Chapter 12

The Gu family alleyway was sealed off tight, leaving no room to breathe. The gatekeeper hurried to report the news.

Gu Zhuan frowned. He had anticipated that the mastermind behind the scenes might incite the common people, but he hadn't expected them to mobilize so quickly.

As Gu Zhuan stepped forward to leave, Qi Xu grabbed his arm. "Lord Gu, they're in a furious mood. It's best to avoid a direct confrontation and bide your time..."

Having weathered countless storms in his previous life, Gu Zhuan possessed a quiet composure. He said gravely, "If I retreat at the first sign of trouble, wouldn't that only embolden their arrogance?"

The sky grew overcast, and a light drizzle began to fall. Soaked and already frustrated, the crowd roared even louder: "Gu Xuechen! You've left us with no way to survive! Now you don't even dare show your face?!"

Startled birds fluttered from the branches and soared away. The villagers of Dongti Village drew a collective breath, ready to shout again, when three figures emerged from the bamboo grove at the end of the alley. Leading the way was a man in Qing-colored official robes, his bearing as cool and refined as a stalk of winter bamboo. The crowd instantly fell silent.

Gu Zhuan's gaze slowly swept over the villagers. "Fellow villagers, your homes have been destroyed, and your anxiety is understandable. However, there is indeed evidence pointing to someone in Dongti Village secretly hiding fireworks that were used to breach the East Embankment."

His words ignited an uproar.

"What evidence? Who would hide fireworks and destroy their own embankment?"

"That's impossible! Unless the person is completely deranged..."

Gu Zhuan's voice remained calm and steady, yet carried an undeniable authority. "I know you find this hard to believe and are eager to resettle. But this matter cannot be glossed over. I will uncover the truth, and I won't let your homes be destroyed in vain."

The villagers slammed their fists on the tables, leaping to their feet. "How dare you? The embankment is our lifeline! Are you trying to frame us so the Imperial Court won't give us the land?"

"Villagers, don't be fooled by him! He's just making excuses to keep our land!"

"Whether Dongti Village harbors a traitor will be revealed with a proper investigation," Qi Xu said coldly. "We will conduct this case according to Imperial Court regulations. You are indeed subjects of the Court, but that doesn't mean those who commit crimes will be shielded."

The villagers clamored, "Just one question: after the truth is revealed, will we get our land back?!"

Gu Zhuan remained silent.

According to Imperial Court law, in the event of natural disasters that destroyed fields and homes, affected parties would receive replacement land. However, if the investigation revealed Dongti Village residents were responsible, neither the amount nor the manner of compensation fell within his authority to promise.

Seeing Gu Zhuan's silence, the villagers' agitation swelled. They shoved and jostled, threatening to let the pitchfork-wielding men leap forward. Gu Zhuan coldly countered, "Do you really believe what they gave you was an authentic land deed?"

The moment his words landed, the crowd fell silent, so still you could hear a pin drop.

Gu Zhuan produced a page of land register paper. "They settled you By the Rice Estate, where wealthy families' estates cluster. Did you know those fields and houses are all registered under the names of these wealthy families?"

The villagers' faces drained of color as they examined the register.

Gu Zhuan then retrieved an official Imperial Court land deed from his sleeve and slowly explained, "Observe: this is an official Imperial Court land deed. It bears the seals of both the provincial and county magistrates in the lower left corner, clearly specifying the land's location and boundaries..."

"What they gave you weren't Imperial Court land deeds at all," Gu Zhuan said. "By signing, you've walked right into someone else's trap. What's more, the fields they allotted you belong to wealthy landowners' estates. If those with ill intentions were to sell you to these magnates, where would you turn for justice then?"

No matter how reluctant the villagers were to face it, they had to acknowledge the truth.

What they'd signed wasn't a land deed, but more likely a contract of indentured servitude.

In their hearts, they cursed Wang Jing and his ancestors countless times.

At that moment, Old Man Zhang's sister-in-law stepped forward. "Villagers," she said, "Lord Gu has been helping us all along. He saved my brother-in-law's family from being wrongly arrested... Lord Gu would never mistreat us."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" a desperate villager asked. "We've suffered a disaster—are we supposed to just accept our fate?"

"Cooperate with the investigation," Gu Zhuan replied, "and I'll ensure you receive the Imperial Court's benevolence."

An elderly villager from Dongti Village, a man of great local influence, trembled as he addressed Gu Zhuan. "Lord Gu, if anyone in Dongti Village truly destroyed our homes, the villagers will never forgive them. But if no one is guilty, Dongti Village must not be falsely accused. You must apologize to the entire village and offer us proper recompense."

The scene at the Gu family's gate had already been reported to Xiao Rui by his Shadow Guard.

Beside the Qinhuai River, Xiao Rui gazed at the shimmering water, slowly draining his cup of wine.

Returning to his seat at the banquet, Zhang Wenxuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I

Gu Zhuan entered the hall, bowed respectfully, and offered his thanks: "Many thanks to Your Majesty for intervening to save me."

Some days prior, Eunuch Feng had discreetly delivered the land deeds for the fields near the Rice Estate.

Now, reflecting on it, Gu Zhuan realized Xiao Rui had likely foreseen today's events and specifically instructed Eunuch Feng to deliver the deeds in secret.

Xiao Rui said indifferently, "Faced with such formidable opposition before you've even begun, are you frightened?"

"Now that I've made up my mind," Gu Zhuan replied, "I will not retreat."

At these words, Xiao Rui's gaze seemed to pause.

Cold sweat rolled down Gu Zhuan's forehead.

He suddenly recalled that rainy night long ago, when they had sat across from each other, playing chess.

Back then, Xiao Rui was already secretly plotting to seize the throne. Gu Zhuan had sensed this but never openly acknowledged it.

Xiao Rui's chess style gradually revealed its murderous intent, and he smiled as he laid his cards on the table: "Teacher thought this was merely a leisurely pastime, but little did you know, hidden beneath the surface lies a world of blades and shadows."

Gu Zhuan smiled back: "No matter. Since the game has begun, I will play it to the end with you."

Xiao Rui had looked up, his eyes sharp as daggers: "They say the world is like a chessboard, and the court is in turmoil. I refuse to remain subordinate to others. This game... Teacher, will you play it with me?"

Back then, Gu Zhuan had placed a stone, looked up, and spoken those same words to Xiao Rui.

But Xiao Rui... had likely long forgotten them by now...

The hall fell utterly silent, save for the faint, curling smoke from the incense burner.

Gu Zhuan sensed Xiao Rui's burning gaze scrutinizing him.

Over the past few days, he had noticed that Gu Xuechen's features—the shape of his brows and eyes, the curve of his lips—were gradually taking on traces of his own features.

Gu Zhuan forced himself to maintain a calm smile, steeling himself to endure Xiao Rui's intense scrutiny.

An indescribable strangeness hung in the air within the palace hall.

At that moment, Eunuch Feng entered and whispered, "Your Majesty, Zhang Wenxuan requests an audience."

Xiao Rui nodded. The doors opened, and Zhang Wenxuan entered with a light step, bowing respectfully.

As soon as he stepped inside, he sensed the peculiar atmosphere in the hall.

When he saw the figure kneeling on the floor, Zhang Wenxuan started in surprise.

The youth, dressed in a pale green official's robe, had long, lowered lashes, skin as white as snow, and a delicate, icy beauty that was impossible to ignore.

With the candlelight illuminating such a striking beauty in the night, Zhang Wenxuan immediately understood why Xiao Rui had rushed back to the Imperial Palace.

It was only natural that Xiao Rui would disdain the vulgar gifts Zhang Wenxuan had prepared.

A knowing smile spread across Zhang Wenxuan's face. "This humble servant discovered several exquisite porcelain vases and came to present them to Your Majesty. Since Your Majesty is occupied, I shall withdraw for now."

The vases were draped in silk cloth. When the cloth was lifted, Gu Zhuan froze.

The vases' white glaze was warm and lustrous, each side intricately painted with scenes of men intertwined in courtyards and on beds, their bodies entwined and intertwined...