顾轻舟 looked thoughtfully at the righteous First Prince, then picked up her teacup and leisurely took a sip.
Eunuch Liu stood silently by. Lord Gu was indeed the Emperor's most trusted minister. Even when accused by the First Prince of having private dealings with the Forbidden Dragon Guards, Lord Gu appeared as if nothing had happened.
"The Forbidden Dragon Guards were acting under orders." The Emperor gestured for Eunuch Liu to return the letter to the First Prince. Recalling what Gu Qingzhou had said earlier, the Emperor's expression was slightly troubled. Could Wu Yan possibly be interested in a young girl?
It was normal for him not to fly into a rage. The First Prince knew the Emperor's demeanor well – unruffled even when faced with a mountain of pressure.
However, seeing the Emperor on the dragon throne looking perfectly normal, without a hint of displeasure, made the First Prince clench his fists. Did his father trust Gu Qingzhou and Yin Wu Yan this much?
Seeing his eldest son's face struggling to suppress his emotions, a flicker of disappointment flashed in the Emperor's eyes. But his voice was as kind and gentle as ever, "Since you have nothing else, accompany me for a game of chess."
Gu Qingzhou stood up and smiled, "Your Majesty, you are bullying the young."
The First Prince had a volatile temper and was not skilled at chess. Moreover, with his failed accusation and unstable emotions, playing chess with the Emperor would only lead to utter defeat.
"This humble son's chess skills are not refined." While playing chess with the Emperor was usually an honor, the First Prince had no choice but to sit down.
A quarter of an hour later, the First Prince's expression grew even more grim. The large black dragon on the board was completely surrounded by white pieces, with no hope of survival. Not only did he lose this game, but it was a crushing defeat.
Watching the First Prince leave, Gu Qingzhou picked up a black piece and placed it on the board. "Resilience in the face of绝处逢生."
The Emperor's gaze sharpened, and his expression became more serious. He then quickly made his move. For a time, black and white pieces clashed on the board, but ultimately, the black pieces were defeated. However, the white pieces had only won a pyrrhic victory.
"Has Your Excellency been holding back your skills as well?" the Emperor asked meaningfully. Normally, their games were evenly matched, but seeing Gu Qingzhou's play just now, it was clear he had been restraining himself.
When asked, Gu Qingzhou let out a hearty laugh. "If I didn't have to attend court, I guarantee I could beat Your Majesty every day."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor lightly pointed at Gu Qingzhou and shook his head helplessly. Playing chess was mentally taxing. It was fine as a pastime, but if one devoted all their energy to it, there would truly be no time for official duties.
After a while, seeing that the Emperor and Lord Gu were about to leave the hall, Eunuch Liu, without even bothering to clear the chessboard, hurried after them. He kept a distance behind them, ensuring he could immediately step forward to serve when summoned by the Emperor, but also maintaining enough distance to not overhear their conversation.
To the left of the Imperial Study, through a corridor, lay an exquisite courtyard. Unlike the abundant blossoms of the Imperial Garden, this garden was planted with tall trees, exuding a tranquil yet spacious atmosphere.
"Geng'er is being overly clever this time." Sitting down in the pavilion, the Emperor sighed, "He actually thinks I will suppress them, his brothers. So he deliberately created a facade of being brave but lacking in strategy. The reason I haven't established a Crown Prince is precisely because none of his brothers are capable of shouldering such a great responsibility!"
If any other minister heard about the establishment of the Crown Prince, they would surely be filled with trepidation. Only Gu Qingzhou chuckled ungraciously, "Children are all burdens. It's too late for Your Majesty to regret it now."
Lord Gu, who was unmarried and had no such burdens, found the scenery of the courtyard pleasing no matter how he looked at it.
The Emperor, rendered speechless, looked at Gu Qingzhou's gloating expression and unceremoniously struck back. "Your Excellency's words are premature. Your little disciple is nine years old this year and will be of age in a few years. When a daughter is ready for marriage, many suitors will flock to her. I hope Your Excellency won't be overwhelmed by choices."
Lord Gu, who had been attacked, froze, feeling that the scenery was no longer pleasing and he was no longer comfortable.
Eunuch Liu, leading a few young eunuchs carrying food boxes, brought tea and snacks. Seeing the Emperor in high spirits, he once again felt that the First Prince's accusation was a foolish move.
After the tea, various pastries, and fruit platters were laid on the table, Eunuch Liu led his men to retreat to a distance to stand guard.
Gu Qingzhou poured tea and handed it to the Emperor, then returned to the main topic. "Your Majesty has never intended to establish a Crown Prince, so the princes will naturally overthink things. This is human nature; those involved are often blind."
The First Prince was hiding his true abilities, and what about the Second Prince in the Ministry of Personnel? They were all afraid of being envied by the Emperor for their outstanding abilities, so they acted timidly in their official duties. The more they acted this way, the less the Emperor thought of his sons, and the less likely he was to establish a Crown Prince, creating a vicious cycle.
"So it is only natural that I favor Wu Yan," the Emperor laughed.
However, recalling Gu Qingzhou's earlier words, he couldn't help but say, "Qingzhou, I have already made it clear that Wu Yan's marriage is his own decision. You must not obstruct him in the future!"
Yin Wu Yan did not covet the throne. He and the Emperor were not father and son, yet they were closer than any of the princes. Therefore, the First Prince's accusation was more like a farce. If Yin Wu Yan harbored any disloyal intentions, his marriage partner would definitely not be Zhan Feiyu.
Both Yin Wu Yan and Gu Qingzhou held considerable power, but precisely because they were solitary officials, their power stemmed entirely from the Emperor. If they ever lost the Emperor's favor, they would be like tigers with their fangs removed, posing no great threat.
The Emperor's true concern was the powerful ministers in court, most of whom came from aristocratic families with centuries of history and deep foundations. Take the First Prince's maternal family, the Chen family, for example, which had dominated Jiangnan Dao for nearly a century.
The Chen family's influence in Jiangnan even surpassed that of the current Emperor. All officials serving in Jiangnan Dao had intricate connections with the Chen family. As for officials like Prefect Zhang, they were either bribed or had their powers usurped. If they were stubborn, they might even meet a tragic end.
Besides the aristocratic families in various prefectures and counties, those who could make the Emperor wary and guarded were the generals in court and at the borders. As the saying goes, a scholar's rebellion would not succeed in ten years! Without military power, talk of rebellion was merely armchair strategy. Half of the Great Qing Dynasty's military power was in the Emperor's hands, and the other half was dispersed.
Why did Prince Yu "hang up his armor and return to farming"? In the end, it was to reassure the Emperor. The First Prince's insinuation that Gu Qingzhou and Yin Wu Yan were colluding with disloyal intentions was treated by the Emperor as a joke.
Of course, there was also a personal emotional element. These two were, after all, the Emperor's most trusted minister and nephew.
"Wu Yan has suffered too much over the years. It's good that he now has a young girl he is close to." The Emperor put down his teacup, unconsciously revealing his affection for his nephew, Yin Wu Yan.
The outside world did not know that Wu Yan was the Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Guards, only that he served within them. This identity, loathed by everyone in court, also made it impossible for Yin Wu Yan to associate with the young masters of the capital's aristocratic families.
Furthermore, the princes in the palace had been jealous of Yin Wu Yan's favor with the Emperor since childhood and had jointly ostracized him. Coupled with Yin Wu Yan's cold and arrogant demeanor, the two parties maintained a respectful distance.
Having been in an environment of constant bloodshed and combat, the Emperor was pleased to see Yin Wu Yan willing to get close to an ordinary young girl.
Thinking that Yin Wu Yan had indeed been traveling to Jiangnan more frequently in the past two years, and recalling the imperial gifts from the palace before the year, the previously indifferent Yin Wu Yan had requested fabrics and some pearls and gems. The Emperor finally began to believe it.
Like a father concerned about his son, the Emperor couldn't help but gossip with Gu Qingzhou, "Isn't your little disciple afraid of Wu Yan?"
It wasn't that the Emperor was being dismissive, but Yin Wu Yan's cold face alone was enough to make young children cry themselves to sleep. Years ago, some concubines, seeing the Emperor's concern for Yin Wu Yan, had tried to have young princes and princesses build a relationship with him.
But who would have thought that Yin Wu Yan's expressionless face, his abyss-like phoenix eyes, and the bloodthirsty aura surrounding him would directly frighten the young princes and princesses into crying uncontrollably? Two of them even developed a low-grade fever and convulsions at night. From then on, the concubines in the harem gave up this idea. It was better not to build a relationship and instead scare their hard-won princes and princesses to death.
"Wu Yan is a killer, and he is extremely perceptive. If someone covets power and status, they will have nowhere to hide," Gu Qingzhou laughed, and continued proudly, "My little disciple is like me."
As a Grand Scholar of the Cabinet, Gu Qingzhou had power but did not covet it. Wealth, status, and power were all secondary to him. Standing high, he could see far and think broadly. Gu Qingzhou's detached and indifferent attitude towards fame and fortune was also what the Emperor most wished to see.
As for Yin Wu Yan, the rumors that the Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Guards was a ruthless killer were not exaggerated. Although he executed only those who deserved it, the constant killing had forged Yin Wu Yan's cold and unfeeling personality. It was only Zhan Feiyu, whose schemes were always above board, that caught Yin Wu Yan's eye.
"I am even more curious about your little disciple." The Emperor recalled a stack of essays sent by the Dark Dragon Guards. The poems were passable, barely coherent.
However, Zhan Feiyu's essays and policy proposals were truly stunning. They were not the empty talk of some literati but sharp and insightful, filled with substance. If she were a man, she would undoubtedly be a pillar of the court in the future.
...
Huai County. The May sun was intense, but fortunately, the carriage windows were open, allowing a gentle breeze to flow in, preventing it from feeling too hot.
The innkeeper, standing at the entrance, saw the three carriages and immediately greeted them with a smile. "Are you guests here for a meal or lodging?"
"Five superior rooms." After a bumpy ride in the carriage, Chong Guang was the first to jump out. "And send some hot water to the rooms. Clear out a private room, and send up whatever your signature dishes are."
Seeing the wealthy Chong Guang, the innkeeper's smile became even more eager, as if he were looking at a god of wealth. "I'll attend to it immediately. Please come in, sirs. I'll have the carriages taken to the backyard first."
It was past mealtime, and there were few guests in the inn's main hall. Zhan Feiyu alighted from the carriage and looked around. The market here was more prosperous than that of Shangsi County.
"Miss, I'll go to the kitchen to take a look." He Nuan knew Zhan Feiyu's tastes best, and after the journey, it was not advisable to eat too much meat.
The inn employee pointed the way for He Nuan and led Zhan Feiyu and the others towards the guest rooms upstairs.
In a private room on the second floor, several drunken young masters stumbled towards the staircase. The leading young master wore a silk gown and a jade crown, but his sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced appearance, coupled with his unsteady gait and dark circles under his eyes, indicated a life of constant indulgence in wine and meat.
"Third Brother, I heard your aunt arranged for you to marry the eldest daughter of the Mei family?" The young master speaking was older, leaning against the railing on the second floor. He rubbed his temples, having drunk too much. "I heard she's a tigress."
Upon hearing this, Zhao San's face darkened, but he didn't speak. The other young masters burst into laughter. Everyone knew that Zhao San preferred delicate and tender young girls, especially those who were beautiful and well-behaved, and most importantly, young.
The eldest daughter of the Mei family was not unattractive, but she had an assertive personality. It was said that she had once publicly whipped a lecher with a horsewhip.
"She's for continuing the family line. What can I do when my parents died early?" Zhao San's voice was filled with disgust and disdain. The Mei family was merely a merchant family. "I'll take a few beautiful concubines later. Will that tigress dare to control me then..."
Zhao San suddenly fell silent. The other young masters followed his gaze down to the first floor. After a moment of silence, their faces lit up with lustful expressions, and they smiled lewdly.
"Third Brother, your luck is incredible. A beautiful little concubine has come to your doorstep!" The young man patted Zhao San's shoulder, concealing the disdain in his eyes. Zhao San only had this kind of taste.
What was the point of these young girls being beautiful? They were still young girls, with skinny figures. How could they compare to the charming and alluring seventeen or eighteen-year-old beauties, with their curves? Just looking at them made one unable to resist.
Yin Wu Yan's eyes suddenly darkened. The young masters upstairs were accustomed to their tyrannical behavior, and they had even deliberately raised their voices when speaking such vulgar words.
Chong Guang, who was trailing behind, looked at Zhao San and the others as if they were dead men. Daring to speak like that in front of Seventh Master, they were truly living on borrowed time.
Zhan Feiyu's experience with the most unruly young master was Chen Pangzi, who was still locked up in the prefectural prison. However, perhaps due to his Chen family background, Chen Pangzi, although arrogant and overbearing in his actions, was not like these people. Their lewd and vulgar expressions were sickening.
"The young girl looks unfamiliar. Are you not from Huai County?" Zhao San ignored the ordinary-looking Yin Wu Yan and lingered on Chong Guang, assuming they were Zhan Feiyu's guards.
He took a few steps towards the staircase and pretended to be suave, smiling, "Our Huai County has eight scenic spots. Why don't I, your brother, accompany you for a good tour?"
"Scram!" A cold voice rang out. Yin Wu Yan moved his wrist, and a piece of broken silver shot out.
Zhao San felt a sharp pain in his throat and immediately fell to his knees, clutching his neck and gasping for air. His face, originally flushed from alcohol, was now as pale as a dead man's.
What? The few young masters were stunned, not even bothering to leave as Zhan Feiyu and the other two did.
It wasn't until Zhao San removed his hand and saw the purplish-red swelling on his neck that the young masters, frightened, touched their own necks. If the force of that hidden weapon had been slightly greater, Zhao San would have likely met his end right there.
"Take me to the doctor..." His voice was hoarse, and sweat broke out all over his body with every word. Zhao San staggered to his feet, glanced at the broken silver that had fallen at his feet, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent.
The doctor's office was on the same street as the inn. Dr. Hu frowned upon seeing Zhao San and the others.
However, as a physician with a parent's heart, despite his dislike for these young masters who bullied men and women, he conscientiously examined Zhao San's throat.
"Did you bump into something? Fortunately, you came in time. If it swells any further and blocks the windpipe, you'll stop breathing." Dr. Hu quickly had the apprentice bring out a swelling-reducing and bruise-removing ointment and applied it to Zhao San's throat. He also prescribed medicine and had the apprentice prepare it for decoction.
"Drink one dose of medicine first, and take the remaining medicine back home, three times a day. For the next few days, try to eat less, stick to liquid food, and speak as little as possible." Dr. Hu glanced at the wound with confusion, finding it rather peculiar.
After the ointment was applied, the feeling of suffocation finally subsided. Zhao San roughly pushed away Dr. Hu, who was examining him, quickly picked up the prescription paper and pen from the table, and scribbled two lines of text before handing them to his sycophantic companions.
The young master lowered his head and read it. "Alright, I'll go to the yamen immediately and call for people."