Chu Ruoyan froze for a moment as her father spoke with grave concern: "When the Empress Dowager demanded your separation, and the Emperor softened it to a mutual divorce, I knew then that the imperial family had grown wary of you both! And now, Third Yan has become the Princess’s son—how convenient for him to be embraced by the royal family. But what about you?"
"The grudge against the Marquis of Pingjing—they may not hold it against him, but will they spare you? Do you truly believe the Emperor granting you the title of County Princess Changle means the past is forgotten? Let me tell you, as long as the Empress Dowager lives, this matter will never be laid to rest. If you remarry Yan Zheng, you’ll face endless suffering!"
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips together, finally understanding her father’s vehement opposition.
But this wasn’t just about their personal affairs—Yan Zheng’s actions tonight had been far too unusual!
She raised her eyes to speak, only to meet her father’s sorrowful gaze. "Yan’er, your father is old now, and without a son to stand by your side. If the day comes when I step down, who will protect you then?"
His voice was thick with worry. Chu Ruoyan’s nose stung, tears welling instantly. "Forgive me, Father. I’ve been unfilial, always causing you distress."
Chu Huaishan shook his head wearily. "You’ve done nothing to wrong me. Every choice you’ve made has been my pride. But can you understand a father’s heart? I only wish for you to live safely, peacefully, without turmoil."
Her heart ached as she watched his aged hands cradle hers. At last, she bowed her head. "I understand. From now on, I’ll be dutiful and cause no more trouble…"
"Go now."
Returning to Bodhi Courtyard, Nanny Zhou took one look at her pallid face and fretted. "Miss, don’t take your lord father’s words to heart. If you still wish to see the Marquis of Anning, this old servant will move heaven and earth to arrange it—"
"No need. Take this sachet and burn it."
"Miss?" Nanny Zhou gasped. Chu Ruoyan gave a faint smile. "His visit tonight was to keep me from meddling in his affairs. And Father… he’s aged. He can’t bear any more shocks."
"But Miss, this sachet—"
"Keep it no longer, lest it invite gossip. Don’t worry, Nanny Zhou, I’m fine. Tomorrow, I must visit Uncle Cao’s family. Let’s all rest early."
She spoke as if untouched, but Nanny Zhou knew—the deeper the pain, the lighter the pretense. Yet what could a servant say? She quietly tucked the sachet away, hoping storms would pass and sunlight return.
The next morning, Chu Ruoyan went to the Cao residence.
Her aunt was feeding Cao Yang medicine when she arrived. Unconscious, he spilled half of each sip, but Chu Jing persevered, patiently coaxing every drop before dabbing his lips with a cloth.
Only then did she glance up. "Ruoyan, you’re here? Sit, please."
Noticing the sweat on her aunt’s brow, Chu Ruoyan urged, "Aunt, you’re with child now. You shouldn’t strain yourself—leave this to the servants."
"I’d never trust them fully. Only by his side can I feel at ease." Chu Jing smiled, then studied her niece’s weary face. "Did you quarrel with your father last night?"
Chu Ruoyan blinked. "How did you know?"
"Your father has already opened the ancestral hall for discussion. With such a commotion, it's impossible not to know. Ruoyan, you're a sensible child. You should understand your father's intentions."
Chu Ruoyan replied softly, "Ruoyan understands."
"No, you don't." Chu Jing took her hand and gazed deeply at Cao Yang lying on the bed. "What your aunt wants to say is that while your father has his reasons, I hope even more that you won't do anything you'll regret."
Seeing her stunned expression, Chu Jing smiled and gently stroked her hair. "Take me, for example. Before your uncle's accident, I sensed something was wrong. The Emperor had brought him into the cabinet but delayed assigning him an official position, as if waiting for Chancellor Gu to voluntarily relinquish power... But at the time, I thought women shouldn't interfere in court affairs, so I kept silent and never mentioned it to him."
"Now that your uncle is in this state, I don't know if it's related to Chancellor Gu, but it's certainly tied to the cabinet. So I deeply regret it. If I could go back, I would speak up—even if he scolded me, it would be better than watching him lie there now, motionless..."
Chu Ruoyan felt as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes, and only one thought remained in her mind:
She absolutely couldn't let Yan Zheng end up the same way!
"Thank you, Aunt. Ruoyan understands now!"
What Yan Zheng chose to do was his own affair, but within her power, she would never stand idly by!
At that moment, Xue Ling rushed in, her face alight with joy. "Mother! Cousin Ruoyan! Wonderful news—the Gu family has been raided!"
Chu Ruoyan gasped in shock, and Cao Yi, who followed behind, added triumphantly, "It was all thanks to the Marquis of Pingjing! Despite the kneeling protests of Duke Chu, Grand Tutor Rong, and other civil officials, he insisted on raiding the Gu residence to seek justice for our master!"
No sooner had he spoken than the sound of gongs and drums from the authorities echoed outside.
The Cao and Gu residences weren't far apart, both located on Vermilion Bird Street.
After Cao Yang's incident, the Gu family had shut their doors. By all logic, there shouldn’t have been such a spectacle.
She hurried out with Xue Ling to see two officers setting up a ladder to remove the plaque above the Gu family's gate...
From the lowest servants to the elderly Lady Gu herself, all had been stripped of their hairpins and jewelry, dressed in plain white garments, and escorted out under guard.
Gu Feiyan refused to leave, struggling and shouting, "Our Gu family has been wronged! My grandfather is innocent!"
Her cry stirred some scholars who had once studied at Lanting Pavilion. "That's right! How can an entire family be punished before the truth is uncovered?"
"Chancellor Gu was the head of the court—how can he be treated so lightly... Ah!"
In the crowd, the scholars who spoke up for the Gu family were swiftly forced to the ground.
An officer stepped on them and said coldly, "By the Emperor's decree, Gu Sun conspired against the state and attempted to murder a high-ranking official in broad daylight. The punishment is execution! His family is to be exiled three thousand li, and no one is permitted to plead for them! Do you dare question the Emperor's edict?"
The scholars trembled, but one still raised his voice. "May I ask, Officer, was the former chancellor subjected to a trial by the three judicial offices? Is there irrefutable evidence?"
The officer sneered. "What need is there for a trial? The Marquis of Pingjing oversees this case, and the evidence is ironclad! Ah, but we shouldn’t call him 'Marquis' anymore—he’s the new chancellor now..."
A wave of shock swept through the onlookers.
The officials and nobles who had come to gather news gasped in shock, except for the scholar who had spoken earlier. He shouted in fury, "This is a frame-up! How dare Yan Zheng falsely accuse Chancellor Gu and make him— Ah!!"
A blood-curdling scream tore through the air as the scholar’s palm was pierced clean through by a blade.
The officer declared impassively, "By the Chief Minister’s order, anyone who dares to discuss court affairs will lose a hand for the first offense. A second offense will cost their head."
The entire street fell deathly silent. Whether noble or commoner, every face was etched with terror.
Only Chu Ruoyan stood frozen, her fingers digging into her palms as she stared toward the imperial palace.
How could Yan Zheng dare?
By doing this, wasn’t he making the entire world fear him, despise him—even curse his name behind his back?
