Chapter 190: An Incident
Zichen Hall.
The Marquis Jingyuan, his black gauze cap askew and his court robes soaked with rain, knelt on the cold gold bricks, his back hunched like a bow.
“I beg His Majesty for mercy. My son has been missing for seven days, his whereabouts unknown. I implore His Majesty to order the Jingzhao Prefecture to conduct a thorough search and rescue, to grant my son a sliver of hope…”
Silence filled the hall.
Only the rustling sound of the Emperor perusing memorials and the occasional crackle from the brazier could be heard.
The Emperor’s thoughts were inscrutable.
Cold sweat beaded on the Marquis Jingyuan’s forehead.
“I dare to offend Your Majesty, but I implore you to remember my family’s loyalty and sacrifice, and bestow your grace…”
Only then did Emperor Chong Zhao put down the memorial, his gaze falling on the old minister’s sweat-dampened temples, and he sighed heavily.
“How could I, your Emperor, stand by and do nothing when your son has met with such misfortune?”
Although Gu Jie was not his only son, he was the apple of the Marquis Jingyuan’s eye.
The marriage between the Xue and Gu families was initially a joyous occasion, but it was marred by the scandal of Xue Yueying’s affair with Prince Wei. Currently, Emperor Chong Zhao’s illegitimate “Imperial Grandson” was being raised in the Marquis Jingyuan’s mansion…
This was undoubtedly a source of embarrassment for Emperor Chong Zhao…
The Emperor knew well that the old minister’s plea for his son was laden with unspoken meaning.
“My beloved minister, please return home and rest assured. I will immediately order the Jingzhao Prefecture to investigate thoroughly and do their utmost to find your son.”
Upon hearing this, the Marquis Jingyuan heavily kowtowed on the ground.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your immense grace!”
As he was about to withdraw, Emperor Chong Zhao suddenly called out to him.
“Your son’s misappropriation of treasury silver and personal enrichment was truly heinous. Fortunately, the Marquis’s Mansion promptly returned the ill-gotten gains, demonstrating their remorse… Alas, I value your loyalty, and your son is still young, perhaps he was misled. If he is found, let him take a leisurely post at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices…”
The Marquis Jingyuan kowtowed again, his voice filled with gratitude.
“I will certainly discipline my son strictly and serve diligently to repay Your Majesty’s kindness.”
The Emperor offered a few more words of comfort before the Marquis Jingyuan bowed and withdrew.
That day, the constables of the Jingzhao Prefecture were dispatched and began a widespread search throughout the city.
The matter became the talk of the town…
However, no one expected that Gu Jie would return home that very night.
He entered stealthily through the corner gate, like a lone spirit, his face ashen and gaunt, clearly having endured great hardship.
Madam Chun was reciting Buddhist scriptures in her room. Upon seeing her son, the prayer beads in her hands slipped, clattering to the floor.
“My son!”
She rushed forward, grabbing Gu Jie’s sleeve and examining him. When she saw the marks on his neck, a sob escaped her throat.
“Where have you been these past few days? And who has harmed you so…”
“Mother, I am fine.” Gu Jie shook his head, avoiding his mother’s hand. His voice was icy, and his expression deeply somber. “It is my filial impiety. I gambled with some ruffians and lost everything, so I dared not return home…”
Madam Chun, her eyes teary, chided, “You foolish child, how could you be so thoughtless and cause your parents such worry day and night? Quickly tell us, who plotted against you, so your father can seek justice for you…”
“Chun Niang.” The Marquis Jingyuan stepped forward at the opportune moment, stopping the indignant Madam Chun from further questioning. He cast a deep look at Gu Jie.
“Fifth Son is tired from his journey. Let him return to his room to bathe and change, and rest for a night before we discuss things in detail.”
Gu Jie looked at his father gratefully, bowed, and clasped his hands.
“I take my leave, Mother and Father.”
Upon returning to Qi Wu Courtyard, Gu Jie locked himself in the study. Without asking for water to wash, he sat alone, gazing at the falling rain outside the window.
Slowly, he placed a hand over his chest—
Ping Le’s ferocious laughter in the dungeon, the glowing branding iron, were like a nightmare.
Ping Le had not taken his life, but had found other ways to torment him.
Hysterical entanglement, demands like a madwoman, wishing to wring out his last shred of dignity…
Humiliation, unwillingness.
What should have been an act of love was devoid of any pleasure.
Xue Liu’s cold, clear face repeatedly appeared in his mind, and the sizzling sound of the branding iron on her waist when he was young…
“Bang!”
The study door was suddenly pushed open.
Xue Yueying’s sharp voice, laced with mockery, rang out.
“Oh, has Imperial Son-in-law Gu finally decided to return? Does the Princess’s Mansion not provide meals? Why do you look so disheveled?”
“Get out.” Gu Jie slowly turned his head, his gaze cold as he looked at her.
“Imperial Son-in-law Gu puts on quite an air.” Xue Yueying, already seething with anger, had intended to taunt him, but was startled by the ferocity churning in his eyes.
Her husband, who had always been gentle and refined, now had eyes like ice-cold blades.
He seemed like a completely different person…
“What’s wrong?” Xue Yueying’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Marrying a Princess is such an honor, and you still feel wronged?”
Gu Jie remained silent, staring intently at her, his gaze piercingly cold.
“I never knew my husband was so popular.” Xue Yueying swayed her hips and walked to Gu Jie’s side, glancing at him with seductive, mocking eyes.
“Princess Ping Le has caused a stir throughout the city for you, and even that Xue Liu has debased herself to come to the Marquis’s Mansion looking for you. Each one is more devoted than the last…”
Gu Jie’s body instantly tensed.
Hearing her mention Xue Liu, his sinister expression became even colder than before.
“I’ll say it again, get out!”
Xue Yueying smiled, entwined her arms around his, feigning a pout.
“What, did I hit a nerve? Are you angry?”
Seeing her push her luck, Gu Jie suddenly erupted. He stood up abruptly and slapped her hard across the face, then grabbed her wildly flailing arm and violently flung her away, his face contorted with rage.
“Bitch! Stop disgusting me!”
Xue Yueying stumbled back half a step.
He had always considered himself a scholar. Even when he knew she had an affair with Prince Wei and bore a child, he had never been so rough with her, let alone laid a hand on her…
Xue Yueying, covering her face, gritted her teeth and provoked him, “You can hit now? Gu Wulang, you’ve really grown up. Fine, if you have the guts, divorce me. Let’s go our separate ways from now on, with no ties between us…”
“I have no guts.” Gu Jie sneered. “I’m raising someone else’s son, what guts do I have? But Xue Si, you dream if you think you’ll gain your freedom to cling to a higher branch!”
Xue Yueying shrieked, “You—”
“What about me?” Gu Jie’s face darkened as he advanced, his hands digging deep into her neck.
The cold wind from his robes brushed past her face, and his low, hoarse laugh was like it came from hell.
“From now on, you will endure it. We will die together.”
Xue Yueying’s pupils dilated, her body stiffened with tension, and her breathing became difficult…
Madam Chun heard the commotion and came to the study door, knocking. “Fifth Son, Fifth Son, what are you doing… Don’t scare Mother…”
Gu Jie glanced at the door, slowly released his hands, and turned away.
“Get out!”
Xue Yueying was greatly frightened by his terrifying appearance.
Was this person still Gu Jie?
If Madam Chun had not arrived in time, he would have almost choked her to death.
Xue Yueying opened the door and ran out in disarray.
Madam Chun pushed the door open and entered. She saw the lingering redness in Gu Jie’s eyes and his face, as if scorched by fire, completely flushed.
She paused, then sighed softly, “Why are you arguing with her? She is a shameless woman. Since she wishes to climb higher, why don’t you let her go and find a good match for yourself, and live a good life.”
“No.” Gu Jie shook his head. “Mother, I want her. This life… I will be entangled with her until the end.”
Madam Chun couldn’t help but shiver.
Her son’s words sent a chill down her spine.
She could see that her son no longer had any affection for that woman, so why wouldn’t he let go?
Could it be that he still hoped she would return?
“My son, listen to your mother’s advice, a forced melon is not sweet…”
Madam Chun tried to persuade him further, but Gu Jie interrupted her coldly.
“Mother, I am tired and want to be alone…”
Madam Chun could not say more and merely sighed softly.
“It is your matter, you decide. Your father and I will not force you.”
She paused, then said gently, “Your father, for your sake, humbled himself before His Majesty and obtained a favor for you to take a position at the Court of Diplomatic Relations. This opportunity is hard-won, you must make amends and work diligently…”
Gu Jie looked up, a faint light appearing in his eyes.
Did he not wish to cherish all that he had?
But now, it was too late.
With no path to turn back, he could only go down this one road to the end…
“Mother!”
Gu Jie suddenly lifted his robe and knelt properly before Madam Chun, kowtowing.
“You and Father worked tirelessly to raise me and worried yourselves sick over me. It is my filial impiety—From now on, I will obey you both and never cause you any trouble again.”
Madam Chun’s nose stung, and she leaned down to embrace her son, weeping uncontrollably.
“Silly child, your parents only wish for your safety, what trouble could there be…”
—
In the early morning, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, falling upon the desk in Li Xiang Courtyard.
Xue Sui, dressed in a plain silk skirt, sat at the desk, diligently writing a prescription for Xue Ji’s recovery.
Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi stood with their hands clasped and heads bowed, their eyes fixed on their noses, silently attending to her.
The room was filled with a tranquil silence.
Only the faint rustling sound of the pen tip against paper could be heard.
At that moment, Jinshu entered hurriedly, lifting the curtain.
She first glanced at Xiao Zhao, signaling her to stand guard outside, then stepped forward, bowed to Xue Sui, and presented a letter with both hands.
“Young Lady, the Eldest Young Master sent this.”
Xue Sui’s fingertips paused slightly. She put down her brush and took the letter.
The letter contained only a few short words, yet they carried an undeniable power.
“The butterflies have begun to flap their wings, and the ants have bared their fangs.”
The ink was still fresh, the strokes powerful and penetrating.
The vengeful spirits of two hundred thousand soldiers were awakened by hatred, and the weak rescued from the Old Mausoleum Swamp had also clenched the sharp knives in their hands…
A swarm of ants would use their own methods to weave a vast, all-encompassing net.
At the center of the net lay the gray justice that had been dormant in the Old Mausoleum Swamp for decades…
The fire of revenge of the common people would also stir countless tiny gears, turning the wheel of fate…
Li Zhao: When will my gears turn?
Xue Sui: They are stuck…
