Chapter 103 [VIP]

Sese's heavy makeup concealed her expression, but it couldn't hide the panic in her eyes.

His only task was to get the eldest princess to destroy Gong Hai herself, but now the eldest princess has also been stabbed. What should he do...?

"Princess!"

The guards cried out and rushed over, pushing Sese aside.

Xie Jing, who was still on the second floor, also turned pale and rushed downstairs. When he passed Gu Zhizhuo, he paused for a moment, as if to say: What are you doing here?

But he clearly didn't have time to think about it and walked away quickly.

Ji Nanke also looked over at Gu Zhizhuo, her gaze shifting left and right before settling on Xie Yingchen.

Who is this person?

She had caught a glimpse of him from afar when she was at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but at the time she only regarded him as a guest and did not pay any attention to him.

Ji Nanke lived in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and even though she kept to herself, she knew that the emperor had arranged another marriage for Gu Zhizhuo, and that the marriage was to the former crown prince.

The two were very intimate; could he be Xie Yingchen?

This was completely different from what Ji Nanke had originally imagined.

He had been a hostage in Liang for many years, and his health was frail. Ji Nanke had thought that his experience as a hostage would make him sensitive, suspicious, and gloomy. His frail body had also made him emaciated and pale as a ghost. However, she never expected him to be such a handsome and ethereal figure, with an open and honest gaze and extraordinary demeanor. In comparison, Xie Jing had more of a childlike quality, an innocence as if he had grown up in a honey pot.

Ji Nanke's fingers curled up, the tips of which were slightly white. No wonder Gu Zhizhuo gave up her marriage to Xie Jing so readily.

So it wasn't because Xie Jing had fallen for him. That's fine, then his last shred of guilt towards her is gone.

"Eldest Princess!"

"Eldest Princess!!"

Xie Jing shouted loudly, his voice filled with anxiety.

Ji Nanke quickened her pace and followed him down.

A dagger was stuck in Zhaoyang's lower abdomen. The stab was so deep that the entire dagger was submerged inside her abdomen, with only the handle remaining outside.

Blood kept gushing out. It didn't seem like much bleeding, but if the dagger were pulled out directly, the bleeding would definitely become unstoppable. However, if one didn't know how to pull it out...

Zhao Yang gasped for breath, her pupils gradually losing their luster.

"Miss Gu!"

Ji Nanke looked up and called out, "I heard you are skilled in medicine, so please come and treat the eldest princess."

Everyone around looked over, and what came into view was a girl holding a tabby cat. She stood in front of the second-floor railing, looking down with a half-smile.

"don't want."

"Even if you and the eldest princess are at odds, one cannot simply stand by and watch someone die!"

"First ask the Third Prince beside you if he dares to let me save him."

Looking back, Ji Nanke realized that it was Xie Jing who told her about Gu Zhizhuo's medical skills in saving Prime Minister Song at the Xiangxi Tower.

Xie Jing hesitated for a long time, but he really wanted to say that he believed her.

But, given that her elder sister had bullied her time and again, would she really do her best to save her? Even if she did, if something happened to her elder sister, would she blame her for not saving her and doubt that she had put in any effort?

Thinking about it this way, for Gu Zhizhuo, saving people would only bring her harm and no benefit. Given her current wicked nature, if she dared to ask Gu Zhizhuo to save her, Gu Zhizhuo would dare to leave her lying here like her eldest sister.

Xie Jing was intimidated as soon as he saw her, and immediately said, "Go and call the doctor."

"Your Highness?" Ji Nanke didn't understand. "Miss Gu is skilled in medicine, why go to such lengths instead of seeking medical help from nearby places?"

"Ke'er, you don't understand. I'll explain it to you later," Xie Jing said casually, then ordered, "Go and fetch the imperial physician. I remember Physician Liu is off today. His residence is close by, so go directly there. Hurry!"

"No one else is allowed to go out."

The guards rushed out of the theater; this time, none of them dared to delay any longer.

If the eldest princess survives the assassination attempt, her personal guards will at most receive a few lashes and be dismissed from their posts.

If they are gone, they will fail to protect their master and will surely die, and may even implicate their families.

The theater was in complete chaos. Ji Nanke frowned. Xie Jing was not young, but he was still as impulsive as ever. Why keep everyone here at this time? Wouldn't that just make things worse?

Why is Gu Zhizhuo so calm and composed?

She was clearly impatient, stubborn, and unwilling to admit defeat. If it were in the past, his words just now would have forced her to come down and treat the eldest princess.

She said her body and soul were not one; could it be that Gu Zhizhuo was also someone whose body and soul were not one?!

The moment this thought crossed Ji Nanke's mind, a cold glint appeared in her eyes.

Gu Zhizhuo lowered his head and only looked at the compass.

When the Li trigram enters the northwest, it signifies certain death, unexpected misfortunes, setbacks in all endeavors, and the possibility of bloodshed.

The change in Gong Hai's fate means that Xie Jing will lose one of his most important allies, and thus miss a golden opportunity to take control of the military and political affairs.

Without the support of the Duke of Zhenguo's immense fortune, Ji Nanke's own luck is gradually waning. This woman destined for good fortune no longer seems capable of bestowing much blessing upon Xie Jing. Some things should probably begin to be done, such as those concerning the Ji family and Gu Yan…

Fate has been decided.

There's nothing interesting to see anymore.

"Young master, let's go eat. There's a rose-flavored fish fillet that's especially delicious."

"Watch the cat, don't let it take it from me."

A series of hurried footsteps and panting breaths could be heard from below.

"The doctor is here! The doctor is here!"

There was a clinic on the main street where the Xiangxi Tower was located, and soon the guards brought a doctor.

The horrific scene in the lobby startled the doctors, who quickly grabbed their medical kits and ran over.

He checked her pulse on both sides, sweating profusely, wanting to say he couldn't save her. But hearing them address her as "Your Highness" and "Princess," and realizing they were all extremely important people, he could only do his best to stop the bleeding and keep her alive. Fortunately, the imperial physician arrived shortly afterward.

People on the street peeked out and whispered among themselves.

Even though Xie Jing ordered the people in the theater not to leave, he still couldn't stop the gossip. One impeachment memorial after another flew to the emperor's front. He paced back and forth anxiously a few times, and finally decided to leave the palace in disguise.

Zhao Yang has been moved to the Princess's residence. Gong Hai was more seriously injured, so Xie Jing brought him to the Princess's residence as well, so that the imperial physicians could stay with him without having to run back and forth.

Upon hearing that the emperor had arrived, Xie Jing immediately went out to greet him.

"How is Zhaoyang?"

“Father, the imperial physician said that if he can make it through tonight, he might survive. But Lord Gong…” Xie Jing said with some difficulty, “Lord Gong’s life is not in immediate danger, but from now on… he will be no different from the palace eunuchs.”

The emperor rubbed his temples wearily: "What exactly happened?"

"Is it true that someone has impeached your eldest sister for abusing her power, being arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute?!"

Xie Jing recounted the entire incident in detail.

While in the private room, he heeded Ji Nanke's advice. Ke'er said that his eldest sister was, after all, his elder sister, and he couldn't help Gong Hai "bully" her. However, if he helped his eldest sister, he would completely offend Gong Hai. Even if Gong Hai were to be dismissed, he had commanded the Imperial Guards for many years, wielding considerable prestige within the army and maintaining good relationships with many court officials and military generals. Offending him for the sake of an actress would be detrimental to Xie Jing's future. Xie Jing thought about it and agreed, so he didn't leave.

It's too late to regret it now.

He stammered, "Your Majesty, I think this matter is too embarrassing. If I go out again, whether to mediate or separate the two, it will only make the royal family a laughing stock. I thought they would only argue for a few words."

He carefully observed the emperor's expression, his voice gradually softening: "My eldest sister and Lord Gong have been vying for that actress before; everyone in the capital knows it."

"I never expected that my eldest sister would push Lord Gong down, and even step on his..."

Xie Jing lowered his head and said with remorse, "It was your son who failed to handle the matter properly."

"Where is that actor?"

“The actor… I didn’t bring him with me.”

Actually, before his eldest sister fell into a coma, she told him not to hand over Sese, because he was quite afraid of his sister.

The emperor's face was somber, and he said nothing.

He went to see Zhaoyang and Gong Hai, waiting until the third watch of the night. The imperial physician finally said that Zhaoyang had survived, but the dagger had pierced her uterus, making it difficult for her to have children in the future. Gong Hai's injury was more serious. Most of the palace eunuchs were castrated at a young age, so their wounds healed relatively faster. However, Gong Hai was already over fifty years old, and even though his life was not in danger, he suffered from persistent high fevers.

The emperor was in a complete panic. With court about to begin, he still managed to summon Shen Xu.

The Eastern Depot's spies were all over the capital, and the answers they got from Shen Xu were more accurate and detailed.

Even though the emperor was unwilling to admit it, he was finally convinced that his daughter was really that stupid. For the sake of an actor, she openly smashed up the theater, as if she wanted everyone to know.

"idiot."

Even if she's a bit dim-witted, she's still his own daughter. She's his first child, and although he regretted that she was a daughter at birth, otherwise she would have been the late emperor's eldest grandson, he watched her grow up from a tiny little thing.

As the emperor walked out of the princess's residence, he remained silent for a long time before suddenly saying, "Ah Xu, what do you think I should do?"

They cannot refrain from imposing a punishment, but how should they do so?

Gong Hai was more seriously injured, and in such a place. Moreover, Zhao Yang struck first. If Gong Hai were arrested and imprisoned, even the emperor would feel somewhat guilty.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, even if the emperor was biased, he could not place all the blame on Gong Hai.

If Zhaoyang were to choose a secluded place to run wild, he could protect her to some extent.

"Your Majesty, what do you think about having the eldest princess married as soon as possible?"

Shen Xu spoke casually, and the emperor's expression immediately turned cold, his icy gaze falling on Shen Xu's face.

"Your Majesty, the eldest princess injured someone first. Are you willing to punish her?"

Shen Xu showed no fear whatsoever. His long eyelashes trembled slightly as he slowly said, "Although Lord Gong injured the eldest princess, it was understandable. Your Majesty, can you punish him?"

"Lord Gong has served in the Imperial Guard for over a decade, and everyone in the Imperial Guard obeys his every command. If His Majesty were to forcibly convict him, Lord Gong would surely harbor resentment."

The emperor sighed inwardly, his gaze softening.

He traveled incognito, without using a royal carriage.

After he got into the carriage, he said to Shen Xu, "You come up too." The carriage was spacious and comfortable, and could fit seven or eight people.

Shen Xu lifted the hem of his robe and stepped forward.

After sitting down, he continued, "Lord Gong has no children yet."

Gong Hai's principal wife had married three times, but none of them had fathered a child. Now, Zhao Yang had deprived her of her manhood; anyone would want to strangle that girl. Gong Hai couldn't be severely punished, or it might force him to rebel. Thinking this, the emperor silently nodded.

Shen Xu's idea was truly the best one: to marry Zhaoyang off as soon as possible and keep the matter completely confined within the manor to avoid constant gossip. If the two could reconcile and live a peaceful life, that would be fine; having Gong Hai adopt a child from a close branch of the family in the future would at least ensure the continuation of the family line. But if they continued fighting and killing like this, then…

The emperor steeled himself and decided to give him his daughter in return.

Compared to the stability of the empire, nothing else matters. At worst, I can give Zhaoyang a few more guards as part of her dowry; I won't suffer any losses in a fight.

"Let's use the excuse of a marriage to bring good luck to get them married as soon as possible. The feng shui of the Princess's residence is not good, which is not conducive to the eldest princess's recovery. After the wedding, let the eldest princess move into the Gong residence."

“Gong Hai stabbed the princess, committing insubordination. Considering his past service, he may be spared the death penalty, but he will not escape punishment. Ah Xu, after the eldest princess marries into the family, have the Embroidered Uniform Guard seal off the Gong residence and confine the two of them there.”

Ah Xu is absolutely right. Gong Hai has been in the Five Armies Commandery for far too long, long enough that the Imperial Guards are completely subservient to him. If he's imprisoned, even if he has three heads and six arms, his influence within the Imperial Guards will naturally diminish over time.

She had pardoned him from the crime of assassinating the princess and even gave him a princess in return. No one could say that she was discarding him after he had served his purpose.

Li Deshun knelt silently to one side.

The Emperor is a cold-hearted man. No matter how much the Eldest Princess was favored before, he could abandon her at will. Without the Emperor's support, and with the Eldest Princess forbidden from returning to her residence, and after injuring Lord Gong so badly, what will become of her in the future…?

Li Deshun could easily imagine how "lively" the Gong family's life would be from now on.

The emperor rubbed his temples: "Now that the position of Left Commander of the Five Armies Commandery is vacant, who can take over?"

"What does Your Majesty think of the Prince of Jin's heir?"

"Qi Yun?"

Xie Qiyun has made a mess of the Western Frontier, and now it has reached the point where officials are forcing the people to rebel. What ability does he have to serve as the Left Admiral?

"Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness," Shen Xuyin said softly, with a hint of seduction. "With the Crown Prince far away in the Western Frontier, you have lost control over Prince Jin. For the past few years, Prince Jin has refused to allow the Crown Prince to be transferred back to the capital. But now, with external troubles and such a good position vacant, Prince Jin will surely be tempted. You can bring the Western Frontier under your control. Furthermore, changing the general will also quell the civil unrest, achieving three goals at once."

The emperor's fingers tapped lightly on the jade pendants at his waist as he murmured, "...Let me think about it."

Shen Xu knew the emperor very well, so his words meant he was interested.

Indeed, the emperor was tempted.

He had been thinking about this matter ever since he sat on the dragon throne in the Golden Palace.

Today's court affairs are primarily focused on impeaching the Grand Princess and Gong Hai. The court officials are indignant and demand severe punishment. However, when the Emperor finally stated his intentions, the entire court fell silent, as if stunned, and no one raised any further objections.

The emperor breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully I listened to Ah Xu, otherwise it would have been so noisy today.

The emperor ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the wedding within three days, ensuring that the eldest princess could marry into the family as soon as possible.

The second thing, of course, was for the Western Frontier.

After a few words, the court erupted into another uproar, with many demanding that the Prince of Jin's heir commit suicide to appease public anger.

Public anger is indignant, and the western frontier is in turmoil.

For the sake of the country and its people, the Crown Prince of Jin should atone for his sins with his death.

The Prince of Jin's face was terribly pale. He kept glancing at Shen Xu, who was standing at the very front. Finally, Shen Xu gave him a slight nod of mercy.

The Prince of Jin was relieved.

"Prince Jin," the emperor called out.

"yes."

Prince Jin took a step into the hall, his eyes dark and heavy, as if he hadn't closed them for a long time.

The Emperor was deep in thought. Xie Qiyun was the Prince of Jin's only legitimate son, and the Prince of Jin treated him with the same fervor he had for Jing'er, placing high hopes on him. If he were to force him to make the heir atone with his death, the Prince of Jin would surely use "that matter" to threaten him again in order to protect the heir.

His own indulgence had emboldened the Prince of Jin's ambition. Only by transferring the heir apparent back to the capital and keeping the entire family under his watchful eye could he be kept in check.

The emperor raised his hand slightly, and after the hall quieted down, he slowly said, "Xie Qiyun has served in the Western Frontier for many years and has made great contributions. Let him be transferred back to the capital to serve as the Left Admiral of the Five Armies Commandery."

Prince Jin was overjoyed. If he could show it too obviously, he would have loved to immediately go and thank Shen Xu profusely.

He was almost driven to the brink of desperation, but unexpectedly, he actually managed to do it.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Immediately, some people voiced their opposition.

The Crown Prince Xie Qiyun's reckless behavior in the Western Frontier has aroused public outrage. Not only did the Emperor not punish him, but he also gave him such an important position after he returned to the capital. This is truly unfair!

Without the emperor saying anything, all dissenting voices were repeatedly suppressed by the Prince of Jin's faction.

The King of Jin was determined to win, and not only refuted his arguments but also brought up old grievances.

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War objected.

He then impeached the Left Vice Minister of War for being unfilial, allowing his stepmother to suffer from lack of ice in summer and charcoal in winter, being mistreated by servants, breaking her leg and becoming bedridden with no one to care for her, and suffering from bedsores all over her body.

The Left Censor-in-Chief said no.

He then accused him of having an affair with his stepmother and of father and son sharing a concubine, which was against heaven and reason.

As expected. Xie Yingchen lowered his eyes. Over the years, the Prince of Jin had sent many beauties to various mansions and held many people's secrets in his hands. If he didn't do anything, it would be fine, but once he made a move, he could turn the court upside down.

Originally, Prince Jin was very careful and would not easily use these incriminating points, but now he doesn't care anymore because of Xie Qiyun.

The voices of opposition gradually subsided, and no one knew whether they had any leverage over the Prince of Jin.

Before the Grand Secretary could speak, Xie Yingchen shook his head at him. Grand Secretary Song hesitated for a moment, then swallowed his words.

An eerie silence fell over the room, as if everyone were frozen in fear.

The emperor sat on his dragon throne, with a clear view of everything: "Send Xie Qiyun, the heir apparent of the Prince of Jin, back to the capital, and appoint him as the commander-in-chief of the Western Frontier..."

Prince Jin remembered what he had promised Shen Xu, and quickly said, "Your Majesty, Jiang Youzheng, the garrison commander of Aur City, served as a centurion in Baleh City in the twentieth year of Taiyuan. When the Liang Kingdom invaded the border, he held the city gates and refused to open them, thus protecting the people of the city. Now, the people of the Western Frontier are filled with resentment. Jiang Youzheng is deeply trusted by the people, so it is most appropriate to appoint him as the commander-in-chief."

The emperor's gaze deepened, then settled into a single word: "Approved."

"I hereby appoint Jiang Youzheng as the General Commander of the Western Frontier. From this day forward, no more military supervisors will be appointed in the Western Frontier. I hereby issue the imperial decree that Jiang Youzheng lead his troops to quell the Liang people."

A series of imperial edicts were issued.

The Grand Secretary stepped forward and reported the third matter: "Your Majesty, there will be an earthquake in Qingzhou in August..."

The emperor, with a stern face, rebuked, "These are misleading and heretical words; you must not mention them again."

The thunder in broad daylight, the hail in the summer, and now the earthquake in Qingzhou are all just to say that this emperor is unrighteous and has angered Heaven!

"Your Majesty, this earthquake will endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of people..."

A note from the author: