Emperor's Favorite Phoenix Descending 052 After a long absence, returned to the mansion, Master Xi plans to pay back in full

  The Xiang Mansion, which had been away for more than half a month, was still as prosperous and majestic as before. When Gu Yunxi's carriage stopped in front of the mansion, the gate suddenly opened wide, and Gu Cheng and Yue Niang welcomed her from inside the door, their faces filled with joy upon seeing her.

  The dark-colored carriage curtain was lifted by Violet, and Gu Yunxi adjusted her cloak and got out of the horse-drawn carriage. She wasn't surprised to see Yu Niang, but she was slightly startled to see Gu Cheng. Gu Cheng bowed to her with a smile at the corner of his mouth, "Greetings, Second Miss. I have been waiting for you here for a long time on behalf of Master. He is currently in the quiet chamber waiting for you. Please follow me..."

  As soon as I come back, I have to see her?

  Gu Yunxi's heart was filled with doubts, but she still brought Zilan along and entered the mansion. "Yuemother, this is Zilan. From now on, she will be a maid in my courtyard, and she is obedient. Please take her back to Suimonth Pavilion for now. Mother, have you been well lately?"

  Yue Niang looked at Gu Yun Xie with a subtle expression, "Alright, everything is fine. I'll take Zi Lan back now. Miss, after you've seen the old master, be sure to return early."

  A few people bid farewell at the entrance of the inner courtyard, and Gu Yunxi followed Gu Cheng to the outer courtyard study. Gu Yunxi thought for a moment, "Father, have you been well these past few days?"

  Gu Cheng nodded, "Of course, old master is naturally very good, don't worry."

  She entered the Jingxin study, still the same as before. The door to the main hall was tightly closed. Gu Cheng walked ahead and opened the door for Gu Yunxi. Inside, there was a warm atmosphere that made her feel at ease. As soon as she entered, she saw Gu Zhong sitting in the main seat. When he saw her, his eyes lit up, and she felt a sudden jolt in her heart. What could make this father of hers so happy?

  "Yun Xi greets her father."

  Gu Zhong raised an eyebrow, looked up and down at Gu Yunxi a few times, "Get up quickly, Xue'er said that the other side of Jialing Mountain is very cold, let alone on Biyun Peak. These past few days must have been tough for you."

  Gu Yunxi was naturally not surprised that he knew everything, and upon hearing this, she only smiled faintly and lowered her eyes.

  "The Emperor has already sent word about your hard work these past few days, he's delighted that you completed this grand hunt for her. As a father, I'm truly happy for you." After a slight pause, Gu Zhongzheng looked at her and sighed, "In any case, this time a vice commander of the Imperial Guard can't escape, the Emperor must have some reward in mind, he hasn't even entered the capital yet and the palace banquet invitation has already arrived. The Empress Dowager specifically instructed that you attend, when the time comes and the Emperor asks what you desire, how will you respond?"

  Gu Yunxi bowed her head and smiled, "Please instruct me, Father."

  Gu Zhongzheng stroked the small tuft of beard on his chin and smiled, "To say that the Ministry of Rites has already begun selecting a date for your sister's marriage to King De. If I were you, I would ask King De for the position of secondary queen!"

  "This matter naturally depends on Father." Gu Yunxue nodded softly, her eyes fluttering open, "On the way back, I heard that there were changes in the capital's defenses, but I didn't know it was..."

  Gu Zhongzheng looked at Gu Yunxi's performance with satisfaction, his eyes slightly cold. "I suppose it was the notice from Shenying Fu that arrived in time. The Duke has been very cautious in the capital these past few days, but I don't know what happened. Previously, one of his family members had a falling out with a deputy general from the Xunfang Camp, and that family member must have said something to the Duke after being slighted. In just a few days, the deputy general was replaced. It's a small matter, but it's not trivial in the eyes of the Emperor!"

  "These days, the emperor has been ill and unable to attend court. The crown prince has also been confined to the East Palace since his return, under orders from the emperor. In the harem, only Empress Shu is allowed to accompany the emperor, while the other consorts find it difficult to see him even once. With a slight pause, Gu Zhongzheng spoke with some profundity, 'This time, it seems calm on the surface, but I fear there won't be many more peaceful days in the capital.'"

  Gu Yunxi raised an eyebrow, "This time the hunt seems ordinary, but it's not. The Duke of De was nearly ambushed three times, and with Jiu Dan's assassination attempt, the Emperor is also worried. It's no coincidence that Guo Zhang arrived at this moment. In the end, the winner of the hunt had both the Crown Prince and the Duke of De's men taking a share, although it seems like the Duke of De won by a hair, but in doing so, his power was ultimately exposed, and he and the Crown Prince have also fallen out."

  "This window paper will be broken sooner or later, it's just that the current position of the prince is still relatively stable. If you want to bring him down, the first person you need to deal with is the Duke of State. You'd better think more about this when you come in and try to perform well by the side of King De."

  Gu Yunxi nodded, "Yes."

  Gu Zhongzheng let out a sigh again, his eyes still somewhat approving as they swept over Gu Yunxi. "It's said that women without talent are virtuous, but in my opinion, it's never been that way. Since ancient times, those without ambition and strategy could hardly rise through the ranks in the treacherous palace, only by stepping on others. Just remember, Yunxi, what you can get from the Emperor is only the position of a concubine..."

  Gu Yunxi hooked up the corner of his mouth, leaned forward and bowed, "Yunxi understands, Father can rest assured."

  With that, Gu Yun Xie made a bow and bid farewell before exiting the door. Just as she opened it, she saw Gu Ying Xue standing at the entrance wearing a cyan palace attire. Behind her was Jin Xin with a dark face. She smiled and said, "Greetings, sister."

  Gu Yingxue's expression remained unchanged, and it was unclear if she had heard the conversation between the two people inside. At this moment, she leaned forward to help her up, "Sister has finally returned, which means King De must have also returned. For tomorrow's palace banquet, sister specially prepared new clothes for you, and they will be sent over soon."

  "Thank you, sister——"

  As Gu Yunxi walked alone towards the entrance of the quiet room, Gu Yingxue's eyes dimmed slightly. Jin Xin looked at Gu Yunxi's back and said in a low voice, "Master, that matter has been investigated to be almost certain, when will we take action?"

  "Gu's eyes flashed coldly, 'Not now, it's not the right time.'"

  When Gu Yunxi returned to the Shuiyue Pavilion alone, Luo Qingyi was waiting at the door. Her anxious face lit up for a moment when she saw Gu Yunxi, "Xier!"

  "Mother!"

  Luo Qingyi looked up and down at Gu Yunxi for a long time, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Xi'er, since you left, mother's eyes have been jumping nonstop, always feeling like something is going to happen soon, afraid that something happened to you outside."

  Gu Yunxue pulled Luo Qingyi into the house, and Zilan saw her return and hurriedly helped her take off her cloak. Holding a scalding hot stove in her hands, she continued, "Mother doesn't have to worry about me, I'm fine outside, you just need to take care of yourself..."

  Zi Lan smiled upon hearing this, "Don't worry, madam. With De Wang taking good care of the young lady, she will definitely not make any mistakes."

  Gu Yunxi glared at Zi Lan, who stuck out her tongue and ran to Yu Niang's side. Gu Yunxi didn't bother with her and turned around to talk to Luo Qingyi, "Mother, don't worry, this hunting trip has been very smooth. I helped the prince get the first prize, and tomorrow we still have to attend the imperial banquet bestowed by the emperor. From now on, I will definitely not let Mother suffer."

  Luo Qing's eyes sparkled as she pulled Gu Yunxi down to sit, but just then, the sound of heavy footsteps came from outside the door. The maid lifted the curtain and looked out, only to see Xu Dama standing in the doorway!

  Gu Yun Xi's eyes moved slightly, "Please come in, madam!"

  Xu Danni had long been the first person in charge of the inner courtyard, and at this time she looked gloomy, glanced at Gu Yunxi, opened her mouth and said a shocking sentence to Gu Yunxi.