Chapter 184 [VIP]

Oh my!

Zhong Fu was so frightened he almost cried.

Did he say something wrong? Oh no, he's going to lose his head. He wonders if he can still work without a head. A new set of clocks has been sent as tribute from Minzhou; I heard there are birds inside, but he hasn't seen them yet…

“Eunuch Zhong,” Gu Zhizhuo interrupted his chaotic thoughts at just the right moment, “Go on.”

Zhong Fu shrugged; he'd forgotten where he was.

Gu Zhizhuo pointed to the booklet, and Zhong Fu remembered it and quickly said, "Princess, it has been quite a while, and some of them either cannot be traced back to their original place or have changed hands several times and are difficult to find. According to the Crown Prince's decree, these are your compensation. Please take a look."

He then presented another booklet, which listed rare items carefully selected from the emperor's private treasury.

Yin Xiyan's tears were still clinging to her eyelashes. She took a deep breath and opened the booklet.

As I watched, I was speechless with astonishment.

Isn't this compensation too much?

As a child, Yin Xiyan came from a wealthy family. Even just by looking at the names and pictures in the book, she could guess that each item was a treasure, or even a unique piece.

The booklet felt incredibly heavy in her hands; it almost fell over.

Gu Zhizhuo gently covered the back of her hand with his own and steadily closed the booklet.

She asked with a smile, "Is everything ready at the county princess's residence?"

"Yes," Zhong Fu said with a smile, "Your Highness can move in immediately. When will you be moving, Your Highness?"

Zhong Fu remembered Wu Shang's instructions and made sure to ask her when she was moving so they could come and help.

Yin Xiyan looked at Gu Zhizhuo.

She wasn't one to hesitate in the face of adversity; however, having struggled and grown up in the world of prostitution, these events were far beyond her comprehension, leaving her somewhat at a loss.

Gu Zhizhuo said, "I'll help Sister Yin move, you don't need to bother."

"yes."

Zhong Fu hesitated for a moment, then obediently agreed, and finally left behind a house deed. This was the house deed for the county princess's residence.

Gu Zhizhuo gestured to Qingmei to see the person out.

As far as the inner court was concerned, Qingmei was one of their own, so Zhong Fu's attitude became much more relaxed.

Gu Zhizhuo glanced at the property deed and clapped his hands, saying, "Sister Yin, I recognize this place. It used to be a villa of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion. I remember it was a five-courtyard house. After the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion was raided and the proceeds were confiscated and put into the national treasury."

"It should have been renovated. After you move in, you can gradually decorate it to your liking."

The mansions and houses bestowed by the imperial court were all confiscated or forfeited, since rebuilding them would take a long time, more than a year or two, and there wasn't much vacant land in the capital. It would also require relocating the people, which would be too much of a burden on the people and a waste of resources.

The county magistrate's mansion needed repairs, and Yin Xiyan needed to rest in bed for a month, which is why the imperial decree for her investiture was delayed until now.

Gu Zhizhuo deliberately took his time to organize the booklets, giving her time to calm down.

Before long, Qingmei returned, followed by Tinglian.

She had just finished singing when she saw officials rushing towards the small courtyard, and many people coming to inquire about Gui Niang. Fearing that something had happened to Gui Niang, she hurriedly finished her song and rushed back.

Qingmei whispered in her ear, "Miss, there are quite a few people gathered at the entrance. They are servants from various households who are gathering information, pretending to be ordinary people watching the excitement. After Eunuch Zhong left, many people left to go back and report. Some people are asking the shopkeeper, and some are sneaking in, but..." The people the master had secretly left behind "stopped them."

Gu Zhizhuo nodded.

She handed the booklets back to Yin Xiyan, placing the house deed on top, and said with a smile, "Sister Yin, why don't we move in today?"

She didn't mind living here, but with so many people coming and going, she might accidentally bump into Sister Yin.

Yin Xiyan held the booklet to her chest, feeling her heart pounding.

Gu Zhizhuo said happily, "Let's move now, and you can invite me to stay for a housewarming dinner later."

Yin Xiyan smiled and readily agreed.

“Sister Tinglian.”

Yin Xiyan called out to Tinglian, "Do you want to move in with me?"

"I?"

Tinglian was startled and pointed at herself.

Gui Niang found her younger brother and was exonerated. She no longer had to live such a life of wandering and prostitution, which was better than anything else.

Tinglian was sold into a brothel as a child. Even if she redeemed herself, the label of "lowly" would stay with her for life. Having witnessed the fates of her fellow women, she was already disheartened.

Over the years, Gui Niang was the best home she had ever found. She was genuinely happy for Gui Niang, which seemed to encourage her to keep going, and perhaps she too could find a smooth path.

"Why don't you live with me?"

Ting Lian quickly said, "No, no, what kind of identity do I have?"

"Your status is my status." Yin Xiyan never felt there was anything shameful about the past. "I get bored living alone, so why don't you just keep me company?"

Yin Xiyan took her arm, and Ting Lian thought of the people who had rushed to inquire about Gui Niang, and was also afraid that because of her good temper, she would be bullied if she lived alone.

She agreed, thinking that she would stay with Gui Niang for a few days and then move back when Gui Niang's younger brother returned.

The move went very smoothly.

Yin Xiyan used to have no fixed abode and had almost nothing except a few changes of clothes and a pipa. Ting Lian was the same.

All you need is a horse-drawn carriage.

Gu Zhizhuo escorted them there. When Xie Yingchen ordered the Ministry of Works to repair the county magistrate's mansion, he did not arrange any servants, but merely informed Wu Shang.

Everyone inside and outside the house was arranged by Wu Shang, and Xie Yingchen didn't inquire about their backgrounds.

The county magistrate's plaque with black background and red characters hangs high, its black paint brand new, and you can almost smell the lacquer.

The Marquis of Wu'an's mansion was raided and confiscated for embezzling military funds. The mansion was known for its extravagance, and this villa was particularly beautiful, reminiscent of a Jiangnan garden. At least the rockeries, lakes, pavilions, and towers inside were far more attractive than those in the young master's residence.

Hmm.

The young master's house is empty; it's really not easy for him to find a wife!

Thinking about it this way, Gu Zhizhuo was happy.

I wonder if Shang Xinyan has arrived in the capital yet. I'll ask her in a couple of days and ask her to do some design work.

Gu Zhizhuo helped them settle in, had a housewarming meal, explained the medicine Yin Xiyan would need to take every day, and left at dusk.

She sat in the carriage holding the cat, and Qingmei walked over from the carriage shaft: "Miss, look outside."

Gu Zhizhuo lifted the carriage curtain. A number of people were standing in twos and threes opposite the county princess's mansion. They had come after seeing them move out of Tianxi Tower.

"stop."

Gu Zhizhuo jumped off the carriage and glanced around.

Then a servant-looking man was seen talking animatedly: "Those from humble families, what worldly experience could they possibly have? Just bribe the gatekeeper, and they'll get in..."

"Sneak in, and then what?"

Upon hearing someone ask, the servant replied, "How can you not even understand this..."

As he was speaking, he turned his head and saw a strange girl who looked very wealthy and elegant. He immediately fell silent.

Gu Zhizhuo's lips curved into a smile: "Tell me, what are you planning to do after infiltrating here?"

Someone pulled the servant aside and made him kneel down with a thud: "Miss Gu."

Miss Gu?

The servant trembled and knelt down as well, stammering, "I...I didn't plan to do anything, I just wanted to inquire..."

Gu Zhizhuo looked down at him from his high position, and after a while, he walked away.

As soon as the man left, the servants were covered in sweat and terrified.

Once the carriage was out of sight, he scrambled back to his residence to report. Not only him, but all the servants and guards sent by various households to inquire also rushed back in a swarm.

They were all shocked to hear that Miss Gu was acquainted with this Lady of Fu'an County and had even stood up for her.

Now they dared not underestimate or neglect the matter any longer, and each prefecture dutifully wrote out visiting cards, prepared congratulatory gifts, and sent them to the Fu'an County Princess's residence.

However, the county magistrate's residence remained closed to visitors.

They accepted all the gifts and sent people back with gifts of equal value.

For several days in a row, no one saw the Lady of Fu'an County.

Throughout the entire capital, perhaps only the Prince of Jin knew the origins of this woman from the Yin family.

When Xie Yingchen banished Shen Xu from the capital, many in the court speculated that Xie Yingchen's aim was to consolidate his power within the inner court; even the Prince of Jin thought so. Their collaboration had already secured Xie Yingchen the position of heir apparent, which was more than enough.

Shen Xu is like a venomous snake, unpredictable and prone to sudden attacks.

Instead of worrying about how to control him, it's better to get rid of him and be done with it.

Unexpectedly, almost a month has passed, and Xie Yingchen has actually not taken any action, allowing Shen Xu's remaining people to continue controlling the inner court. He doesn't even care about plundering the emperor's private treasury.

Not only that, he even bestowed upon her the title of County Princess.

In an attempt to curry favor with Shen Xu, he even bestowed the title of county princess upon a courtesan.

It's ridiculous.

The Prince of Jin scribbled restlessly on the paper, unable to calm his mind.

"Your Highness!"

The servant's anxious voice rang out.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened to the young master."

The pen fell from the Prince of Jin's hand, and he rushed out, his face pale.

Xie Qiyun was on the verge of death. When Prince Jin rushed over, he was barely clinging to life, his chest rising and falling weakly.

Fortunately, there were doctors in the mansion watching over him day and night. Several doctors were around him, giving him acupuncture and medicine, and sticking peace charms and disease-curing charms all over his body. It took most of the day to finally pull him back from the brink of death.

The moment his son woke up, Prince Jin seemed to lose all his strength and collapsed.

"Your Highness."

Doctor Hua was a renowned physician whom Prince Jin had specially invited from Jiangnan: "I am helpless regarding the Crown Prince's illness. Now, alas, Your Highness should make plans as soon as possible."

He sighed and shook his head.

Dr. Hua had never seen such a strange illness in his decades of medical practice.

"Please, kind doctor, take good care of me."

The Prince of Jin bowed and couldn't help but look at his son lying inside the tent.

My heart aches like it's being stabbed.

He knew very well that now it was Yun'er, but he would be the next one lying like this.

Rather than saying he's looking for a way out for Yun'er, it's more accurate to say he's doing it for himself.

Nobody wants to die if they can live, right?

The Prince of Jin did not dare to lift the curtain, but only instructed his servants to prepare a large red envelope for each of the officials before he hurriedly left.

It's too late!

There's only one path left! A marriage to ward off bad luck. At worst, it's just death; there's nothing we can't try.

"Prepare the horses."

Prince Jin strode towards the ceremonial gate.

The Prince of Jin went out on horseback, without anyone with him.

He rode his horse directly out of the city and headed south, traveling for more than an hour before arriving at a small village.

This estate is little known, and even the land deed is not in the name of the Prince of Jin.

The village was small and far from the main road; few people would pass by it for months at a time. There were no villagers, only a steward and a group of illiterate mute servants. They tended a few acres of meager fields and a fishpond, living the most peaceful and simple life.

At first glance, the scene of smoke and fire is quite pleasant.

"Your Highness."

The manager came out to greet them. He was quite old, but still agile, clearly a trained fighter.

"You don't need to come along."

After giving his instructions, the Prince of Jin went straight into the inner room.

The steward personally stood guard outside and used sign language to instruct the mute servants not to approach.

The Prince of Jin entered an unremarkable inner room. He pressed a mechanism, and with a slight gear-like sound, the floor tiles slid open to reveal a stone staircase leading underground.

The Prince of Jin picked up the oil lamp and went downstairs.

The floor tiles were put back on, as if nothing had happened.

The dark room was small, with three bookshelves and one display cabinet embedded in the walls.

In the middle is a desk, complete with writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

After putting down the oil lamp, the Prince of Jin went to the bookshelf and began searching.

The bookshelves weren't filled with books, but rather with ledger-like booklets, some of which were yellowed and slightly damp, as if they had been there for years.

The King of Jin called them secret books.

The Prince of Jin remained in power not only because of the emperor's support, but also because of these secret documents.

He has spent many years and now has people planted around nearly half of the officials and nobles to collect some shady secrets.

These people were just ordinary concubines and servants in the past, but when he needed them, they would become the knives in his hands.

Just like how he ruined Gong Hai and the eldest princess with a single act of deception.

The most regrettable thing is that the Gu family didn't even have a concubine or maidservant. They spent their whole lives with their old wife, and the young women they prepared couldn't even be sent in.

The Prince of Jin ran his fingers along the spines of the secret books one by one, and took one out.

The cover of the secret book had the character "Sun" written on it.

The Prince of Jin walked to the desk and carefully examined the documents, looking for any leverage that could make the Duke of Cheng'en compromise.

Since the Duke of Cheng'en refused to agree despite our kind advice, and even though they are in-laws, he still wouldn't save Yun'er, then we can't blame him.

This notebook is short; I finished flipping through just a few pages.

The Prince of Jin examined the pages carefully, his brows furrowing more and more with each reading.

"Useless thing."

The Prince of Jin slammed the secret book onto the desk and irritably tugged at his robe.

He knew that the Duke of Cheng'en was timid, but he never expected that he would be so timid. Apart from embezzlement and land grabbing, which were not big or small matters, the dignified brother-in-law of the emperor had almost no other redeeming qualities.

Even his elder brother's death wasn't caused by him; his elder brother drowned in the pond while drunk.

The Prince of Jin sighed deeply and murmured, "Yun'er..."

Yun'er only has one month at most, and the opportunity only comes once. He doesn't have time to waste on official business with Cheng En.

The Prince of Jin clenched his fists tightly, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "Since there's no evidence against me, I'll create one!"

He put the secret book back and was about to leave when he suddenly turned and walked to the octagonal cabinet on the side, taking out a mahogany box placed on top of it.

Inside the box was a bright yellow imperial edict, stained with specks of blood. The blood was quite old and had turned a dark reddish-black.

After reading it, the Prince of Jin felt much more at ease and put the imperial edict back in its original place.

The Prince of Jin did not linger; he came in haste and left in haste.

Not long after the Prince of Jin returned to the capital, Xiang Yang also quietly entered the Zhenguo Duke's mansion.

Gu Zhizhuo met him in the flower hall.

"Young lady."

Xiangyang has a baby face, and when he smiles, he has dimples on both cheeks, as bright as his name.

"After leaving the city, the Prince of Jin went to a manor and stayed there for an hour before leaving."

Gu Zhizhuo smiled and clapped his hands: "Very good."

The young master once told her that the Prince of Jin sent out concubines, courtesans, and male prostitutes everywhere. Those who received them thought it was a blessing, but in reality, these beauties were all assassins trained by the Prince of Jin.

Prince Jin held many people's secrets in his hands, and with these secrets, he easily secured the position of Left Commander of the Five Armies Commandery for Xie Qiyun.

It wasn't just the court officials.

The time when the Prince of Jin and the Emperor had a falling out, the Prince of Jin left the city overnight, and the next day, the piece of ink appeared on the Emperor's desk.

The two "reconciled".

Gu Zhizhuo had long suspected that the Prince of Jin had a hidden place where he kept some shady things.

secret.

Residual ink.

Even, it could be, the late emperor's will!

A note from the author: