Chapter 134 A Broken Body If in the future, you and I truly face each other with swords drawn...
"Junior Supervisor Gu?" Yu Nie was slightly taken aback.
She had assumed he had finished his official duties and returned to his office, but she was surprised to find him still there.
The midday sun shone down, casting a warm glow on his crimson official robe.
He walked towards her, the osmanthus tree adorned with delicate golden stamens, which fell onto his shoulder when the wind blew.
Gu Xiangzhi's amber eyes flickered slightly as he stopped in front of her.
A moment of silence hung in the air, as if he didn't know what to say to fill the silence.
After a short while, he spoke softly, "Let's go out of the palace together." He didn't explain why he was waiting for her; everything seemed perfectly natural.
He didn't explain, but Yu Nie had many questions in her mind and wanted to ask him why he had stayed in the Imperial Garden to wait for her.
Perhaps thinking of the ballad Zhao Yunfu had just mentioned, she swallowed back the question that was on the tip of her tongue.
She adjusted her sleeves, nodded and smiled slightly: "Alright, it's a rare opportunity to leave the palace with Supervisor Gu, why wouldn't I take it?"
The two walked side by side toward the palace gate. The palace path was long, and the vermilion palace walls on both sides narrowed the sunlight overhead into a bright and narrow band of light, adding a touch of warmth to the monotonous scenery.
At this moment, Yu Nie's thoughts were far less calm than his steps.
The matter of the folk song is still on my mind.
Since the day she reported this to Zhao Yunfu, the latter has arrested many people. Although they were all eventually released without charge, this has brought Yu Nie a lot of worry.
Gu Xiangzhi is currently in charge of this matter. She caught a glimpse of his profile out of the corner of her eye and saw that he was looking straight ahead.
She finally couldn't help herself and asked in a seemingly casual tone, "The young master seems tired these past few days. Is it because of the ballad matter... that you've been too stressed?"
Gu Xiangzhi did not stop walking, his gaze sweeping over her composed face: "It seems Your Highness is indeed concerned about this matter."
He paused for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words, his gaze fixed on her face: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. There is some progress on the matter of the ballad."
Upon hearing that the matter of the folk song was actually progressing, she couldn't help but feel nervous. She wouldn't be so uneasy if someone else were in charge of this matter, but since he was the one in charge, she couldn't help but worry.
Her plans to change everything remain deeply buried in his heart, and she has never revealed a word of them to him.
In her eyes, Gu Xiangzhi was indeed different from those aristocratic families, and she had helped him many times.
But the path she was about to take was far too perilous. Treason, in any dynasty, was a crime punishable by death.
She didn't want to involve too many people.
Moreover, the Emperor had treated him well. She and Zhao Yunfu had a blood feud, but they were bound by mutual respect, so she had no reason to betray her monarch.
If you want to be honest with him, you must be absolutely certain that you can bring him to your side.
But she's not confident about that yet.
He continued, "According to investigations, the folk song originated from the East Market. Following this lead, the truth will be revealed soon."
Upon hearing the words "East Market," Yu Nie, who had been tense just moments before, suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
The songs were clearly spread secretly from the West Market, their origin unrelated to the East Market. Without needing to think too deeply, she knew his investigation was misguided.
He subtly noticed the extremely slight relaxation in her eyes, which, though only for a moment, did not escape Gu Xiangzhi's notice.
These days, her attention to the song case, whether intentional or not, and her reaction just now, vaguely confirmed his guess.
Suddenly, he stopped, turned around, and stared at her intently, his tone enigmatic: "But what I have said, Your Highness, do you think, is it true or false?"
Meeting his insightful gaze, Yu Nie's momentary lapse in concentration vanished, replaced by heightened alertness. Why had he suddenly asked such a question? Was he testing whether she knew the inside story? Or something else?
She couldn't figure out his intentions, but she felt that there was something unsettling hidden beneath his calm and composed gaze.
She forced herself to remain calm and replied, "What the junior supervisor said is certainly true. Now that we have found clues, the truth of this case will surely be revealed soon, which will also quell public opinion."
Unsurprisingly, she chose to go with the flow.
Going with the flow is the safest option. They all understand this principle.
A very faint ripple seemed to pass through Gu Xiangzhi's expression, so fleeting that it was impossible to detect.
He didn't ask any further questions or offer any explanation; he simply gave a very slight twitch of his lips.
“Perhaps.” He stepped forward again. “Since the princess believes the clues point to the East Market, then let it be the East Market. His Majesty demands an explanation, and the East Market… is quite suitable. As for the West Market, or somewhere else…”
He paused slightly, turned his head to look at her, his gaze calm as still water: "Then it is not within the consideration of this case. Your Highness, do you think it is appropriate to end it in this way?"
During their brief eye contact, Yu Nie was deeply shaken.
His expression and his unspoken words couldn't be clearer: he knew this matter was related to her.
He knew the real source wasn't in the "East Market" he'd made up, but in the "West Market" where she'd acted.
But by using a fictitious "East Market" as the source, he covered up all traces for her, and he was telling her about his decision.
He won't investigate the case in the West Market; he'll settle it in the East Market.
Eunuchs and palace maids passed by from time to time.
With a complex mix of relief and understanding, she could only reply, "Your Excellency... has thought things through thoroughly. This is a very appropriate way to end things."
Upon hearing her words "very appropriate," a slight smile curved his lips.
Her acceptance of this "appropriate" arrangement was, in his eyes, a secret between them; at this moment, they were conspiring together.
From then on, Huan Xun wasn't the only one with a secret with her; he was too.
Huan Xun... Thinking of Huan Xun, he couldn't help but think of their marriage ten days from now.
This was precisely the reason he had stayed behind; he still desperately wanted to get an answer from her.
When the two arrived at the carriage area outside the palace gate, the surrounding air seemed to move more freely.
Mei Nian happily bowed to Yu Nie.
After escorting her to the carriage, Gu Xiangzhi stopped, turned around, and looked at her radiant face.
His hands, which were behind his back, clenched unconsciously, and the question that had been lingering in his mind was finally asked.
"Your Majesty, I have something I would like to ask you." His tone was slightly lower, filled with a subtle probing.
Yu Nie: "Please speak, Junior Supervisor."
He gazed at her, paused for a moment, and then said, "To be honest, this is not a very strange thing."
Regarding the arranged marriage, he had asked her before whether it was of her own free will.
He paused, each word carefully chosen: "Your Highness previously stated that you married Minister Huan willingly. I would like to ask Your Highness once more, is this truly the case? Or... do you regret it?"
His eyes held concern, restraint, and an almost desperate resolve: "Your Highness, marriage is a matter of life and death." He lowered his voice even further and said firmly, "If Your Highness is even slightly unwilling at this moment, just say the word, and I will have a solution."
He paused here, leaving the rest unsaid. But those four words, "We have our own way," carried immense weight.
This means he will use all his power and means, even risking his future and life, to pave a different path for her.
He stared intently into her eyes, not missing a single subtle change, waiting for her answer.
If she says no, even if she just shakes her head slightly, he will not hesitate to fight for her.
"As long as Your Highness says no." He leaned slightly closer to her, repeating this crucial sentence almost in a whisper, his gaze burning so intensely it nearly scalded her.
She knew he wanted her to be free. But she had to keep her promise in this arranged marriage.
She slowly lowered her eyelashes, then looked into his eyes again, and smiled, "No, I did it voluntarily."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xiangzhi's eyes dimmed instantly, as if a flame had been extinguished by cold water.
He seemed to want to say something, but after a long while, he only managed a dry question: "...Why?" He didn't understand why she would jump into this obvious cage.
Faced with his question, Yu Nie walked around him, took two steps forward, and looked at the magnificent palace in front of him.
She said, "The only enemy who killed my junior brother is Li Yunsheng. The Third Prince Zhao Yuanze and His Majesty's brother-in-law, Wang Fengzhi, are still alive and well, enjoying their honors."
“Wang Fengqi’s status as a member of the imperial family might be easier to deal with. But the Third Prince is, after all, a son of the dragon. To touch him would require even greater power.” She paused, then turned to look at him: “So it’s not easy to bring such people to justice, to ruin their reputations, and to let the world know that they deserve their punishment. Only by standing at the highest point can I do it. I want no one to be able to stop me.”
She stopped speaking there and didn't continue.
Even though she didn't finish speaking, Gu Xiangzhi sensed from her eyes that what she wanted was perhaps more than just revenge or overthrowing the aristocratic families.
What she wanted was to overthrow the very thing that protected the supreme power of Zhao Yuanze and Wang Fengshu. Leaving Wang Fengshu aside for now, Zhao Yuanze was a prince, and Zhao Yunfu would never allow his son to pay with his life. The only feasible solution was to prevent Zhao Yunfu from defending his son.
Zhao Yuanze committed evil deeds by virtue of his status as a prince, and Zhao Yunfu used his power to protect these evil deeds, disregarding even the slightest bit of justice. What these two relied on was precisely the abused power.
It seems that what she wants to expose is this world that condones injustice and allows evildoers to go unpunished.
She... wants to change the world?
This thought suddenly popped into his mind.
Therefore, her acceptance of this marriage was merely one stepping stone on her path to that ultimate goal; it was a tool for her.
The woman before him still wore a calm smile, her eyes unusually serene.
A wave of shock washed over him. He realized that she was already part of a far-reaching plan he had never imagined.
After a long pause, he spoke: "The path the princess is about to take is fraught with thorns; a single misstep could lead to utter ruin. Has Your Highness truly thought this through?"
He had already seen through her true goal.
She smiled calmly: "Some paths, though known to be dangerous, must be taken." She looked at the palace walls, her tone calm but containing an undeniable strength: "To achieve any goal in this world, one often needs to pay a corresponding price. If no one stirs up this stagnant pool, all those who died unjustly will never be exonerated. We must address the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Looking at her resolute profile, Gu Xiangzhi asked the most crucial question: "Even if... you have to gamble everything, including yourself?"
Yu Nie gave him a deep look: "Yes."
After the word was spoken, a long silence fell between the two.
He saw an unwavering determination in her eyes, a resolute resolve to achieve the goal even at the cost of her own life.
Then, she lowered her eyes and decided to voice her last concern.
She said slowly, "If in the future we really have to face each other with swords drawn, I don't want to put you in a difficult position because of what I did."
The Imperial Horse Administration was the most loyal of the emperor's inner circle, and Zhao Yunfu valued him highly. Although he had been temporarily demoted for a minor offense, he was soon reinstated. To make amends, Zhao Yunfu even bestowed upon him a grand mansion in the south of the city, demonstrating the extent of his favor.
In the eyes of the court officials, anyone could betray the emperor, but the Imperial Horse Administration could not, and the Prime Minister could not, nor should he.
These words stood like a cold boundary marker between the two.
She forgave him in advance for the responsibility that he might have to turn against her in the future, but she also drew a line between them regarding their positions.
Gu Xiangzhi wanted to say something, but for a moment he didn't know where to begin. Should he categorically deny the possibility, or promise that he would never be her enemy?
Either way, saying it at this moment would seem incredibly pale, even hypocritical.
His thin lips were pressed tightly together, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Just then, Song Ai hurried in from the direction of the palace gate. Upon seeing Yu Nie, she immediately curtsied and said urgently, "Your Highness, a Taoist priest surnamed Cui has been waiting for you in the temple for a long time. Please return immediately."
Upon hearing the name of the Taoist priest surnamed Cui, Yu Nie immediately recognized him as Cui Miaochang, and her face lit up with joy.
Then, she looked at Gu Xiangzhi, who was standing silently, paused, and said, "Junior Supervisor Gu, let's stop here for today. You can take what I just said seriously or not. I have important guests at home, so please take your leave first." After saying that, she nodded slightly to him.
Gu Xiangzhi silently returned the greeting.
She said no more, glanced at him one last time, and then turned and boarded the waiting carriage.
The carriage curtain fell, cutting off the outside world and also the gaze that had been fixed on her back.
Standing there, Gu Xiangzhi watched the carriage rumble away into the distance.
The wind swept past the palace gates, fluttering the hem of his crimson robe, but it could not dispel the heavy thoughts in his heart.
Seeing this, Mei Nian stepped forward and asked in confusion, "My lord, what did the princess mean by what she just said? What about swords drawn? Did you and the princess have a fight?"
His gaze, which had been fixed on the spot where the carriage had disappeared, slowly descended. The ripples in his eyes had vanished, leaving only a deep, still pool, as if capable of swallowing everything.
He did not answer Mei Nian's question, but simply turned around and silently walked towards his carriage.
Mei Nian, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but continue to ask in a low voice, "Now that you've found her, why don't you tell her that you two were betrothed when you were young, and tell her that you've been looking for her all these years..."
"Mei Nian." Before Mei Nian could finish speaking, he interrupted him, his tone cold and hard: "Don't meddle in other people's business."
He rarely acted like this. Mei Nian knew that his master didn't want to hear these things, so he kept quiet and dared not say anything more, but his face still showed a hint of resentment on his behalf.
Gu Xiangzhi ignored him and continued walking forward alone.
Perhaps it was fate. He suffers from a chronic illness and is not destined to live long. What right does someone who cannot even control his own health have to interfere in her life? He is now a eunuch, and even if they were once engaged, he cannot give her a complete and proper married life.
To bind a disabled person with an outdated arranged marriage would only cause her more distress. He cannot stand by her side, nor can he promise her a future with his own disability.
Some things are better left unsaid, better left unsaid.
Finding her, knowing that she was still alive, and that she was so resilient, intelligent, and even harbored ambitions that shocked him, was already a blessing from heaven.
All he could do was remain in the shadows, where she couldn't see him, clearing obstacles for her and protecting her. He would do everything in his power to make her journey to that dangerous goal as smooth as possible.
Perhaps that would be the best explanation for her parents.
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