Edited: 11.05.2023
When he left Chang’an City, Ye Zi had already considered the consequences.
He had received Emperor Jinghe’s Imperial decree and promised to stay in the capital to teach the Fifth Imperial Prince. Now that he had run away, he was indeed in the wrong, but at that time, he couldn’t care less about the consequences.
Gu Yan’s life and death were uncertain, so he didn’t care whether he was going against the decree or not.
Moreover, if he could save Gu Yan’s life before he became ill, no matter whether Emperor Jinghe would lock him up in prison afterward or not, and no matter what the punishment would be, he would have no complaints.
Gu Yan sighed softly and smiled lightly: “I was just trying to scare you, Emperor Jinghe didn’t give out an order.”
Ye Zi raised his head to look at him: “Huh?”
Gu Yan rubbed a handful of his hair: “Fool, you’ve only been here for a short while, how would I know the news from Chang’an? I’ve already sent people back to poke around and the fastest scouts to get to Chang’an from here would take more than ten days for a round trip. Wait patiently, but from my guess, Emperor Jinghe won’t do anything. At the very least, he wouldn’t question your guilt in front of everyone.”
Ye Zi asked: “Why?”
Gu Yan said: “He doesn’t have to. This can be a big or small matter. On the small side, you simply missed me and came all the way here to look for me. When this matter is over, you and I will go back together, he will say a few words about you not knowing the rules, and then everything will be over. But if he punishes you, he’ll get nothing except making an enemy out of me. He is currently worried about both internal and external troubles, so he probably doesn’t want to get on my bad side.”
Ye Zi nodded, figuring out what Gu Yan meant.
He was silent for a moment, then felt that something wasn’t right: “Then how did you know that it took me five days to get here?”
Gu Yan smiled: “A certain person was very enthusiastic. Just after you left Chang’an, he sent someone to deliver a message to me, saying that he had prepared a big gift for me. But he didn’t expect that the messenger sent to deliver the message would arrive a day later than you.”
Ye Zi was startled: “The Third Imperial Prince?”
“Mnn.” Gu Yan nodded and snorted coldly, “He could’ve picked any other lie, yet he picked one where I was sick and caused you to suffer this much.”
Ye Zi didn’t understand: “Why did he lie to me?”
Gu Yan said: “He didn’t say much to me about the details, but I’m guessing he probably wants to make a move now. Emperor Jinghe’s health is getting worse day by day. The Crown Prince is restless, but Gu Xuan is probably even more restless than him. Sending you away from the Imperial city right now probably means he doesn’t want you to be implicated. In a way, he is repaying me from when I helped him last time.”
“Alright, hurry up and rest, what’s the point of asking so many questions?” Seeing that Ye Zi wanted to ask something else, Gu Yan cut him off, “Are you not tired now?”
Ye Zi shook his head: “After sleeping for so long, I’ve already slept enough.”
After sleeping for a day and a night, Ye Zi still felt a little tired when he woke up earlier. But after those two bowls of hot porridge, his spirit had now completely recovered, and he no longer felt sleepy at all.
Ye Zi pinched Gu Yan’s fingers and played with them, wanting to listen to him talk for a while longer.
He thought for a moment and asked in a low voice: “How is Yi’an’s situation now?”
Gu Yan said: “Since the start of the plague, many people have lost their lives in the city, and more than a thousand have been infected, and now they are all housed in Zenkong Temple. Pei Ge is using his medicine to delay the disease and is now trying to find a way to cure it. He doesn’t have a clear solution yet, but……”
Ye Zi asked softly: “But what?”
Gu Yan hugged him tightly and whispered: “My Sixth Imperial Uncle brought an antidote.”
Ye Zi was stunned: “Antidote?”
“He said that this epidemic is not a disease, but a poison from a flower.” Gu Yan said, “This is similar to what Pei Ge said to me before. Sixth Imperial Uncle gave me a herb and told me that this herb could cure this poison. I already gave it to Pei Ge yesterday and I believe he will soon be able to come to a conclusion.”
Ye Zi, however, frowned and asked thoughtfully: “He……probably isn’t just doing this to save the lives of everyone, right?”
Gu Yan laughed: “My thoughts exactly.”
Gu Yan said: “If he truly wanted to save the people with the antidote, he could have just gone to Guangling, where the antidote would be publicized and the magistrate could directly distribute the medicine. Why go through all the trouble of avoiding everyone, sneak into Yi’an, and then hand me the antidote personally?”
Ye Zi responded: “Indeed, it’s not reasonable for him to do so.”
Gu Yan nodded: “Although I haven’t left the city for a few days, I heard that the situation outside isn’t optimistic. If I hadn’t written a letter back to Guangling to appease the disaster relief team, they would have almost sent someone to rush in to rescue me. ”
“The outside is now an extremely dangerous place but my Sixth Imperial Uncle still came here. Even if he really has the antidote, the risk still isn’t small.” Gu Yan paused and said, “I just can’t figure out why he took such a big risk?”
Ye Zi hesitated for a moment and asked: “The antidote he gave you…….do you think it’s legitimate?”
Gu Yan said: “It is still hard to say.”
“……I received a message from him three days ago. He said he had heard about the epidemic happening nearby and had a way to cure it, and would be coming over soon in the near future.” He sighed, “Although my Sixth Imperial Uncle seems kind and gentle, he actually isn’t. Coming from the Imperial family, he has been exposed to a lot of things since he was a child. How could he not have a few tricks up his sleeves? However, I can’t see through his purpose yet, so I can only take one step at a time. “
Ye Zi grabbed Gu Yan’s hand and said with a light smile: “Don’t worry, now that I’m here, let me face it with you no matter what happens.
Gu Yan let out a light laugh and was about to say something when someone suddenly knocked on the door.
It was close to dinner time and the magistrate, Lord Ge, had set up a banquet in the front hall, inviting Gu Yan to go over for dinner.
Gu Yan dismissed the servant who came to pass on the message and turned to see that Ye Zi was still lying on the bed, not getting up.
Gu Yan asked: “Didn’t you say you weren’t tired anymore? How come you’re still lying down?”
Ye Zi blinked and reacted to his meaning: “I’m going too?”
Gu Yan laughed: “Didn’t you say you were still hungry? Now that there is free food, are you not going to go?”
Ye Zi paused: “But Lord Ge set up the banquet for you and Prince Jing. It would be inappropriate for me to go.”
Gu Yan took down Ye Zi’s clothes from a hanger and walked to the edge of the bed: “Aren’t you Prince Jing’s ‘favored servant,’ isn’t it natural to serve him at the banquet?”
Ye Zi thought about it and indeed it was, so he got up to dress himself.
Gu Yan helped him dress while instructing, “Speaking of which, in front of Lord Ge, you’ll have to continue to play the role of my Imperial uncle’s attendant and don’t stare at me all the time, so as not to reveal yourself. Although Lord Ge is not as sharp as my Imperial uncle, he has been an official for decades. He still has some sharpness, so be cautious yourself.”
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“I know, I know.” Ye Zi pouted, “I was only too worried about you earlier and because I haven’t seen you for too long, I didn’t realize. I’m not usually like this.”
Gu Yan smiled and didn’t say anything more.
After Ye Zi finished dressing, Gu Yan led him back to Gu Yi’s courtyard. Just as they walked into the courtyard, Ye Zi heard someone calling him.
Gu Yi leaned against the door as he gently shook the folding fan in his hand and deliberately said: “Little Ye’er, you didn’t return last night, where did you run off to?”
Ye Zi’s footsteps slightly paused and he subconsciously glanced at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan still wasn’t used to and did not like this nickname even now. He frowned without a trace before pulling Ye Zi toward him: “So it’s Sixth Imperial Uncle, hurry and bow to Sixth Imperial Uncle.”
Ye Zi obediently stepped forward and bowed towards Gu Yi: “Greetings, Sixth Imperial Uncle.”
Gu Yi smiled even more: “You’re finally not lying anymore, Princess Consort Rui.”
Ye Zi lowered his eyes and didn’t answer. Gu Yan said: “Previously, A Zi was afraid of giving me trouble so he didn’t dare to call out to Imperial uncle. I hope Imperial uncle will not blame him.”
“No harm, it’s good to be cautious.” Gu Yi said, “Don’t worry, I will help you hide your identity for these next few days.”
Ye Zi said: “Thank you, Imperial uncle.”
Gu Yi’s gaze fell on Gu Yan’s face, as if he wanted to say something. Just as he was about to speak, he stopped himself and after a long time, he finally said: “You should head back to freshen up, Princess Consort Rui, and then join us in the front hall in a while.”
“Okay.”
After sending Ye Zi away, Gu Yan turned back to his courtyard. Ye Zi simply tidied up and waited for a while before leaving the courtyard with Gu Yi. When the two reached the front hall, Gu Yan had already arrived before them.
There were small tables on both sides of the front hall with red silk in the middle, everything was obviously carefully arranged. Noticing Gu Yi’s arrival, Gu Yan and Lord Ge both stood up from their seats and saluted Gu Yi. Gu Yi nodded and led Ye Zi to sit behind the small table at the other end.
As he sat down, Ye Zi couldn’t help but raise his eyes towards Gu Yan.
In front of the crowd, he returned to being the cold Prince Rui with not even a semblance to what he was like in front of Ye Zi. Inexplicably, Ye Zi really liked how Gu Yan looked at this moment and couldn’t help but stare at him a few more times. However, Gu Yi knocked on the back of his hand with his folding fan.
Gu Yi glanced at him: “What are you doing, hurry up and pour wine for this Prince.”
Taking advantage of others’ inattention, Gu Yi leaned into Ye Zi’s ear and whispered: “Princess Consort Rui, if you continue staring at him like this, Lord Ge is going to find out.”
Ye Zi knew that he was in the wrong. He lowered his head and didn’t dare to look around as he obediently poured Gu Yi wine and filled his dishes.
Seeing him behave honestly, Gu Yi didn’t order him around anymore and also specially allowed him to eat by his side. Ye Zi hadn’t had a good meal in the last few days and the two bowls of porridge he drank didn’t do much. He was already hungry when he entered the front hall and smelled the aroma of the food.
Now that Gu Yi had given him permission, he was no longer polite and ate next to him in accordance with the rules.
Lord Ge prepared this banquet carefully, including delicacies from distant locations and fine wines that were rarely seen.
During the banquet, there was also singing and dancing to add to the merriment.
Lord Ge invited musicians to play music along with several beautiful and graceful dancers dressed in white gauze to dance in the center of the banquet hall. Ye Zi’s brows wrinkled without a trace.
Yi’an County was already in such deep water yet this Lord Ge was still drinking and enjoying himself in his own residence. This really was……
He subconsciously glanced towards Gu Yan and the latter’s face had sunk.
However, Gu Yi, who was sitting beside Ye Zi, was full of interest.
The music reached its climax and suddenly, a young boy in red slowly descended from the sky and landed in the middle of the dancers. The dancers in white uniformly spread out in all directions, like flowers in full bloom, revealing the delicate buds inside.
The boy was petite, with a fair complexion and a baby face. He looked to be in his teens. He was wrapped in a red silk robe that only half-covered him and revealed a bit of his delicate collarbone.
The teenager’s expression was indifferent, showing no emotion, and he quietly completed the dance with the dancers.
The crowd knelt down on top of the red silk and Lord Ge smiled: “This dance is specifically dedicated to the two Princes, was it satisfactory?”
“Of course.” Gu Yi said, “I’ve always heard that there were many beauties in Jiangnan and now that I’ve gotten a chance to see them myself today, it seems that they truly are extraordinary.”
When Lord Ge heard this, the smile on his face became even bigger: “Did you hear that, Prince Jing praised you, hurry up and go pour wine for the Prince.”
“Yes.” A few dancers got up and walked over in the direction of Gu Yi as they knelt down beside him.
When they got closer, Ye Zi could even smell the overly strong fragrance of makeup on their bodies.
Ye Zi was a little dizzy from the aroma and he took a few steps back without being noticed. The dancers weren’t polite and immediately took Ye Zi’s place as they diligently served Gu Yi with food and wine.
Gu Yi turned his head and glanced at Ye Zi. Without saying anything, he accepted it with peace of mind.
Ye Zi waited by the side as he cursed the magistrate, he truly did everything possible to get on these two Princes’ side. He looked up and saw that only the red-clothed teen was still kneeling on the ground in the center of the front hall.
Ye Zi was stunned and vaguely realized something.
Lord Ge cleared his throat and the teenager’s body trembled as he slowly climbed up. He pursed his lips and walked over in Gu Yan’s direction.
The teenager picked up the wine pot on Gu Yan’s table and said in a low voice: “Your Majesty, the commoner……this commoner will pour you some wine.”
Ye Zi was so angry that his hands shook.
T-t-t-this——what was this Lord Ge planning? How dare he try to adapt the situation in his favor?
The entire Central Plains knew that Gu Yan liked men and had married a man to be his princess consort. So when trying to curry favor with him, Lord Ge couldn’t help but want to start from this point. But he never thought that the rumored Princess Consort Rui would be present right now.
The red-clothed teen poured Gu Yan a drink and even raised his glass forward, as if he wanted to feed it to him.
Ye Zi’s anger almost caused him to burn a hole in the two of them.
If Gu Yan dared touch that cup of wine today, he……would immediately return to Chang’an. He was someone who kept his word!
But Gu Yan’s face only darkened as he moved away slightly, dodging the wine that the red-clothed teen offered.
Seeing that Gu Yan didn’t respond, the red-clothed teen had a look of panic in his eyes. He knelt down and sat there as his hands trembled with nervousness. He didn’t know what to do and when Lord Ge saw this, he anxiously coughed twice more.
The teenager was once again reminded as he stood up and walked to Gu Yan’s side, almost pressing up against him.
When the teenager came closer, Gu Yan’s face suddenly became a few degrees darker.
He didn’t let the teen touch him as he stood up with a loud and cold voice: “Lord Ge, what do you mean by this?”
Lord Ge was startled and quickly stood up, “This child was just recently purchased by the residence. It is this official’s fault for failing to teach him properly and offending Your Majesty. What are you waiting for, hurry up and kowtow to His Majesty.”
The teenager pursed his lips, bowed his head to the ground, and said in a low voice: “Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Gu Yan didn’t even look at the teen as he snorted coldly: “How many people in Yi’an County are suffering from a serious disease that has no cure? How many people are staying behind closed doors and in constant fear? Instead of being considerate of the people’s feelings, Lord Ge instead held a feast with singing and dancing. I’m sorry, this Prince really doesn’t have the same idea as you so I won’t be accompanying you any longer.”
After he finished speaking, he turned his head and left.
After being scolded, Lord Ge was a little upset and he couldn’t help but look at Gu Yi: “Your Majesty, this…….”
Gu Yi let out a light laugh: “Zicheng’s temper hasn’t changed since he was a child. Lord Ge, I can give you some advice on this matter.”
Lord Ge hurriedly said: “Please enlighten this one, Your Majesty.”
Gu Yi said: “It is not difficult to please Prince Rui. If you do what he says and solve the epidemic as soon as possible so that the people can live a peaceful life, Zicheng will naturally treat you differently. But if you only want to please him with good wine and beauties, with all due respect, Zicheng is not that kind of superficial person who only seeks pleasure.”
Gu Yi drank a mouthful of wine and raised his eyes: “Likewise, this Prince also isn’t.”
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The banquet ended on a bad note. Ye Zi left Gu Yi alone and went to the courtyard where Gu Yan was staying to look for him. However, Gu Yan was not there. Ye Zi searched around and found him in the pavilion in the backyard.
Ye Zi walked up and held his hand: “Are you still angry? Why are you lowering yourself to Lord Ge’s level?”
Gu Yan grabbed his hand and sighed softly: “No, I’m not angry, I just thought of something.”
Ye Zi gently asked: “What?”
“I’m wondering if it’s really time for the world to change hands.” Gu Yan said, “Officials high and low are accepting bribes while the officials in court protect each other. And the aloof monarch turns a blind eye to these as he indulges in sex and other pleasures all day long.”
Ye Zi’s heart skipped a beat as he listened.
He still remembered how Gu Yan ended up getting killed in his previous life.
Ye Zi advised: “Your Majesty, don’t think too much about it. Although it’s true that Emperor Jinghe neglects government affairs sometimes, he is old and has only a few years to live. If Gu Xuan can successfully become the Crown Prince this time, he will definitely be a wise Emperor in the future……d-don’t be impulsive.”
Gu Yan smiled: “You’re afraid I’ll do something stupid?”
He raised his head and looked at the sky. It was dark tonight, with no stars or moon.
“You may not remember that in your previous life, my Sixth Imperial Uncle ended up plotting a rebellion.” Gu Yan closed his eyes, “It was me who personally apprehended him, and it was also me, who personally served him that cup of poisoned wine while he was in prison.”
Ye Zi was aware of the matter Gu Yan was talking about.
He hadn’t told Gu Yan that he knew part of his past life so far. In the past, he had been convinced that he had transmigrated into a novel, but after listening to Gu Yan’s experience, he felt that perhaps it wasn’t that simple.
He hadn’t been able to figure any of this out so far, so he didn’t dare to say them out and make Gu Yan feel troubled.
Gu Yan didn’t know Ye Zi’s thoughts as he murmured to himself: “……I saw him drink that poisoned wine with my own eyes and I still remember the last thing he said to me at that time.”
“Are you actually doing everything for the incapable ruler, or are you doing it for this world?”
“If you protect him like this now, you will regret it one day.”
“……Don’t forget what my Father told you before he died.”
“Your Majesty.” Ye Zi took Gu Yan’s hand and pulled him to sit down beside the pavilion: “These have nothing to do with you. At a time like that, you simply have no other choice but to help the Imperial guards suppress the rebels.”
“No, you don’t understand.” Gu Yan shook his head, “I regretted it, A Zi, I regretted it quickly. I should have joined him in the rebellion at that time, if so, there wouldn’t have been any of that afterward…….”
Ye Zi asked: “What happened……afterward?”
Gu Yan looked up at him and his voice was vaguely mute: “Prince Jing was given death by a cup of poisoned wine, but this matter did not end. My Sixth Imperial Uncle has been plotting to rebel for a long time and Emperor Jinghe found out that there may be someone in the Imperial city helping him.”
“……He suspected it was me.”
Gu Yan faintly said: “At that time, I happened to be fighting with the Crown Prince openly. And because I let my guard down, I got set up by him.”
Ye Zi was stunned: “This……”
He didn’t remember any of these things at all.
In his memory, Gu Yan had been depressed ever since Prince Jing’s rebellion and not long afterward, he fell ill and was sent to his fiefdom by Emperor Jinghe to recuperate.
Exactly what happened during that time that he didn’t know?
Gu Yan didn’t continue for a long time. Ye Zi pursed his lips and asked in a low voice: “What happened after that?”
“After that……” Gu Yan softly opened his mouth and his voice became a little hoarse, “The Crown Prince……or should I say, the Empress, made perfect evidence and framed me as the one who colluded with Prince Jing. I couldn’t defend myself so Emperor Jinghe imprisoned me for treason as a rebel would soon be executed.”
His eyes gradually became bloodshot: “There was a fool who ended up taking the whole blame for me.”
Ye Zi’s heart jerked violently.
He suddenly understood everything.
He didn’t know what method Huaiyuan had used to transfer the evidence the Crown Prince had produced onto himself and suffered the prison sentence on Gu Yan’s behalf. No, it wasn’t just prison time, it was the unpardonable death penalty of treason.
No wonder Gu Yan was so anxious when he heard he was in prison last time.
No wonder he would say……that he was sorry for Huaiyuan.
Gu Yan’s eyes were filled with blood and his consciousness gradually became chaotic, but his memory of the past gradually became clearer.
After Huaiyuan was imprisoned, he was placed under house arrest in the Prince Rui Manor by Emperor Jinghe in the name of avoiding suspicion. He was anxious as hell and tried to think of countless ways. However, he couldn’t find out news about Huaiyuan, let alone leave the Prince Rui Manor.
It wasn’t until a month later, when the Crown Prince’s people came to him.
The person who sent the message said that the matter had been settled, Huaiyuan’s guilt had been determined, and Emperor Jinghe had ordered him to be executed the next day.
Before he died, Emperor Jinghe allowed Gu Yan to meet him.
Gu Yan knew it was a provocation from the Crown Prince, but he went anyway.
For a month, he couldn’t imagine how they had tortured him and how under that torture, he insisted that he was the one who rebelled and completely distanced Gu Yan from the whole matter.
Gu Yan had a splitting headache, like he was back in the middle of that dark, damp, blood-stained prison.
Ye Zi tightly embraced Gu Yan and softly soothed: “Don’t think about it, Zicheng, don’t think about it anymore. I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Gu Yan took a few deep breaths and the night air with its refreshing humidity eased his headache a little.
Gu Yan raised his hand and embraced Ye Zi as he said in a muffled voice: “I’m sorry, as long as I think about this, I always lose some control over myself. Yes, you’re already fine, why am I still thinking about these things?”
The tip of Ye Zi’s nose felt prickly, he blinked, rested his head on Gu Yan’s shoulder, and whispered: “Zicheng, you did nothing wrong.”
“In that situation, you made the best choice you could.” Ye Zi said: “As for the bystanders, what they did wasn’t your fault. And you can’t change it either. Zicheng, don’t be hard on yourself anymore. It’s hard for me to see you like this.”
Gu Yan’s body trembled slightly and he didn’t say anything.
Ye Zi let him go, raised his eyes, and stared at the face that was returning with color. He then moved forward and kissed those cold lips softly.
Just like what Gu Yan had done countless times when he soothed him, Ye Zi licked and rubbed on those slightly trembling lips, his movements extremely close to gentle.
Under his meticulous and patient calming, Gu Yan finally calmed down.
Suddenly, an imperceptible cry of alarm sounded behind the two of them.
Gu Yan suddenly came to his senses and subconsciously pulled Ye Zi behind him. The two of them looked towards the place where the sound came from and the red-clothed teen at the banquet was standing there in fear. His face was full of urgency and awkwardness of stumbling upon someone else’s secret.
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The author has something to say:
Red-clothed teen: Accidentally witnessed Prince Rui and a servant having an affair. Is this considered cheating? Will I be silenced for this? [ShakingInFear.jpg]
Edited: 11.05.2023
When he left Chang’an City, Ye Zi had already considered the consequences.
He had received Emperor Jinghe’s Imperial decree and promised to stay in the capital to teach the Fifth Imperial Prince. Now that he had run away, he was indeed in the wrong, but at that time, he couldn’t care less about the consequences.
Gu Yan’s life and death were uncertain, so he didn’t care whether he was going against the decree or not.
Moreover, if he could save Gu Yan’s life before he became ill, no matter whether Emperor Jinghe would lock him up in prison afterward or not, and no matter what the punishment would be, he would have no complaints.
Gu Yan sighed softly and smiled lightly: “I was just trying to scare you, Emperor Jinghe didn’t give out an order.”
Ye Zi raised his head to look at him: “Huh?”
Gu Yan rubbed a handful of his hair: “Fool, you’ve only been here for a short while, how would I know the news from Chang’an? I’ve already sent people back to poke around and the fastest scouts to get to Chang’an from here would take more than ten days for a round trip. Wait patiently, but from my guess, Emperor Jinghe won’t do anything. At the very least, he wouldn’t question your guilt in front of everyone.”
Ye Zi asked: “Why?”
Gu Yan said: “He doesn’t have to. This can be a big or small matter. On the small side, you simply missed me and came all the way here to look for me. When this matter is over, you and I will go back together, he will say a few words about you not knowing the rules, and then everything will be over. But if he punishes you, he’ll get nothing except making an enemy out of me. He is currently worried about both internal and external troubles, so he probably doesn’t want to get on my bad side.”
Ye Zi nodded, figuring out what Gu Yan meant.
He was silent for a moment, then felt that something wasn’t right: “Then how did you know that it took me five days to get here?”
Gu Yan smiled: “A certain person was very enthusiastic. Just after you left Chang’an, he sent someone to deliver a message to me, saying that he had prepared a big gift for me. But he didn’t expect that the messenger sent to deliver the message would arrive a day later than you.”
Ye Zi was startled: “The Third Imperial Prince?”
“Mnn.” Gu Yan nodded and snorted coldly, “He could’ve picked any other lie, yet he picked one where I was sick and caused you to suffer this much.”
Ye Zi didn’t understand: “Why did he lie to me?”
Gu Yan said: “He didn’t say much to me about the details, but I’m guessing he probably wants to make a move now. Emperor Jinghe’s health is getting worse day by day. The Crown Prince is restless, but Gu Xuan is probably even more restless than him. Sending you away from the Imperial city right now probably means he doesn’t want you to be implicated. In a way, he is repaying me from when I helped him last time.”
“Alright, hurry up and rest, what’s the point of asking so many questions?” Seeing that Ye Zi wanted to ask something else, Gu Yan cut him off, “Are you not tired now?”
Ye Zi shook his head: “After sleeping for so long, I’ve already slept enough.”
After sleeping for a day and a night, Ye Zi still felt a little tired when he woke up earlier. But after those two bowls of hot porridge, his spirit had now completely recovered, and he no longer felt sleepy at all.
Ye Zi pinched Gu Yan’s fingers and played with them, wanting to listen to him talk for a while longer.
He thought for a moment and asked in a low voice: “How is Yi’an’s situation now?”
Gu Yan said: “Since the start of the plague, many people have lost their lives in the city, and more than a thousand have been infected, and now they are all housed in Zenkong Temple. Pei Ge is using his medicine to delay the disease and is now trying to find a way to cure it. He doesn’t have a clear solution yet, but……”
Ye Zi asked softly: “But what?”
Gu Yan hugged him tightly and whispered: “My Sixth Imperial Uncle brought an antidote.”
Ye Zi was stunned: “Antidote?”
“He said that this epidemic is not a disease, but a poison from a flower.” Gu Yan said, “This is similar to what Pei Ge said to me before. Sixth Imperial Uncle gave me a herb and told me that this herb could cure this poison. I already gave it to Pei Ge yesterday and I believe he will soon be able to come to a conclusion.”
Ye Zi, however, frowned and asked thoughtfully: “He……probably isn’t just doing this to save the lives of everyone, right?”
Gu Yan laughed: “My thoughts exactly.”
Gu Yan said: “If he truly wanted to save the people with the antidote, he could have just gone to Guangling, where the antidote would be publicized and the magistrate could directly distribute the medicine. Why go through all the trouble of avoiding everyone, sneak into Yi’an, and then hand me the antidote personally?”
Ye Zi responded: “Indeed, it’s not reasonable for him to do so.”
Gu Yan nodded: “Although I haven’t left the city for a few days, I heard that the situation outside isn’t optimistic. If I hadn’t written a letter back to Guangling to appease the disaster relief team, they would have almost sent someone to rush in to rescue me. ”
“The outside is now an extremely dangerous place but my Sixth Imperial Uncle still came here. Even if he really has the antidote, the risk still isn’t small.” Gu Yan paused and said, “I just can’t figure out why he took such a big risk?”
Ye Zi hesitated for a moment and asked: “The antidote he gave you…….do you think it’s legitimate?”
Gu Yan said: “It is still hard to say.”
“……I received a message from him three days ago. He said he had heard about the epidemic happening nearby and had a way to cure it, and would be coming over soon in the near future.” He sighed, “Although my Sixth Imperial Uncle seems kind and gentle, he actually isn’t. Coming from the Imperial family, he has been exposed to a lot of things since he was a child. How could he not have a few tricks up his sleeves? However, I can’t see through his purpose yet, so I can only take one step at a time. “
Ye Zi grabbed Gu Yan’s hand and said with a light smile: “Don’t worry, now that I’m here, let me face it with you no matter what happens.
Gu Yan let out a light laugh and was about to say something when someone suddenly knocked on the door.
It was close to dinner time and the magistrate, Lord Ge, had set up a banquet in the front hall, inviting Gu Yan to go over for dinner.
Gu Yan dismissed the servant who came to pass on the message and turned to see that Ye Zi was still lying on the bed, not getting up.
Gu Yan asked: “Didn’t you say you weren’t tired anymore? How come you’re still lying down?”
Ye Zi blinked and reacted to his meaning: “I’m going too?”
Gu Yan laughed: “Didn’t you say you were still hungry? Now that there is free food, are you not going to go?”
Ye Zi paused: “But Lord Ge set up the banquet for you and Prince Jing. It would be inappropriate for me to go.”
Gu Yan took down Ye Zi’s clothes from a hanger and walked to the edge of the bed: “Aren’t you Prince Jing’s ‘favored servant,’ isn’t it natural to serve him at the banquet?”
Ye Zi thought about it and indeed it was, so he got up to dress himself.
Gu Yan helped him dress while instructing, “Speaking of which, in front of Lord Ge, you’ll have to continue to play the role of my Imperial uncle’s attendant and don’t stare at me all the time, so as not to reveal yourself. Although Lord Ge is not as sharp as my Imperial uncle, he has been an official for decades. He still has some sharpness, so be cautious yourself.”
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“I know, I know.” Ye Zi pouted, “I was only too worried about you earlier and because I haven’t seen you for too long, I didn’t realize. I’m not usually like this.”
Gu Yan smiled and didn’t say anything more.
After Ye Zi finished dressing, Gu Yan led him back to Gu Yi’s courtyard. Just as they walked into the courtyard, Ye Zi heard someone calling him.
Gu Yi leaned against the door as he gently shook the folding fan in his hand and deliberately said: “Little Ye’er, you didn’t return last night, where did you run off to?”
Ye Zi’s footsteps slightly paused and he subconsciously glanced at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan still wasn’t used to and did not like this nickname even now. He frowned without a trace before pulling Ye Zi toward him: “So it’s Sixth Imperial Uncle, hurry and bow to Sixth Imperial Uncle.”
Ye Zi obediently stepped forward and bowed towards Gu Yi: “Greetings, Sixth Imperial Uncle.”
Gu Yi smiled even more: “You’re finally not lying anymore, Princess Consort Rui.”
Ye Zi lowered his eyes and didn’t answer. Gu Yan said: “Previously, A Zi was afraid of giving me trouble so he didn’t dare to call out to Imperial uncle. I hope Imperial uncle will not blame him.”
“No harm, it’s good to be cautious.” Gu Yi said, “Don’t worry, I will help you hide your identity for these next few days.”
Ye Zi said: “Thank you, Imperial uncle.”
Gu Yi’s gaze fell on Gu Yan’s face, as if he wanted to say something. Just as he was about to speak, he stopped himself and after a long time, he finally said: “You should head back to freshen up, Princess Consort Rui, and then join us in the front hall in a while.”
“Okay.”
After sending Ye Zi away, Gu Yan turned back to his courtyard. Ye Zi simply tidied up and waited for a while before leaving the courtyard with Gu Yi. When the two reached the front hall, Gu Yan had already arrived before them.
There were small tables on both sides of the front hall with red silk in the middle, everything was obviously carefully arranged. Noticing Gu Yi’s arrival, Gu Yan and Lord Ge both stood up from their seats and saluted Gu Yi. Gu Yi nodded and led Ye Zi to sit behind the small table at the other end.
As he sat down, Ye Zi couldn’t help but raise his eyes towards Gu Yan.
In front of the crowd, he returned to being the cold Prince Rui with not even a semblance to what he was like in front of Ye Zi. Inexplicably, Ye Zi really liked how Gu Yan looked at this moment and couldn’t help but stare at him a few more times. However, Gu Yi knocked on the back of his hand with his folding fan.
Gu Yi glanced at him: “What are you doing, hurry up and pour wine for this Prince.”
Taking advantage of others’ inattention, Gu Yi leaned into Ye Zi’s ear and whispered: “Princess Consort Rui, if you continue staring at him like this, Lord Ge is going to find out.”
Ye Zi knew that he was in the wrong. He lowered his head and didn’t dare to look around as he obediently poured Gu Yi wine and filled his dishes.
Seeing him behave honestly, Gu Yi didn’t order him around anymore and also specially allowed him to eat by his side. Ye Zi hadn’t had a good meal in the last few days and the two bowls of porridge he drank didn’t do much. He was already hungry when he entered the front hall and smelled the aroma of the food.
Now that Gu Yi had given him permission, he was no longer polite and ate next to him in accordance with the rules.
Lord Ge prepared this banquet carefully, including delicacies from distant locations and fine wines that were rarely seen.
During the banquet, there was also singing and dancing to add to the merriment.
Lord Ge invited musicians to play music along with several beautiful and graceful dancers dressed in white gauze to dance in the center of the banquet hall. Ye Zi’s brows wrinkled without a trace.
Yi’an County was already in such deep water yet this Lord Ge was still drinking and enjoying himself in his own residence. This really was……
He subconsciously glanced towards Gu Yan and the latter’s face had sunk.
However, Gu Yi, who was sitting beside Ye Zi, was full of interest.
The music reached its climax and suddenly, a young boy in red slowly descended from the sky and landed in the middle of the dancers. The dancers in white uniformly spread out in all directions, like flowers in full bloom, revealing the delicate buds inside.
The boy was petite, with a fair complexion and a baby face. He looked to be in his teens. He was wrapped in a red silk robe that only half-covered him and revealed a bit of his delicate collarbone.
The teenager’s expression was indifferent, showing no emotion, and he quietly completed the dance with the dancers.
The crowd knelt down on top of the red silk and Lord Ge smiled: “This dance is specifically dedicated to the two Princes, was it satisfactory?”
“Of course.” Gu Yi said, “I’ve always heard that there were many beauties in Jiangnan and now that I’ve gotten a chance to see them myself today, it seems that they truly are extraordinary.”
When Lord Ge heard this, the smile on his face became even bigger: “Did you hear that, Prince Jing praised you, hurry up and go pour wine for the Prince.”
“Yes.” A few dancers got up and walked over in the direction of Gu Yi as they knelt down beside him.
When they got closer, Ye Zi could even smell the overly strong fragrance of makeup on their bodies.
Ye Zi was a little dizzy from the aroma and he took a few steps back without being noticed. The dancers weren’t polite and immediately took Ye Zi’s place as they diligently served Gu Yi with food and wine.
Gu Yi turned his head and glanced at Ye Zi. Without saying anything, he accepted it with peace of mind.
Ye Zi waited by the side as he cursed the magistrate, he truly did everything possible to get on these two Princes’ side. He looked up and saw that only the red-clothed teen was still kneeling on the ground in the center of the front hall.
Ye Zi was stunned and vaguely realized something.
Lord Ge cleared his throat and the teenager’s body trembled as he slowly climbed up. He pursed his lips and walked over in Gu Yan’s direction.
The teenager picked up the wine pot on Gu Yan’s table and said in a low voice: “Your Majesty, the commoner……this commoner will pour you some wine.”
Ye Zi was so angry that his hands shook.
T-t-t-this——what was this Lord Ge planning? How dare he try to adapt the situation in his favor?
The entire Central Plains knew that Gu Yan liked men and had married a man to be his princess consort. So when trying to curry favor with him, Lord Ge couldn’t help but want to start from this point. But he never thought that the rumored Princess Consort Rui would be present right now.
The red-clothed teen poured Gu Yan a drink and even raised his glass forward, as if he wanted to feed it to him.
Ye Zi’s anger almost caused him to burn a hole in the two of them.
If Gu Yan dared touch that cup of wine today, he……would immediately return to Chang’an. He was someone who kept his word!
But Gu Yan’s face only darkened as he moved away slightly, dodging the wine that the red-clothed teen offered.
Seeing that Gu Yan didn’t respond, the red-clothed teen had a look of panic in his eyes. He knelt down and sat there as his hands trembled with nervousness. He didn’t know what to do and when Lord Ge saw this, he anxiously coughed twice more.
The teenager was once again reminded as he stood up and walked to Gu Yan’s side, almost pressing up against him.
When the teenager came closer, Gu Yan’s face suddenly became a few degrees darker.
He didn’t let the teen touch him as he stood up with a loud and cold voice: “Lord Ge, what do you mean by this?”
Lord Ge was startled and quickly stood up, “This child was just recently purchased by the residence. It is this official’s fault for failing to teach him properly and offending Your Majesty. What are you waiting for, hurry up and kowtow to His Majesty.”
The teenager pursed his lips, bowed his head to the ground, and said in a low voice: “Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Gu Yan didn’t even look at the teen as he snorted coldly: “How many people in Yi’an County are suffering from a serious disease that has no cure? How many people are staying behind closed doors and in constant fear? Instead of being considerate of the people’s feelings, Lord Ge instead held a feast with singing and dancing. I’m sorry, this Prince really doesn’t have the same idea as you so I won’t be accompanying you any longer.”
After he finished speaking, he turned his head and left.
After being scolded, Lord Ge was a little upset and he couldn’t help but look at Gu Yi: “Your Majesty, this…….”
Gu Yi let out a light laugh: “Zicheng’s temper hasn’t changed since he was a child. Lord Ge, I can give you some advice on this matter.”
Lord Ge hurriedly said: “Please enlighten this one, Your Majesty.”
Gu Yi said: “It is not difficult to please Prince Rui. If you do what he says and solve the epidemic as soon as possible so that the people can live a peaceful life, Zicheng will naturally treat you differently. But if you only want to please him with good wine and beauties, with all due respect, Zicheng is not that kind of superficial person who only seeks pleasure.”
Gu Yi drank a mouthful of wine and raised his eyes: “Likewise, this Prince also isn’t.”
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The banquet ended on a bad note. Ye Zi left Gu Yi alone and went to the courtyard where Gu Yan was staying to look for him. However, Gu Yan was not there. Ye Zi searched around and found him in the pavilion in the backyard.
Ye Zi walked up and held his hand: “Are you still angry? Why are you lowering yourself to Lord Ge’s level?”
Gu Yan grabbed his hand and sighed softly: “No, I’m not angry, I just thought of something.”
Ye Zi gently asked: “What?”
“I’m wondering if it’s really time for the world to change hands.” Gu Yan said, “Officials high and low are accepting bribes while the officials in court protect each other. And the aloof monarch turns a blind eye to these as he indulges in sex and other pleasures all day long.”
Ye Zi’s heart skipped a beat as he listened.
He still remembered how Gu Yan ended up getting killed in his previous life.
Ye Zi advised: “Your Majesty, don’t think too much about it. Although it’s true that Emperor Jinghe neglects government affairs sometimes, he is old and has only a few years to live. If Gu Xuan can successfully become the Crown Prince this time, he will definitely be a wise Emperor in the future……d-don’t be impulsive.”
Gu Yan smiled: “You’re afraid I’ll do something stupid?”
He raised his head and looked at the sky. It was dark tonight, with no stars or moon.
“You may not remember that in your previous life, my Sixth Imperial Uncle ended up plotting a rebellion.” Gu Yan closed his eyes, “It was me who personally apprehended him, and it was also me, who personally served him that cup of poisoned wine while he was in prison.”
Ye Zi was aware of the matter Gu Yan was talking about.
He hadn’t told Gu Yan that he knew part of his past life so far. In the past, he had been convinced that he had transmigrated into a novel, but after listening to Gu Yan’s experience, he felt that perhaps it wasn’t that simple.
He hadn’t been able to figure any of this out so far, so he didn’t dare to say them out and make Gu Yan feel troubled.
Gu Yan didn’t know Ye Zi’s thoughts as he murmured to himself: “……I saw him drink that poisoned wine with my own eyes and I still remember the last thing he said to me at that time.”
“Are you actually doing everything for the incapable ruler, or are you doing it for this world?”
“If you protect him like this now, you will regret it one day.”
“……Don’t forget what my Father told you before he died.”
“Your Majesty.” Ye Zi took Gu Yan’s hand and pulled him to sit down beside the pavilion: “These have nothing to do with you. At a time like that, you simply have no other choice but to help the Imperial guards suppress the rebels.”
“No, you don’t understand.” Gu Yan shook his head, “I regretted it, A Zi, I regretted it quickly. I should have joined him in the rebellion at that time, if so, there wouldn’t have been any of that afterward…….”
Ye Zi asked: “What happened……afterward?”
Gu Yan looked up at him and his voice was vaguely mute: “Prince Jing was given death by a cup of poisoned wine, but this matter did not end. My Sixth Imperial Uncle has been plotting to rebel for a long time and Emperor Jinghe found out that there may be someone in the Imperial city helping him.”
“……He suspected it was me.”
Gu Yan faintly said: “At that time, I happened to be fighting with the Crown Prince openly. And because I let my guard down, I got set up by him.”
Ye Zi was stunned: “This……”
He didn’t remember any of these things at all.
In his memory, Gu Yan had been depressed ever since Prince Jing’s rebellion and not long afterward, he fell ill and was sent to his fiefdom by Emperor Jinghe to recuperate.
Exactly what happened during that time that he didn’t know?
Gu Yan didn’t continue for a long time. Ye Zi pursed his lips and asked in a low voice: “What happened after that?”
“After that……” Gu Yan softly opened his mouth and his voice became a little hoarse, “The Crown Prince……or should I say, the Empress, made perfect evidence and framed me as the one who colluded with Prince Jing. I couldn’t defend myself so Emperor Jinghe imprisoned me for treason as a rebel would soon be executed.”
His eyes gradually became bloodshot: “There was a fool who ended up taking the whole blame for me.”
Ye Zi’s heart jerked violently.
He suddenly understood everything.
He didn’t know what method Huaiyuan had used to transfer the evidence the Crown Prince had produced onto himself and suffered the prison sentence on Gu Yan’s behalf. No, it wasn’t just prison time, it was the unpardonable death penalty of treason.
No wonder Gu Yan was so anxious when he heard he was in prison last time.
No wonder he would say……that he was sorry for Huaiyuan.
Gu Yan’s eyes were filled with blood and his consciousness gradually became chaotic, but his memory of the past gradually became clearer.
After Huaiyuan was imprisoned, he was placed under house arrest in the Prince Rui Manor by Emperor Jinghe in the name of avoiding suspicion. He was anxious as hell and tried to think of countless ways. However, he couldn’t find out news about Huaiyuan, let alone leave the Prince Rui Manor.
It wasn’t until a month later, when the Crown Prince’s people came to him.
The person who sent the message said that the matter had been settled, Huaiyuan’s guilt had been determined, and Emperor Jinghe had ordered him to be executed the next day.
Before he died, Emperor Jinghe allowed Gu Yan to meet him.
Gu Yan knew it was a provocation from the Crown Prince, but he went anyway.
For a month, he couldn’t imagine how they had tortured him and how under that torture, he insisted that he was the one who rebelled and completely distanced Gu Yan from the whole matter.
Gu Yan had a splitting headache, like he was back in the middle of that dark, damp, blood-stained prison.
Ye Zi tightly embraced Gu Yan and softly soothed: “Don’t think about it, Zicheng, don’t think about it anymore. I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Gu Yan took a few deep breaths and the night air with its refreshing humidity eased his headache a little.
Gu Yan raised his hand and embraced Ye Zi as he said in a muffled voice: “I’m sorry, as long as I think about this, I always lose some control over myself. Yes, you’re already fine, why am I still thinking about these things?”
The tip of Ye Zi’s nose felt prickly, he blinked, rested his head on Gu Yan’s shoulder, and whispered: “Zicheng, you did nothing wrong.”
“In that situation, you made the best choice you could.” Ye Zi said: “As for the bystanders, what they did wasn’t your fault. And you can’t change it either. Zicheng, don’t be hard on yourself anymore. It’s hard for me to see you like this.”
Gu Yan’s body trembled slightly and he didn’t say anything.
Ye Zi let him go, raised his eyes, and stared at the face that was returning with color. He then moved forward and kissed those cold lips softly.
Just like what Gu Yan had done countless times when he soothed him, Ye Zi licked and rubbed on those slightly trembling lips, his movements extremely close to gentle.
Under his meticulous and patient calming, Gu Yan finally calmed down.
Suddenly, an imperceptible cry of alarm sounded behind the two of them.
Gu Yan suddenly came to his senses and subconsciously pulled Ye Zi behind him. The two of them looked towards the place where the sound came from and the red-clothed teen at the banquet was standing there in fear. His face was full of urgency and awkwardness of stumbling upon someone else’s secret.
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Red-clothed teen: Accidentally witnessed Prince Rui and a servant having an affair. Is this considered cheating? Will I be silenced for this? [ShakingInFear.jpg]
