She was instructed by Chen Muxian to deliberately steal from the person he designated; she had never done such a thing before.
The scholar promised him that he would protect her from punishment and treat her seriously ill mother afterwards.
Zhao Zhao lowered his head and spoke in a calm tone, seemingly unaware of the information contained in his words.
"That's quite a clever plan..."
Lingyan sighed softly, "Now that we have formed an alliance with Your Highness, we can also gain a great general for free in the future."
If she remembered correctly, the leader of the Faceless Armor was later called Yunzhong.
It is said that this man had tattoos on his face, was ruthless and merciless, regarded the Empress as his enemy and vowed to fight to the death, as if he had a blood feud that wiped out his clan.
From this perspective, Chen Muxian's condition of treating Yunzhong's seriously ill mother becomes questionable.
They do nothing, wait until the person is rescued, then feign a few words of sorrow and shift the blame elsewhere.
Impulsive young people are most easily deceived. Moreover, having no relatives or friends in the world, he easily forged a sharp knife. And he was the only one who could wield the knife. The point of the knife was Gu Zhong.
This is a simple yet extremely effective method for cultivating loyal and devoted followers. He doesn't even need to put a bridle on them; hatred is the greatest shackle in their hearts.
However, this move was meaningless against Lingyan, who had all-knowing abilities.
Who would have thought that someone would actually investigate why a beggar would pick a pedestrian's pocket?
Most of the time, nobody cares about this.
"My lord, should we report this matter to His Majesty and have someone arrest that scholar? This man harbors ill intentions and may have some ulterior motive," Zhao Zhao then asked Ling Yan.
Zhao Zhao was a palace attendant who only obeyed Emperor Gu. Matters concerning the Crown Princess were not something that Grand Tutor Lingyan could decide.
“Zhao Zhongchang is joking. Such an important matter is not something that a leisurely person like me can decide. It would be better to report it to His Highness for a decision.”
Ling Yan gave him a cryptic look, then passed the problem to Gu Zhong.
If this subtle test were to actually bypass Gu Zhong and report to Emperor Gu, it would be disrespectful to the Crown Princess, and how could he still serve as the Grand Tutor?
If we remain silent and make our own plans, we risk being questioned about whether we have any connection with those with ill intentions.
It's unclear whether this test was Emperor Gu's intention or Zhao Zhao's own, but the coincidence of today's events is simply too much of a coincidence.
Unfortunately, the Crown Princess suddenly decided to leave the palace today, and just happened to run into a person with ulterior motives. This person was seen through by Lingyan. Little did she know that this was not a series of schemes.
Intelligent people always overthink things.
"Why would you visit so late at night, sir?"
Although it was late at night and the dew was heavy, Gu Zhong was still studying government affairs. Upon hearing that Lingyan had important matters to report, he hurriedly put down what he was doing and went out to greet her.
After dismissing everyone else, only the three of them remained in the room. Lingyan stood to one side with her head bowed, and Zhao Zhao recounted the entire incident.
"According to Zhao Zhongchang, the scholar on the street today orchestrated the theft?"
Gu Zhong played with the pair of jade unicorns on her desk and said with great interest.
"How interesting. He deliberately got close, only to steal a purse. What was the purpose? To say a few words? Sir, do you think he knew my identity or not?"
"Your Highness's demeanor is indeed extraordinary. If one is unaware of this, one's only aim is to gain favor; if one knows Your Highness's identity and still dares to act in this way, one's ambitions must be far greater."
If Lingyan hadn't known Chen Muxian's true identity, she wouldn't have believed that this man was plotting to change the dynasty, and that this first encounter was just a small step in his grand plan.
"Whether he knew it or not, his actions were unrestrained and despicable, ultimately amounting to a low-class person, nothing more than the behavior of a petty person, and he was utterly useless."
Gu Zhong snorted coldly, clearly looking down on Chen Muxian's actions.
"Your Highness, such a villain is unscrupulous and must be guarded against."
Lingyan looked at the spirited young prince with a smile in her eyes and offered some words of advice.
"I know, Zhao Zhao. Send someone to thoroughly investigate this person's identity. I want to see who he is and how he can protect someone from escaping from the Jingzhao Prefecture?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhong frowned even more deeply, probably only then realizing the weight of her words.
"Yes, I will take care of it immediately." Zhao Zhao bowed respectfully and quietly withdrew.
"It's not just about the guarantor escaping from the capital and avoiding exile; someone could easily be substituted halfway through the journey," Lingyan pointed out Gu Zhong's misconception.
"Sir, your thinking is indeed more insightful..."
Gu Zhong looked as if he had just realized something, and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed. "If just anyone could exchange people from the Jingzhao Prefecture, then even Father Emperor would be uneasy."
"Although the punishment for the beggar is unavoidable, Zhao Zhao has already promised His Highness to take care of his mother, so His Highness will not blame him."
"Of course not. I should thank Zhao Zhongchang for speaking up for me; that beggar was a pitiful person too..."
"It was unexpected that His Highness did not order his men to capture the man immediately."
"If that scholar is merely a poor scholar with a little cleverness, hoping to befriend high-ranking officials, then my grand gesture would only make me appear petty; but if he is someone with ulterior motives who has come to attack me, then I would be alerting him."
Whether we can catch him is another matter. Checking his background is fine; even if the information isn't entirely true, some clues can still provide some clues. If we don't check, he might just get away even more.
After a moment of careful consideration, Gu Zhong explained his thoughts to Ling Yan, word by word.
"Your Highness's learning is truly progressing by leaps and bounds; I was overthinking it."
Ling Yan bowed slightly, folding her hands in a gesture of apology.
"It's because you put your heart into it..."
Gu Zhong supported her drooping elbows with both hands, staring intently at the person in front of him, his bright phoenix eyes swirling with thoughts, it was unclear what he was thinking.
The gradually cooling autumn wind swept away the sweltering heat of the summer, and the first maple leaf fell from the Changli Palace.
One afternoon, Gu Zhong stormed into the palace and found Ling Yan reclining on a soft couch, reading a book, looking just as wronged as she had in court.
"Did Your Highness suffer another humiliation in court today?"
Seeing her approaching swiftly, Lingyan rose from the couch to greet her.
"What a terrible name, Changli Palace... I'll change it sooner or later!"
The young prince huffed and puffed, then ran to the soft couch where Lingyan had just lain, kicked off his boots, and, without any semblance of a crown prince, propped himself up on his hand and leaned casually against the jade pillow.
"It's much more comfortable here, sir, without those annoying fellows."
Seeing Gu Zhong lying on the couch complaining while swinging his legs, Ling Yan shook her head, walked over, bent down and picked up the boots that Gu Zhong had flung off, and placed them neatly beside the couch.
"Hey? Sir! Why are you doing these things again?"
Gu Zhong straightened up in a panic, trying to stop her.
"I don't have many assistants here, so I can't do everything myself."
Lingyan had already put down her boots, and with a flick of her sleeve, she climbed onto the bed.
"Oh, then I'll definitely be more careful in the future."
The young prince shrank his long legs, making way for Lingyan, and said with some annoyance, "I'm so sure."
Lingyan smiled but didn't reply. Gu Zhong was never one to concern himself with formalities; once he was out of her father's sight, he would let loose. She could never trust any promises he made in this regard.
"So, Your Highness, which inconsiderate official has bothered you this time?"
Lingyan picked up where she left off.
Chapter 6 The Imperial Tutor and the Crown Princess (Part 5)
==========================
"...Imperial Censor." Gu Zhong hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Lingyan turned to look at her, her delicate eyebrows furrowing.
"Your Highness has gotten yourself into trouble again, drawing impeachment from the Censor-in-Chief?"
The young princess shrank her neck, looking somewhat weak. Then, she rolled her dark, cunning eyes and grinned as she moved closer to Lingyan.
"Sir, could you please tell the Imperial Censor to stop having anyone watching me?"
"Your Highness still hasn't said what you did."
Lingyan stared intently at the young prince before her, refusing to yield an inch.
"I...I was out with Ah Yang a couple of days ago, and while riding horses at the city gate, I wasn't paying attention and accidentally knocked over a stall..."
Seeing her husband's expressionless face, Gu Zhong hurriedly added an explanation, fearing that she might misunderstand.
"I have paid compensation! Everything has been settled! Who knows where the Censor-in-Chief heard the news that I injured someone while riding my horse and was arrogant and domineering? I did not do that!"
"So His Highness got into an argument with someone in the main hall, and almost came to blows?"
Ling Yan looked at Gu Zhong with a half-smile and asked in return.
"Ah? Sir, you already know? Then why do you still need me to tell you?!"
The young prince made a deceived expression and turned his head away sullenly.
“What others say is different from what Your Highness says.”
Seeing that the person who should have been beaming with joy had turned pale, Lingyan finally couldn't help but speak up to comfort him.
"Really? You believe me, sir?"
Gu Zhong lunged at her in a flash, his slender, slightly sharp eyes brimming with joy.
"Really? But..."
Looking at the person in front of her who was wagging his tail happily like some kind of furry animal, Lingyan's heart softened terribly, and she almost couldn't bear to lecture him anymore.
"But what?" Gu Zhong tilted his head.
"Your Highness, do you still remember your status? You are the Crown Prince and should set an example for the world. First, riding a horse at the city gate violates the law and is inappropriate; second, taking action in Your Highness is unbecoming and inappropriate."
Lingyan tapped her head.
"In the end, sir, you're indirectly criticizing me for doing something wrong, for being unbecoming of a crown prince," the young prince's eyes gradually dimmed, "I understand..."
"Furthermore, what if His Highness gets injured?"
Lingyan softened her tone and added softly.
"So, sir, you are worried about me?" Gu Zhong's eyes lit up again.
"Ahem, however, the Censor's impeachment was indeed biased. I will have Father take note of this matter."