?
Gu Yan's knife-like sharp gaze scraped across Zhou Chang's face, word by word: “If Your Highness has this intention, my Gu Clan is willing to serve you.”
“Boom,” Zhou Chang's heart, something collapsed.
A rare commodity to be held.
Is this considering Prince Yi a rare commodity?
But before, didn't Duke and Prince Yi have the worst relationship?
Gu Yan stood up again, walked in front of Zhou Chang, and bowed: “Your Highness may not be able to think of it for a while, after all, the old official's action is too sudden, but please believe in the sincerity of my Gu Clan.”
Zhou Chang had to stand up and support him, still in a daze: “Why is it me?”
“Why can't it be Your Highness?” Gu Yan asked back.
Zhou Chang still couldn't believe it: “Am I not dreaming?”
Previously, whether or not they were from Duke's party, they all treated Prince Yi as a waste, so how come at this moment, the waste has become a treasure?
Gu Yan didn't wait for Zhou Chang's answer and wasn't in a hurry, but Zhou Chang's reaction seemed to be within his anticipation: “For such a major event, Your Highness still needs to think carefully, today I invited Your Highness to come, just to show the old official's sincerity, as for the rest, the future is long.”
What Zhou Chang couldn't get out of his mind was still the sentence: “Why is it me?”
“If it's not Your Highness, could it be Prince Xian?” Gu Yan's eagle-like eyes turned cold, “Hmph, Rui'er was harmed to this extent today, it's all because of him, sooner or later the Gu Clan will get this back.”
“Brother Xian? What relationship does he have with Brother Duke?” Zhou Chang was genuinely gossiping.
Originally, it could only be inferred that the arson and assassination in the hunting palace were originally Duke and Prince Xian's collusion, but Duke later had an accident, and the inside story was only known to them.
Gu Yan obviously didn't want to talk more, also Zhou Chang hadn't entered the circle of trust yet: “Nothing, this matter is not to be discussed now.”
“Since you're unwilling to say, then so be it.” Zhou Chang also refused, “Duke, don't joke with me, you know what kind of person I am, that position can't be eaten as food, I'm not interested.”
Gu Yan was also not in a hurry: “Your Highness doesn't have to refuse so quickly, but I would like to ask Your Highness, since Your Highness has no feelings for that position, then between the remaining Prince Rong and Prince Xian, who do you prefer?”
At this time, Zhou Chang had to be cautious when speaking, continuing to play dumb: “My preference is not important, but from the past, I believe Duke should hope that Brother Xian can take the high seat.”
“The old official has to cooperate and should first show sincerity.” Gu Yan wanted to puff out his chest, but only showed his already slightly plump belly, “Not to hide from Your Highness, even if my Gu Clan can let anyone ascend to that position, it will not be Prince Xian.”
“Oh?” Zhou Chang was exaggeratedly surprised, “Brother Duke and Brother Xian have always been the closest, isn't that right?”
Gu Yan just now showed his attitude towards Prince Xian, but it wasn't so obvious yet, mainly he was concealing things from Prince Yi.
Gu Yan's indignant feelings had reached the point of being unreserved: “Rui'er's leg was caused by Feng Zheng, he usually has a big head and seems to be honest, but he didn't expect to have such scheming. The old man now just can't find the evidence, otherwise he wouldn't allow him to be so proud.”
Prince Xian's big head is naturally not for nothing, Zhou Chang knew this long ago, but Gu Yan kept talking and still wouldn't reveal the details.
“How could this be?” Zhou Chang tried to probe.
Gu Yan couldn't talk about the details the most: “Someday, I will never let him go.”
“Tch, it's the same as not saying anything.” Zhou Chang's attempt to probe failed, and he immediately lost interest.
Gu Yan turned around and returned to his seat: “What is Your Highness thinking?”
“Why is it me?” Zhou Chang was perfunctory, and asked again.
This time was different from before.
The Gu Clan lost Duke, and lost their only reliance, it's also reasonable to want to support other princes, then according to reason, the best candidate should be Prince Xian, who has always been on good terms with Duke.
At least on the surface it is like this.
But Gu Yan has clearly stated his attitude towards Prince Xian just now, so Zhou Chang asked again, that is to pretend to be stupid after excluding Prince Xian.
Gu Yan didn't know whether Zhou Chang was pretending to be stupid, but he put on a kind smile: “Doesn't Your Highness know, Prince Rong and Duke have been in opposition for many years, Prince Xian doesn't need to be mentioned again, Twelfth Prince Feng Shuo is from a barbarian race of Nanqing, and is not of our race. Calculating like this, among His Majesty's several princes, Your Highness is the best choice.”
The situation is indeed like this, Gu Yan really showed great sincerity today.
Among Emperor Lin's several princes, if we say who is easier to control and utilize, Prince Rong and Prince Xian don't need to be considered, originally Twelfth Prince Feng Shuo was still young, but firstly he has Consort Qin and the Commander of the Imperial Guard as his backers, and secondly, his bloodline is not pure, and the officials will also oppose it.
Prince Yi Feng Ming has no reliance, and has obvious weaknesses, in their eyes he should be the easiest to manipulate.
Zhou Chang does not dare to easily believe in things that fall from the sky.
Moreover, pies are not free, if they are free, then they are poisonous.
Since he understands the pros and cons, the only thing is to refuse.
Zhou Chang cupped his fists to Gu Yan: “I also want to thank Duke for speaking so frankly, but I am not interested in that position.”
“What is Your Highness interested in, the old official knows.” Gu Yan's expression did not change, and he even knew it like the back of his hand, “Your Highness hasn't thought about it, if you can sit on that supreme position, the Emperor's status is rich throughout the Four Seas, and the wealth of the world will be yours at that time, which is much more cost-effective than earning some small money now, isn't it?”
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