Gu Yanxi returned to the Seven Constellation Bureau, waved away subordinates who were about to report matters, and shut himself in his room.
Did it hurt? Yes. Was he heartbroken? That too. The only thing absent was surprise. In his youth, he had held the purest filial devotion toward that elder who resided high in the imperial court yet showed him unwavering care. But people grow up. Though the affection remained, he had learned to keep reservations.
Only precisely measured emotions could sustain kinship with a monarch—too much became burdensome, too little felt inadequate. One had to carefully portion it out, and such weighed feelings, even if genuine, became filtered.
On his way back, he had contemplated what to do. The desire to abandon his duties entirely was real; the willingness to be demoted to commoner status was real; the longing to live and die with A Zhi was real; testing the Emperor’s determination in this matter was also real. Yet after exhausting all his bargaining chips and staking years of uncle-nephew affection, the outcome remained unchanged.
The Emperor was adamant about constructing the canal, determined to secure his place in history through this endeavor, willfully ignoring all other risks. Even if the Chao Li Tribe invaded the borders now, he would likely prioritize the canal’s completion before inquiring how far the enemies had advanced, unless they reached the capital itself.
Pouring a cup of cold water, Gu Yanxi gulped it down, feeling an icy chill seep into his very core—unsure whether the water had frozen his heart or his heart had chilled the water.
Manpower, financial resources.
Gu Yanxi dipped his finger in water and wrote these words on the table, then crossed out “financial resources.” Given A Zhi’s capabilities, she could probably devise solutions for that. His focus should be on resolving the manpower issue. Increasing Statute Labor was absolutely unacceptable—once initiated, it would become unstoppable, and harming the common people would bring no benefit to the Great Qing Dynasty.
As he pondered, a knock sounded at the door.
“Master, Aunt Yu Xiang is here.”
It seemed his grandmother must have caught wind of something. Gu Yanxi walked over and opened the door.
Yu Xiang performed a curtsy. “Her Majesty requests your presence for a meal.”
Gu Yanxi glanced up at the pitch-black sky and headed toward the Palace of Blessings and Longevity. While others couldn’t enter the inner quarters, he could—this was the privilege of the Seven Constellation Bureau’s chief.
In the Palace of Blessings and Longevity, the Empress Dowager sat cross-legged on a luohan bed, simply dressed in white casual robes, lightly fingering her prayer beads. Though she had memorized the scriptures thoroughly, her recitation now stumbled between phrases. She simply gave up, set down the beads, and released a long sigh.
The palace grounds were limited, and even the slightest stir attracted attention from various quarters. Although the Emperor had dismissed all attendants from the imperial study, the shifting atmosphere remained perceptible.
While others might not discern much, she—aware of Yanxi’s true standing—felt a weight of concern. She hoped the usually harmonious uncle-nephew relationship wouldn’t develop cracks.
Hearing movement, she looked toward the hall entrance and waved at Yu Xiang.
Understanding the gesture, Yu Xiang dismissed all other servants to a distance and personally guarded the doorway.
Gu Yanxi hoarsely addressed her, “Grandmother.”
The Empress Dowager smiled. “Come sit. Keep your grandmother company for a while.”
Gu Yanxi sat opposite her, removing his mask and setting it aside.
“You’ve been wronged, haven’t you?"She gazed sadly at the bruised swelling on half his face, not daring to touch it, and instead grasped her grandson’s hand." The rough texture beneath her fingers made her want to sigh again—while other noble scions were raised in refined delicacy, her grandson’s hands were calloused and coarse.
Gu Yanxi shook his head. “It’s nothing. Don’t believe every rumor you hear.”
“Who needs rumors? One look at your face tells the story. Does it involve that young lady from the Hua family?”
“Grandmother...”"What you discussed, Grandmother may not know, but who entered or left the palace is clear to me. What, did the Emperor discipline you?"
Gu Yanxi thought self-deprecatingly that it wasn't mere discipline—it was outright persecution.
"The Emperor disapproves of your relationship?" The Empress Dowager smiled. "That doesn't surprise me. It would be strange if he agreed."
"The Emperor threatened the Hua family, forcing A Zhi to excavate a canal for him—approximately six hundred kilometers long. All manpower and financial resources are to be borne solely by A Zhi." Watching his usually unflappable grandmother show astonishment, Gu Yanxi smiled bitterly. "He seeks eternal glory, while forcing A Zhi into infamy."
"Is he mad? How is now the time to excavate a canal? Has the Chao Li Tribe issue been resolved? Has the crown prince been appointed? Have the natural disasters been properly managed?"
"The Chao Li Tribe issue falls to me. The crown prince will inevitably be chosen from among the princes. Natural disasters are handled by ministers providing relief—there are too many people sharing the burdens."
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. "That girl is capable, but no matter how capable, how can she withstand such torment? Shall I speak with the Emperor?"
"It's useless, Grandmother. No one can sway him now. Neither A Zhi nor I could make him see reason—he ignores all arguments and insists on his desired outcome."
Knowing the temperament of the son she bore, the Empress Dowager massaged her temples and asked, "What are your plans now?"
"A Zhi sustained some injuries and has returned to rest. The Emperor gave her one day to consider, but it's merely a formality—she has no choice but to accept this task." Gu Yanxi's brow remained furrowed throughout; the situation was overwhelmingly difficult.
The Empress Dowager could think of no solution either. After a moment of silence, she called for Yu Xiang. "Fetch my smallest chest for me."
Though called the smallest chest, it was still sizable. Yu Xiang knew best that this chest contained the Empress Dowager's most valuable possessions.
The Empress Dowager opened it and turned it toward him. "Everything I own is here—land deeds, property titles, banknotes, and numerous shops. If pooled together, it should be of some use."
"There's no need for this, Grandmother. How could I have the face to use your family fortune?"
"It was always intended for you—I'm merely handing it over a little earlier. This is all I have, and I suppose they wouldn't value it anyway, so there's no point dividing it." The Empress Dowager closed the chest and chuckled wryly. "That Hua family girl's reputation for turning stone into gold has even reached the palace. Perhaps silver multiplied in her hands."
Turning stone into gold? Gu Yanxi had a sudden epiphany, connecting the dots. When the Emperor investigated him, he discovered A Zhi and heard of her ability to turn stone into gold. The Emperor, who long desired to build the canal but lacked funds and manpower, found his financier. Thus, he brought A Zhi into the palace, intimidating and threatening her before forcibly imposing this deadly task upon her!
So that was it!
Gu Yanxi stood up abruptly. "Grandmother, I've just remembered something urgent I must attend to. I beg your leave."
The Empress Dowager did not stop him. "Go ahead. Take the chest with you."
Gu Yanxi shook his head at the chest. "If the need arises, I won't hesitate to ask. But for now, I don't know what A Zhi plans. It's better for you to keep it."
"Very well. I shall take this opportunity to reconsider the matter."Gu Yanxi bowed once more before striding away.
Yu Xiang escorted him out of the hall, and upon returning, she saw the Empress Dowager had emptied the entire chest's contents. "Your Majesty, allow this servant to handle it."
The Empress Dowager stepped back accordingly. "Count carefully. Make sure nothing is missing and consolidate everything together."
"Yes."
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