Gu Sinian was somewhat surprised when the gatekeeper reported that the Second Prince had arrived.
Since the person was already here, he didn't think further and hurried to greet him.
"Your humble servant greets Your Highness."
"Rise." The Second Prince's expression was somewhat urgent. "Gu Sinian, find a place to talk."
Gu Sinian led him to the study as requested.
"I know, Father Emperor trusts you more," the Second Prince got straight to the point. "I also know that the person sitting in the palace is not my Father Emperor."
Gu Sinian was somewhat surprised. If the Second Prince knew about this, did it mean Empress Lu also knew? His Majesty was confident that Empress Lu did not know about this, which was why he felt at ease staying at the Duke's mansion.
"What is Your Highness saying? Your humble servant doesn't quite understand," Gu Sinian remained unfazed.
"Gu Sinian, I know Father Emperor is at your residence, accompanying Consort An," the Second Prince said with certainty. "I know you don't trust me, that's why you won't admit it. But I have something very important to ask Father Emperor. If Father Emperor doesn't intervene, that person will surely die."
"Your Highness jokes. You are a prince. As long as it's not a death sentence, is there anyone you cannot protect?" Gu Sinian said.
"I cannot protect them!" The Second Prince's face was filled with pain.
"May I know who Your Highness wishes to protect?" Gu Sinian asked.
"My Princess Consort, Su Qingyue, and the child in her belly," the Second Prince said. He had decided before coming that he would reveal everything and conceal nothing.
"Why does the Princess Consort need protecting?" Gu Sinian feigned ignorance.
"Mother Empress wants me to marry my cousin, so..." the Second Prince said with distress. "I didn't want to, and Mother Empress then..."
"For no reason, why would the Empress want Your Highness to marry a daughter of the Lu family?" Gu Sinian appeared shocked.
The Second Prince gritted his teeth. "For the Lu family's support, just as you support my elder brother."
"Your Highness, that statement is incorrect. Your humble servant is loyal to His Majesty and has never supported anyone. Between my elder cousin and I, there is only the brotherhood forged since childhood, nothing more," Gu Sinian said. "His Majesty is in his prime and has his own ideas."
"Yes, yes, you are right. I think so too," the Second Prince said. "But... in short, I must see my Father Emperor!"
This time, Gu Sinian did not deny it. "Your Highness, please wait a moment. Your humble servant will go and inform him first."
Emperor Chongwen was very surprised upon hearing Gu Sinian's words. "The Empress knows I am not in the palace? How is that possible?"
"The Second Prince has already found his way here. What do you think?" Gu Sinian retorted.
"Bring him here," Emperor Chongwen had no time to ponder.
The Second Prince knelt directly upon seeing Emperor Chongwen. "Father Emperor, I beg you, please save Qingyue and the child in her belly! Your son does not wish to marry my cousin; your son only wants Qingyue and the child."
Perhaps feeling that Emperor Chongwen was his lifeline, the Second Prince's tears and snot flowed freely.
"Get up and speak. Speak properly, speak slowly, and tell me everything that has happened! Since your mother Empress knows I am not in the palace, has she said anything? What are her plans?" Emperor Chongwen asked.
The Second Prince took a deep breath, calming his agitated emotions before recounting Empress Lu's plans and everything that had transpired to Emperor Chongwen.
His thinking was simple: he was making a contribution by showing his stance. When the time came for Father Emperor to investigate, Mother Empress would at most be reprimanded and would not lose her life. As for the Lu family, since they had not succeeded, if he pleaded for them, they could also be spared.