Chapter 127 The Problem of Overstepping Boundaries: Protecting the princess is my duty. ...
During the time he was away from Jian'an on business in Shuoyang, Gu Xiangzhi had already heard about what was happening in the imperial court.
Yu Nie sat with him in Xianliu Pavilion, the two of them leaning against the window, where they could see the half-embankment lake outside.
The lake surface shimmered, and the midday sun sprinkled a dazzling golden dust on the water, reflecting off the railings and her gentle profile.
Unaware of his gaze, she asked him about his affairs in Shuoyang, inquiring if they were going well.
The moment she looked at him, he looked away, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a small sip.
"Although there were some setbacks along the way, the task that needed to be completed was not delayed."
As he spoke, his mind was elsewhere, constantly glancing at the subtle changes in her face.
The complexity of human thoughts can even exceed one's own control.
When he heard that she would soon marry Huan Xun, he could hardly find a suitable and accurate word to describe his feelings at that moment.
The only thing that can be said for sure is that at that time, he was definitely not in a pleasant, comfortable, or exhilarating mood.
Gu Xiangzhi moved his hand, which was wrapped in bandages inside his sleeve.
What was his reaction like back then?
The only thing that can answer this question is the Buddha statue that he smashed with his fist inside the room.
Impulsiveness and a lack of self-control are not things he would do, but when the sharp wound on his hand overshadowed his inner unhappiness, he felt that this was not so bad.
But... that's not enough for him.
“I heard…” he said, “His Majesty arranged your marriage to Huan Xun?”
This matter is already common knowledge, so it is not surprising that Yu Nie knew about it.
She smiled gently: "I never imagined that this matter would have already reached Shuoyang."
Gu Xiangzhi couldn't help but press further: "Then, do you have feelings for him?"
Perhaps he realized that asking such a question was too offensive and made her unhappy.
He added, "What I mean is, this is a woman's life-long decision, and if you don't want to, don't force yourself."
“This is the Emperor’s decree; no one can disobey it,” she said.
“I can speak for you,” he replied immediately, completely unaware of what this action implied.
Yu Nie was startled.
After what happened before, especially after Ah Hui's accident, she had realized that he was exceptionally good to her.
Given their relationship, he didn't have to go to this extent.
Although she had asked him why he treated her so well?
He replied that he had brought her to the capital because of his own selfish motives, which led to the series of events that followed, and that he should have done so.
In Yu Nie's view, he had already done enough.
After hearing this, she smiled and looked relaxed: "Trying to 'atone' again?"
His lips moved.
Before he could speak, she continued, "There's no need to worry about me anymore. You were the one who brought me to the capital... I've said it before, my junior brother's death wasn't caused by you. It was this oppressive world of power. Zhao Yuanze and his ilk are nothing but beasts who flaunt their power. They are no longer human, so they should be completely eradicated."
Yu Nie: "You don't need to risk doing anything for me anymore. Since things have come to this, I am willing to accept it."
She did not reveal everything to him; the less people knew about her secret plans, the safer they were.
In her eyes, Gu Xiangzhi wasn't a bad person, but she didn't want to drag him down with her.
Born into the Imperial Horse Administration, he was involved in all sorts of struggles from a young age. He was able to kill people when he was just over ten years old, and eventually he was able to stand out from the crowd, even against someone like Chang Yushan.
How could someone as intelligent as him not realize that she had other ideas?
That day in the main hall, her eyes told him that Ah Hui's matter would not end so easily.
“Willingly?” He repeated her words: “The princess knows His Majesty’s intentions, but I don’t think you are willing to be his pawn.”
"Accepting this mission may seem like an inescapable fate, but it's not entirely without a way out."
He gave her a chance to gain her freedom.
His gaze lingered on her face: "As long as you say you don't want to get married, I have a million ways to save you from the fate of becoming a victim."
In that brief moment of eye contact, she was absolutely certain that he wasn't talking about something impossible.
Having said all that, unless she has other plans, or she is actually not dissatisfied with this marriage.
"I..." She hesitated, pondering how to respond. She wanted to keep the emperor calm so she could accomplish her important task.
Seeing her hesitate and waver.
He asked, "Does the princess not want to lose His Majesty's 'favor'?"
She shook her head.
Seeing this, Gu Xiangzhi's chest heaved slightly as he asked the question that he both longed to hear and didn't want to hear the answer to.
After a short while, he spoke again: "Is it because of... Huan Xun?"
He said, "You like him?"
This question caused a noticeable hint of unease to flash across Yu Nie's face.
Does she like Huan Xun?
What she was certain of was that she absolutely did not dislike Huan Xun.
Regarding whether she liked him or not, she wondered if Huan Xun... liked her.
She remained silent for a long time, but Gu Xiangzhi already knew the answer in his heart.
He lowered his eyes and said, "It was my rudeness to ask the princess such a question."
As he finished speaking, he reached into his robes and pulled out an envelope: "Before going to Shuoyang, I sent someone to investigate the princess's past. You once said that your family's property was seized by your uncle when you were young, and after he sold off the property, he disappeared without a trace with his family."
He pushed the envelope forward: "Rong Song is currently in Jian'an City, still running a medicinal herb business. His family is well-off, and his son and daughter are both married. The princess once said that when the time is right, she will definitely take back everything that should belong to you."
He looked at her: "The address is here. How to handle it is entirely up to the princess."
Looking at the letter on the table, Yu Nie's fingers trembled slightly, and he was so shocked that he was speechless.
She stared at the letter, as if she were seeing the scene of herself being abandoned in front of the dojo years ago. Rong Song got into the carriage and drove away without looking back.
She had just arrived here when this happened. If her master hadn't appeared, she would have thought she was going to die again.
Just like dying in that car accident.
After a long silence, she raised her eyes, her voice extremely soft yet resolute: "Sixteen years have passed, and I've often wondered what my first question would be if I ever learned of his whereabouts..."
She picked up the envelope and gently stroked it: "But I think perhaps we don't need to ask anything anymore; everything should be let by actions."
Then, she shifted her gaze from the envelope to him, her voice filled with gratitude: "I never imagined that someone would take my past so seriously. To me, this sentiment is more important than this address."
She said, "I will remember your kindness, sir. Not as a princess, but in the name of Rong Yune."
"In the future, I will do whatever you want me to do."
The phrase "in the name of Rong Yunie" struck the most untouchable corner of his heart.
A moment of tenderness appeared in Gu Xiangzhi's eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by deeper emotions.
He avoided her sincere gaze and her bright, grateful face, lowering his eyelids further to conceal all his emotions.
“Your Highness is too kind.” His voice sounded more distant than before, as if he had deliberately erected an invisible wall around himself: “This matter is nothing more than a small favor for me, a matter of course.”
He paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, he adhered to his usual practice: "When I was ill, the princess took good care of me. It is only right to repay kindness as a human being."
He seemed to have regained his courage and met her eyes: "Besides, the princess is a member of the royal family. Protecting the royal family and protecting the princess will always be my most important duty."
He specifically emphasized the word "duty".
It was as if he was reminding himself, while also drawing a clear line between them, marking the insurmountable chasm that had long stood between them.
The chasm wasn't the marriage agreement, but the reality forged by his disabled body and his unspoken admiration.
At this moment, he tightly imprisoned all his surging emotions behind restrained words.
The afternoon sun of early autumn shines through the carved windows, casting dappled shadows on the white walls.
The air was filled with the cool scent of grass and trees, mixed with the incense from the burner.
At this point, Gu Xiangzhi stood up, took half a step back, and bowed respectfully: "If the princess has no other instructions, I have matters to attend to immediately, so please excuse me for taking my leave."
"Why don't you skip lunch before you leave?" She stood up.
Gu Xiangzhi: "I have returned to the capital and have not yet entered the palace to report back. This moment cannot be delayed any longer."
As soon as he returned, he came to her place, bringing back the gifts he had brought and quickly giving her Rong Song's address. He didn't have time to go to the palace at all.
Yu Nie: "Grand Supervisor Chang has already led his troops to Jincheng County. Who will you report back to now, sir?"
The moment she uttered the last word, she instantly realized she had asked a foolish question.
Who else could send him to the palace besides Zhao Yunfu?
However, Gu Xiangzhi did not think that she had asked a foolish question, and he answered her.
That's exactly what she thought.
After he finished speaking, he raised his hand and brushed aside the hanging curtain.
The midday sun shone on him, bathing him in a radiant glow.
Gu Xiangzhi paused slightly, as if remembering something, and turned back to look at her again: "Gao family, Princess, there is no need to worry too much. They won't be able to cause trouble for long."
These words came as a surprise to Yu Nie, who was taken aback and asked, "The Gao family? What makes you say this, sir?"
His eyes were deep as he whispered, "Soon, the princess will find out."
Having said that, he didn't linger any longer, his figure disappearing into the courtyard and into the distance.
Only the curtains that had just been stirred swayed slightly.
His words just now, which contained the hidden turmoil, were like an ominous harbinger.
The words lingered in Yu Nie's ears for a long time.
She couldn't fathom the meaning behind his sudden words, but she vaguely sensed that he must have discovered something extraordinary in Shuoyang.
Shuoyang...
What kind of shady dealings might be going on with the Gao family?
This mystery kept bothering her, and she even lost her appetite for lunch.
With Li Xing's matter unresolved, Lang Xi now having caught Zhao Yunfu's eye, and the Gao family's affairs on top of that, her appetite has been completely poor.
Fortunately, Yang Du's side uncovered a great deal of evidence of Li Xing's group's illegal encroachment on land and acceptance of bribes, including Li Yunsheng's disregard for human life. All of this was investigated and brought to light, revealing a whole host of past crimes.
Regarding the disaster in Jincheng County, Yang Du has not yet found any letters between the Li family and local officials. He handled this matter quite efficiently.
Just when they couldn't find any evidence of wrongdoing in the letters, Chang Yushan sent men back from Jincheng County at full speed with letters they had seized from the Li family and a proclamation from bandits who were using the slogan "Purge the Emperor's inner circle."
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