Edited: 11.22.2023
Gu Yi’s voice was not loud, but it didn’t prevent Ye Zi, who was hiding under the eaves, from hearing these words. His heart trembled heavily and his leaves curled up unconsciously.
As expected.
When he first learned that the cure given to Gu Yan by Gu Yi was insufficient, he had already guessed that this man would make such a request.
Just like what Gu Yan had experienced in his previous life, this man really still wanted to rebel.
It wasn’t hard to predict that Gu Yi would have this idea.
After Emperor Jinghe succeeded the throne, he made all his brothers Princes and assigned them fiefdoms. Originally, the two sides were at peace with each other, but in recent years, Emperor Jinghe repeatedly chipped away at them. The other Princes were willing to swallow their anger, but this was not the case with Gu Yi.
This man was young and energetic and had the world at his heart. He had long been dissatisfied with Emperor Jinghe’s actions.
The silence in the room lasted longer than he thought. Ye Zi stuck his head out and looked at the two people in the private room. After Gu Yi said those words, he withdrew his gaze and drank by himself, looking like he was sure of victory. In front of him, Gu Yan sat on the spot with his eyes narrowed and his expression unclear.
Ye Zi had no idea what decision Gu Yan would make.
He had mentioned to Ye Zi earlier that he had wished he could rebel with Gu Yi.
But those were just passing words after all. If it weren’t for the helplessness, who would do such a stupid thing?
Once this move was made, it was either life or death, and there was no room for maneuver.
The two people didn’t speak for a long time. Gu Yi finally couldn’t sit still and persuaded in a low voice: “Zicheng, do you really need to think about it for this long? If you agree, I will send someone to get the cure now. And within three days, the epidemic will be completely cured. At this point, the safety of the people depends on you alone, are you really going to refuse?”
Gu Yan’s eyes moved slightly and he laughed softly: “Imperial uncle is threatening me.”
Gu Yi took a sip of his wine and guided him: “Zicheng, you can’t think like that. Frankly speaking, if you agree to help me, what harm will it do to you?”
“You have also seen that there are famines, disasters, corrupt officials, and collusion everywhere. The inheritance left by my Father has long been ruined by that foolish Emperor. Don’t you want to do something for this world?”
Gu Yan didn’t answer. Gu Yi continued: “I heard that my Imperial brother is in poor health recently and the battle for the right to inherit the throne among the Imperial Princes has begun. If you continue to stay in Chang’an City, you will inevitably be affected. In addition, Emperor Jinghe has always had a grudge against you. By then, not only will you be involved, Princess Consort Rui will not be immune either. Even if you don’t consider yourself, don’t you want to think about your lover?”
Gu Yan’s movements paused.
Gu Yi noticed that Gu Yan seemed a little shaken and continued: “Imperial uncle doesn’t need you to do much, you just need to cooperate with me when you return to Chang’an. When I raise my army, cooperate with me in a timely manner so that I can break into the Imperial city.”
Ye Zi, who was under the eaves, listened and vaguely felt that something was off.
Gu Yan said nothing and Gu Yi said again: “Once we break into the Imperial city and capture Emperor Jinghe alive, you and I can ascend the throne together and rule the world together. At that time, you will be able to do whatever you want. Wouldn’t it be amazing to do what you want without needing to care about others?”
“Cooperation? Breaking into the Imperial City?” Gu Yan repeated softly: “It seems that Imperial uncle already has a plan in mind.”
Gu Yi frowned and added: “If I didn’t have a plan, I wouldn’t come to discuss it with you.”
Gu Yan suddenly laughed softly and raised his eyes: “In that case, it doesn’t really matter who the person is, right?”
Gu Yi didn’t understand: “What do you mean by that?”
“Am I wrong?” Gu Yan said, “What Imperial uncle wants is just a helper who can move around the Imperial city easily and help you get information while cooperating with you, right?”
“This……”
Gu Yan lowered his eyes. The hand hanging under the table trembled without a trace as he said in a deep voice: “In other words, if someone else came to Jiangnan, you would go to them.”
Gu Yi frowned and said in confusion: “Zicheng, what do you mean by this? You are the one who came to Jiangnan, not someone else. How do you want me to answer this question?”
Gu Yan shook his head: “No, Imperial uncle doesn’t need to answer it, I already understand everything.”
There was a dull pain in his head again and Gu Yan took a deep breath, as if trying to contain some of his emotions. After a while, Gu Yan stood up and said softly: “Zicheng is not feeling well today. I’ll leave first, please do as you wish, Imperial uncle.”
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“Gu Zicheng!” Gu Yi opened his mouth to call out to him: “Are you rejecting me?”
“So what if I am?” Gu Yan endured his headache and looked back at him, “You seem to care about the people’s plight, but you use the people’s lives as a bet to force me to join you in your rebellion. You say you are for the world, but you have never thought of how many cities will be destroyed if you rebel. I only came here to save everyone, not to harm them, so it’s better for Imperial uncle to find someone else.”
“Such soft-heartedness.” Gu Yi stood up: “I’ve long heard from Chang’an that you have indulged in debauchery and have fallen into the pits of no return. I didn’t believe a single one of those rumors. You’ve been brought up by Father ever since you were a child and you’re also the only son of Eldest Imperial Brother, but how come you haven’t learned even one ten thousandth of their courage?”
Gu Yan pressed his brow, not wanting to argue with him more: “And what if I still refuse?”
Gu Yi said: “……I will make you regret it.”
Gu Yan paused and left the private room without looking back. Ye Zi followed closely and climbed out from the eaves.
Gu Yi sighed heavily and sat back down. After a while, the attendant who was following him opened the door and came in.
“Your Majesty, are you heading back?”
Gu Yi nodded. Drinking the wine on the table in one go, his expression had returned to its usual calm and unperturbed state: “Let’s go.”
He walked out and suddenly asked: “How did the investigation that I originally ordered you go?”
The attendant paused and hesitantly answered: “The herb you sent has been checked by someone. There…..are indeed some findings, but…….”
Gu Yi turned back and glanced at him: “If there are any findings, just tell me. Why are you hesitating?”
The attendant said: “This……This servant doesn’t know how to properly explain it. You will have to personally meet with that person.”
On the other end, Gu Yan left the restaurant and got on the carriage. Ye Zi stumbled after him and stretched out his stems to catch the rear eaves of the carriage. But before he could climb up, the carriage was already moving forward causing Ye Zi to stumble behind the carriage. By the time he climbed up, he was so tired that he felt dizzy and weak.
Ye Zi climbed on the side of the carriage window and peered inside. Gu Yan was sitting in the car with his eyes closed.
Finding out that the man was fine, Ye Zi was about to exit when the carriage suddenly shook. Ye Zi wasn’t able to hold on tightly and rolled into the carriage with a screech, landing right into a pair of gentle palms.
Ye Zi raised his head and met Gu Yan’s deep gaze.
The leaves on Ye Zi’s body flinched and moved back a little. However, Gu Yan easily held his stem, restricting his movements.
Gu Yan calmly said: “What did I say to you?”
Ye Zi hesitated for a moment and answered truthfully: “Be good and stay back.”
Gu Yan asked: “And?”
Ye Zi replied: “Not to secretly follow you out.”
“Continue.”
Ye Zi shivered gently and whispered sheepishly: “Otherwise, I’ll……I’ll…..”
He really couldn’t say it.
Before Gu Yan left today, he explicitly prohibited Ye Zi from following him out. Otherwise, Ye Zi would have to help him…..suck it off again.
Ye Zi originally came out secretly and as long as he went back before Gu Yan returned, he would not be discovered at all.
But who would have thought……
Perhaps it was because Ye Zi had gone back on his words too many times in the past, this time he was caught even sooner compared to the last.
Ye Zi sighed in his heart and curled up in Gu Yan’s palm, refusing to speak again.
The restaurant wasn’t far from the residence where the two of them were staying for now and the carriage soon arrived at its destination.
Gu Yan brought Ye Zi back to the room.
After an incense stick, Ye Zi leaned over Gu Yan with a flushed face. The end of his eyes picked up a touch of redness and his eyes watered up, which was particularly eye-catching. Gu Yan’s clothes were disheveled and he was slightly out of breath. He lowered his eyes and looked at him deeply.
Ye Zi couldn’t stand the straightforward look in his eyes. He lowered his head and buried his face in his chest, saying in a hoarse voice: “Stop looking……”
Gu Yan didn’t let him hide. He reached out and lifted Ye Zi’s chin to force him to look up. He rubbed his fingers on his abnormally red lips: “Don’t hide, I want to look at you…..”
Prince Rui had extremely bad taste. Before doing anything, he even asked someone to light a few more lamps in the room, lighting up the entire bedroom as bright as day.
Ye Zi didn’t have any strength left to push him away. He closed his eyes and whimpered, letting the man’s fingers gently brush against his face before he caressed his throat thoughtfully.
Gu Yan muttered softly: “Do you still dare to do it again?”
Ye Zi was fully subdued by Gu Yan and said hurriedly: “I don’t dare anymore, I don’t dare anymore.”
Gu Yan hummed softly in an uncertain manner, obviously skeptical of his words.
Ye Zi crawled forward, buried his head in Gu Yan’s neck, and rubbed against him in an aggrieved manner: “You are so fierce in bed, I am a little afraid of you.”
Gu Yan’s eyes darkened a bit and his palm slowly fell on Ye Zi’s lower back: “The fact that you still dare to say this to me now proves that I am not fierce enough…….You haven’t seen my more ferocious side.”
Ye Zi cowered a bit and asked with a reddened face: “How ferocious?”
Anyone could hear the deep meaning behind his words. Gu Yan, however, just looked at him and shook his head: “Forget it, you’re still wounded, why are you trying to provoke me?”
Ye Zi pursed his lips and played with Gu Yan’s long hair: “……I’ve already been fine for a while now.”
Gu Yan gently raised the corners of his lips, turned over, and pressed him onto the soft bed: “Really?”
The heat on Ye Zi’s face became even more intense. He resisted the thought of running away and nodded: “Yes.”
Gu Yan’s fingers slowly slid down from Ye Zi’s face and his fingertips slightly opened his loose sash. He stared at Ye Zi closely, not missing any of his reactions.
With those oil lamps shining in the room, nothing could be hidden.
Ye Zi was so ashamed that his neck was red and he couldn’t help but push Gu Yan: “Can……we put out the lights?”
Gu Yan looked deeply at him and nodded: “Okay.”
Afterward, he got up and extinguished all the lights in the room.
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Ye Zi lay in the darkness. His heart was beating so fast that it was almost about to break out of his chest. With the sound of clothes rubbing against each other, he heard Gu Yan walking back to the bed before bending down and holding him in his arms.
“A Zi, stop fooling around.” Gu Yan laid back on the bed and just quietly held Ye Zi in his arms without doing anything more: “I know you’re worried about me, I’m fine. You don’t have to be like this.”
Ye Zi tilted his head uncomfortably: “I-I’m not……”
“What do you mean?” Gu Yan poked and prodded without mercy as he let out a sigh: “Do you think I can’t tell what you’re thinking now? Your vitality hasn’t yet recovered. If I really do something to you, you wouldn’t be able to bear it.”
Since Gu Yan said this, Ye Zi didn’t dare to hide it anymore and whispered: “I just wanted you to do something else……stop thinking so wildly.”
Ye Zi had heard the conversation between Gu Yan and Gu Yi today, and naturally understood why Gu Yan was in a bad mood.
Gu Yi wants a helper who could work with him and be his inside man. In this life, Gu Yan came to Jiangnan so Gu Yi chose him. In the last life, it was the Crown Prince who came here.
Although the truth of the matter could no longer be verified, Ye Zi could roughly think of how it went.
In his previous life, Crown Prince Gu Sheng, Gu Yan, and Gu Xuan were fighting for the throne, and they were fighting to the death. Facing the crisis of him being abolished as the Crown Prince, Gu Sheng agreed to Gu Yi’s request in desperation and became his inside man.
However, Prince Jing’s plot ultimately failed in the end and Gu Yi was imprisoned and given a glass of poisonous wine. And the Crown Prince, who was the inside man, was also struggling with progress.
So, he thought of a way to push things onto Gu Yan’s head.
That was what led to what happened next.
Ye Zi was worried that Gu Yan would be sick again if he remembered this, so he had been glued to his side ever since they returned, trying to divert his attention.
Gu Yan compassionately touched Ye Zi’s hair and said in a warm voice: “Don’t worry, I’m really fine.”
“Actually, I was a little surprised today. After learning about this, I was able to calm down quickly. If it were before, I would have turned back into that possessed state. But I didn’t today, especially when I saw you by my side, I felt even more calm, as if these things are no longer important.”
Gu Yan said: “A Zi, you’re right. Maybe I really should let go of those things and myself. It’s already quite hard taking care of the things in front of me, so let bygones be bygones.”
Ye Zi leaned into Gu Yan’s arms and whispered: “I’m very happy that you think so. When I heard you guys talking in the private room. I really……”
Gu Yan laughed softly: “Are you still worried about me, worried that I will agree to Imperial uncle’s request and join him in his rebellion?”
Ye Zi lowered his head and didn’t say anything.
Gu Yan said: “Although Emperor Jinghe did a lot of stupid things and I did say some angry things to him, I never thought of overthrowing him in that way. A Zi, in my previous life, I have experienced the cruelty of war and those who are in power always have countless reasons to provoke wars. They use the banner of justice to make them seem righteous, but in fact, they are just fighting for power and profit for their own selfish desires.”
“………The victims of war are always innocent people.”
Ye Zi’s eyes trembled lightly and he responded quietly: “I understand.”
Gu Yan kissed him on the forehead and laughed: “And, no matter what, treason is treason, and it will never be the right path. I haven’t stooped that low yet to use such a method to get what I want.”
Ye Zi raised his eyes to look at him and suddenly felt that he saw something familiar in Gu Yan’s eyes.
It was a pride that he had never seen in this Gu Yan before, but it seemed that he was born with it and it had never gone away.
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment. Gu Yan raised his hand and pinched his face: “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like this all of a sudden?”
Ye Zi came back to his senses, went up, and kissed Gu Yan on his lips: “I just wanted to take a look. No matter how much I look at you, it’s not enough. To the point that I want to hide you away so that only I can look at you.”
Gu Yan raised his eyebrows: “How come I didn’t know my beloved consort was this petty?”
Ye Zi said: “Yes, I am this petty. What are you going to do about it? Do you regret making me Princess Consort Rui?”
“I don’t dare……”
“It’s useless even if you regret it now.” Ye Zi said without any doubt, “Prince Rui, you have fallen into my hands for the rest of your life. There is no turning back.”
Gu Yan stroked Ye Zi’s spine and smiled lightly: “Yes, you’re right.”
It was already late at night and the moonlight shone into the room through the window, adding a layer of blue to the room. The two of them embraced each other and slept in rare silence.
The next day, Ye Zi followed Gu Yan and left Yi’an. Also leaving with them were Gu Yi and A Chu.
After failing to persuade Gu Yan, Gu Yi did not leave Yi’an but continued to follow them, pretending that nothing happened. Now this person not only wanted to go to Guangling with them, but he also picked up A Chu along the way.
Ye Zi really couldn’t figure out what other intentions he had.
However, when Ye Zi saw A Chu getting on Gu Yi’s carriage, he was surprised but also sighed a little more.
As agreed with A Chu before, he asked Gu Yan to find Lord Ge for A Chu’s servant deed. But when Gu Yan found Lord Ge, he learned that A Chu’s deed had been redeemed by Gu Yi first.
This also meant that he was now one of Gu Yi’s people.
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Ye Zi had mixed feelings in his heart, but everyone had their own way of living, and he could not influence other people’s choices.
The two Princes, plus the accompanying attendants in the carriage, set off from Yi’an and arrived outside Guangling City in less than two hours.
The governor had sent people to greet them outside the city early in the morning, but at this time, there were more people gathered outside the city than when Ye Zi had originally arrived. The crowd at the city gate was so crowded that the carriage had to slow down and wait for the guards sent by the governor to clear the road.
They didn’t know what the guards had said to the people, but the crowd gathered at the city gate fell to their knees one after another and some even wanted to rush forward. Everyone was making noises. Gu Yan and Ye Zi were sitting in the carriage separated by some distance so they couldn’t hear clearly what they were chanting.
Ye Zi was just about to lift the carriage curtain to look outside when someone suddenly broke through the guards’ barrier and jumped to the front of the carriage.
“Your Majesty, please save us……please save my husband and child……” It was a woman, looking no more than about thirty, dressed in rags with a haggard description.
The guards quickly pulled the woman back into the crowd, Ye Zi turned his head to glance at Gu Yan and saw the same color of helplessness in his eyes.
Due to the people’s obstruction, the carriage couldn’t enter the city for a while and Gu Yan had to call a guard to inquire about the situation.
After asking, he found out that the people at the gate were not refugees, but people from various counties who were waiting for Gu Yan’s arrival.
Since the epidemic broke out in some counties, in order to prevent the spread, people were no longer allowed to enter or exit the cities where the epidemic had occurred. Some people who left to visit relatives or have relatives living in those counties became extremely worried.
After Gu Yan cured the epidemic in Yi’an, the news spread. The people who learned of the news rushed to Guangling, hoping that this Prince Rui would be able to cure the epidemic soon and save their loved ones from his disaster.
Gu Yan dismissed the guard and sat speechless in the carriage for a while. After a long time, he suddenly let out a bitter smile: “As things stand, if I say that I don’t have a cure, even if my Sixth Imperial Uncle doesn’t force me, the people outside the city will swallow me alive with one bite.”
Ye Zi held Gu Yan’s hand and whispered: “Don’t worry, there will be a way.”
“Mnn.” Gu Yan smiled but didn’t seem to look too worried, “No wonder Imperial Uncle had to come to Guangling with us today. He’s probably waiting for me to become a laughing stock right now.”
Behind them, A Chu knelt in their carriage as he poured Gu Yi a cup of tea.
A Chu said: “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”
Gu Yi looked out the window with interest and faintly said: “No need, leave it.”
“Yes.” A Chu silently put the tea down. After deliberating for a long time, he opened his mouth: “Your Majesty, are you really unwilling to give them the cure?”
Gu Yi looked back at him and said with a smile: “Hmm, why are you also acting like Princess—……cough, the little guy next to Gu Yan and starting to feel compassion for others?”
A Chu lowered his head and bit his lower lip: “Mr. Ye and Prince Rui treated me with kindness, I……”
“They treat you with kindness, but did this Prince not treat you kindly as well?” Gu Yi leaned forward slightly. Stretching out his hand to lift his chin, he leaned over and said softly: “A Chu, what did you promise me before? Do you not remember?”
A Chu trembled slightly as if in fear and whispered: “A Chu has not forgotten, A Chu will always serve by His Majesty’s side and will never have second thoughts.”
“As long as you remember.” Gu Yi let go of him and played with the folding fan in his hand, “Don’t worry, I understand Gu Yan. If he can’t solve such a little thing, he won’t be the Prince Rui of today. Don’t forget who he was taught by.”
The convoy was stuck outside the city for half an hour before it was able to enter the city.
The city was separated from the outside by only one city gate, but the environment was vastly different, as if it was two worlds.
Guangling had always been a transportation hub in the Jiangnan region, with prosperous commerce and unusual trade. Moreover, the epidemic had not yet been discovered in Guangling City, so even if the surrounding counties were affected by famine and epidemic, this place would remain the same as before and would not be affected at all.
The carriage drove slowly on the street with people coming and going. Both sides of the road were full of merchants and vendors, which made it very lively.
The group stayed at the post house in the city and before they had a chance to rest after a long time, someone came to deliver the news.
The governor and the disaster relief censor prepared a reception banquet and invited the two Princes to attend the banquet. Gu Yi thoughtlessly dragged A Chu to the banquet, but Gu Yan excused himself by saying he was feeling unwell and wanted to stay in the post house to rest.
Ye Zi helped Gu Yan undress and placed his robe on a hanger nearby. However, he couldn’t help but think about the situation in front of them.
Compared to Gu Yi’s rebellion, the most difficult thing right now was still the epidemic.
The news that Gu Yan had found a cure for the epidemic in Yi’an spread faster than he imagined. Now that they have returned to Guangling, they would face patients from many counties.
In Yi’an alone, nearly a thousand people were sick. Ye Zi didn’t dare to think about how many patients there would be in the other counties combined.
In this situation, even if Ye Zi wanted to help, there was really nothing he could do.
——Even if he pulled down all the leaves from his body, it wouldn’t be enough for the patients in one county.
But now, everyone had hope in Gu Yan. They didn’t know that Gu Yan could no longer produce the cure for the epidemic.
The most urgent task was to develop a cure.
The more Ye Zi thought about it, the more worried he became. He turned to look at Gu Yan, who was sitting at the table: “Zicheng, have you figured out how to get more of the cure for the epidemic?”
Gu Yan pondered for a moment and truthfully answered: “Yes.”
“What is it?”
Gu Yan looked at him with his chin propped up and said with a smile: “I’m afraid I’ll need a little help from you, my beloved consort.”
Edited: 11.22.2023
Gu Yi’s voice was not loud, but it didn’t prevent Ye Zi, who was hiding under the eaves, from hearing these words. His heart trembled heavily and his leaves curled up unconsciously.
As expected.
When he first learned that the cure given to Gu Yan by Gu Yi was insufficient, he had already guessed that this man would make such a request.
Just like what Gu Yan had experienced in his previous life, this man really still wanted to rebel.
It wasn’t hard to predict that Gu Yi would have this idea.
After Emperor Jinghe succeeded the throne, he made all his brothers Princes and assigned them fiefdoms. Originally, the two sides were at peace with each other, but in recent years, Emperor Jinghe repeatedly chipped away at them. The other Princes were willing to swallow their anger, but this was not the case with Gu Yi.
This man was young and energetic and had the world at his heart. He had long been dissatisfied with Emperor Jinghe’s actions.
The silence in the room lasted longer than he thought. Ye Zi stuck his head out and looked at the two people in the private room. After Gu Yi said those words, he withdrew his gaze and drank by himself, looking like he was sure of victory. In front of him, Gu Yan sat on the spot with his eyes narrowed and his expression unclear.
Ye Zi had no idea what decision Gu Yan would make.
He had mentioned to Ye Zi earlier that he had wished he could rebel with Gu Yi.
But those were just passing words after all. If it weren’t for the helplessness, who would do such a stupid thing?
Once this move was made, it was either life or death, and there was no room for maneuver.
The two people didn’t speak for a long time. Gu Yi finally couldn’t sit still and persuaded in a low voice: “Zicheng, do you really need to think about it for this long? If you agree, I will send someone to get the cure now. And within three days, the epidemic will be completely cured. At this point, the safety of the people depends on you alone, are you really going to refuse?”
Gu Yan’s eyes moved slightly and he laughed softly: “Imperial uncle is threatening me.”
Gu Yi took a sip of his wine and guided him: “Zicheng, you can’t think like that. Frankly speaking, if you agree to help me, what harm will it do to you?”
“You have also seen that there are famines, disasters, corrupt officials, and collusion everywhere. The inheritance left by my Father has long been ruined by that foolish Emperor. Don’t you want to do something for this world?”
Gu Yan didn’t answer. Gu Yi continued: “I heard that my Imperial brother is in poor health recently and the battle for the right to inherit the throne among the Imperial Princes has begun. If you continue to stay in Chang’an City, you will inevitably be affected. In addition, Emperor Jinghe has always had a grudge against you. By then, not only will you be involved, Princess Consort Rui will not be immune either. Even if you don’t consider yourself, don’t you want to think about your lover?”
Gu Yan’s movements paused.
Gu Yi noticed that Gu Yan seemed a little shaken and continued: “Imperial uncle doesn’t need you to do much, you just need to cooperate with me when you return to Chang’an. When I raise my army, cooperate with me in a timely manner so that I can break into the Imperial city.”
Ye Zi, who was under the eaves, listened and vaguely felt that something was off.
Gu Yan said nothing and Gu Yi said again: “Once we break into the Imperial city and capture Emperor Jinghe alive, you and I can ascend the throne together and rule the world together. At that time, you will be able to do whatever you want. Wouldn’t it be amazing to do what you want without needing to care about others?”
“Cooperation? Breaking into the Imperial City?” Gu Yan repeated softly: “It seems that Imperial uncle already has a plan in mind.”
Gu Yi frowned and added: “If I didn’t have a plan, I wouldn’t come to discuss it with you.”
Gu Yan suddenly laughed softly and raised his eyes: “In that case, it doesn’t really matter who the person is, right?”
Gu Yi didn’t understand: “What do you mean by that?”
“Am I wrong?” Gu Yan said, “What Imperial uncle wants is just a helper who can move around the Imperial city easily and help you get information while cooperating with you, right?”
“This……”
Gu Yan lowered his eyes. The hand hanging under the table trembled without a trace as he said in a deep voice: “In other words, if someone else came to Jiangnan, you would go to them.”
Gu Yi frowned and said in confusion: “Zicheng, what do you mean by this? You are the one who came to Jiangnan, not someone else. How do you want me to answer this question?”
Gu Yan shook his head: “No, Imperial uncle doesn’t need to answer it, I already understand everything.”
There was a dull pain in his head again and Gu Yan took a deep breath, as if trying to contain some of his emotions. After a while, Gu Yan stood up and said softly: “Zicheng is not feeling well today. I’ll leave first, please do as you wish, Imperial uncle.”
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“Gu Zicheng!” Gu Yi opened his mouth to call out to him: “Are you rejecting me?”
“So what if I am?” Gu Yan endured his headache and looked back at him, “You seem to care about the people’s plight, but you use the people’s lives as a bet to force me to join you in your rebellion. You say you are for the world, but you have never thought of how many cities will be destroyed if you rebel. I only came here to save everyone, not to harm them, so it’s better for Imperial uncle to find someone else.”
“Such soft-heartedness.” Gu Yi stood up: “I’ve long heard from Chang’an that you have indulged in debauchery and have fallen into the pits of no return. I didn’t believe a single one of those rumors. You’ve been brought up by Father ever since you were a child and you’re also the only son of Eldest Imperial Brother, but how come you haven’t learned even one ten thousandth of their courage?”
Gu Yan pressed his brow, not wanting to argue with him more: “And what if I still refuse?”
Gu Yi said: “……I will make you regret it.”
Gu Yan paused and left the private room without looking back. Ye Zi followed closely and climbed out from the eaves.
Gu Yi sighed heavily and sat back down. After a while, the attendant who was following him opened the door and came in.
“Your Majesty, are you heading back?”
Gu Yi nodded. Drinking the wine on the table in one go, his expression had returned to its usual calm and unperturbed state: “Let’s go.”
He walked out and suddenly asked: “How did the investigation that I originally ordered you go?”
The attendant paused and hesitantly answered: “The herb you sent has been checked by someone. There…..are indeed some findings, but…….”
Gu Yi turned back and glanced at him: “If there are any findings, just tell me. Why are you hesitating?”
The attendant said: “This……This servant doesn’t know how to properly explain it. You will have to personally meet with that person.”
On the other end, Gu Yan left the restaurant and got on the carriage. Ye Zi stumbled after him and stretched out his stems to catch the rear eaves of the carriage. But before he could climb up, the carriage was already moving forward causing Ye Zi to stumble behind the carriage. By the time he climbed up, he was so tired that he felt dizzy and weak.
Ye Zi climbed on the side of the carriage window and peered inside. Gu Yan was sitting in the car with his eyes closed.
Finding out that the man was fine, Ye Zi was about to exit when the carriage suddenly shook. Ye Zi wasn’t able to hold on tightly and rolled into the carriage with a screech, landing right into a pair of gentle palms.
Ye Zi raised his head and met Gu Yan’s deep gaze.
The leaves on Ye Zi’s body flinched and moved back a little. However, Gu Yan easily held his stem, restricting his movements.
Gu Yan calmly said: “What did I say to you?”
Ye Zi hesitated for a moment and answered truthfully: “Be good and stay back.”
Gu Yan asked: “And?”
Ye Zi replied: “Not to secretly follow you out.”
“Continue.”
Ye Zi shivered gently and whispered sheepishly: “Otherwise, I’ll……I’ll…..”
He really couldn’t say it.
Before Gu Yan left today, he explicitly prohibited Ye Zi from following him out. Otherwise, Ye Zi would have to help him…..suck it off again.
Ye Zi originally came out secretly and as long as he went back before Gu Yan returned, he would not be discovered at all.
But who would have thought……
Perhaps it was because Ye Zi had gone back on his words too many times in the past, this time he was caught even sooner compared to the last.
Ye Zi sighed in his heart and curled up in Gu Yan’s palm, refusing to speak again.
The restaurant wasn’t far from the residence where the two of them were staying for now and the carriage soon arrived at its destination.
Gu Yan brought Ye Zi back to the room.
After an incense stick, Ye Zi leaned over Gu Yan with a flushed face. The end of his eyes picked up a touch of redness and his eyes watered up, which was particularly eye-catching. Gu Yan’s clothes were disheveled and he was slightly out of breath. He lowered his eyes and looked at him deeply.
Ye Zi couldn’t stand the straightforward look in his eyes. He lowered his head and buried his face in his chest, saying in a hoarse voice: “Stop looking……”
Gu Yan didn’t let him hide. He reached out and lifted Ye Zi’s chin to force him to look up. He rubbed his fingers on his abnormally red lips: “Don’t hide, I want to look at you…..”
Prince Rui had extremely bad taste. Before doing anything, he even asked someone to light a few more lamps in the room, lighting up the entire bedroom as bright as day.
Ye Zi didn’t have any strength left to push him away. He closed his eyes and whimpered, letting the man’s fingers gently brush against his face before he caressed his throat thoughtfully.
Gu Yan muttered softly: “Do you still dare to do it again?”
Ye Zi was fully subdued by Gu Yan and said hurriedly: “I don’t dare anymore, I don’t dare anymore.”
Gu Yan hummed softly in an uncertain manner, obviously skeptical of his words.
Ye Zi crawled forward, buried his head in Gu Yan’s neck, and rubbed against him in an aggrieved manner: “You are so fierce in bed, I am a little afraid of you.”
Gu Yan’s eyes darkened a bit and his palm slowly fell on Ye Zi’s lower back: “The fact that you still dare to say this to me now proves that I am not fierce enough…….You haven’t seen my more ferocious side.”
Ye Zi cowered a bit and asked with a reddened face: “How ferocious?”
Anyone could hear the deep meaning behind his words. Gu Yan, however, just looked at him and shook his head: “Forget it, you’re still wounded, why are you trying to provoke me?”
Ye Zi pursed his lips and played with Gu Yan’s long hair: “……I’ve already been fine for a while now.”
Gu Yan gently raised the corners of his lips, turned over, and pressed him onto the soft bed: “Really?”
The heat on Ye Zi’s face became even more intense. He resisted the thought of running away and nodded: “Yes.”
Gu Yan’s fingers slowly slid down from Ye Zi’s face and his fingertips slightly opened his loose sash. He stared at Ye Zi closely, not missing any of his reactions.
With those oil lamps shining in the room, nothing could be hidden.
Ye Zi was so ashamed that his neck was red and he couldn’t help but push Gu Yan: “Can……we put out the lights?”
Gu Yan looked deeply at him and nodded: “Okay.”
Afterward, he got up and extinguished all the lights in the room.
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Ye Zi lay in the darkness. His heart was beating so fast that it was almost about to break out of his chest. With the sound of clothes rubbing against each other, he heard Gu Yan walking back to the bed before bending down and holding him in his arms.
“A Zi, stop fooling around.” Gu Yan laid back on the bed and just quietly held Ye Zi in his arms without doing anything more: “I know you’re worried about me, I’m fine. You don’t have to be like this.”
Ye Zi tilted his head uncomfortably: “I-I’m not……”
“What do you mean?” Gu Yan poked and prodded without mercy as he let out a sigh: “Do you think I can’t tell what you’re thinking now? Your vitality hasn’t yet recovered. If I really do something to you, you wouldn’t be able to bear it.”
Since Gu Yan said this, Ye Zi didn’t dare to hide it anymore and whispered: “I just wanted you to do something else……stop thinking so wildly.”
Ye Zi had heard the conversation between Gu Yan and Gu Yi today, and naturally understood why Gu Yan was in a bad mood.
Gu Yi wants a helper who could work with him and be his inside man. In this life, Gu Yan came to Jiangnan so Gu Yi chose him. In the last life, it was the Crown Prince who came here.
Although the truth of the matter could no longer be verified, Ye Zi could roughly think of how it went.
In his previous life, Crown Prince Gu Sheng, Gu Yan, and Gu Xuan were fighting for the throne, and they were fighting to the death. Facing the crisis of him being abolished as the Crown Prince, Gu Sheng agreed to Gu Yi’s request in desperation and became his inside man.
However, Prince Jing’s plot ultimately failed in the end and Gu Yi was imprisoned and given a glass of poisonous wine. And the Crown Prince, who was the inside man, was also struggling with progress.
So, he thought of a way to push things onto Gu Yan’s head.
That was what led to what happened next.
Ye Zi was worried that Gu Yan would be sick again if he remembered this, so he had been glued to his side ever since they returned, trying to divert his attention.
Gu Yan compassionately touched Ye Zi’s hair and said in a warm voice: “Don’t worry, I’m really fine.”
“Actually, I was a little surprised today. After learning about this, I was able to calm down quickly. If it were before, I would have turned back into that possessed state. But I didn’t today, especially when I saw you by my side, I felt even more calm, as if these things are no longer important.”
Gu Yan said: “A Zi, you’re right. Maybe I really should let go of those things and myself. It’s already quite hard taking care of the things in front of me, so let bygones be bygones.”
Ye Zi leaned into Gu Yan’s arms and whispered: “I’m very happy that you think so. When I heard you guys talking in the private room. I really……”
Gu Yan laughed softly: “Are you still worried about me, worried that I will agree to Imperial uncle’s request and join him in his rebellion?”
Ye Zi lowered his head and didn’t say anything.
Gu Yan said: “Although Emperor Jinghe did a lot of stupid things and I did say some angry things to him, I never thought of overthrowing him in that way. A Zi, in my previous life, I have experienced the cruelty of war and those who are in power always have countless reasons to provoke wars. They use the banner of justice to make them seem righteous, but in fact, they are just fighting for power and profit for their own selfish desires.”
“………The victims of war are always innocent people.”
Ye Zi’s eyes trembled lightly and he responded quietly: “I understand.”
Gu Yan kissed him on the forehead and laughed: “And, no matter what, treason is treason, and it will never be the right path. I haven’t stooped that low yet to use such a method to get what I want.”
Ye Zi raised his eyes to look at him and suddenly felt that he saw something familiar in Gu Yan’s eyes.
It was a pride that he had never seen in this Gu Yan before, but it seemed that he was born with it and it had never gone away.
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment. Gu Yan raised his hand and pinched his face: “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like this all of a sudden?”
Ye Zi came back to his senses, went up, and kissed Gu Yan on his lips: “I just wanted to take a look. No matter how much I look at you, it’s not enough. To the point that I want to hide you away so that only I can look at you.”
Gu Yan raised his eyebrows: “How come I didn’t know my beloved consort was this petty?”
Ye Zi said: “Yes, I am this petty. What are you going to do about it? Do you regret making me Princess Consort Rui?”
“I don’t dare……”
“It’s useless even if you regret it now.” Ye Zi said without any doubt, “Prince Rui, you have fallen into my hands for the rest of your life. There is no turning back.”
Gu Yan stroked Ye Zi’s spine and smiled lightly: “Yes, you’re right.”
It was already late at night and the moonlight shone into the room through the window, adding a layer of blue to the room. The two of them embraced each other and slept in rare silence.
The next day, Ye Zi followed Gu Yan and left Yi’an. Also leaving with them were Gu Yi and A Chu.
After failing to persuade Gu Yan, Gu Yi did not leave Yi’an but continued to follow them, pretending that nothing happened. Now this person not only wanted to go to Guangling with them, but he also picked up A Chu along the way.
Ye Zi really couldn’t figure out what other intentions he had.
However, when Ye Zi saw A Chu getting on Gu Yi’s carriage, he was surprised but also sighed a little more.
As agreed with A Chu before, he asked Gu Yan to find Lord Ge for A Chu’s servant deed. But when Gu Yan found Lord Ge, he learned that A Chu’s deed had been redeemed by Gu Yi first.
This also meant that he was now one of Gu Yi’s people.
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Ye Zi had mixed feelings in his heart, but everyone had their own way of living, and he could not influence other people’s choices.
The two Princes, plus the accompanying attendants in the carriage, set off from Yi’an and arrived outside Guangling City in less than two hours.
The governor had sent people to greet them outside the city early in the morning, but at this time, there were more people gathered outside the city than when Ye Zi had originally arrived. The crowd at the city gate was so crowded that the carriage had to slow down and wait for the guards sent by the governor to clear the road.
They didn’t know what the guards had said to the people, but the crowd gathered at the city gate fell to their knees one after another and some even wanted to rush forward. Everyone was making noises. Gu Yan and Ye Zi were sitting in the carriage separated by some distance so they couldn’t hear clearly what they were chanting.
Ye Zi was just about to lift the carriage curtain to look outside when someone suddenly broke through the guards’ barrier and jumped to the front of the carriage.
“Your Majesty, please save us……please save my husband and child……” It was a woman, looking no more than about thirty, dressed in rags with a haggard description.
The guards quickly pulled the woman back into the crowd, Ye Zi turned his head to glance at Gu Yan and saw the same color of helplessness in his eyes.
Due to the people’s obstruction, the carriage couldn’t enter the city for a while and Gu Yan had to call a guard to inquire about the situation.
After asking, he found out that the people at the gate were not refugees, but people from various counties who were waiting for Gu Yan’s arrival.
Since the epidemic broke out in some counties, in order to prevent the spread, people were no longer allowed to enter or exit the cities where the epidemic had occurred. Some people who left to visit relatives or have relatives living in those counties became extremely worried.
After Gu Yan cured the epidemic in Yi’an, the news spread. The people who learned of the news rushed to Guangling, hoping that this Prince Rui would be able to cure the epidemic soon and save their loved ones from his disaster.
Gu Yan dismissed the guard and sat speechless in the carriage for a while. After a long time, he suddenly let out a bitter smile: “As things stand, if I say that I don’t have a cure, even if my Sixth Imperial Uncle doesn’t force me, the people outside the city will swallow me alive with one bite.”
Ye Zi held Gu Yan’s hand and whispered: “Don’t worry, there will be a way.”
“Mnn.” Gu Yan smiled but didn’t seem to look too worried, “No wonder Imperial Uncle had to come to Guangling with us today. He’s probably waiting for me to become a laughing stock right now.”
Behind them, A Chu knelt in their carriage as he poured Gu Yi a cup of tea.
A Chu said: “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”
Gu Yi looked out the window with interest and faintly said: “No need, leave it.”
“Yes.” A Chu silently put the tea down. After deliberating for a long time, he opened his mouth: “Your Majesty, are you really unwilling to give them the cure?”
Gu Yi looked back at him and said with a smile: “Hmm, why are you also acting like Princess—……cough, the little guy next to Gu Yan and starting to feel compassion for others?”
A Chu lowered his head and bit his lower lip: “Mr. Ye and Prince Rui treated me with kindness, I……”
“They treat you with kindness, but did this Prince not treat you kindly as well?” Gu Yi leaned forward slightly. Stretching out his hand to lift his chin, he leaned over and said softly: “A Chu, what did you promise me before? Do you not remember?”
A Chu trembled slightly as if in fear and whispered: “A Chu has not forgotten, A Chu will always serve by His Majesty’s side and will never have second thoughts.”
“As long as you remember.” Gu Yi let go of him and played with the folding fan in his hand, “Don’t worry, I understand Gu Yan. If he can’t solve such a little thing, he won’t be the Prince Rui of today. Don’t forget who he was taught by.”
The convoy was stuck outside the city for half an hour before it was able to enter the city.
The city was separated from the outside by only one city gate, but the environment was vastly different, as if it was two worlds.
Guangling had always been a transportation hub in the Jiangnan region, with prosperous commerce and unusual trade. Moreover, the epidemic had not yet been discovered in Guangling City, so even if the surrounding counties were affected by famine and epidemic, this place would remain the same as before and would not be affected at all.
The carriage drove slowly on the street with people coming and going. Both sides of the road were full of merchants and vendors, which made it very lively.
The group stayed at the post house in the city and before they had a chance to rest after a long time, someone came to deliver the news.
The governor and the disaster relief censor prepared a reception banquet and invited the two Princes to attend the banquet. Gu Yi thoughtlessly dragged A Chu to the banquet, but Gu Yan excused himself by saying he was feeling unwell and wanted to stay in the post house to rest.
Ye Zi helped Gu Yan undress and placed his robe on a hanger nearby. However, he couldn’t help but think about the situation in front of them.
Compared to Gu Yi’s rebellion, the most difficult thing right now was still the epidemic.
The news that Gu Yan had found a cure for the epidemic in Yi’an spread faster than he imagined. Now that they have returned to Guangling, they would face patients from many counties.
In Yi’an alone, nearly a thousand people were sick. Ye Zi didn’t dare to think about how many patients there would be in the other counties combined.
In this situation, even if Ye Zi wanted to help, there was really nothing he could do.
——Even if he pulled down all the leaves from his body, it wouldn’t be enough for the patients in one county.
But now, everyone had hope in Gu Yan. They didn’t know that Gu Yan could no longer produce the cure for the epidemic.
The most urgent task was to develop a cure.
The more Ye Zi thought about it, the more worried he became. He turned to look at Gu Yan, who was sitting at the table: “Zicheng, have you figured out how to get more of the cure for the epidemic?”
Gu Yan pondered for a moment and truthfully answered: “Yes.”
“What is it?”
Gu Yan looked at him with his chin propped up and said with a smile: “I’m afraid I’ll need a little help from you, my beloved consort.”
