Chapter 32: Not in a Hurry

 Chapter 32: Not in a Hurry  

 

Gu Nanjin’s expression stiffened slightly, though he maintained a calm smile. “Ninth Royal Uncle, Father may have been delayed by urgent matters. Please, come rest in the side hall for now.”  

Though his words were courteous, he felt annoyed internally. Who is it this time, whispering nonsense to Father? Is this meant to put Ninth Royal Uncle in his place?  

Gu Jue stood with his hands behind his back, his demeanor calm and unbothered. The wind played with his frost-white cape, making it billow dramatically.  

He nodded slightly and replied in a detached tone, “I would be remiss to refuse the crown prince’s kind offer.”  

Gu Nanjin let out a quiet breath of relief and gestured, “This way, Uncle.”  

He personally escorted Gu Jue to the eastern side hall and instructed his attendant, “Serve the tea!”  

As he spoke, he gave the attendant a subtle glance, signaling them to inquire about the emperor’s current activities.  

Gu Nanjin, skilled at diplomacy, began chatting about the recent changes in the capital, the situation in the northern territories, and even the battles with the Chi Di. With admiration in his tone, he remarked, “It’s thanks to Ninth Royal Uncle’s invincible prowess and widespread renown that those barbarians were subdued.”  

Gu Jue wore a faint smile and responded calmly to every question. His polite and composed demeanor gave no indication that he was displeased with the emperor’s neglect.  

Gu Nanjin, however, was growing parched from talking so much. He glanced at the tea pot several times while racking his brain for topics. Suddenly, his gaze landed on the scabbard beside Gu Jue and he remarked casually, “That sachet, Uncle, is quite unique.”  

Gu Jue followed his gaze and noticed a purple sachet hanging from the hilt of his sword. Embroidered on it was a delicate branch of white plum blossoms.  

This sachet…  

Gu Jue immediately recalled it was the one that had struck his shoulder as he entered the city. He remembered the owner—a woman with a pair of striking phoenix eyes.  

Those slightly reddened eyes seemed to have just shed tears. When they looked at him, they were brimming with intense emotions.  

Could it be… did she lose someone in the northern territories?  

Gu Jue casually picked up the sachet hanging from his sword. A faint, cool fragrance wafted up—like the scent of winter plum blossoms in the snow, elegant and understated.  

Surprisingly, it was a scent he liked.  

Gu Jue raised an eyebrow, turning the sachet in his hand for a moment before abruptly standing up. “Since His Majesty is occupied with official duties, I shall take my leave for now.”  

“Ninth Royal Uncle!” Gu Nanjin also stood up, trying to smooth things over with a smile. “Father will be here soon. Please wait just a little longer. I’ll go check on him myself—he might’ve been delayed by something urgent. There’s also a banquet tonight, prepared specifically to welcome you back.”  

“That won’t be necessary, Crown Prince.” Gu Jue’s voice was cool and gentle, like a quiet stream. His handsome face carried a mild smile, but his presence was commanding. “When His Majesty is free, I can always return. It makes no difference.”  

He brushed the folds of his robe casually, his movements unhurried, and uttered two words: “Not in a hurry.”  

With that, he turned and strode out of the side hall. His steps were steady and firm, his white cape fluttering behind him. His entire bearing exuded freedom and boldness.  

Gu Nanjin wanted to stop him, but he couldn’t. He could only watch as Gu Jue walked away.  

He had never imagined that Ninth Royal Uncle would actually leave without hesitation!  

Gu Nanjin’s face darkened, his thin lips pressed tightly together.  

Earlier that morning, he had gone to the outskirts of the city, to the Ten-Mile Pavilion, to personally welcome Gu Jue. Yet now, someone in the palace had clearly been sowing discord, prompting the emperor to make such a foolish decision.  

Prince Chen, Gu Jue, had countless military achievements. Even if the emperor feared his growing power, it was unwise to humiliate him upon his return to the capital.  

If Gu Jue had accepted the snub quietly, it would have been one thing...  

If he didn’t endure it, how would things proceed from here?  

For Prince Chen to leave like this, it was not only the emperor who would lose face—it would also be a disgrace for him, the crown prince.  

And—  

What exactly did Ninth Royal Uncle mean by his parting words: "Not in a hurry"?  

Gu Nanjin paced anxiously within the side hall, his thoughts spinning until a sudden realization struck him.  

The tiger tally!  

Of course, Ninth Royal Uncle still held the tiger tally in his possession.  

Naturally, he wouldn’t be in a hurry. The one who should be worried was the emperor.  

Gu Nanjin clenched his fists tightly and slammed them against the table with a loud thud, causing the teacups on it to clatter. The attendants in the hall all lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.  

At this moment, a leisurely, sharp male voice came from outside the hall. “His Highness Prince Chen, His Majesty will still be busy for a while. You may first—”  

Eunuch Chen Su entered with a flick of his duster, but before he could finish, he froze, staring blankly at Gu Nanjin.  

“Your Highness, where is Prince Chen?” Chen Su asked hurriedly.  

Gu Nanjin responded expressionlessly, “Uncle has left.”  

“Left?!” Chen Su’s eyes widened in disbelief.  

For any general returning to the capital, it was customary to wait for the emperor’s summons. But now, before the emperor had even called for him, Prince Chen had dared to leave of his own accord? Such audacity—almost a challenge to imperial authority!  

Gu Nanjin’s face was as dark as water as he said in a low voice, “Eunuch Chen, inform Father that I have an urgent matter to discuss.”  

Chen Su’s expression was equally grim. He quickly complied and left in a rush.  

Gu Nanjin sighed heavily, his mind in turmoil. The tiger tally was still in Ninth Royal Uncle’s hands. He needed to strategize with the emperor on how to proceed.  

The spring breeze of March drifted into the side hall, carrying a slight chill, but Gu Nanjin felt nothing but heat and restlessness. He lifted his gaze to the view outside.  

The radiant sun hung high in the azure sky, casting a golden light that made the glazed tiles of the palace roof gleam so brilliantly they were nearly blinding.  

Meanwhile, Gu Jue had already left Wuying Hall without hesitation and exited the palace.  

In front of the palace gates, apart from the guards, two men stood upright under the blazing sun, motionless.  

Before entering the palace, Gu Jue had ordered the hundred Xuanjia Elite Guards he brought back to return to the Prince Chen Residence, leaving only these two men and three horses behind.  

One of them, a young officer in his twenties clad in black armor, looked spirited and bold. The other, a man in his thirties dressed in gray, exuded an aloof air. Though standing under the sunlight, he gave off an impression as cold as night.  

When Gu Jue emerged from the palace gates, the two men immediately stepped forward, cupping their fists in unison.  

“My lord.”  

The young officer spoke with a bright and robust voice, his posture upright, while the gray-clad man remained silent.  

A black horse with snow-white hooves approached on its own, affectionately nuzzling its neck against Gu Jue.  

Gu Jue patted its sleek neck as his cape billowed in the wind.  

“The banquet ended this quickly, my lord?” The young officer joked, “Mo Chen and I thought you’d stay until sunset at least.”  

Earlier, the crown prince had said a banquet would be held to welcome Prince Chen, so they assumed it would last until the palace gates closed.  

“The emperor is very busy,” Gu Jue replied with a faint smile. His tone was as light as a breeze, as if recounting something amusing.  

Yun Zhan instantly understood, his eyes widening with anger. He burst out, “This is outrageous!”  

Their lord had spent years waging bloody battles in the northern territories, earning unparalleled achievements. The truce between Qi and Chi Di had only just been signed, and yet the emperor couldn’t wait to strip him of his military authority? Summoning him back to the capital so hastily—this was worse than discarding a donkey after its grinding days were over!  

And now, on his very first day back in the capital, the emperor had delivered such a blatant snub?!  

Who were they trying to humiliate?! Did they think the Northern Army had no one to stand up for them?!  

Mo Chen’s narrow eyes gleamed with a cold light, his entire demeanor exuding a chilling aura. He seemed like a blood-stained blade, radiating a sharp, ruthless energy as he glanced toward the palace gates.  

The guards stationed there, meeting his icy gaze, felt their hearts lurch as though plunged into an icy abyss. Their hands and feet turned cold, and they dared not move.  

  

(End of chapter)