"Pah!" Gu Zhixing turned his head away and struggled to sit up.

Grandpa Gao quickly went over to help Gu Zhixing up, carefully lifting him up.

"What do you mean? What are you trying to do by tying me up like this?" Gu Zhixing asked irritably.

The eunuch Gao said in a fawning tone, "My little ancestor, this is His Majesty's will. Otherwise, how could this old servant dare to treat you like this?"

"The Emperor, my uncle?" Gu Zhixing's eyes darted around in their sockets before he asked, "Why did the Emperor, my uncle, tie me up?"

Eunuch Gao seemed hesitant, wanting to speak but holding back.

Finally, he only instructed, "This servant does not know why, but after you arrive, please do not say anything carelessly that might anger His Majesty."

Gu Zhixing was still puzzled and pressed him for more information, but Gao Gonggong refused to say anything more.

Gu Zhixing didn't understand, but Shen Jintang roughly understood.

Needless to say, everyone knows that it was Grand Tutor Shen who made the move. He wanted to resolve the problems caused by his own troubles, but Shen Jintang couldn't be sure how he would resolve them for the time being.

The carriage moved slowly forward in the morning light, its wheels creaking rhythmically as they rolled over the stone pavement.

Inside the carriage, Shen Jintang sat on the cushions, her gaze lingering through the gaps in the curtains as she looked at the gradually deserted streets outside.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, dappling the walls of the carriage and causing it to sway gently with the rhythm of the carriage.

Upon reaching the palace gate, the carriage could no longer proceed. Shen Jintang and Gu Zhixing alighted from the carriage and, led by Eunuch Gao, walked into the palace.

The magnificent palace gleamed, its red walls and green tiles reflecting each other's beauty. Beside the palace wall, a large tree stood quietly, the autumn dew condensing into white frost, covering its leaves and adding a touch of serene beauty to the scene.

Shen Jintang stood in the shadow of the palace, her heart filled with complex emotions.

"What are you standing there for? Let's go!"

Gu Zhixing's voice rang in her ears, carrying a kind of naive foolishness.

Shen Jintang let out a soft breath. It's good to have a noble status. No matter what you do, someone will take responsibility for you. Unlike me, I have to plan my steps carefully, afraid of losing my life somewhere.

"Hmm." Seeing that Gu Zhixing was staring at her, Shen Jintang could only nod to indicate that she had heard him.

"Follow me." Eunuch Gao led the way.

The palace gates slowly opened in front of Shen Jintang, creaking heavily.

She stood on the threshold, took a deep breath, and felt the faint scent of sandalwood in the air, which gradually calmed her heartbeat. She stepped inside, her steps becoming firmer as she walked on the cool stone slabs.

"Your Highness, please follow this old servant."

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Eunuch Gao stopped Shen Jintang and invited only Gu Zhixing in.

Shen Jintang frowned. If she didn't go in, what would happen inside would be completely beyond her control.

She dislikes moments when her fate is decided by others.

"Um."

Gu Zhixing was about to step in when his sleeve was suddenly tugged. Looking down, he saw Shen Jintang's worried eyes.

"Your Highness, no matter what happens in a little while, you must trust me, okay?" Shen Jintang said.

Gu Zhixing glanced at Shen Jintang, made up his mind, and said, "If you are still useful to me, I will naturally protect your life."

"Gao Xi, she is my person. Tell your men to be careful," Gu Zhixing instructed.

"Your Highness, please rest assured, this old servant knows what to do." Gao Xi led Gu Zhixing into the Imperial Study.

Shen Jintang stood at the door of the Imperial Study until Gu Zhixing's figure disappeared from sight, and only then did the unease in her heart gradually spread.

The Shen family is a den of foxes, and Gu Zhixing is someone who relies on his noble status and acts without considering the consequences. He might fall into the Shen family's trap when he gets to the emperor, and even if he is right, he will be wrong.

"Miss, please rest here for a while." Following Gu Zhixing's instructions, Gao Xi arranged for a young eunuch to look after Shen Jintang.

Shen Jintang nodded slightly and, following the little eunuch's guidance, sat down on the chair to the left of the door and waited quietly.

But as soon as I sat down, I heard a "thump."

The teacup fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

Upon hearing the commotion coming from inside the Imperial Study, Shen Jintang immediately stood up and looked inside.

“Miss, His Majesty has not yet summoned you, so you cannot enter,” the eunuch standing behind Shen Jintang reminded her.

Shen Jintang realized his lapse in composure, so he sat back down in his chair and said, "Thank you for reminding me, Father-in-law."

Her fingers curled slightly, and she felt uneasy. She was currently walking on thin ice in Kyoto, and her only bargaining chip was Gu Zhixing.

Gu Zhixing wanted to use her to take revenge on Grand Tutor Shen. This was the only thing she could do to connect with Gu Zhixing. If she lost Gu Zhixing's protection, she would only have...

Shen Jintang tilted her head slightly, closed her eyes, and hoped that Gu Zhixing would be a little smarter.

However, faint sounds could be heard from inside the hall: there were cries, angry shouts, and most of all, Gu Zhixing's cursing.

Hearing the angry curses coming from inside the hall, Shen Jintang frowned more and more. He had really overestimated him; he was so impatient.

Gu Zhixing can act recklessly because he has the confidence to do so, but she can't. She has to find a way to maneuver and at least not let Gu Zhixing suffer a complete defeat.

After a moment's thought, Shen Jintang had a plan in mind.

"My lord, when will His Highness the Prince finish court?"

The young eunuch looked at Shen Jintang with a somewhat subtle expression, unsure whether he should answer.

“I didn’t mean anything by it. I just thought that even if His Highness the Crown Prince angered His Majesty, he is still His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty’s nephew. No matter what, they are still family.”

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