Chapter 51
Ever since Lin Qingyu had settled into his residence, he has never invited anyone in there, not even his family. Although Gu Fuzhou had been kind to the Lin Family, there were too many things about him that were suspicious. He was also under the constant watch of that pair of Tainji Camp guards. No matter what he said or did, Xiao Cheng would know. Taking him to his residence at this time was definitely an unwise move.
Lin Qingyu weighed the matter over and over. He said, “I am a widow. It has been less than half a year since my husband died of illness. If I were to rashly take the general to my residence, where I live alone, it will definitely attract criticism.”
Gu Fuzhou rethought his suggestion and did not force the matter. “If that’s the case, then let’s go to the Nan’an Hou’s Mansion.”
Lin Qingyu thought that Gu Fuzhou came on horseback, surprisingly, like himself, the general had come in a carriage. The two arrived at the Nan’an Hou’s Mansion. After the servants informed the master of their arrival, although the Nan’an Marquis did not come out of the mansion to greet them, like he had done for the crown prince, he still welcomed them in front of the main hall.
It had been several months since they had last seen each other. The Nan’an Hou’s complexion had indeed improved a lot. The contributions of the child in Pan Shi’s belly truly cannot go unnoticed. Gu Fuzhou was a first-rank general and he, a first-rank noble. Upon meeting, they gave each other courtesy befitting an equal.
Lin Qingyu stood quietly by the side, watching the two exchange superfluous nonsense. In front of the Nan’an Hou, Gu Fuzhou’s expression was stern; his words, were concise and to the point; every movement was that of a capable warrior. He now resembled the famed reserved and grim god of war of the past. Gu Fuzhou had obviously been joking and teasing just now, saying things like how a beauty should practice Gu. Not long ago, he had even been displaying his strength, chopping bricks bare-handed.
This kind of skillful ease reminded him of a certain someone once again.
Xixia, the secret code, Gu Fuzhou’s strange words and deeds and his excessive show of goodwill. Was it a coincidence, him just being too suspicious or… something else.
When the Nan’an Hou learned that Gu Fuzhou had come to pay homage to Lu Wancheng, he didn’t feel very gratified. Instead, he looked worriedly at the two guards behind him. “The general is very considerate. Steward, lead the general to the ancestral hall. I must attend to court so I won’t accompanying you.”
Gu Fuzhou nodded lightly, “Master Hou, please don’t let us keep you.”
From beginning to end, Nan’an Hou regarded Lin Qingyu like empty space. Evidently, he was still brooding about the misfortune he had brought upon their house as a male wife. He had no wish to interact with him at all.
Their group headed to the Lu Family’s ancestral hall. Gu Fuzhou looked “Lu Wancheng’s Memorial Tablet” at the lowest level. The corners of his lips moved slightly, as though he wanted to laugh but felt that he shouldn’t. In the end, he simply sighed and said nothing.
A servant lit six sticks of incense and handed them over. Lin Qingyu and Gu Fuzhou each held three sticks. Standing side by side in front of Lu Wancheng’s memorial tablet, they bowed three times in unison. Gu Fuzhou inserted his incense sticks into the incense burner first. He then turned sideways to make way for Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu stepped forward and said softly, “There are guards followings the general wherever he goes. Is it not annoying having one’s words and deeds all under the eyes of others?”
Gu Fuzhou seemed completely helpless. “It cannot be helped. The crown prince feels I have ulterior motives behind my urgent return to the capital. Perhaps he feels I’m here to make contact with someone and together, we’ll set something big. It’s fine, let them follow. At least it can dispel the crown prince’s doubts and restore my innocence.”
“The general is being overly anxious.” The guard said, a wooden expression on his face. “The general was poisoned and the poisoner has yet to be caught. His Highness sent us to accompany the general his protection.”
The guard had been standing behind them. Lin Qingyu was not at all surprised that they had clearly heard them despite the fact that he had kept his voice extremely soft. It was said that every member of the Tianji Camp was capable and extraordinarily skilled.
Gu Fuzhou smiled indifferently. “Alright. If that’s what the Crown Prince says.”
Lin Qingyu’s heart moved. He felt like that Gu Fuzhou’s words signified something. “The general wishes to clear the suspicions on himself. However, won’t coming in such an overt manner to the Imperial Medical Office to find me bring the Crown Prince’s suspicions on myself? He might think I’m the very contact you’re supposed to meet.”
Gu Fuzhou restrained the smile on his face. “I have no wish to implicate you either. However, are you not my adopted brother? Getting closer to you is but normal. An innocent person’s innocence naturally shines through. There is no need for Imperial Physician Lin to worry too much.”
An innocent person’s innocence naturally shines through. The premise being that the innocent person was actually innocent or at least the innocent person should believe himself so. He must not have anything that others could use against him, leaving an opportunity that others might exploit.
Lin Qingyu asked again, “What the general means to say is that his anxiousness to return to the capital is only for the detoxification and nothing else?”
“What nefarious thoughts could I possibly have? I simply wish to preserve my life and enjoy a few more years in happy, leisurely retirement. After all, no matter how daring I may, I woulnd’t dare not do anything to deceive the Emperor. That would be a capital offense.”
“The northwest is in turmoil, the country is divided and the people on the frontier are struggling to survve. This general has already journeyed to gates of hell once. When I returned, my head was filled with thoughts of living in ease and comfort. How could I be worthy of the trust of the court and of the country’s people?”
“Others might not know it, but I know it well in my heart.” Gu Fuzhou laughed softly, “It is only through luck that I’ve been able to win my battles. Five consecutive victories is all good and well but sooner or later, I have no doubt I will be met with consecutive defeats. Neither the court nor populace should misplace their confidence in me. I no longer wish to be responsible for millions of lives. I truly am tired. The incompetent should quickly be made to take off one's armour and return to the land. Only in this way can I truly avoid letting the populace down.”
Lin Qingyu disagreed. Gu Fuzhou’s incompetence is false. What was true was that he wanted to laze around.
He really was…seeming more and more similar.
After paying his respects to Lu Wancheng, Gu Fuzhou parted ways with Lin Qingyu.
Gu Fuzhou got into the carriage, and the groom asked him, “Is the general going back to the mansion?”
The groom waited for a long time. When the general did not respond, he was about to ask again when he heard a voice from inside the carriage, “No, I still have someone I wish to meet.”
With the coming of summer, not only did the emperor’s condition not improve, rather it became increasingly grave. The imperial physicians were helpless. Even the recently returned Lin Yuan Pan could not provide a solution.
“His Majesty’s headache has been a perennial problem. For decades, we have been able to treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Ordinary prescriptions no longer have an effect on the Emperor’s body. His condition has become even more serious from how long this illness has persisted.”
The empress stayed by the emperor’s bed, heart burning with anxiety, “Is there really no way?”
Lin Yuan Pan said hesitantly, “This…”
Xiao Cheng said, “If you have something to say then say it.”
“Today, a miracle-working doctor from the southern border had been invited to the capital to give lectures at the Imperial Medical Office. Among the things he mentioned was the use of Gu to penetrate the brain in order to eradicate the root cause of headaches…”
“Absolutely not!” The queen said without even a moment’s thought, “Using a Gu upon the Emperor’s person! Saying such a thing, are you looking for death!”
The imperial physicians knelt down and said, “Asking Her Majesty to quell her anger.”
Xiao Cheng looked down at the Lin Yuan Pan said with a sneer. “It is true what they say; like father, like son. The two Imperial Physicians Lin of the Imperial Hospital are so courageous. Lin Yuan Pan has been following after Gu Fuzhou for so long and has even accepted him as an adopted son. Is it possible that you’ve grown stupid and ignorant like some in the army? Do you know only how to look after General Gu and not the Son of Heaven?”
Lin Yuan Pan broke out in a cold sweat. “This humble official dares not.”
The empress said sharply, “Do not mention this matter again. Withdraw.”
“Wait a minute, I haven’t finished speaking. What is the empress mother’s hurry?” The corner of Xiao Cheng’s lips ticked up. “Hear Gu’s command, for your propensity for blabbing nonsense and for wanting to use the Gu technique of the southern border on the emperor, starting today, you will be downgraded to a sixth-rank limu.”
A limu of the Imperial Hospital was clerical official responsible for the management of the medical books and materials. They have no real power and were not allowed to make patient visits.
The Empress felt the punishment inappropriate. Lin Yuan Pan was the best physician in the Dayu, to disallow him to treat patients was a waste of his considerable talent. She opened her mouth to speak, but was stopped by Xiao Cheng with a raising of his hand. “For a mere imperial physician, empress mother need not spend so many words.”
Lin Yuan Pan kowtowed and said, “Your servant kowtows in thanks to Your Highness.”
The empress closed her eyes and endured. No matter how unwilling she was, she could only swallow the words back. The emperor was unconscious from illness. At this time, the crown prince could naturally run unbridled, shutting the sky with one hand.
“Your Highness,” Xue Ying walked in from outside, “The leader of Tianji Camp requests and audience.”
Xiao Cheng said, “Let him wait in Qinzheng Hall.”
There was a sadness in the empress’ heart. Whether it is the old eunuch beside the emperor, or the Tianji camp for the emperor’s eagle dogs, they are all looking forward to the prince. The prince is really…not far from the throne.
In the Qinzheng Hall, the leader of the Tianji Camp gave a detailed report of Gu Fuzhou’s movements to Xiao Cheng. “Today, General Gu left his residence for the first time since his return to the capital. First, he went to the Imperial Medical Office, saying that he was there to pick up Imperial Physician Lin from school. The both of them then the Nan’an Hou’s Mansion to pay their respects to Young Master Hou. The Nan’an Hou only said a few words to him and before leaving in a hurry. Finally, General Gu went to the Fourth Prince’s Mansion once again.”
Xiao Zhan narrowed his eyes. “Xiao Jie?”
In the years during the battle for succession, apart from him, who won a complete victory, only two princes managed to escape unscathed. One was the foolish son born to the queen, and the other one was the fourth prince, Xiao Jie.
Although Xiao Jie was not a fool, he might was well be one — he was an attractive but useless dunce. His biological mother was born of humble origins; he himself was unable to earn his father, the emperor’s favor; he had been unfit even to join the battle for succession.
Xiao Cheng asked, “What did they talk about?”
“They exchanged polite greetings. General Gu recounted lots of interesting battlefield stories and the fourth prince listened with great interest. He invited the general to come back another time to eat roast sheep and have a drink.”
Could it be that Gu Fuzhou did everything possible to return to Beijing because of Xiao Jie? No, Gu Fuzhou knew that someone was watching, so what they saw on the surface was just what Gu Fuzhou wanted them to see. So was Gu Fuzhou trying to purposely muddy the waters to hide his true intentions?
“Continue to watch him.” Xiao Ting said, “Report immediately if he does anything unusual.”
News regarding Father Lin reached the Imperial Hospital and Lin Qingyu immediately took leave and returned to the Lin Residence. He thought that his father would be unhappy after being reprimanded. He didn’t expect for his father to be calm. He even laughed as told Mother Lin that he would now be able to go home on time every day.
Lin Qingyu was helpless. “How can Father laugh at this?”
Father Lin found joy in the bitterness. “It’s nothing more than going from fifth rank to the idle position of the sixth rank. It’s nothing. Speaking of which, before returning to the capital, the general had already reminded me to be careful of the Crown Prince. I was careless in my eagerness to help the emperor.”
Lin Qingyu was slightly surprised. “The general told you to be careful of the Crown Prince?”
“Yes. He said he was eager to return to the capital and because of it, he had no choice but to rouse a lot of suspicions. The Crown Prince would surely be wary of the people around the general. I didn’t expect I would be demoted because of this. Qingyu, you and I have both seen the effectiveness of the southern border Gu medicines. It can cure the illness of common people but not of the Son of Heaven. — It is a pity, truly regrettable.
Lin Qingyu wasn’t in any state of mind to be thinking about the southern border Gu poisons. He replayed Gu Fuzhou’s words over and over again and seemed to catch hold of something. Like seeing a flower through the fog, from start to finish, he could not see it clearly.
There were two possibilities as to why Jiang wouldn’t come to make himself known — he was physically far away or he had no choice but to conceal his identity. Was there another possibility–
“Well, now is not a good time.”
“I don’t want to involve you either.”
Lin Qingyu pondered for a long time and asked, “Father, you said that the message ‘if odd, change; if even, remain the same’ came from a Xixia secret letter that General Gu intercepted. Besides General Gu, has anyone seen that secret letter with their own eyes?”
Father Lin didn’t know why his eldest son was asking such a question. He said, “Given its secret nature, the general naturally wouldn’t show it to others.”
“So, not even General Zhao has seen it?”
Father Lin said, “I don’t know about that.”
Lin Qingyu’s eyes moved slightly.
Perhaps, he had made a mistake in the beginning. The source of the secret letter was not in Xixia, but in… Yongliang.
The next day, Lin Qingyu went to the general’s mansion to deliver medicine as usual. As soon as he got off the carriage, Yuan Yin greeted him and said, “Imperial Physician Lin, the general is not at the mansion today.”
Lin Qingyu asked, “Then where is he?”
“The general is at the Fourth Prince’s mansion.” Yuan Yin said with a smile, “If Imperial Physician Lin would give the medicine to me? I will send someone to the general.”
Lin Qingyu thought for a while and said, “No need, I will simply head there myself.”
There were rules in the palace. Save for the crown prince, all adult princes were not allowed to reside in the palace. in the future, when the crown prince ascends the throne, these princes may be conferred with the title of king and moved to fiefdom. And this fourth prince had just turned eighteen this year.
Lin Qingyu got off the carriage and saw dozens of horses stopped in front of the Fourth Prince’s Mansion. These horses were all majestic; they looked to be warhorses from the military camp. It seemed that Gu Fuzhou was not the only military official who came to the Fourth Prince’s residence today.
Lin Qingyu explained his intention and the servant entered the residence to pass on the message. Not long after, a handsome man with a gentle and reserved appearance walked out. Judging from his clothes, he should be the steward of the mansion.
“Greetings to Imperial Physician Lin.” The steward said, “Please come with me.”
Lin Qingyu followed the steward all the way to the back garden where even from a distance, he could already smell the aroma of wine and meat. I saw a bonfire in the garden and a large sheep was roasting over it. There were dozens of people around the fire, most were dressed in armor and uniform, with drink in one hand and meat in the other. Only two people could be regarded as refined. One was a young man dressed in brocade. The young man was born with rosy lips and white teeth, cute and quick-witted. Although he was also tearing mutton in his hand, his movements were not too rough. This person must the fourth prince, Xiao Jie.
Another refined man was Gu Fuzhou. Sitting among the crowd, his straight brows were stern, his silhouette, robust, giving off a chilly aura. When he saw Lin Qingyu, the chill dissipated and he raised his cup to him with a smile.
The steward announced, “Your Highness, General, Imperial Physician Lin is here.”
“I heard that there was a beautiful imperial physician in the imperial hospital. I suppose that must be you.” Xiao Jie blushed, “You really are a beauty.”
A military official said carelessly, “Why he is even more beautiful than the previous number one beauty, Princess Jingchun!”
“Old Wu, you’ve had too much to drink. How could a man compare to a woman…”
Gu Fuzhou said, “Imperial Physician Lin is here to deliver medicine to me. Come here.”
Lin Qingyu asked, “Could it be that the general has drank wine?”
“No.” Gu Fuzhou took the initiative to present the wine cup to Lin Qingyu for him to inspect, “I’ve been drinking tea instead of wine.”
Lin Qingyu looked behind Gu Fuzhou. The guards of the Tianji Camp were still there, but their faces are extremely ugly. It could even be described as shamed and humiliated. Soon, Lin Qingyu knew the reason.
“General Gu has finally made it back to the capital and yet, there are people following you wherever you go. The general has a good temper. Were it me, I would have lost my temper long ago. What is this, house arrest?”
Gu Fuzhou said, “My request to return was all too sudden. It is only normal that the Crown Prince has his suspicions about me.”
“Suspicions need to be backed by evidence! It’s been more than half a month and we have not seen a single hair of evidence. Why is the Crown Prince send people to watch the general?”
“The Crown Prince has always been close to those overly pedantic civil court officials and guarded against our military. Has he forgotten who fought has for and defended the river and mountains of the Dayu!”
Gu Fuzhou’s expression changed. “General Wu, watch your words.”
“What I dare to say right here, right now, I dare to say tomorrow in the morning court! General Gu has fought for 16 years and has made countless military contributions. Why should he suffer such humiliation! This is too oppressive, I can’t stand it!”
“Me too!”
“Tomorrow, we shall advise him together. The Crown Prince cannot treat the general like this!”
“That’s right! That’s right, at the very least, have the Crown Prince watch over all of us dozens of brothers. We shall see who would be willing to work themselves to the bone for him in the future!”
“Ai, ai, ai. Don’t get too excited.” Xiao Jie was caught in the middle. He seemed to be at a loss.
Gu Fuzhou’s expression was solemn: “Today, His Highness, the Fourth Prince organized this feast just for the sake of us brothers. If you persist in making such rebellious remarks, we might as well all disperse.”
“F*cking damnit!” The general surnamed Wu threw his cup to the ground and said in a fury, “I, Third Brother Wu, refuse to accept this! I’m going to the palace right now!”
Gu Fuzhou shook his head and sighed, “All of you are uncontrollable. “After speaking, no matter how excited the military officers became, he said nothing more.
Lin Qingyu sat beside him, watched him drink his medicine. He said, “When the Crown Prince is put under pressure, he will have to clear the general of all suspicion, he will withdraw the Tianji Camp guards. At that time, the general can then speak freely and do whatever he wants. “
Gu Fuzhou made face as though he’d just had a sudden realization. He said with a low laugh, “It seems so. I didn’t even think about that. Imperial Physician Lin is so smart.”
Lin Qingyu’s heart moved. He lowered his eyes and smiled as well. “Not quite as smart as the general.”
