Chapter 39: Chapter 39: State Preceptor Cheng Guan

Although Yu Xiaoxiao was gobsmacked, her expression didn’t vary much from its usual wooden cast. This father’s going to send off his less-than-one-year-old son to be a hostage in another country? Is it true that motherless children are just like a blade of grass? Two days ago, she said this was none of her business (不干人事). Now it seemed like she was wrong, this fatuous ruler really did no humane business (不干人事), ah.

Xianzong faced Yu Xiaoxiao’s cold look and braced himself. “Zhuri is a superior state. Your little brother will live better there than here in Fengtian. Linglong, imperial–imperial father wouldn’t hurt your brother.”

“Your Majesty!” “Do you take me for an idiot?!” Both Gu Xinglang and Yu Xiaoxiao exclaimed at the same time.

Thanks to his illness and loss of blood, Gu Xinglang’s expression was green. How could a sovereign of a nation say such self deprecating things? He was so angry he started shaking. Yu Xiaoxiao was mad too. Is this fatuous ruler trying to trick me just because I haven’t read much books?!

Their combined cries sent Xianzong toppling back in his seat. He was uncertain to begin with, but now he turned downright restless. However, when he recalled the words of Consort Zhao and Hua, he realized he could only sacrifice one of his seven sons. What else could he do?

“Zhen has already made his choice. There’s no need for you two to say any more,” Xianzong told Yu Xiaoxiao and Gu Xinglang. “Zhen is feeling unwell, so you should withdraw.”

“Your Majesty,” Gu Xinglang tried, “His Seventh Highness has yet to reach one years of age. How could he survive the long trip to Zhuri?”

Jing Mo looked at Gu Xinglang. Amongst all the things in Fengtian, the only point he admired was their capable generals. Unfortunately, in the hands of an unworthy master, even the rarest pearl would only be covered by wind and dust. “Is the royal son-in-law concerned that I won’t take good care of your country’s seventh highness?” he asked.

Gu Xinglang glared at him. Both men had heard of the other, but this was their first time meeting face to face. Neither liked his enemy.

“Your Royal Highness,” Jing Mo’s gaze lingered on Gu Xinglang’s ankles before shifting to Yu Xiaoxiao. “My Zhuri Country is far more prosperous than Fengtian. It’s not a bad thing for His Seventh Highness to go over there.”

He had dropped his voice and smiled while he spoke, making it both husky and sexy. Yu Xiaoxiao cleared her throat. She had to be strong–she liked his type of voice, but she wouldn’t fall for the same trap in two lifetimes! Meanwhile, Gu Xinglang suddenly felt uncomfortable with Jing Mo speaking to his wife. He tugged on her sleeve until she looked back at him. Abruptly, Yu Xiaoxiao remembered that the scenario had already started changing with herself. Her husband was originally supposed to be skinned to death, but was still alive. So why couldn’t Yu Ziyi end up taking Yu Ziqing as hostage too?

Embarrassed, Gu Xinglang withdrew his hand. Sadly, Yu Xiaoxiao was clueless to all things romantic, so she simply judged his expression as off and bent down to ask, “Do your injuries hurt?”

“They’re fine,” Gu Xinglang shook his head.

“Really?”

“We can think of a solution once we return,” Gu Xinglang lowered his voice. “We can’t make a fuss here.”

“Fine, we’ll do as you say,” Yu Xiaoxiao nodded, then gestured towards the two eunuchs in the side. “Help carry him.”

The two eunuchs didn’t dare to budge as they darted glances at Xianzong.

“Go ahead and withdraw,” Xianzong waved his hand.

Yu Xiaoxiao turned on her heel and stalked out.

“This subject bids farewell,” Gu Xinglang respectfully cupped his fist from his sling chair.

“Go on, take good care of Linglong,” Xianzong was feeling miserable too.

Yu Xiaoxiao descended the steps and entered the courtyard outside of the imperial study. She glanced back at the building and asked, “What do you think Jing Mo’s talking with my imperial father about in there?”

Gu Xinglang was weighed down with cares. “Let’s talk about it back at the estate.”

“Your Royal Highness,” while Yu Xiaoxiao was staring at the three-story building, another voice called out from behind her. She turned and saw a bald man standing before her.

“Your Excellency State Preceptor,” Gu Xinglang tried to sit up and pay his respects.

“No need for formalities, Royal Son-in-Law,” the man hastened to press lightly on Gu Xinglang’s shoulders with a smile. “I’ve heard that your injuries are recovering. This humble monk shall move to congratulate you first.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Yu Xiaoxiao knitted her brows at the monk.

“Princess,” Gu Xinglang explained, “He’s His Excellency State Preceptor, ah.”

The monk before them now was a 30-year-old man with exceedingly fine and chiselled features. He had a high nose and phoenix eyes, most definitely an attractive male. His tranquil bearing was a direct contrast to his flirtatious looks, but didn’t clash with his figure. Yu Xiaoxiao recognized him as the State Preceptor Cheng Guan (澄观), another of the cruel female emperor’s lovers. Yu Xiaoxiao suspected that the cruel female emperor had been trying to find signs of fatherly love from this man; otherwise, why pick a handsome uncle type to be her paramour?

“Your Royal Highness.” Yu Xiaoxiao was staring at the State Preceptor so intensely that he had to look down to make sure his robes were still on right. Finally he continued, “This monk has already heard of His Seventh Highness’s circumstances.”

Gu Xinglang hastened to say, “His Majesty’s already issued the decree?”

The State Preceptor sighed and nodded his head.

Gu Xinglang’s heart was filled with despair. With the imperial decree in place, the problem seemed irredeemable.

The State Preceptor lowered his voice and told Yu Xiaoxiao, “Princess, this monk doesn’t consider it a bad deal.”

From an imperial prince to a hostage is not a bad deal? Yu Xiaoxiao scratched her head and strode forward. As expected, I don’t understand the people of this world at all.

State Preceptor Cheng Guan patted Gu Xinglang on the shoulder before heading for the imperial study. Yu Xiaoxiao’s brain was full of protests as they left the palace and entered the carriage. For a long time, she didn’t speak.

Gu Xinglang thought over the State Preceptor’s words before he finally said, “Princess, esteemed empress has already passed away. Princess’s maternal relatives are far away from the capital as well. There’s no one here who can protect His Seventh Highness, so perhaps his safety will be assured in Zhuri Country?”

“Out from a den of tigers and into a den of wolves?” Yu Xiaoxiao replied. “If this was any good, why would Consort Zhao and the rest yield the chance to my little brother?”

“His Seventh Highness is a prince of the official wife,” Gu Xinglang reminded her.

“So?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked.

“The imperial throne,” Gu Xinglang replied.

Once they chased His Seventh Highness away, the rest of those women’s sons can be emperor? Yu Xiaoxiao snorted. People who don’t know the future sure are tragic.

“If you don’t want to, we can think of another way,” Gu Xinglang assumed that her silence stemmed from helplessness and took her by the hand.

As the carriage trundled past a wine shop, the sound of a woman’s singing drifted into the carriage. Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t understand her song, but felt it was a desolate tune. Gu Xinglang touched a hairpin on her head. Because they had gone to the palace today, his wife had specially dressed up, but there was no joy of a bride on her features. He only felt conscience-stricken that he couldn’t keep out the wind and rain despite being her husband. After some hesitation, Third Young Master Gu drew Yu Xiaoxiao into his arms in an embrace. He wanted to tell her, Don’t be afraid, you have me, but the words couldn’t leave his lips.