FIMA Ch83: Cooperation

Xie Xuan quickly looked up, only to see a black shadow flash by swiftly. A tall and upright figure was already seated on the red lacquered wooden chair in front of him.

Perhaps because he was off duty at home in the evening, the person in front of him was not dressed in the usual cold black armor and cloak as he had seen before.

At this moment, he was casually draped in a black crane cloak over a simple robe, with his hair tied with just a cloth band, and holding a folding fan of unknown origin in his hand.

He inexplicably exuded an indescribable air of roguish charm, completely different from the cold and stern person during the day.

Just as Xie Xuan was thinking this, Gu Siyuan slightly narrowed his eagle-like eyes, lifting his chin slightly with the folding fan: “Sixth Highness, you are staring too intently.”

Ignoring the peculiar joy in his heart, Xie Xuan slapped the folding fan away with a “snap”, and asked with feigned formality: “Why is General Gu here at this hour?”

Gu Siyuan sneered: “If I didn’t come, I would have missed hearing His Highness curse behind my back.”

Xie Xuan wrinkled his nose, thinking: This guy really isn’t a good person, always tearing him down.

He puffed out his cheeks and stubbornly said: “General Gu must have heard wrong, I was scolding that pigeon.”

“…”

The pigeon lord, who had flown to the windowsill in an attempt to escape Gu Siyuan’s sudden arrival, now looked back indignantly with its innocent little green bean eyes.

What kind of owner is this? Do they think the pigeon lord can’t understand? Doesn’t the pigeon have feelings?

“If His Highness says so, then it is.” Gu Siyuan chuckled, no longer intending to bully the soft little creature.

Xie Xuan, feeling guilty, quickly changed the subject: “General Gu coming here so late must have some business to discuss?”

Gu Siyuan nodded: “His Highness sent a message saying he wants to cooperate with me, feel free to speak directly.”

Xie Xuan’s lips curved into a smile: “Since General Gu spoke those words by the river, don’t you know what I want to discuss?”

Gu Siyuan lightly shook his folding fan, but his expression was cold: “Doesn’t His Highness know my usual demeanor? Many have tried to win me over, not just Your Highness.”

Xie Xuan’s smile did not fade, instead, he leaned in closer, his warm breath mingling between them: “Isn’t it true that General Gu wants to be won over by me?”

Gu Siyuan paused with his folding fan, lifted the chin that was so close, and moved it aside slightly, his voice cold: “Speak properly.”

“…” Xie Xuan.

Haha, he seemed to have figured out this guy’s personality a bit.

Xie Xuan straightened his expression: “Naturally, I can offer General Gu what others cannot.”

Gu Siyuan raised an eyebrow: “For example?”

Xie Xuan’s eyes flickered, his voice soft: “For instance, whatever you want, I can promise it.”

Gu Siyuan met his gaze and pondered for a moment: “Anything?”

Xie Xuan nodded: “Of course, even if it’s half of the throne, we can discuss it.”

Gu Siyuan snapped his fan shut with a cold voice: “Not interested in the throne.”

“Oh…” Xie Xuan lightly clapped his hands, smiling: “If you’re not interested in the kingdom, could it be that General Gu is one of those legendary figures who loves beauty more than power?”

“Childish.” Gu Siyuan’s folding fan struck the back of his hand, leaving a red mark with a “swish.”

Xie Xuan withdrew his hand, rubbed it against himself, and, with a dissatisfied pout, stuffed a piece of pastry from the table into his mouth: “I still have four months until my seventeenth birthday, am I not allowed to be childish?”

Gu Siyuan watched him eating like a small animal, his cheeks puffing up. His heart softened at the sight of the pitiful and adorable creature.

Tonight was the middle of the month, the full moon hung high in the sky like a disk.

The moonlight poured down like water, as the two sat across from each other brewing tea.

However, Xie Xuan, being naturally frail, couldn’t sit for long before he started to shrink his arms in discomfort.

In the blink of an eye, a wide crane cloak was draped over him.

The cloak had just been taken off from the other person, carrying a pleasant warmth, and Xie Xuan’s whole body relaxed.

Just as he was about to say something, the person had already disappeared.

The next morning, Gu Siyuan had to go to the palace for duty and got up at dawn.

A maid brought in hot water to assist with washing up, and took the dirty clothes out for cleaning.

After searching for a while and not finding the outer garment, she left with a puzzled frown, thinking she might have remembered incorrectly.

Gu Siyuan was on duty guarding outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

He was highly skilled, and his hearing and eyesight were far superior to ordinary people.

Today’s morning court session mainly discussed two issues: one was the assassination attempt the day before yesterday, with some officials punishing the perpetrators and others pleading for leniency; the second was the upcoming metropolitan examination to be held in the capital in March, with less than a month left. The faction leaders of the princes were all vying to be examiners.

Due to the sacrificial ceremony incident, Xie Huan’s power was visibly weakened, but the other princes were still fighting for power.

Emperor Jianzhao’s mood had been visibly poor recently, looking at everyone with displeasure, feeling like the commoners were out to harm him, causing matters to be repeatedly delayed.

The court was noisy, but in the end, no conclusion was reached. Emperor Jianzhao angrily left, abruptly ending the morning court session.

On the way back to the palace, Emperor Jianzhao’s expression was terrifyingly dark.

Wang Chengying carefully attended to him, even more cautiously than usual.

However, Gu Siyuan remained stoic as usual, guarding the surroundings.

Just as the imperial carriage turned a corner, a group of people approached, led by an elderly woman, a servant of the Empress Dowager.

Gu Siyuan signaled to halt the procession.

Shortly after, the imperial carriage turned towards Ning Shou Palace.

As the carriage arrived outside Ning Shou Palace, Gu Siyuan saw Xie Xuan, whom he had met the previous night, hurriedly approaching.

However, this guy, while running, did not forget to secretly wink at him.

After they went inside, Gu Siyuan thought to himself: It seems the Empress Dowager has learned about the sacrificial ceremony incident.

Typically, if an emperor favors a concubine too much, the Empress Dowager would be displeased with her. However, Empress Dowager Jiang was different; she liked Consort Lu and was very fond of Xie Xuan.

But the Empress Dowager was old and in poor health, so the palace staff didn’t dare to tell her about Xie Xuan’s assassination attempt at the ceremony.

But this morning, Jiang Yuanyuan came to pay respects and inadvertently mentioned it, which is why the Empress Dowager summoned Emperor Jianzhao and Xie Xuan immediately.

Gu Siyuan waited outside Ning Shou Palace for about a cup of tea’s time before a palace maid emerged, saying the Empress Dowager summoned him.

Gu Siyuan nodded in acknowledgment and followed her in, thinking: Could it be another reward? After Consort Lu and the Emperor, is it now the Empress Dowager’s turn?

As it turned out, his guess was correct.

Empress Dowager Jiang, her hair completely white but still dignified, looked at Gu Siyuan and said warmly: “I must thank you properly. You are quite different from your father in temperament.”

Then, the Empress Dowager suddenly said: “I remember your father is two years older than the Emperor. You should be the same age as the Eldest Prince. Are you married?”

Gu Siyuan bowed and replied: “Without establishing a career, how can one start a family? I have no intention of marrying yet.”

Xie Xuan glanced at him lightly.

The Empress Dowager nodded, not pressing further.

Shortly after, she waved towards the side hall, and a maid led a beautiful young girl out.

This was Jiang Yuanyuan, the daughter of the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng’en, and the female lead of this story, always favored by the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled at Xie Xuan: “Yuanyuan happened to come to the palace to pay respects today. You young people go talk, I have something to discuss with the Emperor.”

“Yes.” Xie Xuan immediately responded.

Jiang Yuanyuan also saluted gracefully.

As Gu Siyuan turned to leave, he noticed Emperor Jianzhao’s flickering eyes, indicating that the conversation wouldn’t be pleasant for him either.

Ning Shou Palace covered a large area, with a small garden on the left side, filled with vibrant flowers and willows in the spring.

The three of them headed in that direction.

Naturally, Xie Xuan and Jiang Yuanyuan walked in front, while Gu Siyuan followed behind as a guard.

Jiang Yuanyuan glanced at the person beside her, her emotions indiscernible, but her voice was soft and pleasant: “I heard about the sacrificial ceremony, and the Empress Dowager is very worried. I am also quite uneasy. How is the Sixth Prince?”

Xie Xuan nodded politely: “Thank you, cousin, for your concern. I am well.”

Xie Xuan knew the Empress Dowager had always wanted to pair him with Jiang Yuanyuan. He had no strong feelings about romantic matters but didn’t want to disappoint the Empress Dowager. Besides, Jiang Yuanyuan was well-regarded in the capital, making her a suitable candidate for a princess consort.

“That’s good.” Jiang Yuanyuan smiled gently, innocent yet dignified. She then murmured, as if to herself: “I wonder who the bold villain is, daring to plot against the Sixth Prince. The Prince must be careful in the future!”

Xie Xuan said indifferently: “The assassin was indeed bold, but likely not targeting me. It was fortunate I went to the altar instead of Father.”

Jiang Yuan-yuan’s expression froze, then she said after a moment: “I see, I was rude.”

Xie Xuan shook his head, his face showing no change.

The two of them walked around the small garden, chatting casually. Xie Xuan answered all questions, but never touched on anything crucial, which soon made Jiang Yuanyuan impatient.

She just wanted to probe Xie Xuan’s thoughts about the sacrificial ceremony to see if he suspected anything, otherwise she had no interest in getting close to him.

Jiang Yuanyuan smiled and said, “Sixth Prince, I am feeling a bit tired. I’ll go back and rest for a while.”

Xie Xuan quickly nodded, “I was being inconsiderate. Take care, Cousin Jiang.”

Back in the side hall, Jiang Yuanyuan’s maid, Dong’er, giggled, “The Sixth Prince is very gentle with you, Miss. The Empress Dowager might be discussing his marriage with the Emperor.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Yuanyuan replied indifferently.

Ever since the Empress Dowager had this idea, everyone in her family told her that she would marry into the royal family and become a prince’s consort. Given how much the Emperor loved the Sixth Prince, she might even become the crown princess or the empress.

Thinking of the envious and jealous looks from her sisters at home, Jiang Yuanyuan sneered disdainfully. Who really cared?

Dong’er didn’t see her expression, only hearing her laugh, and hurriedly continued, “I just heard from the palace maids that the Empress Dowager mentioned yesterday that the Sixth Prince’s seventeenth birthday is coming up, and he should be getting married soon.”

Jiang Yuanyuan sat by the window and thought: The Empress Dowager and the Emperor are so biased. The Fourth Prince, Xie Huan, is a year older than Xie Xuan, yet no one worries about his marriage. Everyone only cares about Xie Xuan.

But she would keep an eye on Xie Huan, knowing he was a hundred times better than Xie Xuan.

Xie Xuan was merely relying on his beautiful and troublesome mother consort.

Jiang Yuanyuan did not want to marry Xie Xuan.

But the Sixth Prince had also encountered a problem.

“You’re going to marry the Jiang girl?” Gu Siyuan leaned against a tree with folded arms, lazily watching him, just like a few days ago by the river in Qing County.

Xie Xuan glanced at him, wanting to say, “Probably.”

But for some reason, feeling a bit guilty, he changed his answer, “Although I am a prince, matters of marriage require the command of my elders.”

Gu Siyuan coldly stared at him, “You cannot marry her.”

Xie Xuan was startled by the firmness in his voice but felt a secret thrill in his heart.

He deliberately puffed his cheeks and snorted, “You’re just a lowly Commander, do you think you can command this prince?”

Gu Siyuan, looking at his puffed cheeks and proud little eyes, reached out and grabbed his neck and chin, pulling him closer.

The force was a bit strong, and his pale face immediately turned slightly red.

Xie Xuan’s haughty expression couldn’t hold, and he began to whimper, “You’re being rude to this prince again.”

His whole body was now pressed against Gu Siyuan, but his struggle was weak.

Xie Xuan smelled a fresh and cool tea-like scent from the person behind him, making him feel comfortable yet slightly stimulated.

A colder, deeper male voice sounded in his ear, “If the Sixth Prince is disobedient, this official will be even more disrespectful!”

Xie Xuan looked up at him, his mischievous tongue peeking out to lick his red lips, “Disrespectful? What kind of disrespect, General Gu? Are you committing treason?”

Gu Siyuan squinted, as images slowly formed in his mind, his breathing becoming slightly rapid.

He remained silent for a moment before coldly saying, “The Sixth Prince should take care.”

Xie Xuan’s eyes turned and he smiled lightly, “Fine, I’ll tell my grandmother. But what reason should I give? Should I say General Gu doesn’t want to marry and also forbids me from marrying…”

The tone was slightly teasing, clearly intending to make things difficult for him.

Gu Siyuan stared at his sly eyes for a moment, his large hand slowly sliding down from his neck to his shoulder and arm, the touch so light it shouldn’t have affected him, but Xie Xuan felt a tickling sensation wherever it passed.

Finally, the hand stopped on his cold jade-like wrist, feeling the weak pulse under his fingertips.

Gu Siyuan looked down for a moment, then sneered, “Finding a reason shouldn’t be hard for the Sixth Prince?”

Xie Xuan’s moist eyes suddenly turned icy, and he tried to pull back his wrist, “What do you mean?”

Gu Siyuan’s warm palm pressed against his wrist, feeling comfortable, he was reluctant to let go, gently pressing a few times, and said calmly, “Your pulse is thin, with no strength, you have been frail since childhood. It is best not to marry early, to cultivate and nurture yourself. The Empress Dowager will surely understand.”

Xie Xuan listened to his words, silent for a moment, then quickly smiled, “I didn’t know General Gu could diagnose illnesses.”

Gu Siyuan, holding his wrist, said, “As a soldier, I know a little.”

Xie Xuan glanced at his wrist in his hand, not minding, and continued to smile, “So, according to Doctor Gu, how long will it take for me to recover? When can I marry?”

Still harboring a hidden desire.

Gu Siyuan coldly stared at him, his grip tightening slightly, “A terminal illness, it can’t be cured. Don’t delay other girls.”

“…” Xie Xuan.

How frightening this man was.

“Who would have thought General Gu liked to joke?” He blinked, laughing lightly, “Alright, I understand. Without General Gu’s permission, I won’t marry.”

Gu Siyuan released his hand and nodded in satisfaction, “Good to see you understand.”

Xie Xuan looked down at his now cold wrist and secretly pouted, thinking he shouldn’t have agreed so readily.

Gu Siyuan continued, “The outcome of the sacrificial ceremony incident will be announced soon. Tell your people not to push too hard. Our Emperor is always good at balancing things. Gains and losses go hand in hand.”

“Hmm,” Xie Xuan nodded, then looked up slightly maliciously, “Is General Gu guessing the Emperor’s intentions? That’s treason.”

Gu Siyuan narrowed his eyes at this cunning and seductive little fox, his voice icy, “Not only speculating on the Emperor’s intentions but also colluding privately with a prince. Perhaps later, there will even be rebellion…”

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan’s beautiful eyes curved, and his chin hit Gu Siyuan’s armored chest with a “thud.” He said with barely suppressed laughter, “General Gu, I like you more and more. What should I do?”

Gu Siyuan reached out and stroked his fair and delicate neck, saying indifferently, “Would I forbid you to like me?”

“Haha…”

Xie Xuan’s clear and cheerful laughter spread through the small garden, startling several butterflies collecting pollen.

Soon after, the sound of “The Emperor is departing” came from outside the main hall of Cining Palace.

Gu Siyuan unceremoniously pushed the person in his arms away and said coldly, “You should go out later.”

Xie Xuan obediently nodded, blinking his moist eyes, “I’ll listen to General Gu.”

Gu Siyuan walked quickly and stood by the Emperor’s sedan just as Emperor Jianzhou emerged from Ning Shou Gate, striding with a sullen face, looking even angrier than when he left the morning court.

Wang Chengying, holding a dust whisk, almost couldn’t keep up as he jogged after him.

Emperor Jianzhou boarded the palanquin and immediately shouted, “Go, return!”

“Yes.” Wang Chengying responded.

The sedan was lifted, and after a while, Gu Siyuan heard the sound of a cup shattering from behind the bright yellow curtain.

Looks like he got scolded, Gu Siyuan thought silently.

The late emperor had many concubines in the harem. Jiang the Empress Dowager, who had survived the terrifying palace struggles, was certainly no fool.

As Emperor Jianzhou’s mother, she knew him best in the world and had long seen that he used Consort Lu and her son as scapegoats.

So, even though Consort Lu seemed to be favored above all others, the Empress Dowager never punished or reprimanded her and even liked her straightforward nature.

In this harem, which woman wasn’t living under the emperor’s rule?

The Empress Dowager had even advised Emperor Jianzhou against such actions, pointing out that although he didn’t like Consort Lu, Xie Xuan was still his flesh and blood.

But how could a mother change her son’s mind?

Thus, she could only treat Xie Xuan better daily to ease her conscience.

When the sacrificial ceremony assassination happened, she could guess it was connected to Emperor Jianzhou, likely another ploy to bully Xie Xuan for the sake of his beloved fourth son.

Hence, she had detained him alone, giving him a stern talking-to, knowing that expecting him to change was impossible, but the officials involved in the case would be severely punished.

This was why Gu Siyuan had earlier told Xie Xuan that the sacrificial ceremony assassination case would soon be concluded.

Under the constant pressure from various factions and the Empress Dowager’s influence in the palace, Emperor Jianzhou couldn’t hold out much longer.

Essentially, he was a coward; otherwise, he wouldn’t have hidden his true beloved for the sake of reputation and used another woman as a scapegoat.

However, the more cowardly a person, the more sensitive and vengeful they are. So even if he had to deal with Xie Huan’s people this time, he would surely remember the officials who pressured him and wait for a chance to bring them down.

Gu Siyuan lowered his eyes: It seems I’ll have to find more trouble for this petty emperor…

Meanwhile, in the small garden of Ning Shou Palace.

Xie Xuan picked the best-blooming camellia flower and played with it in his hand.

Behind him, a gray-clad servant respectfully followed, “That Gu fellow dared to be disrespectful to Your Highness.”

Xie Xuan rubbed the petals and laughed, “It’s not the first time. General Gu has always disliked the Lu family and me, hasn’t he?”

“…” The servant was speechless.

He wasn’t referring to that. He saw General Gu dare to forcefully hold the Sixth Prince in his arms, which was simply…

“Alright.” Xie Xuan scattered all the petals into the air.

The flying petals were dreamlike and beautiful.

But none were as beautiful as the person in the petal rain.

After the petals fell, he clasped his hands behind his back and leisurely walked out of the small garden, “Actually, it’s a good thing.”

A good thing that could be used to achieve his goal.

Just as Gu Siyuan predicted.

Although the handling of the sacrificial ceremony assassination case was delayed repeatedly, it couldn’t withstand the court factions’ disputes, the Empress Dowager’s pressure, and Consort Lu’s occasional weeping.

About half a month later, Emperor Jianzhou finally announced the final verdict.

The black-clad men captured by Gu Siyuan had remained silent in Dali Temple prison.

However, a tattoo of the Eastern Sea pirates was found on one of them, so the mastermind behind the assassination naturally became the pirates from the Eastern Sea, who wouldn’t come to the capital to refute the claim.

Moreover, given that the sacrificial ceremony was related to defeating the pirates, their revenge seemed reasonable, leaving the officials with nothing to criticize.

But revenge wasn’t something that could be resolved quickly, and they could only hope the coastal troops would do their best.

With the mastermind dealt with, next came the negligent accomplices.

The Ministry of Works responsible for construction, the Astronomical Bureau and the Ministry of Rites overseeing it, and the capital garrison officers clearing the area were all heavily punished.

Originally, many officials could have covered up their mistakes based on actual responsibilities, as many were not directly in charge.

But Emperor Jianzhou, being petty, would not let other princes go unscathed if his beloved fourth son had to be weakened.

So, he implicated the superiors and subordinates of those officials, especially those who had sided with princes, turning minor offenses into major ones, dismissing and confiscating family properties, affecting dozens.

Among them, the capital garrison commander, the father-in-law of the Second Prince Xie Kuan, was demoted two ranks; the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, the uncle of the First Prince Xie Hong, was penalized with a three-year promotion ban. He had been waiting to succeed the soon-retiring Minister of Rites, but now that seemed hopeless.

Emperor Jianzhou’s handling of the situation was extremely brutal and unreasonable.

In the end, all the resentment was directed at Xie Xuan.

After all, everyone knew the Emperor favored the Sixth Prince the most, so this harsh punishment was certainly to vent the Sixth Prince’s anger.

After the court session, the princes looked at Xie Xuan with eyes that seemed to wish they could devour him.

However, Xie Xuan didn’t mind. Even without these events, his dear brothers wouldn’t have loved him anyway. With many debts and grievances, he was not worried; he hadn’t lost anything this time.

That night, in a good mood, Gu Siyuan once again set out for the Sixth Prince’s residence.

Except for the New Year’s holiday, there was a curfew in the capital of Daliang year-round.

This evening, the moon was hidden, and the wind blew; dark clouds covered the sky.

Under the eaves of the pitch-black street, someone whispered, “Where did he go?”

“Chasing a scholar takes this much effort?”

Just then, another voice sounded, “Over here, over here, found him…”

The two men in black below were delighted and immediately ran toward their companion.

Gu Siyuan narrowed his eyes and followed.

At the base of a courtyard wall, four men in black were beating a scholar, “Run, you can really run…”

“Hmph, even if you escaped from Ling County, what’s the use of running to the capital? You still fell into our hands.”

Hearing the words “Ling County,” Gu Siyuan’s eyes narrowed.

Moments later, the four men in black lay lifeless on the ground.

Gu Siyuan carried the battered scholar to Xie Xuan’s residence.

At that time, Xie Xuan, wrapped in a crane cloak, habitually sat by the window in a daze.

Well, this habit had been formed in less than a month.

Suddenly, a disheveled, terrifying face covered in bruises appeared before him.

Xie Xuan’s eyes widened, almost calling for someone to drive away the ghost.

The next moment, that familiar cold face appeared beside him, and a calm voice said, “This is a living person.”

Xie Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and said irritably, “Did you happen to capture a murderer?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, expressionless, “Sort of, I killed four people.”

“…” Xie Xuan.

Don’t speak so brazenly about such things in front of me.

He blinked, “And this remaining one is…”

Gu Siyuan said softly, “This one was rescued, seemingly an out-of-town scholar for this year’s exams. I saw someone chasing him on the street and saved him.”

Xie Xuan’s eyes narrowed. A scholar being chased during the current exams?

The metropolitan exam had ended a few days ago. This could be related to a major exam scandal, given that the chief examiner for this round was someone from the First Prince Xie Hong’s faction, due to the assassination attempt at the sacrificial ceremony.

Xie Xuan nodded, “You weren’t seen when you saved him, right?”

Gu Siyuan shook his head, “He was already unconscious.”

Xie Xuan relaxed slightly, “Good, I will have him treated. I’ll notify you if anything happens.”

The person was placed in a guest room of the prince’s residence.

In the courtyard, only the two of them remained, sitting under the moon.

Perhaps having washed up, Xie Xuan’s long black hair lazily draped over his thin shoulders and back. His small, jade-like face was partially hidden, making his moist eyes and red lips particularly prominent and seductive.

Gu Siyuan squinted.

This person was doing it on purpose.

Xie Xuan blinked at him, “Why is General Gu looking at me like that?”

Gu Siyuan picked up a pastry from the table and put it in his mouth, saying indifferently, “To accompany a meal.”

“…” Xie Xuan.

What a brute, even turning “feasting on beauty” into something so crude.