Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 91 The Night Visit

"Later, pack a few treasures and send them to the Gu family," Li Heng instructed. "It wouldn't be good if the Prince of Yi outshone us."

"Yes." Zhou Qianqian was still able to grasp the big picture.

But even though I saw them off, I was still extremely reluctant to part with them.

"Also, have someone keep a close watch on the birthday gifts prepared for the Empress Dowager day and night, so that nothing goes wrong," Li Heng said again.

He was hoping this birthday gift would make him look good in front of the old lady.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next day, after breakfast, Shen Li accompanied Gu Chang'an to handle official business on the couch when she heard a report: "Miss, the Crown Prince's concubine has sent some medicines and tonics. Would you like to go and take a look?"

"Here we go again." Shen Li said as she got up, "Husband, wait for me, I'll be right back."

With the Prince of Yi as a foil in this life, the Crown Prince has become much more generous with his gifts. They're not just tonics, but rare treasures.

There are ancient books, ancient paintings, and some imported items, such as glass cups and luminous pearls.

After thanking the old woman, Shen Li returned to her room, carrying a bundle in her hand.

"What rare item did A-Li see?" Gu Chang'an put down his pen when he saw her return.

"Books and calligraphy, these people really know what I like. Why didn't they give me these before?" Shen Li climbed onto the couch and began to look through them one by one.

Li Heng's gifts should be accepted, since she is still considered a member of the "crown prince" faction in his heart, and it would be too distant not to accept them.

Gu Chang'an smiled indulgently. A-Li had changed a lot recently, but her love for reading and drawing remained unchanged. Her obsessive look was just as adorable as when she was a child.

He silently wrote the memorial, which contained the names of several people.

The memorial was delivered to Emperor Cheng that same day. Emperor Cheng opened it and his brows furrowed more and more: "I knew that this third son was restless, but I never expected him to be this restless."

"Your Majesty, please calm down," Wang Ru reassured him.

"It's also my fault for spoiling him too much." Emperor Cheng sighed and said, "Make a copy of the names and send them to the Censorate. The next batch of censors will go to these places and investigate them thoroughly for me."

"Yes."

Emperor Cheng was still somewhat angry after issuing the order. He was still alive, and these people were already after his money. It was simply outrageous!

"Your Majesty, Prince Yi is requesting an audience outside the palace. He says he has something to report regarding this inspection tour," a young eunuch announced.

Emperor Cheng, who was in a fit of anger, waved his hand and said, "Let him go and attend to his birthday banquet. Don't interfere in this matter."

The small side door of the palace gate opened, and a young eunuch went out to convey Emperor Cheng's message.

Prince Yi frowned slightly. Bribing Gu Chang'an was his second plan. His first plan was to ask his father not to investigate further. Now it seemed that his father was not only investigating but also implicating him.

Li Heng and Gu Chang'an, what swift methods!

After stuffing a few gold beans into his mouth, the King of Chess left. He was confused for a moment, but he figured it out. Seeing Gu Chang'an was still the best option. He couldn't even wait for Gu Chang'an to return to court.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Husband, shall I go to sleep now?" Shen Li stretched as evening fell, but didn't put down the book in her hand, intending to go back to bed to read.

Seeing that she was still sleepy, Gu Chang'an took the book from her hand and said, "Don't read anymore, I'll carry you back to sleep."

"Then I'll hold you while I sleep too," Shen Li said, opening her arms and acting coquettishly.

Gu Chang'an touched his ear, but walked over and reached out his hand to her: "Okay, hug me."

"My lord, there are guests at the back door. Please come and see them." Peony relayed Chunsheng's words through the screen.

Gu Chang'an paused for a moment, straightened up, and slowly withdrew his hands, looking even more embarrassed by his bewildered expression.

"The person we're waiting for has arrived. I'll go see him." His voice was calm, but there was a slight tremor.

Shen Li smiled brightly on the surface, but she was already grinding her teeth inwardly. Why did it have to happen when the two of them were being intimate?

"Go quickly, my husband, I can manage on my own," Shen Li reassured him.

Gu Chang'an nodded, stepped forward, picked her up and carried her to the bedside before bending down to put her down. He instructed, "Go to sleep early. As planned, there shouldn't be any unexpected changes."

"I feel at ease knowing you brought the peony."

Peony is straightforward and quick to resort to violence, so having her around makes you feel safer.

Although Gu Chang'an knew it wasn't necessary, he still nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to A-Li."

Seeing his serious and obedient demeanor, Shen Li really wanted to roll around on the spot to express her excitement, but she held back for the sake of her image and just nodded, telling him to come back soon.

The side door was quickly opened, and two men in black rushed in. The door closed in an instant, as if no one had ever been there.

Only a few candles were lit in the side hall. Gu Chang'an invited the King of Chess to take the seat of honor, while he himself sat on the other side to make tea.

"Your Highness has come to visit so late at night. What important matter do you wish to discuss?" he asked, his words humble but his tone neither servile nor arrogant.

"I would like to ask Lord Gu a question: Do you really think Li Heng can become a wise ruler who is not jealous of the virtuous and capable?" Although Prince Yi had come to him of his own accord, he was also lazy and casual: "Perhaps I can put it another way: if he were to ascend the throne, do you think you would still have a way out?"

"Since Your Highness has been so direct, I will speak frankly as well," Gu Chang'an replied calmly. "A person like me, no matter who the new emperor is, must be killed to establish authority."

Whether it's reputation or ability, the new ruler would benefit from killing him.

"Lord Gu is so insightful, so why bother risking his life for the Crown Prince?" Prince Yi asked again.

"It's not a matter of risking one's life. The Crown Prince is the ruler, and his subjects are his subjects. They have no choice but to obey orders." Gu Chang'an's answer was impeccable.

"If I were to grant you this promise, and if I were to ascend the throne one day, appoint you as a key minister, would you change your mind?" King Yi asked, looking into his eyes.

Gu Chang'an remained unmoved, simply shaking his head: "In the past hundred years, there has never been a precedent of someone who inherited the throne from someone who was neither the eldest son nor the legitimate heir. Why should Your Highness be so insistent?"

“Gu Chang’an, stop trying to talk big with me. If you were a man of principle, you would have died in prison long ago.” The Prince of Yi just laughed when he heard this: “You’re just not one to back down. You and I are the same kind of people. Even if fate is against us, we’ll still fight.”

Upon hearing the imperial prison notice, Gu Chang'an's eyes darkened, and his voice became even more indifferent: "To be honest, I don't care who can sit on the supreme throne, I only care whether the people of the world can have enough to eat."

He took the initiative, not to simply let the matter drop.

The King of Chess's expression turned serious. He thought that Shen Li had left room for maneuver in her words, so the matter would not be too difficult to handle. But now it seems that Gu Chang'an wants more than just a piece of clothing.

Gu Chang'an was right when he said any emperor would kill him; his mind is too deep.

"I'm not in a hurry for you to choose sides; you can take your time," King Yi probed again.

Gu Chang'an raised his eyes, his gaze calm yet firm: "Your subject has made his will clear and has no intention of engaging in factional strife. If Your Highness has nothing else to say, please return."