Doctor Zhu arrived.
After inserting two needles, Xie shi slowly regained consciousness.
“Laoye…”
The moment she woke, the first thing she did was cry out for her husband.
Standing at the doorway, Gu Jiu couldn’t help but glance at her. Xie shi’s nerves were weak indeed.
Gu daren had only just been thrown into prison, and she was already wailing as if her world had ended. Could anyone really rely on her later?
“Don’t worry, dimei. My laoye and the hou fu are already working on it. By tomorrow – tomorrow we should have definite news.”
Zhang shi, seated by the bed, tried to soothe her.
Xie shi broke into sobs, gasping between words. “Dasao, if something happens to my husband, what am I to do with the children?”
“It won’t come to that. Don’t let your thoughts run wild.”
Still weeping, Xie shi said: “But it’s the Imperial Prison! In all these years, have you ever heard of anyone coming out of there whole? Wuwu… my poor husband… leaving us widowed and fatherless, what will become of us?”
She howled and lamented, looking as if Gu daren were already doomed.
Gu Jiu frowned, speechless at her display.
Just then, Xiao Cui entered and leaned close to whisper: “Guniang, the steward is still at the hou fu and hasn’t returned. Gu si shaoye has arrived; he’s waiting in the garden.”
“Take me to see Gu si ge.”
With her maids in tow, Gu Jiu slipped quietly away from Furong Yuan.
Qing Mei walked ahead holding a lantern. “Mind your step, guniang, the ground is slippery.”
It had rained that morning, and the flagstone paths were still damp.
Crossing through the garden, they reached the northwest corner of the back courtyard, where Gu Yu was waiting against a wall.
Gu Jiu stepped forward. “Thank you for coming, Gu si ge.”
In the lamplight, his expression was hard to make out.
“I heard from Li Chuan you were looking for me.”
“Father’s in trouble – thrown into the Imperial Prison. Do you know what’s behind this?”
Gu Jiu went straight to the point.
Gu Yu answered: “It’s obvious this is the Empress niangniang’s doing. She must protect the Crown Prince and the Eastern Palace. That makes laoye a thorn in her side. And when the Empress acts, even His Majesty has to give her face.”
Gu Jiu frowned. “So it all comes back to the case.”
Gu Yu nodded. “When Gongzi Zhao first reported the case, laoye already sensed it would lead to trouble – that it might drag us into the Crown Prince succession struggle. He tried to guard against it, but in the end, he couldn’t keep himself apart and got pulled in.”
“Gu si ge, did you just say Gongzi Zhao reported the case?” Gu Jiu caught the key point.
Gu Yu nodded. “Yes. He was dining at the Tongfu Restaurant when his jade pendant fell off. That pendant had been gifted to him by Ning wangfei.
“The restaurant staff swore they’d never seen it. So Gongzi Zhao went himself to file a case at the yamen. Anyone with eyes could tell the jade was just an excuse. His real intent was to stir up trouble.
“But as Prefect of the Capital, laoye couldn’t refuse. Even knowing Gongzi Zhao harboured ill will, he had no choice but to take the case. Not only to take it, but to pursue it thoroughly. Originally, it would have been enough to trace it to the Xue family.
“But someone higher up interfered, and laoye had no choice but to dig deeper. That digging eventually pointed toward the Eastern Palace.”
Gu Jiu’s brows knitted tighter. “If I recall, Gongzi Zhao is Ning wang’s di eldest son.”
“He is, though I hear he’s not much favoured,” Gu Yu whispered.
Gu Jiu lowered her gaze, thinking. “Why target Father? If he wanted to report the theft, he could have gone to the Embroidered Guards, the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, even the Office of Works. Why fixate on the Capital Prefecture?”
Gu Yu shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Gu Jiu speculated: “Could it be because Father was newly appointed, and easier to manipulate?”
Gu Yu was dumbstruck. Clearly, the thought had never crossed his mind – nor, likely, had it occurred to Father or Ma shiye.
“You mean, from the very start, this case has been under Gongzi Zhao’s manipulation?”
Gu Jiu replied, “That’s my suspicion. I’ve never met him, so I can’t judge his character. It’s only a preliminary guess.”
Gu Yu frowned. “If that’s true… then even laoye being thrown into the Imperial Prison might have been part of Gongzi Zhao’s plan?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not. But right now, the priority is finding a way to save Father.”
Gu Yu shook his head slowly. “Ma shiye and I have thought of every possible method. None work.”
“Tomorrow we’ll know more. Houye will present himself at court at dawn. After that, we’ll have clearer news to guide our next move. Gu si ge, I must trouble you to make another trip to the Imperial Guards to smooth things for Father.”
“Don’t worry. Ma shiye and I have already taken care of it. From top to bottom, the prison has been greased. For now, laoye won’t suffer. But if there’s no turn of fortune soon, his situation will be dire.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I understand. Tomorrow is critical.”
The Emperor’s attitude would decide everything – whether the Jinwuwei handled matters with a gentle breeze, or with a violent storm.
And it would decide whether Gu daren could emerge from the Imperial Prison alive.
The next morning, the Gu fu was steeped in gloom. No trace of the festive anticipation for the New Year remained.
Even the bright red lanterns hanging from the eaves seemed heavy with sorrow.
At dawn, Xie shi sent messengers to both the hou fu and Haixi bo fu.
To the hou fu, they went to await news.
To Haixi bo fu, they went in hope that, as relatives by marriage, they might lend a helping hand to Gu daren.
Everyone gathered at Furong Yuan, waiting anxiously.
Even Bai yiniang, rarely seen of late, appeared – heavily pregnant, her face etched with worry.
She glanced at Xie shi several times, opening her mouth only to stop herself each time.
Xie shi now held a string of prayer beads in her hands, eyes closed as she recited sutras, praying to the Bodhisattva for Gu daren’s safety and for misfortune to turn into blessing.
Hu yiniang kept her head lowered, meek and submissive. No one knew what she was truly thinking.
Gu Jiu stood beneath the eaves, her eyes fixed on the gates of Furong Yuan.
Gu Cheng entered from outside. Seeing her, he quickly asked, “Er meimei, why aren’t you going inside? It’s cold out here – be careful of your health.”
Gu Jiu asked, “Liu ge, has there been any news from the hou fu?”
Gu Cheng shook his head. “Houye hasn’t returned home yet, so no news for now. I accompanied da bofu to call on people, but most avoided us. The few who agreed to meet only urged bofu to give up. They said… they said Father offended Empress niangniang, and this time he’s surely doomed.”
Gu Jiu frowned, her expression heavy.
Gu Cheng looked at her and asked, “Er meimei, do you think Father is really doomed?”
Gu Jiu set her face sternly. “No. Father will definitely return safe.”
Gu Cheng fell silent, saying nothing.
Gu Jiu fixed her gaze on him. “Liu ge, did you hear any other news?”
“What does er meimei mean?”
“Have you gone to the Xie family?”
At once, Gu Cheng’s expression changed.
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly. “How is Xie daren now? Did you see him?”
Gu Cheng opened his mouth. “Er meimei thinks Father’s imprisonment was caused by da jiujiu? He doesn’t have that kind of ability.”
Gu Jiu wasn’t surprised by his reaction. “Liu ge, just tell me the state of the Xie household. This concerns Father’s safety. I beg you not to conceal anything.”
Gu Cheng drew a deep breath, then finally said flatly: “Xie daren has submitted a memorial to resign from his post as Junior Vice Minister of the Crown Prince’s Household. His Highness has already approved it. As of today, da jiujiu holds no office and will remain idle at home.”
Hearing this, Gu Jiu gave a cold laugh.
“You don’t believe it?” Gu Cheng asked.
Gu Jiu said softly, “I believe his resignation is real. But retreating in order to advance is just as real. With the political winds so uncertain, resigning and retreating home is a brilliant move.
“Unfortunately, Father wasn’t as quick-witted as Xie daren, and failed to act first. If, a few days ago, after Xie daren barged into our home, Father had decisively resigned his post as Prefect of the Capital, he likely wouldn’t have been thrown into prison by imperial decree.”
Gu Cheng opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Because he had no solid argument to refute Gu Jiu.
The truth was, Gu daren had indeed been arrested after Xie Mao’s confrontation, and Xie Mao had indeed uttered harsh threats, vowing that Gu daren would pay.
To say Father’s imprisonment had nothing to do with Xie Mao – no one would believe it.
And now look at Xie Mao: the moment Gu daren was jailed, he resigned, playing the part of a man washing his hands of the matter.
Heh!
That Xie Mao – scheming, treacherous.
Father simply wasn’t as crafty as him, nor as bold – willing to throw everything aside.
Father had too many scruples, and so he ended up being outmanoeuvred.
At that moment, Steward Gu Quan returned from the hou fu and came straight to Furong Yuan to deliver news.
When Gu Jiu saw him, she asked, “Steward, is there news?”
Gu Quan nodded. “Er guniang, liu shaoye, let’s go inside to talk.”
Gu Jiu walked into the main room first.
Xie shi suddenly opened her eyes, her lips trembling twice. “Steward, what did the old houye say? How is laoye now? Did the Jinwuwei give him trouble?”
Gu Quan bowed before speaking. “Taitai, rest assured. The Jinwuwei have not mistreated laoye, nor have they interrogated him. The moment the old houye returned from morning court, he sent word to the fu. The old houye says everyone must stay calm – there is still a chance for laoye’s case to turn around.”
“What chance? When will it turn?” Xie shi pressed, her anxiety rising. The concubines, too, were tense with fear.
Gu Quan considered his words, then said, “The old houye is personally seeking someone out.”
“Whom?” Xie shi asked nervously.
Gu Quan hesitated, saying nothing.
Bang!
Xie shi slammed the table. “At a time like this, how can you still dither? Gu Quan, speak clearly at once!”
Gu Quan still wavered.
Gu Jiu stepped forward. “Steward, the person the old houye seeks – is it someone who has influence in the palace?”
Gu Quan let out a sigh of relief. “As expected, er guniang is astute. Yes, that is correct.”
“Who in the palace?” Xie shi looked blank, confused by the riddling between Gu Jiu and Gu Quan.
Gu Cheng coughed lightly. “Mother, don’t be anxious. I’ll explain to you later.”
He, too, understood now: the old houye was approaching someone close enough to speak on their behalf before the Empress, and willing to act on Gu daren’s behalf.
But Furong Yuan was full of people. If they spoke too plainly and the words spread outside, it could cause unnecessary trouble.
Thus, some things had to remain veiled.
Xie shi looked at Gu Cheng. He gave her a heavy nod, and only then did she suppress her agitation.
Just then, Gao Sanfu also returned from outside.
Seeing the crowded main hall, he hesitated, unsure whether to speak.
Xie shi glared at him. “What could be more important right now than saving laoye? Out with it!”
Gao Sanfu, hearing this, finally gathered the courage to speak, “Taitai, I just came back from Haixi bo fu. Bo furen didn’t see me herself, but sent someone to deliver a message. She said, she said…”
“What did she say?” Gu Yue was even more anxious than Xie shi, her hands twitching from the tension.
Gao Sanfu hesitated for a moment before saying: “Haixi bo furen sent word that the Gu family should focus on laoye’s situation for now. As for the marriage between the two families, it can be discussed later.”
“What does that mean? What on earth is that supposed to mean?”
Gu Yue pressed on urgently, “Is Haixi bo fu breaking off the engagement? How dare they? Mother, you have to think of a way!”
Xie shi snapped at her, “Silence! Right now, your father’s safety is what matters most. Everything else can wait.”
Gu Yue burst into loud sobs, covering her mouth as she ran out.
Gu Gong, worried about her, quickly said, “I’ll go check on san jiejie.” With that, he too ran out.
Xie shi was seething with anger.
In front of Gu Jiu, she asked Gao Sanfu directly, “Did you go to Lu hou fu? Did you see Lu hou furen?”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t expected Xie shi to still be pinning her hopes on Lu hou fu. Desperate measures indeed.
If even Haixi bo fu – already tied to them by engagement – stood by and did nothing, how could one expect the Lu hou fu, who had no binding ties, to step in?
Sure enough, Gao Sanfu said: “Taitai, I went to Lu hou fu and delivered a visiting card. A steward came out to see me and said they could be of no help.
“I asked him whether the engagement between the two families still stood. The steward replied that the matter should be treated as if it had never been raised, and told taitai not to dwell on it.”
“Outrageous!” Xie shi’s face turned dark. “Er yatou, do you see? This is the kind of family that ‘took a liking’ to you. The moment your father runs into trouble, they cut ties completely. I knew it – any family that wants you can’t be worth much.”
Gu Cheng frowned, looking at Xie shi with disapproval.
Gu Jiu quietly rolled her eyes. At a time like this, Xie shi still couldn’t resist mocking her. Truly idle.
She said calmly: “Taitai is right. Neither Lu hou fu nor Haixi bo fu are good people. The instant Father had trouble, they ran faster than anyone. Fortunately, I hadn’t yet been formally betrothed, so Lu hou fu’s attitude doesn’t matter.
“It’s only pitiful for san meimei. She’s already engaged to Zhao erlang, and now that Haixi bo fu has shown this attitude… who knows how heartbroken she must be. If they truly annul the engagement, what will san meimei do?”
Sarcasm? Anyone could play that game.
The same trick Xie shi used against her, Gu Jiu now returned in kind. Let’s see who would break first.
Sure enough, Xie shi was furious.
Gu Cheng couldn’t bear to watch anymore and quickly said: “Mother, the important matter must come first.”
Xie shi ground her teeth, barely restraining her temper. “Liulang, tell me – what should we do now? Do we just wait for word from the hou fu? Is waiting all we can do?”
Gu Cheng replied, “Your son intends to go today to the Imperial Prison to visit Father.”
“You’re going to the imperial prison? How can that be allowed? That’s no place for you. No, absolutely not!” Xie shi panicked.
The moment she heard he wanted to go to the prison, she was beside herself, as if Gu Cheng would never return once he entered.
Gu Cheng said, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m only going to visit Father. Nothing will happen. Besides, Ma shiye and da bofu will be with me. You can set your mind at ease.”
Xie shi’s face went pale. “Must you really go?”
Gu Cheng nodded firmly. “This is my duty. Please don’t stop me.”
Xie shi’s eyes brimmed with tears, bloodshot from a sleepless night. She gazed at him earnestly. “You mustn’t come to harm.”
“Mother, rest assured. I’ll be fine.”
Silently, Gu Jiu slipped out of Furong Yuan, with Gu Ting following behind.
“Meimei, I want to see Father too.”
Without turning back, Gu Jiu said, “If you want to go, then go. You and liu ge can keep each other company. But your injured leg…”
“My leg is already healed.” Worried she might not believe him, Gu Ting jumped in place several times. “See, meimei? My leg is fine.”
“Stop jumping, or you’ll make it worse again.”
Gu Ting was satisfied.
Gu Jiu beckoned him closer.
Then she instructed softly: “When you see Father, ask him on my behalf – did he find the jade pendant?”
Gu Ting was puzzled. “Meimei, what do you mean?”
“Just repeat what I told you. I’ll explain the rest in the future.”
“…Alright then!”
A thought had taken root in Gu Jiu’s mind – she needed to meet that Gongzi Zhao.
Compared to pleading with the Empress, Gu Jiu had always believed that Gongzi Zhao was the true key to resolving this matter.
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