Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Happy Families, Sorrowful Families

By the time Zhao Qiuming walked out of the palace, the man who once prided himself as a straight-backed scholar was now stooped and hobbling. The path from the gates to his carriage wasn’t long, but Zhao Qiuming took a long time to reach the ride as if he was an ordinary old man.

Meanwhile, Xianzong summoned a few court ladies that had entered the palace last year, but had yet to receive imperial favor, into his study. All of them were wearing identical dresses and hairstyles, their chests draped with gauze that exposed their youthful figures and innocence.

“You’re all still standing?” Jing Zhong barked at them after they’d paid their respects to Xianzong.

As an ensemble of instruments began to play, the girls started dancing. Xianzong watched the show as his careless gaze soon grew intent. Once again, the blossoming flowers eased the troubles of an emperor’s heart.

—

Yu Xiaoxiao followed the two Gu brothers back home. She had hardly gotten off the carriage when old Supreme Commander Gu walked out from the front gates. He made sure the trio were alright with his own eyes before exhaling in relief. “Princess, are you well?”

Yu Xiaoxiao said, “I’m fine, ah, grandpa. Are you planning to go out?”

Why would I go out now? I was about to die from worry, the old man thought.

Gu Xingnuo approached him and muttered, “It’s fine now, Zhao Beicheng’s been locked up in the prisons.”

The old man was lost. “How did this matter get that Zhao Beicheng fellow involved?”

Gu Xingnuo reviewed the case and realized he couldn’t explain it all at once. Meanwhile, Yu Xiaoxiao only said casually, “Grandpa, Jing Mo’s invited Little Gu and me to eat out tonight. How about our whole family skip making dinner and eat at Big Bowl Restaurant together?”

The old patriarch replied, “Eldest Prince Jing has invited you two to dinner again?”

Gu Xingnuo pulled his grandfather inside. Couldn’t they wait to discuss things at home instead?

Back at the old man’s study, Yu Xiaoxiao asked if the whole family wanted to tag along for dinner while Gu Xingnuo explained everything that had happened in the palace. Gu Xinglang was one of the participants as well, but didn’t get a chance to speak up during their conversations.

The old patriarch smiled at Yu Xiaoxiao, then looked stunned at Gu Xingnuo. His face began to hurt with all the changes in expression before he said, “Princess, ah, Jing Mo didn’t invite our whole family. How could we tag along?”

“There’s a rule like that?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked. “Inviting guests doesn’t invite the whole family?”

The old patriarch nodded. Are Jing Mo’s meals really so delicious? What if others say our Gu Clan’s consorting with the enemy?

Yu Xiaoxiao nodded at him before losing interest and going to sit next to Gu Xinglang. Only then did Gu Xingnuo open his mouth.

“Grandfather, have the princess return to her rooms to rest first.”

The old patriarch said, “If princess is tired, you should go back.”

Gu Xinglang spoke up before Yu Xiaoxiao could say she wasn’t tired. “There’s food in the rooms.”

Yu Xiaoxiao rose to her feet and left. She hadn’t understood all of Eldest Brother Gu’s words, so it was better to go back and snack instead. Once she left, Gu Xinglang then told his grandfather and eldest brother, “His Sixth Highness wanted to find his cousins to play, so the princess brought him to the Zhao Estate. She never meant to ruin the Zhao Clan.”

“You’re saying everything was a coincidence?” Gu Xingnuo asked.

“It really was just a coincidence,” Gu Xinglang confirmed.

The old patriarch sputtered into laughter. The Zhao Clan has unlucky days too? He’d really witnessed a new world today. Gu Xingnuo was smiling as well, although he wasn’t fully convinced. Taking His Sixth Highness out of the palace, then have His Majesty send people to the Zhao Estate while Her Royal Highness and His Sixth Highness was there? Zhao Beicheng trying to snatch the child and the princess making her accusation, while Jing Mo arrived in the nick of time to ask for the boy? If there was a missing link anywhere, none of today’s events would have happened. Is this really a coincidence?

“It’s good that His Seventh Highness is unharmed,” the old patriarch said. “The Zhao Clan is a tree with deep roots in the imperial court. It’s impossible to hope that they’ll topple.”

“What will the Zhao Clan do next?” Gu Xinglang asked.

The old patriarch and Gu Xingnuo both shook their heads. It was now Prime Minister Zhao and his daughter’s move on the chessboard, so all they could do was wait and watch.

—

The high official of the justice courts was called to the Zhao Estate and assumed that Prime Minister Zhao would tell him to take good care of his eldest son in the prisons. But after hearing Zhao Qiuming’s murmured instructions, he was stunned.

“Prime Minister, why go to such lengths?” Even the most vicious tigers never ate their own cubs. How could Zhao Qiuming bear to be so ruthless to his own son?

Zhao Qiuming waved a hand at him and said, “I’ve already decided, just go back and make the arrangements.”

The official replied, “Prime Minister, this matter requires careful thought, ah.”

Zhao Qiuming didn’t speak as he continued to wave his hand.

The official felt his legs grow weak as he left the Zhao Clan. His retainers helped him into his sedan chair, where he sat for awhile before finally issuing orders. “Back to the justice courts.”

Yamen attendants walked in front, beating gongs to clear his way. The official’s body was jolted by the movements of his sedan chair. If he hadn’t held back by force, he would want to run back to Zhao Qiuming right now and demand some answers. Was sacrificing one’s son really worth it for the sake of glory and riches?

As the sedan chair passed by the big stone bridge, one of the retainers spoke up by the window. “Your Excellency, White Tiger Nation’s Grand Marshal Zuo is sitting at the head of the bridge.”

The official made a noise of assent and absently brushed aside the curtains to look out. There, Zuo You and two retainers were sitting at a table by Granny Wang’s food stall. Before them was a pile of empty bowls. The cold autumn winds buffeted them, leaving Zuo You sniffling for a while.

One of Zuo You’s retainers had his hands in his sleeves as he spoke. “Master, we’ve been here since last night. Princess Linglong definitely isn’t coming. We should go back and rest.”

Zuo You said, “Last night she clearly said she was coming to the night markets, ah.”

His two retainers both secretly rolled their eyes. Their master had turned strange ever since meeting Princess Linglong. It was already broad daylight, so how could there be any more night markets?

“How about you visit the Gu Estate to find the princess, master?” his other retainer suggested. They’d caused Granny Wang to work overnight because she was afraid to pack up her stall or chase them away. As humans, they should have some basic self-awareness.

Zuo You replied, “I’m mortal enemies with Gu Xinglang. Why should I go to his house?”

What mortal enemies? You’ve already eaten with him at the same table, the two retainers thought.

Finally, a third retainer ran over from the other side of the bridge with a face full of sweat. “Master, we’ve made inquiries. Tonight Jing Mo’s invited Princess Linglong and Gu Xinglang to a meal at Big Bowl Restaurant.”

“Jing Mo?” Zuo You asked.

The retainer nodded.

“Motherf**king!” Zuo You slammed the table and stood up with a curse. “That fellow’s asked the princess out to eat for the second time already. I just knew it, he’s got evil intentions!”

The three retainers all turned away to roll their eyes. I don’t think Eldest Prince Jing has a hobby of getting beat up by women.

“I’ll go tonight too,” Zuo You said before striding away.

The three retainer chased after him and asked, “Then where are we going now?”

“To the posthouse,” Zuo You said, “I’m going to wash up and change my clothes.”