Xiao Chengji's eyes turned slightly cold: "If Mingxuan hadn't been so meticulous as to intercept this poem, it would have damaged your reputation once it circulated."
"I'm going to confront him right now!" Xiao Chengyu stood up to leave.
"Wait a minute." Xiao Chengji stopped her. "If we tear things apart now, he can easily claim that he was just too eager to admire you and acted impulsively. It would just make you seem like you're making a mountain out of a molehill."
"So, are we just going to let him ruin my reputation like this?"
“Of course not.” Xiao Chengji’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Doesn’t he want to climb the social ladder? Then let him try.”
Three days later, a small banquet was held in the palace to entertain the envoys from the Northern Barbarians.
Xiao Chengyu sat upright at the table, his expression unchanged. When Gu Nianzhi followed her father to the table, she even smiled slightly at him and nodded in greeting.
Gu Nianzhi was clearly flattered and became even more humble and courteous.
After several rounds of drinks, Xiao Chengji suddenly said, "I've heard that Young Master Gu is exceptionally talented, especially in poetry. Today, the envoy from the Northern Barbarians is here. Why not compose a poem to showcase the literary brilliance of our Great Liang?"
Gu Nianzhi quickly stood up: "Your Highness is too kind. I am humbled."
“No need for such modesty.” Xiao Chengji said gently, “I remember that the poem you composed the other day, ‘Spring Thoughts,’ was excellent— ‘Spring colors are locked away in the deep palace, magnolias bloom in solitude. I wish to borrow the power of the east wind to send their fragrance into your embrace.’ Is that so?”
A moment of silence fell over the room. The poem's content was ambiguous, especially the words "deep palace" and "magnolia," which easily evoked images of a princess in the inner palace.
Gu Nianzhi's expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Your Highness is mistaken. I have never written this poem."
"Oh?" Xiao Chengji raised an eyebrow and looked at Qi Mingxuan beside him. "Mingxuan, wasn't that poem you presented to me for my appreciation the other day? The signature is Young Master Gu's seal."
Qi Mingxuan calmly stood up and took out a manuscript of poetry from his sleeve: "Indeed. I was wondering which magnolia in the Imperial Garden Young Master Gu's poem refers to? After all, the magnolias in the palace are not something that ordinary people can 'borrow the east wind' at will."
These words were a very heavy blow. The expressions of everyone at the table varied, and their gazes toward Gu Nianzhi were all scrutinizing.
Cold sweat beaded on Gu Nianzhi's forehead as he hurriedly protested, "Your Highness, please understand! This poem was definitely not written by me! Someone must have forged the seal to frame me!"
"Is that so?" Xiao Chengji's tone turned indifferent. "But this handwriting is eight or nine parts similar to the articles that Young Master Gu usually writes."
Gu Nianzhi knelt down with a thud: "This student is innocent! I beg Your Highness to investigate!"
Xiao Chengyu spoke up at the opportune moment, his voice soft yet clear: "Your Majesty, perhaps there is some misunderstanding. Young Master Gu is always respectful of etiquette, how could he compose such a frivolous poem? Why not have someone verify the authenticity of the seal?"
Her words, seemingly an attempt to exonerate Gu Nianzhi, actually confirmed the label of "frivolous."
Soon, the head of the Hanlin Academy was summoned. After careful examination, he said, "Your Highness, this seal is indeed a forgery, but the craftsmanship is exquisite, almost indistinguishable from the real thing."
Gu Nianzhi had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the headmaster say again, "However... the handwriting on this poem is very similar to Young Master Gu's usual handwriting, especially the way the character 'jade' is written, which is quite characteristic of Young Master Gu."
This statement is quite profound. Seals can be imitated, but handwriting is difficult to replicate to the point of being identical in every detail.
Gu Nianzhi was speechless and his face turned deathly pale.
Xiao Chengji said calmly, "It seems someone is plotting to frame Young Master Gu. I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Young Master Gu, please go back and rest."
This was tantamount to expulsion. Gu Zhijie hurriedly pulled his son to thank the emperor and take his leave, utterly humiliated.
This incident has severely damaged Gu Nianzhi's reputation. Everyone in the court knows that he attempted to curry favor with the princess, even going so far as to forge poems, which is utterly disgraceful.
On the way back to the palace, Qi Mingyue linked arms with Xiao Chengyu and giggled, "Sister Yu, did you see Gu Nianzhi's face just now? It was so satisfying!"
Xiao Chengyu showed no joy, only saying softly, "If he stops now, then so be it."
However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease.
A few days later, Xiao Chengyu "bumped into" Gu Nianzhi again while taking a walk in the Imperial Garden.
He looked much thinner and more haggard. Upon seeing Xiao Chengyu, he knelt down and bowed from afar, saying, "This student greets Your Highness."
Xiao Chengyu did not want to get entangled with him, and said indifferently, "Young Master Gu, please rise." After saying that, he was about to leave.
"Your Highness!" Gu Nianzhi said urgently, "This student knows he was wrong! He was indeed delusional and did something foolish before! This student dares not ask for Your Highness's forgiveness, but only asks Your Highness to give him a chance to repent and start anew!"
Xiao Chengyu paused, saying, "Since Young Master Gu knows it's wishful thinking, he should put away his delusions and act accordingly."
"I understand!" Gu Nianzhi kowtowed, his voice choked with emotion. "I dare not have any more improper thoughts. But... but I have learned a secret that concerns Your Highness's safety, and I have no choice but to risk my life to report it!"
Xiao Chengyu frowned: "What secret?"
Gu Nianzhi looked around and lowered his voice: "This matter is of great importance. Please, Your Highness, step aside to speak."
Xiao Chengyu sneered: "Say what you have to say right here."
Gu Nianzhi seemed very troubled, but finally gritted his teeth and said, "I have learned by chance that there are spies in the Northern Barbarian delegation who want to harm Your Highness! They plan to assassinate you at the polo match in three days!"
Xiao Chengyu was startled, but remained outwardly calm: "How did you know?"
"I...I had some contact with the envoys from the Northern Barbarians before, and overheard them say something inappropriate while drunk..." Gu Nianzhi's eyes flickered. "Although I was confused for a moment, my loyalty to Your Highness is as clear as day! After learning about this, I was unable to eat or sleep properly, so I came to report this!"
Xiao Chengyu scrutinized him: "If that's the case, why didn't you report it to the Crown Prince or the Prefect of the Capital?"
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