Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The shop of Peach Blossom Studio was originally rented, but as business improved, Ye Xiaohan wanted to buy it. The owner was unwilling, believing that with such a thriving business, the price could only go up.
However, before the rent could increase, the incident involving the toxic Blush occurred, leading to the complete closure of the studio.
The owner asked several people but found no one willing to take over. In the end, he had to approach Ye Xiaohan with a smile, hoping she would acquire the shop.
Ye Xiaohan had a special attachment to Peach Blossom Studio, and since the owner's asking price was quite low, she decided to buy it outright. Even if she couldn't use it in the future, it would serve as a keepsake.
Unexpectedly, a great fire destroyed everything, leaving only this shop behind.
Gu Dadao said, "If he wants to stay, he can. Those people are here for you and the general. Without you here, they would feel safer."
Ye Xiaohan thought about it and realized he had a point. They were currently in the eye of the storm; being caught up in it was not a good thing. It would be better to let Li Yi live out his old age in peace here.
Early the next morning, after bidding farewell to Li Yi and Round, Ye Xiaohan and her companions set off for the capital.
As they rode in the carriage, Seven Fingers looked out of the window towards the town that was now out of sight, feeling reluctant to leave.
"What's wrong? Still thinking about Round?" Ye Xiaohan asked as she offered her a piece of pastry. She watched as Seven Fingers missed her companion but still ate just as much as usual.
Seven Fingers gazed out at the scenery and asked softly, "Sister-in-law, will we come back? Will I see Round again? We promised each other that when it rained next time, we would go to the riverbank to dig for worms."
Ye Xiaohan handed her the food box so she could hold it herself and comforted her, "Of course we will. There’s still a long time ahead of us. Once everything is resolved, we’ll return. By then, you can go dig for worms with her."
"Okay!" Seven Fingers felt comforted both in spirit and stomach and gradually became happier. Although Round wouldn't be in the capital, she still had her older brother there, whom she liked very much.
Ye Xiaohan felt a sense of melancholy after all that had happened. She had comforted Liu Qi, but the resolution of their situation was uncertain. It could take months, or even years. By the time they settled down, Liu Qi might have already outgrown the age of inviting friends to the riverbank to dig for worms.
She could only hope that things would resolve smoothly without any unexpected complications. However, she was well aware that this was merely a beautiful wish. When it came to the struggle for the throne, how could they possibly escape unscathed?
Gu Bei received urgent news from Gu Da about the arson at the Liu family estate, and he was both shocked and furious. Fortunately, thanks to Ye Xiaohan's cleverness, everyone was safe; otherwise, he couldn't imagine how he would have reacted.
With Gu Da looking after him on the road, Gu Bei felt reassured and focused on his journey back to the capital, urging his horse to go faster.
Upon arriving in the capital, he was met by the palace guards who had been waiting for him. They informed him that he was to attend court and meet with the emperor early the next morning.
Stepping once again into the long-absent General's residence, Gu Bei felt as if he had traveled through time. It had only been a little over a year since the incident, yet it felt like he had lived an entire lifetime.
To his surprise, the emperor had not confiscated the General's residence but had allowed it to remain intact.
Although Gu Bei had been framed, from the emperor's perspective, it could be seen as a clear case of desertion in battle. According to the law, deserters were to be executed!
Shaking off his chaotic thoughts, Gu Bei quickly tidied himself up. After all, arriving in such a disheveled state to meet the emperor would be a breach of etiquette.
Though the General's residence still stood, it was no longer as prosperous as it once had been. After its master left, this grand estate had fallen into decline.
Compared to ordinary homes, the General's residence remained magnificent and imposing. Yet this grandeur only served to highlight its desolation and neglect after years of disrepair.
The servants in the residence who could leave had all departed. The general, fearing punishment, had fled, and it was uncertain whether this would implicate those left behind. Gu Bei could not witness the chaos in the general's household firsthand, but he could easily imagine it.
Aside from the Old Steward, those who remained were mostly bonded servants who had signed contracts of servitude. Even if they wanted to escape, they would not gain their freedom, so they had no choice but to stay.
More than a year later, lying once again on the bed in his quarters, Gu Bei found it surprisingly bearable and soon felt drowsy.
The next morning, without waiting for dawn, Gu Bei got up and dressed. The general's residence was not close to the palace; if he did not rise early, he would miss the time for court.
As soon as Gu Bei appeared, the gazes of the ministers were glued to him. However, being seasoned politicians, they did not make their interest too obvious.
Gu Bei stood alone while groups of ministers gathered around him, none daring to approach and speak.
It was important to note that Gu Bei was no longer the imposing general he once was; he was now a fugitive under suspicion. The emperor had yet to decide how to punish him, so no one would willingly seek trouble for themselves.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Upon hearing that the emperor was coming, the ministers immediately bowed respectfully: "Long live Your Majesty! Long live our Emperor!"
"Rise," came the emperor's voice from above as he looked down at them.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" After expressing their gratitude, the ministers stood up.
The emperor's gaze swept across the assembly before suddenly raising his voice and calling out, "Flying Dragon General Gu Bei, are you present?"
"Your humble servant Gu Bei pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
Gu Bei stepped forward and knelt on one knee in salute.
The Emperor snorted coldly, his voice filled with anger. "Gu Bei, you have a lot of nerve! As a commander of the army, you failed to drive away the enemy; as a general, you did not protect your homeland!"
He pointed at Gu Bei and scolded, "You still dare to come here after losing the battle without returning to the capital to report and apologize for your dereliction of duty. Instead, you abandoned your responsibilities and your soldiers, running off to enjoy yourself elsewhere! Gu Bei, do you know your crimes?"
The Imperial Countenance was furious, and the court fell into a sudden silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Gu Bei replied solemnly, "I acknowledge my crimes!"
"Very well!" The Emperor laughed in anger. "Since you admit your guilt, I will not make it difficult for you. What punishment do you think you deserve?"
Before Gu Bei could respond, he felt a whirlwind of emotions and was momentarily at a loss for words.
At that moment, the Crown Prince exchanged a glance with someone nearby, and immediately someone stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness," the person said after bowing. "The Flying Dragon General led his troops into battle but suffered a crushing defeat, with countless soldiers dead or wounded, leaving the common people in dire straits. This is one crime!"
He turned to Gu Bei and accused him in an indignant voice. "Furthermore, he did not return to the capital promptly to report to Your Majesty; instead, he fled out of fear of punishment. This is a second crime!"
"His actions show neither the responsibility of a general nor the loyalty of a subject, provoking Your Majesty's great anger. This is a third crime! Your Majesty is magnanimous and compassionate, yet Gu Bei treats this as an opportunity for arrogance—his heart deserves punishment!"
His words were impassioned, as if he genuinely cared for the nation and its people. However, if one looked closely, they would notice that he exchanged a triumphant glance with the Crown Prince when no one was paying attention.
This man was Wang Hu, the Minister of Rites and an ally of Crown Prince Murong Cheng. Murong Cheng had long been at odds with Gu Bei and was eager to see him removed. As a member of the Crown Prince's faction, he would naturally seize this opportunity to curry favor with Murong Cheng.
The war had ended in defeat, and fleeing in fear of punishment had angered the Imperial Countenance. Each of these was a grave crime that could send chills down anyone's spine.
Gu Bei did not attempt to defend himself; these were all facts. Although there were hidden circumstances, the truth could not be erased.
"Your Majesty, all of this is my negligence. Whatever punishment you decide for me, I will accept without question."
As soon as Gu Bei finished speaking, a great stir arose among the ministers in the court. His words essentially placed all the blame squarely on his own shoulders.
Murong Cheng glanced at Gu Bei. This man remained as stubborn as ever, unwilling to change his convictions. It was precisely this trait that had been exploited back then when he conspired with Gu Rong, his own brother, leading to Murong Cheng's downfall.
Now that he had returned, he still bore the same demeanor—truly seeking his own demise.
Gu Bei, once the Crown Prince had kindly sought to recruit you, but you turned him down harshly. Now you find yourself in this dire situation; it is entirely your own doing!
Murong Cheng withdrew his gaze. He understood the dynamics of the court better than anyone. Gu Bei had never been one to form cliques for personal gain and had few allies within the court.
Previously, people flattered and courted him out of respect for his status as a general. Now, he was merely a condemned man, and naturally, no one would come forward to support him.
Moreover, the court was a place where winds could shift rapidly; everything could change in an instant. Gu Bei had been away from the capital for over a year and had little understanding of the current state of affairs in the court.
Comment 0 Comment Count