I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 365 - 283: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

"What was Xie Yun’s father’s name again...?"

As Gu Lan spoke, he remembered that Xie Yun’s father was named Xie Xu, who was once a famous and handsome nobleman in the Capital, similar in age to the Empress Dowager.

The eunuch by the Empress Dowager’s side was called Little Xu.

Her gaze swept across the Empress Dowager and Little Xu as she recalled the palace gossip—that the Empress Dowager had a poor memory and would rename her most favored eunuch as Little Xu, and she had lost count of how many Little Xus there had been before.

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager had such a peculiar habit. Was it that since she couldn’t have Xie Xu, she started collecting similar ’figurines’?

Empress Dowager Su allowed Gu Lan’s expression to remain strange; now that she had lost the backing of her family and left the palace, her position as Empress Dowager was just symbolic, merely a mascot for Dayan. She no longer feared others’ opinions and didn’t need to conceal her true nature.

"Xie Xu back then was the most handsome man in the Capital, dashing and elegant, handsome as an immortal," Su Xinyu said softly, eyes filled with regret and nostalgia. "Unfortunately, he was implicated by his father’s affair and was taken down with him... Young Master, compared to him, you fall short by a bit."

Gu Lan sneered, "I’m younger than him."

Gu Lan’s damn competitive spirit!

Empress Dowager Su pondered for a moment, looking at Gu Lan’s face, "Yes, you are younger and more skilled in martial arts. Each of you has your own strengths; you’re fundamentally different people... Seeing your charm, I’ve fulfilled a lifelong wish and have no regrets."

With that, Empress Dowager Su smiled faintly, reaching out from the carriage window with a hand painted in imperial red, pulling Little Xu’s sleeve.

Little Xu did not resist; his delicate features turned bright red as he stepped into the Empress Dowager’s Phoenix Carriage.

The guards and palace attendants around pretended not to see, while Little Cheng wore an expression of long-standing familiarity. Gu Lan and the accompanying imperial guard exchanged shocked glances, their eyes wide with disbelief.

The Empress Dowager of a country, being so familiar with an eunuch by her side.

"This is thrilling," Gu Lan remarked.

The Empress Dowager truly let go of herself after leaving the palace, and this act reminded Gu Lan of Consort Jia, who had offended the Empress Dowager.

Consort Jia, who resided mostly in the palace and was once a maid by the Empress Dowager’s side—could it be that she discovered the scandal between the Empress Dowager and the eunuch and was silenced by the Dowager?

Coupled with what Rong Heng had told him about Consort Jia’s poisoning, Gu Lan was almost certain of his speculation.

Under the watchful eyes of the public, Empress Dowager Su simply extended an arm, letting Little Xu massage her, comfortably closing her eyes halfway.

After a while, Empress Dowager Su spoke, "Although the journey to Lu State is far, having a young hero like the Young Master escorting me doesn’t feel lonely."

Gu Lan replied, "I will only escort the Empress Dowager to the Mu City boundary stone, where the City Guard will take over. Beyond that, the Dowager must proceed alone."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, "That’s enough. As long as the Young Master shows up, it ensures my safe passage."

She paused for a moment, then spoke meaningfully, "Could it be that Young Master Gu still doesn’t understand why I wanted you to escort me?"

Rong Heng furrowed his eyebrows, a flash of cold light in his eyes.

Gu Lan, while riding his horse, recalled the instructions Rong Miaoyan had given him before leaving, and answered unhurriedly:

"Naturally, it’s because the Crown Prince convinced the Empress Dowager. The Su Family, having been an established clan for a hundred years, was indeed Dayan’s foremost family, but they have made countless enemies. Now that they have fallen, enemies openly and secretly are abundant, like fish crossing the river. Who knows how many would risk taking matters into their own hands to avenge themselves on the Empress Dowager’s life. Besides, you leaving the Capital, and the Emperor did not even see you off."

Upon hearing the first part of Gu Lan’s words, Empress Dowager Su nodded unconsciously, but her expression turned sour as she listened to the end.

"Yes, the Emperor is indeed the most indifferent person I have ever met!" Empress Dowager Su gritted her teeth, speaking through them, "He didn’t even see me off from the Capital, and on top of that, he issued that decree, essentially telling those who hide in the shadows they could strike against me."

Gu Lan said, "Well, at least the Emperor sent me to shield you from disaster."

Even though Gu Lan was only escorting the Empress Dowager part of the way, this gesture on his part showed the Gu Family’s stance toward the Empress Dowager. The enemies of the Su Family were mostly adversaries who would hire assassins, and seeing Gu Lan there, most wouldn’t choose to offend the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion by killing the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Su took a deep breath, as if trying to comfort herself:

"With the Young Master here... as long as you don’t want to kill me, I will surely be safe."

This was what the Crown Prince had told her yesterday.

Recalling Gu Lan’s words brought everything back to Empress Dowager Su from the day before.

Originally, Su Xinyu wanted to leave with her forces in the Capital. These guards had been secretly trained by her for years, all highly skilled. Even if they suffered losses, they could ensure her safe passage to Lu State.

But yesterday, the Crown Prince came to her, cautiously and sadly telling her who the hidden enemies of the Su Family were, which made her realize how many people the Su Family had offended!

Combined with the Emperor’s refusal to even see her, Su Xinyu figured out that even if she reached Lu State alive, the guards and resources she had cultivated over the years would be exhausted, which was why the Emperor wouldn’t meet her. Fortunately, the Crown Prince cherished her as his grandmother and shared the covert findings with her.

Su Xinyu pondered for a long time, unwilling to give up everything she had, and finally, she and the Crown Prince thought of Gu Lan.

Now, Gu Lan’s reputation in Dayan was at its peak, and the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was Yan Country’s foremost strategic point. If Gu Lan escorted her and showed a protective attitude, those plotting against her would hesitate, wary of the Gu Family.

Should anyone still dare to act against her life, her trusted guards would step in.

This move also allowed the Emperor to test Gu Lan—anyone harboring a grudge against the Su Family yet unafraid of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion would probably not show themselves, likely being pawns or allies of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

As it turned out, the Emperor agreed to her request.

Su Xinyu could also preserve her accumulated forces this way.

Many Hidden Guards and Death Warriors she couldn’t bring with her, so she entrusted them to the Crown Prince, waiting for the day when he ascends the throne to bring her, his grandmother, back to the Capital to continue enjoying wealth and honor.

Recalling the tearful and hoarse cries of the Crown Prince, Su Xinyu felt at ease.

Besides, the Crown Prince had another plan...

"The Empress Dowager wants to use my reputation as a shield. Haven’t you thought that I might want your life too?"

Gu Lan stared at Empress Dowager Su, eyes as clear and bright as water, yet undisguised murderous intent flickering within their depths.

The Empress Dowager’s hand trembled slightly as a chill ascended from the nape of her neck. She couldn’t help but tighten her grip on Little Xu’s arm, quickly wearing a smile, her tone turning oddly ambiguous:

"No, Gu Lan, since you have received the order to escort me, if anything happens to me, you won’t be able to explain to the Emperor.

Furthermore, I know you are gallant and wouldn’t let beautiful women suffer. Look, Zhao Cheng and Lu Ping by my side are both skilled in martial arts, and Qingzhi is also as beautiful as a flower. I am willing to give these three to you when we reach Mu City... I hope the Young Master will show me a bit of mercy."

Zhao Cheng, Lu Ping, Qingzhi?

Gifting them to me?

In the eyes of the Empress Dowager, what kind of person am I?

Gu Lan’s lips twitched, looking over at Rong Heng, eyes full of helplessness.