Chapter 347: Farewell
On the other side, the Eldest Prince was invited into the garrison commander's residence. The moment he stepped through the door, before he could vent his pent-up frustration at being repeatedly avoided, the words on his lips vanished when he saw the masked figure seated in the main position.
The Chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau—why was he here?!
Every humiliation and disgrace in his life had been forced upon him by this person. Just recalling his every move that day in the Seven Constellation Bureau's interrogation hall made his face burn with shame, anger, and hatred.
At the sight of this person, all the memories he never wanted to remember came flooding back, rooting him to the spot at the entrance.
"Your Highness," Wu Yong performed a formal salute, though inwardly he was bewildered. Before seeing that mask, he had never imagined that The Heir was the Chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau. Knowing such a staggering secret made him fear he might be silenced...
Gu Chengde forced a smile and finally entered the room. "I didn't expect the Chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau to be here as well."
"I assumed you wouldn't be surprised."
A sense of foreboding crept into the Eldest Prince's heart, but he steeled himself and asked, "Why would you say that?"
"Eunuch Li, originally named Li Ping." Watching the Eldest Prince's face pale abruptly, Gu Yanxi curled his lips in a mocking smile and dropped another bombshell. "A remnant of the Chao Li Tribe."
"Impossible!" Gu Chengde refuted without hesitation. "She has served me for seven years, loyal through and through. Even when I was exiled, she secretly followed to attend to me. Though I never concealed my actions from her, I didn't make every decision in her presence. She knew her place and never once acted against me. How could such a person be a remnant of the Chao Li Tribe? Absolutely impossible!"
"Never acted against you? If that were true, you would still be the Emperor's hopeful eldest son, the most promising candidate in the succession struggle."
"What does that have to do with her?" Gu Chengde, already seething with resentment, erupted in fury. "Who was it that kicked me from that position? Who stripped me of everything? Who didn't even spare my maternal family, cutting off my hope of redemption? It was you! Your Seven Constellation Bureau!"
"Was it I who urged you to present the Elixir to the Emperor?"
"I..." The Eldest Prince choked, unable to speak. He knew he had acted shamefully in this matter, but hadn't there been countless emperors in history who indulged in elixirs? All he wanted was for his father to delegate more authority to him.
"Did you know that if the Emperor continues taking that Elixir for two more months, he will be beyond cure?"
The Eldest Prince listened as if hearing a fantasy, utterly unconvinced. He sneered, "Don't think I know nothing. History is full of emperors who took elixirs for decades. How long has Father been taking them?"
So it was true! He had been careless. Gu Yanxi's gaze softened slightly. The Eldest Prince had his selfish motives but never intended to harm the Emperor, his uncle. He believed he had offered a common elixir, one that could be taken for three to five years without issue. He had no idea how grand a scheme someone had executed through his hands."She has admitted that Li Ping is a remnant of the Chao Li Tribe." Signaling Chen Tu to hand over the confession, Gu Yanxi continued, "Since you don't believe that the Emperor nearly lost his life due to the elixir you presented, then go back and see for yourself. The resurgence of the Chao Li Tribe is now a fact. Even though you have lost your status as a prince, you were still raised under imperial education and should understand the gravity of this matter. Think carefully along the way about what you need to disclose to the Seven Constellation Bureau. Chen Tu, take him away and make preparations. We return to the capital at dawn tomorrow."
"Yes." Chen Tu led away the Crown Prince, who stared at the confession in disbelief. Only then did Wu Yong, who had remained silent, speak up, "Are you really letting him return to the capital?"
"Yinshan Pass already has enough lurking evils. We cannot keep him here any longer. I was too naive before." Gu Yanxi removed his mask. "I leave Yinshan Pass in your hands. Make good use of the Hua family's intellect, especially Old Master Hua. Do not forget that the Hua family's ancestor, Hua Jingyan, was the strategist who single-handedly helped Emperor Taizu conquer the realm. He may well have left something behind for his descendants."
"This official understands."
"If any changes occur, act as you see fit. I will bear the consequences."
Wu Yong said nothing, only offering him the most solemn military salute with utmost gravity.
It was no secret in the court that The Heir was held in higher regard by the Emperor than the princes. Sometimes, Wu Yong even secretly hoped that one day this man would ascend to that position. No prince could do better than The Heir. More than once, he felt that The Heir's conduct carried the style of Emperor Taizu, worthy of the loyalty and allegiance of people like him.
Yet he also knew that The Heir and the princes were ultimately different.
At the first light of dawn the next day, the gates of the Hua family residence opened. Early risers saw the eldest daughter of the Hua family, who had not been seen for some time, emerge from the house, followed by the rest of the family. It was clearly a farewell.
As her health had not fully recovered, Hua Zhi openly shared a horse with Gu Yanxi, while Zeng Han was helped onto a horse by Jia Yang.
"I am returning now. I will look after the family, so do not worry."
Hua Yizheng had received the message relayed by his youngest son the day before and felt even more sorrowful. "Be careful on the road. Remember, your safety comes first at all times."
Hua Zhi pressed her lips together and nodded in agreement.
She glanced at her father—a man of few words who remained silent as usual. Meeting her gaze, he simply nodded without uttering a single extra word.
Her eyes swept over everyone present. Hua Zhi leaned forward on the horse and bowed. "Take care."
Gu Yanxi also inclined slightly, gently nudging the horse's flank. Shadowtreader began to trot.
The sound of hooves faded from near to far until it vanished entirely. Silence fell before the Hua family's gate. Hua Yizheng clasped his hands behind his back, took two steps forward, and stood still. "It was right here that day, wasn't it? Zhi Er stood here and blocked the black-clad assassins who came for our lives. Yet you seem to have forgotten so quickly."
Regardless of what those who heard might think, he glanced at the empty intersection, then turned and walked back into the house, his hands still clasped behind his back. His slender figure seemed to have bent a little more.
Hua Pingyu trembled slightly, his lips pressed into a tight line, his hands hidden in his sleeves clenched into fists. He felt indignant on behalf of his daughter, yet he could do nothing. After that day, Zhi Er had told him to do and say nothing. The Hua family would always belong to the Hua family. Even for the sake of future stability, it could not become Hua Zhi's Hua family alone.He understood the reasoning perfectly, yet how could they—how could they so readily distance themselves from Zhi Er, forgetting how she had fought tooth and nail for them that night, even willing to lay down her life?
How could they forget so quickly!
On horseback, Gu Yanxi looked down at A Zhi, whose face held a gentle smile. Knowing she truly didn’t mind their behavior, he didn’t bring it up again. “Is the wound still itching?”
“Not anymore. Shaoyao’s medicine works wonders.” The healing flesh had been unbearably itchy these past few days, but with a skilled physician by her side, Hua Zhi hadn’t suffered much. The only inconvenience was having to apply the ointment every two hours.
“If you feel any discomfort on the road, tell me. Don’t endure it silently.”
“I know.” Hua Zhi leaned her head against his arm and looked up at him. “I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”
Gu Yanxi lowered his head to brush against her forehead. Though he wanted to, he ultimately didn’t press his lips to hers.
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