Translator"s Note: So instead of “Head Chancellor,” Ying Nianyun"s been referred to as “Grand Secretary” (大学士) for all of his appearances after the first. Thus, I"ve changed his t.i.tle accordingly both here and in previous chapters + the glossary!
Gu Xinglang"s words turned his oldest brother"s eyes red with the threat of tears. On one side, Gu Xingyan used the hem of his sleeve to rub ferociously at his own eyes. It was uncertain whether the second young master had been crying as well.
Grand Secretary Ying and the rest sat down together with Gu Chen in the courtyard. After everyone exchanged looks, Grand Secretary Ying spoke up first.
"No matter what, Xinglang, you can"t let down Her Royal Highness"s goodwill."
Gu Xinglang"s legs were already useless and the Gu Clan devoid of position or wealth. Even if everyone seated here were seniors who had watched him grow up, none of them could see as an eligible son-in-law. Not only had the princess married below her station, she"d also picked the wrong groom.
"His Majesty was certainly willing," the blunt and outspoken Gu Xingyan remarked. "That"s his own daughter being married off, ah!"
With regards to His Majesty, none of the officials had anything to say. Cursing the emperor was a capital offense that would lose them their heads. Who would risk it for no reason?
"Brother Gu, this wedding allowed you to escape calamity at the prisons. Zhao Qiuming"s side hasn"t stirred yet, but I"m afraid they have other plans in mind," the Imperial Censor Qiu Zheng (邱诤) muttered in low tones. "We can"t lower our guard."
"Would His Majesty just sit by and watch Consort Zhao hurt the eldest princess?" Gu Chen knit his brows.
The various old men sat in bitter thought in the courtyard for awhile, but couldn"t think up any foolproof plans. In the end, Ying Nianyun said, "We"ll just have to be careful with everything we do. I"ve already written to the Jiang Clan in Wuzhou. I believe they"ll send someone to the capital very soon."
Gu Chen nodded, then looked at his quiet, youngest grandson. He couldn"t help but let out a sigh. Ying Nianyun looked towards Gu Xinglang as well. The third young master"s personality tended towards the cold and taciturn, but he had the spirit of youth about him. Currently he was reclining in his chair in bare feet, his ankles swathed in a layer of thick white gauze. Apathy emanated from his form. How could this be the daring and energetic Gu Xinglang who rose to fame in his young years?
While Ying Nianyun was preparing to coax him, Qiu Zheng remarked, "Her Royal Highness is the very image of the late empress."
Although the empress didn"t possess Consort Zhao"s lovely charms, her looks had always surpa.s.sed that of the other woman thanks to her dignity and gentleness. Official Qiu didn"t say it outright, but this was his way of telling Gu Xinglang that Princess Linglong was a beauty.
"Her Royal Highness is supposed to have an excellent personality too," another official added. "Although she"s young, her temper is kind and virtuous. The two of you will have a happy life in the future."
The various officials took turns consoling Gu Xinglang. Although the Gu Clan had regained its freedom, none of them could see hope for the clan hereafter. They couldn"t very well lie and said they"d find good doctors to treat the boy"s legs when that was impossible. In the end, they could only praise Princess Linglong"s merits. For the third master of the Gu Clan, his only solace in the future would be marrying an amiable and lovely wife.
Despite this, Gu Xinglang didn"t take any of their words to heart. He wasn"t expecting anything from Princess Linglong either, but only felt that it was a curse for a cripple to marry any girl.
"Eldest," Gu Chen called out to Gu Xingnuo when he saw that his friends" coaxing had no effect on his grandson, "Take Third back to his rooms to rest."
Gu Xingnuo obeyed his grandfather and picked up the thinner, lighter Gu Xinglang bridal style to carry him to his rooms. Supreme Commander Gu saw that Gu Xingyan was still crouching by the flowerbeds and spoke to him next.
"See if Third"s medicine is ready yet. If it is, bring it to him to drink."
Like that, Gu Xingyan rose to leave too.
"There can be no mistakes for the wedding," Ying Nianyun reminded the old circle of friends once the young men had left. "This concerns the royal family. There"s no guarantee that Zhao Qiuming and the rest won"t seize this chance to accuse you of gross disrespect to the imperial clan."
"Gross disrespect," Gu Chen smiled coldly. "That"s another capital offense."
"You can only reverse a verdict if you survive," Ying Nianyun muttered. "Right now, the Zhao father and daughter must be thinking of eradicating their troubles from the roots. You can"t let them have their way."
Gu Chen nodded. Against a poisonous pair like the Zhao father and daughter, he didn"t hold much faith, but there was no choice but to face them now.
"Xinglang is a good child," Ying Nianyun added. "Her Royal Highness is a good child as well. This shouldn"t be a bad match."
The group gave a collective sigh at his words. Little girls knew nothing of love yet. Now that she"d married below her station to a crippled boy, only Heaven would know if their marriage was fair or foul.
—
Gu Xingnuo took Gu Xinglang inside his room and gently placed him on the bed. When he looked up at his little brother, he abruptly saw blood by the corner of his lip. Alarmed, he cried out, "Xinglang, what"s wrong?"
Gu Xinglang was confused at first. When he saw Gu Xingnuo pointing at the blood, he realized its coppery taste had already filled his mouth. Though he wanted to speak, he ended up spitting a mouthful of blood into his brother"s hand instead..