Chapter 342: His girl can have ambition

He Jinglan stopped in her tracks and looked toward Gu Xixi.

Noticing the two approaching, He Jinghui and An Qinghe also ceased their argument.

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "I know."

"He never fights without preparation; if he hasn't personally tested it, he wouldn't be certain of success."

"Today the emperor could not possibly appear on the stage."

He Jinghui deeply agreed with this, saying, "Mu Nan Zhao indeed considers all possibilities in his actions."

"If the oil-pot plan isn't secure enough, he would surely find another excuse, not letting the emperor personally attend the scene."

"But..."

He looked at Gu Xixi, his brows knotted into the shape of the Chinese character that looks like three lines, and said, "Boss Gu, what I mean is that Qixiu (Mu Nan Zhao, courtesy name Qixiu) suddenly had you go on stage this morning, which certainly isn't disregarding your safety."

"If it's for success, let alone just trying a trick, even if he truly had to jump into the oil pot, there would be plenty of people volunteering to do it for him."

"But he insists on taking the risk himself, having tried it so many times; Boss Gu, who do you think he's doing it for?"

Gu Xixi had not yet reacted, but He Jinglan was already displeased.

"Brother! Isn't your partiality too obvious?"

He Jinghui, as always gentle and smiling, said, "I'm not questioning Boss Gu's meaning; I just don't want Boss Gu to misunderstand, thinking he's someone who would sacrifice anything for profit."

Gu Xixi gave He Jinghui a slight nod, saying, "Thank you for the reminder, Sir He."

She lifted her gaze, her eyes calm and unwavering, saying, "I know he's not that kind of person; if he were, I might already be dead."

Night, the Regent Prince's residence.

Mu Nan Zhao responded indifferently, "Understood."

He Jinghui stared wide-eyed, "She's not surprised, you're not surprised, and you both told me you knew."

"You've made me, the intermediary, lose face!"

Mu Nan Zhao lowered his head to grind ink, "Nobody asked you to be this intermediary."

He Jinghui felt choked, his breath caught up and down; he sat down, drank half a cup of cold tea, and swallowed it himself.

He pointed at himself and protested, "Who am I doing this for?"

"You said you couldn't figure out why, even though she treats you well enough and even dares to accompany you with her life, there's still something between you—like caution, more like fear."

"You pride yourself on being smart, yet you still can't see it; as a brother, if I don't give you a push, once you miss this shop of Gu Xixi, with your temperament, you'll probably be a bachelor for life!"

Mu Nan Zhao gave a cold glance.

He Jinghui lifted his head and stared back, "Go ahead and glare; even if you glare more, I'll still speak the truth!"

"Did you see An Qinghe? Although he's a foreigner and a merchant, sounding less prestigious than you, the Regent Prince, Boss Gu is not that kind of vain woman."

"What if she doesn't mind marrying a barbarian? Instead, the two of them—one farming, one trading—are well matched; given their abilities, they might someday be richer than you."

"And look at you: the higher your position, the more glamorous it seems, but in reality the risks are also great!"

After He Jinghui's thorough analysis, even he couldn't help shaking his head and clicking his tongue.

"If I were Boss Gu, I might not choose you either."

"Living as a peaceful, wealthy commoner, free and at ease, is quite nice."

Unexpectedly, Mu Nan Zhao did not put on a dark face this time.

"You judge people well; after smashing the Fan family, otherwise I'll transfer you to the Ministry of Personnel to fill his vacancy."

He Jinghui was shocked and indignant, "I've figured it out—I've been wholeheartedly thinking of you."

"But you always want to push me out to clean up the mess!"

Mu Nan Zhao said earnestly, "The capable bear more work."

"You go, you capable one……" He Jinghui had only uttered half a curse when he recalled the unfinished topic just before.

"Wait, you said I judge people well—do you mean you want me to get all my analyses right?"

He quickly moved to the desk, face full of a mischievous grin hoping for chaos, "Hey! Do you also think you can't compare to An Qinghe?"

"Indeed, his personality is far more likable than yours."

"Furthermore, others wholeheartedly protect Gu Xixi everywhere, even pursuing her in business; lacking a sense of crisis would be unrealistic for you."

"Sense of crisis? Him?" Mu Nan Zhao scoffed lightly, "Not at all."

He Jinghui twisted his face away from Mu Nan Zhao's view, making a silent grimace with his mouth: "Just be a stubborn dead duck!"

All that was heard was Mu Nan Zhao calmly saying, "What I want to tell you is, I already know the reason behind Gu Xixi."

He paused, "At least part of it."

"So you don't need to tell me; I know what to do."

She does not wish to be mere fodder for others; she has another lofty peak she wishes to climb, and she wants to obtain lifelong stability and freedom through her own strength.

Then he will guard her, protect her, and watch her obtain everything she desires.

He Jinghui looked at Mu Nan Zhao, after a moment, he laughed.

"I knew it—once you've set your sights on someone, it's for life; you wouldn't give up so easily."

Mu Nan Zhao gave no clear answer, then added, "The emperor has summoned Gu Xixi to an audience tomorrow."

"It's not a grand spectacle; rather, the pretext is that Jing Lan enters the palace to meet with the Imperial Consort Yu's sisters."

"I will wait for her inside the Imperial Study."

Upon hearing that Gu Xixi would soon have an audience, He Jinghui was not surprised, merely his expression grew solemn.

"I'll take care of it when I return."

After thinking, he said, "Although Boss Gu is wearing a veil today, Old Master Fan has already noticed her."

"You said she said the maid beside Jing Lan—actually that would also keep her from being targeted."

He Jinghui still had doubts and asked again, "Jing Lan is definitely fine, but as for Boss Gu's side..."

Although His Majesty's summons cannot be avoided, I coldly watch her—those capital noble ladies care about glory and dignity, yet she seems uninterested; this trip is probably not of her own will.

Mu Nan Zhao thought of Gu Xixi, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

No, she will go.

He gave He Jinghui a meaningful look and said, "You usually read people well, so how could you miss this?"

He Jinghui's eyes flickered, and he suddenly understood. "No wonder!"

No wonder you suddenly ran off this morning, yet she could so readily agree to you.

It seems she herself had already made preparations!

Actually, the high platform at the city gate today was an opportunity Gu Xixi actively fought for herself.

Even if Mu Nan Zhao does not take her today, once the emperor clarifies the situation, or after the locust plague is over.

A lowly woman, young, of humble origin, from Xi Bei, yet she has achieved such great merit.

The emperor will eventually summon Gu Xixi.

From the moment Gu Xixi proposed the locust‑control plan, she already had the idea of killing two birds with one stone, or even gaining multiple benefits.

Even with Huo Jiang and the Northwest Army as her backing in Xi Bei, it is not enough.

She also wants to borrow the emperor's authority.

Once these things are understood, even He Jinghui feels his chest heat with excitement, unable to help wiping sweat with his sleeve.

Mu Nan Zhao, you really love a girl with ambition!

Mu Nan Zhao's tone was light, yet firm and beyond doubt.

However great her ambition, I can follow her to that extent.

Besides the prince, who else?