As evening approached, Ji Lan was still handling government affairs in the hall. He held the memorials in his hands for a long time, his gaze vacant. He had zoned out again.
He had learned that after Batur did not get any information about Gu Jianli from him, Batur still hadn’t given up and was inquiring everywhere.
Gu Jianli was not an ordinary woman; the fame of the twin beauties of Anjing was known throughout the capital. Batur would find out soon. It couldn’t be hidden.
Every time he thought of this, Ji Lan felt very irritable.
In his heart, he still wanted to protect Gu Jianli for the time being.
Xiao Liuzi quietly entered with a tea cup, placed it at one end of the long table, carefully observed Ji Lan’s expression, and tentatively called out, “Your Majesty?”
“What is it?” Ji Lan snapped out of his daze.
“Four days ago, the eldest young lady of the Gu family rode out of the city on a fast horse to pursue Duke Xiangxi.”
“Four days ago?” Ji Lan was displeased. “Why are you only reporting this today?”
“To report to Your Majesty, when the eldest young lady of the Gu family left the city, the guards had noticed, but they didn’t know what she was doing at the time, so they didn’t report it. It was only this morning when the guards saw her catch up with Duke Xiangxi’s party that they sent back the message,” Xiao Liuzi reported in a low voice.
“Is there any unusual behavior from Gu Jingyuan in the capital?” Ji Lan asked warily.
“No, the prince is still as idle as ever, fishing, teasing birds, drinking, only associating with some old officials who hold no significant positions in the capital,” Xiao Liuzi smiled. “The eldest young lady of the Gu family went after Duke Xiangxi for the little heir of the Rong family. The guards saw with their own eyes that the eldest young lady of the Gu family gave something to the little heir. It’s also heard that after the birthday banquet, Madam Rong brought the little heir to visit, likely to discuss a marriage proposal. If it succeeds, it would be a much-talked-about union.”
Ji Lan wasn’t interested in any talked-about union; he only cared if the Prince of Wuxian and Duke Xiangxi were planning a marriage alliance. If the two families united, it would be a considerable force.
Although Gu Jingyuan had handed over his military power, his prestige in the army was unmatched in the entire Great Ji. In some situations, with a sword in his hand, he himself was the military token.
As for Duke Xiangxi, his ancestor married the most favored princess of the Great Ji. When the princess married, her dowry was vast, not only including land, fertile fields, gold, silver, and servants but also soldiers. Over the decades, the forces in Xiangxi had grown strong and powerful.
“Your Majesty, it’s getting late, you should rest,” Xiao Liuzi reminded.
Ji Lan rubbed his temples and put down the memorials.
Xiao Liuzi, gathering his courage, advised, “Your Majesty, you have been on the throne for a year, yet there has been no news from the harem. The ministers are very concerned about the issue of heirs. What do you think…”
Ji Lan went to Qifeng Palace.
Sun Yinzhu was already asleep. Upon hearing from the palace maid that Ji Lan had arrived, she was startled awake. She hurriedly got out of bed, grabbed some eyebrow powder from the dressing table, and dabbed it on her face.
“Greetings to Your Majesty!” Sun Yinzhu saluted, and when she straightened up, she wore a cheerful expression.
Ji Lan glanced at the eyebrow powder on her face, sat down in front of the dressing table, and fiddled with the eyebrow powder Sun Yinzhu hadn’t had time to put away. He said lightly, “Too much is as bad as too little.”
Sun Yinzhu froze for a moment, then immediately smiled brightly, “Your Majesty is wise! I also think one shouldn’t be too vain. Next time I sleep, I won’t wear makeup!”
“Come here, my dear consort,” Ji Lan commanded.
Sun Yinzhu felt uneasy inside, but she did not show it. She pretended to be nonchalant as she walked over to Ji Lan, yawning lazily and complaining, “Why did Your Majesty come so late, disturbing my dreams? I was just dreaming of eating an elixir of immortality!”
Ji Lan smiled gracefully but suddenly grabbed Sun Yinzhu by the neck, pulling her onto the bed and throwing her onto it.
The palace maids were terrified, worried for their mistress’s safety, wanting to approach but not daring to.
Xiao Liuzi led the palace maids out and closed the door.
Sun Yinzhu’s back hurt from the fall. She sat up and looked at Ji Lan, bursting into tears without any grace, lacking the dignity of an empress, resembling a spoiled, willful child.
Ji Lan watched her coldly, listening to her cry for a while without stopping. He pinched her chin and reached to tear her clothes.
Sun Yinzhu was shocked, pushing Ji Lan away in a panic. She retreated to the corner of the bed, hugging her knees, watching Ji Lan with fear.
Ji Lan bent down, touched her head, and smiled at her, asking casually, “Not pretending anymore?”
Sun Yinzhu’s heart sank.
Ji Lan ran his finger over Sun Yinzhu’s face and spoke slowly, “For a long time, I thought you were genuinely foolish. Unfortunately, as time goes on, the truth always comes to light.”
Sun Yinzhu felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, filled with despair. She suddenly pushed Ji Lan away forcefully, quickly crawling to the other side of the bed, pulling out a dagger from under the pillow. Before she could bring it to her neck, Ji Lan easily knocked it away.
“What’s the point of holding a knife and making a scene?” Ji Lan smiled as he picked up the handkerchief Sun Yinzhu had dropped on the floor, slowly wiping the eyebrow powder off her face.
He looked at Sun Yinzhu, but not really seeing her, and said gently, “There used to be a girl about your age. When bullied, she would hold a knife and fight back to the death. A knife is for stabbing enemies, not for seeking death.”
He chuckled and said, “A delicate girl fighting back with a resolve to die together is particularly beautiful.”
Sun Yinzhu looked at him in horror, not understanding what he was talking about or why he was saying these things to her.
Ji Lan’s gaze finally fell truly on Sun Yinzhu’s face, and he said, “I am the Son of Heaven. This world is mine. I do not need to force myself upon a weak woman. Stop your little tricks.”
Ji Lan folded the handkerchief twice and placed it in Sun Yinzhu’s hand, then turned and walked out.
Sun Yinzhu stared intently at Ji Lan’s back. Only when he left did she seem to find her body again. After taking a deep breath, she realized her back was soaked with cold sweat.
Ji Lan walked under the red walls and green tiles, his footsteps echoing on the bluestone bricks. Xiao Liuzi followed a little further behind, knowing that Ji Lan did not like people getting too close when he was in a bad mood.
Ji Lan looked at the endless red palace walls ahead and suddenly felt exhausted. He had clearly obtained the throne he had dreamed of since childhood, but in the year since he had ascended, he had not had a single night of peaceful sleep.
This palace was his, and so was the entire Great Ji. Yet he felt that none of it truly belonged to him.
The next morning, on his way back from the morning court, Ji Lan was stopped by Dou Hongyan, who was looking anxious.
“Your Majesty!” Dou Hongyan jogged up to him, “There is news!”
Ji Lan asked, “What news?”
Dou Hongyan suddenly realized he had been too excited and had forgotten his manners. He quickly bowed, then leaned close to Ji Lan’s ear, lowering his voice to report, “The informants I arranged in the capital have found the whereabouts of Wen Jingshan!”
Ji Lan turned sharply to look at him, asking incredulously, “Who? Isn’t she supposed to be dead?”
Ji Lan waved his hand, ordering the palace attendants behind him to step back.
Dou Hongyan continued, “For now, we’ve found a woman who looks very much like Wen Jingshan. We can’t be completely sure yet, but I rushed to report to Your Majesty!”
Ji Lan composed himself, walking forward as he asked, “How was she discovered?”
“It’s quite a coincidence. Does Your Majesty remember that night on your way to the Prince of Wu’s residence, when you encountered Ji Zhao and his wife rushing home late at night? At that time, I felt something was odd and sent someone to investigate. It turns out Ji Zhao’s late-night return was because a woman claiming to be the mother of his illegitimate son showed up. The interesting part is, the eunuch I sent to investigate had seen Wen Jingshan before.”
Ji Lan abruptly stopped, an image of Ji Xinglou’s arrogant demeanor flashing before his eyes.
That’s it. Ji Xinglou doesn’t resemble Ji Wujing but Ji Chong!
Gu Jianli fed Wujing some porridge, then brought hot water and a cloth to carefully wipe his body. After finishing, she shook her sore wrists, tucked Wujing in, and turned to leave. She went to the side courtyard to find Wen Jingshan.
Ji Xinglan and Ji Xinglou were both with Wen Jingshan. Ji Xinglan sat opposite Wen Jingshan, learning how to make decorative knots.
Ji Xinglou, impatient and restless, was constantly moving around the room, fiddling with things and unable to sit still for even a minute.
“I brought some freshly made desserts from the kitchen. Have some before continuing,” Gu Jianli said with a smile as she entered.
Ji Xinglou immediately jumped off his chair, rushed to Gu Jianli, and leaped to grab the desserts from the tray.
“Mother, I’m almost done. Just a little more and I’ll finish. I’ll eat after that,” Ji Xinglan said, her small hands focused on her task without looking up.
Gu Jianli sat next to her, watching her nimble fingers at work. After a while, she lifted her sleeve with one hand and picked up a piece of dessert with the other, offering it to Ji Xinglan’s lips.
Ji Xinglan took a small bite, her eyes lighting up instantly.
“Wow, it’s delicious!”
Ji Xinglou rolled his eyes.
“Madam, Madam!” Hongzan rushed in, her footsteps hurried.
Ji Xinglou rolled his eyes at her again, finding her noise annoying.
“What has you in such a hurry?” Gu Jianli asked, looking through the small items in the sewing basket.
“We have an honored guest. He claims to be the ruler of Xifan!”
Gu Jianli was surprised. She looked up at Hongzan, asking skeptically, “Who? Are you sure you didn’t hear wrong? Is it truly the ruler himself?”
“Yes! I didn’t hear it from the front yard boys; I saw it with my own eyes. The khan of Xifan is very tall and strong! He looks extremely fierce!”
Wen Jingshan frowned and spoke uneasily, “I have a feeling this visitor has ill intentions.”
Ji Xinglou squinted at Wen Jingshan and rubbed his own ear.
Gu Jianli’s mind raced, trying to guess the visitor’s purpose. She had never dealt with this person before, nor had her father. She hadn’t heard anything about him from Ji Wujing either. She was completely at a loss as to why Batur had come. After pondering for a long time, she finally said, “Since the ruler of Xifan has come in person, we cannot refuse to see him. Besides, Xifan is a wild place, and if we close our doors to him, it might cause trouble. We mustn’t alarm the Fifth Master. I’ll meet him and send him away.”
“Hongzan, go and invite him to the main hall. Serve him tea.”
“Jixia, you go and ask Changsheng to run to the Prince’s residence and invite my father.”
Gu Jianli didn’t go to see Batur immediately. She intentionally delayed for a while before getting up and heading out.
Ji Xinglou immediately jumped off his chair and chased after Gu Jianli, shouting, “I’m going with you!”
“Stay here and keep your sister company,” Gu Jianli said, putting away her usual gentle demeanor and putting on a stern face.
Ji Xinglou muttered in dissatisfaction and lowered his head unhappily. He stood at the door, watching Gu Jianli’s back, and huffed.