Chapter 294: The Real and the Fake

In the grand hall, beneath the watchful eyes of the Emperor, Gu Yanxi worked with precision and authority. He annotated each memorial with sharp notes, his brush gliding across the parchment as if wielding a weapon. Once done, he handed the documents to Lai Fu, his trusted aide who knew exactly how to assign the tasks without missing a beat.

"Your Majesty," Gu Yanxi began, his voice calm but firm, "Yuan Shifang is at his limit. He can't hold on much longer."

The Emperor scoffed, a mix of disdain and acknowledgment in his tone. "The fact that he's endured this long is a testament to the Chao Li clan's resilience. Have we squeezed anything new out of him after all this interrogation?"

Gu Yanxi's gaze didn't waver. "The Criminal Court has used every method they have. It seems he genuinely knows nothing more." Without pausing, he picked up a record book from the Emperor's desk, flipping to the latest entry. The Imperial Hospital's meticulous records of the Emperor's pulse were all there, updated daily as per the Emperor's request. Gu Yanxi's focus was sharp, his movements deliberate, showing his unwavering dedication to the Emperor's health.

The Emperor's expression softened ever so slightly as he watched the young man work, a rare crack in his otherwise unyielding demeanor.

"The Chao Li tribe has grown clever," Gu Yanxi continued, his voice low but cutting. "They've invested in training Yuan Shifang carefully, but they've also kept him on a tight leash. He only knows what they wanted him to know, nothing more. He managed to gather scraps of information on his own, but we've captured two others through the Department of Seven Stars. They're being brought back as we speak."

The Emperor's face darkened at the thought of the trouble Yuan Shifang had caused, his brow furrowing deeply. "Is the escort team strong enough? I don't want another fiasco."

"I've ensured the arrangements are flawless," Gu Yanxi replied with unwavering confidence. "You can rely on me, Your Majesty. We will root out just how deeply the Chao Li tribe has managed to infiltrate."

The Emperor nodded, his voice sharp with finality. "Good. Don't hold back. I want every thread of their network unraveled and burned."

Gu Yanxi set the record book back on the desk and took a step closer, his tone shifting slightly. "Imperial Uncle, there's something else I need to discuss. A personal matter."

The Emperor's stern features softened further at the title. Whenever Gu Yanxi called him "Imperial Uncle," it meant the conversation was about to take a more personal turn. "Go on," the Emperor said, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "What's caught your interest this time?"

"Mushrooms," Gu Yanxi said, his tone steady but with a hint of amusement.

"Mushrooms?" The Emperor arched a brow, clearly not expecting this turn in the conversation.

"Not the wild kind," Gu Yanxi clarified, his words precise. "Cultivated ones. They can be grown and harvested all year round."

The Emperor leaned forward, intrigued despite himself. "They can be grown?"

The Emperor leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. If these mushrooms could be harvested year-round, that was a solid business opportunity. No wonder Gu Yanxi was so keen on it. But if that was all it was, there was no way the boy would have bothered coming to him with this.

The Emperor's lips curled into a smirk. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction, almost like he was protecting the younger generation. "Alright, speak up. What do you need from me?"

"I don't need anything from you," Gu Yanxi said, his tone casual, but there was an undercurrent of urgency in his words. "I just thought you should know who's behind these mushrooms."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Who is it?"

Gu Yanxi's heart rate quickened. "It's a woman from the Hua family."

The Hua family? A woman? The Emperor's smile dimmed, just a little. "Hua Yizheng's granddaughter?"

"Yes," Gu Yanxi replied. "Her name is Hua Zhi, the eldest granddaughter of Hua Yizheng and the daughter of Hua Pingyu."

The Emperor went quiet, his thoughts churning. He hadn't paid much attention to the Hua family lately. But hearing that name-the Hua family, and especially the mention of Hua Yizheng-brought it all back. The old man had been exiled almost a year ago, and with the passing of the matriarch, the Empress Dowager had taken care of the women in the family. He recalled that even the elderly Hua matriarch had recently passed away.

"What's their situation now?" the Emperor asked, his voice flat.

"They're holding steady. After Matriarch Hua died, Hua Zhi took the reins," Gu Yanxi continued, his tone unfazed. "Under her leadership, the Hua family hasn't fallen apart. She seems to have a knack for business."

Gu Yanxi said it without a hint of emotion, though inside, he was treading carefully. Every word was deliberate. He wanted to make sure the Emperor knew who Hua Zhi was, but he didn't want to show any signs of being overly interested.

The Emperor let out a dry chuckle. "A Hua daughter excelling in business? That's an interesting twist. Wonder what old man Hua Yizheng would say if he knew."

"I don't see the problem," Gu Yanxi replied smoothly. "She's helped the Hua family regain their footing and dignity after all the chaos."

The Emperor's eyes glinted with a hint of amusement. "Oh? So you think highly of her, then."

Gu Yanxi gave a signal to a palace maid to bring tea, and then, with a sharp glance, said, "Imperial Uncle, don't you think the Hua family played this game smarter than the He family? Sure, their business dealings might put a stain on their reputation, but in another light, it actually preserves their dignity. They're being way more clever."

The Emperor nodded, agreeing. "You're right. Looking at it, it does seem like they made the better move." He paused, watching Gu Yanxi's clear favoritism for the Hua family. He didn't mind it; the Hua family had earned their place and managed to stand tall on their own. That alone commanded his respect.

"Has she reached out to you?" the Emperor asked, a touch of curiosity in his voice.

Gu Yanxi responded nonchalantly, "The young lady of the Gu family rarely steps out. Where would she find me?" He handed the Emperor the tea cup, then continued, "But I've heard she's started this Shi Zai restaurant that's been making waves in the capital. It's unlike anything else. No menu-just lists of ingredients, and from those, they serve twelve different dishes. I went with my cousin from the Lu family once, and we had a mushroom banquet there. The flavors blew me away-unique techniques I've never seen before. My cousin said it's run by the Hua family's eldest granddaughter. She's sharp, and it's clear she's got big ambitions. With the Hua family's current backing, this kind of business can't stay protected forever."

The Emperor smirked, sensing an angle. "Oh? So, you made a move yourself, huh?"

Gu Yanxi's eyes dropped to the tea cup in his hands. "The dowry from the Lu family's daughter is still with me in the prince's mansion. You know how it is with the Lu family-always in and out of pawnshops. They never ask for handouts, but they sure could use a break. So, I made the deal with them. No one's losing anything here; we'll all take a fair share."

A sly grin crept onto Gu Yanxi's face as he leaned in, "The Lu family, always so proud, but their help with the Shi Zai restaurant actually gave the Hua family an enormous boost. If you think about it, they've really come out on top."

At the mention of the Lu family, the Emperor chuckled softly.

In the vast, powerful empire of Grand Daqing, the Lu family was notorious, even among the top ten most infamous families. Yet, strangely enough, they held an unmatched reputation for loyalty and integrity. Despite the flaws of a few members, the family was trusted deeply, both by the Emperor and the state. Their adherence to duty and loyalty had been passed down through generations, and it was that legacy that made them one of the Emperor's most reliable allies.

The Emperor had caught wind of the Lu family's struggles, how everyone was mocking them, throwing them to the wolves. Sure, it was mostly his brother's fault, but the Lu family still held their ground. If Gu Yanxi could find a way to throw them a lifeline, it'd be a decent thing to do. The Emperor wasn't about to let them rot away, scraping by on whatever was left in their pawnshop.

"I get it," the Emperor said, his voice steady. "Even though the Hua family's paid the price for their misdeeds, that doesn't mean we should strip them of any chance to survive. And like you said, their situation's still better than the He family, who's turning to all sorts of dirty tricks through their marriages."

"Exactly," Gu Yanxi agreed, nodding.

"You think too much," the Emperor snapped, pointing his finger at Yanxi, though there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Is this really something worth bothering me with?"

"Lai Fu," the Emperor called out.

"Here, Your Majesty," Lai Fu responded immediately.

"Go get the night pearls that came in yesterday and bring them to our prince."

Lai Fu's grin widened, ready to leave, but then the Emperor's voice stopped him.

"Hold on. Yanxi, go to the treasury. Find something useful, then send a few pieces to the Lu family. They've pawned too much already-I want to help refill their stock."

Gu Yanxi's response was immediate, his voice firm. "It's pointless. No matter how much you give them, they'll just end up pawning it again."

The Emperor's patience ran out. He tossed the scroll he was holding with a flick of his wrist. "Then why don't you just tell them it's from your personal stash?"

Gu Yanxi bent down to retrieve the scroll, glancing at it briefly. The words on it didn't even matter to him, 'Gift of a thousand qing of fertile land on the tenth day of the fourth month, and another thousand qing in May.' He didn't even flinch as he placed it back.

"I'll come back for the night pearls later. I've got business to handle at the Seven Stars Bureau." With that, he took a few steps back, bowing as he left. "Your servant takes his leave."

The Emperor laughed as he watched the person walk off with such determination. Then, turning to Lai Fu, he grumbled, "Can you believe this? I have to give him stuff and still rely on his mood? Ridiculous."

Lai Fu quickly agreed, "The Shizi is just being casual with you, Your Majesty. He knows you won't hold it against him."

"That brat," the Emperor scoffed, then his expression hardened as he glanced at the scroll in his hand. "Find out if that mushroom really came from that Hua girl. I can't let Yanxi take a hit over this."

"Understood."

The Emperor tossed the scroll at Lai Fu. "Send this to the Ministry of Justice. If they dare to overstep like this, I'll have their hands cut off. The Xu family's already been wiped out, and their assets seized. Tell that old fool Xu Shizhong: this empire belongs to the Gus, not the Xus!"

Lai Fu's face went pale, and he bowed even lower. "Your servant will carry out your will."

---TN: When the Emperor starts noticing Hua Zhi, is it a positive or negative thing?

Think about it.

The Emperor's attention isn't something to take lightly. It can mean trouble or opportunity, depending on how you look at it.

If he's paying attention, it's likely because Hua Zhi stands out in some way-either as a threat or a pawn to manipulate. The Emperor doesn't waste his focus on just anyone. If he sees Hua Zhi as a potential danger or challenge to his power, that's bad news, and things will get intense.

On the other hand, if Hua Zhi has something the Emperor wants-whether it's skills, information, or influence-then that attention could lead to benefits. So, whether it's good or bad depends on the angle you're taking. One thing's for sure, though: it's never neutral.