Chapter 329: Unexpected Developments

Within the lavish confines of Haixin Palace, the Emperor, in unusually high spirits, commanded his attendants to prepare an elaborate feast.

That insolent brat. He had returned to the capital without even the courtesy of reporting to him first. The gall of it! The Emperor had been forced to send someone to drag him here. Still, his irritation was tempered by a grudging satisfaction—at least the boy was back, a fresh pair of eyes to shoulder the tiresome grind of reports.

"Your Majesty," a eunuch interrupted softly, bowing low. "The leader of the Seven Stars Bureau seeks an audience."

The Emperor’s smile froze mid-curve, replaced by a sharp, assessing stare as his gaze lifted. It wasn’t the Shizi Prince he’d been expecting, nor any familiar face from his usual cadre of visitors. No, standing at the edge of the hall was the enigmatic figurehead of the Seven Stars Bureau himself.

The man cut a striking figure, even in disarray. His mask hid his identity, but there was no disguising the air of menace he carried. Dust streaked his black robes, the fabric marred with stains that hinted at long travel—or something darker. He stood unnervingly upright, every inch of him a honed blade waiting to strike.

The Emperor’s chest tightened, his earlier levity dissipating like smoke in the wind. This wasn’t a casual visit. The leader wouldn’t have shown up, grim-faced and battered, unless the heavens had decided to drop another calamity into his lap.

Closing his eyes, the Emperor let out a breath, a bitter laugh barely escaping his lips. He knew his nephew too well. The boy only appeared in such a state when chaos followed close at his heels. The last time had been when he’d staggered in, reeling from some cursed poison.

So this time...

Feeling increasingly weak, the Emperor waved his hand. "Everyone, leave."

The palace maids and attendants swiftly exited like flowing water. Lai Fu personally stood guard outside the hall, his eyes betraying a hint of worry.

Gu Yanxi entered the hall with a wooden tray, kneeling on one knee. His voice was deep and resolute. "I, as the representative of the Seven Stars Bureau reporting Second Prince, Gu Cheng'an."

"What evidence do you have against him?"

"I accuse him based on evidence of embezzlement, treason, collusion with enemies, and harming loyal subjects."

The Emperor felt his vision darken, and his head spun slightly. However, he forced himself to appear composed, though his breathing had turned heavy. "Explain in detail."

"Of course." Gu Yanxi handed over two scrolls with both hands. "Please review these."

The first one was Wu Yong's Memorial, which the Emperor quickly skimmed through. Then he picked up the second scroll, which turned out to be from Hua Yizheng.

He didn't open it, instead looking down at Yanxi kneeling in front of him. "You hastily left before to go to Yingshan Pass. Why?"

"Yes, I received information that there were suspicious activities at Yingshan Pass. Initially, I thought the problem was outside the pass. However, after an investigation, it was revealed that the issue stemmed from within our own ranks. On the night of July 19, the enemy launched a massive nighttime attack as a diversion. General Wu and I went to the frontlines, only to realize that the true target was the Hua family."

"Why?"

"The Wu family excels in military matters but is plagued by internal chaos. Hua Yizheng helped Wu Yong ferret out many traitors. I suspect they were afraid of more damaging information coming to light, so the Hua family had to disappear."

Gu Yanxi remained calm as he took out another scroll from the wooden tray and handed it over. "This contains witness testimonies that I have brought back to the capital."

After a moment, the Emperor finally took the scroll from him but didn't open it. He recalled that he had recently received a report from Wu Yong about spies being buried at Yingshan Pass.

"Hua Yizheng can still pick up a pen, which means the Hua family is unharmed."

"When I arrived, the only ones left standing were Hua Zhi from the Hua family and a subordinate who had been hiding in Yingshan Pass for many years," Gu Yanxi revealed before he could be asked. "I later learned that Hua Zhi had already visited Yingshan Pass for the second time, having gone there once before the new year."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "A woman from the Hua family went to Yingshan Pass?"

"Yes."

"Where did she find the courage? Is she not afraid that by making herself known, even she won't be able to return?"

"I asked her the same question, and she said that the Daqing Code only prohibits exiles from returning without summons, but it doesn't mention anything about relatives not being allowed to visit."

The Emperor suddenly felt like laughing. After all, the Daqing Dynasty had never explicitly forbidden family members from visiting. Had nobody ever thought of that? Perhaps they had, but time had simply worn away that knowledge.

As if forgetting the seriousness of the situation, the Emperor joked with his nephew, "First, you do business with her, and then you coincidentally meet her from miles away. How about that? Are you smitten?"

"I admire her. Among the paths presented to the Hua family, she chose the most challenging but necessary one. She did not let the Hua family name fall into disgrace," Gu Yanxi said bluntly. "To my knowledge, she voluntarily broke off the engagement with the Shen family and has no intention of marrying."

Pointing a finger holding the memorial at him, the Emperor looked at him knowingly. "The more you speak, the more it shows that you hold her in high regard. I've watched you grow up - how could I not understand you? If you truly had no interest, you would have dismissed me with just a couple of words."

Gu Yanxi did not respond to his comment. He picked up something from the wooden tray, but the Emperor waved his hand before he could speak. "That's enough. Since you've brought these matters to light, there's no escaping them now. I don't want to be bothered by these affairs. You've handled them, and that's enough."

As he watched his uncle, looking weary, Gu Yanxi couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Nearly fifty-four members of the Hua family nearly lost their lives, Wu Yong was poisoned, Zeng Xian was wronged, there were treacheries from within and without – all significant events.

Yet his uncle passed them off so nonchalantly with just a few words. If his subjects were to find out, how chilling would that be?

"As for the Second Prince, demote him to a commoner and confine him to the Prince's residence."

"...Yes."

"Why are you still kneeling? Get up and join me for a meal." The Emperor patted his shoulder, pleased with his nephew. He had never lacked in running around from one place to another all year round, missing meals and good sleep. His clothes were probably thick with dust from all the running around, but he never sought acknowledgment for his efforts.

There must have been someone who reminded him when the truth about the Second Prince was revealed to step back and avoid getting burned. For a prince who defeated one after another in his hands, he had no benefit. He must have been aware of the pros and cons.

Therefore, presenting these issues openly in front of him, this nephew, wouldn't he be better off if he were his own son?

Feeling a sense of regret once again, the Emperor even considered changing the name discs. What if he had truly become his own son...

Lai Fu's voice interrupted, "Your Majesty, the Seven Stars Bureau has come to present their case."

"Announce it."

The representative quickly entered, first paying his respects to the Emperor before reporting, "The Second Prince is with Concubine Hui, and I have no authority to enter the rear hall. Please give your instructions, Your Excellency."

"Concubine Hui?" The Emperor remembered that there was someone attractive there. Concubine Hui had made substantial contributions, so he stood up and said, "I'll go with you. Yanxi, Concubine Hui should not be implicated in the Second Prince's affairs."

"...Understood," Gu Yanxi replied softly, following behind without uttering another word.

He had braced himself for the storm—an imperial fury that should have struck like a vengeful blade. The Second Prince aligning with the eldest, Fang Hongzhi hauled off in chains, the Tong family's audacity crushed beneath the Emperor's heel, and perhaps his own neck precariously stretched on the chopping block. Every move had been calculated, every consequence anticipated. Yet, here they stood in eerie stillness, as if the chaos had melted into thin air, leaving not even a whisper behind.

And above all, there was that peculiar command: Concubine Hui was to remain untouched, her name unsullied by any of this sordid mess.

Gu Yanxi’s body betrayed him in contradiction—his chest buoyant with an inexplicable lightness, his feet dragging as if the earth itself sought to claim him. His gaze rested on the Emperor, the man who once seemed larger than life, an indomitable force. Now, the figure before him had withered, ambition eroded, and his once-proud stature hunched under the weight of time and disappointment.

What was left of this Emperor?

A shadow of power?

A man clinging to a throne that seemed too grand for his diminished form?

Or perhaps, simply a relic of a glory long faded.