Destined

Upon hearing this, Shen Ming panicked.

He desperately tried to figure out where Fan Xuan had gotten a daughter from, and where this princess had come from.

A maid nearby hurried forward to press on the princess's eye, which had been bruised by Shen Ming, and angrily said, "Are you blind? How dare you bump into the princess! Apologize at once!"

"My apologies," Shen Ming immediately replied, decisively. "Your Highness, this humble official wasn't paying attention. Please, punch me back. I'm truly sorry!"

"You..." the maid was about to say more, but the princess raised her hand to stop her. Her gaze, however, lingered on Gu Jiusi. After hesitating for a moment, she slowly said, "You... are you Gu Jiusi?"

Gu Jiusi frowned, knelt on the ground, and respectfully replied, "This humble official is indeed Gu Jiusi."

The princess remained silent, studying Gu Jiusi intently. Even someone as carefree as Shen Ming could sense the awkwardness in the air. Ye Shi'an, who had just caught up, was taken aback by the scene. The maid immediately shouted, "How dare you! How can you not kneel upon seeing the princess!"

Hearing this, Ye Shi'an quickly knelt as well. The princess continued to scrutinize Gu Jiusi from head to toe. Unable to bear it any longer, Gu Jiusi spoke up, "Does Your Highness have something to ask of this humble official?"

At the sound of Gu Jiusi's voice, the princess blushed. She seemed to gather her courage and said, "I... my name is Yunshang."

Gu Jiusi looked bewildered. He glanced at Ye Shi'an, his eyes clearly asking, "What is she doing?" Ye Shi'an, equally confused, returned a look that said, "What is she doing?"

After a moment of mutual confusion, the princess cleared her throat and said, "Lord Gu, I wish to speak with you alone."

"Your Highness..."

The maid spoke up, seemingly concerned. Li Yunshang raised her hand to stop the maid and whispered, "Right here. I won't go far."

With that, she glanced at Gu Jiusi and walked to the side.

Gu Jiusi hesitated for a moment but eventually stood up and followed Li Yunshang to the side.

Though they were not far from the others, they spoke in hushed tones, making it impossible for anyone else to hear. Gu Jiusi felt uneasy. Li Yunshang stood before him, cautiously studying him, and slowly said, "Lord Gu, now that you've come to the Eastern Capital, do you know how Lord Jiang is doing?"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi immediately became alert. He looked at Li Yunshang and smiled faintly. "Why does Your Highness ask about this?"

"Don't worry," Li Yunshang said slowly. "I mean no harm. In the past... Lord Jiang was very close to my mother."

Gu Jiusi was taken aback. He was unfamiliar with Jiang He's connections in the Eastern Capital. After a moment of hesitation, he cautiously replied, "Your Highness's mother... is the Empress Dowager of the Western Palace?"

Fan Xuan had ascended the throne with the support of the former dynasty's Empress Dowager. Prince Liang had nearly wiped out all the Li family heirs, but the princesses had been largely spared. After Fan Xuan entered the Eastern Capital, it was with the Empress Dowager's backing that he had claimed the throne. The Empress Dowager now had only one daughter, whom she cherished deeply. Thus, even though the dynasty had changed, Fan Xuan had preserved the status and titles of the former imperial family.From the moment Li Yunshang announced her name, Gu Jiusi knew exactly who she was, yet he still went through the motions of asking, as if completely unfamiliar with the affairs of the Eastern Capital. Li Yunshang, suspecting nothing, nodded and said, "Yes, in the past, Lord Jiang often came to discuss matters with my brother and my mother, so we saw each other frequently."

Gu Jiusi nodded without saying more. The princess hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I know he is in prison now. Does Lord Gu have any intention of rescuing him?"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi finally looked directly at Li Yunshang. Unaccustomed to being stared at so intently by a man, her face flushed slightly. She turned her head away, feigning composure as she said, "I know Lord Gu doesn’t trust me now, but I truly wish to help Lord Jiang."

"Why would Your Highness..." Gu Jiusi hesitated, speaking slowly, "Associating with my uncle is not advisable at present."

"If you were to associate with him, it would certainly be unwise."

Li Yunshang smiled faintly. "But if my mother intervenes, that would be different. However, it would also be inappropriate for her to step forward too conspicuously. So, this time, I must trouble Lord Gu to devise a way for His Majesty to reopen Lord Jiang’s case. I will assure my mother that Lord Jiang had no involvement in Prince Liang’s rebellion back then."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi furrowed his brow. "If the Empress Dowager could prove this, why did she not do so earlier?"

Li Yunshang sighed. "Lord Gu, guilt is not determined by whether it can be proven, but by the emperor’s intentions."

Gu Jiusi understood her meaning. Back then, Jiang He might indeed have had no part in Prince Liang’s case, but the late emperor, determined to bring down the prince, would not spare anyone connected to him. Since Jiang He’s daughter was Prince Liang’s concubine, even without concrete evidence, such an association was enough to arouse the emperor’s suspicion.

After a moment of reflection, Gu Jiusi realized the situation. Li Yunshang’s visit was undoubtedly at the Empress Dowager’s behest, and the Empress Dowager’s involvement was likely out of respect for Gu Jiusi’s standing.

Having sorted out the chain of events in his mind, Gu Jiusi relaxed and asked respectfully, "What does the Empress Dowager wish this humble official to do?"

"His Majesty must reopen Lord Jiang’s case, but the initiative cannot come from us. His Majesty must bring it up himself. Once he does and consults my mother in the palace, she will provide the answers."

Gu Jiusi understood Li Yunshang’s meaning and nodded. "This humble official understands."

With that, he bowed and said, "I thank Your Highness in advance."

"There’s no need," Li Yunshang said hurriedly. "It is only right."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi smiled gently. "Your Highness need not have involved yourself in this matter. I am well aware of the favor you are granting."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Li Yunshang said no more. Glancing at the attendants waiting nearby, she whispered, "Since Lord Gu understands, I will not detain you further. Please take care on your way out."

Gu Jiusi nodded, exchanged a respectful bow with Li Yunshang, and turned to leave.

This time, Gu Jiusi did not banter with Shen Ming. The three men exited the palace in an orderly manner. Li Yunshang, her cheeks still flushed, glanced back at their retreating figures. A maid beside her, noticing the princess’s lingering blush, teased softly, "Your Highness, no need to keep looking—all three of them are quite handsome."Li Yunshang, upon hearing this, lightly tapped the maid’s head with her fan and said softly, “Such nonsense. You should learn to be more cautious with your words.”

The maid giggled but said nothing. Li Yunshang showed no sign of anger. Holding the round fan, she turned to gaze at the drifting clouds in the sky, pursed her lips, and smiled faintly.

After Gu Jiusi and the other two left the palace, Ye Shi’an asked, “What did the princess say to you just now?”

“Guess,” Gu Jiusi raised an eyebrow but kept silent. Ye Shi’an frowned, and after a moment, he said seriously, “Jiusi, you must not let Yu Ru down.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Gu Jiusi immediately turned around, his expression earnest as he explained, “The princess and I were discussing serious matters. Don’t spread rumors, especially not in front of Yu Ru!”

“Then what exactly were you talking about?” Shen Ming asked, puzzled.

This time, Gu Jiusi didn’t hold back and quickly explained the matter in detail. Ye Shi’an understood and nodded, saying, “The Empress Dowager is quite thoughtful.”

“Thoughtful now, but not earlier,” Gu Jiusi brushed his sleeves. “As soon as I arrived in the Eastern Capital, she remembered my uncle. It’s indeed thoughtful. But as people, no one is obliged to be good to anyone else. If someone is willing to help, it’s a kindness, and I’ll remember this kindness.”

As Gu Jiusi spoke with Ye Shi’an, the latter relaxed and nodded, then asked, “So, have you thought of a plan?”

Gu Jiusi didn’t answer immediately. After a moment’s thought, he said, “No rush. I’ll look into the specifics first.”

The three of them returned to the Gu residence. Ye Yun was directing people in painting the walls, while Liu Yu Ru was inside, reviewing the accounts sent from Wangdu.

Liu Yu Ru was tapping away on an abacus, calculating something. Gu Jiusi entered the room and, hearing the sound of the abacus, said cheerfully, “What is my Lady Liu calculating now?”

“This year’s winter wheat yield in Wangdu is good, so grain prices there are likely to drop. I plan to purchase a batch and transport it to Cangzhou and the Eastern Capital,” Liu Yu Ru said, keeping her head down. “Also, Floral Visage—I’ve inquired, and it’s selling well among the nobility in the Eastern Capital. I plan to relocate the main store of Floral Visage here. Today, I found a shopfront and paid the deposit.”

As she spoke, Gu Jiusi sat down beside her. Liu Yu Ru, absorbed in her own thoughts, continued, “I’m also considering buying a few properties in the Eastern Capital and having Ye Yun manage them for rental purposes. The Eastern Capital has just experienced war, and I’ve checked the previous prices. Property is still relatively cheap now. Once the population recovers to its former size, it’ll be much harder to buy.”

“Mm,” Gu Jiusi leaned against her lazily and said, “Whatever you say.”

Liu Yu Ru looked up at him, somewhat exasperated. “How can it all be up to me? You’re the head of the household.”

“I’m not,” Gu Jiusi declared firmly. “I’m a kept man.”

She had never seen anyone so unabashed about being a kept man.

Liu Yu Ru poked his forehead with her finger, lowered her head without another word, and continued with her calculations. Gu Jiusi leaned against her and gently recounted the events of the day. When Liu Yu Ru heard that he intended to rescue Lord Jiang, she grew concerned. “Won’t this affect you?”

“If I deliberately ask His Majesty to reopen the case, he might suspect that I’m behind it. We need to find a way for His Majesty to bring it up himself.”Gu Jiusi furrowed his brows and said this, then fell silent.

Liu Yuru pondered seriously, and the couple reached an impasse. At that moment, a knock came from outside. Yin Hong stood at the door and said respectfully, "Madam, an invitation card has been delivered."

"Bring it here."

Liu Yuru turned around and reached out her hand toward Yin Hong.

Yin Hong brought the invitation over. As Liu Yuru opened it, she asked, "Who sent it?"

"It was a eunuch who said some princess is hosting a banquet and hopes Madam will attend."

"Which princess?"

Liu Yuru opened the invitation, already having an idea in her heart.

Sure enough, Yin Hong replied, "He said it's the Yunshang Princess."

Liu Yuru turned to look at Gu Jiusi. Gu Jiusi stared at the invitation for a moment before noticing Liu Yuru's gaze. He instinctively turned and said, "Why are you looking at me?"

A moment later, he suddenly understood Liu Yuru's implication. His eyes widened as he exclaimed, "It has nothing to do with me! I truly have no connection with her whatsoever!"