In the afternoon, the wangfei led everyone back to the wang fu.
Princess Huyang’s fu had been surrounded, and the Chen family was under investigation. Shu fei was also unwilling to let Princess Huyang remain in the palace, fearing she would provoke the Emperor’s wrath.
For a time, Princess Huyang had nowhere to go.
Left with no choice, Princess Huyang and her two children could only come to the wang fu to settle temporarily.
Pei shi arranged for them to stay separately in the guest courtyards and instructed the servants to take good care of them. She also ordered that Princess Huyang was not to leave the fu at will.
If she wished to go out, she had to obtain Pei shi‘s permission first.
Everyone had returned except for Ning wang and Liu Zhao.
Gu Jiu came to Chunhe Hall and asked directly, “May I know where wangye and gongzi have gone? Why have they not returned?”
Pei shi kept a stern face and remained silent.
Xiao Qin’er looked around and said, “Dasao, don’t worry. Da gongzi was kept in the palace. His Majesty had matters to ask him about.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow. “Then what about wangye? Does His Majesty also have matters to ask him about?”
Xiao Qin’er nodded repeatedly. “Of course.”
Gu Jiu did not accept such a vague explanation.
She directly asked Pei shi, “Mufei, what exactly has happened? At a time like this, both wangye and gongzi have been detained in the palace. I ask mufei to tell us the truth.”
Pei shi kept a stern expression. “Didn’t your si dimei already explain? His Majesty has matters to inquire about, so they were kept in the palace.”
Gu Jiu lowered her head and laughed mockingly.
“In truth, everyone knows that things are not that simple. Something major must have happened for both wangye and gongzi to be detained in the palace. Could it be that the fuma’s tomb robbery is connected to the wang fu?”
“Of course not.”
Pei shi immediately denied it, only to realize that everyone was watching her.
More precisely, they were watching her answer.
No one present was a fool. Everyone kept their own clear accounts in their hearts. Empty words meant to maintain appearances could not calm their anxious minds.
Pei shi became furious.
Yet she could not admit that she knew nothing. If she did, would that not make her seem like an incompetent Princess Consort?
After careful consideration, she finally said, “The fuma’s tomb robbery is no small matter. Wangye and da gongzi were kept in the palace in order to investigate it thoroughly. In short, none of you should let your imaginations run wild. Wangye and da gongzi will return safely very soon.”
Only then did Gu Jiu reveal another matter.
“Before mufei returned, the Imperial Guards came to the manor and searched Wenshu Courtyard.”
“What? Such a major matter, and you didn’t mention it sooner?”
Pei shi was frantic.
Gu Jiu looked innocent. “Erxi did not know why the Imperial Guards came. I assumed mufei was already aware. Could it be that mufei also does not know why they came?”
“How would benwangfei know? The Imperial Guards act under imperial orders. Only His Majesty knows the reason.”
Pei shi was both angry and anxious. She knew very well that wangye and Liu Zhao must be hiding something from her.
Gritting her teeth, she thought that if wangye and Liu Zhao were absent, then she would question Princess Huyang instead.
That wretched woman definitely knew what had happened.
Pei shi immediately dismissed everyone and then ordered the servants to bring Princess Huyang over.
As Gu Jiu walked out of Chunhe Hall, she had already confirmed that Pei shi knew nothing about Princess Huyang’s private coin minting.
In a little while, these sisters-in-law would surely fight for three hundred rounds. Once Pei shi learned the truth, she would probably scratch Princess Huyang’s face to pieces.
Returning to the Eastern Courtyard, Gu Jiu began pondering Chen fuma‘s case.
Liu Zhao was definitely not in danger of losing his life. That much could be confirmed.
At most, he might suffer some physical punishment.
The real question was when Liu Zhao would be allowed to leave the palace.
And what exactly did the Emperor mean by canceling the New Year’s Day audience?
Just as she was lost in thought, a servant came to report that visitors from the Gu family had arrived.
The moment Gu Jiu heard this, she knew the Gu family must have learned that trouble had struck the wang fu. Worried about her, they had sent someone to inquire about the situation.
She instructed the servant, “Quickly invite the guests from the Gu family to the flower hall.”
The Eastern Courtyard was enormous, with courtyards nested within courtyards. Once its gates were shut, it was practically an independent residence of its own.
The Gu family visitors were escorted to the flower hall of the Eastern Courtyard.
Gu Jiu gathered herself and headed there.
“Gege, liu ge, Su biaoge, how could it be you?”
She had thought that Steward Gu Quan had been sent. She never expected two of her brothers and Su biaoge to come instead.
Gu Ting hurried several steps toward her.
“Meimei, are you all right? Early this morning we heard that something had happened in the palace and that it had implicated the wang fu. I was worried sick.
“Father planned to send someone to check on you, so I volunteered. Father worried that I might act rashly, so he had liu di accompany me. Then we happened to meet Su biaoge as soon as we left, and well, you can see the result, we came together.”
Gu Jiu’s eyes curved with warmth.
She invited the three of them to sit while servants brought fragrant tea.
Only then did she say, “I’ve made all of you worry unnecessarily. I’m fine, and the wang fu is fine as well. The more serious problems are at Princess Huyang’s fu and with the Chen family.”
Gu Cheng asked, “Is the wang fu truly fine? When we entered, we heard the servants discussing how wangye and Gongzi Zhao were still in the palace.”
Faced with her family, Gu Jiu naturally chose to report good news rather than bad.
Some burdens she would carry alone.
Repeating Pei shi‘s explanation, she said, “The reason wangye and gongzi have not returned is because His Majesty kept them behind to ask some questions.”
Su Zheng was very perceptive.
“Could it be that the affairs of Princess Huyang’s fu and the Chen family have implicated the wang fu?”
Gu Jiu looked at Su Zheng.
“Su biaoge, have you heard some rumors in the city?”
Su Zheng shook his head. “The matter has not yet spread to the streets and marketplaces, so there are very few rumors among the common people. However, er shufu knows several officials, and they all say that the Chen family is finished this time. They also say that there is an eighty or ninety percent chance the Chen family’s case will implicate the wang fu. Does furen know that Zhao wang, Yan wang, and the others have not left the palace? They are all still there.”
Gu Jiu was surprised. “Is this true?”
Why had Pei shi never mentioned such a thing?
Gu Jiu looked toward Fang mama.
Fang mama shook her head slightly. Deng Cunli and Song Zheng had not yet returned and were still outside gathering information.
Su Zheng said, “It is absolutely true. I think that the reason Ning wang and Gongzi Zhao have been kept in the palace may not necessarily be because of Princess Huyang’s fu and the Chen family case. It may be because of something else.”
Gu Jiu frowned deeply.
Could it be that after she left the palace last night, something else had happened inside the palace?
“Thank you, Su biaoge, for informing me of this. I understand.”
Su Zheng was extremely worried. “Will it implicate the wang fu?”
Gu Jiu shook her head slightly. “I don’t know for now.”
Pei shi knew very little herself. Trying to gather information from Pei shi would be a complete waste of effort.
She said to Su Zheng, “I’ve already sent people out. I believe reliable news will arrive soon. You needn’t worry. At most, the wang fu will suffer a scare but escape danger. Nothing will happen.”
Gu Ting anxiously asked, “Meimei, you’re not just trying to comfort us, are you?”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Gege, look at me. Aren’t I perfectly fine right now? If something had happened to the wang fu, then when you arrived, you would have seen large numbers of Imperial Guards surrounding the residence.”
Gu Cheng was impressed by Su Zheng’s sharp instincts and then said, “Let’s hope it truly is only a scare.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Rest assured. Nothing will happen to the wang fu, and nothing will happen to me either.”
Su Zheng nodded. “Furen is a newly married bride. Even if the wang fu cannot escape trouble this time, it should not implicate furen. I was only worried that furen would be frightened.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly and slowly shook her head.
“Su biaoge underestimates me. I don’t have many strengths, but I do have courage.”
Su Zheng let out a sigh of relief. “As long as furen isn’t suffering because of the wang fu, then I’m reassured.”
Gu Ting said, “Su biaoge, stop sounding so sour.”
Su Zheng smiled and remained silent.
Gu Jiu asked, “Enough about me. How is everything at home?”
Gu Cheng quickly said, “Tomorrow is the second day of the New Year. Will er meimei be returning home?”
Tomorrow?
Gu Jiu was not certain whether Liu Zhao would be able to leave the palace by then.
Even so, she replied, “Unless something unexpected happens, I will return.”
Gu Cheng looked concerned. “Will it be convenient for er meimei?”
Gu Jiu smiled. “I know what liu ge is worried about. If something happens to the wang fu, naturally it won’t be convenient for me to return. If nothing major occurs, I will definitely come back tomorrow.”
Gu Cheng relaxed. “This is your first New Year after marriage. Father is also hoping you can come home.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Please convey my greetings to Father. I’ve made the elders worry.”
“Er meimei is being too formal.”
The three men could not stay long at the wang fu. Having confirmed that Gu Jiu was safe, they prepared to take their leave.
As he left, Gu Ting repeatedly wiggled his eyebrows at Gu Jiu, his face full of mischief.
He clearly had many things he wanted to say, but since the setting was inappropriate, the siblings silently agreed to continue their conversation when Gu Jiu returned to her natal home the next day.
After seeing the three men off, Gu Jiu asked Fang mama, “Have Deng Cunli and Song Zheng returned?”
Fang mama shook her head. “Not yet.”
Gu Jiu lightly tapped the table.
“The moment they return, have them come see me immediately.”
“Nubi obeys.”
The inability to obtain information quickly was what frustrated Gu Jiu most.
At present, it seemed that the rumor about the Emperor being gravely ill was false. Most likely, something else had happened.
Gu Jiu sat in the study and pulled out a book, intending to read and calm herself.
However, no matter what she did, she could not focus.
In the end, she tossed the book aside and picked up a brush to practice calligraphy.
After filling one page, she finally calmed down and gradually entered a state of complete concentration.
Half an hour later, her wrist began to ache, and Gu Jiu set down the brush and rubbed it.
By now, the impatience she had felt earlier was gone, replaced by calmness.
Qing Mei brought over a nourishing soup and urged Gu Jiu to drink it while it was hot.
Gu Jiu drank half a bowl before asking, “Has Deng Cunli returned?”
Qing Mei nodded. “He just returned. He’s waiting outside.”
“Send him in.”
A moment later, Deng Cunli entered the study.
“Laonu greets furen.”
“You may rise. What did you learn?”
“I have not failed furen‘s trust. I finally discovered the inside story.”
Excitement surged through Gu Jiu’s heart, but she restrained herself.
In a steady voice, she asked, “What exactly happened?”
Deng Cunli considered his words before speaking.
“The news laonu obtained says that His Majesty canceled the New Year’s court audience not because of serious illness, but because the Crown Prince was poisoned.”
“What did you say? The Crown Prince was poisoned? Why was the Crown Prince poisoned? And why would the Crown Prince’s poisoning cause His Majesty to cancel the New Year’s audience?”
Deng Cunli said, “The information this old servant gathered is that someone planted a spy inside the Eastern Palace, where the person remained hidden for decades.”
“Because the Emperor had delayed making a final decision on deposing the Crown Prince, someone grew impatient and poisoned him.
“After examination by the imperial physicians, it was confirmed that the Crown Prince had indeed been poisoned, a slow-acting poison. Fortunately, it was discovered in time and could still be treated. Had it been any later, the Crown Prince truly would have died.”
Gu Jiu was filled with uncertainty and suddenly recalled visiting the Emperor on the second day after her wedding, when she had encountered the unconscious Crown Prince in Xingqing Palace.
At the time, she had assumed the Crown Prince was simply gravely ill. It had never occurred to her that he might have been poisoned.
“So the Crown Prince’s frailty and long confinement to bed were caused by poisoning?”
Deng Cunli nodded.
“Exactly. When His Majesty learned that the Crown Prince had been poisoned, it is said he was greatly enraged. He ordered the Deputy Warden of the Imperial Prison to thoroughly investigate the matter and kept all the princes and imperial sons inside the palace, forbidding any of them from leaving.”
Gu Jiu smiled bitterly.
“On the surface, His Majesty is investigating the poisoning of the Crown Prince. In reality, he is seeing danger everywhere. If someone dared poison the Crown Prince, he fears they may also dare poison him.”
Deng Cunli lowered his voice.
“Laonu thinks the same. His Majesty cherishes his life. Poisoning is a grave taboo. His Majesty will absolutely not let the matter rest.”
Gu Jiu still had questions.
“Yesterday at the palace banquet, why didn’t the Crown Prince step forward? And why did the Crown Princess remain silent? How exactly did His Majesty discover that the Crown Prince had been poisoned?”
“It is said that Attendant Shen from Xingqing Palace went to the Eastern Palace to deliver an imperial decree and accidentally discovered the Crown Prince’s poisoning. Since the Eastern Palace could no longer conceal it, they admitted the Crown Prince had been poisoned. His Majesty flew into a rage and immediately ordered all princes and imperial sons not to leave the palace.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly.
Accidentally discovered the poisoning?
That might fool a three-year-old child.
Clearly, the Eastern Palace had planned this in advance.
She sighed.
“The Eastern Palace’s counterattack has arrived.”
Before the New Year, the Eastern Palace had suffered heavy losses from a wave of impeachment at court.
She had not expected their counterattack to come so quickly.
And it had come with tremendous force, as though intending to sweep everyone into the net.
“However, this doesn’t feel like the Crown Prince’s usual style. Could there be a strategist behind him?”
Deng Cunli quietly reminded her.
“The Crown Princess comes from the Sun clan of Longxi. The Sun clan is renowned for strategy and planning. Their ancestors served as advisors to the Founding Emperor and later became chancellors.
For generations afterward, the Sun clan remained active in court affairs. Every imperial succession edict and every decree appointing a Crown Prince was drafted by members of the Sun clan.
No one can surpass them in that distinction.
However, the Sun clan follows ancestral teachings and maintains a low profile. To outsiders they do not appear particularly prominent, but their foundations are exceptionally deep.
Even if one day the Crown Princess were to fall from power and die, the Longxi Sun clan would not suffer so much as a scratch.
The Sun clan is the most firmly rooted family in the court. They never rely on marriage alliances to maintain their position. They stand solely on the genuine abilities of their family members.”
What an astonishing family.
What a formidable Crown Princess Sun.
No wonder the late Empress Ruizhen Cui had chosen a daughter of the Sun clan as Crown Princess. She had likely valued the power of the family behind her.
Yet the Sun clan would never stake their family’s future and survival entirely on the Eastern Palace.
They possessed their own means of survival.
Thus, even if the Crown Prince were deposed, the Sun clan would lose very little.
The Sun clan would still stand in court on the strength of their own abilities and continue drafting imperial succession edicts for future emperors.
This was the true style of a great clan capable of enduring for a thousand years.
Who would have thought that Crown Princess Sun, who appeared so unassuming on the surface, possessed such a powerful natal family behind her?
And judging from this counterattack alone, she herself was clearly a ruthless person.
Compared with the late Empress Ruizhen Cui, Crown Princess Sun was not inferior in the slightest.
Both were women who could rival any man.
For a moment, Gu Jiu found herself feeling admiration for Crown Princess Sun.
Capable women always earned Gu Jiu’s respect.
Women like Xie shi, who only bullied people within her own household, deserved nothing more than an eye-roll from Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu said, “Do you think Crown Princess Sun might be playing the thief while crying thief?”
Deng Cunli frowned.
“That is possible. However, given the Crown Prince’s temperament, he is unlikely to cooperate with such a scheme. Unless the Crown Princess concealed everything from him and acted entirely on her own.”
“It’s also possible that someone really did place a spy within the Eastern Palace and waited for an opportunity to administer poison. Every deed leaves traces behind. With Crown Princess Sun’s intelligence, she would not personally carry out the poisoning. Perhaps she is merely taking advantage of the situation.
“Whatever the truth may be, the Crown Prince was genuinely poisoned, and His Majesty’s fury is equally genuine.”
Gu Jiu could easily imagine the Emperor’s current state.
He was undoubtedly terrified and suspicious of everyone.
Suspicious that any person near him might secretly be a spy waiting for a chance to poison him.
At a time like this, the Emperor would be both paranoid and irritable.
No one should provoke him.
Whoever did should prepare to lose their head.
No wonder Shu fei had driven Princess Huyang out of the palace instead of allowing her to remain.
With Princess Huyang’s temperament, one careless remark might send her following Chen fuma straight into the imperial prison.
Just as she was thinking about Princess Huyang, Fang mama entered to report.
“Reporting to furen, er furen asks that you quickly go to Chunhe Hall. Princess Huyang and wangfei have started fighting. The Princess insists on leaving the fu and entering the palace to seek judgment from Shu fei. Wangfei is also furious at the moment.”
Gu Jiu asked, “Is no one stopping Princess Huyang?”
Fang mama replied, “No one can stop her. Shen cefei and Luo cefei were both slapped by Princess Huyang. The wangfei, meanwhile, told Princess Huyang to get out of the wang fu.”
Gu Jiu frowned.
Princess Huyang truly was a household-wrecker.
And Pei shi was being far too irrational.
“I’ll go over immediately.”
Leave a Reply