Chapter 61
Hearing Gu Yan mention the cold syndrome, that bloody scent again rose in her throat. Yan Xuerui’s face turned pale, and she quickly waved her hand dismissively. “No need, I’m fine now—”
Her words contradicted her earlier statement, and she fell silent.
She would rather endure the torment of the cold syndrome than use Princess Pingyang’s blood for treatment.
Seeing her visibly unwell, Gu Yan thought she was afraid of taking medicine and soothed her gently, “Alright, alright, no medicine today. I’ll buy you some candied fruits.”
“Divine Doctor Gao will accompany you to the palace. Don’t be afraid—that old man knows what he’s doing. He won’t let you suffer.”
Though she had managed to secure Divine Doctor Gao, Yan Xuerui remained uneasy. The matter of Pingyang had frightened her, and Gu Yan’s unusually agreeable attitude this time made her worry that he might become even more unhinged if he found out the truth later.
In truth, the root cause of this matter was Gu Yan himself, yet now it was Yan Xuerui who was trembling with apprehension, as if she had done something wrong. She maintained a calm exterior, but her heart was filled with anxiety.
Gu Yan smiled, his large hand boldly caressing her cheek downward. Yan Xuerui did not avoid his touch, lowering her thick lashes as she allowed his calloused fingertips to send shivers through her. This further confirmed Gu Yan’s assumption—she had always been practical. She ought to understand that being by the emperor’s side was nowhere near as comfortable as being with him.
The emperor had many children, but she was the only one he cared about.
Their breaths intertwined, and the air gradually grew intimate.
Seeing her so obedient, Gu Yan couldn’t resist leaning in to take her small, full earlobe, toying with it recklessly between his teeth. His tall frame completely enveloped Yan Xuerui’s slender figure, making her tremble like prey pinned beneath a predator’s paw.
“Don’t—”
She leaned back, her soft hands pressing against his sturdy shoulders.
“I’m all sweaty and dirty.”
She bit her lower lip tightly, her dark hair disheveled, her expression controlled yet resigned.
At her age, she no longer cared about “chastity.” She simply didn’t want this—simply.
Once, she had believed that restoring her status would grant her the power to control her own life. So, the first thing she did upon returning and seeing Gu Yan was to demand he show her proper respect.
It wasn’t about the formality; she just wanted to tell him that she was now a princess of the court and no longer under his control. But things had spiraled beyond her expectations, especially with Gu Yan. He was little more than a mad dog—unpredictable and impossible to provoke, only to be appeased.
Even her refusals had to be couched in excuses, never spoken outright.
“So fussy.”
Gu Yan scoffed. He had just bathed that morning—how could he be dirty?
Hadn’t he always made sure she was clean afterward?
At his age, Gu Yan had long passed the phase of reckless youth. Physical pleasure meant little to him, but he mistakenly thought her visit today was a gesture of reconciliation, stirring something in his heart.
In the past, she had been cold and distant toward him, crying, causing scenes, and running away, causing chaos everywhere. Later, she grew more sensible and stopped openly rebelling, but her fear of him far outweighed any affection.
Gu Yan had thought he didn’t care, but when she behaved so obediently before him, her dark, glistening eyes making his heart soften and setting it ablaze, he couldn’t help but act urgently.
……
The gauze curtains hung low, a pale arm lay atop the red brocade quilt embroidered with mandarin ducks. Silky black hair spread across the bed as Yan Xuerui leaned against Gu Yan’s shoulder, the corners of her eyes tinged pink.
“Gu Yan.”
Yan Xuerui hadn’t forgotten the purpose of her visit today. Her eyelashes fluttered as she spoke hoarsely, “Divine Doctor Gao…”
“It’s all up to you.”
Gu Yan’s deep voice carried a satisfied laziness. He tucked the damp strands of hair behind her ear and said, “I already agreed earlier. What are you still worried about?”
In the past, especially on the night Gu Yan sneaked into the palace, his actions had always been marked by a fierce, possessive intensity, as if trying to prove something. Today, however, he was in high spirits, his eyes softening with a rare tenderness.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Xuerui spoke softly, testing the waters, “I haven’t seen Young Slave for days. I miss him terribly.”
She still hadn’t given up.
This was such a good opportunity. She knew him well—she didn’t believe Gu Yan had no thoughts on the matter.
She reminded him, “His Majesty isn’t getting any younger.”
“The palace is a lonely place. Another child would bring some liveliness.”
Once again, they brought the topic into the open. The intimate atmosphere in the bedchamber had yet to dissipate, but unlike last time, there was no tension. Gu Yan said solemnly, “If you miss our son, visit the marquis’ estate to see him more often. I won’t stop you.”
“Rui Er, you know I can’t let you take him away from me.”
Yan Xuerui had been right. Before the palace coup, the emperor had repeatedly pressured Gu Yan. Though Gu Yan had already reached the peak of ministerial power, he was still constrained by the thin veil of imperial authority, unable to defy the emperor’s decrees.
He disliked it.
He could wait no longer. Using the crown prince to eliminate the Virtuous Prince, and knowing the crown prince was infertile, he planned to install a puppet child as emperor. Would it matter whether the empire bore the surname Zhou or Gu?
Unexpectedly, through a twist of fate, Yan Xuerui had her royal status restored. Though Gu Yan was consumed by the anger of “being divorced,” he hadn’t lost his rationality.
For now, rather than installing a puppet, it was better to have his own bloodline on the throne. Young Slave, who had yet to be entered into the family registry, was the most suitable candidate.
Emotionally, as Young Slave’s biological father, Gu Yan wouldn't have to worry about future repercussions. The marquis’ estate would continue to thrive, enjoying continued wealth and status for generations.
Logically, Young Slave carried royal blood. History had precedents of a grand princess’s son ascending the throne, so no one could question Young Slave’s legitimacy. Gu Yan would transform from a rebellious traitor to the emperor’s biological father and a pillar of the court.
With such a shortcut available, he wasn’t foolish enough to choose a harder path. But if the price was divorce, even as a temporary measure, it was hard for him to accept.
Moreover, it might not even be fake. Yan Xuerui had a tendency to muddy the waters, and he saw through it without calling her out.
He would rather take a more roundabout path—he wanted both the empire and the beauty.
Yan Xuerui lowered her gaze. She detected some flexibility in his tone, but the timing wasn’t right today, so she didn’t press further. Instead, she changed the subject. “I heard that outside the central gate, when the Virtuous Prince was shot by the crown prince, Second Master had a hand in it.”
The crown prince was weak. Gu Yuan hadn’t been able to restrain himself that day. Under the watchful eyes of many, whether the fatal arrow came from him or the crown prince was a matter of perspective.
During her interactions with the emperor, she sensed his intense dislike for the Gu family. However, for the sake of stabilizing the court, he couldn’t move against them yet.
Yan Xuerui realized that aside from her hollow title of princess, she had nothing. The emperor would grant her a princess’ estate and guards, but Gu Yan’s influence was too strong. She would still be suppressed by him, unable to break free.
She couldn’t rely on the emperor—she could only depend on Gu Yan. Once Gu Yan elevated her and their son to power, and she gained control of his authority, perhaps that would be true freedom.
Her words carried a warning, urging him to be cautious of the emperor. Gu Yan smiled and said, “It’s fine. I know what I’m doing.”
Each lost in their own thoughts, they lingered for a while longer before Yan Xuerui struggled to rise from his chest. She picked up her undergarments, inner robe, and outer gown… The outer gown had been torn by him, but it didn’t matter—there were plenty of her clothes in the estate. She could ask a maid to bring another.
Her hair fell like a waterfall beside her ears, veiling her delicate profile. Gu Yan leaned against the soft pillow, propping up his leg, unabashedly admiring the beauty before him.
As Yan Xuerui fastened her collar with trembling fingers, Gu Yan asked casually, “Are you returning to the palace today?”
"You haven't gone to see Mother."
Ever since she entered the palace that day and swiftly regained her status as a princess, she had not seen the Elder Madame again.
Yan Xuerui paused, remembering that when she first entered the palace, the Elder Madame had been ill. Her mother-in-law had treated her well, and now that the elderly woman was advanced in years, she felt she owed her an explanation.
But Cousin Zhixu...
Yan Xuerui said, "Father Emperor has ordered that I must return to the palace by evening."
"Regarding Mother, I will go another day to apologize. I ask the Marquis to help put in a good word for me."
Gu Yan frowned slightly and said, "At this hour, the boy is awake. I’ll have the nursemaid bring him for you to see."
Zhi’nu had a domineering nature, but he would only giggle happily in his mother’s fragrant embrace. Gu Yan refused to believe she could be so heartless as to abandon even her own son.
Today, she had clearly come to reconcile with him. Just moments ago, she had been soft and pliant in his arms, yet in the blink of an eye, once dressed, she was pretending she didn’t know him! Gu Yan’s good mood shattered abruptly, and he stared at her darkly.
Yan Xuerui turned her face away and sighed softly. "Marquis, I’m tired. I don’t have the energy to coax him today. Some other time."
——If you’re tired, then stay.
The words caught in Gu Yan’s throat. He pressed his lips tightly together, let out a sudden cold snort, and rose to put on his outer robe.
"Do as you please, Princess."
Gu Yan was exceptionally intelligent, adept at strategy and decisive by nature. Having lost his father at a young age, he had otherwise had everything go his way. He would never allow such words that showed weakness to escape his lips.