A *yao* or a *mo*…

Based on Gu Zhanting and the state of the *Yao Yu*, the possibility of it being a *yao* is higher.

*Mo* are limited by their innate formation conditions. While individuals can be very strong, they are generally scattered and rarely form a coherent force, unlike *yao* who are tribal.

Long Qinghuang also can’t purge all remnants of the rebel party, especially those who weren’t at Sheng Shan or Yao Du before. Long Niang can only apprehend them for the time being.

Long Qinghuang’s main actions in the near future should be to screen the entire *Yao Yu* for rebel remnants, but what about those who fled to Da Qian? It’s unknown how many Gu Zhanting has taken in.

And this *Da Gongfeng* is more likely to have been there from the start. A long time ago, Lu Xingzhou felt that the Huo family must have been hiding a first-rank expert… It’s just unknown what role this person played in Da Qian’s messy affairs.

“Old Yang, your main task on this trip back is to pay attention to this *Da Gongfeng*, but don’t tip them off. If you find the situation is unfavorable, it’s better to do nothing and lie low than to alert them, understand?”

“Understood.”

“No matter what you can or cannot find, I will remember it. There will be a place for you here in the future.”

Yang Dechang was overjoyed, rising to cup his hands: “Thank you, *Xianzi*.”

“*Gongzi*” changing to “*Xianzi*” signified a change in status. If before he was working for the “Huo family’s *Gongzi*,” now he was working for Lu Xingzhou, the *Xianzi* of Danxia.

Lu Xingzhou waved his hand: “No need to be so formal. By the way, how is your relationship with Huo Qi?”

Yang Dechang said: “I am an old member of the Huo family. Huo Qi trusts me quite a bit.”

Yang Dechang was indeed an old member of the Huo family. The reason he was chosen to go to Xiazhou to observe if Lu Xingzhou was Huo Shang was because he had seen Huo Shang as a child. He was an old retainer for many years, having watched many young masters grow up, and he was highly trusted by everyone in the Huo family. This time, failing to protect Huo Lu and leading to his assassination, an ordinary person would have been disciplined severely. He merely lost real power and didn’t receive any major punishment, and might even be reinstated soon.

This light handling might make an ordinary person grateful, but with the eldest *Gongzi* as the killer, there was no gratitude to be felt. Instead, he felt it was an unprovoked disaster, making all his years of hard work meaningless.

If Yang Dechang were asked to target the Huo family, he might not be able to do it. But if he were only asked to target Huo Qi… then Yang Dechang would have no psychological barriers.

“Old Yang… at an appropriate time, you can put a bug in the eldest *Gongzi’s* ear. If he does nothing, he might not win this succession struggle…”

Yang Dechang smiled slightly, understanding perfectly.

At the same time, Huo Xingyuan was having an audience with the emperor.

“You mean Lu Xingzhou was overcome by lust and took a fancy to Jiang Yuan?”

“Yes, he was impatient and started acting inappropriately in my house…” Huo Xingyuan was somewhat exasperated: “My Huo family isn’t that lecherous…”

Gu Zhanting glanced at him, thinking, ‘Oh, please. When Sheng Yuanyao was in Xiazhou, your Huo Yu was restless, and later Sheng Yuanyao returned to the capital and complained to Sheng Qingfeng, which led to Sheng Qingfeng completely cutting ties with your Huo family. No matter how lustful Lu Xingzhou is, he never caused such an ugly incident.’

‘And you have the nerve to say the Huo family isn’t that lecherous? Definitely a Huo family trait.’

He naturally wouldn’t mention these things, but merely pondered: “The marriage alliance with Jiang Yuan was originally proposed by Jiang Duxu himself, the meaning of which was to establish a closer connection with *Zhen*. You can act as this bridge for *Zhen*, but Lu Xingzhou cannot… This kid is capable, but…”

“Your Majesty,” Huo Xingyuan said softly, “In the entire Da Qian, who isn’t Your Majesty’s person? When Lu Xingzhou traveled a thousand *li* to the capital, it was only to get a gilded status at the Dan Academy. What he recognized was the Da Qian Dan Academy, not Tianyao Holy Land. Even with this matter in Beijiang, Lu Xingzhou’s assistance wasn’t to solve Da Qian’s predicament, and it had nothing to do with Ye Tinglan.”

Gu Zhanting nodded.

His attitude towards Lu Xingzhou had never been bad; he granted him a noble title and a mansion precisely because he felt that this young man still possessed basic loyalty to the emperor and love for his country. Perhaps his stance might waver, getting close to powerful figures like the Imperial Advisor, which is a common human psychology. Deep down, they still recognized Da Qian.

To put it plainly, in the eyes of ordinary people, isn’t the Imperial Advisor also part of Da Qian? As long as the emperor bestows favor, he will still stand with the emperor, Gu Zhanting still believed this.

Especially when Lu Xingzhou faced the temptation of the *Yao Yu* and still resolutely returned to the country, this gave Gu Zhanting a very good impression. Although Lu Xingzhou was suspected of siding with Long Qinghuang in the *Yao Yu* affair, Gu Zhanting didn’t think he played a decisive role; under someone else’s roof, being forced to offer advice was nothing strange.

Therefore, Gu Zhanting hoped that the Huo family would manage their internal affairs better, not be so “chaotic.” In essence, Gu Zhanting was quite optimistic about Lu Xingzhou and hoped Huo Xingyuan could resolve his conflict with Lu Xingzhou.

The real problem was that a loyal and patriotic person and someone who did Gu Zhanting’s private affairs were actually not the same thing…

Gu Zhanting had a lot of messy private affairs that he let the Huo family handle, but he would never let the Pei family do them. This didn’t mean he didn’t trust Pei Qingyan.

Lu Xingzhou now had a bit of Pei Qingyan’s demeanor. Even if Gu Zhanting considered him for a future chancellorship, he wouldn’t mix private matters with it; they were two different things.

Moreover, Lu Xingzhou had another issue: he was Shen Tang’s person. If he were heavily relied upon, he would only help Shen Tang in the future. Of course, that was his own daughter, and from Lu Xingzhou’s perspective, there was nothing wrong with it, but this complicated Gu Zhanting’s feelings.

His feelings towards Shen Tang were already complex.

“Your Majesty,” Huo Xingyuan said softly, “Shen Tang is Shen Tang, Lu Xingzhou is Lu Xingzhou. At least there is one difference: even if Shen Tang told Lu Xingzhou her identity, it would be impossible for her to tell him the full story of her broken leg… Even if she did, for a father to break his child’s leg, in the common view, the child should not hold a grudge against their parents. That is to say, in Lu Xingzhou’s heart, not only is there no rift between him and Your Majesty, but he also has requests…”

Gu Zhanting’s heart stirred slightly.

Huo Xingyuan said: “If Lu Xingzhou regards Your Majesty as his father-in-law, then private matters would become family matters.”

Gu Zhanting paced back and forth a few steps.

Let alone Lu Xingzhou, even Shen Tang herself, Gu Zhanting didn’t think she would hold a grudge, so often some feelings of guilt and a desire to support her would emerge.

At the end of the day, even if the position were truly given to Shen Tang in the future, she was still his own flesh and blood.

If Lu Xingzhou became family, then naturally there would be private matters that could be entrusted. Even if entrusted to Shen Tang herself, Shen Tang would most likely cooperate very well.

“So you mean that *Zhen* should simply bestow a marriage between Yi Tang and Lu Xingzhou?”

“Exactly… This way, Lu Xingzhou will surely be eternally grateful to Your Majesty. From then on, they will be truly a family. Why worry that Lu Xingzhou won’t be able to handle affairs?”

Gu Zhanting glanced at him with a half-smile: “Huo Qing…”

Huo Xingyuan quickly bowed: “Your subject is here.”

“This matter didn’t need to be so troublesome… Even if Lu Xingzhou took a fancy to Jiang Yuan, so what? First come, first served. Your *bazi* were exchanged, just proceed with the marriage, and it would be done. Why consider giving her to Lu Xingzhou?”

“Your subject truly wronged this child back then, and this is the best solution to mend fences.”

“I’m afraid it’s more than that,” Gu Zhanting sneered, “More than just mending fences, you also become the *Fuma’s* father, and might even become the *Guozhang* in the future. You’ve really placed all your bets on Yi Tang.”

That’s right, this was the real reason Huo Xingyuan was willing to put in so much effort. Huo Xingyuan, having his hidden thoughts exposed, immediately knelt down: “Your Majesty is in your prime. Even if your subject dies, Your Majesty will still live for thousands of years. Your subject truly has not considered such things.”

Gu Zhanting was noncommittal and paced back and forth a few more steps. After a long while, he said: “If it were other matters, your suggestion could be considered. But this matter concerns the Ancient Realm and is of great importance. *Zhen* cannot trust it.”

Huo Xingyuan was stunned, a ominous premonition rising in his heart, then he heard Gu Zhanting say: “The Jiang family’s matter cannot have Lu Xingzhou as the bridge; it will cause problems. But *Zhen* can appease Lu Xingzhou by bestowing a marriage with Yi Tang, and he should be satisfied.”

Huo Xingyuan: “…”

That’s not wrong. Lu Xingzhou should be somewhat satisfied; he got Shen Tang and might not even want Jiang Yuan anymore.

It’s very likely that this was Lu Xingzhou’s bottom line demand.

But this didn’t help much with the reconciliation between Lu Xingzhou and the Huo family… However, given that he entered the palace to secure the marriage with Shen Tang for him, it should still be alright? At least the relationship would ease significantly.

As for the Jiang family’s matter, it might not actually be up to Gu Zhanting. Jiang Duxu was Gu Zhanting’s collaborator, not a subordinate, so Jiang Duxu’s own wishes were very important. How this matter would be discussed depended on Jiang Duxu; Huo Xingyuan could not play much of a role.

So he didn’t say anything more, only bowing and retreating: “What Your Majesty thinks is reasonable. Your subject will take his leave now.”

Over there, Lu Xingzhou had just seen Yang Dechang off, and before the door was even closed, it was kicked open.

He looked, and it was Sheng Yuanyao.

Lu Xingzhou was stunned, looking at Sheng Yuanyao’s somewhat red eyes: “You… what’s wrong?”

“Lu Xingzhou!” Sheng Yuanyao grabbed his collar and pushed him into the courtyard: “You’re fighting Huo Xingyuan for a wife, and even discussed marriage? How many times have you met her? Huh? She was an assassin who tried to kill both of us, and you’re so desperate!”

Lu Xingzhou closed the door helplessly: “This is not what you think. She and I have only a cooperative relationship. I help her break off her engagement with Huo Xingyuan, and she tells me information about the Ancient Realm. Furthermore, in future matters concerning the Ancient Realm, their Jiang family will be a very important line.”

“Is it necessary to sacrifice your own marriage for that?” Sheng Yuanyao cried out loudly: “What if it really happens? Are you going to say it happened, and you don’t lose anything?”

Lu Xingzhou opened his mouth, but said nothing.

Sheng Yuanyao shouted: “What about me? You can discuss marriage with a woman you just met, what am I? Are we really just brothers, you jerk!”

Her fists pounded his chest. Lu Xingzhou grabbed them, and whispered: “You’re willing?”

“Huh? You’re asking me that!” Sheng Yuanyao was furious: “If I wasn’t willing, would I be hugging and kissing you? Do you think I, Sheng Yuanyao, am that casual? I didn’t want to interfere with Shen Tang, but it wasn’t to give way to a newcomer! If you discussed marriage with Shen Tang, I wouldn’t say anything, but you’re discussing it with a newcomer, what am I!”

Looking at the usually carefree *Gua Mei* with her emotional strings snapped, Lu Xingzhou lowered his head, gently kissed her forehead, and whispered: “As long as you’re willing… just wait for me one night, just one night.”