Destined

Gu Jiusi slept until just before dawn when a clamorous noise erupted outside. His eyes snapped open instantly, and he raised a hand to cover Liu Yu Ru's ears. She blinked groggily. "What's happening?"

"Go back to sleep," Gu Jiusi whispered gently. "Shen Ming has returned. I need to handle some matters."

Reassured, Liu Yu Ru mumbled an acknowledgment and drifted off again. Gu Jiusi rose, threw on an outer robe, and stepped outside. The courtyard was packed with Shen Ming, Huzi, and their men, with torchbearers illuminating the corners. Seeing Gu Jiusi emerge, Shen Ming immediately called out in a clear voice, "Ninth Brother—"

Gu Jiusi pressed a finger to his lips, cutting him off. He glanced back toward the room and said softly, "Your sister-in-law is still asleep."

He then gestured for everyone to follow as he tiptoed toward the outer courtyard, murmuring, "Keep your voices down. Don't disturb her."

Moving with cautious, silent steps, Gu Jiusi led the way. The others, caught up in his tension, followed almost soundlessly. Once they reached the main hall, far from the rear courtyard, Gu Jiusi took a seat. Shen Ming stepped forward and reported, "Ninth Brother, it's been dealt with."

"No survivors?" Gu Jiusi frowned.

Huzi quickly interjected, "Master, they left no room for survivors themselves. We deliberately spared a few, but they all took their own lives."

Gu Jiusi paused mid-sip of tea, then continued calmly, "How many were eliminated tonight?"

"Nearly five hundred assassins," Shen Ming replied coolly. "After they struck, I immediately sought Lord Zhou's approval. He assigned additional men to me."

Gu Jiusi nodded. "What about the informant sent to the Crown Prince?"

"He entered the Crown Prince's residence and never came out."

Gu Jiusi fell silent, holding his tea. After a moment, he remarked lightly, "Luo Zishang does have some skill."

Luo Zishang had acted this time with complete disregard for Chen Mao Chun. Gu Jiusi had relayed this intelligence to the Crown Prince, expecting it to sever their alliance. Yet the Crown Prince had detained—and possibly executed—the messenger, signaling his intent to protect Luo Zishang.

Dawn had yet to break. Gu Jiusi glanced at the sky and asked, "Is the memorial impeaching Chen Mao Chun ready?"

"Brother Shi An has prepared it," Shen Ming responded promptly. "The Censorate will formally accuse Chen Mao Chun tomorrow. Brother Shi An said you need not worry—he will handle the rest."

Gu Jiusi nodded again. If the Crown Prince insisted on shielding Luo Zishang, and with no concrete evidence of Luo Zishang's direct involvement, they could not touch him now. Still, they had purged Luo Zishang's operatives in the Eastern Capital, crippling his ability to mount major operations in the short term.

This round had ended in Gu Jiusi's favor.

Uprooting Chen Mao Chun meant plucking one of the Crown Prince's few military assets. Eliminating Luo Zishang's henchmen also ensured that another assassination plot along the Yellow River would be far harder to orchestrate. And though the Crown Prince protected Luo Zishang, the seed of suspicion had been sown.

Gu Jiusi closed his eyes, mentally reviewing the day's events. Finally, he said, "Good." He opened his eyes, scanned the faces around him, and smiled. "Thank you all for your hard work.""It's no trouble," Huzi grinned. "Following Ninth Master makes for a promising future."

Gu Jiusi smiled faintly and gestured to Munan standing nearby. Munan immediately had people bring over two stacks of red envelopes. Gu Jiusi personally distributed them to everyone present, saying warmly, "Take these red envelopes, go back and bathe, then get a good night's sleep."

No one had expected to receive red envelopes, and upon getting them, they couldn't help but feel delighted, repeatedly thanking Gu Jiusi. Gu Jiusi waved his hand, dismissing the crowd, then turned to Huzi standing beside him. "During my eastern inspection tour, I'm entrusting the Gu residence to your care. Keep a close watch, and if anything happens, seek out my uncle, Vice Minister of Revenue Jiang He. Follow all his arrangements."

"Yes," Huzi responded. Gu Jiusi nodded and told Huzi to go rest first. After Huzi left, Gu Jiusi had the servants withdraw, leaving only Shen Ming and himself in the room. Shen Ming gradually calmed from the excitement of the earlier fight. Seeing Gu Jiusi seated silently, head bowed as he drank tea, Shen Ming sensed he was waiting for him to speak.

Shen Ming suddenly shuddered, abruptly realizing the situation. He pressed his lips together, removed his sword, and knelt before Gu Jiusi.

"I failed in my duty today," he muttered. "I didn't protect the young mistress properly. Please punish me."

His use of "young mistress" and the formal "you" emphasized the current hierarchy between them. Despite their usual brotherly camaraderie, they ultimately remained superior and subordinate.

Gu Jiusi listened, took a sip of tea, gazed at the courtyard outside, and slowly asked, "How did you lose her?"

Shen Ming remained silent, head lowered.

"Speak."

"Lord Ye couldn't protect Miss Ye," Shen Ming finally said after a deep breath. "In the heat of the moment..."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi turned to look at him. Shen Ming couldn't meet his gaze, feeling deeply ashamed of his failure. Gu Jiusi stared at him for a long time before finally saying, "Shen Ming, everyone has responsibilities according to their position."

"Your subordinate acknowledges his mistake!"

Shen Ming kowtowed to the floor, eyes shut. "Ninth Brother, punish me however you see fit! Even if you kill me today, I'd deserve it."

Gu Jiusi watched him steadily.

Pretending not to be angry would be false, but despite his seemingly careless exterior, he was more rational than anyone. After a long silence, he stood up, retrieved Shen Ming's sword scabbard, and handed it to him.

Shen Ming looked bewildered. Gu Jiusi stepped forward and knelt on the ground where moonlight fell across the doorway. He removed his outer robe, folded it neatly beside him, and knelt in his white undergarments with his back to Shen Ming. "Since you call me Ninth Brother, I am your elder brother. When you make mistakes, I must bear the consequences for you. The scabbard is in your hand—strike my back three times. You do it."

"Ninth Brother!"

Shen Ming cried out in alarm, scrambling before Gu Jiusi with trembling voice. "Beat me instead—I'll take the punishment."

"If you won't do it today, then I can no longer be responsible for you. Leave through that door, don't come back, and don't call me Ninth Brother anymore."

Gu Jiusi's voice remained calm. Shen Ming stared blankly, his heart aching unbearably as he looked at Gu Jiusi. He whispered hoarsely, "Ninth Brother, this... hurts me far more than any beating would.""I cannot strike you," Gu Jiusi spoke calmly. "I understand your actions. In your heart, Ye Yun holds too much weight. Seeing her in danger, you couldn't stand by and do nothing—that's only human. I shouldn't have forced you to choose between Ye Yun and Yu Ru in the first place. That was my lack of foresight, pushing you to make a mistake."

"I won't corner you, watch you err, and then punish you afterward. So this is my fault, and you should be the one to punish me."

Saying this, Gu Jiusi lowered his head and said coldly, "I must attend court soon. Strike me."

Shen Ming lifted the sword scabbard and lightly tapped Gu Jiusi's back. Gu Jiusi looked up at him: "If you can't bring yourself to do it, keep striking until you can."

"Brother Jiu," Shen Ming's voice trembled, "you're forcing me."

Gu Jiusi watched him quietly. Finally, Shen Ming took a deep breath, gripped the scabbard, and struck down hard.

Each dull thud felt like a blow to his own heart, aching so much his entire being trembled.

When it was over, he threw the scabbard aside, his eyes red, and turned to leave. Gu Jiusi called out to him: "Stop."

Shen Ming stood with his back to him, gritting his teeth in silence. Gu Jiusi struggled to his feet and said to him, "I'll have someone prepare a box of rouge for you later. Before you leave, go to the Ye residence and deliver it to Ye Yun."

"I won't go."

"Not going is fine too," Gu Jiusi picked up his outer robe and draped it over his shoulders, walking out as he said, "Think it through yourself. This trip to the Yellow River might take over half a year. Ye Yun is almost twenty. I only heard from Shi An recently that the Ye Family plans to arrange a marriage for her."

"So soon?!"

Shen Ming exclaimed in surprise. Gu Jiusi paused at the door, turned to look at him, and curled his lips: "Shen Ming, a man shouldn't always keep a woman waiting. In the prime of her youth, why should she wait for you?"

Shen Ming was stunned. Gu Jiusi said no more and turned back into the room.

Dawn was beginning to break. As Gu Jiusi entered with his robe on, he saw Liu Yu Ru already up. She smiled at him as he came in and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Not yet."

At the sight of Liu Yu Ru, the expression on Gu Jiusi's face softened entirely. He took a towel from the side to wash his face, rinsed his mouth, tied his hair, and then put on his Official Robe. Liu Yu Ru fastened his belt for him, her voice calm: "You've already done enough last night. Today, you should hold back a little. In the court, don't be too conspicuous."

"Don't worry," Gu Jiusi smiled, "I know my limits. Pack our things at home. I may have to depart right after court."

"Mm," Liu Yu Ru replied softly, "Everything has been arranged. We can leave as soon as you return."

"With you handling these matters, I'm at ease." Gu Jiusi leaned down to kiss her, then said, "I'm off now."

Gu Jiusi left, but the Crown Prince's residence was in chaos. Fan Yu paced back and forth in the main hall as scouts came in one after another, delivering the latest news for the attendants to read aloud to him. Luo Zishang sat to the side, quietly sipping tea.

"Gu Jiusi is nothing but Zhou Gaolang's dog!"Fan Yu paced back and forth while muttering under his breath, "When I was in Yangzhou, I already saw he was no good—completely lacking in respect for hierarchy and etiquette, colluding with Zhou Ye like wolves in cahoots. Father only has me as his royal son, yet instead of properly assisting me, they’re now scheming so meticulously to target my people. What do they mean by this? Do they intend to rebel?"

Luo Zishang blew on his tea leaves and spoke slowly, "Your Highness, since Gu Jiusi has made his move, he won’t leave any loopholes. Your Highness should instead consider how to respond next. At today’s morning court session, Zhou Gaolang’s faction will surely challenge General Chen. How does Your Highness plan to handle it?"

Fan Yu halted his steps, hesitating slightly. He looked up at Luo Zishang and, after a pause, asked, "What does the Imperial Tutor think should be done?"

"Your Highness, Minister Chen’s position is likely beyond saving," Luo Zishang sighed. "At such a grand event, the area under Minister Chen’s supervision witnessed such chaos—not only kidnapping in broad daylight but, most critically, an assassination attempt on the Minister of Revenue. Although Gu Jiusi was unharmed, this is already a major incident."

"What should we do then?" Fan Yu frowned. Luo Zishang lowered his head and said, "For now, we can only retreat to advance, striving to gain His Majesty’s sympathy."

"Retreat to advance?"

Fan Yu seemed puzzled. Luo Zishang tapped his palm with a small fan and glanced at the anxious Chen Mao Chun beside him. "In a moment, Minister Chen should remove his outer garments, carry a bundle of thorny branches, and intercept Gu Jiusi on the road to apologize."

A gesture of bearing thorns to admit guilt.

"Will this matter really be resolved so easily?" Fan Yu frowned.

"Minister Chen must go first," Luo Zishang urged, looking at Chen Mao Chun. "Otherwise, it might be too late. He must intercept him on the main street."

Chen Mao Chun nodded and hurried out. After he left, Luo Zishang continued, "Minister Chen may need to temporarily step down from his position as commander of the Southern City Army. Does Your Highness have a replacement in mind?"

This question stumped Fan Yu. He frowned and said, "Is it absolutely impossible to keep him?"

"If we try to keep him, I fear His Majesty may become displeased with the Crown Prince."

Fan Yu fell silent for a moment before finally saying, "I do have some people under me, but if Mao Chun gives up his position, Zhou Gaolang’s faction will surely push for someone else. None of my candidates are quite suitable, and even if I were to recommend them, they likely wouldn’t be accepted."

Luo Zishang hesitated briefly, then said, "Then might I recommend someone to Your Highness?"

"Speak quickly," Fan Yu urged immediately. Luo Zishang smiled and said, "Xiong Ying, captain of the Thirteenth Squad of the Southern City Army."

"Is he one of your people?" Fan Yu was taken aback. Luo Zishang shook his head, "No, he belongs to no one. But he has one advantage: his father, Xiong Si Jie, was impeached and executed by Jiang He. Jiang He is Gu Jiusi’s uncle, and Gu Jiusi is aligned with Zhou Gaolang. Thus, although he isn’t our man, we can push him forward and later bring him under our wing."

Hearing this, Fan Yu immediately clapped his hands and said, "Excellent! Then at today’s morning court, I’ll have someone recommend him!"

With the Crown Prince’s side settled, Gu Jiusi and Shen Ming sat in a carriage. Gu Jiusi rested with his eyes closed, but halfway through the journey, the carriage suddenly stopped. Gu Jiusi opened his eyes, somewhat bewildered. "Are we here?"

Shen Ming lifted the curtain, looked outside, and then said to Gu Jiusi, "Ninth Brother, there’s a man outside kneeling on the road, shirtless and carrying a bundle of thorny branches."Hearing this, Gu Jiusi's expression changed drastically. After a moment of silence, he grabbed Shen Ming and said, "Quick, rush out and carry him away."

"Carry... carry him away?" Shen Ming was momentarily stunned. Gu Jiusi nodded.

"Hurry! No matter what it takes, don't let me see him, and don't let him speak!"

Gu Jiusi gave Shen Ming a push, sending him stumbling out.

Seeing someone emerge, Chen Mao Chun immediately lifted his head and called out, "Gu—"

Before he could finish speaking, a foot descended from above, kicking him squarely in the face and leaving him dazed. Before Chen Mao Chun could react, he was grabbed by a blue-robed official, hoisted over his shoulder, and carried away at a sprint.

It all happened very quickly. Gu Jiusi, hearing no further commotion outside, cautiously peeked out and asked Munan, who was driving the carriage, "Is he gone?"

Munan, with a complicated expression, nodded and said, "Carried away."

Author's Note: Interview: Jiusi, how do you think we should deal with schemes and tricks?

Gu Jiusi: Carry them away.