The daughter of the emperor was reborn and was spoiled by the sickly prince.

The eunuch led Gu Mingzhao into Li Zheng's bedroom.

All the servants around the emperor left consciously.

The palace gates were closed, isolating the palace from the noise of the outside world.

Li Zheng was sitting at his desk handling official business, his brows furrowed, looking like he was worried about something.

Seeing Gu Mingzhao come in, Li Zheng put down the pen in his hand, pointed to the seat next to him, and motioned him to sit down.

Gu Mingzhao did as he was told and waited for Li Zheng to speak.

"I was originally planning to go hunting with you, but Concubine An sent someone to say that something happened in the harem, so I followed you. I didn't expect that it was Li Jin who was hanging out with the eunuchs around him. I was really disappointed."

Of course Gu Mingzhao knew about this.

Judging from what the emperor said, it seemed that Li Jin was not going to be punished.

A hint of ruthlessness flashed across Gu Mingzhao's dark eyes.

It's still too cheap for him.

"These rebellious sons only annoy me, so let's not talk about them. You shot the arrow beautifully today, you are worthy of being the son of me and Hongye."

Gu Mingzhao said calmly: "Your Majesty called me here just to say this?"

His tone was distant and disrespectful.

If it were someone else who dared to talk to Li Zheng like this, his head would have been separated from his body long ago.

Li Zheng just looked at him helplessly, without any intention of blaming him: "I want to ask you to reconsider the matter of acknowledging your ancestry. What do you think?"

"Your Majesty, this matter has been discussed many times. There is no need to mention it again." Gu Mingzhao refused without hesitation.

Li Zheng was always unusually tolerant of Gu Mingzhao. He was not angry, but sighed and said, "I know, but I still hope you can think about the overall situation and think about it again."

He stood up and walked to the bedside, looking at the palace wall and the distant sky outside the window. His voice sounded exhausted. "All of my sons are useless. The third prince is reckless and rude, the fourth prince is timid and cowardly, and the fifth prince is unlearned and incompetent. The second prince was good before, but today he did something so ridiculous. Thinking carefully, none of them can take on the responsibility."

He turned around and looked at Gu Mingzhao with sharp eyes: "Only you, who are smart, brave, and strategic, are the most ideal heir to the throne."

Gu Mingzhao smiled mockingly: "According to the Imperial Book of Documents, Li Lian's biological mother was Ye, a maid in the Eastern Palace. My mother doesn't even have a status, so how can I be included in the Imperial Book of Documents?"

"Hongye has a special identity, and there are too many helpless things between her and me. I could give her all the best things in the world, let her enjoy all the glory and wealth, and I also promised that I would make her son the emperor. Who knew that she was still so cruel, hiding you and deceiving me with a dead baby for so many years." Li Zheng's voice was a little choked.

At this moment, he didn't look like an emperor at all, but more like a lovesick man who was hurt by his beloved.

Gu Mingzhao was unmoved: "I still say the same thing. If you want me to return to my roots, you must clear my mother's name and let the Longyuan people return home."

Li Zheng became the crown prince because of his contribution in pacifying the barbarians in the northwest.

No matter how much he cared about Hongye, he would not allow anyone to know that he achieved success by deceiving women's feelings.

"Even if you are not included in the Imperial Book, I will pave the way for you and help you sit firmly on the throne."

There was no sign of gratitude on Gu Mingzhao's face.

Li Zheng had long been accustomed to his coldness and alienation.

After all, he felt guilty towards Hongye and Longyuan, so he would never be angry at his eldest son Gu Mingzhao who was lost and found again.

"By the way, Grand Tutor Qin has gone through three dynasties and has a solid foundation. He is a great help. I want you to have more contact with his granddaughter. What do you think of that girl?"

Li Zheng remembered that he had specially called Qin Tai Shi's granddaughter to introduce the two to each other a few days ago, and he didn't know how they got along, so he asked this question.

Gu Mingzhao said calmly: "I have my own plans for my marriage, so Your Majesty doesn't need to worry about it."

Li Zheng sat back on the dragon chair, leaned forward slightly, and asked with interest: "Oh? Do you have a favorite candidate?"

"She is the daughter of Prime Minister Liao."

Gu Mingzhao smiled slightly, and his expression softened a little when he mentioned Liao Qinglan.

"Liao Zhendong's family?" Li Zheng frowned slightly. "I remember that your time at the Liao family school was not smooth."

After Li Zheng found Gu Mingzhao, he investigated his past thoroughly.

He had already sent people to clean up all the traces of the past.

The wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan and the prefect of Qingzhou have also been liquidated one by one.

As for Liao Zhendong, as the prime minister, he could not find any fault with him at the moment, so no one touched him for the time being.

"Miss Liao has been kind to me, and I have admired her for a long time." Gu Mingzhao said.

"I have some impression of her. She looks pretty, but she is a little young. If you like her, you can take her as a concubine. As for the principal wife, it would be more appropriate to take the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Qin. She is older and more considerate."

"I will only marry Liao Qinglan." Gu Mingzhao emphasized with a sullen look on his face.

"Although the Liao family is a noble family, it is still slightly inferior to Grand Tutor Qin. It may not be appropriate to let a member of the Qin family be a concubine."

"I won't take a concubine." Gu Mingzhao said, "She is enough for me in this life."

"You!" Li Zheng was shocked by his words, "Your brothers have concubines in a courtyard before they even get married."

"They are them and I am me."

"If she is pregnant or has physical discomfort, who will help you?"

"I'm not the kind of person who only thinks with the lower half of my body."

"Have you ever seen a prince or nobleman with only one woman in his backyard?"

“Then I’ll be the first one.”

Li Zheng wanted to persuade him again, but Gu Mingzhao interrupted him: "Your Majesty, there is no need to say more. I have made up my mind. I came here today just to inform you."

"Never mind. Her father is Prime Minister Liao, and her uncle is Duke Rong. One is a scholar, and the other is a warrior. With such a background, she is worthy of you."

Li Zheng sighed lightly and found a suitable way out.

Even though Gu Mingzhao is truly in love with the girl from the Liao family now, when he ascends the throne, a selection of concubines will be necessary in order to balance the relationship between court officials and the royal family.

Gu Mingzhao didn't like Li Zheng always linking his feelings with power, so he corrected him, "I want to marry Liao Qinglan not because of who her father or uncle is, but just because it's her, that's enough."

These words surprised Li Zheng a little.

He looked at Gu Mingzhao's confident and determined look and was stunned.

Suddenly I remembered the princess of the Longyuan clan who was as bright as the sun more than 20 years ago.

Hongye did the same thing before. She didn't care about the businessman identity he fabricated. She took him back to Longyuan and told everyone that this was the husband she had chosen.

He shook his head gently, breaking free from those memories, and said slowly: "You and your mother are exactly the same."

"It's different. At least my vision is much better than hers."

After Gu Mingzhao finished speaking, he stood up and left Li Zheng's bedroom.