C476 (1/2)

Qu Li was caught unprepared.

After a slight pause, Qu Li coughed dryly and walked around the table with his hands behind his back, ”I can take it, but it's not worth it.”

”What if His Majesty doesn't move at all and keeps a few Fringe Cities in his possession?”

”A fool's dream.” Qu Li subconsciously replied. He turned his head around and saw a face similar to Yun Dian's. His heart skipped a beat.

He had been an emperor for too long. How could he treat his daughter like this?

However, Gu Mingyan only flicked an indifferent glance at him, but her tone remained the same. ”I want all of Jiang Yan's slaves to rebel, but that's only if Dan is willing to show his sincerity towards those slaves.”

”Those slaves have knelt for too long. Even if they want to sow discord, they have to take care of their families.” Qu Li's face darkened.

”But now, the person sitting opposite to me in the imperial court is Gu Cheng. Compared to being one of the emperor's trusted aides, I feel like he would rather like to ascend the throne himself.” Gu Daiyan carefully sized up Qu Li's expression. Seeing that Qu Li had remained silent and seemed to be deep in thought, he continued, ”Although Gu Cheng deserves to die, this ambition of his can be fully utilized. What does Your Majesty think?”

When he mentioned Gu Cheng, Qu Li's expression darkened. Now that he heard that Gu Liuyan still wanted to use Gu Cheng, he felt less favorable towards his daughter and kept his distance. He said coldly, ”How do you want to use Gu Cheng?”

”When Gu Cheng is forced to rise, it'll be time for His Majesty to take advantage of the situation and enter.” Gu Mingyan turned to face Qu Li and said in a low voice, ”However, as I said before, I will also tell Prince Navy Tide about Gu Cheng's matter. In this Jiang Yan Fringe City, even if Your Majesty doesn't help, Duan Chengxuan and Duan Chengrui won't stay behind.

”Are you threatening me?”

”Ever since our tribes were divided, there have been no bystanders in this world. Whether or not we do something is all up to Your Majesty.” After Gu Daiyan finished speaking, she bowed slightly, ”I've already spoken. In the future, if Gu Cheng makes any moves, I'll tell him everything. His Majesty can judge the situation on his own.”

Then, Gu Danyan started to walk out.

Qu Li raised his eyebrows and subconsciously grabbed Gu Danyan's wrist, ”You don't have anything else you want to tell me?”

Gu Danyan looked at the hand that had grabbed his wrist and the deep scars on it. He was stunned for a moment before he said in a low voice, ”Thank you, your Majesty, for writing me a letter to Jiang Yan?”

”You …” Qu Li was momentarily embarrassed.

”This wound doesn't look like it was caused by a sword or a knife. It's a wound caused by a piece of coarse hemp rope or a vine.” Gu Danyan held Qu Li's hand and felt it was much bigger than his own. She dared to open the cuff of her sleeve and check his pulse: ”You are strong, but you have been tired recently.”

”Some …”

I'll write down Zhang Fang in a moment, and treat him for a few days. His Majesty won't be able to use it to wipe away his wounds, so I won't trouble you too much.” Gu Danyan raised her head and looked at him. Seeing that Qu Li was still in a daze, she gently released his hand. ”We are in His Majesty's study room now. There are some things that are hard to say. I will stay for a few days. Your Majesty, please take care of the matters first.

After saying that, she raised her hand and had the girl at the door take her away.

Qu Li stood there in a daze. He then smiled and turned around to return to his table. He muttered to himself, ”It seems like it does look a bit like Yun Xiao.”

The sleeping quarters of the imperial palace weren't magnificent, but they were also very clean.

The bed with the blue and white water pattern on it looked cold and lonely, but the pillow with the white jade weaved flowers had a unique style. The furnishings in the room seemed casual, but they were all done in a single breath.