As the Left Chancellor of Chu Yu, Gu Qingxing’s talent and capability were beyond question.
If not, he wouldn’t have earned the late emperor’s favor, rising swiftly through the ranks to become Chu Yu’s only legendary chancellor who attained the position before the age of thirty.
By conventional logic, a high-ranking minister with such brilliance would naturally be a cause for concern for a reigning sovereign.
Yet the late emperor never doubted Gu Qingxing’s intentions. Since his entry into the court, he had been given every honor and office without exception.
On the day the emperor fell gravely ill, he closed the palace gates and summoned only Gu Qingxing, entrusting him with the young heir, Jun Heng.
In the twenty-third year of the Zhaoyuan era, Emperor Jun Jing passed away.
Gu Qingxing ignored the murmurs of the ministers and, leading seventeen-year-old Jun Heng, stepped into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, setting the new era name as Chengxi.
Gu Jiao admired her father immensely for this.
Before Jun Heng’s ascension, all military power in the capital rested in Gu Qingxing’s hands—and he had never even glanced at it.
During Jun Heng’s three years on the throne, he frequently feigned illness to skip court, leaving almost all official matters in Gu Qingxing’s capable hands.
Gradually, rumors began to spread within and outside the court, the most persistent being that the Left Chancellor was effectively controlling the state as regent.
Because of this, any ambitious minister visiting the Left Chancellor’s estate would subtly or overtly try to persuade him to depose the emperor and seize power.
Gu Qingxing always welcomed them warmly, listened to their petitions, then found an excuse to send them to distant provinces to gain “experience.”
Gu Jiao felt deeply impressed. This, she thought, is what it means to be the pillar of a nation.
Yet… at times, she wondered how her father could tolerate and indulge Jun Heng’s temperament.
After all, Jun Heng could hardly be called a wise ruler.
The neighboring Grand Tutor Ning had more than once lost patience, storming into her father’s study to slam the table and openly question why he insisted on supporting Jun Heng as emperor.
Fortunately, the Gu household had few spies; otherwise, even a single word leaking out could have been enough to bring down nine generations of the Gu and Ning families.
Regardless, the Left Chancellor’s prestige, both in court and among the people, was unmatched.
To put it bluntly, even if Gu Jiao openly defied imperial orders, Jun Heng could do nothing to her family.
Even Ning Feizhi understood this, so Gu Jiao certainly did as well.
She lowered her gaze slightly, offering no response to Ning Feizhi’s tone of frustrated exasperation.
“How is the capital these days?” she asked lightly.
Ning Feizhi pursed his lips. “Which part do you mean?”
When she gave him a cool, measured glance, he continued: “If you mean the court, the young emperor rarely attends sessions. Since your departure, the Left Chancellor has taken on all duties, claiming illness at times. With no leadership, the civil ministers are beside themselves.”
“Then there are those few troublemakers spreading rumors about the Left Chancellor colluding with Nan Ning to plot against the throne.”
Seeing Gu Jiao’s brow furrow slightly, Ning Feizhi made a calming gesture: “But those rumors have yet to gain any traction; no real chaos has broken out.”
“And my father… is he doing all right?” Gu Jiao asked, suppressing the worry rising in her chest.
“He’s fine. He just… knows that after you received the imperial edict and entered the palace, you’ve locked yourself away in the study,” Ning Feizhi said leisurely.
Noticing her expression briefly soften, he put aside his playful smile.
“So, Gu Jiao, why did you insist on accepting the edict?”
On the day Jun Heng issued the decree, Gu Qingxing was not in the residence. Had he been present, he would never have allowed Gu Jiao to defy imperial orders.
Ning Feizhi had known Gu Jiao for many years. He understood her temperament; she wouldn’t act merely on impulse. Therefore, he knew she had entered the palace voluntarily.
Gu Jiao traced her fingers along the cup rim, then after a moment, said: “Feizhi, if it were you, how would you judge Chu Yu today?”
Ning Feizhi raised an eyebrow, thinking seriously. “Gold and jade on the outside, rotten inside.”
A few years ago, Chu Yu could still be called prosperous.
During the Zhaoyuan Emperor’s reign, he was diligent, talented, and commanding without raising his voice. From top to bottom, officials were responsible and meticulous.
But at some point, the Zhaoyuan Emperor seemed to fade into a shadow of himself, losing the commanding presence of a ruler.
From then on, the court’s atmosphere gradually relaxed.
Fortunately, thanks to the early foundations laid, the ministers hadn’t acted recklessly.
After the emperor’s death, the young Jun Heng ascended the throne with a weak constitution. The court, sensing the opportunity, began maneuvering.
Officials were outwardly obedient but secretly scheming, and the common people fared no better.
Although Gu Qingxing and a few loyal high-ranking ministers maintained a semblance of stability, it was not a sustainable plan.
Even minor unrest could ripple through the entire state.
“Unrest…” Ning Feizhi’s gaze sharpened.
Sensing his reaction, Gu Jiao knew he understood her meaning.
“If Xie Changling dares show his intentions openly, it’s only because he believes Chu Yu will not act rashly.”
“Xie Chongyu is from the Gu household. If the Xie family schemes, how can the Gu household remain uninvolved?”
Ning Feizhi was silent, then asked: “You’re worried… they might intervene and implicate the Left Chancellor?”
“Not exactly,” Gu Jiao continued. “Even if my father were implicated, the real concern is that once the balance in the court is disturbed, no one can predict the consequences.”
“Nan Ning watches eagerly. At this moment, Chu Yu cannot afford another mistake.”
“And how does this concern you entering the palace?” Ning Feizhi pressed, tone sharpening.
Gu Jiao spoke candidly: “By staying here, I may not sever ties with the Xie family entirely, but at least it proves the Left Chancellor’s household stands with His Majesty.”
“As for other matters, if my father deems it necessary, he will handle them appropriately.”
Ning Feizhi pursed his lips, glanced out the window, then turned to her with a serious expression: “On your way here, the Left Chancellor wanted me to tell you: if you choose to leave, in a few days, the Consort would be gravely endangered by a tragic accident.”
“At the time, I wondered why he used the word ‘choose.’ Now, it seems you and your father both understood the implications.”
He added, irritation creeping in: “But this is merely a temporary measure. You can’t stay here forever.”
Thinking of this, he ground his teeth. “By the way, I haven’t asked—has Jun Heng given you any trouble these past days?”
Gu Jiao thought for a moment and shook her head honestly. “I’ve only seen him once.”
It was just last night.
“At other times, it’s just tea, some reading, and occasionally reminiscing about the peach pastries from Xiányún Pavilion,” she sighed.
Ning Feizhi, expecting her to lament miserably, was momentarily dumbstruck, unable to respond.
“He keeps a cold face for everyone, and you two have old grievances… maybe he was taking the chance to get back at you.”
As an old friend of Gu Jiao, Ning Feizhi naturally had some acquaintance with Jun Heng.
He simply couldn’t tolerate Jun Heng’s attitude. Even knowing he was a prince, Ning Feizhi had never tried to curry favor with him.
Gu Jiao shook her head with a wry smile at Ning Feizhi’s indignant words. “Calling the emperor by name, here in the palace—you really want to tempt fate?”
“If he were capable, he’d have summoned me to the palace himself,” Ning Feizhi said nonchalantly, swirling his teacup and snorting. “But this is all the power he has.”
Gu Jiao feigned surprise. “The palace, huh… you have a taste for that?”
A man in the palace… aside from the kind of habit, there was only one identity possible.
Ning Feizhi choked slightly, then quickly glared at her to stop her teasing.
“I risked coming to see you, and you’re too heartless,” he said angrily.
Gu Jiao smiled and poured him some more tea. “All right, all right, Ning Shaoye, I’m truly grateful for your efforts.”
“Don’t change the subject,” Ning Feizhi grumbled. “What are you planning to do next?”
“You hold the title of Consort in name only, after all.”
“I’m not actually marrying him,” Gu Jiao said lightly.
It was only an empty title without even the formal rites; she didn’t think it mattered.
She understood what Ning Feizhi was worried about, so she added, “Besides, even without Jun Heng, I’ve had a proper engagement before. Three letters and six ceremonies, all done. This is no different.”
Ning Feizhi still looked annoyed, about to argue, but then paused and looked at her strangely.
“Gu Jiao, tell me the truth… are you taking revenge on Xie Er?”
“…What does he have to do with this?” Gu Jiao twisted the corner of her mouth.
Ning Feizhi mentioning Xie Chongyu reminded her of the dream from last night.
“Even if you hold a grudge against him, you can’t just let yourself go like this,” Ning Feizhi said, frowning. “Actually, I know some young men from good families, decent-looking and well-mannered. If needed, I could help make some introductions?”
“But don’t even think about me,” he added with a sniff. “Even if they’re inferior to me, I can’t bear to see myself compromised.”
Gu Jiao: …
Sometimes she really wished Ning Feizhi were mute.
To change the topic, she clapped her hands lightly. “Ah, by the way, I just happened to get a very interesting book. Want to see it?”
Although the contents were a bit absurd, it matched Ning Feizhi’s personality, and perhaps he could even take it as a confidant.
“A book?” Ning Feizhi’s expression shifted slightly, and he repeated the word strangely.
“It’s something a palace maid picked up a few days ago. You’ll like it,” Gu Jiao said as she walked to the desk and began searching for The Secret Records of Tian Yu.
“You should probably warn Grand Tutor Ning. If this kind of book spreads, the Hanlin Academy will have trouble,” she added, recalling that it involved the current emperor and high-ranking officials.
Retrieving the book and sitting back down, Gu Jiao handed it to Ning Feizhi, smiling. She thought someone like him would feel he’d found a treasure too late.
Yet Ning Feizhi didn’t take it, merely looking at the cover with a complicated expression.
“What’s wrong?” Gu Jiao asked curiously.
“You’ve… already read it?” Ning Feizhi asked hesitantly.
Gu Jiao nodded, puzzled.
“You’re not angry?”
“Why would I be angry?” she smiled lightly. “It’s just a shell. The person inside isn’t me.”
Suddenly remembering something, she set the book down and stared at Ning Feizhi. “So… you’ve already seen it?”
Otherwise, why would he ask if she was angry?
Ning Feizhi fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice: “Hmm… you could say that.”
“You could say that?”
“When I wrote it, I took a peek,” he admitted cautiously, raising his eyes to meet hers.
Gu Jiao’s smile faltered.
“You know, these days the people live well, and when there’s free time, I enjoy reading anecdotes and unofficial histories,” Ning Feizhi said rapidly, as if afraid he wouldn’t finish.
“I suddenly had the inspiration, but my fictional characters weren’t enough to hold interest, so I borrowed a little from someone around me.”
“After all, it’s just a shell—”
“Gu Jiao! What are you doing?!”
“You still have the nerve to ask me? You should’ve been kicked out by Grand Tutor Ning!”
The pole she had used to prop a window was now in her hand.
She smiled gently, twirling the long pole deftly in her grasp.
“You said you wouldn’t get angry!” Ning Feizhi barely dodged the pole aimed at him, shouting.
Gu Jiao paused, considering; it seemed he had a point.
“Fine, I won’t be angry.”
“Then put down what’s in your hands first!”
“Oh,” Gu Jiao nodded, then raised her hand and stepped forward—
“Ah!!!”