Chapter 9: Youthful Infatuation
Gu Yuan lowered his gaze, asking in a deep voice, "Brother, what did you mean by 'there is a change in the Eastern Palace'?"
The Emperor now openly praised but secretly disparaged the Crown Prince’s faction, intending to spoil him into ruin. The situation was already as precarious as walking on thin ice. What further change could there possibly be in the Eastern Palace?
Gu Yan let out a cold laugh, his face as dark as ink.
"The Crown Prince is indulging in women."
"Hmm?"
Gu Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle. "Youthful infatuation is only natural."
"Brother, you worry too much."
Dallying with women was hardly a blemish for a Crown Prince.
Gu Yan sneered, downed the strong liquor in his hand in one gulp, and said bitterly, "The Crown Prince... he has become infatuated with a courtesan and ruined his health."
"I had someone examine him. He’s beyond help. The Crown Prince may never father children again."
These words struck like a thunderclap. The two brothers, Gu Yan and Gu Yuan, stared at each other—one cold as ice, the other utterly shocked.
The Crown Prince had no legitimate sons, not even a single son—only a daughter born to the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess was from the Xu family. Empress Xu, intending to promote her own niece, declared that the legitimate son must come first and had antifertility drugs given to all the women in the Crown Prince's inner court to prevent them from bearing children before the Crown Princess.
Who could have known it would lead to such a situation? The Eastern Palace dared not make this public. Empress Xu didn’t know, and the Crown Prince had not intended for Gu Yan to know, but he could not hide it from Senior Tutor Gu, who had eyes and ears everywhere.
After a whirlwind of thoughts, Gu Yuan's expression turned equally grim. He said, "Get more doctors. Perhaps... it can still be treated."
What good was a Crown Prince without an heir? There would be no need for the Realm Painting or for the Emperor to exhaust himself with political balancing acts. What good was a Crown Prince who could not continue the lineage? Would he simply wait until his death to hand over the foundation laid by Taizu to others?
After a long silence, Gu Yuan licked his lips, knowing that since his brother had said this, there was no turning back.
He said in a deep voice, "What do you need me to do? I’ll follow your orders."
The Crown Prince’s ship was doomed. With the house about to fall, where would their House of Jingyuan go?
It was a pity that Consort Shu entered the palace too late. By then, the Emperor had already lost interest in romantic pursuits. She had only attained the position of one of the Four Consorts thanks to the Marquis's household. If there had been royal offspring of Gu blood, they would have had nothing to worry about!
Gu Yan closed his eyes and said, "You need not do anything. Both you and I are subjects of the Emperor, loyal to the Emperor."
The Emperor was not dead yet. How could he suffer a rival to sleep beside him?
Gu Yan slowly rolled up his sleeve, personally refilled Gu Yuan's wine, and once again became the calculating Senior Tutor Gu.
Gu Yan said, "Whether the Emperor asks you to check the Qi family, guard the imperial city, or even search for that mythical Realm Painting, you should agree to it all."
"Keep your composure. If anyone in the court shows you favor, whether from the Upright or the great families, pay them no mind. I will handle everything."
His brother's sincere advice stirred a warm current in Gu Yuan's heart. Though he was now a renowned general, he had always lived under his brother's protection.
Gu Yuan nodded and said, "Understood. Is there anything else, brother?"
"Steer clear of the Eastern Palace. If the Crown Prince invites you, turn him down."
Gu Yuan had always obeyed his brother without question, but he was still puzzled. He said:
"Our House of Jingyuan is bound to the Eastern Palace. Even if I decline the Crown Prince's invitations, it likely won't make a difference."
He thought Gu Yan intended to cut ties with the Eastern Palace, but the Gu family had already done too much for the Crown Prince. It was too late.
Gu Yan gave a low laugh but did not explain his meaning to Gu Yuan. Instead, he raised his glass, touched it to Gu Yuan’s, and drank it all in one go.
He said, "Go back now. There is a morning court session tomorrow. Don’t overindulge."
Seeing that he did not wish to answer, Gu Yuan did not press further. He strode across the threshold but suddenly paused, hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and turned around. "Brother, I—"
As he had said earlier that day, what was wrong with youthful infatuation?
In the end, he had restrained himself. When she tried to run, and his brother was ordered to leave the capital, it was he who had captured her and brought her back to the Marquis's household.
Judged by actions, not intentions, he had not betrayed his brother.
"The road is slippery at night. Go back."
Gu Yan waved his hand, cutting off his younger brother's words. Gu Yuan did not know whether he was intentional or not but had no choice but to nod and withdraw.
The moonlight was as cool as water. The vast study was now empty except for him. Gu Yan lowered his head, shook the remaining wine in the jug, and drank it all in one go. The bright moonlight fell on his face like jade, half illuminated, half in shadow.
***
Early the next morning.
Yan Xuerui slept lightly. Undisturbed by Gu Yan the previous night, she had slept soundly and woke as soon as the sky began to lighten.
Bi He and Yao Er helped her dress and freshen up. Bi He was quick and deft, while Yao Er seemed clumsier in comparison.
After Yan Xuerui's black hair was pulled painfully yet again, she asked Bi He to step back and took the wooden comb herself, gently smoothing the long hair at her neck.
"The Marquis's household is not a place to stay for long," she said softly. "With various forces entrenched here, the household cannot tolerate scheming maids."
Though Yan Xuerui did not involve herself in the household affairs, she knew a bit about court affairs—Gu Yan would tell her.
As the Crown Prince's Senior Tutor, Gu Yan would go to the Eastern Palace to lecture the Crown Prince after the morning court session and return to the household by noon. In the afternoon, he would handle official documents or meet with his advisors. The rest of his time was almost entirely spent in the main courtyard.
The two of them spent their days together. No matter how energetic Gu Yan was, he could not spend all his time on *that*. While Yan Xuerui busied herself with her spices in the flower room, Gu Yan would sit at a nearby desk, transcribing old recipes for her.
At first, she seldom spoke, and Gu Yan also remained tight-lipped. Years passed like this, with only flowers and nervous maids for company. She felt somewhat lonely.
One day, Gu Yan suddenly told her about a court matter—though not a formal political affair. It was about some official who doted on his concubine and neglected his wife, only for the concubine to cheat on him, passing off another man's child as his own, becoming an object of ridicule.
It wasn't particularly funny. As he spoke, his thin lips were tightly pressed, and his gaze fixed on her.
After a moment of silence, she said, "Fetch me that pot of begonias."
If he had nothing to say, it was better not to say anything.
...
After that, the two began to converse. She did not speak much, mainly because there was little to say. She did not want to talk about Yangzhou. They’d eventually run out of things to say about flowers and plants. More often, she listened while Gu Yan spoke softly and gently.
What Senior Tutor Gu spoke of could only be court politics. At the time, she had never even met the Virtuous Prince or the Crown Prince but already knew their temperaments. For instance, the Virtuous Prince was deferential to scholars and compassionate toward the people, but it was a pity his lineage was lowly. The Crown Prince was gentle and refined, but Empress Xu, lacking the Emperor's favor, was overly strict with him, resulting in his timid nature, which gave Gu Yan headaches.
...
And so on. Gu Yan never spoke to her about military secrets, and she was not interested. Their conversations were merely casual. She only knew some superficial things, just to pass the time, but one thing she understood: Senior Tutor Gu had many followers in the court.
Naturally, he also had many enemies.
For a time, people in the Gu manor died frequently—maidservants, stablehands, older servant women... one could never tell who might suddenly be gone the next day.
Gu Yan had forbidden anyone from telling her, but she could surmise they were spies planted in the residence by others. Even she could see through Yao Er, let alone Gu Yan.
She did not want Yao Er to die a violent death.
Yao Er kept her head down, seemingly still holding a grudge against Yan Xuerui, and muttered stubbornly, "I won't leave."
Yan Xuerui looked puzzled and asked the question she hadn’t had the chance to voice last time:
"Why did you come to the Gu manor? What was your purpose?"
"It's because of you!"
Yao Er glared at her angrily. Now that pretenses were dropped, she no longer hid her hostility toward Yan Xuerui.
"He’s right here in the capital, and you, you heartless woman, won’t even see him once!"
In truth, Fang Zhixu’s task was merely to see her. If she was doing well, then that would be that. If not, she was to send word out. The situation was different now, and perhaps he could even challenge Senior Tutor Gu and rescue her from this cage.
It wasn't fair! Her foster father had his life ruined for her, and even after twenty years, he was determined to save her!
And what about her? Yao Er gritted her teeth. After all she had seen and heard these days in the Marquis’s residence, it was clear the Marquis and his wife were deeply devoted and loving.
A treacherous man and his wanton woman!
She truly felt her foster father’s devotion was wasted on her.
Yan Xuerui froze. Back then, her cousin had endured forty strokes of the heavy paddle for her, and the guilt still weighed on her heart to this day. Since he had already found someone better, why stir up trouble by clinging to the past?
She sighed, her tone gentle yet firm: "At the end of next month, a batch of maidservants is to be released. You should leave."
Even if she refused to go, as the Marquise, dealing with a maid was as easy as turning her hand.
Yao Er set her jaw, stubborn to the end. Yan Xuerui waved her away. After breakfast, she asked, "Where is Minglan?"
Since yesterday, she had been eagerly awaiting him, but he still hadn’t appeared today.
Bi He replied softly, "Last night, the young master arrived at the residence in the dead of night and only washed up and retired at the third watch. He’s probably still asleep now."
"Should… I go and wake him?"
Yan Xuerui missed her son dearly but couldn’t bear to disturb his sleep. Minglan was sensible and polite; once he woke, he would come to the main courtyard to pay his respects.
Yan Xuerui then asked about Mingwei, who was on a half-month leave and would be staying at the residence for a while.
Bi He said, "Miss Mingwei woke early and is in the Marquis’s study, waiting for him to return. She said she has important matters to discuss."
Yan Xuerui paused, and her daughter’s unfortunate situation came to mind. She rubbed her temples as if plagued by a headache when Bi He suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, look at this servant’s memory! Before leaving for court this morning, the Marquis instructed that Mr. Gao be invited to see you for a consultation."
"He’s staying in the front courtyard. Should I have him summoned?"
Yan Xuerui was taken aback, realizing who this so-called "Mr. Gao" was, and her headache intensified.
She pressed her temples and after a long moment, sighed softly.
"Very well, have him come."
It just meant she’d have to drink a few more bowls of bitter medicine. She dreaded bitter medicines the most; even holding her nose to gulp them down was unbearable.
Yan Xuerui, usually gentle, rarely showed such a petulant, almost girlish air. Bi He said cheerfully, "Before leaving, the Marquis mentioned he would bring you preserved fruits and pastries from Furong Pavilion after his duties today."
The Marquise had a sweet tooth. The manor’s cooks prepared dishes with just the right level of sweetness, which suited her well, but when she had to take medicine, it tasted too bland.
Furong Pavilion’s pastries were renowned for being sweet but not cloying. With a plate of their treats after her medicine, the Marquise would feel much better.
Bi He’s look of gentle mockery made Yan Xuerui wave her away. Shortly after, Bi He led in a man in his sixties—quite ordinary-looking, dressed in a well-worn jacket, with sparse, graying hair, a stooped posture, and a face deeply lined with wrinkles.
In Yan Xuerui’s mind, a "miracle doctor" should at least resemble the court physicians—dignified and upright, if not the legendary image of youthful vitality despite white hair.
But this was an ordinary old man, the kind you’d lose in a crowd. Was this the "miracle doctor"?
She was skeptical, but since Gu Yan had brought him in, she remained silent and extended her fair wrist.
The bruises from Gu Yan’s grip the previous day were still visible, standing out like red plum blossoms against snow. Yan Xuerui paused and subtly tugged her sleeve down a little.
She looked up. This "Gao" gentleman showed no change in expression, as if he had seen nothing. Such composure did carry an air of mastery.
She said gently, "Please proceed, sir."
Mr. Gao extended his withered hand, trembling slightly before finally resting on Yan Xuerui’s wrist. Bi He leaned in and whispered, "The gentleman… is advanced in years. His vision isn't so good."
Yan Xuerui: "..."
The aura of mastery vanished instantly. Like other physicians, Mr. Gao asked about her menstrual cycle, symptoms, and when her hands and feet typically turned cold… Yan Xuerui answered patiently one by one. After a long while, Mr. Gao stroked his sparse beard and remained silent.
Bi He urged anxiously, "Sir, could you please say something? Can it be treated or not?"
Usually, physicians—even the imperial doctors—would say it could only be managed, not cured. Yan Xuerui adjusted her sleeve, took a sip of tea, as if already expecting the outcome.
"It can."
Mr. Gao spoke in a hoarse voice. "It can be treated."
"This is not cold syndrome, madam—it’s poison!"
Yan Xuerui, in the midst of drinking water, choked and was overcome with coughing.