Chapter 39: The Wind Enters the Sword Pavilion

Emperor Yong'an's reaction was entirely within Gu Yuye's expectations.

Back when Gu Fangchen was still nominally Gu Yuye's biological son, Emperor Yong'an hadn't deigned to set eyes upon the fellow in nineteen years.

Before Gu Fangchen's Dantian and meridians were shattered, Emperor Yong'an would occasionally inquire about his progress in cultivation and his studies.

Afterward, he couldn't even be bothered to ask. At most, whenever Gu Fangchen caused trouble, he would issue a mild reprimand to Gu Yuye, telling him to keep a tighter leash on the boy.

Now that the true heir had been recognized and Gu Fangchen's identity was shrouded in doubt, Emperor Yong'an had immediately summoned him. He wasn't even bothering to put on a pretense anymore.

Emperor Yong'an's single remark of "how interesting" probably meant he had been smiling for a good long while before dispatching Xiao Qiu to deliver the imperial decree...

In this round, half the game had been lost right from the start.

Had it not been for that Gu Fangchen who had been replaced by some unknown person, when had he, the revered Sage of Military Strategy, ever suffered such a massive setback?!

Yet... entering the palace might not necessarily be a bad opportunity.

A shadow flickered across Gu Yuye's gaze, and his fingers twitched behind his back. He looked at the plump eunuch before him and said calmly:

"Since His Majesty wishes to see him, it is naturally that unfilial wretch's honor."

The round, Maitreya-Buddha-like plump eunuch wore a benign expression. He was none other than Xiao Qiu, the Grand Eunuch and Director of the Directorate of Ceremonies.

Hearing this, Xiao Qiu smiled amiably and said:

"Judging by the Prince's tone, you still acknowledge the heir. I suppose that even if the heir is not of the Prince's bloodline, a dozen or more years of paternal affection cannot simply be severed."

"In the past, no matter how catastrophic the trouble the heir caused, it is said the Prince never resorted to beating or scolding him, merely confining him for a few days. His Majesty often remarked upon the deep father-son bond within the Prince of Zhenbei's estate."

"Surely things haven't reached the point where you would instantly turn hostile and put that wretched boy to death..."

He shook his head and sighed. "I imagine there were simply too many eyes and ears at White Horse Temple, and someone saw amiss."

At this point, Xiao Qiu lightly patted his own cheek:

"Ah, this old servant is a man without descendants, and I often yearn for such familial joy. If I have spoken out of turn, I trust the Prince will not take offense."

Gu Yuye narrowed his eyes and said indifferently:

"You jest, Eunuch. If that unfilial wretch remembers the estate's nineteen years of raising him and does not turn his blade against us, this Prince will already be thanking the heavens."

His tone was resolute and awe-inspiring:

"This Prince acts purely on facts. If that wretch has truly had no dealings with the Demonic Cult, what harm is there in keeping him fed and housed within the estate?"

"But if he has genuinely acted as a jackal for the tiger, this Prince will certainly show no mercy!"

Gu Yuye's eyes were glacial.

Not only had they failed to uncover any evidence linking Gu Fangchen to the Demonic Cult, but the boy had actually turned the tables on him.

On the surface, he could no longer make a move rashly.

However, neither could Gu Fangchen.

By returning his own identity to square one, while hobbling Gu Yuye, he had simultaneously restricted himself.

The Great Wei dynasty revered Confucianism, and its foremost guiding principle was that rulers must act like rulers, ministers like ministers, fathers like fathers, and sons like sons.

In all matters, one demanded a justified and righteous cause.

Relying on Ding Xingfeng to strike down one of his military puppets was a trick that could not be repeated twice within the Imperial City of Huangtian.

Once Gu Fangchen failed to nail Gu Yuye down and convict him with absolute certainty, the entire officialdom of Great Wei, a good portion of the immortal sects, and every single disciple of Yaoshan Academy would instantly turn into hostile adversaries, and the righteous path would essentially become closed to him.

"How could that be? The heir's innate nature isn't bad; he was simply led astray by those poisons and injuries. Alas, I wonder who could be so ruthless as to inflict such a vicious hand upon a child."

Xiao Qiu continued:

"Still, My Lord, it's not that this servant speaks out of turn, but the Princess Consort is, after all, the foremost beauty on the Ledger of Rouge. How could there ever be such a..."

Gu Yuye said coldly:

"Eunuch, mind your words! There are undoubtedly villains behind the scenes stirring up trouble, attempting to blur the lines and sow discord!"

"In this Prince's view, this looks far more like a panicked maneuver born of the Demonic Cult's guilty conscience."

"Acting under His Majesty's decree, this Prince is still investigating this matter with all our might. I trust Eunuch will refrain from parroting rumors! Otherwise, you might well be suspected of colluding with the Demonic Cult!"

If anyone else had been slapped with such a righteous and towering accusation by the Prince of Zhenbei, they would likely have been frightened out of their wits.

Yet Xiao Qiu merely wore a distressed expression and said:

"This servant also believes in the Prince's character, but I have heard that the Princess Consort's maternal family seems to have caught wind of this and raised quite a ruckus..."

The Princess Consort's maternal family was, naturally, the Sword Pavilion.

The premier sect of the Six Hua Dao and the absolute pinnacle of swordsmanship across the realm.

Gu Yuye took a deep breath.

The reason he had kept aloof from other women for all these years, treating Ning Caiyong with mutual respect, was precisely because he had once sworn a vow to the Sword Pavilion that he would take only Ning Caiyong for the rest of his life.

Otherwise, how could a mere claim of "love at first sight" have ever persuaded that Sword Saint—who had personally petitioned to carry Ning Caiyong on his back for twelve thousand miles to her wedding?

The true super-nuclear bomb that Gu Fangchen's move was intended to detonate was none other than the Sword Saint!

This was the problem Gu Yuye genuinely needed to guard against.

Gu Yuye said coldly:

"Idle gossip. Once I unmask the mastermind behind the scenes, the Sword Saint will naturally understand the truth."

Xiao Qiu smiled, cupped his fists, and said:

"Then I wish the Prince a swift discovery of the truth."

Gu Yuye glanced at him and summoned someone to fetch Gu Fangchen.

Although it was already close to midnight, when Emperor Yong'an wished to do something, he naturally had no need to consider anyone else's mood.

Gu Fangchen hurried over shortly after. The clothes he wore were newly changed, though the collar was crooked.

Around his neck was actually a distinct, vivid red bite mark!

Judging by the size of the impressions, it unquestionably belonged to a woman.

Gu Yuye's gaze swept up and down over Gu Fangchen with bone-chilling coldness. Even though he was certain this person must have been replaced, for a moment he could find no flaws.

Under circumstances like these, he still had the leisure to dally with women...

If this weren't that brainless profligate, he truly couldn't imagine anyone else pulling off such an absurd stunt.

Yet Gu Yuye's expression darkened a fraction more.

For the aura emanating from Gu Fangchen belonged precisely to that attendant, Xiyin!

Princess Prajna could actually go to such lengths for that sacred object?!

A sharp glint flashed in Gu Yuye's eyes, and his conviction deepened—if that was the case, the sacred object in his own hands would surely be able to exert an even greater effect.

Gu Fangchen straightened his garments, patted the golden-threaded avian damask patterns on his fabric without changing his expression, and then greeted them with a cheeky grin.

"Eunuch Xiao! Could it be that my talent is simply too monstrous, and the fact that a Martial Sage is practically begging to take me as a disciple has even startled His Majesty?"

Xiao Qiu: "..."

He had seen shameless people, but never anyone quite this shameless.

Huangtian City's most infamous profligate truly lived up to his reputation.

With a chuckle, Xiao Qiu replied:

"Indeed, His Majesty is also rather curious about this. It's just that the Martial Sage lives in seclusion and presumably has no wish to face the Emperor, otherwise His Majesty would have summoned him as well."

Gu Fangchen grinned broadly, glanced back toward Old Man Ding's quarters, and generously declared:

"No matter. As the Martial Sage's most beloved, sole, and true personal disciple, my presence is equivalent to the Martial Sage's presence."

"Humph!"

A cold snort echoed faintly from the night.

Everyone could practically picture the old man glaring furiously.

Yet, given Ding Xingfeng's volatile and violent temper, he merely snorted and left it at that, making no further move...

Xiao Qiu looked at Gu Fangchen with a profound gaze. It appeared this fellow truly was the Martial Sage's most beloved disciple.

Just as he was about to leave, Xiao Qiu suddenly paused, slapped his forehead, turned back with a beaming smile, and said:

"Oh, right, this servant almost forgot. Out of consideration for the Prince and fearing you might fret, His Majesty has already specifically consulted the Canliao Pillar and had the State Preceptor cast a divination."

"I imagine a definitive conclusion regarding whether the heir is truly of the Prince's bloodline will arrive shortly. I ask the Prince to set his mind at ease."

Gu Yuye: "..."

Expressionless, he watched the two figures soar into the sky and vanish into streams of light.

That creature—neither male nor female—was still just as adept at making one's stomach turn...

Gu Yuye dismissed his subordinates, took a single step forward, and instantly returned to White Horse Temple.

Standing before the courtyard, he looked at the abbot sweeping the steps at the entrance and said indifferently:

"Trouble the Abbot to announce me. Gu Yuye wishes to see Princess Prajna, regarding... the matter of the Lotus Concealed in the Womb."