In Haoxin Hall, the Emperor was in a pleasant mood as he instructed the palace servants to set the meal. That rascal had returned without even coming to see him first—he had to send someone to summon him. His audacity grew by the day. Still, it was good he was back, very good. Now there was someone to help him review memorials.
"Your Majesty, the Chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau requests an audience."
The Emperor's smile froze. He looked up abruptly—it wasn't any of the usual identities the man employed, not the Heir. Standing outside the hall waiting was the masked Chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau.
He was travel-worn, with visible stains on his black robe hem, yet his presence was formidable, his body taut as a spear.
Something had happened. The Emperor closed his eyes. He knew his nephew well—he wouldn't come like this unless something major had occurred. The last time he appeared like this was when he'd been poisoned with cinnabar toxin. And this time...
His already heavy body felt increasingly feeble. The Emperor waved his hand. "Everyone withdraw."
Maidens and attendants filed out like flowing water. Lai Fu personally guarded outside the hall, his lowered eyes betraying hidden concern.
Gu Yanxi entered the hall carrying a wooden tray, kneeling on one knee. His voice was deep and forceful. "Your subject impeaches the Second Prince, Gu Cheng'an."
"On what charges?"
"On charges of corruption, treason, collusion with the enemy, and persecution of loyal subjects."
The Emperor felt his vision darken and dizziness set in, yet he forced himself to appear unaffected, though his breathing grew rough. "Explain in detail."
"As you command." Gu Yanxi picked up two memorials and presented them with both hands. "Please review them."
On top was Wu Yong's memorial. The Emperor read it quickly, then picked up the one beneath—it was actually from Hua Yizheng!
He didn't open it, instead looking down at Yanxi kneeling before him. "Was your sudden departure earlier to go to Yinshan Pass? Why?"
"Yes. Your subject received news of unusual circumstances at Yinshan Pass. Initially, I thought the problem lay beyond the pass, but after investigation, I discovered the issue was with our own people. On the night of July 19th, the enemy launched a night attack with great fanfare. General Wu and I both went to the front lines. Little did we know the night attack was a feint—a 'lure the tiger from the mountain' tactic. Their true target was the Hua family."
"Why!"
"The Wu family comes from a military lineage—they're competent in leading troops but have always been chaotic in internal administration. Hua Yizheng helped Wu Yong uncover numerous moles. I suspect they feared more damaging information would be exposed, so the Hua family had to disappear."
Gu Yanxi's tone remained calm as he took another memorial from the wooden tray and presented it with both hands. "This contains testimonies. I have also brought the witnesses back to the capital."
After a long moment, the Emperor took the memorial from his hand, still without opening it. He remembered receiving Wu Yong's memorial not long ago, which precisely mentioned spies being planted at Yinshan Pass.
"If Hua Yizheng can still hold a brush, it means the Hua family is unharmed."
"What sustained them until my arrival was the Hua family daughter Hua Zhi and a Seven Constellation Bureau subordinate who had been hidden at Yinshan Pass for many years." Before being asked, Gu Yanxi volunteered more information. "When I arrived, I learned this was already Hua Zhi's second trip to Yinshan Pass. She had gone once before at the end of last year."
The Emperor raised his eyebrows. "A Hua family daughter? A woman went to Yinshan Pass?"
"Yes."
"Where did she get such courage? Wasn't she afraid that if I found out, she wouldn't be able to return either?"
"I asked her the same. She said the Daqing laws only stipulate that exiled persons cannot return without summons, but don't prohibit friends and relatives from visiting."The Emperor suddenly felt a strong urge to laugh heartily. Indeed, the Great Qing Dynasty had never prohibited family visits—had no one ever considered this? No, it was simply that people could not withstand the erosion of time.
As if forgetting the main matter at hand, the Emperor teased his nephew, "First, you went into business with her, and now you've run into her again a thousand miles away. So? Has she grown on you?"
"I admire her, Your Majesty. Among the paths laid before the Hua family, she chose the most difficult one, yet it was the path the Hua family ought to take. She has not disgraced the Hua name." Gu Yanxi spoke with unwavering honesty. "From what I have learned, she took the initiative to break off her engagement with the Shen family, cutting off any intention of marriage."
The Emperor pointed at him with the memorial in his hand, wearing an expression that said, "I see right through you." "The more you say, the more it shows how differently you treat her. I've watched you grow up—do you think I don't know you? If you were truly uninterested, you would have answered me in just two or three words."
Gu Yanxi did not respond to this. As he picked up the next item from the wooden tray and was about to speak, he saw the Emperor wave his hand. "No need. Since you have reported his wrongdoings, he cannot escape. I do not wish to trouble myself with these matters. You handle them."
Looking at his weary-looking uncle, Gu Yanxi felt a complex mix of emotions. Fifty-four members of the Hua family had nearly lost their lives, Wu Yong had been poisoned, Zeng Xian had been wronged, and there were cases of colluding with foreign enemies—each incident was a major affair. Yet his uncle had brushed them aside with such a casual remark. How heartbroken would the officials be if they knew?
"As for the Second Prince, strip him of his title and confine him to the prince's residence."
"...Yes."
"Why are you still kneeling? Get up and join me for a meal." The Emperor leaned forward and patted his nephew's shoulder. He had always been satisfied with this nephew. Traveling across the land all year round, he never ate well or slept soundly. A pat on his robes would surely release clouds of dust. He did more than anyone yet never sought credit for his efforts.
When the Second Prince's affairs came to light, it was not as if no one had reminded Gu Yanxi to keep his distance, lest the flames burn him instead of others. Bringing down princes one after another would bring him no benefit, and he was well aware of the stakes. If he had used this information to negotiate with the Second Prince, the latter would have had to share half the empire with Yanxi if he ever ascended the throne. Yet, without any concealment, he had presented everything directly to the Emperor. This nephew of his—if only he were his own son.
Once again, the Emperor felt a pang of regret and even considered altering the registry. If only he could truly become his son...
Lai Fu's voice came from outside, "Your Majesty, Chen Qing of the Seven Constellation Bureau requests an audience."
"Summon him."
Chen Qing hurried in, first paying respects to the Emperor, then reporting to his superior, "The Second Prince is at Consort Hui's quarters in the palace. I have no authority to enter the inner chambers and await your instructions, Commander."
"Consort Hui?" The Emperor recalled—there was still a charming figure there. Consort Hui had, after all, rendered some service. He stood up and said, "I will go with you. Yanxi, the Second Prince's affairs shall not implicate Consort Hui."
"...Yes." Gu Yanxi responded softly and followed without another word. He had expected the Emperor to erupt in fury, assumed the Second Prince would join the Crown Prince in disgrace, thought Fang Hongzhi would be imprisoned and his property confiscated, believed the overreaching Tong family would face severe punishment, and even considered that he himself might suffer collateral consequences. Yet, it seemed the matter had not even caused a ripple. Instead, he was now ordered not to implicate Consort Hui.His body felt light and airy, yet his feet seemed to weigh ten thousand pounds. Watching his gaunt and somewhat stooped imperial uncle Gu Yanxi ahead, Yan Xi’s heart was filled with an indescribable bitterness. What remained now of that once ambitious imperial uncle?
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