Scheming Emperor X Hunting Eunuch - Chapter 5.2

The various red rosewood furniture was filled with books and calligraphy paintings by predecessors, without a single gold, silver, or jade ornament. In the center, a person sat writing at a desk, his posture upright and dignified, his expression meticulous. Even the most rigid tutor couldn’t find fault with his sitting posture or etiquette.

Hearing the movement, the person looked up slightly.

As if sculpted from the clear snow outside, with jade-like skin and bones, cold, solemn, dignified, holy and clear, and beneath it all, a hint of the hazy peach blossom fragrance carried by the rain and mist from outside the window.

“You may withdraw first.” Gu Jiuqing said.

Yue Ting bowed and withdrew, but couldn’t help stealing two glances at Pei Yanci before leaving, still unable to figure anything out.

Pei Yanci entered the room and bowed.

“What important matter do you need to discuss with this prince?” Gu Jiuqing said unhurriedly.

His eyes were very bright, emanating threads of coolness, like a piece of dark brown glass soaked in mountain streams, spiritually beautiful without any impurities. Even his pupils weren’t dark enough, making it easy to see into his heart through them.

“This humble one came especially to thank Your Highness.” Pei Yanci said.

Gu Jiuqing’s brush paused above the paper.

“The day before yesterday, this humble one was innocently affected by Elu Bureau’s people conducting business at Xiangqing Tavern. Thanks to Your Highness’s grace, Steward Zhang questioned this humble one and then allowed this humble one to continue working in the teahouse.”

Whether this was done under your orders or not, after this, no matter what I say, you can’t investigate my faults further.

“Such a small matter doesn’t require a personal visit to give thanks.” Gu Jiuqing’s voice sounded quite indifferent, like someone without emotions.

“What is a small matter to Your Highness is a matter of life and death to this humble one. Especially seeing Fei Yuan’s tragic death, this humble one is even more grateful for Your Highness’s generous compassion.”

Gu Jiuqing let out a light sigh, “This prince also feels pain at Fei Yuan’s wrongful death. In the next couple days, go outside the mansion to search for his body. If you find it, bring him back for proper burial, fulfilling this prince’s master-servant relationship with him.”

“Your Highness, Fei Yuan’s friend has already found his body.”

“That’s good news. Have him speak with Chief Steward Zhang later to withdraw twenty taels of silver. You and he can bury the body together.”

A grave hardly needed twenty taels of silver – most of the remaining money would end up in his and Wuli’s pockets.

When reason couldn’t move him, now he was trying bribery?

“Your Highness, Fei Yuan hated this humble one extremely during his lifetime. If this humble one personally buries him, this humble one fears he won’t rest in peace.”

Gu Jiuqing frowned.

Pei Yanci said, “This humble one heard people mention that General Jiang Yi was also at the tavern and was arrested by Elu Bureau’s people.”

“This matter has nothing to do with you.” Gu Jiuqing said.

“Does Your Highness really think so?” Pei Yanci’s gaze became sharp. “If so, why would Your Highness want this humble one to leave the mansion and encounter Elu Bureau’s people waiting outside?”

The wooden window, left slightly ajar, was blown open by wind carrying peach blossom petals and fine raindrops.

The papers on the long table rustled in the wind, and Gu Jiuqing’s bangs swayed before his eyes, adding an imperceptible shadow to those eyes.

From the previous conversation, Pei Yanci had already understood Gu Jiuqing’s attitude toward this matter.

The Crown Prince didn’t want to get involved in trouble and had already decided to hand him over to Elu Bureau’s people.

But what benefit would this bring the Crown Prince?

He had no connection with the Crown Prince, so how could the Crown Prince know that he was tough as steel and iron, able to endure Elu Bureau’s torture, and would die before saying a word against him?

It was impossible.

So he didn’t care about his testimony.

Because Pei Yanci was just an insignificant attendant in the mansion, while he was the noble Crown Prince who had obviously already planned his way out.

Gu Jiuqing would rather have Pei Yanci arrested, even actively luring him out of the mansion, than risk directly confronting Elu Bureau to protect him.

Because it was completely unnecessary – Pei Yanci was just an attendant.

The brush was thrown onto the desk with a crisp collision, showing the high-positioned person’s current irritation.

“At this moment, General Jiang Yi should still be enduring torture without saying anything unfavorable to Your Highness.” Otherwise, his testimony would be enough for those castrated dogs to bring imperial orders and righteously break into the Crown Prince’s Mansion to arrest people. “If Elu Bureau can’t find this humble one, they only have a corpse that can’t speak, which proves nothing.”

Pei Yanci presented him with another possibility – one that didn’t require sacrificing him.

“You… raise your head when speaking.”

“Yes.”

This was the first time Gu Jiuqing had looked completely at that face.

Pei Yanci had elegant brows, eyes like the bright crescent moon, pupils like morning stars, thin and pale eyelids tinged with the red of dawn clouds, deepening at the double eyelids, even more alluring than peach blossoms. His nose was straight, teeth like shells, mouth naturally curved in a smile – scholarly and refined, divinely handsome.

For a moment, Gu Jiuqing felt his aura being suppressed by three parts.

But as soon as he frowned, this uncomfortable feeling of being suppressed disappeared without a trace.

The person before him was still that trembling servant seeking his protection.

It was an illusion.

“Your Highness, this time you yield and hand over someone close to you, satisfying their wishes. Next time, they’ll set their sights on people even closer to you.”

“They are the ones pressing aggressively, not this prince.” Gu Jiuqing’s tightly furrowed brow showed irritation. “This prince has always disdained to fight with those lowly creatures, only getting dirty.”

“This humble one is willing to serve Your Highness like a dog or horse.” Pei Yanci directly expressed his loyalty.

His current identity was just a servant at anyone’s mercy. Only when his demonstrated value exceeded this worthless life would Gu Jiuqing possibly spend more effort to protect him.

“General Jiang was initially imprisoned in Elu Bureau’s jail supposedly for speaking a few fair words for the failed scholars. This was righteous action, not factional struggle. We only need to seize this talking point, spread word, and use the opportunity to fan the flames, inciting scholars and literati throughout the realm to oppose them. Elu Bureau won’t be able to withstand the pressure and will soon release General Jiang and the arrested scholars. Your Highness need only wait to reap the benefits and gain the support of the honest faction.”

This was obviously a better approach than letting Pei Yanci be captured by Elu Bureau’s people.

Gu Jiuqing had to agree.

“Your name is Yanci?”

“Yes.” Pei Yanci bowed again.

“This prince never realized before that such a capable person existed among the attendants in his mansion.” Gu Jiuqing’s face was cold, his eyes gradually taking on the chill of spring cold from outside the window. “It’s a pity you lost your memory.”

Then he murmured quietly, “Fortunately, you only lost your memory.”

“Your Highness.”

Just as Pei Yanci was about to speak, Gu Jiuqing raised his hand to interrupt. “Elu Bureau has been watching this prince closely these days. This prince wants to protect you, but with so many people in the mansion, there are inevitably Elu Bureau’s spies. You should leave the city first to avoid the storm. When this matter is resolved, return and serve by this prince’s side.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Highness.” Pei Yanci’s face showed joy as he bowed in thanks.

Gu Jiuqing waved his hand casually, and from somewhere a fat figure appeared – it was Zhang Huairu.

Pei Yanci followed him out of the courtyard, saying in a cheerful tone, “Chief Steward Zhang, after leaving the city, I don’t know how long before I can return. I’d like to go back and pack my things first.”

“No need, your few belongings aren’t worth much,” Zhang Huairu said in a shrill voice, “The estate outside the city has everything.”

Pei Yanci slowed his steps, “Since I won’t be back for some time, I have a few words I’d like to say to Wu Luo.”

Zhang Huairu’s face showed impatience.

“He and I have a good relationship. Since I’m leaving the city and don’t know when I’ll return, I have things to tell him.”

“There are plenty of pleasure houses in and out of the city. Aren’t the people there better than a servant?” Hearing his aggrieved tone, Zhang Huairu softened momentarily, “Fine, I’ll give you a quarter hour. Go quickly and return quickly.”

“Yanci, you’re here!”

Before Pei Yanci could thank him, a fat man came from the path ahead and rushed over.

“Today I invited them out, but they declined, saying I caused Fei Yuan’s death and was being fake. Did you spread rumors about me everywhere!”

“Is this true? I’ll go ask them about it – this is too much.” Pei Yanci tried to leave but was blocked by Wuli.

Zhang Huairu stopped both of them, “Perfect, don’t go back. Whatever you need to say, let him pass it along.”

Only then did Wuli notice there was another person beside them. Without bothering to bow, he said, “Chief Steward Zhang, you must do me justice! This person is spreading rumors everywhere, saying I betrayed my brothers and let my friend die. This is completely untrue!”

Just as Pei Yanci was about to argue, Zhang Huairu called over several eunuchs.

He was about to speak when his mouth was covered from behind, and the next moment, he lost consciousness and fainted.