Who needed to unleash such a vicious dog?
And let him return to the court again?
Whose world is this court, after all?
Mr. Gu's expression remained calm.
"It's the court's necessity. Probing further would involve too many implications. Everyone needs to understand it was merely a struggle within the hall at that time. Since the cause is clear, the matter can be concluded," he said. "The emperor's health is poor, and the Crown Prince has just been appointed. Now it's important to stabilize people's hearts."
"If the matter is to conclude without involving more, there are many ways to achieve it. It doesn't necessarily mean releasing him," Miss Jun said, taking a step forward, "On whose orders?"
She was aggressive, asking again, seemingly as if Mr. Gu's answer was no answer at all.
Mr. Gu looked at her.
"Is Miss Jun suggesting that I belong to Lu Yunqi and that releasing him was at my behest?" he laughed.
Miss Jun looked at him without laughing.
Mr. Gu also stopped smiling.
"It's not my requirement," he said. "It's the need of the Crown Prince."
Miss Jun's expression was mocking.
"So, are you saying Prince Huai is the same as the emperor?" she said deliberately.
Like that shameless and cowardly Prince Qi, only daring to hide behind and relying on ruthless officials to secure the throne.
Is this humiliating Prince Huai or humiliating her?
"Miss Jun, the same need does not mean being the same person," Mr. Gu said slowly, stepping forward as well, "Does Miss Jun not understand the current situation? Does Miss Jun think that everything is settled and peaceful now with Prince Huai's appointment as Crown Prince? The court today is fraught with hidden dangers, beset with external threats not yet quelled and internal issues arising."
He pointed towards the towering palace behind him.
"At this moment, the empress is still within the palace, and her position is unshakeable."
This is indeed true. The empress's status cannot be shaken. Officials may allow the emperor to abdicate, but no one can move the empress, and the Crown Prince must respect the empress. This is the principle of heaven and earth, or else he would bear the infamy of being unfilial.
And the empress would obviously not favor this Crown Prince.
Miss Jun looked at Mr. Gu.
Mr. Gu still didn't give her a chance to speak, raising his voice once more.
"At this moment, three princes have already come of age without fault and should be appointed as dukes."
"At this moment, it's the court disputing over the decision of the Crown Prince, with most agreeing, yet some officials still dissenting."
"At this moment, the Crown Prince is only ten years old, questioning his youthful capacity."
"At this moment, the Duke of Chengguo holds significant military power. Today he supported Prince Huai as the Crown Prince, but who can guarantee he won't instigate a coup in the future?"
Miss Jun's eyes suddenly became sharp.
"You..." she said.
"Miss Jun, you overestimate yourself," Mr. Gu interrupted her, his eyes equally sharp, "You also underestimate human nature. This is the court, this is the state of the nation, the greatest temptation under heaven. People can only guarantee the present moment, no one can guarantee the future. Huang Cheng didn't enter office with a desire for power, Uncle Qinghe didn't initially lead troops with the intent of seizing power, Prince Qi didn't dream of the throne in his youth."
Miss Jun clenched her hands tightly before her.
"Who dares guarantee the future of a changing heart?" Mr. Gu said somberly, once again looking towards the palace, "Who dares ensure that great achievements won't turn into great failures? Who dares ensure Ning Chang won't become another Huang Cheng?"
Miss Jun looked at him.
"And who dares ensure Mr. Gu that you won't become another Eunuch Yuan?" she responded with equal gravity.
Mr. Gu glanced at Miss Jun and suddenly smiled.
"I dare not assure," he said, "So, I invite Miss Jun to keep a close eye on me."
"The human heart cannot be watched into submission," Miss Jun said coolly.
Mr. Gu nodded.
"But having someone watching is better than no one at all," he said, "Miss Jun, nothing in this world is perfectly clean, nor infallible. If things can be made a little better, then it's already not bad. Better now, and better in the future, bit by bit."
Just a little better?
Miss Jun stood in place, somewhat lost, as the sunlight gradually rose, making the palace appear even more majestic and imposing.
The Crown Prince's investiture ceremony finally concluded, and officials lined up neatly to bow towards the hall, some with indifferent expressions, others with disdain. But suddenly, some stiffened and looked back, followed by more turning to look, their expressions growing complex and strange.
Along the cloister, a person slowly approached, not in a grand red official robe as before, but in the simple green robe of a regular official. Yet this figure's presence still caught everyone's eye.
A commotion stirred in the ranks, whispers rose lowly but swiftly ceased as that person cast their gaze over, silencing them like ice in an instant.
Lu Yunqi retracted his gaze, slowly standing at the end of the line, his expression indifferent, his body stiff but upright, looking towards the grand hall ahead, ignoring the disdain, ridicule, resentment, and fear around him.
He stood here, he would always stand here, watching them, watching her, until death.
...…..
...….
Mr. Gu watched as the woman left in her carriage, not following, seeming uncertain where to go as he stood before the palace gate, but suddenly his eyes brightened as he saw a carriage approaching.
The carriage appeared to have no intention of stopping at the palace gate, and the Imperial Guard at the gate didn't seem to intend to stop it either.
Yet the carriage halted, the curtain lifted, revealing a woman's face.
"Greetings, princess," Mr. Gu stepped forward and saluted.
Just like taking care of Prince Huai at Prince Huai's mansion earlier, now both the Empress Dowager and Emperor are gravely ill in the palace, and the Empress alone is too occupied with managing the harem. Therefore, the Crown Prince has invited Princess Jiuli into the palace to assist the Empress in managing the harem.
Princess Jiuli looked at him with a smile in her expression and nodded slightly.
"Mr. Gu," she said, adding, "It's been a long time."
Upon hearing these words, Mr. Gu lifted his head and also smiled slightly.
"Yes, it's been a long time," he replied.
The two exchanged glances, seeming like they wanted to say something, yet also seeming like there's nothing to say.
"Princess, you come at an unfortunate time, Miss Jun has just gone," Mr. Gu said, having thought of something.
Princess Jiuli nodded.
"I just saw her, she said she has things to do and will meet another day," she said.
Mr. Gu exclaimed, and once again silence fell between them—a silence that was not awkward, but rather peaceful and comfortable.
It was probably because they had shared many such silent moments over the years.
"Then I shall head inside first," Princess Jiuli nodded and said.
Mr. Gu again bowed.
Princess Jiuli let down the curtain, and the carriage headed toward the palace.
Mr. Gu watched her carriage for a long time without moving.
…
…
The ceremony for establishing the Crown Prince was completed, and the Crown Prince presided over state affairs. The Empress ended her tenure behind the curtain and returned to the harem to care for the Emperor. As previously stated, Duke of Chengguo's army also withdrew to the Capital Suburb Camp, while the scattered woodcutters along Jingdong Road were finally completely cleared, and Yu Chihai was captured alive.
The people no longer paid attention to the chaos within or the complicated affairs following at the royal court. Everyone was simply relieved that there was a new emperor, the woodcutters were driven back, and life finally became peaceful again.
The streets of the capital regained their bustle, though they remained quiet in the early morning.
Knock-knock, the door sounded loudly on the quiet street.
"Noble Son Ning, why do you always either come too late or too early?" Fang Jinxiu looked at the young noble standing outside the door, frowned, and said.
These words made Ning Yunzhao pause slightly.
"Perhaps, it's unfortunate timing?" he responded.
Unfortunately, he came too early and missed Jun Zhenzhen.
Unfortunately, he came too late and missed Miss Jun.
Fang Jinxiu pursed her lips, not knowing what he was thinking but aware that he's probably lost in random thoughts again.
"Come in and sit," Miss Jun had already come out upon hearing him and invited him with a smile.
Fang Jinxiu walked away, waving her hand.
"Have the gifts been prepared?" she casually tossed over her shoulder.
Miss Jun responded, watching Fang Jinxiu walk into the backyard.
"Tea or going out for a meal?" she turned to ask Ning Yunzhao.
It's so early, they haven't had breakfast yet.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"Just a cup of tea, I really don't have time for a meal," he said, "You know there's so much to do in the court lately."
Miss Jun nodded and offered him a seat, personally bringing over tea.
"Are you going out?" Ning Yunzhao asked.
Miss Jun nodded.
"Leaving in a little while," she said, smiling again, "so, your timing is quite right."
This was in response to his comment about unfortunate timing.
Ning Yunzhao laughed heartily.
"That is indeed fortunate timing, I happen to want to ask you something," he said.
Miss Jun looked at him expectantly.
Ever since the palace upheaval, this was their first meeting. This matter could be said to have been a cooperative effort, yet the two of them hadn't met or spoken throughout.
Miss Jun didn't even understand how this matter occurred; many details are only known by Ning Yunzhao.
At this moment, there is much to say and ask, and there are many current and future matters to discuss and deliberate.
There are too many issues, each so important, not knowing where to begin or which to address first.
Ning Yunzhao pondered for a moment.
"About you and Heir Zhu, is it true?" he lifted his head and asked.
…
…
(The last chapter is still to come, it might be quite late, but it will be written eventually.)