This question was truly bold.
The Crown Prince put down the memorial in his hand, frowned, and looked at the speaker. "Which of my uncles has offended you?"
The Queen hailed from the Pei family of Qinghe, with two elder brothers and a younger brother.
At the beginning of the founding of the dynasty, the Pei family was enfeoffed as the Duke of Shoushan, one of the Four Dukes. It was also the only noble family among them that did not rise to prominence through military exploits.
The Pei family was a scholarly clan that ran the most prestigious academy in the land.
The Queen's brothers were all outstanding. Without relying on the Queen's influence, they all entered officialdom through the imperial examinations and served as civil officials.
All three uncles were gentle and courteous gentlemen. The Crown Prince's kind and benevolent nature was influenced by them.
He was truly surprised. What had the three uncles said to provoke Shi Luohan into raising his fists against a scholar?
Shi Luohan was not an impulsive warrior who only knew how to shout and fight.
Was there some misunderstanding?
Unexpectedly, Shi Luohan waved his hand. "Your Highness has misunderstood. I'm talking about Gao Zhao, the elder brother of Concubine Lan and the uncle of the Second Prince."
Hearing the name Gao Zhao, a cold glint flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes, and his face showed contempt. "Oh, him. Does he even deserve to be called a state uncle? He's nothing but a slippery villain."
The word "slippery" perfectly matched Shi Luohan's impression of Gao Zhao.
As a military official, he was pot - bellied and greasy - faced, lacking the courage and spirit of a martial artist.
Moreover, he was the heir apparent. In the future, he would not only inherit the title of Marquis of Anyuan but also take over the 50,000 troops in his father's hands.
If the troops were to fall into the hands of such a person, how much combat effectiveness would they have?
A weak soldier affects only himself, but a weak general affects the whole army!
Liang Yuzhou noticed that there was still anger lingering in Shi Luohan's eyes.
"What did Gao Zhao do to anger you? Did he act inappropriately towards Yaoguang?"
This casual guess hit the nail on the head.
There was a cold glint in Shi Luohan's eyes.
"These days, Yaoguang and I have been training troops with His Highness the Prince of Rui. The Gao family's camp is right next to the Liang family's camp. Gao Zhao often showed up and tried to find every opportunity to talk to Yaoguang. All he said were flattering words. When Yaoguang ignored him, he became even more insistent.
Out of consideration for Gao Tianyu, His Highness the Prince of Rui didn't directly drive Gao Zhao away. He talked to Gao Tianyu several times, but Gao Tianyu turned a blind eye and didn't discipline his nephew strictly.
Yesterday, he went too far. He deliberately spooked Yaoguang's horse in an attempt to play the hero and save the beauty. Yaoguang was agile and managed to dodge. She had endured Gao Zhao's harassment for a long time, but due to her special status, she was afraid that taking action rashly would provoke a conflict, so she had to endure it.
I was so angry that I beat Gao Zhao up and dislocated his arm. I warned him to stay away from Yaoguang."
The Crown Prince's frown deepened, while Liang Yuzhou listened with great interest.
"Your Highness, do you see? This is what a real man should do, just like Shi Luohan!"
When Lu Siming schemed against Cheng Simian, the Crown Prince should have exposed his false appearance on the spot and given him a good beating.
He always had too many concerns, whether it was about love or dealing with enemies.
As a result, he missed many good opportunities and became passive.
The Crown Prince helplessly rubbed the space between his eyebrows. "Shi Luohan, so you took action first and are now asking me to clean up the mess for you, right?"
Shi Luohan looked upright and righteous. "His Highness the Prince of Rui will take responsibility for me. But Yaoguang has a special status, and it was Your Highness who introduced her to the Emperor. I'm afraid the Gao family won't let it go. If they complain to the Emperor, you might be implicated. His Highness the Prince of Rui told me to give you a heads - up."
Recommended by the Prince of Rui, he now served as a general of the second rank in the army.
The Emperor had always appreciated him. Previously, because he ranked second in the martial arts imperial examination, the Emperor wanted to confer an official position on him, but Shi Luohan refused.
Now he took the official position for Yaoguang's sake.
One day when he helped Yaoguang restore her country, he needed an official position to have the right to command troops.
His official rank was much higher than Gao Zhao's, but Gao Zhao had Concubine Lan and Lu Siming backing him up.
Would Lu Siming let it go easily?
Liang Yuzhou's gaze gradually became deep and profound. "Your Highness, this matter is definitely not as simple as Gao Zhao being infatuated with Yaoguang."
The Crown Prince was already a deep - thinking person. With a little reminder from Liang Yuzhou, he understood the intricacies.
"Gao Zhao really has audacious plans!"
Liang Yuzhou reminded him again. "There must be the Second Prince's handiwork in this."
In others' eyes, Lu Siming might be an elegant scholar who seemed to be indifferent to worldly affairs and would become a carefree prince who loved to enjoy life in the future.
He looked harmless, gentle, and even a bit frail.
But Liang Yuzhou had the ability to judge people. He could see Lu Siming's hidden ambition at a glance.
His mother was in favor with the Emperor, and his maternal grandfather's family had 50,000 troops. Thinking himself capable, how could he not have the ambition to fight for the throne?
Framing Cheng Simian and trying to disrupt her marriage with the Crown Prince was the best proof.
Shi Luohan continued, "His Highness the Prince of Rui thought so too. He reminded Your Highness to be on guard against the insidious villains."
The Crown Prince's position was well - known. He was always in the spotlight.
As a result, he was often passive in many things.
"Your Highness, the Gao family will definitely take advantage of this situation and make a big deal out of it, involving you. By then, Concubine Lan will cry and plead with the Emperor to arrange a marriage between Gao Zhao and Yaoguang to show her generosity and willingness to resolve the matter through marriage. The Emperor may very well agree."
"Lu Siming really has a good plan."
The Crown Prince's face turned cold. "In this way, Gao Zhao's official rank will be promoted. One day when troops are sent to help Yaoguang restore her country, the mission will naturally fall on Gao Zhao's head. The Gao family will seize the opportunity to control the Kingdom of Gaochang, and Gaochang will become Lu Siming's reserve army!"
Liang Yuzhou leisurely finished the remaining tea in his cup. "Well, Your Highness, don't you think Lu Siming deserves a good beating even more now?"
The Crown Prince looked up from a thick stack of memorials.
"Lu Siming thinks too highly of himself. Does he think that just because his mother is in favor, the Emperor will listen to everything Concubine Lan says? If anyone is most qualified to propose a marriage for Yaoguang, it's not a concubine!"
Liang Yuzhou could already guess the Crown Prince's plan.
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"Can you stop involving Wanchu in everything?"
Did he want Wanchu to ask the Queen to arrange a marriage between Yaoguang and Shi Luohan?
"Wanchu is living a peaceful life now. If you send her, you're just making enemies for her!"
He wasn't afraid of offending a sneaky villain like Lu Siming, but he didn't want Wanchu to be hated by such a person!
"Then are you just going to watch your brother - in - law's happiness be ruined?"
There was a hint of teasing and seriousness in the Crown Prince's tone.
Shi Luohan didn't say a word. He also didn't want Wanchu to take risks.
"I know you're worried that Wanchu will be bullied by Princess Lingyang if she enters the palace, right?"
Princess Lingyang had been quiet recently, only because of Liang Yuzhou's status as a Taoist priest.
She could boldly and madly love the Young Duke Liang, but she couldn't pursue a Taoist priest.
The royal family couldn't afford to lose face.
"Why don't you ask your Crown Princess to go? The Queen likes Miss Cheng. If she asks, the matter will surely succeed."
Liang Yuzhou just wanted to protect Wanchu whole - heartedly.
Unless it was absolutely necessary, he would never let Wanchu step forward.
Getting involved in the power struggle meant taking risks all the time.
The Crown Prince also had his own reasons. "Mianmian is busy preparing for the wedding. She can't go out unless it's necessary. Moreover, her relationship with Yaoguang is not as deep as Yaoguang's with Wanchu. If she asks, it will seem abrupt, and the Queen may not agree."
The Queen was not a matchmaker. She couldn't just arrange a marriage for anyone she wanted.
Arranging a marriage still required the Emperor's approval.
After serious consideration, Shi Luohan said, "It's really more appropriate for Wanchu to handle this matter."
A chill appeared between Liang Yuzhou's eyebrows. "For the sake of your sweetheart, you don't care about your sister's life?"
"Let Yaoguang and Wanchu go to the palace together." The Crown Prince offered a compromise. "Even if Lingyang goes crazy, with Yaoguang there to protect her, there's nothing to be afraid of."
Liang Yuzhou's face showed mockery. "You two will never be able to repay what you owe Wanchu in your lifetime!"
He didn't compromise because of the Crown Prince and Shi Luohan.
He knew Wanchu too well. Although she was physically weak, she had a tough heart.
She would never hesitate to stand up for her loved ones!
...
Concubine Lan returned from visiting Gao Zhao, trembling with anger.
Gao Zhao's dislocated arm had been set back, but the front teeth he had lost would never grow back!
He had been a famous handsome man in his youth. Although he had become slovenly and plump after the age of forty, losing his front teeth meant losing the face of a noble family!
"This is outrageous! That Shi Luohan is just a young and arrogant man. He just relies on his higher official rank and actually beat my brother in front of so many soldiers! I can't swallow this humiliation. I must seek justice for my brother!"
The senior maid Qizhu quickly stroked her back to help her calm down.
"His Highness the Second Prince is here!"
Lu Siming rushed in quickly, his face flushed with excitement.
There was no trace of the weak scholar in his appearance.
He had been worried that Gao Zhao was not capable enough to win Yaoguang's favor.
Shi Luohan's attack on his uncle had presented him with an opportunity!
"Mother, don't be angry for now. Go to Father quickly..."
He whispered something in Concubine Lan's ear.
Concubine Lan's eyes immediately lit up. "It's really a good idea!"