Edited: 10.29.2023
Ye Zi returned to the Prince Rui Manor in a state of confusion.
The sky was already dark and the Prince Rui Manor lights were bright.
It was already Summer and the weather was so hot and stuffy that it didn’t feel cool even at night. But Ye Zi’s body was still cold, his limbs were terribly cold.
Ye Zi sat in the courtyard and his heart was full of remorse.
He actually obeyed the damn Emperor’s wishes and stayed within this cold Imperial city. He actually allowed Gu Yan to go alone to such a dangerous place thousands of miles away.
How could he agree to Gu Yan going into danger alone and then calmly say that he would wait here for his return?
No, he couldn’t let Gu Yan be alone in that place.
He had to go find him.
Ye Zi was in a daze and he subconsciously walked out of the courtyard. Qiu Tang and Qiu Luo, who were guarding the courtyard, quickly followed over: “Your Highness, it’s late, where are you going?”
Ye Zi said in a trance: “I want to go out of the city, no……I want to go to the palace first.”
Qiu Luo and Qiu Tang looked at each other and Qiu Luo whispered: “Your Highness, the palace gates are closed now, is……..is it really urgent?”
Ye Zi suddenly came back to his senses and after a moment of silence, he said: “It’s fine, you guys can leave first, I’ll go back into the room.”
After saying that, he turned his head towards the room and closed the door after him.
Inside the Third Imperial Prince’s chambers.
Gu Xuan got up early as usual and stretched out his arm, however, he touched a warm and soft body beside him. He turned his head and the little youth was lying next to him, sleeping soundly.
The little gray sparrow’s eyes were crimson at the end, as if he had cried, and there was some slight redness and swelling. The silk quilt on his body slipped a little as Gu Xuan got up, revealing small patches of bare, pale shoulders. There were a few ambiguous red marks remaining on his skin from the neck to the shoulders.
Gu Xuan’s breathing stagnated and he turned his eyes away uncomfortably, not daring to look any further.
There were two gentle knocks on the door outside the hall. Gu Xuan subconsciously pulled up the silk quilt to wrap the little gray sparrow up and stood up with his own clothes on. The door opened and the person who came was the young eunuch from Gu Xuan’s Palace.
Gu Xuan asked: “What’s wrong?”
The little eunuch said: “Princess Consort Rui is looking for you and is now at the palace gate.”
Gu Xuan nodded: “Mnn, I’ll head out after I change my clothes.”
Just as he was about to head back, he suddenly paused in his steps and turned his head to order, “Have the Imperial kitchen make some light breakfasts. Have them make some extra and send them to my chambers.”
The little eunuch answered and hesitantly glanced toward the inner room: “Third Imperial Majesty, the one inside……”
Gu Xuan’s face darkened.
The little eunuch was shocked to realize that he had said something wrong and busily bowed his head: “The servant was wrong, there is no one else in the Third Imperial Majesty’s bedchamber.”
Gu Xuan said nothing more and closed the door.
One incense stick later, Gu Xuan met with Ye Zi at the entrance of the palace.
That person’s face was pale and his eyes couldn’t hide his fatigue. It was as if he had not slept all night.
Ye Zi had indeed not slept all night.
After he came back from the bamboo house last night, he had been overtly worried and couldn’t sleep. He desperately wanted to leave the city immediately and head toward Jiangnan, where Gu Yan was, but he also remembered that he still had many unfinished business in Chang’an City.
He was supposed to stay in Chang’an to take care of Gu Xu, if he left like that, what was the child supposed to do?
In any case, that child was innocent.
Ye Zi remembered what Gu Xuan had said to him the day before, that if he needed anything, he could come to him. Therefore, Ye Zi ended up staying up all night. Regardless of the fact that it wasn’t fully lit yet, he ran to the palace gate early in the morning to wait.
Without waiting for Gu Xuan to speak, Ye Zi took the lead: “I want to leave the city.”
Gu Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly and asked: “Cousin-in-Law has decided? My Father…..”
Ye Zi faintly said: “I don’t care what he does.”
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
That old thing, Emperor Jinghe, had better pray that Gu Yan was fine, otherwise……even if he were to die in the process, he would make that old thing pay.
Ye Zi naturally didn’t dare to say this in front of Gu Xuan: “The only thing I can’t rest assured about is the Fifth Imperial Prince.”
He paused and then added: “Third Imperial Majesty, I know that you had an agreement with Prince Rui and that he promised to help you deal with the Crown Prince so that you could sit on the throne. I can also promise now that A Xu will never interfere with you taking the throne, so can you……”
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With the hints spread throughout Ye Zi’s words, Gu Xuan also stopped feigning ignorance. He chuckled lightly and said: “Cousin-in-Law is overly worried. There are certain things that a gentleman would do and would not do. Little Five is still a child, and Yuanhui has never thought of doing anything to him.”
“……Not only that, he is still my brother, I will naturally take care of him.”
Ye Zi raised his eyes to look at Gu Xuan, as if he was confirming whether his words were true or not.
In Ye Zi’s memory, Gu Xu had never been involved in the struggle for Imperial power. At that time, while Gu Yan and the Crown Prince fought to the death, Gu Xuan came in to reap the benefits. The Fifth Imperial Prince grew up peacefully until Gu Xuan proclaimed himself Emperor. He turned Gu Xu into a Prince and sent him to a fiefdom, where he became an idle Prince for the rest of his life.
Gu Xuan was indeed extremely benevolent to his younger brother.
Ye Zi was slightly relieved before saying: “In that case, thank you very much.”
Ye Zi added: “By the way, after I leave, I will still need to trouble Your Third Imperial Majesty to take care of the little sparrow. He’s simple in nature and doesn’t understand these matters, so please take more care of him, Third Imperial Majesty.”
Thinking of that person, the corners of Gu Xuan’s mouth curved up, and he said in a warm voice: “Of course.”
Only then did Ye Zi say goodbye to Gu Xuan and left, getting into the Prince Rui Manor’s carriage. As the carriage galloped away, Gu Xuan stared thoughtfully at Ye Zi’s direction of departure and let out a shallow sigh.
When Gu Xuan returned to his bedchamber, the table was already filled with breakfast as he had ordered. Without another glance, Gu Xuan walked into the inner room. On the bed, the person who had been sleeping peacefully had completely curled into the silk quilt with only a few strands of hair hanging out.
The thin silk bulged into a small ball and Gu Yan walked to the bed: “Since you’re awake, how come you’re still not up?”
The small ball gently moved and the little gray sparrow’s voice came out from inside: “I’m not coming out, you’re a bad guy.”
Gu Xuan’s voice softened: “Are you angry?”
“Of course I’m angry.” There was still a little hoarseness in his voice as he said in an aggrieved manner, “You didn’t keep your promises. You clearly said that I was your husband.”
Gu Xuan was silent and could only relent: “I’ll let you be the husband later, okay? Come out and eat something first.”
The little gray sparrow was silent for a moment: “……This is what you said, no more lying.”
Gu Xuan curled the corners of his mouth and shook his head silently: “Mnn, I won’t lie.”
Ye Zi returned to Prince Rui Manor to pack up. He didn’t have many things to bring and just sorted out some small silver coins and clothes.
After finishing packing, Ye Zi called Qiu Tang and Qiu Luo and told them about his departure. Ye Zi didn’t say that he suspected that Gu Yan was sick and the two girls thought that he was just thinking about Gu Yan and did not think much of it.
Just after instructing the two girls, Gu Xu arrived at the manor.
Ye Zi didn’t say much and instructed him with his sword practice as usual. After practicing for a short while, Gu Xu suddenly stopped. He turned his head to look at Ye Zi tentatively: “Cousin-in-Law, A Xu is a bit hungry.”
Ye Zi asked: “What does A Xu want to eat? I’ll have someone make it for you.”
Gu Xu thought for a moment: “I want to eat the sugar cakes sold at the west street corner, can Cousin-in-Law come accompany me?”
In the market, Ye Zi led Gu Xu and walked slowly through the crowd. Gu Xu held a piece of hot sugar cake in his hand and ate it happily. Ye Zi, on the other hand, was thinking about how to tell Gu Xu of his departure. As soon as the two of them weren’t too far from the manor, Gu Xu suddenly pulled him.
Ye Zi turned around to look at him: “What’s wrong?”
Gu Xu picked up a piece of sugar cake and handed it to Ye Zi: “Cousin-in-Law, you should also try it, it’s very delicious.”
Ye Zi shook his head: “It’s fine, you can eat it yourself.”
Gu Xu said seriously: “Mother Consort said that when people are unhappy, they will feel better if they eat something sweet. If Cousin-in-Law eats this, you won’t be unhappy anymore.”
Ye Zi froze: “That’s the reason you wanted me to accompany you to the market?”
“Yes.” Gu Xu tilted his head to look at him, “Cousin-in-Law has been in a bad mood for the past few days that even A Xu felt unhappy. And I thought about what I could do to make Cousin-in-Law happier.”
Ye Zi’s heart warmed and he rubbed his head, “Where did you learn to speak so sweetly? When you grow up in the future, I don’t know how many women you’ll charm.”
Gu Xu tilted his head: “Charm?……Does that mean liking A Xu? A Xu doesn’t care about that, as long as Cousin-in-Law likes A Xu, then that’s enough.”
Ye Zi finally couldn’t help but laugh softly: “This child……”
Gu Xu quickly thought of something else and lowered his head: “Actually, A Xu knows that it was Father who made Cousin-in-Law stay here to teach me martial arts, that’s why Cousin-in-Law couldn’t go with Cousin. It’s all A Xu’s fault.”
“No.” Ye Zi said: “You are still young, a lot of things are not what you think.”
Gu Xu said: “But I know that Cousin-in-Law must really want to go find Cousin.”
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment and the smile on his face tightened a bit. He touched Gu Xu’s head and said softly, “I’m worried about him.”
Gu Xu said seriously: “Then Cousin-in-Law should go after him.”
Ye Zi said: “If I leave, who will teach you martial arts?”
Gu Xu was understanding: “I can practice on my own. I already know almost enough to practice on my own.”
“……It’s not that I want Cousin-in-Law to leave, in fact, I can’t bear to see you go. But since Cousin-in-Law is always so unhappy, A Xu also feels unhappy. Once we get back to the manor, A Xu will bring everyone back to the palace and Cousin-in-Law can take this time to leave. I will keep this secret for Cousin-in-Law. Also, I will tell Mother Consort tomorrow that I will be taking a day off from martial arts practice so that I can give you another day. By the time they realize that Cousin-in-Law is missing, they won’t be able to catch up with you anymore.”
Ye Zi touched his head and said warmly: “Thank you, A Xu.”
Gu Xu tilted his head in thought: “If Cousin-in-Law wants to thank me, you have to buy me sugar cakes when you come back next time.”
Ye Zi nodded: “Okay.”
When the two returned to the manor, Gu Xu took everyone back to the palace as promised. Ye Zi didn’t stay long and immediately left the city with his luggage. He chose not to take a carriage, but directly bought a horse and rode south.
Ye Zi switched from land to water and then from water to land. He exhausted several horses as he traveled day and night. Finally, he was able to reach Guangling City in less than five days.
Pei Wan’er said that if one were to contract the epidemic, even if they had Pei Ge’s medicine to extend their life, they would only have one month.
He didn’t know how many days it took for the news of Gu Yan’s illness to reach Gu Xuan’s ears, so he didn’t dare to delay for even a day.
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Ye Zi ran for a whole day, but the brown horse under him finally couldn’t bear it anymore. When he reached the gate of the city, it refused to go any further. Ye Zi simply let go of the reins and let the brown horse leave freely. Since he was already here, he no longer needed a horse.
Outside of Guangling City, refugees fleeing from the famine as well as traveling merchants and pedestrians could be seen everywhere. Inside the city, people were restricted from entering and the checkpoints were extremely strict, with many people gathered at the city gates, making it noisy and crowded.
The Imperial officials sent down by the Imperial court originally lived in Guangling City and it was most convenient to inquire about Gu Yan’s whereabouts here. Ye Zi walked towards the gate of the city and was about to ask the official for some information when he suddenly saw a ragged young man not far in front of him, sneaking through the crowd. He seemed to have spotted a man dressed as a rich gentleman and smoothly swiped his wallet from his body.
Ye Zi frowned and walked forward without any noise.
He tapped the teenager’s shoulder: “What did you take, hand it over.”
The teenager was startled by him, but quickly reacted and turned back to fight him. The teenager was unable to defeat Ye Zi and was restrained by his arm. His only thoughts now were to preserve his life so he shoved the wallet into Ye Zi’s hand, violently pushed him, and fled.
Ye Zi was unprepared and stumbled backward, almost falling.
A hand reached out from the side and held him steady.
“Thanks a lot.” Ye Zi raised his head and met a pair of deep eyes.
The man’s facial features were handsome and he must have been in his thirties. His movements showed that he was rich and handsome, elegant and gentle, and his temperament was calm and unperturbed.
It was the person who just had his wallet stolen.
He opened his mouth and his voice was low and unhurried: “I should be the one to say thank you. Thanks to the little gentleman for recovering my wallet.”
Ye Zi shook his head and handed the wallet back: “No harm, just doing a favor.”
The man was accompanied by two attendants. No matter how one looked at him, it looked like he came from a rich and noble family and it made him stand out in this crowded city.
One of the attendants said: “Prin-……no, Sir, we’d better enter the city as soon as possible.”
“No hurry.” The man looked Ye Zi up and down and asked: “Where is the little gentleman from? Seeing that you are not poorly dressed, have you encountered some difficulties?”
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment, only realizing with hindsight that the other party might have treated him as a refugee fleeing from a disaster.
Ye Zi couldn’t blame him. He had been traveling day and night in the past few days. Forget tidying up and maintaining his hygiene, he didn’t even bother to eat. If he was just an ordinary person, he might not have been able to hold out for this long. His current appearance was probably no better than a person fleeing from famine.
Ye Zi didn’t hide and truthfully said: “I came from Chang’an, I came here to look for someone.”
“Looking for someone?” The man pondered for a moment and asked: “Can I ask where the person you are looking for is now?”
Ye Zi said: “In Yi’an.”
Yi’an County was the place where Gu Yan told him he would go when the epidemic first started. According to the information he received, after Gu Yan learned that the epidemic had appeared in Yi’an, he immediately sent people to blockade the entire county, led the others inside, and had yet to return.
A look of surprise flashed in the man’s eyes and he shook his head: “I heard that there is an epidemic in Yi’an now. The government has completely sealed the place, no one is allowed to enter, let alone leave. I am afraid that the little gentleman will not be able to get in right now.”
Ye Zi had already learned about this news on his way here, which was why he changed his route to Guangling so he could think of another way to enter the city.
Ye Zi did not say much: “My very important person is there, I must go.”
The man scrutinized Ye Zi’s expression: “Then it is fate meeting the little gentleman today. To be honest, I am also heading to Yi’an. I have some dealings with the officials there, so if I lead the way, they can definitely make some accommodations and let you enter the city smoothly.”
Ye Zi’s eyes brightened: “Really?”
“Of course.”
Ye Zi eagerly said: “Then let’s go——”
However, the man replied nonchalantly: “But it’s getting late today, so let’s rest in the city for the night first and head out tomorrow.”
“But……”
Without waiting for Ye Zi to finish his sentence, the man interrupted: “Even if there is no epidemic in Yi’an, outsiders are not allowed to enter the city at night.”
Ye Zi had no choice but to agree and entered Guangling City with the man.
The two parties exchanged names. The man’s name was Li Yi and he claimed to be a traveling businessman who came to Guangling for business.
The group stayed at the inn.
This was the first time Ye Zi had stayed in an inn since he left Chang’an. He simply tidied up, changed into clean clothes, and lay on the bed but couldn’t fall asleep.
For every day that he couldn’t see Gu Yan, his heart would not be able to calm down.
At this time, in another room in the inn, the attendant poured a cup of tea and handed it over to the person at the table: “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”
The man next to him paused when he was about to take the teacup and raised his gaze at him: “How many times have I told you not to call me that outside.”
The attendant hurriedly said: “Yes, Sir.”
This was His Majesty, Prince Jing, personally conferred by the late Emperor and Gu Yan’s Sixth Imperial Uncle, Gu Yi.
Gu Yi took a sip of tea and another attendant beside him couldn’t help but ask: “Your Majesty, why are we taking that brat with us? We don’t know his origin, what if……”
Gu Yi calmly said: “Didn’t you guys see what happened when that person helped me retrieve my wallet today? At such a young age, his skills are extremely developed. I’m afraid that both of you together are not his match.”
The two retainers looked at each other: “Do you mean to say……that you want to use him?”
Gu Yi shook his head and lowered his eyes in silence.
Ye Zi almost didn’t sleep all night. As soon as it dawned the next day, he urged Gu Yi and his party to get on the road as soon as possible.
Gu Yi called a carriage and the group of people stayed on the official road toward Yi’an County.
Ye Zi was anxious, but he didn’t think it was right to rush him and could only wait patiently. Gu Yi saw his anxious thoughts and asked warmly: “I wonder who in Yi’an is the little gentleman so worried about? Let me guess, could it be your lover?”
Ye Zi didn’t hide the truth: “Yes.”
“As I thought.” Gu Yi narrowed his eyes and said nothing more.
Ye Zi glanced outside the carriage from time to time, clearly showing his restlessness. Gu Yi sat in the carriage and sipped tea quietly, looking at Ye Zi’s expression with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes.
Yesterday, he only had a glance outside Guangling City and only noticed this man’s extraordinary skills. He originally thought that since they happened to be going to the same place, they might as well spend more time together. And if possible, he could also take this person for himself. It wasn’t until Ye Zi freshened up and changed clothes today that he noticed this actual man’s appearance.
What kind of luck did he have? The young teen he randomly picked up outside the city turned out to be so handsome.
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Just a pity, this young man already had an owner.
Gu Yi sighed in his heart as Ye Zi suddenly said: “We seem to be arriving.”
Gu Yi collected those thoughts in his heart, lifted the curtain, and glanced outward. He could indeed see the city gates of Yi’an from far away.
He withdrew his gaze and said to Ye Zi: “By the way, when we enter the city in a while, I’d like to ask you to pretend to be my attendant, so as not to cause any unnecessary trouble.”
This wasn’t a difficult task and Ye Zi immediately answered: “Okay.”
The carriage leisurely drove to the outside of the city gate and as he said, they were stopped by someone.
Ye Zi helped Gu Yi out of the carriage but did not follow him. He stood beside the carriage with several others and played the role of attendant seriously. Gu Yi said something to the guard guarding the gate not far away, but Ye Zi was too far away to hear clearly. He only saw the guard, who was acting arrogant before, hastily saluting Gu Yi as he turned around and pushed open the city gates.
Gu Yi turned his head and walked back toward the carriage.
Ye Zi vaguely realized something and asked: “Mr. Li, you……”
Gu Yi shook his head at him: “I have already spoken with the guarding official. We can enter the city, but we cannot take the carriage and can only enter on foot. Let’s go.”
While he was speaking, the guard who opened the gates had already walked up to them. Ye Zi didn’t dare to ask any more questions and lowered his head.
The guard brought them into the city but didn’t leave and kept leading them forward.
Inside the city, all of the doors were closed. The streets were empty and there was a very depressing atmosphere lingering in the air, like it was a dead city.
Gu Yi suddenly asked: “Where are the people in the city who are suffering from the epidemic now placed?”
“They are all in Zenkong Temple in the west of the city.” That guard sighed and replied: “More and more people are suffering from the epidemic. There is no cure now and it is said that the patients are left in Zenkong Temple for treatment. However, even though that is the case, to put it bluntly, it is to let them wait for their deaths there. Alas, even so, there are still many infected people showing up every day.”
“…….If this continues, I’m afraid the entire Yi’an County will be doomed.”
Gu Yi’s brows furrowed slightly: “Is the situation already this dire?”
The guard shook his head and stopped answering.
Ye Zi walked behind the two and listened to their conversation. Finally, he couldn’t help but reach out and pat Gu Yi’s shoulder.
Gu Yi’s footsteps slightly paused as he looked back at him: “What is it?”
Ye Zi lowered his voice and asked: “Where are we going?”
Gu Yi said: “Since you’re looking for someone, I asked the government officials to help you, isn’t that more convenient? When the time comes, just tell them their name and someone will help you look for them.”
Ye Zi’s eyes darkened a little.
Gu Yan was here as a supervisory censor so the government officials would naturally know where he was now. But Ye Zi ran away from Chang’an City secretly, and he didn’t know how Emperor Jinghe would react to this.
If he exposed his identity rashly, would he cause trouble for Gu Yan?
He had only thought that about a way to get into Yi’an County, but he hadn’t realized that Mr. Li was so capable that he could directly call upon the government officials. This person was probably not an ordinary person, but the current situation doesn’t allow him to consider these thoughts right now.
If he was really asked who he was looking for, would he answer or not, and how should he answer?
At this point, he really was in a bit of a dilemma.
Ye Zi followed behind Gu Yi with wild thoughts. The guard had already led them to the gate of the county government office. Ye Zi became more and more anxious and was thinking about how to find a reason to escape when suddenly several people walked out of the county government office.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty, your orders will be arranged by the officials as soon as possible. You don’t have to worry too much.” The man walking in front was over fifty years old. He was wearing an official uniform and had an almost flattering smile. He should be the magistrate of Yi’an.
The person beside him just nodded lightly: “That’s good.”
Ye Zi heard a familiar voice and looked up in a daze. The person who walked out from the county office also happened to turn his head over and met his gaze at once.
Gu Yan’s expression was calm, as if he hadn’t seen him, and then looked away quietly. His eyes fell on the person beside Ye Zi and he showed a bit of surprise.
Gu Yan quickly collected his expression, walked to Gu Yi, and saluted him: “So it’s Sixth Imperial Uncle, long time no see.”
********
The author has something to say:
Gu Yan: After going on a business trip, my wife hooked up with my uncle……
Ye Zi: Wake up, you took the wrong script.
Edited: 10.29.2023
Ye Zi returned to the Prince Rui Manor in a state of confusion.
The sky was already dark and the Prince Rui Manor lights were bright.
It was already Summer and the weather was so hot and stuffy that it didn’t feel cool even at night. But Ye Zi’s body was still cold, his limbs were terribly cold.
Ye Zi sat in the courtyard and his heart was full of remorse.
He actually obeyed the damn Emperor’s wishes and stayed within this cold Imperial city. He actually allowed Gu Yan to go alone to such a dangerous place thousands of miles away.
How could he agree to Gu Yan going into danger alone and then calmly say that he would wait here for his return?
No, he couldn’t let Gu Yan be alone in that place.
He had to go find him.
Ye Zi was in a daze and he subconsciously walked out of the courtyard. Qiu Tang and Qiu Luo, who were guarding the courtyard, quickly followed over: “Your Highness, it’s late, where are you going?”
Ye Zi said in a trance: “I want to go out of the city, no……I want to go to the palace first.”
Qiu Luo and Qiu Tang looked at each other and Qiu Luo whispered: “Your Highness, the palace gates are closed now, is……..is it really urgent?”
Ye Zi suddenly came back to his senses and after a moment of silence, he said: “It’s fine, you guys can leave first, I’ll go back into the room.”
After saying that, he turned his head towards the room and closed the door after him.
Inside the Third Imperial Prince’s chambers.
Gu Xuan got up early as usual and stretched out his arm, however, he touched a warm and soft body beside him. He turned his head and the little youth was lying next to him, sleeping soundly.
The little gray sparrow’s eyes were crimson at the end, as if he had cried, and there was some slight redness and swelling. The silk quilt on his body slipped a little as Gu Xuan got up, revealing small patches of bare, pale shoulders. There were a few ambiguous red marks remaining on his skin from the neck to the shoulders.
Gu Xuan’s breathing stagnated and he turned his eyes away uncomfortably, not daring to look any further.
There were two gentle knocks on the door outside the hall. Gu Xuan subconsciously pulled up the silk quilt to wrap the little gray sparrow up and stood up with his own clothes on. The door opened and the person who came was the young eunuch from Gu Xuan’s Palace.
Gu Xuan asked: “What’s wrong?”
The little eunuch said: “Princess Consort Rui is looking for you and is now at the palace gate.”
Gu Xuan nodded: “Mnn, I’ll head out after I change my clothes.”
Just as he was about to head back, he suddenly paused in his steps and turned his head to order, “Have the Imperial kitchen make some light breakfasts. Have them make some extra and send them to my chambers.”
The little eunuch answered and hesitantly glanced toward the inner room: “Third Imperial Majesty, the one inside……”
Gu Xuan’s face darkened.
The little eunuch was shocked to realize that he had said something wrong and busily bowed his head: “The servant was wrong, there is no one else in the Third Imperial Majesty’s bedchamber.”
Gu Xuan said nothing more and closed the door.
One incense stick later, Gu Xuan met with Ye Zi at the entrance of the palace.
That person’s face was pale and his eyes couldn’t hide his fatigue. It was as if he had not slept all night.
Ye Zi had indeed not slept all night.
After he came back from the bamboo house last night, he had been overtly worried and couldn’t sleep. He desperately wanted to leave the city immediately and head toward Jiangnan, where Gu Yan was, but he also remembered that he still had many unfinished business in Chang’an City.
He was supposed to stay in Chang’an to take care of Gu Xu, if he left like that, what was the child supposed to do?
In any case, that child was innocent.
Ye Zi remembered what Gu Xuan had said to him the day before, that if he needed anything, he could come to him. Therefore, Ye Zi ended up staying up all night. Regardless of the fact that it wasn’t fully lit yet, he ran to the palace gate early in the morning to wait.
Without waiting for Gu Xuan to speak, Ye Zi took the lead: “I want to leave the city.”
Gu Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly and asked: “Cousin-in-Law has decided? My Father…..”
Ye Zi faintly said: “I don’t care what he does.”
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
That old thing, Emperor Jinghe, had better pray that Gu Yan was fine, otherwise……even if he were to die in the process, he would make that old thing pay.
Ye Zi naturally didn’t dare to say this in front of Gu Xuan: “The only thing I can’t rest assured about is the Fifth Imperial Prince.”
He paused and then added: “Third Imperial Majesty, I know that you had an agreement with Prince Rui and that he promised to help you deal with the Crown Prince so that you could sit on the throne. I can also promise now that A Xu will never interfere with you taking the throne, so can you……”
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With the hints spread throughout Ye Zi’s words, Gu Xuan also stopped feigning ignorance. He chuckled lightly and said: “Cousin-in-Law is overly worried. There are certain things that a gentleman would do and would not do. Little Five is still a child, and Yuanhui has never thought of doing anything to him.”
“……Not only that, he is still my brother, I will naturally take care of him.”
Ye Zi raised his eyes to look at Gu Xuan, as if he was confirming whether his words were true or not.
In Ye Zi’s memory, Gu Xu had never been involved in the struggle for Imperial power. At that time, while Gu Yan and the Crown Prince fought to the death, Gu Xuan came in to reap the benefits. The Fifth Imperial Prince grew up peacefully until Gu Xuan proclaimed himself Emperor. He turned Gu Xu into a Prince and sent him to a fiefdom, where he became an idle Prince for the rest of his life.
Gu Xuan was indeed extremely benevolent to his younger brother.
Ye Zi was slightly relieved before saying: “In that case, thank you very much.”
Ye Zi added: “By the way, after I leave, I will still need to trouble Your Third Imperial Majesty to take care of the little sparrow. He’s simple in nature and doesn’t understand these matters, so please take more care of him, Third Imperial Majesty.”
Thinking of that person, the corners of Gu Xuan’s mouth curved up, and he said in a warm voice: “Of course.”
Only then did Ye Zi say goodbye to Gu Xuan and left, getting into the Prince Rui Manor’s carriage. As the carriage galloped away, Gu Xuan stared thoughtfully at Ye Zi’s direction of departure and let out a shallow sigh.
When Gu Xuan returned to his bedchamber, the table was already filled with breakfast as he had ordered. Without another glance, Gu Xuan walked into the inner room. On the bed, the person who had been sleeping peacefully had completely curled into the silk quilt with only a few strands of hair hanging out.
The thin silk bulged into a small ball and Gu Yan walked to the bed: “Since you’re awake, how come you’re still not up?”
The small ball gently moved and the little gray sparrow’s voice came out from inside: “I’m not coming out, you’re a bad guy.”
Gu Xuan’s voice softened: “Are you angry?”
“Of course I’m angry.” There was still a little hoarseness in his voice as he said in an aggrieved manner, “You didn’t keep your promises. You clearly said that I was your husband.”
Gu Xuan was silent and could only relent: “I’ll let you be the husband later, okay? Come out and eat something first.”
The little gray sparrow was silent for a moment: “……This is what you said, no more lying.”
Gu Xuan curled the corners of his mouth and shook his head silently: “Mnn, I won’t lie.”
Ye Zi returned to Prince Rui Manor to pack up. He didn’t have many things to bring and just sorted out some small silver coins and clothes.
After finishing packing, Ye Zi called Qiu Tang and Qiu Luo and told them about his departure. Ye Zi didn’t say that he suspected that Gu Yan was sick and the two girls thought that he was just thinking about Gu Yan and did not think much of it.
Just after instructing the two girls, Gu Xu arrived at the manor.
Ye Zi didn’t say much and instructed him with his sword practice as usual. After practicing for a short while, Gu Xu suddenly stopped. He turned his head to look at Ye Zi tentatively: “Cousin-in-Law, A Xu is a bit hungry.”
Ye Zi asked: “What does A Xu want to eat? I’ll have someone make it for you.”
Gu Xu thought for a moment: “I want to eat the sugar cakes sold at the west street corner, can Cousin-in-Law come accompany me?”
In the market, Ye Zi led Gu Xu and walked slowly through the crowd. Gu Xu held a piece of hot sugar cake in his hand and ate it happily. Ye Zi, on the other hand, was thinking about how to tell Gu Xu of his departure. As soon as the two of them weren’t too far from the manor, Gu Xu suddenly pulled him.
Ye Zi turned around to look at him: “What’s wrong?”
Gu Xu picked up a piece of sugar cake and handed it to Ye Zi: “Cousin-in-Law, you should also try it, it’s very delicious.”
Ye Zi shook his head: “It’s fine, you can eat it yourself.”
Gu Xu said seriously: “Mother Consort said that when people are unhappy, they will feel better if they eat something sweet. If Cousin-in-Law eats this, you won’t be unhappy anymore.”
Ye Zi froze: “That’s the reason you wanted me to accompany you to the market?”
“Yes.” Gu Xu tilted his head to look at him, “Cousin-in-Law has been in a bad mood for the past few days that even A Xu felt unhappy. And I thought about what I could do to make Cousin-in-Law happier.”
Ye Zi’s heart warmed and he rubbed his head, “Where did you learn to speak so sweetly? When you grow up in the future, I don’t know how many women you’ll charm.”
Gu Xu tilted his head: “Charm?……Does that mean liking A Xu? A Xu doesn’t care about that, as long as Cousin-in-Law likes A Xu, then that’s enough.”
Ye Zi finally couldn’t help but laugh softly: “This child……”
Gu Xu quickly thought of something else and lowered his head: “Actually, A Xu knows that it was Father who made Cousin-in-Law stay here to teach me martial arts, that’s why Cousin-in-Law couldn’t go with Cousin. It’s all A Xu’s fault.”
“No.” Ye Zi said: “You are still young, a lot of things are not what you think.”
Gu Xu said: “But I know that Cousin-in-Law must really want to go find Cousin.”
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment and the smile on his face tightened a bit. He touched Gu Xu’s head and said softly, “I’m worried about him.”
Gu Xu said seriously: “Then Cousin-in-Law should go after him.”
Ye Zi said: “If I leave, who will teach you martial arts?”
Gu Xu was understanding: “I can practice on my own. I already know almost enough to practice on my own.”
“……It’s not that I want Cousin-in-Law to leave, in fact, I can’t bear to see you go. But since Cousin-in-Law is always so unhappy, A Xu also feels unhappy. Once we get back to the manor, A Xu will bring everyone back to the palace and Cousin-in-Law can take this time to leave. I will keep this secret for Cousin-in-Law. Also, I will tell Mother Consort tomorrow that I will be taking a day off from martial arts practice so that I can give you another day. By the time they realize that Cousin-in-Law is missing, they won’t be able to catch up with you anymore.”
Ye Zi touched his head and said warmly: “Thank you, A Xu.”
Gu Xu tilted his head in thought: “If Cousin-in-Law wants to thank me, you have to buy me sugar cakes when you come back next time.”
Ye Zi nodded: “Okay.”
When the two returned to the manor, Gu Xu took everyone back to the palace as promised. Ye Zi didn’t stay long and immediately left the city with his luggage. He chose not to take a carriage, but directly bought a horse and rode south.
Ye Zi switched from land to water and then from water to land. He exhausted several horses as he traveled day and night. Finally, he was able to reach Guangling City in less than five days.
Pei Wan’er said that if one were to contract the epidemic, even if they had Pei Ge’s medicine to extend their life, they would only have one month.
He didn’t know how many days it took for the news of Gu Yan’s illness to reach Gu Xuan’s ears, so he didn’t dare to delay for even a day.
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Ye Zi ran for a whole day, but the brown horse under him finally couldn’t bear it anymore. When he reached the gate of the city, it refused to go any further. Ye Zi simply let go of the reins and let the brown horse leave freely. Since he was already here, he no longer needed a horse.
Outside of Guangling City, refugees fleeing from the famine as well as traveling merchants and pedestrians could be seen everywhere. Inside the city, people were restricted from entering and the checkpoints were extremely strict, with many people gathered at the city gates, making it noisy and crowded.
The Imperial officials sent down by the Imperial court originally lived in Guangling City and it was most convenient to inquire about Gu Yan’s whereabouts here. Ye Zi walked towards the gate of the city and was about to ask the official for some information when he suddenly saw a ragged young man not far in front of him, sneaking through the crowd. He seemed to have spotted a man dressed as a rich gentleman and smoothly swiped his wallet from his body.
Ye Zi frowned and walked forward without any noise.
He tapped the teenager’s shoulder: “What did you take, hand it over.”
The teenager was startled by him, but quickly reacted and turned back to fight him. The teenager was unable to defeat Ye Zi and was restrained by his arm. His only thoughts now were to preserve his life so he shoved the wallet into Ye Zi’s hand, violently pushed him, and fled.
Ye Zi was unprepared and stumbled backward, almost falling.
A hand reached out from the side and held him steady.
“Thanks a lot.” Ye Zi raised his head and met a pair of deep eyes.
The man’s facial features were handsome and he must have been in his thirties. His movements showed that he was rich and handsome, elegant and gentle, and his temperament was calm and unperturbed.
It was the person who just had his wallet stolen.
He opened his mouth and his voice was low and unhurried: “I should be the one to say thank you. Thanks to the little gentleman for recovering my wallet.”
Ye Zi shook his head and handed the wallet back: “No harm, just doing a favor.”
The man was accompanied by two attendants. No matter how one looked at him, it looked like he came from a rich and noble family and it made him stand out in this crowded city.
One of the attendants said: “Prin-……no, Sir, we’d better enter the city as soon as possible.”
“No hurry.” The man looked Ye Zi up and down and asked: “Where is the little gentleman from? Seeing that you are not poorly dressed, have you encountered some difficulties?”
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment, only realizing with hindsight that the other party might have treated him as a refugee fleeing from a disaster.
Ye Zi couldn’t blame him. He had been traveling day and night in the past few days. Forget tidying up and maintaining his hygiene, he didn’t even bother to eat. If he was just an ordinary person, he might not have been able to hold out for this long. His current appearance was probably no better than a person fleeing from famine.
Ye Zi didn’t hide and truthfully said: “I came from Chang’an, I came here to look for someone.”
“Looking for someone?” The man pondered for a moment and asked: “Can I ask where the person you are looking for is now?”
Ye Zi said: “In Yi’an.”
Yi’an County was the place where Gu Yan told him he would go when the epidemic first started. According to the information he received, after Gu Yan learned that the epidemic had appeared in Yi’an, he immediately sent people to blockade the entire county, led the others inside, and had yet to return.
A look of surprise flashed in the man’s eyes and he shook his head: “I heard that there is an epidemic in Yi’an now. The government has completely sealed the place, no one is allowed to enter, let alone leave. I am afraid that the little gentleman will not be able to get in right now.”
Ye Zi had already learned about this news on his way here, which was why he changed his route to Guangling so he could think of another way to enter the city.
Ye Zi did not say much: “My very important person is there, I must go.”
The man scrutinized Ye Zi’s expression: “Then it is fate meeting the little gentleman today. To be honest, I am also heading to Yi’an. I have some dealings with the officials there, so if I lead the way, they can definitely make some accommodations and let you enter the city smoothly.”
Ye Zi’s eyes brightened: “Really?”
“Of course.”
Ye Zi eagerly said: “Then let’s go——”
However, the man replied nonchalantly: “But it’s getting late today, so let’s rest in the city for the night first and head out tomorrow.”
“But……”
Without waiting for Ye Zi to finish his sentence, the man interrupted: “Even if there is no epidemic in Yi’an, outsiders are not allowed to enter the city at night.”
Ye Zi had no choice but to agree and entered Guangling City with the man.
The two parties exchanged names. The man’s name was Li Yi and he claimed to be a traveling businessman who came to Guangling for business.
The group stayed at the inn.
This was the first time Ye Zi had stayed in an inn since he left Chang’an. He simply tidied up, changed into clean clothes, and lay on the bed but couldn’t fall asleep.
For every day that he couldn’t see Gu Yan, his heart would not be able to calm down.
At this time, in another room in the inn, the attendant poured a cup of tea and handed it over to the person at the table: “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”
The man next to him paused when he was about to take the teacup and raised his gaze at him: “How many times have I told you not to call me that outside.”
The attendant hurriedly said: “Yes, Sir.”
This was His Majesty, Prince Jing, personally conferred by the late Emperor and Gu Yan’s Sixth Imperial Uncle, Gu Yi.
Gu Yi took a sip of tea and another attendant beside him couldn’t help but ask: “Your Majesty, why are we taking that brat with us? We don’t know his origin, what if……”
Gu Yi calmly said: “Didn’t you guys see what happened when that person helped me retrieve my wallet today? At such a young age, his skills are extremely developed. I’m afraid that both of you together are not his match.”
The two retainers looked at each other: “Do you mean to say……that you want to use him?”
Gu Yi shook his head and lowered his eyes in silence.
Ye Zi almost didn’t sleep all night. As soon as it dawned the next day, he urged Gu Yi and his party to get on the road as soon as possible.
Gu Yi called a carriage and the group of people stayed on the official road toward Yi’an County.
Ye Zi was anxious, but he didn’t think it was right to rush him and could only wait patiently. Gu Yi saw his anxious thoughts and asked warmly: “I wonder who in Yi’an is the little gentleman so worried about? Let me guess, could it be your lover?”
Ye Zi didn’t hide the truth: “Yes.”
“As I thought.” Gu Yi narrowed his eyes and said nothing more.
Ye Zi glanced outside the carriage from time to time, clearly showing his restlessness. Gu Yi sat in the carriage and sipped tea quietly, looking at Ye Zi’s expression with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes.
Yesterday, he only had a glance outside Guangling City and only noticed this man’s extraordinary skills. He originally thought that since they happened to be going to the same place, they might as well spend more time together. And if possible, he could also take this person for himself. It wasn’t until Ye Zi freshened up and changed clothes today that he noticed this actual man’s appearance.
What kind of luck did he have? The young teen he randomly picked up outside the city turned out to be so handsome.
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Just a pity, this young man already had an owner.
Gu Yi sighed in his heart as Ye Zi suddenly said: “We seem to be arriving.”
Gu Yi collected those thoughts in his heart, lifted the curtain, and glanced outward. He could indeed see the city gates of Yi’an from far away.
He withdrew his gaze and said to Ye Zi: “By the way, when we enter the city in a while, I’d like to ask you to pretend to be my attendant, so as not to cause any unnecessary trouble.”
This wasn’t a difficult task and Ye Zi immediately answered: “Okay.”
The carriage leisurely drove to the outside of the city gate and as he said, they were stopped by someone.
Ye Zi helped Gu Yi out of the carriage but did not follow him. He stood beside the carriage with several others and played the role of attendant seriously. Gu Yi said something to the guard guarding the gate not far away, but Ye Zi was too far away to hear clearly. He only saw the guard, who was acting arrogant before, hastily saluting Gu Yi as he turned around and pushed open the city gates.
Gu Yi turned his head and walked back toward the carriage.
Ye Zi vaguely realized something and asked: “Mr. Li, you……”
Gu Yi shook his head at him: “I have already spoken with the guarding official. We can enter the city, but we cannot take the carriage and can only enter on foot. Let’s go.”
While he was speaking, the guard who opened the gates had already walked up to them. Ye Zi didn’t dare to ask any more questions and lowered his head.
The guard brought them into the city but didn’t leave and kept leading them forward.
Inside the city, all of the doors were closed. The streets were empty and there was a very depressing atmosphere lingering in the air, like it was a dead city.
Gu Yi suddenly asked: “Where are the people in the city who are suffering from the epidemic now placed?”
“They are all in Zenkong Temple in the west of the city.” That guard sighed and replied: “More and more people are suffering from the epidemic. There is no cure now and it is said that the patients are left in Zenkong Temple for treatment. However, even though that is the case, to put it bluntly, it is to let them wait for their deaths there. Alas, even so, there are still many infected people showing up every day.”
“…….If this continues, I’m afraid the entire Yi’an County will be doomed.”
Gu Yi’s brows furrowed slightly: “Is the situation already this dire?”
The guard shook his head and stopped answering.
Ye Zi walked behind the two and listened to their conversation. Finally, he couldn’t help but reach out and pat Gu Yi’s shoulder.
Gu Yi’s footsteps slightly paused as he looked back at him: “What is it?”
Ye Zi lowered his voice and asked: “Where are we going?”
Gu Yi said: “Since you’re looking for someone, I asked the government officials to help you, isn’t that more convenient? When the time comes, just tell them their name and someone will help you look for them.”
Ye Zi’s eyes darkened a little.
Gu Yan was here as a supervisory censor so the government officials would naturally know where he was now. But Ye Zi ran away from Chang’an City secretly, and he didn’t know how Emperor Jinghe would react to this.
If he exposed his identity rashly, would he cause trouble for Gu Yan?
He had only thought that about a way to get into Yi’an County, but he hadn’t realized that Mr. Li was so capable that he could directly call upon the government officials. This person was probably not an ordinary person, but the current situation doesn’t allow him to consider these thoughts right now.
If he was really asked who he was looking for, would he answer or not, and how should he answer?
At this point, he really was in a bit of a dilemma.
Ye Zi followed behind Gu Yi with wild thoughts. The guard had already led them to the gate of the county government office. Ye Zi became more and more anxious and was thinking about how to find a reason to escape when suddenly several people walked out of the county government office.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty, your orders will be arranged by the officials as soon as possible. You don’t have to worry too much.” The man walking in front was over fifty years old. He was wearing an official uniform and had an almost flattering smile. He should be the magistrate of Yi’an.
The person beside him just nodded lightly: “That’s good.”
Ye Zi heard a familiar voice and looked up in a daze. The person who walked out from the county office also happened to turn his head over and met his gaze at once.
Gu Yan’s expression was calm, as if he hadn’t seen him, and then looked away quietly. His eyes fell on the person beside Ye Zi and he showed a bit of surprise.
Gu Yan quickly collected his expression, walked to Gu Yi, and saluted him: “So it’s Sixth Imperial Uncle, long time no see.”
********
The author has something to say:
Gu Yan: After going on a business trip, my wife hooked up with my uncle……
Ye Zi: Wake up, you took the wrong script.
