Chapter 6: Neglecting One's Duties

The Princess’s Residence.

After soothing Xuanxuan to sleep and sending Yun Huaian off to study, Cheng Xueyang finally found some peace and quiet.

She summoned Ying Yi to review the events of the day’s kidnapping attempt.

They learned that the coachman, Song Hui, had been struck with a poisoned dart that caused temporary paralysis, allowing Wugexi to seize control of the carriage and lead it to a secluded location.

The covert guards tailing Cheng Xueyang immediately sprang into action to rescue them, only to find that Gu Mo had already engaged in a fight with the assailants. They joined the fray and together drove Wugexi’s men away.

In the end, Lord Gu escaped with the carriage.

The guards attempted to pursue but were momentarily entangled, fighting as they chased, and eventually ended up at a tavern.

Cheng Xueyang asked, “Was Lord Gu really just passing through?”

Who travels with a retinue like that? Could Gu Mo’s personal safety be under threat, requiring protection?

Ying Yi replied, “Master, he’s been followed since leaving the palace.”

Cheng Xueyang sighed and changed the subject. “Tell me what intelligence you gathered today.”

Before returning to the capital, Cheng Xueyang had already sent Ying Yi ahead to collect information. Ying Yi was not the most skilled fighter among the covert guards but was the most intelligent, capable of managing the entire network while excelling at gathering intelligence.

The political climate in the capital was shifting.

The Crown Prince was mediocre, while the Jing Prince, son of the Xiang Consort, was outstanding in both literary and martial skills—far superior in every way. If the Crown Prince’s position was so secure, it was solely because he was the Empress’s son and had the backing of the Chancellor, his maternal grandfather.

The harbinger of change was the Chancellor’s retirement earlier this year.

The old Chancellor would never have relinquished control while his grandson had yet to ascend the throne, unless forced.

And the only person capable of forcing the old Chancellor’s hand was one: the Emperor himself.

A ruler was as unpredictable as a tiger, his heart unfathomable.

But the Chancellor’s retirement was a clear signal.

The Crown Prince’s influence was waning; the Jing Prince was rising. The transfer of power in the Eastern Palace was imminent.

If the Jing Prince were a benevolent ruler, Cheng Xueyang would not be so concerned. But he was ruthless and bloodthirsty—a terrifying prospect to entrust the realm to.

Fortunately, the Emperor was still hesitant. Despite the Crown Prince’s faction comprising his closest aides, the Crown Prince had yet to be deposed. Some ministers dissatisfied with the Jing Prince’s actions voluntarily aligned themselves with the Crown Prince, supporting and advising him.

Meanwhile, the Jing Prince was aggressively courting ministers.

The court had become divided into two factions: the Crown Prince’s and the Jing Prince’s, resulting in a delicate balance.

Some ministers remained neutral, most notably the newly appointed Chancellor.

Securing the Chancellor’s favor had become paramount.

The Crown Prince was oblivious to this, never attempting to win over Gu Mo. It was the Empress and other ministers who tried to curry favor, but Gu Mo remained indifferent, focusing solely on his duties and ignoring the rest.

The Jing Prince personally sought out Gu Mo three times, each visit ending in refusal, which understandably infuriated him.

At that point, the Xiang Consort began whispering in the Emperor’s ear, proposing to marry Cheng Liuyi to Gu Mo.

If the Crown Prince’s consort could not be the regent, the Chancellor’s position would be conceded.

The Jing Prince, ever calculating, refused and changed tactics.

Three months later, the Emperor finally relented to the Xiang Consort’s wishes, considering betrothing Cheng Liuyi to Gu Mo.

At the beginning of this month, the Khan sent a letter, and Wugexi arrived in the capital, requesting to marry the princess.

The imperial edict granting Gu Mo’s marriage had thus been delayed.

The intelligence Ying Yi uncovered today revealed that the Jing Prince offered Gu Mo a choice with some leeway.

As long as Gu Mo submitted to the Jing Prince, he would be responsible for canceling the princess’s political marriage.

Cheng Xueyang laughed bitterly. Since when had she become a pawn in the Jing Prince’s game?

“I will find a way to resolve the marriage issue,” she murmured.

Recalling Gu Mo’s words at the tavern, she frowned. Surely his plan was not to side with the Jing Prince’s faction?

She did not want him meddling in such troubles!

Cheng Xueyang then summoned Ying San and asked, “Where did Young Master Yun go today?”

Ying San answered truthfully, “He visited the entertainment district, embraced the most popular courtesan, and the flowers were picked from the Chancellor’s residence—the same pot of flowers in Lord Gu’s courtyard.”

Typical mischief.

Ying San added, “Master, I should stay with you. The others are useless. If I had been with you today, none of this would have happened.”

Ying San despised Yun Huaian’s sweet-talking foppishness and resented that Master kept him close, even bringing him back to the capital.

Cheng Xueyang shook her head. “Young Master Yun is of great use. Your mission remains unchanged: continue protecting him.”

Ying San grumbled but did not defy Cheng Xueyang.

Finally, Cheng Xueyang called for Ying Er, the female covert guard assigned to protect Xuanxuan.

Cheng Xueyang, feeling weary, said, “Tell me, what did Xuanxuan say when she visited Lord Gu?”

Gu Mo’s residence was only a street away from the palace, so he usually walked to court. Tall and striking, his handsome and dignified bearing made him stand out in any crowd. Over the years, his efforts to eradicate corruption and assist the common people had earned him great favor and an excellent reputation. The streets were often packed with people whenever Gu Mo passed by.

Statistics showed that the busiest time on Chaoyang Avenue coincided with Gu Mo’s usual passage, drawing the most young maidens and matchmakers, even elderly grandmothers.

Some brave men came forward to seek justice, often receiving swift resolutions.

This Lord Gu was genuinely working for the people.

Today, an elderly lady stopped Gu Mo, enthusiastically recommending her granddaughter as virtuous and gentle.

Gu Mo politely declined, but the old woman’s persistent clinging delayed his departure, drawing a crowd.

Xuanxuan, among the onlookers, tugged at Suxin’s skirt and asked, “Is this the man? He looks nothing like Mother’s painting.”

Suxin’s mouth twitched. “The Princess’s paintings are abstract and often wildly inaccurate. This is indeed Lord Gu Mo.”

“Alright then, don’t come with me. I’ll handle him myself.”

Xuanxuan ran straight ahead, her chubby face quivering, hands on hips as she stood before Gu Mo. She said to the old lady, “Granny, does your granddaughter mind being a stepmother?”

The bustling street fell silent, all eyes drawn to the little girl fiercely protecting her family.

The old lady scrutinized Xuanxuan with displeasure. “What kind of child talks like that?”

Xuanxuan puffed out her chest. “I’m from the Gu family.”

Gu Mo looked down at the little girl at his feet, neither confirming nor denying.

The gathered crowd erupted with whispers.

— Does the Chancellor have a daughter?

— We never heard of such a thing.

— They say Lord Gu is like a celestial immortal, sent to cleanse evil. No romantic entanglements, no wife, no concubines, not even a maid. Where would a daughter come from?

— But the little girl is truly adorable. Her mother must be a great beauty.

The old lady remained unmoved. “You little brat, speaking so boldly. Your real father would be heartbroken to hear this. Go home and find your father quickly.”

Xuanxuan glanced back at Gu Mo and smiled brightly. “Daddy.”