Chapter 62: The Emperor

 Chapter 62: The Emperor

"Second Brother," Gu Jue stopped about five or six steps away from the emperor and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, offering his greeting.

Since the emperor was traveling in disguise, it was natural that formalities were relaxed.

A sharp glint flashed in the emperor's eyes, but his expression remained slightly smiling as he called out, "Ninth Brother."

The Crown Prince, Gu Nanjin, was also present. He smiled and greeted Gu Jue, "Ninth Uncle."

The three men shared the same surname, Gu, and were all of noble status, yet their temperaments were vastly different.

Gu Jue was cold and distant, the emperor exuded authority, and Gu Nanjin was cultured and refined.

The emperor leisurely waved his folding fan and made small talk. "Ninth Brother, it’s been half a month since you returned from the northern regions, right? When you returned to the capital, I was tied up with urgent matters, so I had you wait in the side hall…”

Gu Jue smiled and replied, "Your Majesty is certainly busy with state affairs."

The emperor’s hand froze mid-air with the fan, sensing a hint of mockery in Gu Jue’s words, as if questioning how the emperor could have the time to leave the palace when his affairs were so pressing.

The emperor’s appearance at Yuanqing Temple, as Gu Jue understood, was specifically to find him.

Ever since Gu Jue returned to the capital, the emperor had summoned him multiple times, but he had ignored those calls. As a result, the emperor had sent people to keep an eye on the Prince Chen’s residence, and upon learning that Gu Jue had come to Yuanqing Temple, he had decided to come in person, disguised.

Gu Nanjin, aware of the situation, smiled and quickly intervened, trying to smooth things over. "Father came today to visit Master Xuanzheng. He wanted to ask the master to perform a rain prayer ceremony, and it so happens that we encountered Ninth Uncle here."

To this, Gu Jue simply responded with two words, "What a coincidence."

The emperor’s face stiffened, and he let out a sigh. "Ninth Brother, are you still upset about what happened that day? It’s my fault. It was your celebration feast, and I shouldn’t have made you wait for so long. I didn’t expect you to leave so quickly."

"You’re still as impulsive as when you were younger!"

The emperor spoke with a tone of nostalgia, as if reminiscing about the past.

Hearing this, both Xue Fengyan and Mo Chen exchanged cold glances. They could easily understand the emperor's underlying meaning.

The emperor was criticizing the prince for being overbearing, quick to leave at the slightest displeasure, and, in the context, he shamelessly praised himself as a wise ruler who always prioritized state matters!

"It’s good that Your Majesty acknowledges your mistake," Gu Jue replied, his smile unchanged, casually brushing off his sleeve. "Some matters have their priorities."

The spring breeze gently brushed past his cheeks, lifting a few strands of dark hair, which caressed his face. There was something wild and unrestrained about him, reminiscent of the Wei-Jin scholars.

The chief eunuch, Chen Su, behind the emperor, furrowed his brows. He thought, Is Prince Chen questioning the emperor here? What state matters could be more important than the victory in the northern regions?

It was downright arrogant—did he not realize who was the true ruler of the Great Qi dynasty now? When the emperor was enraged, a million lives could be lost!

The emperor gripped his fan tightly, nearly cracking the handle, his anger swirling inside him.

Gu Nanjin, realizing the emperor’s rising anger, quickly intervened. He knew very well that it was the emperor’s earlier neglect that led to the current standoff, and now the situation had become more difficult to navigate.

In an attempt to diffuse the tension, Gu Nanjin smiled and said, "It’s also my fault for not handling things well. Thank you, Ninth Uncle, for your guidance." He took the blame entirely upon himself.

Thanks to the Crown Prince’s interruption, the emperor regained his composure, forcing a relatively cordial smile. "Ninth Brother, you’ve worked hard in the northern regions, and now that you’ve finally returned, you should enjoy some peace and rest."

"Next month is the Wan Shou Festival. Foreign countries and tribes will come to pay tribute. If you have time, Ninth Brother, please attend to them on my behalf."

The emperor believed he had made a concession, offering Gu Jue a respectable task as a form of compensation for the earlier events.

If Gu Jue still had any loyalty to the throne, he would offer the tiger seal in return.

Gu Jue locked eyes with the emperor, his gaze sharp and direct, and spoke plainly, "If Your Majesty wants the military authority, just say so. I’ll give it to you."

The emperor’s eyes widened slightly, and his heart leapt with joy.

He hadn't expected this matter to be settled so easily!

The emperor was about to agree when he heard Gu Jue continue, his tone calm but with a subtle undercurrent of arrogance, "However, Your Majesty should think carefully about who can control the 'hundreds of thousands' of lions in the northern regions."

Gu Jue’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and his expression remained indifferent. In sharp contrast to his calm demeanor was the pride in his tone, as if there was no one in the world worthy of his consideration, not even the mighty emperor of the Great Qi.

The emperor was left speechless.

This time, the emperor could no longer hold back. His face darkened, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

Was Gu Jue threatening him with the hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the northern regions?

If the emperor insisted on taking back the military authority, would Gu Jue march on the capital?

Did he really think that the emperor was afraid of him, Gu Jue?

"If Second Brother has no other matters, I’ll take my leave," Gu Jue said, not waiting for the emperor’s response before turning to leave, completely disregarding the emperor’s dark expression.

The emperor stood motionless, staring at Gu Jue’s retreating figure for a long time.

With a sharp crack, the folding fan in his hand snapped.

He casually tossed the broken fan to Chen Su, who caught it with great caution, then hesitantly asked, "Your Majesty, should we still go meet Master Xuanzheng?"

After a long pause, the emperor finally uttered a single word, "Go!"

As the command was given, the emperor strode forward, his back rigid with anger, as though he were a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Gu Nanjin glanced in the direction Gu Jue had left, then quickly followed the emperor.

Out of their sight, after rounding a rockery, Gu Jue suddenly stopped and began coughing violently.

"Ka-ka-ka..." His coughs were soft but forced, and he pressed his hand tightly against his chest, his face pale.

Mo Chen quickly moved to support Gu Jue. He was close enough to see that Gu Jue’s neck was soaked in sweat, though it was mostly concealed by his half-bound, flowing black hair.

"Your Highness..." Mo Chen called out in concern.

Xue Fengyan was about to suggest they call for Chu Qianchen but was interrupted by a gesture from Gu Jue.

After a moment, Gu Jue regained his composure, and his face slowly returned to its usual calm state. "I’m fine."

His gaze was clear and steady, just like usual.

Having fought on the battlefield for so many years, he had seen countless lives lost. Life and death were nothing more than fleeting moments in his eyes.

Whether he thrived or withered was insignificant.

If he could survive, that would be the best; if not, he would at least try to hang on for another two or three years. Based on his current condition, that little girl from the Chu family might help him survive a bit longer.

Those two or three years would be enough for him to settle everything.

"Fengyan," Gu Jue casually instructed, "Go and continue following her."

"Her" naturally referred to Chu Qianchen.

Xue Fengyan immediately complied with the order.

For him, anyone who could save the prince was worth protecting with his life.

(End of chapter)