Xu Yanchu wanted to dig out the nest of eggs in the imperial garden, but before he could climb up, he was stopped by the palace maids and eunuchs beside him. After a long time, he failed to dig out the eggs and instead waited for the palace maids beside Gu Wanran to come.
" This servant greets Your Highness. Your Highness is blessed." Ying Hua, the palace maid beside Gu Wanran, bowed to Xu Yanchu and said," Your Highness, please make a trip to Feng Yi Palace."
When he saw that it was Ying Hua, Xu Yanchu did not make any more noise. He only pulled Ying Hua's sleeve and asked,"Aunt Ying Hua, why is Mother looking for me?"
"Your Highness will know when you get there."
Seeing that Ying Hua was unwilling to say more, Xu Yanchu did not ask further. Ying Hua had grown up with Gu Wanran and watched Xu Yanchu grow up. Although Xu Yanchu was usually like a demon, he still respected Ying Hua.
When they arrived at Fengyi Palace, Gu Wanran had already asked someone to prepare Xu Yanchu's favorite pastries. Seeing Xu Yanchu running in from outside the hall, Gu Wanran suddenly felt a little dazed.
Although Xu Chengen did not have much ability, he was also the most handsome one among all the princes. Xu Yanchu had completely inherited Xu Chengen's and Gu Wanran's strengths. If he took off this male outfit, he would also be a beautiful woman. Unfortunately…
"Mother, why are you looking for me?" Xu Yanchu hopped over to the empress's side and held her hand." Mother understands me well enough to prepare so much delicious food!"
Xu Yanchu did not wait for Gu Wanran to speak and started eating first.
Looking at Xu Yanchu's satisfied expression, Gu Wanran shook her head helplessly and said,"Mother called you here this time because she wants to tell you something." Look, you're already so old, but you're always so rash. Aren't you afraid of being seen by others and complaining to your Imperial Father?"
"Who dares!" Before Gu Wanran could finish, Xu Yanchu jumped up." I'm the Crown Prince of Beixun. Who dares to gossip in front of Father?"
Gu Wanran pulled Xu Yanchu back and said,"Sit down!" What's wrong with your appearance? This is also in mother's palace. If you go outside, there will be people who will criticize you! Not to mention those ministers in the court, even those troublesome ones in your Imperial Father's harem, which one of them didn't think of ways to give birth to a prince? Which one of them isn't eyeing your position? They're looking forward to it every day. They can't wait to see you make a bigger fuss, but you don't know how to improve at all!"
Xu Yanchu put away the cynical smile on his face and said seriously,"If you really cripple me, wouldn't it be a good thing for me?"
Xu Yanchu also knew that his identity was like a time bomb. Gu Wanran had always wanted her to be a girl again, but her attitude now made Xu Yanchu a little confused.
"Do you know that Yun Pin is pregnant again?" Gu Wanran sighed and said," Originally, Mother also thought that when the time was right, she would let Wu 'er be the Crown Prince for you. But now, your Imperial Father has secretly promised Yun Pin that if she gives birth to a prince this time, then she will be the Imperial Consort! If she were to whisper pillow talk in your Imperial Father's ears, wouldn't the position of Crown Prince fall to her son? At that time, not to mention recovering your female body, I'm afraid even Imperial Mother and Wu 'er will suffer."
Xu Yanchu was silent for a long time. It was not that she did not know Yun Pin. Yun Pin had always been at odds with the Empress and had even tried to lay her hands on Xu Yanchu time and time again. If it were not for Xu Yanchu's background, Xu Chengen and Gu Wanran would have kept a close eye on him. Xu Yanchu would have died a long time ago and would not have been able to enjoy himself in the palace.
"I wonder, what plans does mother have?" Xu Yanchu's tone became very serious. She was usually so noisy just so that she could receive the imperial edict to depose the Crown Prince as soon as possible. That way, she could be like the other younger sisters, wearing beautiful dresses, wearing exquisite beaded flowers, painting, embroidery, and playing the zither.
But now, it seemed that if she continued to mingle like this, she would probably harm Gu Wanran and Xu Yanwu.
Xu Chengen had changed a lot since he ascended the throne, and Xu Yanchu could feel it. At first, she thought that her father was too tired, but now it seemed that it was not entirely because of his fatigue that he neglected to take care of Gu Wanran's feelings.
After all, Xu Chengen would send the tributes from other small countries to Yun Pin and only give the rest to Gu Wanran. Xu Yanchu was not a fool. With Gu Wanran's words, she suddenly remembered all the good things that Xu Chengen had done before.
Gu Wanran saw that Xu Yanchu had understood what she meant and said,"Didn't your father ask someone to teach you martial arts?" Last time, you said that you felt that master wasn't attentive enough, so mother sent someone to investigate. That person is just a loafer and can't teach you anything. I think your Imperial Father is doing this on purpose! Mother plans to find a skilled eunuch for you to be your master. As the Crown Prince, no one will suspect you if you have more eunuchs by your side. Usually, after school, you will practice martial arts with him in your palace. Mother has already thought of a way to get rid of the spies that your father and Yun Pin planted. You can rest assured."
Hearing Gu Wanran's words, Xu Yanchu nodded and did not refuse.
Xu Yanchu knew about the spies Xu Chengen had planted in the Eastern Palace, but she was too lazy to deal with them. Xu Yanchu would occasionally beat and punish Yun Pin and the others when they were in a bad mood, so he did not pay much attention to them.
But now that Gu Wanran had intervened, Xu Yanchu was not an insensible person.
Seeing that Xu Yanchu had listened to her, Gu Wanran felt much better. She instructed Xu Yanchu on some things and let him leave.
Xu Yanchu had just left Fengyi Palace when he was called into the royal study by Xu Chengen.
"Your son greets Imperial Father. I wonder why Imperial Father called your son here?" Xu Yanchu looked at Xu Chengen, who was sitting on top, and his feelings were a little complicated.
"Get up. I heard that your mother asked you to have a long talk?" Xu Chengen glanced at Xu Yanchu. He had mixed feelings about his daughter. If it weren't for Xu Yanchu, he wouldn't be where he was today. "What did they talk about?"
"It's just some family gossip. Could it be that Imperial Father is interested in these?" Xu Yanchu laughed coldly and said," Usually, even if your son demolishes the walls of the palace, your father would not care. Why are you suddenly concerned about your son today?" Or did Consort Yun Pin give you some pillow talk again?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Xu Chengen panicked, but he still stabilized his mind. "Does Imperial Father look like such an unreasonable person?"
He had indulged Xu Yanchu in all sorts of ways over the years just to get the officials to ask for Xu Yanchu to be deposed as Crown Prince. However, after all these years, Xu Yanchu had not even sent a single petition to depose the Crown Prince. Instead, there were many people who praised her. This was also the problem that troubled the Emperor.
As for Yun Pin, other than being better at coaxing people than Gu Wanran, she was not much prettier. Yun Pin's appearance was not even as good as Gu Wanran's. However, if he had the support of Yun Pin's mother clan, Xu Chengen would naturally be able to sit back and relax. He would not have to worry all day long, afraid that one day he would be pulled down from the dragon throne by his brothers.