No matter how significant an event may be, it pales in comparison to the passage of time.
The blood-soaked grounds, after being cleansed, retained only a dark crimson stain. The chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau, now acting as regent, gave the court officials no time to adjust. One by one, matters were investigated, and officials were demoted, dismissed, or punished. Vacant positions were immediately filled.
Now, the entire court had no time to ponder who would occupy those positions. Their only concern was how to secure their own posts.
Within days, they realized the difference between the chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau and the Emperor. The Emperor was easily swayed; a few pleas from senior ministers or concubines could turn major issues into minor ones, and minor issues into nothing. Princes, princesses, members of the imperial family, and even respected elders in the palace—all were potential avenues for influence. There was always a way to maneuver.
But the chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau stood alone. They didn’t even know who was behind the mask—how could they find a way to approach him? Moreover, this was someone who dared to reprimand even the princes. They dared not act recklessly, fearing they might inadvertently provoke a tiger.
Everyone was on edge.
The court had never been more efficient, with directives flowing smoothly, tasks executed promptly, and an atmosphere of clarity—reaching the pinnacle of the Great Qing Dynasty.
The Emperor watched the changes in the court with indescribable complexity. He simply washed his hands of the matter and unabashedly focused on recuperating. After all, his capable nephew could keep the troublemakers in check. Especially after Shaoyao’s master, Yu Lao, arrived and advised that the Emperor needed peace and quiet to recuperate, the Emperor didn’t even leave Haoyue Hall anymore.
The door to the imperial study was tightly shut, with three people sitting inside and Lai Fu personally guarding outside.
Yu Lao, with his unkempt beard and clothes stained green and white from medicine, was unskilled in worldly affairs and hadn’t thought to change before meeting the Emperor. Yet, his medicinal scent and youthful face framed by white hair easily inspired goodwill.
"Don’t look at me like that," he said. "I’m just a physician, not a deity. I don’t have any magic elixirs."
He and Shaoyao were like two gourds from the same vine. Over the years, Gu Yanxi had grown accustomed to the way the master and disciple spoke. He nodded and said, "I’m not well-versed in medicine. Whatever it takes, I hope you can find a way."
Yu Lao’s eyes shifted, and his words grew even more unconventional. "Actually, isn’t this fine? You just stay in that position."
"What’s so fine about it?" Gu Yanxi glanced at the never-ending pile of memorials on the desk. "What’s so fine? Everyone covets it, everyone wishes for an early death. There’s no peace even in sleep, and it shortens one’s lifespan."
Yu Lao sighed inwardly. If not for Gu Yanxi’s clear-sightedness, and if the Emperor didn’t know that he truly had no desire for the throne, he might not have entrusted him with these responsibilities.
"Shaoyao has learned seventy percent of my skills. Her diagnosis is correct—the Golden Elixir is too potent. It has already affected his lifespan, and the remnants of what he ingested still linger in his body, continuously harming it. Shaoyao has told me all the methods she tried, and none were misapplied, yet the elixir toxins remain unexpelled."
Yu Lao looked at Gu Yanxi, his expression grave. "Since those cautious methods have failed, what I can offer is somewhat risky."
Gu Yanxi nodded. "Please, go on."
"Stimulate the elixir toxins within the Emperor’s body…"
"Master!"
Yu Lao turned to his prized disciple. "There are risks, of course. But with Shaoyao and me here, any issues can be controlled."Gu Yanxi could no longer sit still. He stood up and paced back and forth several times before stopping, his gaze burning as he looked at Yu Lao. "Is there no other way?"
"What I can think of are the methods Shaoyao has been using. As I said, she has seventy percent of my skill—the missing thirty percent is experience. Otherwise, she knows almost everything I do."
Shaoyao lifted her chin, a proud expression on her face.
A smile flickered in Yu Lao's eyes as he patted her face, which looked terrifying to others but endearing to him. "Only the final medicinal ingredient is missing. I already know where to find it. Once your master retrieves it, we can treat your face."
Shaoyao clung to her master's arm, acting coquettishly. "Please take me with you."
"The men sent by the Heir will suffice." That place was a land of extreme cold, perpetually covered in ice and snow. Even he would have to exhaust all means to stay warm—it was no place for a young woman, as it would harm her health.
Gu Yanxi's gaze softened as well. No longer hesitating, he made a decision. "I must ask you to explain the risks to His Majesty as well."
"Naturally."
The Emperor agreed without hesitation, nodding immediately after Yu Lao finished speaking.
Gu Yanxi opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately remained silent, leading the master and disciple away to make preparations.
"Lai Fu, stay and keep me company."
Lai Fu hurriedly stepped back, while Gu Yanxi paused mid-step.
The Emperor walked to his desk and sat down, selecting a bright yellow silk scroll. In one breath, he wrote three edicts, then sealed them personally. After sitting in silence for a moment, he turned to Lai Fu, who knelt and bowed low.
"Lai Fu, in this palace, I trust only Yanxi and you."
"This old servant is willing to be shattered to pieces for Your Majesty."
The Emperor smiled faintly, helping Lai Fu up with his own hands and handing him one of the edicts. "Keep this safe. Present it only if I am no longer here."
Lai Fu's hands trembled, and he shuddered, about to kneel again. The Emperor stopped him, scolding with a laugh, "Look at you, so easily shaken. Go and secure it immediately."
Lai Fu felt as if his heart and soul were quivering, his back drenched in cold sweat. He hurriedly took the edict with both hands, stored it away, and knelt in farewell.
After Lai Fu left, the Emperor spoke into the empty air, "Shadow One, Shadow Two."
Two figures materialized, kneeling before the Emperor.
These were the Emperor's shadow guards, separate from the Seven Constellation Bureau.
"Deliver one to Duke Dingguo, and the other to the Empress Dowager."
Once the shadow guards departed, the Emperor sat upright for a long time before suddenly rising and sweeping everything off his desk onto the floor. Gu Chengde! Gu Chengde!! Gu Chengde!!!
Gu Yanxi soon learned of the shadow guards' movements but suppressed the information, preventing the Seven Constellation Bureau from pursuing the matter further.
He knew what arrangements his uncle would make and had no right to question them.
Several days passed. As Hua Zhi emerged from the clan school, she spotted Lu Xiansheng standing in the drizzling rain. Dressed in light attire and holding an umbrella, he seemed as if he had been standing there since time immemorial.
From a distance, Hua Zhi bowed in greeting, then took an umbrella from her maid and approached him. She looked up at the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau, whose imposing presence had grown more intense and whose aura had become increasingly solitary and cold.
"Lu Xiansheng looks like he could use some rest."
Hua Zhi had always insisted on addressing him this way, and Gu Yanxi had never asked her to change it. This form of address, unique to the two of them, felt just right. His expression gradually brightened. "I've come to beg a cup of tea."
Hua Zhi gestured gracefully, leading him to the study. After inviting Lu Xiansheng to sit, she first lit a coil of incense in a box—a calming blend prepared for her by Shaoyao. She was very fond of its fragrance.She didn't call her maid in to help, instead retrieving the tea set she had previously put away and adding several more varieties of tea leaves. Only after completing these tasks did she go to wash her hands.
Gu Yanxi's gaze followed her movements, tracking her wherever she went. Watching her ant-like activity—taking out this and that—though she never once glanced at him from start to finish, it made him feel as if she were a little wife bustling about for his sake.
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