Destined

The remarkable feat of Gu Jiusi impeaching two hundred officials in one go reached Liu Yu Ru's ears the very next day. The entire city was abuzz with discussions about Gu Jiusi—whether in teahouses, restaurants, Floral Visage, or Immortal Fragrance...

Wherever she went, she could hear Gu Jiusi's name.

The more favorable comments went like: "Lord Gu is upright and unyielding, possessing both integrity and courage."

The less flattering ones said: "That fool Gu Jiusi, conducting official business like this without leaving himself any room for retreat."

After hearing such talk for a while, Liu Yu Ru began to feel uneasy herself. It wasn't just others' opinions—she too felt somewhat unsettled about the matter. She had always been one to keep her weapons sheathed, and seeing Gu Jiusi so openly display his sharp edges made her involuntarily worried.

Still, she trusted that Gu Jiusi had his own plans, so she restrained herself from questioning him and focused on her own affairs, quietly managing her accounts.

She consulted numerous people to plan the water transport route and finally mapped out a river pathway. Then she dispatched people to travel the entire route from start to finish while simultaneously purchasing grain from Youzhou to be delivered.

The complete journey from Youzhou to the Eastern Capital via this water route took approximately half a month. Thus, Liu Yu Ru patiently waited for fifteen days.

During these fifteen days, Gu Jiusi was so busy he barely touched ground. First, he saw off Zhou Ye, then proceeded with the impeachment of those two hundred officials. The very next day after the impeachments, reportedly a hundred officials filed counter-impeachments against him with various accusations—showing insufficient respect to superiors, wearing crooked court accessories, publicly insulting others, using vulgar language during court debates, lacking filial piety by arguing with his father at home, and so forth.

Though these matters weren't particularly grave, with so many people accusing him, he had to provide explanations.

He first addressed the most critical issue—the lack of filial piety—by bringing Gu Lang Hua to court, where the latter personally clarified it was all a misunderstanding. Rumor had it that to prove Gu Jiusi's exceptional filial devotion, Gu Lang Hua gave his son a sound thrashing right in the court chamber. After this demonstration, no one ever questioned Gu Jiusi's filial piety again—after all, none could claim to be so filial as to endure such a beating from their own father.

The direct consequence, of course, was that after returning home together, father and son spent half the night shouting insults at each other across a room divider.

Both Liu Yu Ru and Jiang Rou tried relentlessly to mediate, but neither man would listen.

Liu Yu Ru went to pull Gu Jiusi aside, advising him: "Jiu Si, let's go back. It was wrong of Father to hit you, but wasn't it for your own good?"

"For my good, my foot!" Gu Jiusi roared angrily, pointing at the marks on his face. "Look at this, Yu Ru, just look at my face! Is this how a real father acts? He hasn't had a chance to hit me in ages—this was him settling personal scores under official pretext!"

"Bullshit!" Gu Lang Hua yelled from inside. "Since when do I need official pretexts to beat you?!"

"Gu Lang Hua, search your conscience!" Gu Jiusi stood at the doorway. "Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? Beating me like that in front of everyone—do I not have any dignity left?"

"Oh, so you're something special now? Grown your wings and ready to fly? Now that you're Minister Gu, I can't touch you anymore, is that it?"

These words from Gu Lang Hua infuriated Gu Jiusi even more, feeling they cut deeper than direct insults. As he prepared to retort, Liu Yu Ru lost her patience and started dragging him away: "Enough, enough! Let's go back now. If we don't leave this instant, I'm going to get really angry."

"You're bullying me too!"Gu Jiusi shook off Liu Yu Ru, angrily plopped down, and sat cross-legged at the main entrance. Pointing at the circle of people standing nearby, he said, "You're all on his side, all bullying me. I'm the one who got beaten today, and you won't even let me seek justice! And you mock me? What's the use of being an official? What's the use of being a Minister? At home, I still get scolded and bullied. I quit, Liu Yu Ru, I'm telling you, if you keep siding with him today, I'm really done. Tomorrow I'll resign from my post. In this household, what kind of eldest son am I anyway?"

"I'm still the master of this house!"

"What kind of Minister am I? What kind of favored official of the Emperor? What kind of head of the family am I?"

Liu Yu Ru: "..."

Liu Yu Ru could no longer persuade him. She sighed and said to Gu Jiusi, "Alright, alright, my lord, you go ahead and vent. I have matters to attend to. I'll go finish up the business affairs. When you're done scolding, come back on your own."

After saying this, she turned to Munan beside her and said, "Munan, go get a bowl of snow pear soup. If the young master gets tired, remember to give him some to soothe his throat. He still needs to continue scolding people at court tomorrow."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi was somewhat taken aback and couldn't help saying, "You're not going to persuade me anymore?"

Liu Yu Ru shook her head. "You've been wronged, and I can't let you suffer in silence. I'm still busy, so I'll take my leave now."

With that, Liu Yu Ru stood up and left. Gu Jiusi sat at the entrance, feeling somewhat awkward. Watching her retreating figure, he couldn't help but say, "Won't you try persuading me a bit more?"

Liu Yu Ru ignored him, waved her hand, turned the corner, and left.

In an instant, only Gu Jiusi was left sitting alone at the entrance, while Gu Lang Hua sat inside the door washing his feet.

Having gained the upper hand today, he was quite pleased. Gu Jiusi sat by himself with no one to play off of. After a short while, he cleared his throat lightly, pretending to be composed as he stood up, patted his backside, and said, "I've said all I needed to say. It's getting late today, so I'll come back tomorrow."

With that, Gu Jiusi turned and left.

He returned to his room by himself. Liu Yu Ru was indeed still busy. Both of them had been occupied these past few days, with little time to see each other. Thinking about Liu Yu Ru's attitude earlier, Gu Jiusi grew increasingly displeased. He felt he had no status at home and that Liu Yu Ru never took his side.

He tossed and turned in bed. After waiting for what felt like a long time, Liu Yu Ru finally returned. As soon as she got into bed, Gu Jiusi immediately pounced on her, pressing her down. Liu Yu Ru was startled, then said with some surprise, "My lord, you're still awake?"

Gu Jiusi was unhappy. "You know it's late too. Why didn't you come back earlier?"

"I was busy."

Liu Yu Ru smiled, raising her hand to stroke Gu Jiusi's back. "You're usually this busy too. Today you got beaten, so His Majesty gave you a day off. Otherwise, when would you have time to wait for me so early?"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi grew even more displeased. "Since you know I got beaten, why don't you feel sorry for me?"

"I was busy," Liu Yu Ru sighed. Gu Jiusi buried his face in her shoulder and muttered, "You could have made time if you wanted to. You just don't have me in your heart, that's why you're busy."

Liu Yu Ru: "..."

She felt she had offended Gu Jiusi.

After thinking it over, she cleared her throat lightly and said, "I do have you in my heart. Don't wrongfully accuse me."

"Fine, now you say I'm wrongfully accusing you just because I said one thing. Clearly, you're just looking for an excuse to pin a label on me."

Liu Yu Ru: "..."Liu Yu Ru was at her wit's end with Gu Jiusi. She sighed and said, "Then how about I make it up to you?"

"Naturally," Gu Jiusi replied with a serious expression.

Liu Yu Ru looked at him: "What kind of compensation do you want?"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi brightened up. His face showed excitement as he quickly whispered many things into Liu Yu Ru's ear. Her face grew redder with each word, until she finally said: "It's so late... isn't it inappropriate to take a bath now?"

Gu Jiusi immediately lost some enthusiasm. He rolled off Liu Yu Ru and sighed: "You're right. We have to wake up early tomorrow. Yu Ru," he wrapped himself in the blanket, looking at her with resentful eyes, "if this continues, I think His Majesty wants me to end up without descendants."

Liu Yu Ru laughed at his words: "Stop talking nonsense."

"Really," Gu Jiusi said seriously, "remember everything I just said. After I wrap up Liu Chun's case, I must request leave from His Majesty to battle you for three hundred rounds."

"Shut up." Seeing his unrestrained speech, Liu Yu Ru turned over and closed her eyes. "I'm sleeping."

Gu Jiusi hugged her from behind and said no more, afraid that if he spoke further, he wouldn't be able to sleep.

Noticing he had quieted down, Liu Yu Ru thought for a moment before finally asking: "When will this case ever end?"

"The Ministry of Revenue needs to replace at least half its staff." Gu Jiusi said with closed eyes. "His Majesty wants to purge the Empress Dowager's people. He's using this case to make changes everywhere. The autumn examinations are approaching. After they conclude, things will gradually improve."

Liu Yu Ru acknowledged with a sound. After a long while, she said softly: "Jiusi, be careful."

Gu Jiusi didn't respond. He slowly opened his eyes in the darkness, tightening his embrace around Liu Yu Ru: "Mm, don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid."

Liu Yu Ru said gently: "I'm just worried about you. Jiusi, actually I hope you don't become too high-ranking an official. Just remain moderately positioned—don't stand out, don't take sides. Living steadily and peacefully would be best."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi couldn't help but laugh softly: "I'd like that too."

He'd like that too, but he couldn't.

Storms exist everywhere. All he could do was become a great tree to shelter those he wished to protect.

Understanding Gu Jiusi's meaning, Liu Yu Ru didn't say more. Instead, she began allocating profits to secretly take in a group of children. She separated them according to their talents—those good at studying received free education, while those with strong physiques were taught by martial arts instructors. This was her way of cultivating talent for the merchant fleet.

During this period, people continuously came to visit Liu Yu Ru, some offering money, others bringing gifts. She refused them all. At first she would ask what people had brought, but later she stopped inquiring. When Gu Jiusi heard about this, he grew curious and asked her: "Why don't you ask what they're giving anymore?"

Liu Yu Ru rolled her eyes, somewhat displeased: "Knowing what I'm missing out on, I'm afraid I might not be able to resist."

Gu Jiusi laughed at her words. He tilted his head in thought: "Then I'll give you something to make up for your losses."

Hearing that Gu Jiusi wanted to give her something, Liu Yu Ru immediately became happy, thinking he must be planning to give her something extremely valuable to compensate for her losses.

But after saying this, Gu Jiusi seemed to have forgotten about it, continuing to busy himself with his daily affairs.A few days later, Liu Yu Ru heard news of the Crown Prince's triumphant return to court. The Crown Prince's return meant the Empress Dowager's case was nearing its conclusion.

Fan Xuan would resolve the case before the Crown Prince's return because the five thousand troops accompanying him were almost entirely the Empress Dowager's people. They needed to settle matters before these forces came back.

Liu Yu Ru speculated that more people would come seeking her during this period, so she simply stayed behind closed doors, waiting for the case to conclude.

After enduring like this for several days, news arrived of Li Yunshang's wedding. Li Yunshang was marrying the son of Left Chancellor Zhang Yu, and naturally all civil and military officials were invited, including Gu Jiusi.

Thus Liu Yu Ru finally went out. She wore a purple outer garment with wide sleeves over a white inner robe, her hair tied up with a jade hairpin, appearing gentle and elegant - completely different from her impoverished appearance when she first arrived in the Eastern Capital.

After all her struggles in the Eastern Capital, she had long understood the ways of the capital. When going out with Gu Jiusi, she naturally didn't want to embarrass him.

The two rode in a carriage together. On the way, Liu Yu Ru sighed: "Li Yunshang is quite fortunate. I've heard Zhang Quezhi is an extremely good-tempered young master. Her marriage to him is a match many young ladies would envy but couldn't obtain."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi merely smiled without comment.

Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but wonder: "What are you smiling about?"

"Zhang Quezhi is a good man," Gu Jiusi said with a smile, "but whether it's a good marriage is another matter."

Liu Yu Ru was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"Do you know why Zhang Quezhi has remained unmarried until now?"

"Why?"

"Zhang Quezhi was deeply devoted to his wife, who was killed by the former Crown Prince - Li Yunshang's brother. Now the Emperor's arranged marriage essentially forces him to marry her. What do you think of this match?"

Liu Yu Ru was stunned by these words. After a moment of silence, she suddenly remembered something.

She recalled Ye Shi'an telling her that this marriage for Li Yunshang was suggested by Gu Jiusi.

She remained silent for the rest of the journey. When they arrived at the Zhang residence, Liu Yu Ru saw a young man standing at the gate dressed in red wedding clothes. He had handsome features but a cold expression, and though wearing wedding attire, he had pinned a pure white magnolia flower to his chest.

Liu Yu Ru had never seen such an ominous sight - a white flower on wedding robes.

Liu Yu Ru and Gu Jiusi alighted from the carriage together and bowed to Zhang Quezhi, who returned the greeting expressionlessly.

Gu Jiusi and Liu Yu Ru took their seats, and after waiting awhile, were invited to witness the ceremony.

Compared to her status, Li Yunshang's wedding could be described as shabby. Like an ordinary woman, she stood with Zhang Quezhi in the main hall. In the hall, Zhang Yu and his wife sat in the central positions, while a memorial tablet was placed in a side position.

No one understood what was happening. They watched as Zhang Quezhi led Li Yunshang in bowing to his parents. Just before the couple were to bow to each other, he suddenly stopped and said to Li Yunshang: "Your Highness, please bow to the upper right corner."

Li Yunshang paused before asking softly: "Might I ask why?""I once swore to my late wife that she would be my only spouse in this lifetime." Zhang Quezhi spoke expressionlessly, his voice cold. Li Yunshang tightened her grip on the red brocade in her hand as she heard him continue, "This marriage is not my wish. Since Your Highness insists on marrying into this household, please first pay respects to the first wife."

Pay respects to the first wife.

According to tradition, only concubines entering the household would first pay respects to the first wife and seek her permission.

Everyone gasped in shock. Seated above, Zhang Yu coughed lightly but remained silent, as if everyone tacitly approved of Zhang Quezhi's actions.

Liu Yu Ru watched Li Yunshang in the hall, who straightened her back and said coldly: "What if this princess refuses to pay respects?"

Zhang Quezhi responded coldly: "Perform the ceremony."

As soon as he finished speaking, attendants rushed forward and forced Li Yunshang's head down with such force that she was immediately pressed to her knees. Li Yunshang trembled all over as Zhang Quezhi said calmly: "Your Highness, does Your Highness still remember how my wife once knelt outside your princess residence for a full day and night, begging for Your Highness to uphold justice?"

Li Yunshang clenched her teeth. After a moment, she let out a light laugh: "I understand now."

As she spoke, she slowly stood up, then suddenly tore off her wedding veil. Staring at Zhang Quezhi, she shouted angrily: "Zhang Quezhi, you coward! Using such methods to avenge your wife at this point?!"

"Enough," Zhang Yu interjected calmly. "Your Highness, please control your anger. My son is merely overwhelmed by grief for his wife. This is an imperial decree marriage - let us proceed."

"This princess will not marry!"

Li Yunshang threw down her wedding veil and declared furiously: "No matter how fallen this princess may be, I am still royalty! How dare someone like him think he can marry me?! Zhang Quezhi, if you have the capability, why didn't you kill my brother yourself? Do you think marrying me to humiliate me counts as revenge? Let me tell you - your failure to protect your wife back then proves your incompetence!"

"Remember this," Li Yunshang said through gritted teeth, "this princess will not marry someone like you. And someone like you doesn't deserve to have anyone marry you."

Having said this, Li Yunshang rushed out. Amid the chaos, the wedding attendants moved to pursue her, but Zhang Quezhi coldly ordered: "No one is to follow."

"Better bring her back," Lady Zhang said. "Escort her to her room to rest. The ceremony ends here."

With the wedding having turned into such a spectacle, everyone looked uncomfortable. Liu Yu Ru and Gu Jiusi finished their meal quickly and hurried back. Shortly after returning to their rooms, a guard came to report to Gu Jiusi: "Master, something has happened at the Zhang residence."

Gu Jiusi was washing his face, splashing water as he asked without looking up: "Speak."

"Her Highness the Princess has taken her own life in her room."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi's movements stilled.

Liu Yu Ru looked up, her face full of shock. After a moment, Gu Jiusi's voice sounded in the room, flat and unemotional: "I see."

Liu Yu Ru stared blankly at the account book, suddenly remembering what Li Yunshang had said before.

The phoenix - it will only perch on parasol trees and drink only the purest dew.

Liu Yu Ru couldn't describe what she was feeling. Her chest suddenly felt tight. Gu Jiusi finished wiping his face and looked at her: "Your abacus hasn't moved since earlier. What are you thinking about?"

"Jiusi," Liu Yu Ru looked up at him, not intending to hide her thoughts. She gazed at Gu Jiusi and slowly asked: "Did you plan for this outcome?"

"Plan for what?"Gu Jiusi looked at her calmly. Liu Yu Ru knew he understood her meaning. She twisted her sleeve and slowly said, "About Li Yunshang's situation, from when she married Zhang Quezhi until now."

Gu Jiusi remained silent for a moment before responding, "Whether I planned it or not, what difference does it make?"

Liu Yu Ru also fell silent. After a while, she spoke: "Can you tell me why? Why did you advise His Majesty to have her marry Zhang Quezhi?"

"Do you suspect I schemed her to death for your sake?" Gu Jiusi's eyes saw through everything. He stared at Liu Yu Ru, leaning against the doorframe with crossed arms, a faint smile curling his lips. "Even if that were true, so what? Doesn't she deserve it? She schemed against us both, she tortured you, she forced you to drink poisoned wine. If that cup had been truly poisoned, your corpse would be cold by now instead of standing here talking to me!"

"Do you know why Zhang Quezhi wanted to humiliate her? Because her brother killed Zhang Quezhi's father-in-law! Because Zhang Quezhi's wife knelt at the princess' residence for two days seeking justice, only to receive her remark about 'being born with a wretched fate'! Me, scheming against her? This is her retribution! And now you pity her? Just because she's dead, all her wrongdoings can be forgiven?"

Gu Jiusi looked into Liu Yu Ru's calm eyes and couldn't help feeling agitated.

Those eyes were too serene, too perceptive, as if they could see through people's hearts, making one involuntarily anxious and wanting to retreat.

After he finished shouting, Liu Yu Ru raised her hand to sip some tea. She lowered her head, looking at the account book, and said calmly, "Jiusi, I'm not pitying her, nor am I seeking justice for her."

"I'm just worried about you."

Her voice remained even: "Her life and death have nothing to do with me. But I hope you'll promise me one thing." She lifted her eyes to look at him, her expression steady. "Remember why you became an official. It was to protect me, not to seek revenge on others. It was for Wen Chang's ideal of 'building countless houses to shelter all under heaven,' not to control others' lives and deaths as you please."

"Money and power can corrupt people's hearts. I hope we'll always remember why we started on this path."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi was momentarily speechless. He gazed quietly at Liu Yu Ru for a long time before saying hoarsely, "Then why did you want to make money?"

Liu Yu Ru was taken aback. After a moment, she smiled: "If I said it was for you, would you believe me?"

"You liked me that early?"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi couldn't help laughing. Liu Yu Ru looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Not exactly liking," she answered with less confidence, as if afraid Gu Jiusi might get angry. "At that time you said you wanted to divorce me. I was afraid you really would, so I thought having some money would be good..."

Gu Jiusi: "..."

"Then the banknotes I gave you..."

"I saved them later."

Gu Jiusi: "..."

"Yu Ru," Gu Jiusi sighed. He walked to Liu Yu Ru's side, half-knelt down, and pulled her into his embrace. "Don't doubt me. I'm not that kind of person."

"I know."

Liu Yu Ru leaned gently against him: "But you're walking on this path where one misstep could make you fall. I need to remind you."

"Jiusi," she said peacefully, "don't turn yourself into a politician."

"Mm."

Gu Jiusi held her, feeling completely at peace.He knew what he was angry about—when people get angry, it’s often because someone has touched a sore spot.

He said slowly, "Li Yunshang must marry. His Majesty cannot let her marry someone she might manipulate. Marrying Zhang Quezhi wasn’t my attempt to deliberately humiliate her out of personal revenge. I never thought she would die."

"But you are right."

Gu Jiusi closed his eyes. "When I advised that she marry Zhang Quezhi, I knew one thing—she would not live well. And I... I wished for her to live poorly."

"I am but a mortal, with all the passions and desires of one. She has hurt you, and I cannot bring myself to wish her well. But I hope, Yuru, that if I ever stray, you will pull me back. Because in this lifetime, no matter what I become, I will always be Gu Jiusi, and I will always love you."