TSFLIP Chapter 255

Gu Yan spoke softly, “The Duke of Zhen’s family is very strict. As far as I know, the Duke has ordered that Young Master Lan is no longer allowed to visit the pleasure quarters, nor is he allowed to associate with those who frequent them. Otherwise, he will be sent to a Buddhist temple for a year of seclusion.”

“Where did Prince Modesty hear this?” Lan Tingyu continued to smile, but it was forced. He feared nothing in this world except for his stubborn grandfather—a fact everyone knew.

Gu Yan replied, “The Duke of Zhen casually mentioned it during court discussions.”

This reason was believable.

The smile on Lan Tingyu’s face began to falter.

At this moment, Su Bi spoke up, “Young Master Lan, I agreed to accompany you for an hour, but now I must return to Cangxiu Pavilion.”

Without waiting for Lan Tingyu’s response, she turned and walked away.

Lan Tingyu glanced at Gu Yan, then at Feng Guang by his side. Gritting his teeth, he followed Su Bi. “Su Bi, wait! I’ll escort you back!”

Once the others had left, Feng Guang released her hold on Gu Yan’s arm and looked up at him. “Did the Duke of Zhen mention this to you during court?”

“Indeed,” Gu Yan answered with a faint smile. “But it was more a casual conversation about Young Master Lan’s lack of discipline. I suggested to the Duke that sending him to a temple for some time might do him good.”

“Tsk, tsk,” Feng Guang teased. “I didn’t know that you, a busy man, had time to meddle in other people’s family matters.”

“It was just that the Duke seemed quite troubled, so I casually offered the suggestion. I didn’t expect him to take it so seriously.”

“Well then, since you’re so capable, I’ll leave the matter of annulling my engagement with Lan Tingrong to you.”

Gu Yan froze for a moment. “Your Majesty, what did you say?”

“The annulment of my engagement to Lan Tingrong. Is that so hard to understand?”

“Your Majesty, that engagement was promised by the late emperor.”

Gu Yan hoped this statement would make her reconsider her casual attitude.

“I know it was my father’s arrangement. No need to remind me.”

“Since you know, then why bring up the annulment?”

Feng Guang responded seriously, “Of course, because I don’t like Lan Tingrong. What other reason could there be?”

“From what I understand, General Lan is talented in both the arts and martial prowess, an outstanding figure. With such good conditions, what more could you want?”

She gave a playful smile, “But does he have someone like Uncle Wang, who is so charming?”

Gu Yan had become immune to such playful teasing. “Your Majesty, I am your elder.”

“Gu Yan, you’re also my subject.”

“Yes, I must assist Your Majesty in governing the country.”

“You also have to serve me well.”

“I serve in the front hall, where I can perform my duties best.” His place was never in the rear courtyard.

Suddenly, Feng Guang smiled, her beauty unparalleled. “Uncle Wang, if I said I wanted to give the throne to you, would you accept?”

Gu Yan replied calmly, his voice without a trace of emotion, “This is the kingdom of the Xia family.”

She seriously suggested, “If you become mine, it wouldn’t be hard to take the Xia surname.”

“It’s the people’s hearts that are difficult to win.”

“Yes, because you don’t like me.”

Feng Guang smiled knowingly, her charm undeniable. She teasingly said, “Perhaps my heart is only for beautiful men, not for the throne? But Uncle Wang’s heart is too hard to guess.”

“My heart is to assist Your Majesty in becoming a wise ruler, worthy of the people and the country.” Gu Yan’s narrow eyes were calm and warm, like a gentle spring breeze.

Feng Guang’s eyes, however, were sharp and alluring. Her voice, once soft and soothing, now held an enigmatic, almost ethereal tone. She slowly said, “Gu Yan, you’d better control your heart. If I find out that you fell for someone else before liking me, regardless of their gender, I will have them killed.”

For a moment, his heartbeat quickened.