Chapter 31: Gu Jue

 Chapter 31: Gu Jue  

Chu Qianchen’s eyes grew misty as her gaze slowly lowered. At the forefront of the procession, a figure deeply etched into her very soul appeared in her sight.  

A young man clad in silver armor rode a black horse with hooves as white as snow. His raven-black hair, tied back with an intricate black gold crown, shimmered in the sunlight.  

As he approached, his features became distinct. His sword-like brows were as dark as ink, his eyes like bright stars, his nose high and straight, and his lips naturally red, forming an exquisitely handsome face.  

The armor accentuated his gallant demeanor, as if he were a cold, unapproachable moonlit figure, exuding a regal air amidst his aloof elegance.  

Golden sunlight poured over him, reflecting dazzlingly off his silver armor, making him seem like a celestial being descended to earth.  

In that instant, everything around him seemed to lose its color.  

The procession was over a hundred strong, yet in Chu Qianchen’s eyes, there was only him.  

It was the Prince!  

Gu Jue—Gu Jiuxia.  

Chu Qianchen silently repeated his name in her heart, her gaze fixed on him. Tears welled up and streamed uncontrollably down her porcelain-like cheeks.  

She had finally seen him again.  

In her previous life, when she was cast out of the Chu family, she was destitute and alone.  

Back then, she had been raised weak and mediocre, lacking even the ability to survive on her own.  

It was he who took her in, taught her meticulously… allowing her to rise from the ashes like a phoenix reborn, forging her into who she was now.  

Chu Qianchen’s eyes blurred as she became lost in her memories, tears clouding her vision.  

She had begun studying medicine for him, though it was already too late by then. She couldn’t save him and could only watch helplessly as he grew weaker, until his life was extinguished like a spent candle.  

When Gu Jue died, her pain was indescribable, as though her heart had been wrenched apart.  

She found it unjust. He was such a good man—why him? Why not someone else?  

Her master, Lin Miao, once said that humans are adept at forgetting. No matter how deep the wound or how intense the pain, there would come a day when it healed.  

But the wound he left on her heart had never healed.  

After his death, her only purpose in life was to avenge him.  

And she had succeeded.  

Chu Qianchen’s gaze never left him, her eyes unblinking. The noise around her faded into silence.  

In this moment, she was grateful to the heavens for allowing her to be reborn at this time, granting her another chance to see him.  

On horseback, Gu Jue seemed to sense something. As he passed by Yaming Teahouse, he looked up, his sharp gaze emitting an aura of icy killing intent—like an unsheathed sword, exuding a chill forged from countless battles and life-or-death struggles.  

Startled, Chu Qianchen instinctively pulled her head back and lightly patted her chest.  

She had almost been discovered!  

The Prince was as sharp as ever!  

A moment later, Chu Qianchen realized—why was she hiding?  

She could very well watch him openly, just as the townsfolk on the street were doing.  

With this thought, she confidently poked her head out again, only to meet a pair of deep, jet-black eyes. His gaze was as cold and unfathomable as a still pond.  

 

Chu Qianchen felt as if something had exploded in her mind, leaving it blank. Just then, Hu Po’s enthusiastic voice rang in her ear:  

“Miss, the Prince is right there. Should we throw down some flowers too?”  

Her thoughts cleared, and her burning gaze turned back toward the window.  

Chu Qianchen snapped back to reality, her gaze burning as she looked out the window.  

On the street, the townsfolk were throwing fresh flowers, silk blossoms, handkerchiefs, and more toward Gu Jue’s procession. It was as if a vibrant rain of flowers was cascading down.  

Of course! If everyone else was throwing flowers, she should too!  

Just as Chu Qianchen was about to ask Hu Po for flowers, Hu Po spoke regretfully, “It’s a pity I didn’t bring any flowers. Miss, should I ask the waiter for some?”  

How had she not thought of preparing flowers in advance? Chu Qianchen lamented for a moment. Now it was too late to get flowers from the waiter, so she decisively untied her own scented sachet!  

Though the sachet wasn’t her handiwork, the fragrance within was her own creation.  

Chu Qianchen quickly leaned out the window again and flung the purple sachet with all her strength toward Gu Jue, then immediately withdrew her head, afraid of being discovered.  

Her movements were smooth and swift. On horseback, Gu Jue caught sight of a pair of beautiful, clear phoenix eyes. The corners were slightly red and misty, as if their owner had just cried.  

Then, a purple sachet was hurled in his direction.  

And after that, the owner of those phoenix eyes disappeared from view.  

As Gu Jue rode into the city, countless flowers, sachets, and handkerchiefs had been aimed at him, but none had managed to touch him. However, because of the tearful phoenix eyes that had momentarily distracted him, the purple sachet landed squarely on his left shoulder.  

Gu Jue: "…"  

His brows twitched slightly. He reached up and casually brushed the sachet off his shoulder before continuing to ride forward.  

“Ninth Royal Uncle, you haven’t returned to the capital in four years. Father has been thinking about you,” said the crown prince, Gu Nanjin, who was riding alongside him.  

Gu Nanjin, approximately seventeen or eighteen years old, wore a bright yellow five-dragon robe. His demeanor was refined, and the smile on his lips made him naturally likable.  

Gu Jue’s strikingly handsome face remained expressionless, revealing no emotions as he replied indifferently, “I appreciate His Majesty’s concern.”  

Gu Nanjin added, “Father has arranged a grand feast for you today, Ninth Royal Uncle, to reward you for your hard work in guarding the northern territories these past four years.”  

Behind Gu Jue were nearly a hundred cavalrymen dressed uniformly in dark armor, all of whom had followed him back from the north.  

Amid the cheers of the crowd, the group made their way toward the palace.  

Whenever a general returned to the capital, protocol required them to first report to the palace, delivering their command token as part of the process.  

An incense stick’s time later, Gu Jue and Gu Nanjin dismounted at the palace gates and were led by an attendant into the Wuying Hall.  

The hall was resplendent and majestic, but outside on the white marble steps stood only the chief eunuch, Chen Su.  

Gu Nanjin’s smile faltered slightly as a glint of emotion flashed in his eyes.  

By protocol, the emperor, accompanied by civil and military officials, should have been here to welcome Gu Jue. This was clearly stated in the memorandum previously submitted by the Ministry of Rites.  

Chen Su lightly waved his silver-white horsetail whisk and greeted Gu Jue with a bow, his sharp voice laced with politeness. “Your Highness Prince Chen, His Majesty is occupied with urgent matters. Please wait here for an audience.”  

In other words, Gu Jue was expected to stand outside the Wuying Hall and wait for the emperor.  

(End of chapter)