Perform a Spectral Show (Part One)
The new year’s eve banquet dispersed in a somber atmosphere. In the end, Liu RuYi was executed.
She was still unconscious when the imperial guards dragged her out. Who knew if she had woken up when the blade was placed on her neck.
If she had not woken up, she could be considered fortunate.
Yu Fu sat in the carriage on the trip back to the manor, and her body suddenly started to tremble.
“Don’t be scared. I’m here.”
Gu ShuBai comfortingly sat next to her, and she quietly muttered: “I’m not scared. I’m just a little cold.”
She was clearly afraid, yet she insisted on pretending that she was not afraid.
Not to mention Yu Fu, but how many of the officials present in the hall were not afraid?
Back when they had chosen the second prince to ascend the throne, who could have known that the one sitting on the golden throne would be so ruthless and arrogant?
The new year’s eve banquet was bloody, and there was a bit of fear in everyone’s hearts.
However, he did not expose her. He just pulled her into his embrace, “It’s windy tonight. It won’t be cold once we get back to the manor. Does this make it a little better?”
Yu Fu nestled into his embrace and fiddled with the multi-colored gem, “Eldest brother, do you think that by giving everyone a multi-colored gem, they will be able to triumph anywhere they go?”
“That should… be the case.”
Gu ShuBai did not believe in superstitions. More importantly, it was just a stone. If having one would lead to victory, what would the killing carried out by the soldiers on the battlefield be considered?
But he could not bring himself to say it directly and just gave a vague answer.
Yu Fu placed the gems back into the pouch, “The Gu family’s army is undefeatable on the battlefield, but will we be able to defend against the winds surrounding the palace?”
…
“Head general! Let us go in!”
A loud banging came from the gates to Marquis Gu’s Manor, as the soldiers did their best to stop the people outside. They were feeling very troubled.
Qi Zhou immediately rushed over, “What’s going on?”
Only after taking a look did he find out why the soldiers were feeling troubled. The ones who had come were none other than Lao Jin, Yan HuaShi, and the other military officers.
“Why have the officers come? It’s the new year’s eve banquet tonight…”
“What banquet? We already know about what happened in the palace. Steward Qi, quickly bring us to see the head general!”
Qi Zhou hesitated for a moment before allowing them entrance, “Head general has not gone to sleep yet. Officers, please come in.”
The group rushed forward. Arriving at the main hall, they found the candles illuminated brightly. Gu HuaiJiang and a few of the young sirs were sitting in the hall and waiting for the new year to arrive. They were all sitting in silence.
“Greetings, head general!”
After saluting in unison, Lao Jin glanced around the hall but did not see Yu Fu, “Oh! Head general, where is young miss Yu Fu?”
Everyone looked around. Sure enough, they did not see Yu Fu. For a while, they were a little shocked.
Gu ShuBai quickly said: “There’s no need to feel anxious. Yu Fu heard that you have come, thus she went to the kitchen to order for some food and wine to be prepared. She will be back soon.”
Lao Jin let out a long sigh, “That scared me to death. I thought that she…”
“What did you think?”
Lao Jin glanced at Yan HuaShi, and the latter gritted his teeth and said: “We heard about what happened in the palace. His Majesty is too unreasonable. Young general and Yu Fu’s engagement was decided by the late emperor. How could His Majesty dare to act in this way? Does he have any sense of filial piety as a son or kindness as a ruler?”
Lao Jin said: “That’s right. Head general, ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, our Gu family’s army has been suppressed again and again. Now, Prime Minister Yin wants to extend his reach and make changes to our Gu family’s army! what a joke, with head general’s leadership, is there any need for a civil official to make changes?”
There was discussion abound, and the discussion only died down when Yu Fu entered the hall.
Yao Lan and the others were behind her with the newly cooked dishes and wine, and they placed them on the table in the hall, “Since everyone rushed here in the middle of the night, you must not have been able to eat a good meal. have some warm wine to warm up.”
Lao Jin let out a sigh, “In my life, I haven’t done anything great. The most meaningful thing that I did, of course, would be bringing young miss back from the entrance to Immortals Valley back then! We didn’t make a mistake. You were even willing to decline the position of empress. I, Lao Jin, admire young miss!”
He cupped his hands in a salute, and the other officers expressed similar sentiments. This made Yu Fu feel a little embarrassed.
Yu Fu supported them, “It isn’t anything worthy of admiration. I have never cared about these titles.”
Yao Lan poured wine while looking toward Yu Fu.
She had a noble status. The position of Eastern Ling’s empress was a treasure to others, but it was completely worthless to her.
Lao Jin did not know about Yu Fu’s identity, and his admiration for Yu Fu was absolute, as he continued: “Young miss doesn’t want to be empress and can’t bear His Majesty’s fascination! Head general, tell us. Do you think our idea can work?”
“Of course not.”
Gu HuaiJiang looked up at everyone and motioned for them to sit down. When everyone was seated, he said: “There are 200 thousand troops in the Gu family army, and His Majesty is already being deceived by traitors, so there is already some jealousy present. If you guys go into the palace, His Majesty will feel that he is being threatened and would just envy us even more.”
“If we can’t go into the palace to see His Majesty, what should we do?”
Lao Jin scratched his head, and Yan HuaShi said: “If head general has a good idea, please tell us. We will definitely do everything that we can to help! Is our Gu family’s army’s young madam someone that His Majesty can snatch away just because he wants to? Absolutely not!”
Gu JiuGe said: “Right now, the one I’m worried about is not Yu Fu. It’s father. His Majesty did not forcibly hand down a decree to confer that title to Yu Fu tonight because he is still afraid of the might of the Gu family’s army. He is afraid of father’s influence in court. If His Majesty does not give up on this, his only way forward would be to reduce father’s prestige and the strength of the Gu family’s army… I fear that His Majesty will make his move against father very shortly!”
“He would dare?”
Lao Jin slammed the table and stood up, his eyes opened wide, “If not for our head general, would he have been able to ascend the throne? He would have died in the imperial family’s prison long ago! That ungrateful and despicable person, what qualifications does he have to be emperor?”
“Shush, have you gone crazy?”
Yan HuaShi immediately stood up and covered his mouth. Fortunately, the servants in Marquis Gu’s Manor were loyal. Even if Qi Zhou and the other servants in the courtyard heard it, they would not spread it.
He sternly pointed at Lao Jin, “Was that sort of thing also just a joke? If you don’t want to be alive, that’s fine, but don’t implicate head general, the young sirs, and the young miss! You need to remember that regardless of whether or not he has the qualifications, he is already the emperor.”
“He is right,” Gu ShuBai said: “That person in the imperial palace is indeed lacking in qualifications to be emperor.”
“ShuBai!”
Gu HuaiJiang spoke in a stern tone and pointed at Gu ShuBai: “His Majesty has surely been influenced by traitors. This is not in his nature. Don’t worry, I will personally go into the palace tomorrow to see His Majesty. I will surely be able to convince him to change his mind.”
Lao Jin, Yan HuaShi, and the others hastily said: “Head general, will you be going alone? How can that be?”
“That’s right. His Majesty was infuriated tonight, so wouldn’t it be bad for head general if His Majesty was unable to let go of this matter?”
Gu ShuBai did not speak again.
Yin Shuo might have influenced Ning ChengZhi when it came to other things, for example, the suppression of Marquis Gu’s manor.
But when it came to Yu Fu, this was absolutely impossible.
If Ning ChengZhi had made up his mind, it would be very hard for Gu HuaiJiang to persuade him.
He suddenly came up with an idea, “Have second brother go into the palace tomorrow with father. That would be a good way to take care of him. I will go to the prime minister’s manor tomorrow. Yin Shuo might have some thoughts on this matter.”
Everyone in Marquis Gu’s Manor understood what he meant, and they fell silent for some time.
Yu Fu had a bad feeling about this, “Eldest brother, I will go with you tomorrow. While I’m at it, I can go and see JiYao.”
Gu HuaiJiang felt uncertain, “Then we shall go with that. You guys should all go home. For the time being, this matter does not require you guys. Remember not to act rashly.”
Lao Jin and the others could do nothing but worry. They were unable to do anything in such an important matter, so it was easy to understand just how miserable they felt.
But Gu HuaiJiang was correct. If they went into the palace to see Ning ChengZhi, it would only give off a negative impression, and that would only make things worse.
The group had no choice but to bid farewell. Right before leaving, Lao Jin specifically pulled Qi Zhou to the side, “If head general plans something big, you must send someone to tell me! We all want to protect head general and the others. You are like us, do you understand?”
Qi Zhou gave him a troubled look but felt that there was nothing wrong with his statement, “Officer Jin, don’t worry. If something really does happen, I will be sure to send someone to inform you!”
After everyone left, Marquis Gu’s Manor returned to being as silent as it had been before, with only the flickering candles illuminating the long halls.
Yu Fu blankly watched the lights flicker. Nobody in the hall spoke. Even the usually-lively Gu Xiang and Gu Yi were silent. There was absolutely no festive atmosphere.
She suddenly stood up with a smile, “We can’t just sit around all night while waiting for the new year, right? That would be too boring. Fifth brother, sixth brother, how about we perform a mystical show for everyone?”
Perform a Spectral Show (Part One)
The new year’s eve banquet dispersed in a somber atmosphere. In the end, Liu RuYi was executed.
She was still unconscious when the imperial guards dragged her out. Who knew if she had woken up when the blade was placed on her neck.
If she had not woken up, she could be considered fortunate.
Yu Fu sat in the carriage on the trip back to the manor, and her body suddenly started to tremble.
“Don’t be scared. I’m here.”
Gu ShuBai comfortingly sat next to her, and she quietly muttered: “I’m not scared. I’m just a little cold.”
She was clearly afraid, yet she insisted on pretending that she was not afraid.
Not to mention Yu Fu, but how many of the officials present in the hall were not afraid?
Back when they had chosen the second prince to ascend the throne, who could have known that the one sitting on the golden throne would be so ruthless and arrogant?
The new year’s eve banquet was bloody, and there was a bit of fear in everyone’s hearts.
However, he did not expose her. He just pulled her into his embrace, “It’s windy tonight. It won’t be cold once we get back to the manor. Does this make it a little better?”
Yu Fu nestled into his embrace and fiddled with the multi-colored gem, “Eldest brother, do you think that by giving everyone a multi-colored gem, they will be able to triumph anywhere they go?”
“That should… be the case.”
Gu ShuBai did not believe in superstitions. More importantly, it was just a stone. If having one would lead to victory, what would the killing carried out by the soldiers on the battlefield be considered?
But he could not bring himself to say it directly and just gave a vague answer.
Yu Fu placed the gems back into the pouch, “The Gu family’s army is undefeatable on the battlefield, but will we be able to defend against the winds surrounding the palace?”
…
“Head general! Let us go in!”
A loud banging came from the gates to Marquis Gu’s Manor, as the soldiers did their best to stop the people outside. They were feeling very troubled.
Qi Zhou immediately rushed over, “What’s going on?”
Only after taking a look did he find out why the soldiers were feeling troubled. The ones who had come were none other than Lao Jin, Yan HuaShi, and the other military officers.
“Why have the officers come? It’s the new year’s eve banquet tonight…”
“What banquet? We already know about what happened in the palace. Steward Qi, quickly bring us to see the head general!”
Qi Zhou hesitated for a moment before allowing them entrance, “Head general has not gone to sleep yet. Officers, please come in.”
The group rushed forward. Arriving at the main hall, they found the candles illuminated brightly. Gu HuaiJiang and a few of the young sirs were sitting in the hall and waiting for the new year to arrive. They were all sitting in silence.
“Greetings, head general!”
After saluting in unison, Lao Jin glanced around the hall but did not see Yu Fu, “Oh! Head general, where is young miss Yu Fu?”
Everyone looked around. Sure enough, they did not see Yu Fu. For a while, they were a little shocked.
Gu ShuBai quickly said: “There’s no need to feel anxious. Yu Fu heard that you have come, thus she went to the kitchen to order for some food and wine to be prepared. She will be back soon.”
Lao Jin let out a long sigh, “That scared me to death. I thought that she…”
“What did you think?”
Lao Jin glanced at Yan HuaShi, and the latter gritted his teeth and said: “We heard about what happened in the palace. His Majesty is too unreasonable. Young general and Yu Fu’s engagement was decided by the late emperor. How could His Majesty dare to act in this way? Does he have any sense of filial piety as a son or kindness as a ruler?”
Lao Jin said: “That’s right. Head general, ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, our Gu family’s army has been suppressed again and again. Now, Prime Minister Yin wants to extend his reach and make changes to our Gu family’s army! what a joke, with head general’s leadership, is there any need for a civil official to make changes?”
There was discussion abound, and the discussion only died down when Yu Fu entered the hall.
Yao Lan and the others were behind her with the newly cooked dishes and wine, and they placed them on the table in the hall, “Since everyone rushed here in the middle of the night, you must not have been able to eat a good meal. have some warm wine to warm up.”
Lao Jin let out a sigh, “In my life, I haven’t done anything great. The most meaningful thing that I did, of course, would be bringing young miss back from the entrance to Immortals Valley back then! We didn’t make a mistake. You were even willing to decline the position of empress. I, Lao Jin, admire young miss!”
He cupped his hands in a salute, and the other officers expressed similar sentiments. This made Yu Fu feel a little embarrassed.
Yu Fu supported them, “It isn’t anything worthy of admiration. I have never cared about these titles.”
Yao Lan poured wine while looking toward Yu Fu.
She had a noble status. The position of Eastern Ling’s empress was a treasure to others, but it was completely worthless to her.
Lao Jin did not know about Yu Fu’s identity, and his admiration for Yu Fu was absolute, as he continued: “Young miss doesn’t want to be empress and can’t bear His Majesty’s fascination! Head general, tell us. Do you think our idea can work?”
“Of course not.”
Gu HuaiJiang looked up at everyone and motioned for them to sit down. When everyone was seated, he said: “There are 200 thousand troops in the Gu family army, and His Majesty is already being deceived by traitors, so there is already some jealousy present. If you guys go into the palace, His Majesty will feel that he is being threatened and would just envy us even more.”
“If we can’t go into the palace to see His Majesty, what should we do?”
Lao Jin scratched his head, and Yan HuaShi said: “If head general has a good idea, please tell us. We will definitely do everything that we can to help! Is our Gu family’s army’s young madam someone that His Majesty can snatch away just because he wants to? Absolutely not!”
Gu JiuGe said: “Right now, the one I’m worried about is not Yu Fu. It’s father. His Majesty did not forcibly hand down a decree to confer that title to Yu Fu tonight because he is still afraid of the might of the Gu family’s army. He is afraid of father’s influence in court. If His Majesty does not give up on this, his only way forward would be to reduce father’s prestige and the strength of the Gu family’s army… I fear that His Majesty will make his move against father very shortly!”
“He would dare?”
Lao Jin slammed the table and stood up, his eyes opened wide, “If not for our head general, would he have been able to ascend the throne? He would have died in the imperial family’s prison long ago! That ungrateful and despicable person, what qualifications does he have to be emperor?”
“Shush, have you gone crazy?”
Yan HuaShi immediately stood up and covered his mouth. Fortunately, the servants in Marquis Gu’s Manor were loyal. Even if Qi Zhou and the other servants in the courtyard heard it, they would not spread it.
He sternly pointed at Lao Jin, “Was that sort of thing also just a joke? If you don’t want to be alive, that’s fine, but don’t implicate head general, the young sirs, and the young miss! You need to remember that regardless of whether or not he has the qualifications, he is already the emperor.”
“He is right,” Gu ShuBai said: “That person in the imperial palace is indeed lacking in qualifications to be emperor.”
“ShuBai!”
Gu HuaiJiang spoke in a stern tone and pointed at Gu ShuBai: “His Majesty has surely been influenced by traitors. This is not in his nature. Don’t worry, I will personally go into the palace tomorrow to see His Majesty. I will surely be able to convince him to change his mind.”
Lao Jin, Yan HuaShi, and the others hastily said: “Head general, will you be going alone? How can that be?”
“That’s right. His Majesty was infuriated tonight, so wouldn’t it be bad for head general if His Majesty was unable to let go of this matter?”
Gu ShuBai did not speak again.
Yin Shuo might have influenced Ning ChengZhi when it came to other things, for example, the suppression of Marquis Gu’s manor.
But when it came to Yu Fu, this was absolutely impossible.
If Ning ChengZhi had made up his mind, it would be very hard for Gu HuaiJiang to persuade him.
He suddenly came up with an idea, “Have second brother go into the palace tomorrow with father. That would be a good way to take care of him. I will go to the prime minister’s manor tomorrow. Yin Shuo might have some thoughts on this matter.”
Everyone in Marquis Gu’s Manor understood what he meant, and they fell silent for some time.
Yu Fu had a bad feeling about this, “Eldest brother, I will go with you tomorrow. While I’m at it, I can go and see JiYao.”
Gu HuaiJiang felt uncertain, “Then we shall go with that. You guys should all go home. For the time being, this matter does not require you guys. Remember not to act rashly.”
Lao Jin and the others could do nothing but worry. They were unable to do anything in such an important matter, so it was easy to understand just how miserable they felt.
But Gu HuaiJiang was correct. If they went into the palace to see Ning ChengZhi, it would only give off a negative impression, and that would only make things worse.
The group had no choice but to bid farewell. Right before leaving, Lao Jin specifically pulled Qi Zhou to the side, “If head general plans something big, you must send someone to tell me! We all want to protect head general and the others. You are like us, do you understand?”
Qi Zhou gave him a troubled look but felt that there was nothing wrong with his statement, “Officer Jin, don’t worry. If something really does happen, I will be sure to send someone to inform you!”
After everyone left, Marquis Gu’s Manor returned to being as silent as it had been before, with only the flickering candles illuminating the long halls.
Yu Fu blankly watched the lights flicker. Nobody in the hall spoke. Even the usually-lively Gu Xiang and Gu Yi were silent. There was absolutely no festive atmosphere.
She suddenly stood up with a smile, “We can’t just sit around all night while waiting for the new year, right? That would be too boring. Fifth brother, sixth brother, how about we perform a mystical show for everyone?”
