My surname is Xiao.
The King's Mansion - Chen'an Residence
The candlelight flickered, illuminating Gu Jinghong's cheeks, which were flushed an abnormally red from a fever.
She was fast asleep with her eyes closed, her breathing was a little rapid, and the damp cloth covering her forehead had been warmed by her body temperature.
Xiao Chengyan sat on the edge of the couch, his long, slender fingers having just removed his hand from her forehead. His brows were furrowed, the burning heat from her touch causing him a surge of unease and indescribable pain.
He carefully tucked her exposed hand back under the quilt, his movements exceptionally gentle.
After doing all this, he pushed open the door, stood with his hands behind his back, and said in an icy tone: "Why did she fall into a coma with a high fever? Was it because medicine was ineffective?"
Xuan Ru and Dean Tan stood to one side, exchanged a glance, and quietly reported to him.
“Your Highness, we have already given Ah Hong medicine. But this is not a simple cold or alcohol poisoning, but rather…”
What is it?
Xuan Ru hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's poisoning."
"Poisoned?" Xiao Chengyan asked, puzzled. "Just now?"
Xuanru shook her head: "It was a fire poison that was administered a long time ago. This poison has an extremely long incubation period, so it was difficult to detect because there were no symptoms before."
Xiao Chengyan asked, "Can it be cured?"
Chief Physician Tan and Xuan Ru exchanged a glance, then said, "It should be possible, but since the Imperial Medical Academy has no record of this poison, we will have to try it slowly, which will take quite a while..."
At this point, Xuanru suddenly pressed Tan Xuan's hand, signaling him to stop talking.
Xiao Chengyan was so focused on Gu Jinghong that he didn't notice this little incident for a moment.
"It's alright, you can treat her properly in this palace. Anything she needs can be taken care of by the steward, who will comply with all requests."
Xuan Ru looked at Xiao Chengyan, carefully considering the sense of estrangement in his words: "Is Your Highness... going on a long journey?"
Xiao Chengyan seemed to sigh: "It's still unknown, perhaps... you must take good care of Ah Hong."
"Yes!" The two men withdrew.
Xiao Chengyan walked to a desk not far away and sat down, forcing himself to focus his attention on the unfolded map of Nanzhao.
Reports have come from the front that there are restless forces in Nanzhao, threatening to fight Dayong to the bitter end if they do not see Xiao Chengyan... This is a troublesome matter.
He pressed his knuckles to his brow—only by completely eliminating these demons and monsters could those he cared about truly find peace.
Changfeng entered silently, glanced towards the inner room, and reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, news has just come from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review that the secret letters and account books found in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion match perfectly with Sun Miao's blood letter and the confession of the Canal Gang. With both witnesses and physical evidence, the three courts believe... it is an ironclad case."
Xiao Chengyan's gaze remained fixed on the map, his voice low: "What is Your Majesty's decision?"
"His Majesty is furious and has ordered that Gongsun Lie be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison and placed under strict guard by the Three Departments. He will be tried and sentenced in three days. His residence has been surrounded, and no one is allowed to enter or leave."
Everything is proceeding according to plan.
But... Xiao Chengyan then recalled the smile on Gongsun Lie's face when he was taken away.
Gongsun Lie had been immersed in officialdom for many years and controlled half of the military power in the Yong Dynasty. He was hardly someone who could only incompetently threaten others.
Could it be that he has another plan in mind?
Xiao Chengyan's gaze slowly shifted to Gu Jinghong, who was suffering from a high fever. Seeing that she was sleeping restlessly, he went over and wrung out a new handkerchief for her.
For some reason, he had a vague feeling that Ah Hong was involved in this matter.
Just then, a guard's hurried, deliberately hushed voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness, the warden of the Imperial Prison urgently requests an audience, saying he has important matters concerning... the town... Gongsun Lie."
Xiao Chengyan's brows furrowed suddenly, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
He moved to the outer courtyard before saying in a deep voice, "Let him in."
The warden practically staggered in, his face deathly pale in the candlelight. He knelt and cried, “Your Highness, please forgive me! I deserve to die! That Gongsun Lie… he… he was shouting in prison that if he didn’t see Your Highness within a quarter of an hour, he would… he would loudly recite a poem about ‘South Wind’ and ‘Crabapple Blossoms of the Old Country,’ and that he had a way to make the poem spread throughout the capital! I… dared not fail to report this!”
"South Wind", "Crabapple Blossom of My Homeland"...
Xiao Chengyan's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected that what he had just thought would come true so quickly. These words clearly pointed directly to Gu Jinghong's background!
Xiao Chengyan held the report, his knuckles tensing instantly, and the report shattered in an instant.
Unexpectedly, that old fox Gongsun Lie would resort to such a desperate measure to coerce him. It seems Gongsun Lie was certain that he would never let anything happen to Gu Jinghong.
Xiao Chengyan glanced back at Gu Jinghong, his tone extremely restrained: "I... will go and meet him personally."
...
Deepest part of the prison - a solitary cell
The once all-powerful Duke of Zhenguo sat on a pile of hay.
His long-standing position of authority allowed him to maintain a composed demeanor despite being in prison clothes, his disheveled appearance was still evident, and even his hair was perfectly neat, exuding an indescribable calm and composure.
Xiao Chengyan frowned—what was he so sure about? Was he sure he would definitely come to see him?
The prison door opened, and Xiao Chengyan's dark figure appeared outside. The contrast between the two, one in light and one in shadow, was striking.
"Your Highness has come after all." Gongsun Lie looked up at Xiao Chengyan and smiled.
Xiao Chengyan stepped in, his gaze sweeping over like an icy blade: "You used those coded words to threaten me, wasn't it all for this moment? Speak, what is it? My patience is running out."
Gongsun Lie stroked his beard: "This old minister wishes to make a deal with Your Highness."
Xiao Chengyan's voice was extremely cold: "Does the Duke really think that a prisoner can make a deal with me?"
Gongsun Lie laughed loudly: "If a deal couldn't be made, why would Your Highness have come here?"
Xiao Chengyan's back remained straight as he stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of profound composure and extraordinary bearing: "The Duke is a veteran minister, and my father has ordered us to thoroughly investigate his case. I, of course, cannot fail my father's trust."
Gongsun Lie naturally knew why Xiao Chengyan had come, but King Jin was always cunning, and even if he came for that woman, he could still package his words so beautifully.
He smiled, stood up, and walked towards Xiao Chengyan: "Let's get married."
Xiao Chengyan frowned: "What did you say?"
Gongsun Lie had reached the edge of the prison cell. He looked up at the imposing figure through the bars, his eyes seemingly full of confidence: "We'll arrange a marriage."
Xiao Chengyan glanced at him, his voice icy: "Absolutely impossible."
Gongsun Lie raised an eyebrow slightly: "Your Highness, you refuse so easily without even listening to the conditions offered by this old minister?"
Xiao Chengyan said, "No need to listen. I've already said it's absolutely impossible."
That day, Ah Hong was so upset just because Gongsun Lie mentioned it briefly. If he were to marry someone else, what difference would it make from taking her life? Even if he threatened her with Ah Hong's background, he would not compromise.
Looking at Xiao Chengyan's noble demeanor, Gongsun Lie couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
In the Great Yong Dynasty, the two of them were evenly matched, one old and one young, both in charge of military affairs. If they joined forces, the entire Great Yong Dynasty would be theirs.
Unfortunately, the two belonged to opposing camps, and marriage was originally the best solution he could think of.
If Xiao Chengming could have learned even half of Xiao Chengyan's skills, Gongsun Lie wouldn't be in this predicament today. However, since the two have no basis for cooperation, then—a formidable opponent shouldn't exist in this world, right?
Gongsun Lie smiled: "I didn't expect Your Highness to be such a romantic. Very well, let's change the deal."
He paused, then said, “First, I ask Your Highness to intervene before His Majesty. Regarding the old case in the southwest, I admit to the crimes of ‘negligence’ and ‘lax management of subordinates’, and am willing to relinquish some of my power and have my family property confiscated. However, the crimes of ‘poisoning’ and ‘shaking the foundation of the state’ must be suppressed! I and the core of the Gongsun clan must be preserved.”
A cold glint flashed in Xiao Chengyan's eyes.
Gongsun Lie ignored his expression, raised his hand and continued, "Secondly, Your Highness, please take the initiative to request His Majesty's permission to travel to Nanzhao to quell the rebellion."
He looked at Xiao Chengyan and analyzed the pros and cons: "If Your Highness stays in the capital and fights with the Fifth Prince, the outcome is uncertain. Moreover, the young lady beside you is like someone on a hot plate. How many eyes in the capital are watching you? Going to Nanzhao will not only allow you to achieve great things, but also create a safe haven for her. Use Your Highness's temporary departure and your 'leniency' in this case to exchange for her absolute safety and my eternal silence. This is currently your only option that allows you to have both."
The cell suddenly became unbearably cold.
Xiao Chengyan pondered for a moment, then slowly took a step, the candlelight flickering in his deep pupils.
"Lord Gongsun, you've certainly played your cards right. You're using my concessions to prolong your own life and stabilize Xiao Chengming's position. Perhaps... the Nanzhao Rebellion also has a backup plan in place? You want me to venture into your own dragon's den and tiger's lair?"
Gongsun Lie smiled but remained silent.
“Okay.” Xiao Chengyan suddenly uttered a single word, a very simple and straightforward statement.
Gongsun Lie raised an eyebrow. Knowing it was a pit of fire, why did he jump in so decisively? Heh, he's still young.
Xiao Chengyan completely ignored Gongsun Lie's reaction and continued, "I can agree to your request. First, the old case in the southwest can be treated as 'negligence.' But you must hand over all your associates involved in this case, as well as all your authority in the army. This is the bottom line."
Before Gongsun Lie could respond, he continued decisively, "Secondly, I will go to Nanzhao myself. It's not because you coerced me, but because as the Prince of Dayong, I am in charge of military affairs in the southwest. It is my duty to quell the rebellion! What can you do if you lay a trap? I have nothing to fear!"
Immediately afterward, he leaned down, approaching Gongsun Lie, his voice extremely low, a chilling killing intent surging forth: "But, Gongsun Lie, listen to me clearly—"
"You'd better pray day and night that I will return alive from Nanzhao."
"If anything happens to me in Nanzhao, no matter how flawless it may seem, within three days, all the irrefutable evidence of your Gongsun family's treason, poisoning, and plot against the former crown prince, including the fact that you used this secret to blackmail me today, will be presented to the Emperor in its entirety! At that time, your entire Gongsun family will be wiped out!"
"Similarly, if you dare to break your promise and reveal a single word of that secret in any way, even if it's just a baseless rumor... the result will be the same. This is not a deal; this is my final ultimatum to you."
"You want to trade the survival of your Gongsun clan for her safety, and for my temporary release? Can you afford to play that game?"
Gongsun Lie's composure vanished completely. His pupils constricted as he stared at the young man before him. He had thought he was the one holding the pieces, only to discover that his opponent had already overturned the chessboard and replaced it with a far more brutal set of rules—a high-stakes gamble where both sides wagered their entire fortunes.
Xiao Chengyan straightened up, reverting to his aloof and cold demeanor, as if those murderous words from just now had not come from his mouth.
"Your Excellency, please rest and recuperate in this prison. Wait for my good news."
Having said that, he didn't look at Gongsun Lie again, turned around, the hem of his black robe drawing an arc in the polluted air, and strode towards the prison door.
Just before leaving, Xiao Chengyan stopped again, his voice cold and hard: "Gongsun Lie, my surname is Xiao..."
—My surname is Xiao, so even your right to sit at the table is a gift from my Xiao royal family. What do you have to negotiate with me?
Gongsun Lie was horrified upon hearing this. He sat alone on the cold straw mat, feeling for the first time the raging fire burning him.
The title of King Jin was not intended to be a suppression by His Majesty, but rather... it was extremely fitting.
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