Ning wang fu.
In the garden, a pavilion had been surrounded with screens to block the howling winter wind.
From within the screens came the sound of a qin.
The melody was graceful and flowing, carrying a touch of languid ease.
Maidservants and eunuchs waited nearby, but without orders, none dared to approach.
Liu Zhao played the qin alone, his expression relaxed.
No storm or turmoil outside could disturb his mood for music.
Gradually, the notes grew more forceful, faintly revealing the grand ambitions of the man playing.
The guard Zhao San approached the pavilion. Upon hearing the music, he unconsciously softened his footsteps.
He did not disturb Liu Zhao, instead waiting respectfully outside the pavilion for a summons.
“Zhao San, are you there?” Liu Zhao’s cool voice drifted out from behind the screens. Carried along with the music, in the winter air it felt like icy frost, making one shiver instinctively.
The guard bowed. “Your subordinate is here.”
“Come in.”
“Yes,” Zhao San stepped up, moved aside the screen, and entered the pavilion.
Inside was warm as spring.
Lowering his eyes, Zhao San noticed the brazier glowing in the corner.
Liu Zhao continued playing. The notes had turned deep and sombre, as if lamenting someone’s fate.
He blended several pieces together, playing for nearly half an hour before finally stopping.
As the last notes faded, a maid entered with hot water and carefully wiped Liu Zhao’s fingers.
Each finger was wiped in turn, then massaged to ease them.
After enjoying the service for a while, Liu Zhao waved his hand and the maids silently withdrew.
Lifting a cup of hot tea, he took a sip and asked, “What is it?”
Zhao San bowed. “The Qingping Horse Ranch has sent another batch of horses into the capital.”
“That’s all?”
Liu Zhao’s eyes lifted slightly, his gaze indifferent.
Zhao San quickly added, “Everything is unfolding just as you foresaw. Gu daren was thrown into the imperial prison last night. This morning, Pingnan hou entered the palace to plead on his behalf, but His Majesty gave him no chance. By now, the houye should have arranged a meeting with Li shizhong.”
[T/N: This guy was mentioned in Chapter 82.]
Liu Zhao’s expression remained impassive. He said nothing.
Zhao San hesitated, then carefully ventured, “Gongzi, Gu daren is Gu er guniang’s father. If he falls this time, her prospects will be bleak. She certainly won’t be able to marry into a good family.”
“You’re worried about her?” Liu Zhao asked coldly.
Zhao San thought for a moment, then replied, “She did save gongzi’s life, after all.”
Liu Zhao’s lips curved faintly. “True enough. She did save bengongzi.”
Just then, the eunuch Lin Shuping entered and bowed. “Gongzi, wangfei requests your presence.”
Liu Zhao’s eyes flickered slightly. His tone was calm. “Why does mufei want to see bengongzi?”
[T/N: 母妃 (mǔfēi) – A formal way princes, princesses, and imperial grandchildren address imperial consorts (other than the Empress) or princely consorts, whether or not they are the birth mother.]
“I do not know.” Lin Shuping paused, then ventured, “Perhaps regarding your marriage.”
Liu Zhao actually frowned – a rare sight.
As the matter concerned his marriage, Zhao San dared not say another word.
After a brief silence, Liu Zhao said, “Go wait in the study. Bengongzi will see mufei first.”
“This subordinate obeys.”
Liu Zhao rose. Maids entered quietly to drape a cloak over his shoulders, ensuring no chill would touch him.
He made his way to Chunhe Hall, where Ning wangfei resided.
Stepping into the main chamber, he saw Ning wangfei, Pei shi, chatting and laughing with two concubines and several beauties.
A few of Liu Zhao’s younger sisters were also present, teasing and amusing their mother.
Expressionless, he walked forward, bowed, and said, “Your son greets mufei and pays his respects. Has mufei been well these days?”
The smile on Ning wangfei’s face faded the moment she saw Liu Zhao. Her expression grew solemn.
Her tone was cool. “You’re here. Sit. You’re grown now – seeing you even once is no easy thing.”
Liu Zhao sat expressionlessly below her seat.
The ce feis and beauties all rose. “Niangniang wishes to speak with da gongzi, so we shall take our leave.”
[T/N: 侧妃 (cèfēi) – A titled secondary consort of a prince. Ranked below the principal consort (wang fei), but above lesser concubines.]
His younger sisters also excused themselves.
Ning wangfei waved her hand. “Go on.”
In a moment, the chamber was half empty.
A maid brought a cup of health-preserving tea and placed it in Ning wangfei’s hand.
She sipped slowly, without speaking.
Liu Zhao’s patience was remarkable. He too said nothing.
When she had finished the tea and saw him still silent, her brows drew together.
“Have you nothing to say to benwangfei?”
Liu Zhao bowed slightly. “Since mufei summoned this son, surely you have something to instruct. Your son is here to listen.”
Ning wangfei frowned, displeased. She pressed down her irritation and said calmly, “You are no longer young. It’s time to settle your marriage. Even your younger brother has begun his betrothal talks. How long do you mean to delay?”
Liu Zhao’s brows arched, and he smiled. “I have troubled mufei for worrying about me. Your son’s marriage will be resolved in its own time. Mufei need not be anxious.”
“You are my son. How could I not be anxious? I think the Pei yatou, Pei Yun, is very suitable. She’s cared for you since childhood. The two of you are a perfect match.”
Liu Zhao raised a brow. “Is that mufei’s wish – or fuwang’s?”
[T/N: 父王 (fùwáng) – “Royal Father.” The respectful way a prince or princess addresses their father (a king or prince of a royal house).]
Suppressing her anger, Ning wangfei said coldly, “What difference does it make?”
Liu Zhao bowed slightly and answered directly, “Pei Yun is not suitable.”
Lu hou held military power and wields great influence. As the saying goes, a great tree draws the wind. To marry Pei Yun would inevitably draw the scrutiny of all sides.
At present, Liu Zhao needed to keep a low profile and minimise his presence. Marrying an unremarkable wife suited his current circumstances better.
Ning wangfei, Pei shi, was displeased. “And how is Pei Yun unworthy of you? Or is it that you’re dissatisfied with me, and so unwilling to marry a daughter of the Pei family?”
“Mufei misunderstands. Your son absolutely has no intention of looking down on the Pei family’s daughter. It is simply that Pei Yun is not suitable for me, nothing more.”
Liu Zhao spoke in a calm, detached tone, neither hurried nor flustered.
Pei shi gave a cold snort. “Regardless of what excuses you have, your marriage must be settled within a year. Don’t forget – you are already twenty. Other princes of your age already have three to five children. And only you continue to delay your marriage. What sort of example is that?”
Liu Zhao remained unmoved, but said, “I understand mufei’s wishes. Your son will resolve my marriage soon – you need not trouble yourself.”
“You–you’re being utterly reckless! Marriage is a serious matter, to be arranged by parents and matchmakers. What do you mean benwangfei ‘need not trouble myself’? The older you grow, the more outrageous you become.”
Pei shi was so angry that her chest began to ache.
Liu Zhao smiled faintly. “Mufei, do not forget, your son is of the imperial clan. My marriage will be overseen by the Shaofu. When I enter the palace this coming New Year, your son will meet the Shaofu and ask if he has any suitable candidates. At that time, your son will simply choose one – would that satisfy mufei?”
“In the end, you just refuse to marry a girl of the Pei family.”
Liu Zhao did not deny it. “Yes. Your son cannot marry a girl of the Pei family. If mufei insists on making the Pei family our in-laws, why not first ask fuwang and Lu hou? I fear the two of them have no such intentions.”
Pei shi frowned. “And what is so wrong with the Pei family, that all of you reject them so?”
Liu Zhao let out a soft laugh. “Mufei misunderstands. There is nothing wrong with the Pei family. On the contrary, the Pei family is too good – so good that your son dare not marry from it.”
Pei shi’s face changed drastically. Her lips opened and closed, but in the end, only a sigh escaped. “You… do as you will. But resolve your marriage soon. Otherwise, once His Majesty remembers, he will appoint you a bride directly, and then you’ll have no say in the matter.”
“Thank you for the reminder, mufei. I know what’s at stake. If you have no further instructions, your son shall take my leave.”
Pei shi waved her hand. “Go, go. These days, if benwangfei needs to see you face-to-face, I need to look for an opportunity.”
Liu Zhao bowed and withdrew, leaving Chunhe Hall.
He returned directly to his study, where Zhao San was waiting inside.
“Gongzi!”
Liu Zhao waved his hand, signalling Zhao San to remain silent.
He stood by the window, gazing at the withered branches outside. After a long while, he asked, “Gu daren has been imprisoned by imperial decree?”
“Yes.”
Liu Zhao gave a scornful smile. “The Empress grows more and more shameless.”
Zhao San echoed, “After all, niangniang’s days are numbered. She must seize the time to sweep away all obstacles for the Crown Prince.”
“Unfortunately for her, it’s wasted effort. The Crown Prince is rotten mud that cannot be propped up against the wall. The officials of the Eastern Palace are all shifty-eyed, selfish, scheming parasites.”
[T/N: 烂泥扶不上墙 – Literally “rotten mud can’t be propped up against a wall.” Figuratively, it means someone is so hopeless or useless that no amount of help will make them stand upright.]
Liu Zhao spared no words in denouncing the Crown Prince’s faction.
Zhao San cautiously asked, “What does gongzi intend to do?”
Liu Zhao chuckled softly. “That Gu er guniang must be in quite a panic right now.”
“Your subordinate does not know.”
Liu Zhao decided instantly. “Send her a letter. Bengongzi want to meet her face-to-face.”
“Huh?” Zhao San was stunned, utterly at a loss. He couldn’t understand – not at all.
“Why does gongzi want to meet Gu er guniang?”
Liu Zhao said willfully, “Because bengongzi wish to see her, so I will. Set the meeting for tomorrow afternoon. Bengongzi trusts she will not disappoint me.”
Zhao San asked no further, bowed, and accepted the order. “As you command. This subordinate will arrange it at once.”
…
At the Gu fu, in Zhilan Yuan.
Gu Jiu entered her study, intending to practice calligraphy to calm her mind.
Without a calm heart, she could not think clearly.
When she opened her copybook, a letter slipped out.
It was unsigned.
Gu Jiu frowned. She first sniffed it, ensuring there was no poison or harmful substance, then carefully opened the envelope.
It was an invitation – an invitation to meet tomorrow afternoon at a Daoist temple in the city.
The signature, “Gongzi Zhao.”
Gongzi Zhao?
That Gongzi Zhao actually took the initiative to meet her? Impossible.
How could he even know of a minor figure like her? It was unbelievable.
Gu Jiu felt muddled, as if she had overlooked some crucial clue.
She read the letter several times. It didn’t look fake.
Who would play such a prank?
“Qing Mei, Qing Mei…”
Gu Jiu called toward the door of the study.
Hearing her, Qing Mei entered.
“Guniang, nubi is here – do you have instructions?”
Gu Jiu asked directly, “Did anyone come into the study today?”
“No. Nubi will go ask around. Perhaps while you were out, some of the little maids came in to clean.”
Gu Jiu quickly said, “Go and ask them. Ask carefully. Did they see anyone come in? And did they notice an unsigned letter in the study?”
“Guniang, has something happened?”
Qing Mei looked at her with concern.
Gu Jiu replied, “It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry. Just ask first.”
“Nubi obeys.”
Qing Mei walked out of the study and questioned the little maids one by one. After making a full round of inquiries, she learned nothing.
Uneasy, Qing Mei went back to report to Gu Jiu: “Reporting to guniang, all the maids said that no one went in or out of the study during that time.”
Gu Jiu frowned. This letter had appeared far too strangely – as if it had dropped from the heavens straight onto her desk.
That Gongzi Zhao truly had remarkable means. To come and go from the Gu fu as though it were an unguarded place.
Gu Jiu pressed her lips together, her mood heavy.
At that moment, Xiao Cui came running in from outside. “Guniang, guniang…”
“Don’t run about wildly, you might bump into guniang,” Qing Mei scolded her.
Embarrassed, Xiao Cui quickly slowed down, walked properly into the study, and said: “Reporting to guniang, there’s something important nubi must report.”
“Is there new news from the hou fu?” Gu Jiu asked urgently.
Xiao Cui shook her head. “It’s not about laoye. It’s that Wu pozi who guards the back gate. She suddenly grabbed nubi and gave nubi a key. Nubi didn’t even realise what was happening at the time. Later, nubi secretly went to the back gate and tested it – the key, it – it opens the back gate. Truly, nubi is not lying.”
She hurriedly took the key out and placed it on the desk. “This is the key to the back gate. With this, guniang can secretly leave the residence in the future, without worrying about being discovered.”
Gu Jiu stared at the key and drew in a sharp breath.
That Gongzi Zhao’s methods were extraordinary – he had even thought of her problem of leaving the house.
Had he planted eyes inside Gu fu, or had he in such a short time managed to bribe the gatekeeper herself?
Either way, it was hardly good news for Gu Jiu.
Clearly, Gu fu – and Gu daren – had been targeted from the very beginning.
Rubbing her brow, Gu Jiu thought: the meeting set for tomorrow afternoon was unavoidable.
Qing Mei was still questioning Xiao Cui. “You’re certain this key can really open the back gate?”
Xiao Cui nodded repeatedly.
“And you’re sure it was Wu pozi herself who handed it to you?”
Xiao Cui said, “Absolutely. It was indeed Wu pozi who gave it to me with her own hands. Qing Mei jie, if you don’t believe me, we can go test it at the back gate.”
Qing Mei bit her lip. “Fine. I’ll go with you to test the key.” Then she sought Gu Jiu’s permission.
Gu Jiu’s face was dark as water. “Go ahead. It’s no harm to test it. But that key must be genuine.”
“Why is guniang so certain?”
Gu Jiu gave a wry smile. “Because tomorrow, I will be leaving the residence.”
“Ah?” Qing Mei was baffled.
Gu Jiu waved her hand. “Go busy yourselves. We’ll speak later.”
Her own thoughts were a tangled mess.
She kept feeling she had overlooked some crucial clue, but she could not recall what it was.
What she could not understand most was: why would Gongzi Zhao seek her out?
She was just an unknown girl in the boudoir – not some famed jewel of the capital, known to all. Why would Gongzi Zhao choose to meet her?
It wasn’t as if the two of them had known each other before.
Qing Mei personally went to the back gate to test the key, and sure enough, it opened.
She could not fathom why Wu pozi would voluntarily hand it over.
She herself had once tried bribing Wu pozi with money, and failed. Yet after she gave up, Wu pozi instead offered up the key on her own.
What kind of bizarre trick was this?
Worried, Qing Mei whispered to Gu Jiu: “Could Wu pozi be trying to harm you? What if someone else bribed her, and when you sneak out, she goes to taitai to accuse you?”
Indeed, Wu pozi had been bribed – but not to report her. Rather, to make it easier for Gu Jiu to leave.
This, however, was something Gu Jiu could not say aloud.
She told Qing Mei: “You needn’t worry. Wu pozi bears no ill will. Keep the key safe. Tomorrow afternoon, accompany me out. Also, tell Li Chuan to inform Erzhuang – have him prepare the ox cart.”
“Yes, guniang. I’ll go to Li Chuan right away.”
Qing Mei reached the doorway, then turned back once more to confirm: “Guniang, are you sure this is really safe?”
“Don’t worry, it’s fine.”
Gu Jiu kept waiting for news from the hou fu.
But even after a full day of effort, the old houye had nothing good to report.
The matter remained at a deadlock.
The old houye had made it clear: if things dragged on, it would become extremely unfavourable for Gu daren.
The greatest fear was that Gu daren would languish in the Imperial Prison, anxious and unsettled, while His Majesty completely forgot about him.
And if one day the emperor remembered – perhaps one year, two, or even three or five years later – by then, Gu daren would be utterly ruined.
Such being forgotten was even more terrifying than exile.
With exile, at least one understood one’s situation. With the hou fu helping, the days in exile might not even be too harsh. Perhaps someday a general amnesty would come, and reinstatement.
On the road of exile, anything was possible.
But to be forgotten – that was true misery.
Living in daily fear, with a sword hanging overhead, never knowing when it would fall.
For someone without a strong enough will, shut in the Imperial Prison, never seeing daylight, such days could drive a person mad.
The old houye’s stance was clear: this matter could not remain deadlocked. Whatever the outcome, it must be resolved quickly.
Gu Jiu agreed wholeheartedly.
But the old houye negotiations with the Empress were not going smoothly.
Niangniang was openly refusing to give him any face.
Now, Gu Jiu could only pin her hopes on tomorrow’s meeting with Gongzi Zhao.
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