As soon as Gu Chusheng left, Chu Yu immediately gave orders. All the teahouses, taverns, theaters, and even the songstresses in the brothels under their names began preparations. Storytellers readied their tales, writers drafted their articles, opera performers rehearsed their plays, and songstresses practiced their lyrics—all pointing toward the tragic events of White Emperor Valley in the past and the Moon Embracing Tower that Zhao Yue had been secretly constructing.
The Moon Embracing Tower was a grand edifice built under the Eldest Princess's encouragement. The upper part was a tower, while the lower part housed an imperial mausoleum, constructed on a geomantically auspicious site. The floors were paved with white jade, lanterns adorned with luminous pearls, chairs made of gold, and pools filled with fine wine. The tower was built discreetly, and few among the common people knew of its existence. Yet, over the years, vast sums from the national treasury and the disappearance of death-row prisoners were all connected to this tower.
According to Zhao Yue's vision, once the world was at peace, he and the Eldest Princess would live in the Moon Embracing Tower and, after death, be buried together in this extravagant imperial mausoleum.
While Chu Yu was arranging these matters, Gu Chusheng went straight to the palace.
Now favored by Zhao Yue, he could enter the palace without being summoned. When he arrived, Zhao Yue was reviewing memorials. Gu Chusheng entered the grand hall and immediately knelt. Startled, Zhao Yue asked anxiously, "What is the meaning of this, my dear minister?"
"Your Majesty," Gu Chusheng spoke respectfully, "I have a request to make."
"We are like brothers. Speak freely," Zhao Yue said gently, stepping closer but not helping him up, waiting for him to continue. Gu Chusheng raised his head and looked earnestly at Zhao Yue. "I beseech Your Majesty to grant me a marriage decree. My heart is set on Madam Wei, Chu Yu. I beg Your Majesty's approval!"
With that, Gu Chusheng kowtowed heavily to the ground. Zhao Yue was momentarily stunned, then frowned with difficulty. "Chusheng, Madam Wei is the widow of the Wei family, a loyal martyr. How can an imperial decree of marriage be issued for a married woman? If such a decree were issued, not only would you be ridiculed, but I would also be mocked by the world. Moreover, Wei Yun would never tolerate such an edict..."
"Your Majesty, I have considered all of this," Gu Chusheng replied calmly. "I have no other choice. This imperial decree of marriage is not for my sake but for Your Majesty and the sake of the world."
These words made Zhao Yue frown in confusion. He helped Gu Chusheng up and said, "Explain yourself slowly."
"Does Your Majesty know that Gongsun Lan left Hua Jing last night?"
Zhao Yue was taken aback. Then Gu Chusheng continued, "And does Your Majesty know the true reason Gongsun Lan came to Hua Jing?"
"No more riddles," Zhao Yue said, though inwardly unsettled, he maintained his composure, sipping his tea. "I am listening."
"A few days ago, I captured several Northern Di spies. Under rigorous interrogation, I learned they had come from Northern Di with a secret letter intended for Your Majesty."
At these words, Zhao Yue's heart raced.
If Northern Di was sending him a letter now, its contents were something Zhao Yue understood better than anyone.
Yet he remained composed, smiling faintly. "And where is their letter?""These spies claimed that the message they carried must be delivered to Your Majesty in person. Last night, upon receiving the news, I intended to lead my men into the palace. However, Wei Manor suddenly sent word. Knowing my feelings for Madam Wei, I went to Wei Manor first. But on my way back, I was ambushed. My guards fired a signal flare, and all the guards from my residence came to rescue me. When I returned, I discovered those spies had disappeared."
The ambush and signal flare from last night couldn’t be concealed. If he said nothing, Zhao Yue, being the suspicious man he was, would inevitably doubt him. It was better to reveal half and conceal the other half, letting Zhao Yue draw his own conclusions.
Seeing Zhao Yue frown, Gu Chusheng continued, "After the spies vanished, I immediately went to Wei Manor to demand answers. Such a coincidence clearly indicated that Wei Manor had orchestrated this to take my life. Yet when my men arrived at Wei Manor, they found a large group of Wei family retainers escorting Gongsun Lan out of Hua Jing. I ordered pursuit, but it was already too late. Why would Gongsun Lan go to such lengths to spirit away a Northern Di spy? What unspeakable secret is he hiding from Your Majesty?"
Zhao Yue tapped the table as Gu Chusheng pressed on, "Your humble servant suspects Wei Yun must have done something at the border that he dares not let Your Majesty know. Think about it—given his temperament, what else could it be?"
"Over the years, he has increased troops and provisions, repeatedly demanding funds and supplies from the court under the pretext of training elite soldiers. Yet every time those elites enter Northern Di territory, they return nearly annihilated—except for him. He alone survives every time. Your Majesty, do you truly believe such luck exists?"
Zhao Yue lifted his gaze to Gu Chusheng. "Even if I don’t believe it, what do you suggest I do?"
"Your Majesty," Gu Chusheng said solemnly, "if we confirm Wei Yun’s rebellious intentions, we cannot let him lead the campaign against the Wang Family this time."
Zhao Yue slowly traced the rim of his teacup. "He is already on his way back to the capital. If he doesn’t go to fight the Wang Family, where else should he go?"
"Where his father and brothers are," Gu Chusheng replied calmly, "that is where he should go."
Zhao Yue looked up at Gu Chusheng. Such words did not surprise him in the least. He had always known Gu Chusheng was a man of decisive action, his ruthlessness in civil affairs no less formidable than that of a military general.
"And if I kill him, what if the Wei family rebels?"
Zhao Yue had no qualms about killing Wei Yun—what concerned him was the Guardian Army behind Wei Yun.
Gu Chusheng replied coolly, "That is precisely why I must marry Madam Wei."
Zhao Yue raised an eyebrow as Gu Chusheng continued, "If Wei Yun dies, the Wei family still has six young masters and four ladies, does it not? Especially Madam Wei. During the Battle of Phoenix Mausoleum, she single-handedly defended it. Later, she traveled thousands of miles to rescue Wei Yun and two thousand soldiers. Her prestige in the Wei family is immense. One could say that if Wei Yun dies, she becomes the spiritual pillar of the Wei family. If Wei Yun’s death is not our doing—if it is an accident—then for the Wei family to rebel, they would first need Chu Yu’s approval. But what if Chu Yu marries me?"Zhao Yue was stunned for a moment. Gu Chusheng said calmly, "Chu Yu and I were once hailed as a perfect match in Great Chu. It wouldn’t be surprising for her to marry me. Once Wei Yun enters Hua Jing, we’ll arrange for him to die in an accident, and then I’ll marry Chu Yu. With Chu Yu as my wife, Chu Linyang will naturally side with me. As for the Wei family, they won’t rebel—partly due to pressure from Chu Linyang and partly out of respect and trust for Chu Yu. This way, once Wei Yun is dead, Your Majesty won’t have to worry about him plotting a rebellion. The Wei family’s soldiers will also be pacified, with no fear of them seeking revenge for Wei Yun."
"But what if Madam Wei refuses?" Zhao Yue asked with concern. "All your plans hinge on Chu Yu’s willingness..."
"I’ll marry her first," Gu Chusheng said decisively. "Once she’s my wife, I’ll kill Wei Yun, keep her confined in Hua Jing, and then use the Wei family’s six young masters to pressure her. She takes the Wei family as her responsibility—for the sake of those six boys, she’ll endure it."
"And after she endures?" Zhao Yue pressed. Gu Chusheng smiled faintly and looked up at him. "Why doesn’t Your Majesty ask—what happened after the Eldest Princess endured?"
Zhao Yue was taken aback. After a pause, he burst into laughter.
"True," he said flatly. "People like us don’t talk about what comes after. We take one step at a time."
Gu Chusheng nodded. Zhao Yue called for his attendants. "I’ll think about the marriage decree first. Let’s not discuss this today. It’s been a while since we drank together—let’s have a round."
Gu Chusheng remained silent, pondering Zhao Yue’s thoughts. He had laid out everything clearly—there was no reason for Zhao Yue to hesitate. So why wasn’t he agreeing?
But Zhao Yue was skilled at masking his intentions. He cheerfully urged Gu Chusheng to drink, and the two drank for a long time. Eventually, Zhao Yue sighed and asked, "They say women cherish their children. If Her Highness were to bear my child, do you think she’d forgive me in time?"
Gu Chusheng gave a faint smile.
"Perhaps?" he replied hoarsely. "I’ve already thought of a name for my child. He’ll be a boy—I’ll call him Yan Qing."
"Gu Yanqing?" Zhao Yue repeated. Gu Chusheng seemed lost in thought.
Gu Yanqing—his only son in his past life. After she left, he never took another woman by his side. When Yan Qing grew up and learned of the grudges between Chu Jin, him, and Chu Yu, he didn’t know how to face it all. Instead, he chose to wander the world, never returning—not even when Gu Chusheng died.
Gu Chusheng closed his eyes, feeling slightly drunk. He rarely allowed himself to show drunkenness in front of anyone but Chu Yu. With difficulty, he rose and bowed to Zhao Yue before staggering away.
Watching his retreating figure, the chief eunuch Zhang Hui approached and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, what is there to consider about Lord Gu’s marriage proposal?"
"Nothing, really," Zhao Yue chuckled. "But if everything goes exactly as he wishes, how can that be? He can have Chu Yu—but not so openly. If Wei Yun doesn’t die, who do you think will be blamed?"
"Gu Chusheng might marry Chu Yu and then ally with Wei Yun... That’s not impossible," Zhao Yue said coolly.
Zhang Hui hesitated. "Then what does Your Majesty intend?"
"The marriage will happen—but not with such glory."Zhao Yue sneered, "The marriage I bestowed was entirely out of necessity—to cover up the disgraceful act Gu Chusheng committed against Madam Wei. Tell me, given Wei Yun's temperament, if his sister-in-law was defiled by Gu Chusheng and forced into marriage to preserve her reputation, wouldn't he kill Gu Chusheng?"
Zhang Hui was momentarily stunned. Zhao Yue stood up and said calmly, "Since we've chosen this side, we must leave him no way out. Favors from me aren't so easily earned."
"Your Majesty is absolutely right," Zhang Hui said with a smile as he stepped forward. "After all, he's marrying Madam Wei. I doubt Lord Gu would mind the method."
Zhao Yue gave a faint smile and said nothing more, turning instead to ask, "Have you arranged for Wei Manor to be watched?"
"It's already being watched," Zhang Hui hurriedly replied. "As soon as Lord Gu spoke earlier, I went out and immediately sent people to keep an eye on Wei Manor."
Zhao Yue nodded, and Zhang Hui continued, "However, I heard that last night, the sixth young master of the Wei family fell seriously ill, and the sixth madam took the child out of the city."
"How were they allowed to leave?!" Zhao Yue frowned immediately. "With the nighttime curfew, can people just come and go freely in Hua Jing?"
"The city guards said Lord Shen vouched for them," Zhang Hui whispered. "Your Majesty knows Lord Shen is infatuated with the sixth madam of the Wei family."
Hearing this, Zhao Yue fell silent for a moment before finally asking, "How many people left last night?"
"Three—the sixth madam, the fifth young master, and the sixth young master."
"Forget it," Zhao Yue waved his hand. "There are still four left. Let it be for now. As for Shen You... given his past merits, let him return on his own and suspend his salary for reflection."
"Your Majesty is magnanimous," Zhang Hui quickly said. "Truly a sage ruler of our time."
Zhao Yue smiled. Hearing such flattery inevitably pleased him. Though he might have been wary at first, the longer he remained emperor, the more he unconsciously felt such words were what he deserved to hear. He looked toward the direction of Phoenix Perch Palace and asked calmly, "How is Consort Mei?"
"I heard she's the same as usual, just increasingly lethargic."
Zhao Yue was silent for a while before saying, "Tell the Moonview Tower to speed up its progress."
"Perhaps when she sees the Moonview Tower," Zhao Yue looked up, a trace of helplessness in his eyes, "she might be a little happier?"
Author's Note: Last night, I shouted... "Friends in the mountains," which was actually a typo.
What I meant to say was: "Friends on the mountain, are you all right?!"
It was like a big star making an appearance, with the audience queuing up to watch from the mountain. But I was too tired, and somehow ended up typing "Friends in the mountains, are you still there?"
As for Gu Chusheng... I know many of you dislike him—after all, he's the antagonist.
But a story needs conflicts between distinct characters to be compelling. When you dislike him intensely, just remember one thing—
He's the ultimate wingman.
Without him, Xiao Qi's career path would be smoother, but her romantic path would be more agonizing.
With Gu Chusheng, there's Chu Yu's second spring.
Thinking of it this way, isn't it nice to have him around?
Gu Chusheng: "Author, I want to curse at you."
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