Chapter 33: Lingering Ailment

 Chapter 33: Lingering Ailment  

"Very well," Gu Jue's sharp eyes gleamed as he commanded, "Yun Zhan, Mo Chen, let's return to the manor."  

If the emperor wanted to suppress him with such tactics, then he had no reason to relinquish the tiger tally so easily.  

Gu Jue swung onto his horse with practiced grace, nudging its sides lightly before galloping forward. Yun Zhan and Mo Chen mounted their horses in unison and followed closely behind.  

The crisp sound of hooves echoed on the stone-paved streets of the capital, reverberating through the sky.  

Prince Chen Residence was a grand estate gifted by the late emperor, situated on the bustling Zhuque Avenue, the most vibrant street in the capital, only a short distance from the palace.  

Though Gu Jue had been away from the capital for four years, the affairs of the residence were well-managed by its steward and attendants. Everything had been kept in order during his absence.  

Today, the gates of the residence, which had remained shut for four years, opened wide to welcome its master back.  

The crimson gates, adorned with sixty-three gilded studs in a nine-by-seven grid, stood open. The hundred Xuanjia soldiers, along with the manor's steward, officials, and servants, were all lined up outside. They knelt as one, their voices rising in unison:  

"Welcome home, my lord!"  

The thunderous shout echoed through the street, drawing the attention of the bustling crowd and filling the avenue with noise.  

Gu Jue rode into the manor, his presence commanding and calm.  

Though this estate had been his for years, he had spent only a few fleeting months living here before departing for the northern territories. Now, the residence felt both familiar and foreign to him.  

Everything seemed unchanged from his memories, yet entirely different.  

After dismounting, Gu Jue dismissed the attendants with a wave of his hand. He led his horse forward on foot, with only Yun Zhan and Mo Chen trailing closely behind.  

He personally stabled his horse before walking through the front courtyard and heading into the study.  

The study was spotless, its windows gleaming and its air faintly scented with incense. Clearly, the room had been meticulously prepared in anticipation of his return.  

Gu Jue approached the desk and reached up to remove his cloak, but his hand froze mid-air.  

Yun Zhan stepped forward immediately. "My lord, allow me—"  

His words trailed off in shock as he noticed the fine beads of sweat covering Gu Jue’s smooth forehead. His tightly pressed lips and slightly erratic breathing betrayed the immense pain he was enduring.  

Without a word, Yun Zhan helped remove the cloak, while Mo Chen assisted in unfastening Gu Jue’s armor.  

The two men saw clearly that Gu Jue’s inner robe was soaked through, clinging to his back as if he had just been pulled from a river.  

It was only March—neither hot nor cold—so this was not a matter of heat.  

Yun Zhan’s expression shifted drastically. "My lord, your injury—"  

"It’s nothing," Gu Jue replied, his tone calm.  

Only he knew the pain in his chest had started as soon as he entered the side hall of Wuying Hall, intensifying with each passing moment.  

Regaining his composure, Gu Jue steadied his breathing. The faint smile on his lips contrasted starkly with his pale face, exuding a sense of steadfast control as though nothing could faze him.  

"My lord!" Yun Zhan quickly supported him, guiding him to sit on a nearby zitan wood armchair by the window.  

Having followed Gu Jue for many years, Yun Zhan and Mo Chen were well aware of their lord’s endurance. Even on the battlefield, he wouldn’t flinch if struck by an enemy’s arrow. For him to struggle even with removing his cloak today meant the pain must have been truly unbearable.  

Outsiders might think the Prince Chen Residence was thriving, but those close to Gu Jue knew it was more like oil over fire.  

The emperor was not only deeply suspicious but also narrow-minded.  

During their time in the northern territories, the court repeatedly obstructed the supply of provisions and troops, as if wishing for the prince to perish at the hands of the Chi Di tribes. If the emperor were to discover such a severe chronic ailment in the prince, he would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to strip him of his military command and eliminate him entirely.  

Yun Zhan forced himself to remain calm and said, "My lord, I will send someone to summon a physician right away. I’ve heard there are many renowned physicians in the capital."  

Under normal circumstances, consulting the imperial physicians would have been ideal. However, how could they dare involve the imperial medical hall?  

"There’s no need," Gu Jue replied lightly, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority.  

This was an old injury, one he had endured for years. He had sought countless renowned physicians, each boasting miraculous skills, but none had been able to provide a cure. He was merely holding onto life through sheer will.  

He couldn’t afford to die. If he were to fall, the soldiers under his command would eventually face the emperor’s reckoning. They had survived the Chi Di’s battlefield; he would not let them fall victim to the court’s political scheming.  

As the commander of an army, it was his duty not only to ensure the safety of the people but also to protect the lives of the soldiers who had fought under him to safeguard the Great Qi's borders.  

Until he could arrange a proper resolution for them, he had to endure.  

The pain eventually subsided after peaking, allowing Gu Jue to release his hand from clutching his chest. His long, sharp eyes gleamed with an unyielding determination.  

Yun Zhan glanced at the seemingly unbothered Gu Jue, then at the cold and silent Mo Chen, and let out a quiet sigh in his heart. Their lord treated his health with such nonchalance, and Mo Chen, practically mute, wouldn’t take the initiative. It was all up to him.  

The capital, as the heart of Great Qi, surely had competent physicians. Yun Zhan decided he would start making inquiries tomorrow.  

At that moment, the steward entered and reported, "My lord, General Ming requests an audience."  

"Ming Xiyang moves quickly," Gu Jue remarked with a faint smile, rising to his feet. "Invite him in."  

Before meeting his guest, Gu Jue changed out of his sweat-soaked robes into a moon-white straight robe, instantly transforming from a valiant soldier into an elegant nobleman.  

Accompanied by Yun Zhan and Mo Chen, he left the study and proceeded to the reception hall.  

As he took his seat, it wasn’t long before General Ming Xiyang arrived. His boisterous laughter rang out even before he stepped into the hall. "My lord, you’ve finally returned!"  

Dressed in a cobalt-blue brocade robe, Ming Xiyang strode into the hall with large, confident steps, his face radiant and his movements energetic.  

"Your subordinate pays his respects to my lord!" Ming Xiyang knelt on one knee, fists clasped, his square face brimming with genuine joy.  

"There’s no need for formalities," Gu Jue said, raising a hand slightly. "Have a seat, let’s talk."  

Ming Xiyang, never one for ceremony, promptly sat in the chair below Gu Jue.  

Soon, servants brought in tea and left silently, leaving only the four of them in the hall.  

Without outsiders present, Ming Xiyang’s blunt nature took over. He spoke with indignation, "My lord, that Fan Wenzhong is truly despicable! He’s been spreading slander before the emperor, claiming that the northern territories only recognize Prince Chen and not the emperor. He says you overshadow the sovereign with your military achievements and disregard the emperor. If you’re not suppressed, you’ll eventually usurp him!"  

Ming Xiyang, known for his straightforwardness, held nothing back when speaking before Gu Jue.  

 

(End of Chapter)