Edited: 10.22.2023
Ye Zi was silent for a while before hesitantly answering: “I……am not skilled in martial arts and I am afraid of wasting his Fifth Imperial Majesty’s time. There are many experts in the palace, Your Holiness can easily find someone better to teach his Fifth Imperial Majesty.”
Emperor Jinghe laughed: “Why are you being self-deprecating, Princess Consort Rui? We have seen your skills before and it is no worse than the many experts. Furthermore, for a child of Little Five’s age, it’s most frightening to be forced. Since he likes you so much, he’ll learn better under your hands.”
Since Emperor Jinghe had said this, Ye Zi couldn’t refute and only agreed.
After they talked for a while, Emperor Jinghe said, “Yan’er was called by Us to discuss some matters with some ministers, he should have come out by now. You can go now, don’t keep him waiting for too long.”
Ye Zi bowed to Emperor Jinghe and exited the Imperial study.
Just as he left through the door, he saw Gu Yan waiting for him in the corridor not far away. Seeing him come out, his tightened brows loosened a bit.
Ye Zi walked over and without a care at all about the eunuchs and servants outside the Imperial study, Gu Yan reached out to embrace Ye Zi.
Gu Yan whispered in Ye Zi’s ear: “If you still hadn’t come out, I was going to break in to look for you.”
Ye Zi laughed softly: “Please let me off the hook, Your Majesty. Aren’t the gossips about me seducing you not enough?”
Gu Yan said in a warm voice: “Yes, I don’t think the gossips are enough. I’m going to show them just exactly how much I pamper you so that there won’t always be people who want to get their hands on you.”
Ye Zi felt warm in his heart as he was led out of the palace gate by Gu Yan.
When the two of them got on the carriage, Ye Zi said: “Emperor Jinghe asked me to teach A Xu martial arts, what do you think he’s playing at?”
Gu Yan poured two cups of tea and took a sip leisurely: “As expected, it’s Emperor Jinghe’s way of doing things. He is looking for a backer for the Fifth Imperial Prince. Just teach him, since that old fart has already spoken, we can’t go against his decree.”
Ye Zi was stunned: “Then……basically, he is doing this because he wants to use us to protect A Xu? He knows that someone is harming A Xu?”
“Most likely.” Gu Yan said, “The Able Consort and the Virtuous Consort who went on an outing with the Fifth Imperial Prince this time had their pay deducted for half a year and all the eunuchs and guards present were executed. But even so, Emperor Jinghe cannot let go of his worries. Without finding any evidence, he can’t find out who wants to harm his son.”
Ye Zi said: “So, he can only find someone to protect A Xu.”
“Exactly.” Gu Yan said, “The dynasty is now divided into three factions; the Crown Prince’s faction led by the Duke of Protection, the Third Prince with some Princes and other aristocrats backing him up, and the rest are some of my father’s old men. Now that someone wants to drag the Fifth Imperial Prince into this muddy water, Emperor Jinghe wants to protect this young son of his, so naturally he has to think of some way out.”
“…….Besides us, he probably has no one else in court to turn to. It just so happens that you saved the Fifth Imperial Prince and the Fifth Imperial Prince became enamored with you, so he just went along with it.”
Ye Zi suddenly cried and laughed: “He has been plotting against you for most of his life, but in the end, he has to rely on you to protect his son. This is really……”
“It’s more than that.” Gu Yan snorted: “Do you know what happened at morning court today?”
“What?”
Gu Yan said: “Just now at morning court, Emperor Jinghe rehashed old issues again and asked the Crown Prince about the disaster relief progress. The Crown Prince stammered, but couldn’t answer. Emperor Jinghe became furious and officially abolished the Crown Prince’s position as the Disaster Relief Censor.”
“This……”
Gu Yan said, “After abolishing him as the Disaster Relief Censort, he will have to appoint another. Moreover, Emperor Jinghe is prepared to send an Imperial Inspector this time to go with the new appointee to Jiangnan for disaster relief.”
“After morning court, Emperor Jinghe had asked me to stay behind for a moment to talk about this matter.” Gu Yan paused for a moment and said: “That old fart intends to have me go.”
“No,” Ye Zi said without thinking, “You can’t go.”
Chills ran down Ye Zi’s spine, finally figuring out what Emperor Jinghe was trying to do here.
If Emperor Jinghe sent Gu Yan to Jiangnan, then Ye Zi would be left to teach Gu Xu martial arts in the capital. And if Ye Zi stayed with Gu Xu all day long, not only was he protecting Gu Xu’s safety, but also allowing Emperor Jinghe to use Ye Zi to control Gu Yan who was far away in the south.
As for Gu Yan, who went to Jiangnan to provide disaster relief, it would be fine if the disaster was solved smoothly, but if something went wrong, Emperor Jinghe could use it as an excuse.
Gu Yan sighed softly and stroked Ye Zi’s back: “Don’t worry, this is something I had expected and have long been prepared for.”
“What?”
Gu Yan said, “Counting the days, around this time in my previous life, I happened to be sent to fight at the northern border. I also remember that during this time, an epidemic began to spread in Jiangnan because of the long-lasting disaster.”
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment.
He still remembered this matter.
The symptoms of that epidemic in Jiangnan were extraordinarily similar to the one that had once started in Chang’an. Those who suffered from the epidemic would cough and have a fever, and would pass away in less than seven days. Gu Yan’s father, the former Crown Prince, also passed away because of the epidemic. The late Emperor gave him the best tonics in hopes of saving him, but it only lasted him for more than half a month.
The epidemic in Jiangnan was also the same. Once the outbreak started, after roughly a month, several cities would be affected.
In the end, the minister responsible for the disaster relief received an oracle and sealed off all the cities affected by the epidemic, and burned all the people in the city, both infected and not infected, with fire.
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Gu Yan was distracted when this happened and by the time he realized it, everything was already too late.
Although he never said it, this matter probably kept haunting Gu Yan’s heart.
Ye Zi asked softly: “Then……what are you going to do?”
Gu Yan said: “I have been ordering Pei Ge to secretly look for a cure for that epidemic just for this day. Although he hasn’t fully developed a cure yet, he can at least delay the onset of that epidemic. I’m going to bring him along on this trip, I don’t believe that I won’t be able to save lives in several of those cities.”
Ye Zi pursed his lips as Gu Yan embraced him.
Gu Yan had already made up his mind, so it was useless for him to say anything else. Furthermore, he understood Gu Yan well. If he knew he could save those people but did nothing, it would definitely gnaw at his heart.
Ye Zi was quiet for some time before asking in a low voice: “When will you be leaving?”
Gu Yan said: “In a couple of days, I told Emperor Jinghe that some things need to be arranged again. Moreover, I also need to read the Jiangnan disaster relief files first.”
Ye Zi gently nodded and reached out to encircle Gu Yan’s waist, holding him a little tighter.
If Gu Yan dared to accept Emperor Jinghe’s mission, he must have a plan on how to deal with the disaster and how to treat the epidemic. At first, Ye Zi was worried that he would fall into Emperor Jinghe’s plan, but now it seemed that Gu Yan also had his own wishes in going south to provide disaster relief.
The only thing that made Ye Zi unhappy was that they had to be separated for a long time.
Gu Yan laughed lightly: “What’s wrong, can’t bear to see me go?”
“Yeah.” Ye Zi bit his lip and his voice was low, “Once you go, you’ll be gone for at least three months and at most half a year. I won’t be able to see you for such a long time.”
Gu Yan caressed his back and laughed lowly: “You’re really different from the past. In the past, if you could hold me like this and not let me go when I had to be on the battlefield, I certainly wouldn’t be willing to leave.”
Ye Zi buried his head in Gu Yan’s arms and muffled: “How did you know I didn’t want to do so in the first place?”
Knowing that he would have to be separated for half a year was already hard for him and if they really had to be separated for a few years, he would definitely feel even worse in his heart.
Gu Yan’s eyes moved slightly and his expression darkened: “I’m sorry.”
Ye Zi said: “You don’t need to say that to me, I understand……anyway, it’s just half a year, I’ll wait for you.”
The carriage quickly arrived at the Prince’s manor and the two of them returned to the residence for a short rest.
Later in the evening, Gu Xu came to the manor.
Gu Xu jumped into Ye Zi’s arms and said excitedly: “Cousin-in-Law, I’ve heard from Father, you will be teaching me martial arts, right?”
Ye Zi was not very happy when he thought about this and forced a smile: “Yes.”
Gu Xu could tell from his voice that something wasn’t quite right and looked up at him with a pair of dark and bright eyes: “Cousin-in-Law, are you unhappy?”
Ye Zi was stunned and shook his head: “No.”
“But you are clearly unhappy.” Gu Xu’s expression dropped and said with understanding, “I’m sorry, Cousin-in-Law. I told this matter to Eunuch Wu, who was with me that day and he went to report to my Mother Consort. And Mother Consort…….probably told Father.”
“I didn’t think that Father would issue a decree. I will go back and tell him that I don’t want you to teach me anymore. Don’t be unhappy…….”
Ye Zi’s heart melted and he said warmly: “It’s not because of you. I am not in a bad mood because of this.”
Gu Xu tilted his head to look at him and asked confusedly: “Then because of what?”
Ye Zi was hesitant: “Because……”
Gu Xu thought for a moment and realized: “I know, it’s because Cousin Yan is leaving, isn’t it?”
“……Cousin-in-Law, don’t be sad, A Xu will be with you and won’t let you be bored.”
Gu Yan, who happened to walk into the courtyard and heard Gu Xu’s words: “……”
He gently ground his teeth and glared viciously at Gu Xu.
This brat.
When Gu Xu noticed Gu Yan’s arrival, he hurriedly let go of Ye Zi and obediently called out: “Cousin.”
Gu Yan snorted coldly, which counted as a response.
He walked to the center of the courtyard, raised his hand, and threw a long sword at Ye Zi.
Ye Zi raised his hand to catch it and the familiar weight and touch made his heart tremble.
Ye Zi stared at him in a daze: “This sword……”
Gu Yan said: “I sent someone to cast it for you specifically. It should be the same as the one you……used in the past.”
Ye Zi reached out and gently brushed the sword. Every pattern and outline carved on the sword, all fit perfectly with his memory. Although it was the first time he had gotten this sword, it was like he had already been very familiar with it.
Gu Yan continued: “I’ve been looking for someone to cast this sword for a long time, but I always felt that something was still missing. Even now, it is only barely similar to the one you had in the past. Just use it first, if there is anything wrong, I will find someone to change it for you.”
Ye Zi grasped the hilt of the sword and pulled it out a little. With a clang, the silver-white sword light reflected on his face, adding a hint of coldness.
Ye Zi felt warm in his heart. This person could always make him aware of their past bond at these inadvertent moments.
Ye Zi put the sword back: “It’s enough already, thank you.”
Gu Yan nodded without saying anything else.
Gu Xu had been watching from the side and raised both hands with a wave: “Do I get one? Do I? I want a sword too!”
“You?” Gu Yan gave a mocking smile and pointed at the sword in Ye Zi’s hand: “If you can lift that sword, I’ll find someone to cast another one for you.”
Gu Xu blinked and immediately stepped forward to try and take Ye Zi’s sword.
Ye Zi hastily moved back a bit and chided: “Your Majesty, don’t teach a child to hold something so dangerous.”
Gu Yan leisurely responded: “The Gu family was able to conquer the world on horseback. The late Emperor was able to follow at the age of nine; plundering the battlefield and killing the enemies. He is now seven years old, why stop him?”
Gu Xu said: “Exactly, exactly!”
“Don’t listen to his nonsense.” Ye Zi turned his head and went inside to put that long sword away. He then walked to the tree, broke off two branches, and handed one to Gu Xu, “Use this one. Think of a sword after you’ve practiced.”
Gu Xu took the branch reluctantly: “Alright, thank you, Master.”
Ye Zi chuckled: “What did you call me?”
Gu Xu blinked: “Don’t commoners call the person who teaches them martial arts Master?”
Although this was the case, Ye Zi was still not used to this title. Before he could respond, Gu Yan walked up and grabbed the other branch from Ye Zi’s hand.
He gently waved the branch and looked at Ye Zi: “I don’t think we’ve ever had a proper match before.”
Ye Zi froze.
He had had the opportunity to fight Gu Yan a few times before. The man knew all his martial arts techniques clearly, so he had no chance of winning. However, he hadn’t used his full strength at that time. If he had gone all out, the result would have been uncertain.
It would be a bit embarrassing if he really couldn’t beat the disciple he taught himself.
Ye Zi grinned: “You’re right, then why don’t we have a match now?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Ye Zi turned his head to look at Gu Xu: “A Xu, lend me the branch.”
Gu Yan quietly waited for Ye Zi to take the branch from Gu Xu’s hand and then instructed the brat to stay far away: “Are we going to do rewards?”
Ye Zi’s eyes moved and he responded: “Your Majesty, you can decide.”
Gu Yan said: “Then, according to the usual customs, whoever wins must agree to the other party’s request unconditionally, how about that?”
Ye Zi subconsciously glanced at the silver bell on his wrist.
Gu Yan kept his promise and didn’t help him take off the silver bell, causing it to ring everywhere he went and making it impossible for him to change back to his original form.
Ye Zi thought for a moment: “Okay.”
The corner of Gu Yan’s mouth curled up. He readied the branch in his hand and took the lead in jabbing Ye Zi head-on. Ye Zi, on the other hand, took his sweet time. When that branch was about to touch him, he deflected the opponent’s attack and dodged away.
Ye Zi’s martial arts and swordsmanship were specially taught and trained by someone the late Emperor brought in to meet the standards of a killer. Every move he learned was ruthless and without mercy. But on the contrary, he had a gentle and kind-hearted nature and because of that, the originally vicious moves became more tolerable as he retreated to advance.
Gu Yan’s most basic martial arts and swordsmanship were taught by Ye Zi, but he did not inherit his style at all. Instead, he looked very much like the master who taught Ye Zi his moves. Gu Yan’s attack was extremely fierce, coupled with the fact that he was extremely familiar with Ye Zi’s martial arts style and strategy, it actually put Ye Zi at a disadvantage for a while.
“Master, you can do it! Don’t lose!” Gu Xu couldn’t help but shout as he watched from the sidelines.
Gu Yan hooked his lips up and smiled, saying softly: “Did you hear that? You should concentrate so you don’t lose, Master.”
Ye Zi’s hand trembled, almost dropping the branch.
It was really foul for this person to call him that at this juncture.
Ye Zi held in his anger and gradually began to get serious. When he got serious, Gu Yan immediately felt some strain.
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Over the years, Gu Yan had been in poor health and had neglected his martial arts practice. The longer the two of them fought, the more powerless he became.
Indeed, a few moments later, Ye Zi swung the branch and hit the back of Gu Yan’s hand. Gu Yan loosened his grip from the pain and the branch flew out of his hand.
Ye Zi won.
“Wow, Master is amazing!” Gu Xu jumped and ran over, hugging Ye Zi’s arm: “Master is so incredible.”
Gu Yan walked over and laughed: “Yes, Master is really incredible.”
Ye Zi couldn’t stand him calling him that. His cheeks burned slightly and he turned his head: “Don’t call me that.”
Gu Xu, who was clueless about their history, stood in front of Ye Zi. He raised his head and said seriously: “That’s right, Cousin is not allowed to call Cousin-in-Law that, only I can.”
Gu Yan pretended to be puzzled: “Oh? Then what should I call him?”
Gu Xu thought for a moment and said seriously: “You should call him ‘wifey.'”
Ye Zi’s ears turned red.
Ye Zi didn’t dare to let Gu Yan stay here anymore and drove him to the study while he stayed in the backyard to teach Gu Xu the basics.
Emperor Jinghe wasn’t wrong, Gu Xu was really gifted and smart. He was able to understand everything that Ye Zi taught him in just two hours.
After dinner, Ye Zi sent Gu Xu away and went to the study to look for Gu Yan. Gu Yan had stayed in the study for the whole afternoon and didn’t even bother to come eat dinner. Ye Zi asked the kitchen to prepare some porridge and took it to the study himself.
Pushing open the door of the study, Gu Yan was frowning tightly as he flipped through the files on the Jiangnan floods.
Ye Zi put the food down and laughed: “What political affairs is Prince Rui so focused on that he even skipped dinner?”
Gu Yan threw the files in his hand and massaged his tired temples: “Gu Sheng, that fool, is acting too recklessly.”
Gu Sheng was the name of the current Crown Prince.
“If you don’t want to read it, then leave it for now. Here, you should eat something.” Ye Zi brought over a bowl of porridge and handed it to him.
Gu Yan, however, did not take it and shook his head: “No need.”
“That won’t do.” Ye Zi said, “Your body has finally recovered a little, don’t let it be for naught.”
Ye Zi continued: “If you’re like this, I won’t trust you to be outside alone. I will definitely instruct Siwei to keep an eye on you so that you eat your meals and drink your medicine.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll eat.” Gu Yan moved the files to the side, took the bowl of porridge, and slowly drank it one spoonful at a time.
Ye Zi leaned over and scanned the files on the table for a few moments. He didn’t really understand these, but he could tell that things were indeed not too optimistic.
Gu Yan, however, did not mention them again: “Did that brat leave?”
Ye Zi said: “He left ages ago. I’ve put him through a lot today so I don’t know if he still has the guts to come here tomorrow.”
Gu Yan snorted: “If he gives up after this little suffering, he won’t have much potential when he grows up.”
Ye Zi narrowed his eyes, as if he was about to speak.
Gu Yan noticed his expression and asked: “What do you want to say?”
“A Xu, this child……” Ye Zi was silent for a moment, “I seem to understand a little bit why Emperor Jinghe wants to protect him, does he want him to…..”
Gu Yan said: “Your guess is correct.”
“Emperor Jinghe wants to make Gu Xu his heir apparent.”
Ye Zi’s eyes darkened, if that was the case, would the Crown Prince and Gu Xuan let him live in peace?
Gu Yan explained: “Of the three Imperial Princes, although Gu Sheng is the Crown Prince, he is weak in talent, power, and strategy, and doesn’t know any martial arts. To put it bluntly, he is a wastrel. Although Gu Xuan has outstanding talent, he’s got too much on his mind. And because of his birth mother’s affairs, he has always had a lukewarm relationship with Emperor Jinghe, who doesn’t trust him.”
“This leaves Gu Xu. He is talented and intelligent and as long as he is taught well, he will become a great person in the future.”
Ye Zi said: “But he is still so young……”
“Young?” Gu Yan let out a light laugh, “Don’t forget, when I was brought around by the late Emperor and taught to be the future ruler, I was even younger than him.”
Ye Zi lowered his eyes and no one could tell what he was thinking.
Gu Yan put the bowl of porridge down, reached out, and pinched his face, “Alright, why this sad face? The Crown Prince is too busy dealing with Gu Xuan and doesn’t have time to focus on anything else. And Gu Xuan has the little sparrow by his side so he definitely won’t make a move on us. Since Emperor Jinghe entrusted Gu Xu to you, you should protect him well. We’ll sit back and watch the tigers fight, and maybe, you might even become the future Grand Tutor.”
“Your Majesty……” Ye Zi softly interrupted: “I don’t want to be the Grand Tutor.”
Gu Yan moved to the side, giving up half of his seat for Ye Zi: “I understand, you don’t want to get involved in all this and you don’t want to see that child get involved in all this. But he was born in the palace, these are what he is destined to face, you can’t change that.”
Ye Zi quietly nodded.
After spending a lot of time with Gu Xu, he could see Gu Yan’s past self in that child.
He had no memories of the past and didn’t know how little Gu Yan, who was protected by the late Emperor, survived the huge change from being a simple and non-competitive character to the one he was now, where he could look on with cold eyes and see others calculating in all sorts of ways.
He selfishly didn’t want Gu Xu to go through these things as well.
But Gu Yan was right, no matter how worried he was, there was nothing he could do to change this.
On Gu Yan’s desk, Ye Zi lowered his head and saw a faint red mark on the back of his hand.
It was the bruise from their afternoon competition.
Ye Zi came closer to him: “It’s all swollen, why didn’t you tell me?”
Gu Yan smiled nonchalantly: “It’s just a small injury and it will disappear tomorrow. There’s no need to make a fuss about it.”
“I’m sorry, I used too much strength. I’ll go find you an ointment.”
After saying that, Ye Zi immediately went out the door and quickly came back with ointment and cold water.
Ye Zi used cold water to wet the handkerchief and placed it on the back of Gu Yan’s hand, chiding: “Why are you so stupid? Why didn’t you say anything if you were injured? If you had applied some medicine earlier, it wouldn’t have swollen up like this.”
Gu Yan said in a warm voice: “It’s really nothing, it doesn’t hurt at all, I didn’t even notice myself.”
This was obviously just to make Ye Zi feel at ease. Ye Zi was too lazy to argue with him and after applying the cold handkerchief for a while, he dipped his fingers into some ointment and applied it gently.
Seeing his anxious and focused appearance, Gu Yan was moved and teased in a low voice: “Besides, even if it hurts, I can’t say it aloud. I need to save some face in front of Gu Xu, that little brat.”
“Right, Master?”
Ye Zi’s hand shook and he smeared the ointment crookedly.
Ye Zi was angry: “Gu Zicheng!”
Gu Yan’s tone was calm and unhurried: “Yes, Master.”
Ye Zi glared at him: “D-Don’t call me that.”
Gu Yan smiled: “Why? Aren’t you my Master? You even won against me today.”
As Gu Yan called out to him in that kind of tone, it carried a certain indefinable sense of taboo. Ye Zi blushed and took a deep breath: “You’re just getting back at me, aren’t you? Because I promised to teach Gu Xu martial arts, you’re angry and jealous, aren’t you?”
Gu Yan didn’t hide the truth: “That’s right.”
“You——”
Ye Zi’s face turned red in anger and he didn’t know how to vent it. He pulled Gu Yan’s collar and bit the man’s lips hard.
When the two got close, Ye Zi rarely took the initiative.
He liked the way Gu Yan looked when he kissed him. It was so gentle that it made him sink, but it was so heated that it also scared him.
Even if Ye Zi took the initiative, Gu Yan would always quickly take it back. But this time, Gu Yan didn’t move at all, allowing Ye Zi to continue kissing him fiercely.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Ye Zi finally let him go and both of them were breathing a little roughly.
Ye Zi gasped twice and was about to say something, but Gu Yan pulled him onto his lap.
The distance between the two was so close that Ye Zi immediately felt something strange coming from underneath him.
Edited: 10.22.2023
Ye Zi was silent for a while before hesitantly answering: “I……am not skilled in martial arts and I am afraid of wasting his Fifth Imperial Majesty’s time. There are many experts in the palace, Your Holiness can easily find someone better to teach his Fifth Imperial Majesty.”
Emperor Jinghe laughed: “Why are you being self-deprecating, Princess Consort Rui? We have seen your skills before and it is no worse than the many experts. Furthermore, for a child of Little Five’s age, it’s most frightening to be forced. Since he likes you so much, he’ll learn better under your hands.”
Since Emperor Jinghe had said this, Ye Zi couldn’t refute and only agreed.
After they talked for a while, Emperor Jinghe said, “Yan’er was called by Us to discuss some matters with some ministers, he should have come out by now. You can go now, don’t keep him waiting for too long.”
Ye Zi bowed to Emperor Jinghe and exited the Imperial study.
Just as he left through the door, he saw Gu Yan waiting for him in the corridor not far away. Seeing him come out, his tightened brows loosened a bit.
Ye Zi walked over and without a care at all about the eunuchs and servants outside the Imperial study, Gu Yan reached out to embrace Ye Zi.
Gu Yan whispered in Ye Zi’s ear: “If you still hadn’t come out, I was going to break in to look for you.”
Ye Zi laughed softly: “Please let me off the hook, Your Majesty. Aren’t the gossips about me seducing you not enough?”
Gu Yan said in a warm voice: “Yes, I don’t think the gossips are enough. I’m going to show them just exactly how much I pamper you so that there won’t always be people who want to get their hands on you.”
Ye Zi felt warm in his heart as he was led out of the palace gate by Gu Yan.
When the two of them got on the carriage, Ye Zi said: “Emperor Jinghe asked me to teach A Xu martial arts, what do you think he’s playing at?”
Gu Yan poured two cups of tea and took a sip leisurely: “As expected, it’s Emperor Jinghe’s way of doing things. He is looking for a backer for the Fifth Imperial Prince. Just teach him, since that old fart has already spoken, we can’t go against his decree.”
Ye Zi was stunned: “Then……basically, he is doing this because he wants to use us to protect A Xu? He knows that someone is harming A Xu?”
“Most likely.” Gu Yan said, “The Able Consort and the Virtuous Consort who went on an outing with the Fifth Imperial Prince this time had their pay deducted for half a year and all the eunuchs and guards present were executed. But even so, Emperor Jinghe cannot let go of his worries. Without finding any evidence, he can’t find out who wants to harm his son.”
Ye Zi said: “So, he can only find someone to protect A Xu.”
“Exactly.” Gu Yan said, “The dynasty is now divided into three factions; the Crown Prince’s faction led by the Duke of Protection, the Third Prince with some Princes and other aristocrats backing him up, and the rest are some of my father’s old men. Now that someone wants to drag the Fifth Imperial Prince into this muddy water, Emperor Jinghe wants to protect this young son of his, so naturally he has to think of some way out.”
“…….Besides us, he probably has no one else in court to turn to. It just so happens that you saved the Fifth Imperial Prince and the Fifth Imperial Prince became enamored with you, so he just went along with it.”
Ye Zi suddenly cried and laughed: “He has been plotting against you for most of his life, but in the end, he has to rely on you to protect his son. This is really……”
“It’s more than that.” Gu Yan snorted: “Do you know what happened at morning court today?”
“What?”
Gu Yan said: “Just now at morning court, Emperor Jinghe rehashed old issues again and asked the Crown Prince about the disaster relief progress. The Crown Prince stammered, but couldn’t answer. Emperor Jinghe became furious and officially abolished the Crown Prince’s position as the Disaster Relief Censor.”
“This……”
Gu Yan said, “After abolishing him as the Disaster Relief Censort, he will have to appoint another. Moreover, Emperor Jinghe is prepared to send an Imperial Inspector this time to go with the new appointee to Jiangnan for disaster relief.”
“After morning court, Emperor Jinghe had asked me to stay behind for a moment to talk about this matter.” Gu Yan paused for a moment and said: “That old fart intends to have me go.”
“No,” Ye Zi said without thinking, “You can’t go.”
Chills ran down Ye Zi’s spine, finally figuring out what Emperor Jinghe was trying to do here.
If Emperor Jinghe sent Gu Yan to Jiangnan, then Ye Zi would be left to teach Gu Xu martial arts in the capital. And if Ye Zi stayed with Gu Xu all day long, not only was he protecting Gu Xu’s safety, but also allowing Emperor Jinghe to use Ye Zi to control Gu Yan who was far away in the south.
As for Gu Yan, who went to Jiangnan to provide disaster relief, it would be fine if the disaster was solved smoothly, but if something went wrong, Emperor Jinghe could use it as an excuse.
Gu Yan sighed softly and stroked Ye Zi’s back: “Don’t worry, this is something I had expected and have long been prepared for.”
“What?”
Gu Yan said, “Counting the days, around this time in my previous life, I happened to be sent to fight at the northern border. I also remember that during this time, an epidemic began to spread in Jiangnan because of the long-lasting disaster.”
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment.
He still remembered this matter.
The symptoms of that epidemic in Jiangnan were extraordinarily similar to the one that had once started in Chang’an. Those who suffered from the epidemic would cough and have a fever, and would pass away in less than seven days. Gu Yan’s father, the former Crown Prince, also passed away because of the epidemic. The late Emperor gave him the best tonics in hopes of saving him, but it only lasted him for more than half a month.
The epidemic in Jiangnan was also the same. Once the outbreak started, after roughly a month, several cities would be affected.
In the end, the minister responsible for the disaster relief received an oracle and sealed off all the cities affected by the epidemic, and burned all the people in the city, both infected and not infected, with fire.
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Gu Yan was distracted when this happened and by the time he realized it, everything was already too late.
Although he never said it, this matter probably kept haunting Gu Yan’s heart.
Ye Zi asked softly: “Then……what are you going to do?”
Gu Yan said: “I have been ordering Pei Ge to secretly look for a cure for that epidemic just for this day. Although he hasn’t fully developed a cure yet, he can at least delay the onset of that epidemic. I’m going to bring him along on this trip, I don’t believe that I won’t be able to save lives in several of those cities.”
Ye Zi pursed his lips as Gu Yan embraced him.
Gu Yan had already made up his mind, so it was useless for him to say anything else. Furthermore, he understood Gu Yan well. If he knew he could save those people but did nothing, it would definitely gnaw at his heart.
Ye Zi was quiet for some time before asking in a low voice: “When will you be leaving?”
Gu Yan said: “In a couple of days, I told Emperor Jinghe that some things need to be arranged again. Moreover, I also need to read the Jiangnan disaster relief files first.”
Ye Zi gently nodded and reached out to encircle Gu Yan’s waist, holding him a little tighter.
If Gu Yan dared to accept Emperor Jinghe’s mission, he must have a plan on how to deal with the disaster and how to treat the epidemic. At first, Ye Zi was worried that he would fall into Emperor Jinghe’s plan, but now it seemed that Gu Yan also had his own wishes in going south to provide disaster relief.
The only thing that made Ye Zi unhappy was that they had to be separated for a long time.
Gu Yan laughed lightly: “What’s wrong, can’t bear to see me go?”
“Yeah.” Ye Zi bit his lip and his voice was low, “Once you go, you’ll be gone for at least three months and at most half a year. I won’t be able to see you for such a long time.”
Gu Yan caressed his back and laughed lowly: “You’re really different from the past. In the past, if you could hold me like this and not let me go when I had to be on the battlefield, I certainly wouldn’t be willing to leave.”
Ye Zi buried his head in Gu Yan’s arms and muffled: “How did you know I didn’t want to do so in the first place?”
Knowing that he would have to be separated for half a year was already hard for him and if they really had to be separated for a few years, he would definitely feel even worse in his heart.
Gu Yan’s eyes moved slightly and his expression darkened: “I’m sorry.”
Ye Zi said: “You don’t need to say that to me, I understand……anyway, it’s just half a year, I’ll wait for you.”
The carriage quickly arrived at the Prince’s manor and the two of them returned to the residence for a short rest.
Later in the evening, Gu Xu came to the manor.
Gu Xu jumped into Ye Zi’s arms and said excitedly: “Cousin-in-Law, I’ve heard from Father, you will be teaching me martial arts, right?”
Ye Zi was not very happy when he thought about this and forced a smile: “Yes.”
Gu Xu could tell from his voice that something wasn’t quite right and looked up at him with a pair of dark and bright eyes: “Cousin-in-Law, are you unhappy?”
Ye Zi was stunned and shook his head: “No.”
“But you are clearly unhappy.” Gu Xu’s expression dropped and said with understanding, “I’m sorry, Cousin-in-Law. I told this matter to Eunuch Wu, who was with me that day and he went to report to my Mother Consort. And Mother Consort…….probably told Father.”
“I didn’t think that Father would issue a decree. I will go back and tell him that I don’t want you to teach me anymore. Don’t be unhappy…….”
Ye Zi’s heart melted and he said warmly: “It’s not because of you. I am not in a bad mood because of this.”
Gu Xu tilted his head to look at him and asked confusedly: “Then because of what?”
Ye Zi was hesitant: “Because……”
Gu Xu thought for a moment and realized: “I know, it’s because Cousin Yan is leaving, isn’t it?”
“……Cousin-in-Law, don’t be sad, A Xu will be with you and won’t let you be bored.”
Gu Yan, who happened to walk into the courtyard and heard Gu Xu’s words: “……”
He gently ground his teeth and glared viciously at Gu Xu.
This brat.
When Gu Xu noticed Gu Yan’s arrival, he hurriedly let go of Ye Zi and obediently called out: “Cousin.”
Gu Yan snorted coldly, which counted as a response.
He walked to the center of the courtyard, raised his hand, and threw a long sword at Ye Zi.
Ye Zi raised his hand to catch it and the familiar weight and touch made his heart tremble.
Ye Zi stared at him in a daze: “This sword……”
Gu Yan said: “I sent someone to cast it for you specifically. It should be the same as the one you……used in the past.”
Ye Zi reached out and gently brushed the sword. Every pattern and outline carved on the sword, all fit perfectly with his memory. Although it was the first time he had gotten this sword, it was like he had already been very familiar with it.
Gu Yan continued: “I’ve been looking for someone to cast this sword for a long time, but I always felt that something was still missing. Even now, it is only barely similar to the one you had in the past. Just use it first, if there is anything wrong, I will find someone to change it for you.”
Ye Zi grasped the hilt of the sword and pulled it out a little. With a clang, the silver-white sword light reflected on his face, adding a hint of coldness.
Ye Zi felt warm in his heart. This person could always make him aware of their past bond at these inadvertent moments.
Ye Zi put the sword back: “It’s enough already, thank you.”
Gu Yan nodded without saying anything else.
Gu Xu had been watching from the side and raised both hands with a wave: “Do I get one? Do I? I want a sword too!”
“You?” Gu Yan gave a mocking smile and pointed at the sword in Ye Zi’s hand: “If you can lift that sword, I’ll find someone to cast another one for you.”
Gu Xu blinked and immediately stepped forward to try and take Ye Zi’s sword.
Ye Zi hastily moved back a bit and chided: “Your Majesty, don’t teach a child to hold something so dangerous.”
Gu Yan leisurely responded: “The Gu family was able to conquer the world on horseback. The late Emperor was able to follow at the age of nine; plundering the battlefield and killing the enemies. He is now seven years old, why stop him?”
Gu Xu said: “Exactly, exactly!”
“Don’t listen to his nonsense.” Ye Zi turned his head and went inside to put that long sword away. He then walked to the tree, broke off two branches, and handed one to Gu Xu, “Use this one. Think of a sword after you’ve practiced.”
Gu Xu took the branch reluctantly: “Alright, thank you, Master.”
Ye Zi chuckled: “What did you call me?”
Gu Xu blinked: “Don’t commoners call the person who teaches them martial arts Master?”
Although this was the case, Ye Zi was still not used to this title. Before he could respond, Gu Yan walked up and grabbed the other branch from Ye Zi’s hand.
He gently waved the branch and looked at Ye Zi: “I don’t think we’ve ever had a proper match before.”
Ye Zi froze.
He had had the opportunity to fight Gu Yan a few times before. The man knew all his martial arts techniques clearly, so he had no chance of winning. However, he hadn’t used his full strength at that time. If he had gone all out, the result would have been uncertain.
It would be a bit embarrassing if he really couldn’t beat the disciple he taught himself.
Ye Zi grinned: “You’re right, then why don’t we have a match now?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Ye Zi turned his head to look at Gu Xu: “A Xu, lend me the branch.”
Gu Yan quietly waited for Ye Zi to take the branch from Gu Xu’s hand and then instructed the brat to stay far away: “Are we going to do rewards?”
Ye Zi’s eyes moved and he responded: “Your Majesty, you can decide.”
Gu Yan said: “Then, according to the usual customs, whoever wins must agree to the other party’s request unconditionally, how about that?”
Ye Zi subconsciously glanced at the silver bell on his wrist.
Gu Yan kept his promise and didn’t help him take off the silver bell, causing it to ring everywhere he went and making it impossible for him to change back to his original form.
Ye Zi thought for a moment: “Okay.”
The corner of Gu Yan’s mouth curled up. He readied the branch in his hand and took the lead in jabbing Ye Zi head-on. Ye Zi, on the other hand, took his sweet time. When that branch was about to touch him, he deflected the opponent’s attack and dodged away.
Ye Zi’s martial arts and swordsmanship were specially taught and trained by someone the late Emperor brought in to meet the standards of a killer. Every move he learned was ruthless and without mercy. But on the contrary, he had a gentle and kind-hearted nature and because of that, the originally vicious moves became more tolerable as he retreated to advance.
Gu Yan’s most basic martial arts and swordsmanship were taught by Ye Zi, but he did not inherit his style at all. Instead, he looked very much like the master who taught Ye Zi his moves. Gu Yan’s attack was extremely fierce, coupled with the fact that he was extremely familiar with Ye Zi’s martial arts style and strategy, it actually put Ye Zi at a disadvantage for a while.
“Master, you can do it! Don’t lose!” Gu Xu couldn’t help but shout as he watched from the sidelines.
Gu Yan hooked his lips up and smiled, saying softly: “Did you hear that? You should concentrate so you don’t lose, Master.”
Ye Zi’s hand trembled, almost dropping the branch.
It was really foul for this person to call him that at this juncture.
Ye Zi held in his anger and gradually began to get serious. When he got serious, Gu Yan immediately felt some strain.
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Over the years, Gu Yan had been in poor health and had neglected his martial arts practice. The longer the two of them fought, the more powerless he became.
Indeed, a few moments later, Ye Zi swung the branch and hit the back of Gu Yan’s hand. Gu Yan loosened his grip from the pain and the branch flew out of his hand.
Ye Zi won.
“Wow, Master is amazing!” Gu Xu jumped and ran over, hugging Ye Zi’s arm: “Master is so incredible.”
Gu Yan walked over and laughed: “Yes, Master is really incredible.”
Ye Zi couldn’t stand him calling him that. His cheeks burned slightly and he turned his head: “Don’t call me that.”
Gu Xu, who was clueless about their history, stood in front of Ye Zi. He raised his head and said seriously: “That’s right, Cousin is not allowed to call Cousin-in-Law that, only I can.”
Gu Yan pretended to be puzzled: “Oh? Then what should I call him?”
Gu Xu thought for a moment and said seriously: “You should call him ‘wifey.'”
Ye Zi’s ears turned red.
Ye Zi didn’t dare to let Gu Yan stay here anymore and drove him to the study while he stayed in the backyard to teach Gu Xu the basics.
Emperor Jinghe wasn’t wrong, Gu Xu was really gifted and smart. He was able to understand everything that Ye Zi taught him in just two hours.
After dinner, Ye Zi sent Gu Xu away and went to the study to look for Gu Yan. Gu Yan had stayed in the study for the whole afternoon and didn’t even bother to come eat dinner. Ye Zi asked the kitchen to prepare some porridge and took it to the study himself.
Pushing open the door of the study, Gu Yan was frowning tightly as he flipped through the files on the Jiangnan floods.
Ye Zi put the food down and laughed: “What political affairs is Prince Rui so focused on that he even skipped dinner?”
Gu Yan threw the files in his hand and massaged his tired temples: “Gu Sheng, that fool, is acting too recklessly.”
Gu Sheng was the name of the current Crown Prince.
“If you don’t want to read it, then leave it for now. Here, you should eat something.” Ye Zi brought over a bowl of porridge and handed it to him.
Gu Yan, however, did not take it and shook his head: “No need.”
“That won’t do.” Ye Zi said, “Your body has finally recovered a little, don’t let it be for naught.”
Ye Zi continued: “If you’re like this, I won’t trust you to be outside alone. I will definitely instruct Siwei to keep an eye on you so that you eat your meals and drink your medicine.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll eat.” Gu Yan moved the files to the side, took the bowl of porridge, and slowly drank it one spoonful at a time.
Ye Zi leaned over and scanned the files on the table for a few moments. He didn’t really understand these, but he could tell that things were indeed not too optimistic.
Gu Yan, however, did not mention them again: “Did that brat leave?”
Ye Zi said: “He left ages ago. I’ve put him through a lot today so I don’t know if he still has the guts to come here tomorrow.”
Gu Yan snorted: “If he gives up after this little suffering, he won’t have much potential when he grows up.”
Ye Zi narrowed his eyes, as if he was about to speak.
Gu Yan noticed his expression and asked: “What do you want to say?”
“A Xu, this child……” Ye Zi was silent for a moment, “I seem to understand a little bit why Emperor Jinghe wants to protect him, does he want him to…..”
Gu Yan said: “Your guess is correct.”
“Emperor Jinghe wants to make Gu Xu his heir apparent.”
Ye Zi’s eyes darkened, if that was the case, would the Crown Prince and Gu Xuan let him live in peace?
Gu Yan explained: “Of the three Imperial Princes, although Gu Sheng is the Crown Prince, he is weak in talent, power, and strategy, and doesn’t know any martial arts. To put it bluntly, he is a wastrel. Although Gu Xuan has outstanding talent, he’s got too much on his mind. And because of his birth mother’s affairs, he has always had a lukewarm relationship with Emperor Jinghe, who doesn’t trust him.”
“This leaves Gu Xu. He is talented and intelligent and as long as he is taught well, he will become a great person in the future.”
Ye Zi said: “But he is still so young……”
“Young?” Gu Yan let out a light laugh, “Don’t forget, when I was brought around by the late Emperor and taught to be the future ruler, I was even younger than him.”
Ye Zi lowered his eyes and no one could tell what he was thinking.
Gu Yan put the bowl of porridge down, reached out, and pinched his face, “Alright, why this sad face? The Crown Prince is too busy dealing with Gu Xuan and doesn’t have time to focus on anything else. And Gu Xuan has the little sparrow by his side so he definitely won’t make a move on us. Since Emperor Jinghe entrusted Gu Xu to you, you should protect him well. We’ll sit back and watch the tigers fight, and maybe, you might even become the future Grand Tutor.”
“Your Majesty……” Ye Zi softly interrupted: “I don’t want to be the Grand Tutor.”
Gu Yan moved to the side, giving up half of his seat for Ye Zi: “I understand, you don’t want to get involved in all this and you don’t want to see that child get involved in all this. But he was born in the palace, these are what he is destined to face, you can’t change that.”
Ye Zi quietly nodded.
After spending a lot of time with Gu Xu, he could see Gu Yan’s past self in that child.
He had no memories of the past and didn’t know how little Gu Yan, who was protected by the late Emperor, survived the huge change from being a simple and non-competitive character to the one he was now, where he could look on with cold eyes and see others calculating in all sorts of ways.
He selfishly didn’t want Gu Xu to go through these things as well.
But Gu Yan was right, no matter how worried he was, there was nothing he could do to change this.
On Gu Yan’s desk, Ye Zi lowered his head and saw a faint red mark on the back of his hand.
It was the bruise from their afternoon competition.
Ye Zi came closer to him: “It’s all swollen, why didn’t you tell me?”
Gu Yan smiled nonchalantly: “It’s just a small injury and it will disappear tomorrow. There’s no need to make a fuss about it.”
“I’m sorry, I used too much strength. I’ll go find you an ointment.”
After saying that, Ye Zi immediately went out the door and quickly came back with ointment and cold water.
Ye Zi used cold water to wet the handkerchief and placed it on the back of Gu Yan’s hand, chiding: “Why are you so stupid? Why didn’t you say anything if you were injured? If you had applied some medicine earlier, it wouldn’t have swollen up like this.”
Gu Yan said in a warm voice: “It’s really nothing, it doesn’t hurt at all, I didn’t even notice myself.”
This was obviously just to make Ye Zi feel at ease. Ye Zi was too lazy to argue with him and after applying the cold handkerchief for a while, he dipped his fingers into some ointment and applied it gently.
Seeing his anxious and focused appearance, Gu Yan was moved and teased in a low voice: “Besides, even if it hurts, I can’t say it aloud. I need to save some face in front of Gu Xu, that little brat.”
“Right, Master?”
Ye Zi’s hand shook and he smeared the ointment crookedly.
Ye Zi was angry: “Gu Zicheng!”
Gu Yan’s tone was calm and unhurried: “Yes, Master.”
Ye Zi glared at him: “D-Don’t call me that.”
Gu Yan smiled: “Why? Aren’t you my Master? You even won against me today.”
As Gu Yan called out to him in that kind of tone, it carried a certain indefinable sense of taboo. Ye Zi blushed and took a deep breath: “You’re just getting back at me, aren’t you? Because I promised to teach Gu Xu martial arts, you’re angry and jealous, aren’t you?”
Gu Yan didn’t hide the truth: “That’s right.”
“You——”
Ye Zi’s face turned red in anger and he didn’t know how to vent it. He pulled Gu Yan’s collar and bit the man’s lips hard.
When the two got close, Ye Zi rarely took the initiative.
He liked the way Gu Yan looked when he kissed him. It was so gentle that it made him sink, but it was so heated that it also scared him.
Even if Ye Zi took the initiative, Gu Yan would always quickly take it back. But this time, Gu Yan didn’t move at all, allowing Ye Zi to continue kissing him fiercely.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Ye Zi finally let him go and both of them were breathing a little roughly.
Ye Zi gasped twice and was about to say something, but Gu Yan pulled him onto his lap.
The distance between the two was so close that Ye Zi immediately felt something strange coming from underneath him.
