Chancellor Gu's expression instantly stiffened.
While he had ways to handle Consort Xue and Princess Qingping, the Empress Dowager? Wasn't that asking the impossible of him?
Chu Ruoyan raised her eyes with a faint smile. "Your Excellency's kindness is much appreciated, but since the Jade Beauty Cream is in my possession, shouldn't the terms of negotiation be set by me? Don't you agree?"
Chancellor Gu narrowed his eyes.
He had underestimated this girl!
With just a few light words, she had not only shut down his proposal but even turned the tables to seize control of the discussion.
Chu Huaishan's daughter was truly formidable!
"Then what do you want?"
"Simple. I’d like to ask Your Excellency for two small favors."
Chancellor Gu scoffed. "Small favors? Two of them? Girl of the Chu family, isn’t it too greedy to demand two favors from this Chancellor in exchange for just one jar of Jade Beauty Cream?"
Chu Ruoyan lowered her gaze. "Your Excellency, consider this—Feiyan’s face is of utmost importance. If it were merely an insignificant matter, how could it possibly reflect Feiyan’s worth or Your Excellency’s devotion to her?"
Chancellor Gu was momentarily stunned before laughing wryly. "So you’re saying I should thank you for giving me the chance to help you?"
Chu Ruoyan hastily demurred.
With a sigh, Chancellor Gu relented. "Fine, speak your terms first."
Chu Ruoyan nodded. "Very well. The first favor concerns the embezzlement case involving Earl Changlu..."
She paused, watching the old man’s reaction. Chancellor Gu frowned. "You want me to petition His Majesty for a full investigation?"
"Yes."
"Do you know that the implicated Ministry of War official is my prized disciple?"
Chu Ruoyan inclined her head. "I do. But I believe a disciple is no match for the importance of a granddaughter."
A cold glint flashed in Chancellor Gu’s eyes, but she remained unfazed, meeting his gaze steadily.
"Bold indeed. Very well, I agree. Now, the second condition?"
Chu Ruoyan continued, "The second concerns Lord Yan of Anning... If this embezzlement case is thoroughly investigated and resolved, it would be a great merit. If Lord Yan is credited as the chief contributor, could he then enter the imperial court?"
"!!!"
Chancellor Gu’s eyes widened sharply. "Do you even realize what you’re saying? Our dynasty’s ancestral law forbids the disabled from holding office!"
"I know. That’s why I ask Your Excellency to propose an exception—to reward merit with a special appointment."
Her words were measured, clearly the result of long deliberation.
Chancellor Gu stared at her in shock, though he understood it wasn’t impossible.
First, great merit deserved great reward. Second, the court owed the Yan family for the battlefield defeat caused by faulty weaponry. The Emperor might very well make an exception to compensate him...
Yet for such calculations to come from a young girl was undeniably unsettling.
After a long pause, Chancellor Gu finally said, "This matter is not beyond reach..."
Chu Ruoyan’s eyes brightened, but he added, "However, you must realize that doing so would make him a target. Every official implicated in the embezzlement case would see him as their mortal enemy!"
Chu Ruoyan thought of that aloof, solitary figure and smiled faintly. "He wouldn’t care."
What did it matter if he became a target?
A man who had clawed his way out of a sea of blood would hardly flinch at mere arrows.
Chancellor Gu took a deep breath. "Fine. Since you’ve planned so meticulously for him, I’ll agree. But besides the Jade Beauty Cream, I have one more condition."
"What is it?"
The old man scrutinized her from head to toe before grinning. "You’re clever and resourceful, girl. I quite like that. My youngest son, Bingzhi, remains unmarried, so..."
Chu Ruoyan recoiled in alarm. "Your Excellency! I am a divorced woman!"
"I know. Don’t worry, I’m not forcing you. Since your divorce from Lord Yan is final—especially with the Empress Dowager involved—reconciliation is impossible. I merely ask that you meet Bingzhi first. If you’re willing, the Gu family will welcome you with a grand procession, just as the Cao Family would—"
Before he could finish, an icy voice cut in sharply.
"She refuses!"
Chu Ruoyan froze as Yan Zheng wheeled himself into the room.
He seized her wrist and pulled her behind him. "Chancellor Gu, whether I enter the court is my fate. Whether you assist is your choice. It has nothing to do with her!"
His brows were furrowed, his eyes simmering with suppressed fury, leaving Chancellor Gu momentarily speechless.
Chu Ruoyan, however, cautiously ventured, "Your Excellency, you mentioned just a meeting. If nothing comes of it—"
"Nothing will come of it, and no meeting is necessary!"
Yan Zheng’s grip tightened, veins bulging on his wrist.
Chu Ruoyan winced, and he immediately loosened his hold. "Did I hurt you?"
"N-no... My Lord, actually..."
His frigid glare silenced her.
Seeing the storm in his expression, she relented. "Very well. Then let Your Excellency fulfill the first condition. The Jade Beauty Cream will be delivered to your residence shortly."
Only then did Yan Zheng’s expression soften.
Chancellor Gu, wise with age, understood the situation perfectly. Stroking his beard, he chuckled. "A gentleman does not take what another treasures. Lord Yan, rest assured, I will also petition for your official appointment..."
"Then my thanks, Chancellor. Farewell!"
With that, Yan Zheng whisked her away.
Outside Lanting Pavilion, Meng Yang craned his neck to peer inside.
Seeing his lord storm out, dragging the young mistress behind him, he quickly averted his gaze—ignoring even Chu Ruoyan’s pleading look for intervention.
Who in their right mind would dare provoke the lord in such a rage?
Sighing, Chu Ruoyan called out, "My Lord—My Lord, wait!"
To her surprise, Yan Zheng halted.
Just as she sighed in relief, he gritted out through clenched teeth, "Why do you still call me 'My Lord'?"
"Eh?"
She blinked. "What else should I call you?"
"I’ve told you before—use my name, or 'Yan the Third'!"
"If both are acceptable, what’s the difference with 'My Lord'?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Yan Zheng’s gaze darkened.
Chu Ruoyan hastily amended, "Third Lord!"
As the third son of his family and a married man, the title was at least appropriate.
His expression eased slightly.
Chu Ruoyan exhaled—this temperamental lord was truly hard to please.
Suddenly, her wrist was tugged, and she was pulled into his embrace. Lifting her eyes, she met his deep, abyssal gaze.
"Ah-Yan, when you once said you admired me... was that just a lie to deceive me?"
