Since hearing of the death of Princess Zhenmin years ago, the Nanchu King had traveled to Dawei to confirm personally. However, he fainted due to blood loss and returned to Nanchu in sorrow, never to step out of the Royal Capital again.
In the following ten years, he lived in bewilderment and grief, neglecting governmental affairs, letting Nangong Yin and Ye Xiang grow their influences unchecked, and allowing the royal family, headed by Liu’an Prince, to fight for power and profit, resulting in a tripartite balance of power.
The triangular scenario had actually rendered the political situation in the Nanchu Dynasty strangely stable and robust.
Five years ago, when he learned that Princess Zhenmin had not died and that she had given birth to a daughter, he wept for joy. He could not contain himself and wanted to go to Daliang to find her, but he came to his senses at the city gate when he saw a member of the Nangong Family beating someone. He dared not take another step.
Actions after leaving the city could not escape eyes and ears. It would put Su Rong in danger, he feared that he might fail to protect her.
The Nanchu Queen had secretly plotted to kill Su Rong, probably out of fear of letting him know he had a daughter or out of jealousy or hatred. The queen did not inform the Nangong Family due to the fear of them acting rashly and drawing his attention, or perhaps to erase Su Rong’s existence in the world unnoticed under the dominance of her jealousy and hatred. This served the interests of the Nanchu King, providing him with time to plan.
Therefore, the Nanchu King, suppressing his excitement and impulse, returned to the Royal Palace. After days of thinking, he reached out to Ye Xiang.
Neither the Nangong Family nor the Liu’an Prince from the royal family wanted Su Rong to exist. Only Ye Xiang could accept Su Rong, negotiate terms with him, help him bring back his daughter, and support her in the future.
He reached an agreement with Ye Xiang, nurturing Guixue to become the royal consort, and they had been scheming together for five years.
However, he did not expect that five years later, Nangong Yin would collude with Yuan Zhao, the Crown Prince of Dawei, and pose such difficulties.
Looking at the Nanchu King, Guixue wondered what he was thinking about. He seemed particularly depressed. "Your Majesty can trust Zhou Gu," he began, "He will protect Your Majesty because he holds a marriage contract written by the princess herself. The princess has recognized him, it’s him, the princess’s feelings for him, I have experienced. He would not harm Your Majesty. Your Majesty takes away all the secret guards; I will also give half of my secret guards to Your Majesty."
The Nanchu King interrupted his thoughts, looking at Guixue, "Guixue, these five years, over one thousand eight hundred days, due to the decision made by Your Highness and your father, you have sacrificed a lot. Su Rong didn’t choose you, you must be upset, right? Regarding Zhou Gu, can you truly keep an open mind?"
Guixue calmly replied, "Your Majesty, although the decision was made by you and my father, you both asked for my opinion at that time, and I agreed. For any unknown matter, once the decision is made, it’s like gambling, there are wins and losses. I couldn’t win Su Rong’s heart; it’s my fault that I underestimated Zhou Gu and missed the opportunity to win her heart. I should bear the consequences for Zhou Gu..."
He sighed lightly, "Lord Thursday is indeed a person who is hard to dislike. If I don’t have this mindset, I am not worthy of the years of teaching by Your Majesty and my father." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
The Nanchu King nodded, "Good, I am relieved that you can think like this."
He said, "You know, I have not raised a daughter for a single day. Now she is going to assume the throne, compared to being Mrs. Thursday at Duke Residence, this throne is nothing more than a burden of responsibility she didn’t ask for, that she has to undertake. She can’t refuse. I can’t refuse. Therefore, who she chooses as her royal consort, I can’t impose on her, and I can’t insist on it."
" I understand." Guixue nodded.
The Nanchu King stood up, "We will implement what we discussed as planned, arrange some things, and then leave."
Guixue nodded.
So, the Nanchu King called his confidants and made arrangements for the Royal Palace.
After everything was arranged, the Nanchu King said to Guixue, "Leave the palace. I will take the secret guards and leave through the secret tunnel, which leads directly outside the city. Notify Zhou Gu and tell him to wait for me at the Changting Slope outside the city with his marriage contract."
Guixue agreed with the arrangement of the Nanchu King to leave the city through the secret tunnel - it would be safer. He knew that the Royal Palace had a secret tunnel leading outside, but it had not been used for many years. "Your Majesty must take care. Have Zhou Gu take half of my secret guards with him," he advised.
The Nanchu King agreed and waved his hand.
Guixue left the Royal Palace.
After Guixue left, the Nanchu King took the secret guards and left the Royal Palace through the secret tunnel.
Guixue returned to the Ye Xiang Residence late at night after leaving the Royal Palace. Just as he was about to meet Zhou Gu, he was stopped by Ye Xiang, "Guixue, you went to the palace? Why did you go to the palace in the middle of the night?"
Guixue stopped and looked at Ye Xiang, "Father, you haven’t retired yet?"
Ye Xiang exhaled, "I couldn’t sleep. I heard that you went to the palace. What happened?"
Guixue’s hand clenched in his sleeve, his face calm, "Father, I received a message from the princess. She is blocked by the power of Nangong Family. The princess asked me for help, so I went to report to His Majesty."
K>Upon hearing this, Ye Xiang frowned, "So, she really started it with Nangong Family and Liu’an Prince’s secret agent? She is really reckless, bold, and irresponsible. She just set foot in Nanchu, and she doesn’t know her limits. Now she’s in trouble, and she came to ask you for help, it’s absurd. She is so unstable, and I seriously doubt whether she can safely reach the Capital City. Even if she does reach the Capital City, can she secure her seat in the future?"
Guixue affirmed, "Father, The Princess can. I believe in her."
Ye Xiang was speechless. "What did His Majesty say?"
"His Majesty has already dispatched his secret guards, and I will also send out some of mine to save the princess immediately." Guixue replied.
Ye Xiang took a deep breath, "The secret guards around His Majesty, they can’t leave. Didn’t I already say that his personal safety is paramount right now?"
Guixue stated, "His Majesty’s safety is crucial but the safety of the princess is equally important. Whether it is His Majesty or the princess, we can’t afford to lose either."
He stressed, "Father, there are no arrows in the world that can reverse their direct once shot. We, the Ye Xiang Family, are in opposition to the Nangong Family. There is no turning back, and we have burnt our bridges. Our only way now is to support the princess."
Ye Xiang was instantly speechless, waving his hand in a headache, "Alright, this has already happened, what else can I say?"
He asked with unpleasantly, "I hope the King is not taking all his secret guards with him?"
Guixue shook his head, "No, His Majesty sent out some of his secret guards, and I have dispatched some. They are setting off immediately and should be able to save the princess."
Ye Xiang nodded, "Alright, from now on, we need to keep a constant eye on the activities of the Nangong Family and the faction of Liu’an Prince. Don’t let His Majesty have any more accidents. Also, be aware of the rebel Hen Zhong of Jinglu. Once he starts a war, I am afraid we will not be able to defend."
Guixue nodded, "Father’s words are reasonable."
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