Zhou Gu’s departure from the Capital City has caused ripples through all the major residences.
Some speculate that given Zhou Gu’s nature, he genuinely took to travel. They believe the statements made by the old Duke and himself in front of the Emperor, that his travels are meant to gain a deeper understanding of the people’s sentiments across Daliang, in preparation to become a good official in the future. Some others speculate that he is a treasured sword launched by the Crown Prince, Yan Huisheng, to carry out a secret mission. The obstacles that the Crown Prince could not control and eliminate in the capital would require someone else’s interference. That person could be no other than Zhou Gu.
When Ya Qiuying heard the servants of the Duke Residence discussing Lord Zhou’s departure for travel, she went to find Ye Guixue in his courtyard. Ye Guixue had been writing a letter. She waited quietly and undisturbed until he finished writing the letter and dispatched it. Then she went over and mentioned, "Uncle, I heard that the young boy from the Zhou Family went on a trip, he left early in the morning."
Ye Guixue merely hummed in response.
Ya Qiuying looked up at him, "Uncle, when are you leaving?"
"I plan to go tomorrow." said Ye Guixue, "Today, I will head to the palace to bid farewell to His Majesty of Daliang."
Ya Qiuying nodded, then whispered, "Sister Su Qi didn’t leave the city to see him off. The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, the Young Master Xie from Rui’an King Residence, as well as the eldest brother of the Su Family and his close friends, all went outside the city to bid him farewell."
Ye Guixue gave Ya Qiuying a pat on the head and laughed, "I know."
Ya Qiuying asked, "Uncle, when will I go to the Eastern Palace?"
Ye Guixue gently patted her head, "If I’m not mistaken, your Sister Su Qi will come to the Residence to pick you up today, to send you to the Eastern Palace."
Ya Qiuying obediently nodded her head, "Then I’ll wait for her at the Residence."
Ye Guixue nodded, "I’m going to the Palace first. I’ll wait with you when I return. She shouldn’t arrive too early."
Ya Qiuying nodded again.
In the Imperial Palace, the Emperor remained bedridden to nurse his health and sent no summons for the morning court. Yan Lin, the second Prince, made daily visits to the palace to request an audience with the Emperor, eventually gaining his approval and granted him entry to the Nourishing Heart Hall.
Seeing the Emperor, Yan Lin wore a look of suffering, "Father, I am greatly alarmed about your health, are you well?"
The Emperor was agitated upon seeing Yan Lin, but now, he swallowed his annoyance and said, "I am fine, and I’m not at death’s door either. You needn’t worry."
Yan Lin felt a heavy sinking feeling in his chest. The Emperor had never spoken to him like this before. Now he was taking this stance with him, making him feel more aggrieved. "Father, have I offended you in any way? I knew nothing about my elder brother’s affairs. Surely you cannot shift the blame for my elder brother’s actions onto me. After all, I have done nothing."
The Emperor grumbled, "When have I blamed you for anything? Aren’t you still blooming leisurely? Even the old Duke says the princes are too idle. Since you have all this free time to let your imagination run wild, why not take over the preparations for the Jeweled Grove Banquet for me?"
Yan Lin was taken aback, "Father, you are letting me prepare for the Jeweled Grove Banquet?"
"Yes, you go ahead!" The Emperor waved him off.
Yan Lin was instantly much cheerier, but then doubt crept in. The Jeweled Grove Banquet was a grand affair, shouldn’t it be entrusted to the Empress or the Crown Prince? Why would it have landed with him? Does this mean the Emperor had high hopes for him, or was it a test? Regardless, he had to do well.
Exiting the Imperial Palace, Yan Lin ran into Ye Guixue, who was just coming in.
He was supposed to get in the carriage, but upon seeing Ye Guixue disembark his carriage, he immediately turned back to approach him, "Second Young Master Ye."
Ye Guixue nodded his head in acknowledgment, "Second Prince."
Yan Lin said, "You are visiting the Emperor? I’ve heard that you’ll be leaving the Capital soon?"
Ye Guixue nodded, "That is correct."
Yan Lin invited, "Tonight, I have arranged a banquet in Mingyue Building to see you off. I hope Second Young Master Ye will grace us with your presence?" He lowered his voice and added, fearing a refusal, "I have a business proposal that I would like to share with Second Young Master Ye. Please do not reject it right away. It would concern Lady Su Qi’s life. I trust this peak’s Second Young Master Ye’s interest."
Ye Guixue stared at Yan Lin and accepted his invitation, "Very well."
Yan Lin was satisfied, "So it is settled then. I will be waiting for Second Young Master Ye in Room One of the Mingyue Building when the day is a quarter over."
Ye Guixue nodded. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
With light steps, Yan Lin turned and got into his carriage.
Ye Guixue entered the Imperial Palace.
The Emperor, without keeping him waiting for long, invited him to the Nourishing Heart Hall. Eunuchs brought over chairs and beckoned Ye Guixue to sit.
After inquiring about the Emperor’s health, Ye Guixue stated his purpose for the visit – his plan to leave the capital the following day.
The Emperor remembered his arrival in the Capital City of Daliang under the secret orders of the Nanchu King to issue a royal decree and publicize Su Rong’s identity. However, with the current unresolved domestic turmoil troubling him, he dare not. He sighed, "Second Young Master Ye, when you go back, inform the Nanchu King that Su Rong is my niece. I would also be willing to proclaim her identity to the world. However, as you are aware, the case of Imperial Concubine Zhen involves a broader plot, and I have detected the wild ambition of the person behind her. All these years, due to my indulgence, the national treasury is depleted. Su Rong, too, is currently doing her best to help me resolve the internal issues here in Daliang. At present, with the internal issues yet to be resolved, I dare not stir trouble by issuing any decrees. Once trouble breaks out, Dawei may seize the opportunity and launch an attack. This would be detrimental to Daliang and would prove unbeneficial for Nanchu, as well. Therefore, after considering this repeatedly, I feel it would be best that we wait for some time. When I have resolved my internal problems and am ready for Su Rong to leave for Daliang, I will issue a decree to proclaim her identity."
Ye Guixue understood the current situation in Daliang and nodded in agreement, "Very well. After I return to Nanchu, I will relay your exact message to your Majesty."
The Emperor, seeing his agreement, felt relieved. They exchanged a few more words, but there was no further mention of Su Rong.
Half an hour later, Ye Guixue excused himself, taking leave of the Emperor, and exited the Imperial Palace.
Returning to the Duke Residence, sure enough, the carriage from the Xie Residence was parked at the entrance. He enquired the gatekeeper, "Did Lady Su Qi come?"
"Indeed, Lady Su Qi has been here for a while. Miss Eleven and Miss Qiuying are currently accompanying her." The gatekeeper promptly replied.
Ye Guixue nodded and briskly walked into the Residence.
Lu Mingran had taken Su Rong to meet Ye Guixue a few days prior, at the behest of Lu Weiran. It had resulted in a scolding from Lu Weiran, causing Lu Mingran to become relatively more familiar with Su Rong compared to the other maidens in the Residence. Hence, she accompanied Su Rong during her visit.
Ya Qiuying had packed all her belongings in anticipation for Su Rong’s arrival. Seeing Su Rong, she looked up and asked, "Sister Su Qi, are you here to pick me up and take me to the Eastern Palace?"
Su Rong nodded, "Yes, that’s right."
Ya Qiuying whispered, "Uncle said to wait for him, so he could accompany us to the Eastern Palace."
Su Rong had no objections, "Alright, let’s wait for him."
The trio chatted for a while. After about half an hour, Ye Guixue returned. Lu Mingran retreated to leave Su Rong, Ye Guixue, and Ya Qiuying together.
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