The capital had been enjoying a stretch of fine weather, with the first hints of early spring gradually emerging.
The carriage rocked gently along the countryside road. Hua Zhi had tied the window curtain aside, her mood lifting as she gazed at the pleasant scenery outside.
Soon, when the weather warmed further, it would be perfect for outings. In previous years, the men of the Hua family would escort their sisters on spring excursions. Though she never joined them, their joyous energy was palpable even from a distance.
This year, however, such outings were impossible.
"Hua Hua!" Shaoyao trotted her horse alongside the carriage, her cheerful aura seeping through the fluttering curtains. "Come ride with me!"
"No, thanks. Now that you’re finally free from restrictions, go enjoy yourself to the fullest." Hua Zhi leaned lazily against the carriage wall. Her journey to the northern lands had left her weary of riding, and she felt little enthusiasm for it now.
Watching Shaoyao gallop off happily, Hua Zhi recalled Lu Xiansheng mentioning that Shaoyao’s former ambition was to become the first female general of the Daqing Dynasty. The aspiration suited her well—even without those memories, her innate nature remained unchanged.
Thinking of Lu Xiansheng led Hua Zhi to further reflection. Today’s martial arts lesson at the estate was being taught by Master Wang. She wondered how Lu Xiansheng was faring with his own affairs.
Along the ornate corridor adorned with carved railings and jade inlays, palace maids and young eunuchs hurried back and forth, occasionally interspersed with patrols of imperial guards. Yet, aside from the rustle of the wind, the vast palace stood in profound silence.
The Emperor, emerging from the Hall of State Affairs, paused by the balustrade to gaze into the distance. Even after a lifetime within these palace walls, the unusual quiet of the day unsettled him, stirring a vague unease in his heart.
Could an assassination be imminent?
Growing wary, the Emperor scanned his surroundings, and suddenly, everyone seemed suspicious—especially the young eunuch scurrying toward him on tiptoe. He must be the assassin!
Just as he was about to call for help, Lai Fu at his side hissed sharply, "How dare you run? Have you forgotten all decorum?"
The young eunuch immediately prostrated himself, forehead pressed to the ground, and stammered, "The chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau has urgent news to report. In my haste, I neglected protocol. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
"Where is he?"
"Your Majesty, he awaits outside the imperial study."
The Emperor strode swiftly toward the imperial study. He knew that man’s temperament—unless the matter was grave, he would never appear in his capacity as chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau. With several identities allowing him unrestricted access to the palace, the chief’s role drew too much attention and was seldom used.
In his haste, the Emperor failed to notice the cold sweat beading on Lai Fu’s forehead after he raised his head. Signaling the others to follow first, Lai Fu approached his newly adopted godson and whispered, "If I hadn’t reacted quickly, your head would already be rolling. In this palace, even if fire singes your eyebrows, you must keep your steps steady. If this happens again, you’ll join your brothers underground."
The young eunuch, fully aware of how close he had come to disaster, kowtowed deeply in gratitude.
Pleased by his receptiveness, Lai Fu glanced up and saw the Emperor already turning the corner. He hurried to catch up, his mind racing. The Emperor’s paranoia was worsening, his health declining. Yet, he had recently ordered the expansion of the harem, as if desperate to prove something to someone. Lately, he showed no restraint in his actions. If this continued...Reflecting on the current court situation, Lai Fu felt a tremor in his heart. If the Emperor didn't appoint a Crown Prince soon, the court would likely descend into chaos. Just moments ago, he had been rescuing others, but when that day came, he wondered if anyone would be able to save him.
Finally catching up with the procession, Lai Fu seamlessly resumed his position beside the Emperor. His gaze fell upon the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau, clad in dark robes with subtle patterns and wearing a mask. This attire, much like the court robes of officials, had remained unchanged since its establishment by the first generation.
When he first saw the previous leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau, Lai Fu had secretly worried: what if someone used the mask to carry out an assassination? How unjust would that be for the bureau's leader? Later, when someone actually attempted it but was executed on the spot without even getting close, he realized he had overthought it. This mask was unique in the world, beyond replication even by the most skilled artisans.
The mask was composed of countless intricate patterns, both visible and hidden, forming a complete design. As for what that design represented, only the reigning Emperor and the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau knew.
Thinking of the person behind the mask and the Emperor's attitude toward him, Lai Fu suddenly felt there was no need to seek distant solutions. By forging a good relationship with this one individual, no matter who ascended the throne in the future, this person would remain untouchable. If he could offer protection, perhaps Lai Fu himself might even secure a peaceful end.
With this thought, Lai Fu's eyes burned with fervor.
Gu Yanxi, ever perceptive, glanced at Lai Fu and immediately understood his intentions. This man could indeed be of some use.
Dismissing the others and keeping only Lai Fu to attend to them, the Emperor looked at his nephew, whose mere presence brought him peace of mind, and smiled, "It seems the news today is bad."
Gu Yanxi removed his mask, his face devoid of any trace of a smile. Even his usual ease and casualness in the presence of his imperial uncle were gone. The Emperor's heart sank. He took a sip of hot tea to warm himself before saying, "Speak. I can handle it."
To the Emperor's surprise, Gu Yanxi knelt before him and spoke of something seemingly unrelated: "Your subject implores Your Majesty to appoint a Crown Prince."
The Emperor stared at him intently. "What have they done now?"
Gu Yanxi lifted his head. "Every foolish move they make inflicts a thousand losses on their enemies but eight hundred on themselves. Yet, both the thousand and the eight hundred are subjects of our Great Qing Dynasty. What they harm are the interests of our Great Qing. Your Majesty, they are undermining the very foundation of our state!"
Gu Yanxi handed the memorial to Lai Fu, who accepted it. Their eyes met, and in that moment, a silent transaction was sealed without a single word.
"Get up already. Do you think I've forgotten your leg injury?" the Emperor chided him, though he had no desire to open the memorial in his hands. If Yanxi was willing to risk his displeasure to urge the appointment of a Crown Prince, it was clear how grave the situation had become.
Yet, as the Emperor, he could not avoid this matter, even if others could.
Opening the memorial, he read the listed items one by one, feeling no surprise. For the sake of the throne, it was not beyond possibility that they might one day lead troops in rebellion to force their own father to his death.
"Where is Little Six now?"
"I placed him under Shaoyao's care."
The Emperor rubbed his forehead. "I thought you would send him to the Sun family."
"Shaoyao is the most suitable.""Couldn't be more suitable," the emperor's thin lips curved into a mocking arc. One was a noblewoman who no longer used her real name, the other was a prince driven from his home by his own brothers. Such two marginalized individuals keeping each other company was truly perfect.
"If Your Majesty finds this inappropriate, I shall send him back once his injuries have healed."
"Back to what? To be trampled upon by his elder brothers as stepping stones?" The emperor shook his head. "Let him stay with Shaoyao. I must eventually face Consort Zhen with dignity someday."
PS: Ladies, do your best! Help Kongkong defeat the top monthly vote winner, and the world shall belong to Kongkong, hahaha! Well, just to mention, we'll be adding more scenes for the male lead later.
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