The capital, once a scene of bustling prosperity, suddenly grew tense with alarm. Though the city gates remained open, soldiers stationed there conducted rigorous inspections, detaining anyone who showed the slightest sign of abnormality.
Long-time residents of the capital had their own survival instincts. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, many hurried home, bolted their doors, and refrained from looking outside.
But not everyone reacted this way.
Noble families were thrown into turmoil. Only after several waves of their overt and covert emissaries were arrested did many settle down. Those with guilty consciences sat drenched in cold sweat despite the winter chill.
Fu Gang broke into a cold sweat as he scanned the list in his hand. Arresting all these individuals would leave numerous positions vacant in the court. He secretly felt relieved that none of Fu family’s old associates were named.
"Proceed," Gu Yanxi commanded coldly from horseback. Shadowtreader snorted, signaling the start of the bloody purge.
Taking a deep breath, Fu Gang gestured toward the nearby Liu residence. Imperial guards stormed in like wolves, breaking down the door, binding their targets, and dragging them out. Those who cried innocence were gagged with cloth before the guards moved to the next location.
Gu Yanxi offered no further instructions. The masked members of the Seven Constellation Bureau stood silently behind their leader, their mere presence casting a chilling, oppressive aura that made the arrested officials and furtive onlookers tremble uncontrollably.
The Seven Constellation Bureau—it had been a long time since they last appeared!
By the time every name on the list had been apprehended, Gu Yanxi personally rounded up all the Celestial Masters in the city and expelled them beyond the gates. Dusk was already falling.
Chen Qing approached and whispered, "Master, should we take them to the imperial prison first…"
"Open the execution ground." Gu Yanxi lifted his gaze to the sky, thinking of someone currently absent from the capital. "Summon all princes, princesses, and consorts of the third rank or higher to witness the punishment."
Chen Qing was aghast. "Master…"
"Without severe punishment, they will not understand pain."
But all the hatred will fall upon you! Why push yourself to the brink? Having followed the Heir through fire and blood, even enduring seven stab wounds without flinching in the past, Chen Qing now felt his eyes sting.
Who were these people? Princes—the future ruler would emerge from among them. Among the consorts was the future Empress Dowager. Why be so ruthless? Even having the Emperor intervene would be better!
"Go deliver the order."
"Master!"
"Chen Qing, do not make me repeat myself."
Chen Qing rubbed his eyes fiercely and turned away.
Gu Yanxi lowered his gaze. It seemed that bearing the surname Gu came with an innate coldness of heart. Chen Qing did not understand—since he dared to act, he had already calculated the consequences. Even if it meant eggs striking a rock, he would be the rock!
He would never leave behind hidden dangers. In the future, his relationship with A Zhi might not remain concealed, and he would not give anyone the chance to harm her.
Throughout history, no leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau had ever failed to protect their own family.
"Master." Chen Qing, who had just left, suddenly returned. "The Eldest Young Lady has sent someone with a delivery."
Gu Yanxi immediately turned to look at the pale-faced maid who stood resolutely despite the tense situation. He recognized her—she was often seen following Fu Dong. A Zhi had a way of emboldening those around her.
"Bring it here."Liu Juan hurriedly strained to lift the large bundle high above her head, not daring to look up.
Guessing roughly what it contained, Gu Yanxi gathered the bundle into his cloak. "Did she have any message for me?"
"N... no, she didn't." Liu Juan's legs were so weak she nearly collapsed, but she forced herself to remain standing so as not to disgrace her mistress. With a barely steady curtsy, she said, "This servant takes her leave."
"Have someone escort her out of the city."
"Yes."
Not long after Liu Juan departed, someone silently knelt nearby. He was one of the men Gu Yanxi had assigned to follow Hua Zhi. Without his protection along the way, Liu Xiang wouldn't have been able to enter the city.
"How are things there? Is she well?"
"Yes, everything is normal."
Gu Yanxi traced the edges of the box through the wrapping. "What does she know?"
"The young lady likely sensed something was wrong when you sent for Shaoyao. Later, she dispatched someone back to the city. After that, I saw her instruct Fu Dong to prepare food and have a maid deliver this."
For someone who cared so deeply for her servants to send Liu Juan out alone—she must have known his people were watching over her. Yet even after realizing this, she showed no resentment...
Gu Yanxi felt as if he were soaking in warm water, his heart gradually softening. No one could see how tender his expression had become beneath the mask.
Returning to the palace first, Gu Yanxi went to his grandmother's Palace of Blessings and Longevity.
The Empress Dowager, dressed in full formal attire, looked surprised to see him. She hadn't expected to meet her grandson again so soon.
Yu Xiang promptly dismissed the other attendants. Gu Yanxi removed his mask and took out the square bundle from his cloak.
Unwrapping it revealed two three-tiered wooden boxes that felt warm to the touch.
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Yu Xiang.
Gu Yanxi recognized these containers—they were specially made food boxes from the Hua family. Recently, Fu Dong had been filling them to the brim daily and sending them to Yang Suian via servants. He never thought he would receive the same treatment.
"Food?" the Empress Dowager asked.
Gu Yanxi nodded and opened one of the boxes. Glimmering rice grains, plump and perfect, finally stirred hunger in someone who hadn't consumed anything all day.
Removing the top layer revealed the middle section divided into four compartments, each filled with different dishes. The bottom layer contained only two sections, holding two varieties of pastries.
Opening the other food box, Gu Yanxi merely glanced at the middle dishes before closing it and having it sent to Shaoyao. The dishes were tailored to preferences—since Shaoyao loved spicy food, half of these contained chili peppers.
The Empress Dowager looked down at her hands, which despite careful maintenance were no longer smooth. Every action in her life had been tied to interests—first for her family, later for her children. Never had a moment truly belonged to herself, nor had she experienced that life-and-death passion called love.
She had witnessed others go mad for love, but watching Yanxi and that young lady from the Hua family now brought her a sense of warmth.
She had understood from the beginning what attracted Yanxi to that girl, which was why she couldn't bring herself to separate them when she found out. This grandson of hers—he had fulfilled her wishes, the emperor's wishes, even those princes' wishes, and had no choice but to fulfill his ungrateful father's wishes too. The only person he had never fulfilled was himself. How could she bear to deny him the one person he truly loved?Looking up at her grandson who was eating with his head down, inexplicably exuding an air of obedience, the Empress Dowager sighed quietly to herself. According to reports, that young lady held no particular feelings for Yan Xi. Her sending food was likely because she had learned about the incident in the city, serving as an unconventional form of comfort for him—a thoughtful gesture indeed.
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