Ji Lan had been busy dealing with rebels since returning from the prince’s residence yesterday, working through the night without sleep. After the morning court session today, he also had to receive the foreign envoys from Xi Fan, Wai Liang, and Bei Liao. The coming days would be far from idle. The Bei Liao people looked similar to the Central Plains people, but the Xi Fan and Wai Liang people had distinct features that set them apart. The Xi Fan were tall, broad-shouldered, and dark-skinned, with an uncivilized demeanor; most of them still lived by hunting and fishing. The Wai Liang people had blond hair and blue eyes, with deep-set features and customs that were vastly different from those of the Central Plains.
Ji Lan returned to the Gongxian Hall where he usually reviewed memorials. As he walked, he untied his dark cloak and tossed it to Xiao Liuzi, then circled the long desk and sat down behind it. His gaze fell on the pile of memorials on the desk, remaining still for a long time.
Dou Hongyan quietly entered, glanced at Ji Lan’s expression, and looked questioningly at Xiao Liuzi, who shook his head in distress. As they exchanged looks, Ji Lan suddenly swept his sleeve, knocking the four treasures of the study off the desk. The heavy inkstone hit the ground, spilling dark ink.
Xiao Liuzi was startled and hurriedly knelt down.
Dou Hongyan, wearing a smiling face, approached Ji Lan and tentatively massaged his shoulders, saying, “Your Majesty must be exhausted and should take a rest. These memorials can wait a while. Your Majesty’s health is paramount!”
“This Batur must have the courage of a bear and the heart of a leopard!” Ji Lan angrily exclaimed.
Dou Hongyan was stunned, finally understanding why Ji Lan was furious. He could barely conceal his shock! No wonder the Emperor showed no interest in the Empress or any concubines. It was because…
Ji Lan slightly calmed himself and glanced at Dou Hongyan, who immediately lowered his gaze, even his breathing subdued.
“Why does Batur have her portrait?” Ji Lan asked coldly.
Dou Hongyan carefully chose his words, “This… Twin beauties of Anjing is famed throughout the world. If someone privately painted the princess’s portrait and it somehow ended up in Batur’s hands, it’s possible…”
“Hmph.” Ji Lan sneered, “How far is Xi Fan from the capital? Xi Fan only visits the capital once every three years, yet he conveniently got Gu Jianli’s portrait?”
“Batur loves beauty, and in Xi Fan, even noble women have very low status. To the Xi Fan people, seizing beauties is as brag-worthy as seizing prey or territory, often shared among brothers. Batur probably doesn’t understand Central Plains customs.” Dou Hongyan explained slowly, then added, “Besides, Batur only has a portrait and asked if Your Majesty knew the woman in the painting. Your Majesty didn’t tell him, so he might soon forget about it…”
“Might?” Ji Lan felt annoyed.
His feelings for Gu Jianli had evolved from admiration and awe to a desire for possession, yet he always restrained himself. For someone like him, power and status always came first. Even if he wanted a woman, he wouldn’t place her above imperial authority. No matter how much he wanted her, he couldn’t seize a minister’s wife and risk being held accountable, nor did he want to be criticized by the people. Even his closest confidants were unaware of his feelings for Gu Jianli.
But this time, when Batur asked if he knew the beauty in the portrait, Ji Lan felt an inexplicable rage. His reign was filled with constraints, and with these foreign envoys visiting, who knew how many harbored ill intentions. Xi Fan’s strong military was a force he needed to ally with.
Ji Lan felt threatened, sensing Batur’s audacity.
Once again, Ji Lan swept his sleeve, and the memorials fell to the ground.
This time, even Dou Hongyan was startled and knelt down.
After a long while, Ji Lan finally suppressed his anger and donned his usual gentle and refined demeanor. He spoke, “Bring Ji Jingyi to me.”
“Yes!” Dou Hongyan accepted the order and immediately instructed the Eastern Depot to discreetly bring Ji Jingyi into the palace.
Ji Jingyi saluted and asked, “Does Your Majesty have any commands?”
“How could Ji Zhao still be alive after being poisoned by the Heart-Eating Powder? Doctor Ji’s parasites are truly effective.”
Ji Jingyi hurriedly replied, “Your Majesty, my medical skills are just some unconventional methods, not comparable to the imperial physicians. The reason Ji Zhao is alive today is largely due to his inner strength. He received the true teachings of Lord Luo, who transferred his inner strength to him before he died. His unparalleled inner strength has helped him withstand the Heart-Eating Powder…”
Ji Lan waved his hand, stopping him, and said, “I don’t want to wait any longer.”
Ji Jingyi did not understand his meaning.
“Over these years, you have been treating him, and he trusts you to implant the parasite in his body,” Ji Lan slowly smiled, “If you poison him, he won’t detect it. Can you do it?”
Ji Jingyi was momentarily stunned before responding, “I am willing to try. It shouldn’t be difficult. However, he has gone to the Guangxian Prince’s residence, so I can only act once he returns home.”
Ji Lan nodded, smiling warmly, “I trust you won’t disappoint me.”
Ji Jingyi bowed deeply, solemnly stating, “I will not disappoint Your Majesty.”
As night fell early these days, Gu Jianli and Ji Wujing bought some items at the market and then headed home. Riding their horses, Gu Jianli suddenly remembered the strange items sold by a vendor.
She asked, “By the way, what did you buy from that vendor earlier? Is it something to eat?”
Ji Wujing looked at her with an enigmatic expression, lazily replying, “Yes, it’s something to put in your mouth. Both mouths can eat it.”
Gu Jianli, counting the trinkets she bought for the two children, absentmindedly asked, “How do you eat it?”
Ji Wujing smirked slightly, saying leisurely, “I’ll teach you once we get home.”
Gu Jianli casually responded with an “Oh” and didn’t think much of it. She put the items she bought for Ji Xinglan and Ji Xinglou into the saddlebags and rode home.
Ji Wujing touched the box in his sleeve, gave Gu Jianli’s back a meaningful look, and caught up with her.
As soon as they returned to the prince’s residence, Rong Yuanyou arrived. He had initially gone to the restaurant to find Gu Zaili, but upon learning she had left and had an appointment with a close friend, he decided to come to the residence to wait for her.
Rong Yuanyou thanked the host and waited alone in the side hall.
During dinner, Gu Zaili still hadn’t returned. Gu Jingyuan had an engagement that evening and didn’t dine at home. Madam Tao decided to host Rong Yuanyou for dinner. After the meal, he remained alone in the side hall, waiting for Gu Zaili to come home.
He frequently looked up at the high-hanging moon and the candles on the candlestick, growing more anxious.
It was past the second watch when Gu Zaili, slightly tipsy, finally returned. She had drunk some wine with her close friends, her cheeks flushed, making her look even more charming in the night.
“What excuse does the young lord have this time?” Gu Zaili stood lazily at the door, smiling as she squinted at him, her every gesture exuding charm.
It was the first time Rong Yuanyou had seen Gu Zaili tipsy. He was momentarily stunned before lowering his eyes and saying, “My grandmother is seriously ill. I need to return home immediately and wanted to inform you.”
Gu Zaili was somewhat surprised. Knowing Rong Yuanyou’s deep filial piety, she slightly restrained her casual demeanor and asked, “When will you and your family leave? Tomorrow?”
“Upon receiving the family letter, my parents immediately packed up, submitted a memorial to the palace, and left the capital. They should be far away by now. I came to inform you and will leave on horseback soon to catch up with them.”
Gu Zaili took a deep look at him and said, “Why bother coming here? There was no need to tell me in person. Even if you wanted to inform me, you could have sent a servant with a message.”
Rong Yuanyou shook his head, and solemnly replied, “It should be said to you personally.”
Gu Zaili remained silent.
Rong Yuanyou continued, “The journey from Xiangxi to the capital is long. I don’t know when we will meet again after today. The family letter mentioned that my grandmother’s condition is not good, and this trip back might be to see her for the last time. If even the miracle doctor cannot help, it will be a three-year mourning period.”
After a pause, Rong Yuanyou added, “After three years, I will definitely return to the capital!”
Gu Zaili tilted his head and looked at him, smiling lightly, “Why should I wait for you for three years?”
“No!” Rong Yuanyou hurriedly explained, “You don’t have to wait for me. If someone else wins your heart and you happily marry them, I will be happy for you in Xiangxi as well.”
Rong Yuanyou tried to force a smile, but it was somewhat bitter.
“I… I just wanted to come and tell you in person.”
After a while, Gu Zaili nodded lightly, “Hmm, I heard you.”
“Then… I’ll be going.” Rong Yuanyou raised his eyes to meet Gu Zaili’s gaze, smiled again, and then turned around.
“Be careful on the road, it’s slippery in the dark.”
Rong Yuanyou paused, turned back to look at Gu Zaili. Gu Zaili was lazily leaning against the door, the warm light from inside the room enveloping her.
Rong Yuanyou’s smile became more sincere, he turned and walked out with lighter steps.
Watching Rong Yuanyou’s receding figure, Gu Zaili smiled, rubbed his sore shoulder, yawned, and went back inside.
Gu Jianli heard from Jixia about Rong Yuanyou’s situation and nodded, staring at the candlelight reflected on the window, lost in thought. Her mind was filled with thoughts of her sister.
“Go get a basin of warm water, then you can rest,” Ji Wujing suddenly ordered.
Jixia quickly responded, hurrying out to carry out the task. Fifth Master rarely spoke to people, and it was even rarer for him to give orders!
Gu Jianli was brought back to reality by Ji Wujing’s words.
“It’s already so late, time to rest.” She squinted her eyes slightly, stretched lazily, got up from the chair, and slowly walked to the bed, casually asking, “Didn’t we already wash up, why do we need hot water again?”
“To soak the fish bladder,” Ji Wujing replied directly.
Gu Jianli blinked slowly, remembering that Ji Wujing had bought something strange at the market today, saying it was for eating.
Feeling a bit drowsy, Gu Jianli leaned her head on Ji Wujing’s shoulder, “Do we really have to eat this late?”
“Yes, it’s something to eat at night,” Ji Wujing turned his face to look at her, seeing her long eyelashes from his angle.
Jixia brought the warm water and then left.
Ji Wujing slyly raised the corners of his eyes and pulled Gu Jianli, who was leaning on his shoulder, away. “Go, wash the fish bladder in the water,” he said.
Gu Jianli responded and moved to the small table at the foot of the bed where the water basin was placed. She opened the box and looked at the fish bladder inside with surprise.
She placed the fish bladder in the water and awkwardly started washing it, doubtfully asking, “Can this really be eaten?”
The fish bladder became slippery and soft after being in the water. Held in her snow-white hands, the clear water dripped down from it bit by bit.