Destined

The mourning hall for Qin Wan Zhi and Zhou Madam was set up for seven days. Throughout these seven days, Zhou Ye did not utter a single word. He knelt before the mourning hall, silently tending two Seven Star Lamps.

Zhou Ye refused to sleep, keeping vigil without rest, fearing that the lamps might go out.

Gu Jiusi could not persuade him otherwise. He could only go out daily to arrange other matters.

Given the current situation, Zhou Gaolang was determined to rebel. Thus, Gu Jiusi had to ensure Zhou Gaolang had a more justified reason for rebellion.

During those days, strange phenomena began to occur near Linfen. Some claimed to have encountered a phoenix in the mountains that spoke human words, saying, "The Son of Heaven lacks virtue; the White Tiger shall replace him." Since Zhou Gaolang was born in the Year of the Tiger and his military banner featured a white tiger, it quickly spread that heaven demanded Zhou Gaolang become emperor.

Others reported seeing two suns in the midday sky, and some unearthed jade inscribed with the words "Zhou shall overthrow Fan."

Such legends circulated widely during those days and rapidly spread to other regions.

All of this was orchestrated by Ye Shi'an and Gu Jiusi. Ye Shi'an even prepared a yellow robe and secretly stored it in his bedroom. Zhou Gaolang and Zhou Ye seemed unaware of these developments, immersed in grief over their loved ones' passing, paying no attention to the outside world. Each morning, Ye Shi'an would visit Zhou Gaolang's quarters to report the day's events.

At this time, Gu Jiusi was absent, as he was assigned to spend some time daily with Zhou Ping. With daytime commitments, he could only accompany Zhou Ping during this period.

On the seventh day, due to military movements, Qin Wan Zhi and Zhou Madam could only be temporarily buried on Mount Linfen.

On the day of the ascent, both Zhou Gaolang and Zhou Ye carried the coffin. Gu Jiusi and Ye Shi'an followed alongside—Ye Shi'an beside Zhou Gaolang, and Gu Jiusi beside Zhou Ye. Zhou Ye did not cry that day. He bore the wooden pole supporting the coffin, step by step up the mountain.

Having eaten little and slept barely at all in recent days, halfway up, he felt dizzy and collapsed to his knees.

The weight on his shoulders felt immense. In the darkness and daze, he sensed someone lifting the pole for him. Turning back, he saw Gu Jiusi standing behind him, kneeling on one knee, silently watching. Without a word, Gu Jiusi shouldered the pole that had been Zhou Ye's burden, steadfastly supporting him from behind.

After a moment to recover, Zhou Ye shook his head, struggling to his feet. "I must see her on her final journey," he said.

"I'll take your place."

Gu Jiusi did not step back, and Zhou Ye indeed had no strength left. Ye Shi'an came over to help Zhou Ye up, while Gu Jiusi, kneeling on one knee, called out, "Rise!"

He lifted the coffin once more. Ye Shi'an supported Zhou Ye as they followed him up the mountain. When it came time for the burial, it should have been Zhou Ye leading the shoveling of yellow earth to bury Qin Wan Zhi, but he remained motionless for a long time.

Gazing at the coffin, his lips trembled, and the hand gripping the shovel had no strength left.

Seeing this, Gu Jiusi reached out, took the shovel from Zhou Ye's side, and said softly, "You have no strength left. Let me do it."

With that, he shoveled the first mound of earth and let it fall. As the yellow soil began to cover the coffin, Zhou Ye watched, and tears streamed down his face.

Yellow earth and tears fell together until, at last, the final handful of soil concealed the coffin. Zhou Ye suddenly dropped to his knees, weeping aloud.That cry seemed to ignite the fuse of oil, and everyone began to sob softly. The Zhou family servants knelt one after another until, in the end, only Gu Jiusi remained standing.

He looked at the kneeling crowd, as if concealing all his emotions. He couldn't touch any other feelings, standing out of place in this scene. After a long while, he slowly knelt down and deeply kowtowed to Qin Wan Zhi and Zhou Madam. Then he rose to his feet, extending a hand to Zhou Ye and saying, "Elder brother, please rise."

"There is still much that needs to be done."

Ye Shi'an also stepped forward. Together with Gu Jiusi, he helped Zhou Ye up and said calmly, "Eldest Young Master, the blood debt of the young mistress remains unavenged. We hope you will gather your strength."

Hearing this, Zhou Ye lifted his head and looked at Ye Shi'an, who was still dressed in mourning clothes with a white mourning band on his head. Zhou Ye stared at him quietly for a long time before asking, "Why aren't you crying?"

Ye Shi'an understood Zhou Ye's meaning upon hearing this. His grip on Zhou Ye's hand was firm and steady as he replied calmly, "I cried enough the first time."

Zhou Ye and Gu Jiusi both looked at Ye Shi'an, who lowered his head and said peacefully, "Let's go."

With these words, Zhou Ye finally mustered some strength. After everyone descended the mountain, Zhou Gaolang and Zhou Ye went to freshen up. Gu Jiusi and Ye Shi'an summoned all the generals to wait in the main hall.

The dead had been sent up the mountain, but the living still had to move forward.

They waited in the main hall for a while before Zhou Ye and Zhou Gaolang emerged. They had changed into plain white garments, their complexions not looking well. Zhou Gaolang sat down, appearing weary as he said, "You've all come to ask what we should do next, haven't you?"

Everyone exchanged glances, none daring to respond. Ye Shi'an stepped forward and said respectfully, "Sir, given the current situation, the Son of Heaven is virtueless and foolish, further blinded by the treacherous minister Luo Zishang. By reason and principle, we cannot sit idly by and await our doom."

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

Zhou Gaolang looked up at Ye Shi'an, who intensified his tone, restraining his emotions as he said, "This humble official believes we should now establish a new Son of Heaven, march directly to the Eastern Capital, and punish the foolish ruler."

"Nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Gaolang threw his cup at Ye Shi'an and angrily exclaimed, "Is the Son of Heaven someone to be established at will?! The late emperor showed me great kindness, and the current emperor is his only bloodline, chosen by heaven's mandate. To establish a new Son of Heaven would be treason and rebellion!"

"But the late emperor also left an edict," Ye Shi'an said, blood streaming from his head where the cup had struck him, yet his expression remained unchanged as he maintained his posture. "stating that if the emperor abolishes the cabinet, he may be deposed and replaced. Moreover, Lord Gu holds the Son of Heaven's Sword, which carries the responsibility to strike down foolish rulers above and behead treacherous ministers below. Now that the Son of Heaven has lost virtue, abolished the cabinet, and caused turmoil, should he not be deposed?"

"The late emperor..." Zhou Gaolang mentioned with deep emotion, sighing before continuing, "Then who do you all believe should be established?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Who should be established?Everyone knew the answer well. At this point, no matter who was suggested, Zhou Gaolang would inevitably disagree. The only candidate who could be enthroned was Zhou Gaolang himself. Thus, a soldier mustered his courage and stepped forward, saying, "My lord, rumors are spreading in the streets that someone encountered a phoenix in the mountains, which spoke in human tongue, declaring, 'The Son of Heaven lacks virtue; the White Tiger shall replace him.' You, my lord, have fought valiantly throughout your life, bearing the White Tiger as your banner and earning the title 'General White Tiger.' The people say the phoenix's words foretell that the throne belongs to none other than you!"

"Nonsense!"

Zhou Gaolang widened his eyes. "Do not spout such foolishness! I understand now—all of you are trying to ruin me today! I, Zhou Gaolang, have been loyal and righteous my entire life. How could I possibly entertain such rebellious thoughts? All of you, step back!"

With that, Zhou Gaolang stood up, panting heavily, and strode away.

Zhou Ye nodded to everyone expressionlessly before leaving as well.

After Zhou Gaolang and Zhou Ye had departed, the crowd grew anxious. They had risked treason to follow Zhou Gaolang in his uprising, yet now he refused to claim the throne. What were they to do?

Everyone gathered around Ye Shi'an and Gu Jiusi, urgently asking, "Lord Gu, Lord Ye, what does Lord Zhou mean by this? If he never intended to become emperor, why did he start this rebellion in the first place?"

"Lord Zhou said he wanted to beg His Majesty for a chance at survival," Gu Jiusi said leisurely. "Did he ever say he wanted to be emperor?"

This question left everyone speechless. Gu Jiusi lowered his head and continued slowly, "In these times, emperors change every three to five years. Lord Zhou originally only wanted to protect his family. Now that his family cannot be saved, why would he seize the throne? It would be better to surrender to His Majesty and return peacefully to the Eastern Capital. The officials executed in the Eastern Capital were too disobedient. Given the uncle-nephew relationship between His Majesty and Lord Zhou, as long as Zhou Gaolang admits his faults and follows His Majesty's orders obediently, His Majesty likely won't punish him severely."

Stretching lazily, Gu Jiusi added, "Gentlemen, disperse now. Go rest. Perhaps we will return to Youzhou tomorrow."

If Zhou Gaolang were to surrender to Fan Yu, he would naturally need to offer some token of sincerity. Previously, Fan Yu had demanded that Zhou Gaolang execute them before entering the Eastern Capital. If Zhou Gaolang truly intended to reconcile with Fan Yu, they would be the perfect gift—and they would undoubtedly face certain death.

The soldiers exchanged glances. As Gu Jiusi began to walk away, one of them hurriedly called out, "Lord Gu!"

Gu Jiusi paused and turned back, raising an eyebrow. The soldier immediately said, "Lord Gu, since you've said all this, you must have a plan. Give us a solution, and henceforth, we will follow your orders without question."

It seemed Gu Jiusi had been waiting for these words. He coughed lightly, appearing somewhat embarrassed. "You flatter me. I understand what you all are thinking. Actually, this matter is simple. If Lord Zhou wants to reconcile with His Majesty, we just need to make it impossible for him to do so, right?"

Turning to Ye Shi'an, he asked, "Shi An, if I recall correctly, you confiscated an imperial robe costume some time ago?"

Ye Shi'an smiled respectfully. "Indeed. Those actors, for the sake of their performances, dared to forge an imperial robe. I confiscated it and intended to dispose of it, but I've been too busy lately…"

"Lord Ye!"

Hearing this, all the soldiers understood. They stepped forward excitedly and said, "Could we borrow this imperial robe?"

Ye Shi'an smiled and replied, "Of course.""Actually... both Lord Ye and I stand with all of you." Gu Jiusi paced back and stopped beside Ye Shi'an, smiling as he addressed the crowd. "What if we take advantage of Lord Zhou's slumber tonight to establish a new sovereign? What do you think?"

"Exactly as it should be!"

The person who had been speaking with Gu Jiusi earlier agreed, "Let's seize tonight."

That very night, Zhou Gaolang retired early. Zhou Ye sat alone in his room at his desk, quietly sketching Qin Wan Zhi. As the night deepened, commotion erupted outside. A guard rushed anxiously into Zhou Ye's chamber, reporting, "Young Master, Gu Jiusi and Ye Shi'an have stormed into the residence with their men, heading toward Lord Zhou's quarters. We..."

"Let them be."

Zhou Ye replied calmly, his tone indifferent. "Allow them to proceed."

Zhou Gaolang had been rather weary lately. In his drowsy state, he heard the clamor outside, followed by the sound of someone kicking his door open. Startled, he rose, only to have a yellow garment thrown over his head. Before he could react, Gu Jiusi declared, "My lord, apologies for the offense."

With that, the crowd surged forward, hoisting Zhou Gaolang and forcing the robe onto him.

Zhou Gaolang struggled in panic, exclaiming, "What are you doing? What is the meaning of this?"

No one answered. Gu Jiusi, Ye Shi'an, and the others hastily wrapped the garment around him and dragged him out of the room. Once they reached the courtyard, Gu Jiusi immediately released Zhou Gaolang, dropped to his knees, and proclaimed loudly, "Long live His Majesty!"

Following his lead, everyone in the courtyard laid down their weapons and knelt, shouting in unison, "Long live His Majesty!"

Zhou Gaolang stared blankly at the crowd, his voice trembling. "You... you..."

"Your Majesty is benevolent and virtuous, blessed by heaven. Recently, twin suns appeared side by side in the daytime, jade emerged from stone inscribed with 'Zhou replacing Fan,' and phoenixes spoke of a white tiger representing the Son of Heaven. These are all heavenly signs, heralding Your Majesty's descent to save the people from suffering!"

Before Zhou Gaolang could finish, Gu Jiusi delivered an impassioned speech. Zhou Gaolang fell silent, and after a long pause, he sighed. "You are leading me to my doom."

"Your Majesty," Gu Jiusi continued, sensing his softened tone, "with your wife recently departed, we are all consumed by the desire to avenge her. As the saying goes, an army grieving is sure to triumph. Now is the time for you to heed heaven's will, proclaim yourself king for your wife and the people, then march south to resist the traitor Liu, capture the Eastern Capital in the west, and protect the land and citizens of Great Xia. Only thus can you truly honor the late emperor's grace and live up to the people's expectations."

"Resist Liu in the south and seize the Eastern Capital in the west?"

Zhou Gaolang repeated the words, his tone tinged with irony. Gu Jiusi felt a chill in his heart.

He understood perfectly well that Zhou Gaolang did desire the throne. However, to secure his reign, he could not bear the stigma of being a usurper. If he were to claim the crown himself today, there was no guarantee that the generals supporting him wouldn't later exploit their merit in establishing the new dynasty to make excessive demands. Thus, this emperor had to be begged and forced onto the throne by others.Since Zhou Gaolang aspired to become emperor, he naturally had his own calculations. Gu Jiusi had originally intended to use the crowd's presence to frame the defense against Liu Xingzhi's attack in lofty terms, testing Zhou Gaolang's stance. But with this single attempt, Gu Jiusi realized that Zhou Gaolang had likely already given up on Yuzhou.

Gu Jiusi's heart sank, though this outcome fell within his expectations. He had already stationed Shen Ming in Yuzhou. Even if Zhou Gaolang deviated from his plan—prioritizing Yuzhou to deal with Liu Xingzhi before joining forces with Yangzhou to turn against Luo Zishang—and instead aimed straight for the Eastern Capital, it would still be manageable as long as they captured it within a month.

He let out a relieved sigh and was about to speak when Ye Shi'an beside him said, "Since Liu Xingzhi hasn't yet mobilized his troops, our urgent priority is to seize the Eastern Capital. As the saying goes, 'an army burning with righteous indignation is bound to win.' We are all united in avenging Madame. If you lead the troops to the Eastern Capital, my lord, we will be invincible in every battle."

Zhou Gaolang remained silent, seemingly still weighing his options. Gu Jiusi frowned, unable to decipher his thoughts.

Why was Zhou Gaolang still hesitating at this critical juncture?

As Gu Jiusi pondered deeply, Ye Shi'an continued, "With provisions running low, to swiftly quell the rebellion and reclaim the Eastern Capital, I propose, Your Majesty,"—Ye Shi'an lifted his head, expression steady—"that you promise the army three days of plunder after the city falls, as a reward."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jiusi's eyes widened in shock. He immediately exclaimed, "Your Majes—"

"Agreed!"

Zhou Gaolang consented on the spot. The reactions among those present varied, but most revealed expressions of delight.

The Eastern Capital—a centennial hub of prestigious clans and immense wealth. A promise of three days' plunder meant many could acquire riches beyond their wildest dreams.

With this declaration, the atmosphere surged with fervor. A soldier took the lead in shouting, "Thank you for Your Majesty's generous reward! Thank you for Your Majesty's profound grace!"

The courtyard erupted in excitement, everyone seemingly lost in a euphoric dream, envisioning the gold, silver, and beauties of the Eastern Capital within reach, eager to depart immediately and capture the city.

Among the few who remained calm, Zhou Gaolang stood elevated, his demeanor tranquil. Ye Shi'an knelt on the ground, unsurprised. Gu Jiusi stared blankly at the scene for a long moment before his gaze finally settled on Ye Shi'an.

Ye Shi'an knew he was being watched. He straightened his back, his expression composed, as if he had already cast everything aside and made his decision long ago.

Suddenly, Gu Jiusi understood.

This had all been orchestrated by Zhou Gaolang.

And Ye Shi'an had long been in collusion with him. Zhou Gaolang had waited for them to "drape the imperial yellow robe over him," and for Ye Shi'an to utter those very words at this moment.

Three days of plunder to reward the army.

Gu Jiusi trembled from head to toe, clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. He couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

Zhou Gaolang said lightly, "Shi An, Minister Gu seems unwell. Assist him out."

Ye Shi'an responded calmly. Rising to his feet, he gripped Gu Jiusi's arm. As everyone else was passionately discussing their plans for entering the Eastern Capital, few noticed the exchange. Ye Shi'an exerted considerable force, holding Gu Jiusi's hand firmly as he stated evenly, "Let's go."

Gu Jiusi struggled to restrain his emotions. Allowed himself to be dragged through the crowd by Ye Shi'an until they reached the corridor. There, he abruptly shoved Ye Shi'an away and snarled, "Have you lost your mind?"Ye Shi'an was shoved by him and collided with a pillar. He lowered his head, remaining silent. Gu Jiusi urgently said, "You can't do this. What's the point of doing this? Using the plunder of the Eastern Capital as a reward to the three armies—what about the people of the Eastern Capital? Have you thought about what reputation you'll leave in history?! Shi An, you still have a long road ahead," Gu Jiusi stepped forward, grabbing his shoulders, agitated, "Do you know you can't ruin your future like this?"

"I don't need a future."

Ye Shi'an looked up at Gu Jiusi, his expression resolute and calm: "I only care about one thing. I want to go to the Eastern Capital and see Luo Zishang and Fan Yu die with my own eyes."

"But you can't use the people as a reward!"

Gu Jiusi shouted angrily: "How is what you're doing any different from Luo Zishang?!"

"So what?!" Ye Shi'an suddenly raised his voice, "Even if I'm no different from Luo Zishang, so what?!"

Ye Shi'an's expression was intense. He pushed Gu Jiusi away and said coldly: "I've made myself very clear. I don't care about any moral boundaries now, nor do I want any righteousness. I only know one thing. Lord Zhou wants to claim the throne, but he deceived these soldiers back then, forging an imperial decree to make them join the rebellion. When they reach the Eastern Capital and discover the truth, they'll have leverage against Lord Zhou. Who knows what they might do then. So now we must give them leverage too. By plundering the Eastern Capital, they'll be bound to Lord Zhou forever, inseparable."

"They've already rebelled together..."

"That was Lord Zhou deceiving them into rebellion."

Ye Shi'an corrected him. He looked at Gu Jiusi for a long time before giving a bitter smile: "Do you know why we've come to this point?"

Gu Jiusi stared blankly at Ye Shi'an, who stepped forward: "Why has my family been destroyed, why has Zhou Ye and Lord Zhou's family been torn apart, why are you—formerly a dignified Minister of Revenue—now fleeing like a homeless dog? It's all because," Ye Shi'an raised his hand and pointed at Gu Jiusi's chest, "you and the late emperor both thought too highly of human nature, believed people were too kind. You weren't ruthless and decisive enough in your actions, always leaving room for compromise. If you or the late emperor had been ruthless back then—regardless of the Yellow River, regardless of the turmoil—and taken the initiative to kill Luo Zishang, would he have survived to this day? When Fan Yu ascended the throne during the palace coup, if you had coordinated to kill Lord Zhou and Fan Yu directly, even if the world fell into chaos, at least our loved ones would still be alive, wouldn't they?"

"The deaths around us were all caused by our mercy."

Ye Shi'an looked calmly at Gu Jiusi: "Remember, we caused all of them."

Gu Jiusi stared at him blankly. Ye Shi'an withdrew his hand and said indifferently: "So, put away your pitiful compassion. What do the people of the Eastern Capital matter to you? What does the loss of Yuzhou matter to you? You just need to know this: let Lord Zhou ascend the throne peacefully. After his ascension, when we enter the Eastern Capital and kill Luo Zishang and Fan Yu, we'll have the merit of supporting the new emperor. Then we'll be second only to the emperor, and you can realize all your ambitions. Those who achieve great things don't bother with minor details, Jiusi. You need to understand this.""I understand..." Gu Jiusi uttered incredulously, "What should I understand? That the people around us died because of our mercy? When the late emperor didn't kill Luo Zishang back then, it was because Luo Zishang controlled Yangzhou. Great Xia was newly established and simply couldn't simultaneously confront both Yangzhou and Liu Xingzhi. If Luo Zishang had been killed then, Xiao Ming and Liu Xingzhi would inevitably have united against Great Xia. Luo Zishang had done nothing to Great Xia at that time - would the late emperor have been mad enough to risk Great Xia's destruction just to kill one Luo Zishang based on suspicion that he might become a future threat?"

"Why didn't I kill Luo Zishang when I was repairing the Yellow River? How could I have killed him? Did I have people while Luo Zishang had none? Even if I had miraculously managed to kill Luo Zishang and Yangzhou rebelled as a result, would His Majesty have tolerated me, or would Yangzhou have tolerated me? Moreover, no matter how brilliant my calculations, how could I have predicted Luo Zishang would become what he is today? I've wanted to kill Luo Zishang for a long time - it's not that I didn't want to kill him, but that I couldn't kill him!"

"Speaking of Fan Yu," Gu Jiusi lowered his voice, "Do you think Lord Zhou didn't want to kill Fan Yu back then? Do you know why my uncle sided with the late emperor? It was because the late emperor had long planned that if my uncle stood by his side, the emperor would consider having no leverage against Zhou Gaolang in the future. Do you think he would have spared Zhou Gaolang? Ye Shi'an, you must understand," Gu Jiusi took a step forward, his voice cold, "The late emperor was indeed benevolent. His benevolence was shown when he could have had Zhou Gaolang shot dead during the palace coup, but he didn't. Instead, he sent Zhou Gaolang to Youzhou, giving him troops, authority, and the imperial edict. If the late emperor had been like all of you, would you be where you are today?"

These words made Ye Shi'an's face turn pale. Seeing that he seemed to be coming to his senses, Gu Jiusi softened his tone: "Shi An, there may be many things in the court that you don't understand, but you must know one thing: reaching this point was never because of our kindness, but because of our incompetence."

"Incompetence stems from kindness!"

Hearing this, Ye Shi'an shouted loudly, causing Gu Jiusi to widen his eyes. Ye Shi'an turned to look at Gu Jiusi and spoke rapidly: "Luo Zishang is about the same age as us. Why has he become the local ruler of Yangzhou, with troops, power, and wealth? It's because he is ruthless and determined."

"How much effort have you expended to get to where you are now? In Youzhou, you raised military funds, resettled refugees, reclaimed wasteland, and defended against foreign enemies, gradually transforming Wangdu from a barren land into the prosperous and well-governed place it is today. Yet you only became Vice Minister of Revenue. You repaired the national treasury, managed the Yellow River, investigated the Yongzhou case, opened the imperial examinations, and guarded your disciples. Even Yu Ru spent a fortune to nurture connections and pave the way for you. Yet you only managed to secure the position of Minister of Revenue. And what about Luo Zishang? By stirring up chaos in Yangzhou and stepping over piles of bones, he effortlessly became the master of Yangzhou. Since then, neither the late emperor, nor Liu Xingzhi, nor you or I could do anything about him. Now he is inciting conflict between two nations, fueling the flames of war, and reaping the benefits. In the future, he might even contend for the throne. Which path is easier?"

"If we had even one-third of his ruthlessness," Ye Shi'an said with reddened eyes, "we wouldn't be in this situation today!"

"If we had one-third of his ruthlessness..." Gu Jiusi looked incredulous. He laughed, a bitter and mocking laugh. "Ye Shi'an, this isn't about lacking kindness. This is outright malice!"

"Then consider me malicious." Ye Shi'an looked calmly at Gu Jiusi. "A true man acts decisively when needed. After I assist His Majesty in ascending the throne, I will advise him to reduce taxes and govern with clarity. We are merely taking extraordinary measures in extraordinary times. We are not like Fan Yu or Liu Xingzhi, who are inherently wicked."

"Once you cross the line, there is no turning back!" Gu Jiusi raised his voice. "Today, you are paving your way with the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the Eastern Capital for revenge, power, or the throne. How dare you claim that tomorrow you can suddenly transform into a good person and a good official?!"

Ye Shi'an's eyelashes trembled slightly. He lowered his head and remained silent.

Gu Jiusi clenched his fists, staring intently at him. Ye Shi'an dared not meet his gaze. He placed his hands behind his back, feigning composure, and turned to leave. "I have many matters to attend to. You have your path, and I won't force you. But do not obstruct mine.""Shi An." Gu Jiusi suddenly spoke, his voice weary, as if he no longer had the strength to argue. Ye Shi'an stood with his back to him, the wind blowing past. Gu Jiusi lifted his head and saw Ye Shi'an in white robes and a jade crown, a mourning band tied around his head, fluttering in the wind. Gu Jiusi looked at him calmly and said, "Back when we were in school together, you once taught me a saying."

"You said," Gu Jiusi's voice was hoarse, "a gentleman can be deceived by righteousness, but not misled by unrighteousness. When I was young, I disliked your rigid and old-fashioned ways, but I've always remembered those words. You spoke of a gentleman's principles—so where are your principles now?"

Ye Shi'an did not respond, his gaze fixed on the end of the corridor.

Vaguely, he recalled a memory from many years ago.

Back then, both he and Gu Jiusi were still in school. Gu Jiusi loved to fool around and was often scolded by the teacher. One day, Gu Jiusi got into a conflict with another student. That student had only his mother left in his family and was isolated and vulnerable. Gu Jiusi, on the other hand, had Chen Xun and Yang Wenchang by his side. Gu Jiusi threatened to beat him up, and though the student trembled with fear, he refused to back down. In the end, it was Ye Shi'an who stepped forward, looked at Gu Jiusi, and said, "Young Master Gu, a gentleman can be deceived by righteousness, but not misled by unrighteousness. I believe you, Young Master, have principles in your heart."

Back then, the young Gu Jiusi stared at Ye Shi'an for a long time before snorting coldly, "I don't understand. Whatever, why should I bother with you penniless brats?"

Then he swaggered off. Ye Shi'an thought he truly hadn't understood, but he never expected that Gu Jiusi would remember those words all these years.

Ye Shi'an found himself speechless. His throat felt as if it were choked with jade, the pain making it difficult to speak.

That was his youth—the most beautiful and purest part of his life.

He, too, had once believed he would remain a gentleman as flawless as jade for his entire life, yet in the end, worn down by the trials of the world, he had ended up where he was now.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and finally asked the person behind him, "Have you ever lost a loved one?"

Gu Jiusi remained silent. Ye Shi'an continued, "If Liu Yu Ru died, if your parents died, if Gu Jin died, could you still stand here and say these things to me?"

"Jiu Si, I, too, once believed that I could uphold my principles for my entire life." Ye Shi'an's voice grew hoarse. "I, too, once believed that I could remain true to myself forever."

"But later, I realized how difficult it is."

"I am not as noble as I thought. In the end, I am just an ordinary person. You speak to me of prospects, of the future, of leaving a name in history, of the common people—I can no longer care about any of that. I only know one thing."

Ye Shi'an opened his eyes, his voice gradually calming. "I will never let my family fall into such a situation again, and I will reclaim everything owed to the Ye Family, one by one."

"I know your plan. You want His Majesty to first mobilize the army to resist Liu Xingzhi, then ally with Yangzhou to resist the Eastern Capital. But if that happens, His Majesty will be surrounded on three fronts in Yuzhou. Your plan leaves no room for error, and the chances of success are only fifty-fifty. In truth, there is a much better path to take."

"First, seize the Eastern Capital, cede one province, and negotiate peace with Liu Xingzhi. Wouldn't that be more secure?"

"And what about the future?" Gu Jiusi coldly stared at the young man who now seemed entirely unfamiliar to him.

Ye Shi'an let out a light laugh at these words. "The future? That will depend on what His Majesty does. How could I possibly care about the future?"

"You people are utterly absurd..."Gu Jiusi's voice trembled as he spoke: "Do you know how much effort the late emperor expended to leave Great Xia with its current situation? By ceding Yuzhou, you're surrendering its natural defenses. Do you think it will be easy to fight Liu Xingzi afterward? With the Yellow River navigable, the national treasury full, grain production restored across the land, and corrupt officials purged... our southern campaign would have succeeded in just three years. If you hand Yuzhou to Liu Xingzi now, you'll be inviting a century of national destruction. Can you bear such a crime?"

"What crime can't I bear?" Ye Shi'an said calmly. "Any crime Luo Zishang could bear, I can bear too."

"Then are you the next Luo Zishang?"

The question hung in the air, and both fell silent.

"My uncle, Qin Nan, Fu Baoyuan, the late emperor..." Gu Jiusi counted them off one by one. "They built Great Xia with their lives. What they hoped to create was an era free of politicians like Luo Zishang—those who play power games and disregard the people. Ye Shi'an, if you intend to become Luo Zishang today," Gu Jiusi drew his sword and pointed it at Ye Shi'an, who calmly watched the tip of the blade as Gu Jiusi continued, "I cannot allow you to live."

Ye Shi'an gave a faint smile.

"I wish to be buried in Yangzhou." He lifted his eyes to meet Gu Jiusi's. Gu Jiusi's hand trembled slightly as Ye Shi'an turned away, speaking calmly, "I'll await you to come for my life."

With that, he turned and walked away down the corridor.

Gu Jiusi took a deep breath, sheathed his sword, and turned to head toward Zhou Ye's quarters. But as he stepped out of the corridor, he found the courtyard filled with soldiers. One soldier stepped forward and said respectfully, "Lord Gu, the night is cold and damp. His Majesty fears you might catch a chill, so he has sent me to escort you back to your room."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi understood immediately. He responded with shock, "Does Lord Zhou intend to imprison me?"

"You exaggerate, Lord Gu."

The soldier neither confirmed nor denied it. Gu Jiusi tightened his grip on his sword, took a deep breath to calm himself, and said, "Please inform His Majesty that I have urgent matters to discuss tonight."

"His Majesty has said," the guard replied respectfully, "that he already understands what you wish to say. He has made his decision and hopes you will recognize the circumstances."

"Then I wish to see the Eldest Young Master."

Seeing no hope of meeting Zhou Gaolang, Gu Jiusi immediately switched to requesting another audience. The guard responded promptly, "His Majesty has said you may see no one."

"You..."

Gu Jiusi stepped forward, but in that instant, everyone in the courtyard drew their swords.

Seeing the glint of drawn blades, Gu Jiusi understood completely.

Zhou Gaolang had made his decision and would tolerate no defiance. These guards might even have orders to fight to the death—if he dared disobey Zhou Gaolang's wishes, he might be killed on the spot.

The guard watched Gu Jiusi tensely, and Gu Jiusi returned the gaze. After a long silence, the guard said, "Lord Gu, please relinquish your sword."

Gu Jiusi remained silent. Seeing his hesitation, the guard raised his voice: "Lord Gu, please relinquish your sword!"

Clenching his teeth, Gu Jiusi knelt slowly and placed his sword on the ground.At that very moment, guards swarmed in, bound him with ropes, and escorted him back to his own room, locking him inside. Once confined, Gu Jiusi heard many guards gathering outside. Listening to their voices, he steadied himself and demanded, "What is the meaning of this? Are you treating me like a criminal?"

"Do not be angry, Lord Gu," a guard outside replied. "The eldest young master says this is for your own good."

"Bullshit! If he truly cared for my well-being, he'd persuade his father not to do foolish things!" Gu Jiusi shouted hoarsely.

The soldiers outside fell silent. Bound and struggling, Gu Jiusi hopped off the bed, moved to a corner, and found a sharp edge. He turned his back and began rubbing the ropes against it, cursing Zhou Ye and Ye Shi'an all the while. After some time, he grew tired, the ropes half-severed, and he rested against the bed, feeling weary.

He didn't know what to do.

He had calculated how to stop Liu Xingzhi, anticipated Zhou Gaolang's ascension to the throne, and foresaw the Zhou family's attack on the Eastern Capital.

But what he hadn't anticipated was that Zhou Gaolang, to smooth his path to the throne, would have Ye Shi'an propose plundering the Eastern Capital.

He felt as if he were walking alone on a road where everyone moved against him. Suddenly, he longed for someone by his side to assure him that his path was right.

"Uncle... Your Majesty..." he murmured the names of those who had once affirmed his choices, and after a long while, he whispered, "Yu Ru."

"So, Ninth Brother asked me to come from Linfen."

After Shen Ming finished recounting everything to Liu Yu Ru, he looked up at her and said slowly, "He didn't want me to tell you this, fearing you'd worry. But I couldn't rest easy—I felt you ought to know, sister-in-law."

Liu Yu Ru bowed her head, her thoughts in turmoil.

She understood human nature far better than Shen Ming. While he lacked sensitivity, her heart was clear.

Gu Jiusi had deliberately transferred Shen Ming away. If Qin Wan Zhi died, Zhou Ye would easily deduce that Gu Jiusi had foreseen everything yet kept silent. In his grief, Zhou Ye might resent him.

Ye Shi'an had already lost his family; Zhou Ye and Zhou Gaolang had lost their loved ones. Their hearts aligned in sorrow, and in hatred, people were capable of anything. But Gu Jiusi was a man of unwavering principles...

As Liu Yu Ru pondered, her unease grew. She took a deep breath and said, "Tomorrow, you and Ye Yun will muster the troops. I must return to Linfen."

"You're going back to Linfen?" Shen Ming was surprised. "What about the Yellow River?"

"I'll send people there first," Liu Yu Ru replied promptly. "Here in Yangzhou, Chen Xun and Ye Yun will assist you. Lead the troops to the frontlines and follow Jiusi's plans."

Shen Ming nodded. "I'll do as Ninth Brother says."

Liu Yu Ru acknowledged, her anxiety mounting. She stood up, carrying Gu Jin, and walked out.

She had settled Gu Lang Hua, Jiang Rou, and others in a small courtyard not far from Yangzhou. She decided to hand Gu Jin over to them that night and head straight to Linfen.

After Liu Yu Ru left, Shen Ming also exited the main gate. Outside, he saw Ye Yun standing there.

Ye Yun looked just as she had when she left, wearing a pale blue embroidered gown, her hands tucked into her sleeves, her beautiful eyes carrying a hint of a smile.When Shen Ming saw Ye Yun, he froze. After waiting a moment, Ye Yun laughed and said, "It's been so long, and you won't even speak a word to me?"

"N-no... that's not it... I..."

Shen Ming flustered, momentarily at a loss for words. Ye Yun's smile widened as she stepped forward, stopping before him, and said gently, "Let's go. I'll discuss the procedures for the troop inspection ceremony the day after tomorrow with you."

Hearing this, Shen Ming felt slightly reassured. Ye Yun walked beside him, turning her head to study him. "I never imagined you'd become a general in the blink of an eye."

Shen Ming felt somewhat embarrassed. He cleared his throat lightly. "Well, capable people won't be overlooked no matter where they go."

Ye Yun scoffed. "Patting yourself on the back, aren't you?"

"Can't you have a little faith in me?" Shen Ming retorted immediately. "Don't you realize you're about to entrust your life to me?"

"Oh?"

Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. "How exactly am I entrusting my life to you?"

Struck by the question, Shen Ming's expression stiffened. He suddenly realized he had unconsciously assumed Ye Yun would follow him to the front lines. Frowning, he recognized the impropriety of this thought and cleared his throat, nodding. "Indeed, I spoke carelessly."

"Though what you said isn't entirely wrong," Ye Yun walked beside him, straightening her posture, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalance. "I thought if you went to the front lines alone, there might be no one to manage logistical matters. So I'll accompany you. When the time comes, my life will indeed be in your hands."

With that, Ye Yun turned her head, slightly lowering it with a touch of pride as she performed a bow of gratitude. "In the coming days, I'll be troubling General Shen."

Hearing this, Shen Ming was momentarily stunned before looking at Ye Yun and letting out a soft chuckle.

Ye Yun looked up at him, glaring. "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing." Shen Ming shook his head. "I wasn't laughing at anything."

Ye Yun gave him a light kick. "Speak properly."

Shen Ming endured the kick without complaint, glancing back at her. He studied her seriously before finally saying, "I'm glad you can still talk to me like this."

Ye Yun looked up, somewhat puzzled. Shen Ming said gently, "I thought, after what happened in the Eastern Capital..."

At these words, Ye Yun halted. She lifted her gaze, quietly watching Shen Ming.

Finding this strange, Shen Ming also stopped to look at her. Ye Yun's eyes traced the lines of his brows and eyes before she smiled and said, "I'm a straightforward person by nature."

"What a coincidence." Shen Ming grinned. "So am I."

Ye Yun pressed her lips together, remaining silent as she quietly observed the person before her. Shen Ming, unusually patient, also said nothing, waiting quietly. After a long while, Ye Yun finally spoke. "I was feeling sad, but in my sadness, I suddenly thought of you."

As she spoke, she unconsciously tilted her head and lowered her voice. "And then it felt like all of life's obstacles could be overcome."

Shen Ming was stunned. He gazed at Ye Yun's beautiful profile, unable to form words. After waiting a moment, Ye Yun cleared her throat lightly and stepped forward. "Let's go. There's still much work waiting for us."

Seeing her move ahead, Shen Ming suddenly grew anxious. He grabbed her sleeve and hurriedly said, "I... I'm very happy."Ye Yun did not look back as Shen Ming finally managed to speak smoothly, his words hurried: "Ye Yun, if you could feel even a little happy for me, I would be overjoyed."

Pressing her lips together without glancing at him, Ye Yun kept her back turned: "Fool."

With that, she gently brushed aside Shen Ming's hand and stepped forward: "Let's go. I'm not joking with you—there truly is much to attend to."

That night, Ye Yun and Chen Xun located Yang Silong and rallied some former noble youths of Yangzhou to begin preparations for reclaiming control of the city. The Ye Family held considerable prestige in Yangzhou circles, and with Shen Ming's thirty thousand elite troops stationed there, Yang Silong overseeing operations, and the combined efforts of Ye Yun and Chen Xun, they swiftly drafted a new set of regulations for Yangzhou, reshuffling its personnel entirely.

Subsequently, Shen Ming held a military assembly to muster troops. On the day of the muster, Yangzhou's young men gathered at the training ground. Chen Xun stepped forward with his sword, gazing at the youths assembled there as if seeing old friends standing silently before him.

They seemed to be witnessing both a beginning and a silent farewell.

Closing his eyes, Chen Xun finally drew his sword at Ye Yun's urging and raised his voice abruptly: "Today, Yangzhou pledges allegiance to the Zhou family and returns to Great Xia. The land of Yangzhou is the territory of Great Xia; its people are subjects of Great Xia. Only when the realm is stable can Yangzhou be stable; only when the realm prospers can Yangzhou prosper. Henceforth, the sons of Yangzhou vow to protect Great Xia with our flesh, blood, and bones." Chen Xun inverted his sword, pressing the hilt to his forehead in a gesture unique to Yangzhou's noble youths when taking oaths, and declared solemnly, "May this golden age endure forever!"

While Chen Xun and Shen Ming were conducting the troop muster, Liu Yuru arranged for Gu Jin's care that night and then rushed back to Linfen with her entourage. Unburdened by her child, she traveled day and night, arriving in Linfen two days later.

As soon as she reached the main road to Linfen, she spotted troops marching out in the distance. Fearing she might miss Gu Jiusi, Liu Yuru quickened her pace, galloping into the city and heading straight to the government office. At the gate, she presented her token to the guard and said urgently, "I am Gu Liu Shi, here to find my husband Gu Jiusi. Might I ask if Lord Gu is currently at the office?"

Hearing this, the guard immediately regarded her with caution. Recognizing the shift in his expression, Liu Yuru promptly added, "I am also well acquainted with Brother Zhou and Lord Ye Shi'an. If Lord Gu is unavailable, could you please inform either of them?"

"Please wait a moment."

At these words, the guard's attitude changed entirely. He hurriedly arranged for someone to attend to Liu Yuru and went inside to report.

Shortly after, he returned and said to Liu Yuru, "Madam, this way. His Highness is waiting for you in the chamber."

Liu Yuru was momentarily puzzled by the address "His Highness," but she quickly realized that Zhou Gaolang must have ascended the throne, hence Zhou Ye being referred to as "His Highness."

This realization sank her heart, and she immediately understood that Qin Wanzhi and Zhou Madam were likely no longer alive.

Nodding, she followed the attendant into the residence with her companions. Upon entering the study, she found Zhou Ye and Ye Shi'an deep in discussion. They fell silent as she entered. Liu Yuru bowed and said, "Brother Zhou."

Zhou Ye nodded to her and replied, "Yuru, please have a seat."Liu Yu Ru took a seat in the direction Zhou Ye pointed. Her heart was preoccupied with Gu Jiusi, yet she dared not inquire too hastily. She could only force a smile and say, "I just rushed back from Yangzhou to find Jiusi, but none of the guards would tell me where he was, so I had no choice but to come to you. When I entered the city, I saw the troops already beginning to march out. Has Jiusi already left the city ahead of them?"

"No," Zhou Ye shook his head and said bluntly, "He's been imprisoned."

Even though she had already sensed something was wrong, hearing it spoken aloud made Liu Yu Ru unable to maintain her smile. She sat in her seat, silent for a moment. After a long pause, she finally asked, "What happened?"

"Your sister-in-law and Zhou Madam are dead."

Ye Shi'an spoke calmly, "Lord Zhou has declared himself emperor. We plan to abandon Yuzhou and directly attack the Eastern Capital. To boost morale, Lord Zhou has promised to allow three days of looting in the Eastern Capital."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu Ru abruptly looked up, staring at them in shock.

Yet the two men before her remained expressionless. Zhou Ye couldn't bear to meet Liu Yu Ru's gaze and turned his head away. Ye Shi'an stepped forward, positioning himself between them. He poured tea for Liu Yu Ru and said slowly, "Yu Ru, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"Looting the Eastern Capital," Liu Yu Ru spoke with difficulty, "what kind of forced extraordinary measure is this?"

"The reason those generals around Lord Zhou joined the uprising is because we deceived them into thinking Fan Yu intended to kill them. When they later discover the truth in the Eastern Capital, they can use the excuse of being deceived to clear their names, rebel, and establish a new emperor. If Lord Zhou wants to appease them, he has no choice but to yield to their threats and continuously grant them many things."

Ye Shi'an analyzed, "His Majesty doesn't want to leave so many hidden dangers on his path to the throne, so he must drag these generals down with him, leaving them no way back. Once they've looted the Eastern Capital, even if they later use this as grounds to rebel, they would still be criminals in the eyes of the world."

Liu Yu Ru didn't speak. She tightly gripped the armrests, controlling her emotions.

No further explanation was needed - she already understood why Gu Jiusi had been imprisoned. She took a deep breath and finally said, "Jiu Si would never agree to this."

"Whether he agrees or not is irrelevant," Ye Shi'an said calmly. "His Majesty has already made the decision. Brother Ye imprisoned him for his own good. If he were to advise His Majesty against this now, His Majesty would have to make an example of him to establish authority, and he would undoubtedly be executed."

Liu Yu Ru remained silent, her head bowed. Ye Shi'an thought for a moment, softened his voice, and continued, "Yu Ru, I know you're someone who weighs pros and cons. Go persuade him. If he's unwilling, he doesn't have to participate. He has contributed to the emperor's rise - with Brother Zhou and me supporting him, he'll still rise rapidly in the court. Take him far away from the Eastern Capital," Ye Shi'an hesitated before finally saying, "tell him to stay out of Eastern Capital affairs."

Liu Yu Ru remained silent, her bowed body trembling slightly. Seeing her like this, Ye Shi'an knew she must be deeply disappointed in them. He felt a tightness in his chest, turned his back to avoid looking at her, and quietly awaited her response.

After a long time, Liu Yu Ru finally stopped trembling. Her tears fell.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Ye," she spoke hoarsely, "actually, I've never been afraid of Luo Zishang, nor of Liu Xingzhi, much less of Fan Yu. All these years, I've never been afraid, never been sad."

She sniffled, raised her head, and smiled through her tears, "But now, I've discovered that I can be afraid too."

Neither man spoke. Liu Yu Ru looked at them, stood up and said, "I'll go persuade Jiu Si, don't worry. But I must tell you something."

"I know you both secretly mock Jiu Si for being childish, thinking he doesn't understand your choices because he hasn't experienced suffering. But let me tell you - even when Jiu Si thought his family was destroyed, when he was besieged by commoners in Cangzhou, during his darkest and most painful moments, he never crossed the line. He never harmed anyone who shouldn't be harmed for the sake of his hatred or his power.""You have your own stances, I understand," Liu Yuru took a deep breath. "I've never considered myself a good person, nor have I ever held expectations for myself. But what about you?"

"Back then, Jiang He and the late emperor sought to create a prosperous and just age—they dedicated their entire lives to it. In the Yongzhou case, Fu Baoyuan and Qin Nan also toiled for twenty years. Generation after generation, they spent their entire lives building Great Xia. Then they pushed you to high positions—you gained power, command over troops, and wealth. Do you know why?"

"It's because even flawed people like Jiang He and me believed that you could uphold your principles, your integrity, your conscience!"

Liu Yuru shouted, glaring at Zhou Ye, "What do you think Sister Wanzhi loved about you? That you loved her? That you were willing to avenge her with the lives of millions? Let me tell you, Sister Wanzhi loved Zhou Ye—the Zhou Ye who vowed to ensure everyone could live well and with dignity!"

"And you, Ye Shi'an," Liu Yuru pointed at him, gritting her teeth. "Your Ye Family has been renowned for generations as noble gentlemen. They take pride in you—but why? Is it because of your cunning methods or your ability to avenge the Ye Family? Even if you succeed in avenging them today, down in the underworld," she stared at him, "would you dare face the ancestors of the Ye Family?"

Ye Shi'an trembled slightly. He looked up at Liu Yuru, his lips quivering as he tried to speak, but no words came out.

Liu Yuru closed her eyes, took a deep breath to calm herself, and then slowly regained her composure. "I once thought you were different, but today, it seems you're no different from the rest. What difference does it make if the world falls into the hands of Fan Yu, Liu Xingzhi, or you?"

"The only thing I'm grateful for," Liu Yuru slowly opened her eyes, gazing at them calmly, "is that in this world, there is still Gu Jiusi."

Yet, only Gu Jiusi.

After traversing such a long and arduous path, the only one in this world who remains unchanged, as radiant and unwavering as the rising sun, is this once-mocked playboy from Yangzhou.

Liu Yuru bowed respectfully, then stood up and said calmly, "I will go persuade him, and then I will take him away. You need not worry."

With that, she turned and walked out of the room, wiping her tears as she went.

The attendants led her to the cell where Gu Jiusi was imprisoned. He was leaning against a pillar, deep in thought, trying to devise a plan.

To break the deadlock, he needed to resolve Zhou Gaolang's concerns. But how...

As Gu Jiusi pondered, a familiar voice came from outside: "Open the door."

Gu Jiusi froze. He turned abruptly and saw the door slowly open. A woman in blue robes, adorned with a jade hairpin, stood silhouetted against the light. Gu Jiusi sat on the ground, staring blankly at the newcomer. Seeing his dazed expression, Liu Yuru smiled through her tears. She walked slowly to him and said softly, "Get up."

She extended her hand to him, her voice low and husky: "I've come for you, Jiusi."