Li Xi gently folded the note in her hand, gazing intently into the distance. Her heart was filled with both worry for Gu Cheng's fate and strategic planning for the complex situation that was about to unfold.
Meanwhile, under the covert protection of Qin Xiaolin, a master martial artist, Gu Cheng and his entourage finally crossed the border of the Northern Ji Kingdom after overcoming numerous obstacles.
Along the way, they encountered several small-scale attacks, but they were all dealt with by the experts arranged by Qin Xiaolin.
Back at the palace, under the escort of the chief guard, Gu Cheng and Old Master Gu returned to the Northern Ji Palace.
Gu Cheng was stunned for a moment when he saw the emperor with gray hair on his sickbed.
When he left, his father was in his prime, full of vigor and ambition. However, in just seven or eight years, his temples had already turned quite gray.
A wave of indescribable sorrow welled up in Gu Cheng's heart.
Although he resented him, he still slowly stepped forward for the sake of the bigger picture.
Kneeling before the emperor's bed, his voice choked with emotion, he said, "Father, your son has returned."
The emperor barely opened his eyes, a hint of surprise and relief flashing in his gaze.
He reached out, his hand trembling as he tried to touch Gu Cheng's face, but his weakness prevented him from doing so.
Gu Cheng quickly grasped that hand and pressed it against his cheek, as if that could transmit some strength and warmth to it.
"Cheng'er, your safe return brings me great comfort." The emperor's voice was weak but firm, every word revealing his deep expectations and love for his son. "You have suffered all these years."
Gu Cheng's eyes reddened slightly, and he forced back his tears: "Father, I am not suffering. It is you, however, whose health has deteriorated to this state..."
The emperor gently shook his head, a bitter smile on his face: "Old age and illness are natural occurrences. However, I am worried about the state of the Northern Hebei, and even more so about you."
The eunuch beside him could no longer hold back his sobs and knelt down. “Seventh Prince, since your disappearance, His Majesty has been worried day and night, unable to eat or sleep. He has personally inquired about your whereabouts many times and secretly dispatched many groups of people, hoping to find you as soon as possible. In recent years, His Majesty’s health has also deteriorated as a result.”
Emperor Ji's voice was weak as he snapped, "Yan Li, shut up!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Li immediately fell silent, but the tears in his eyes and the sorrow on his face were hard to conceal.
He quietly stepped aside, not daring to say another word, for fear of disturbing this rare moment of reunion.
Gu Cheng gazed at his father's pale face, his heart filled with complex emotions.
There was both the joy of a long-awaited reunion and deep worry for his father's serious illness. "Father, your son is unfilial, causing you so much worry. From now on, your son will stay by your side."
Upon hearing this, a hint of relief flashed in the emperor's eyes. He nodded slowly, his voice even weaker: "Good, good... Cheng'er, I am so pleased that you have such a heart."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Back then, I was the one who wronged you and your mother. Don't worry, your father has already found out the truth. Your mother was indeed wronged. It's all my fault for taking such good care of her. I never expected her to be so reckless... And I never expected you to disappear. Alas, it's all my fault for being so incompetent and failing to protect you."
Upon hearing this, Gu Cheng was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. "Father, I know you also have countless frustrations and sorrows in your heart. In the years I've been away, I've experienced much and come to understand much."
The father and son talked for a long time about Gu Cheng, or now Xiao Cheng, and what had happened in Jingyuan over the years.
Finally, Emperor Ji restored Grand Secretary Gu's title and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to him: "Minister Gu, it is thanks to you all these years that Cheng'er has been able to grow up safely."
Old Master Gu: "Your Majesty, this is also the duty of this old minister."
Although he is only in his fifties, he has experienced many years of hardship and displacement.
Time has left deep marks on his face; his temples are gray, making him look like an old man in his sixties.
For the sake of his grandson, he resolutely accepted the emperor's decree.
Xiao Cheng was originally an eagle soaring in the sky, and he should be able to fly freely on this land of Yunli!
The Grand Secretary's mansion had already been cleared out in advance.
Inside the mansion, every plant and tree was meticulously tended. "Master, you're back." Butler Li greeted him, his eyes slightly red and his voice choked with emotion.
Over the years, he witnessed everything that happened to Old Master Gu, from a prominent figure in the court to being forced to flee his home, and he knew the hardships and bitterness that followed.
After the master was dismissed from his post, the Grand Secretary's residence was left vacant.
Until recently, someone from the palace came to him and said that the master would be returning and asked him to find someone to clean the mansion.
Grandpa Gu gently patted Old Li's shoulder to comfort him. "Yes, you're back."
Xiao Cheng did not arrive at the Grand Secretary's residence until sunset.
In front of his maternal grandfather, Xiao Cheng finally shed his pretense and was no longer the seventh prince who acted out a charade of filial piety.
Even if the scholar's mansion were to regain its former glory, it would be difficult to conceal the marks left by time.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the mottled bluestone slabs, reflecting Xiao Cheng's complex and indescribable expression.
"Grandfather, do you think Father Emperor truly wants me to return?" Xiao Cheng asked dismissively.
Old Master Gu: "Cheng'er, the heart of an emperor is as deep as the sea, beyond our easy comprehension. Let's just wait and see; eventually, someone will be unable to hold back and will take action."
"Then let's wait and see!" Xiao Cheng's lips curled into a bitter smile.
Not everyone was happy at today's banquet. He was already seventeen years old and understood many things.
His long-term illness in his early years made him look much younger than he actually was. Only after recovering his health did he feel reborn!
Old Master Gu turned around. “Cheng’er, you must know that in the imperial family, the concepts of loyalty and righteousness are often overshadowed by power struggles. But no matter what, you are of royal blood, the son of your father, and this bloodline cannot be severed. As for why he summoned you back to the capital at this moment, perhaps he has his reasons. Let’s wait and see.”
“Besides,” Grandfather changed the subject, “we have other important things to take care of when we get back.”
The Red Lotus Sect has also extended its reach to the Northern Ji Kingdom, indicating that the sect leader's ambitions extend beyond the Jingyuan Dynasty.
Their guess was correct. That very night, more than ten men in black broke into the Grand Scholar's residence and headed towards Xiao City.
Fortunately, Qin Xiaolin had arranged for martial arts experts to secretly guard the mansion.
As soon as these men in black stepped into the courtyard of the mansion, which was riddled with traps and ambushes, they triggered several hidden arrows and traps, causing chaos and shouts of alarm and the clash of weapons.
Before long, all the men in black were captured.
The next day, news of the assassination attempt on the seventh prince, who had just returned to the country, spread throughout the capital.
It also reached Emperor Ji.
When Emperor Ji heard the news, he was furious, fearing that it was the work of his sons who were vying for power.
I never imagined that a single wrong decision I made back then would lead to this situation of brothers killing each other.
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