Chapter 1309: Chapter 1145: Returning to the Capital

"Mr. Gao, coming to the border like this, did you meet with any difficulties on the road?" Gu Chengyu thought of Prince Gong and Prince Jing; this man had brought so few attendants yet still managed to arrive at Yuhe Pass. It showed that those two also did not wish to confront the Emperor head‑on just yet.

"Of course! Only after reaching the border did I learn that the traitorous Prince Gong and Prince Jing have already clashed. Prince Gong is truly arrogant! But Prince Jing’s strength is not to be underestimated either—he was actually able to hold Fengqing Prefecture. It really is astonishing."

Mr. Gao’s probing gaze swept over Gu Chengyu. Seeing that Gu Chengyu only lifted his tea cup calmly, a faint smile on his face and eyes filled with deeper meaning as he looked at him, Mr. Gao could not help feeling somewhat abashed.

He did not dare to underestimate this youth. To have climbed to Standard Third Rank at such an age was certainly no ordinary feat. His petty little schemes were best not paraded in front of such a person.

Originally he had wanted to beat around the bush and pry out some unknown news to take back to the Capital and sell for a good price. But this man’s gaze clearly showed he had seen through his intent—how could he still dare to ask more?

"I had already drafted a memorial on this matter earlier; it has now been sent to the Capital. The details within must be thoroughly explained to the Emperor. The situation at the border is stormy and shifting; the Capital must quickly devise countermeasures."

As the saying goes, better to offend a gentleman than a petty man—especially a eunuch. Though they are not official members of the court, they serve within the palace! Who knows on what day they might make things difficult for you.

"So Mr. Gu has already submitted a memorial to the court—then I can be at ease. Coming to Yuhe Pass, I have much to thank you for receiving me. Prince Gong’s troops are guarding several key routes; if you had not sent men to meet us, I really don’t know if I could have reached Yuhe Pass!" Mr. Gao smiled and cupped his hands to Gu Chengyu.

"You overpraise me, Mr. Gao. Prince Gong does not yet dare go too far! The snow these two days has lessened and seems about to stop, and the New Year is drawing near. Though we can no longer make it back by New Year’s Eve, we should at least catch the second day of the second lunar month. Why don’t we set out for the Capital tomorrow? I wonder what Mr. Gao thinks?"

Gu Chengyu’s heart was already flying homeward; he longed to return to the Capital as soon as possible. It had been over two months since he’d seen his family, so naturally he yearned for them.

"I’m easy either way; Mr. Gu may arrange things as you see fit!" Mr. Gao rubbed his thigh, his expression betraying some fatigue.

"I’ve already arranged a guest room. You’ve suffered the toil of travel, Mr. Gao—why not rest for a while, and in the evening I will host a banquet to cleanse the dust of your journey."

Mr. Gao hurriedly nodded. "These old arms and old legs, after more than a month being jolted in a carriage, are about to fall apart. I do indeed need a rest! I must trouble you then, Mr. Gu."

"You are too polite, Mr. Gao!" Gu Chengyu shot a look, and Ming Yan promptly stuffed a pocket into Mr. Gao’s hand. The latter received it, inconspicuously squeezed it, and the smile on his face immediately grew several degrees brighter.

After seeing Mr. Gao off, Gu Chengyu immediately summoned Ming Yan.

"Has senior brother been properly settled?" As soon as the Holy Decree was read out, Gu Chengyu had someone fetch Yin Kun from the prison.

"He’s settled. Lord Yin also said he would like to invite you over for a talk right away!" Ming Mo had just come from Yin Kun. After the latter had washed and tidied himself, Ming Mo came to report to his master.

"Lead the way!"

"Jinyu!" Hearing the door open, Yin Kun immediately rose and called out to Gu Chengyu.

"Senior brother, these past days have truly wronged you. The Emperor, in the end, has keen eyes that see through all, and he has restored your innocence."

The two of them sat down. Gu Chengyu took stock of Yin Kun with a glance and saw that he was freshly attired, a hint of joy upon his face, his whole bearing much improved compared to the previous days.

Quite right—though the food and drink in prison were decent enough, it was still different from being a free man. Besides, with his life hanging in the balance, how could his heart be at ease?

"This time I must thank you. Otherwise, I truly would not have escaped calamity!" Yin Kun sighed, then suddenly stood up and bowed low to Gu Chengyu.

"Senior brother, what are you doing?" Gu Chengyu was startled and hastened forward to pull him up.

"Senior brother is upright and aboveboard, walking straight and sitting straight. How would the Emperor ever wrong you?" Gu Chengyu helped Yin Kun sit back down. Yin Kun’s gesture left him somewhat embarrassed.

"You needn’t be so modest. Had you not gathered the evidence, I truly would have been doomed this time. The Emperor is far away in the Capital, being egged on by those with ulterior motives, and with those so‑called irrefutable proofs—even if he refused to believe them, he would still be forced to."

How could Yin Kun not understand that Gu Chengyu was consoling him? Gu Chengyu had indeed rendered great service this time.

"Has the Emperor said how he intends to deal with Qi Huan Yu and his lot?" Yin Kun hated Qi Huan Yu and the others to the bone, so of course he wanted to know their fate.

"He did not state it clearly; he only said he would assign other officials to take over. I am your junior, and ought by rights to avoid suspicion. Doing this is just the thing to block those wagging tongues."

Someone to take over—Gu Chengyu could not ask for better; he had no wish to handle these messy affairs any longer.

"Sending someone to take over? Are you not now the main general at Yuhe Pass? If he sends officials again, is that temporary or permanent? Could it be that the Emperor intends to summon you back to the Capital now?"

Yin Kun was somewhat surprised. Though he had been rather displeased at his junior becoming a military general, this was the Emperor’s decree—who could defy it? Moreover, Jinyu had said it was only temporary, and only then had he set his mind at rest.

Yet Jinyu had only just arrived at the border; and now the Emperor wanted to summon him back to the Capital? Concerning Prince Gong’s side, does the Emperor not plan to have Jinyu move against him? That would be unlike the Emperor’s usual style!

"Yes. The Emperor has ordered us to depart at once, so I intend to pack up today and set out tomorrow. And you, senior brother—will you return to the Capital with me, or wait a while until your body has recovered before going back?"

Thinking of Yin Kun’s mental strain over these days, Gu Chengyu worried he might not be able to bear the hardship of travel.

"Naturally I’ll go back with you. I’ve had my fill of this border; it’s colder than the Capital." In truth, Yin Kun also wished to return to the Capital as soon as possible. News at the border was far too constrained, and messages traveled slowly; he had learned of the current situation in the Capital only through Gu Chengyu.

"Very well! Then, senior brother, get your things in order and tomorrow we’ll depart together. Regarding the Emperor’s poisoning, I’ve spoken to you of it before—you must plan early."

Gu Chengyu could not help but offer a reminder; he felt the chances of the Emperor finding an antidote were slim.

Yin Kun let out a long, deep sigh. "The affairs of the world are truly unpredictable. Who knows when Dayan will ever find peace again? I still haven’t decided what to do. The Princes are all still very young; as for Prince Gong, I don’t think well of him."

Gu Chengyu glanced at Yin Kun. Why had he not spoken of Prince Jing?

"We are senior and junior brothers; there is no need to hide things in our talk. Of course the Emperor will establish the Eldest Prince as Crown Prince—he is, after all, the legitimate heir." Gu Chengyu was both reminding him and testing him.

"The Eldest Prince is indeed naturally intelligent, but he is ultimately too young. I don’t know whether he can stand against Prince Gong and the others—the uncertainties are too many!"

The matter of Prince Gong’s rebellion had somewhat tarnished his reputation. Prince Jing, on the other hand, had yet to move; but he was well aware of Prince Jing’s ambition. Moreover Prince Jing’s strategic mind was exceptional. Setting aside his past entanglements of right and wrong with Jinyu, he was, in fact, by no means an unfit choice.

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