"arrive."
The carriage was parked outside the imperial city. After the rain, water still lingered on the palace road, reflecting the gray sky.
Shen Jintang and Gu Zhixing walked side by side, their official boots splashing tiny water droplets as they stepped over puddles.
She glanced at him sideways, and Gu Zhixing's profile looked particularly sharp in the morning light, his jawline taut and sharp, with none of his usual nonchalant smile.
"At three-quarters past the hour of Mao (5:45 AM), all officials shall come to pay their respects—"
The eunuch's high-pitched voice pierced through the hall, and Shen Jintang felt Gu Zhixing's arm muscles tense up for a moment, then quickly relax.
He straightened his clothes and stepped into the hall with steady, powerful strides, as if the person who had broken down and held her in his arms the night before had never existed.
In the imperial court, the scents of sandalwood and ink mingled.
The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze lingering on Gu Zhixing for a moment beneath his crown.
"I am deeply saddened by Ye Qing's matter." The emperor's voice echoed in the hall. "This case involves great importance and should have been thoroughly investigated by the Court of Judicial Review."
Shen Jintang noticed that the Crown Prince, who was standing at the head of the line, slightly curled the corners of his mouth, while the Imperial Censor behind him straightened his back.
There's a conspiracy.
Shen Jintang instinctively felt that the Crown Prince had made preparations. Then she subconsciously looked at Gu Zhixing and saw that he had lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting a shadow under his eyes, and his face showed no emotion.
"However, Minister Ye and Minister Gu are like brothers. To avoid suspicion, this case will be transferred to the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice for joint trial, with Minister Shen Huaixu in charge." The Emperor's gaze swept over the assembled officials. "Do any of you have any objections?"
The main hall was completely silent.
Shen Jintang's nails almost dug into her palms. She knew all too well what this meant. By directly removing Gu Zhixing from the scope of the trial, she was stripping him of his power and warning him not to interfere in this matter.
Could it be that the emperor wants Ye Qingzhou's death to remain a mystery?
"My lord, I obey the order."
Gu Zhixing's calm voice rang out. He stepped forward and bowed with impeccable precision.
Shen Jintang noticed that the veins on the back of his hand were slightly bulging under his sleeve, but he quickly let go.
As the bell rang to signal the end of the court session, Shen Jintang quickly walked to Gu Zhixing's side.
She could feel the gazes coming from all directions—sympathetic, inquisitive, and gloating.
Gu Zhixing seemed oblivious, and simply walked steadily out, the little dog jade pendant at his waist swaying gently with each step. It was a birthday gift that Ye Qingzhou had given him before his death.
"Retreat!"
The crown prince's voice came from behind, carrying a deliberately warm tone.
Shen Jintang felt a chill creep up her spine. She instinctively reached for Gu Zhixing's sleeve, but he gently avoided her.
"Your Highness," Gu Zhixing turned around, his bow flowing smoothly, a faint smile even appearing on his face, "What can I do for you?"
The crown prince was dressed in an apricot-yellow court robe, with a golden crown and jade belt, and his eyes were full of pride and satisfaction.
He slowly approached, until he was only a step away from Gu Zhixing, and lowered his voice so that only the three of them could hear: "Ye Qingzhou is dead. I stand in front of you, yet you cannot do anything to me. How do you feel?"
Shen Jintang's breath hitched.
She remembered Gu Zhixing's bloodshot eyes when he heard the bad news last night, and how he went crazy.
At this moment, the Crown Prince's provocation was tantamount to rubbing salt into a wound, and she could almost foresee Gu Zhixing's furious reaction—
"Your Highness is joking." Gu Zhixing's lips remained unchanged, his voice gentle yet chilling. "Lord Ye was loyal to the country, and the court will decide the cause of his death. As for my feelings..." He raised his eyes slightly, his gaze deep and dark. "I only wish that the truth will come to light as soon as possible, so as to comfort Lord Ye's spirit in heaven."
The crown prince was clearly stunned.
The sarcasm he had prepared stuck in his throat, and his brows furrowed involuntarily as he looked Gu Zhixing up and down, who suddenly seemed like a stranger.
Shen Jintang was equally shocked.
She looked at Gu Zhixing's composed demeanor, at the perfectly timed smile on his lips, and even noticed that he had the leisure to straighten the wrinkles on his cuffs.
This version of Gu Zhixing is even more alarming than the one who broke down last night; it's like the calm before the storm, or the undercurrents beneath the deep sea.
"Gu Qing is... quite open-minded." The Crown Prince barely managed to find his voice, a hint of unease flashing in his eyes. "It seems I was overthinking things."
"Your Highness's concern is deeply appreciated." Gu Zhixing bowed again, his posture so respectful that there was not a single flaw. "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
He turned around slowly and deliberately, even nodding to the ministers beside him.
Shen Jintang quickly followed, and as they passed through the palace gate, she finally couldn't help but grab his wrist.
Her hand felt icy cold to the touch, and she realized that Gu Zhixing's hand was trembling slightly.
"Gu Zhixing..." she called softly, her voice full of worry.
Gu Zhixing did not respond, but instead grabbed her fingers with his other hand, so tightly that it almost hurt her.
They walked silently through the long palace corridor until they turned a corner and, after confirming that no one was around, Gu Zhixing suddenly stopped and slammed his other hand heavily on the vermilion palace wall.
With a muffled "bang," blood immediately seeped from the knuckles.
Shen Jintang did not stop him, but stood quietly beside him, watching his chest heave violently, watching him grit his teeth and swallow back the roar that was about to burst out of his throat.
"I'm fine." After a long while, Gu Zhixing loosened his fist, his voice hoarse, "Really."
Shen Jintang took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and gently wrapped it around his bleeding hand.
Sunlight shone through the clouds onto his pale face, and she then noticed the dark circles under his eyes and his chapped lips.
“You don’t need to put on a brave face in front of me,” she said softly, her fingers gently tracing his wound. “If it hurts, you can tell me.”
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