The man, seeing Jiang Shangheng’s silence, continued: “This subordinate went to Xibei City the day after the marquis was imprisoned. Along the way, I heard that the second young master committed suicide due to the suffering in prison. However, the third young miss, having already married, avoided this disaster. But without the marquis’s protection, her life in the Xie family might be difficult.”
“The third young miss is in the Xie family?”
“The third young miss married the second young master of the Xie family a year ago,” Jiang Shangheng explained, seeing her confusion. He lowered his head, looking at his father’s instructions on the letter and the new household registration, feeling particularly troubled.
Gu Qingtong, who hadn’t seen clearly before, noticed when he lowered his head that it was actually a brand new household registration, and from the neighboring country of Gong Yue: “Does the marquis mean for us to fake our deaths?”
Jiang Shangheng nodded: “Qingqing, I have made great contributions to the Yuan Dynasty, yet the Emperor treats me like this, which truly breaks my heart. My father and stepmother do not want me to return.”
They said the marquis’s family fortune has run out, and with Princess Zhuang Qiang insisting on sheltering the Rui Prince’s two sons, trouble was inevitable. I just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly…”
“Shangheng, let’s return to the capital,” Gu Qingtong firmly grasped his hand.
Jiang Shangheng stared at Gu Qingtong for a long time: “Qingqing, I am going back, but with Shen Yuqing around, I don’t want you to risk going to the capital. Since my father has prepared an escape route for us, you should go to Gong Yue first. Once I resolve the matters of the marquis’s mansion, I will come find you.”
“Shangheng, the Emperor and Empress Dowager are so resolute that they no longer care about your feelings. But the Empress Dowager owes me, and perhaps she might spare the marquis and stepmother for my sake.” In truth, even Gu Qingtong herself had no confidence in these words. Previously in Nandu, when Shen Yuqing had her under house arrest, the Empress Dowager and Emperor’s attitude was already quite clear.
Jiang Shangheng knew this too and mercilessly exposed the truth: “Qingqing, the Empress Dowager might owe you, but the Emperor is her biological son. Because of her hatred for the previous Emperor, she will certainly hold onto her power tightly. Shen Yuqing and Ruan Niang were once her tools and cannot be easily discarded.”
My father anticipated this long ago and prepared the household registration early to prevent us from suffering. I am a son of the Jiang family and cannot abandon it even if my father instructs me to. But you are different. Moreover, if you go back, you’ll only distract me. It’s better to wait for me in Gong Yue.”
Gu Qingtong understood all the reasoning, but her heart was still heavy, and she could only remain silent.
“Qingqing, General Qiaxi’s children have always wanted you to take care of them. So, I’ll let them follow you to Gong Yue. After I return to the capital, I’ll have the other children left by General Qiaxi come to Gong Yue to find you. My father has arranged everything. When you arrive, someone will come to assist you.”
“Shangheng…” Gu Qingtong wanted to follow him back to the capital, but everything he said made sense. She couldn’t hold him back or make him an unfilial son who abandons his family.
Jiang Shangheng saw her hesitation and cupped her face, giving her a deep kiss: “I’ll go find General Qiaxi, arrange your matters, and then return to the capital.”
Gu Qingtong watched him rush out, then slumped in the room, pressing her forehead: Even if she didn’t return to the capital, she should do something.
The daughter she had repeatedly claimed she would make amends to was now almost driven to desperation.
Gu Qingtong left a blood letter to Empress Dowager Guo with only the four characters “Spare a Life at the Sword’s Edge.” She did not know what waves her death news would stir up in Empress Dowager Guo’s ears, but at least she could seek a glimmer of hope for the Marquis. And when Shen Yuqing heard that she had died, she would probably no longer entangle with the Marquis’s residence and Jiang Shangheng.
The Marquis of Zhenyuan arranged for them a small town called Yanxing in the middle of Gongyu, very much like a water town in Jiangnan. Every morning, the black-canopied boats would creak by, and the market would become lively as the sun rose, unlike the tension of the Southern Capital, with its leisurely and relaxed atmosphere.
Gu Qingtong lived in a four-courtyard residence. The original owner, Master Min, had once received the kindness of the Marquis of Zhenyuan and Lord Gu, and therefore took extra care of her. The owner would instruct his wife and daughter to accompany her daily, ask if she needed anything, and take her out to stroll and sightsee when she felt bored.
However, with Jiang Shangheng not by her side, Gu Qingtong was physically still but mentally restless. With the Southern Capital thousands of miles away, she had no way to inquire about Jiang Shangheng’s whereabouts and could only wait anxiously day after day.
A month later, the children entrusted to her by General He arrived, bringing her several pieces of news.
When Empress Dowager Guo heard of her death and saw the blood letter and jade bracelet, she fainted on the spot. To comfort the Empress Dowager, the Emperor immediately conferred her the title of Princess Qingping. Though court officials initially had objections, the Emperor insisted, and they only muttered a few words before not opposing further.
Gu Qingtong heard she was given the title Princess Qingping and laughed – unblessed in life, yet glorified in death.
Her mother could no longer restrain herself. Along with Shen Yuqing being stimulated by her death news, the capital was completely turned upside down.
Through Shen Yuqing’s thorough investigation, the dirty relationship between Lord Yan and the Prince of Rui was soon exposed. Even the matter of him framing Lord Gu was brought to light, and Gu Zhun finally cleared his name.
Although Princess Zhuang sheltered the remnants of the Prince of Rui, the Marquis of Zhenyuan escaped death due to her blood letter but was demoted to a commoner. After the destruction of the Wei Yuan Marquis’s residence, the Zhenyuan Marquis’s residence also declined. But as long as people were alive, it was a good thing.
Fan Xifeng had committed too many evil deeds, eventually bullying Princess Wan’qiu and making wild remarks insulting the imperial court. The Fan family, originally in charge of the capital’s security, was also exiled to the barbaric lands due to Fan Xifeng’s involvement. As for Fan Xifeng, he was castrated by Princess Wan’qiu with a snap. Losing his descendants, this once-charming man was worse than dead and ultimately jumped from the city gate.
Gu Qingtong had previously told Han Yuan’an about Ji Chen’s matter, and she knew this was certainly requested by Han Yuan’an and Ji Chen from Empress Dowager Guo.
She did not know what happened to Ji Chen, but her hatred should be extinguished. As for her and Shen Yuqing, it would depend on herself.
The capital’s affairs were completed half a month after Jiang Shangheng’s return, so why had those dozen children arrived, yet Jiang Shangheng and his parents had not?
Gu Qingtong curiously asked the children, who looked at each other, indicating they did not understand.
Master Min, concerned about his benefactor’s situation, was listening nearby. Seeing the children unable to answer, he comforted her and ordered someone to take the children away. Gu Qingtong listened to Master Min’s consolation and felt slightly calmer, but after another half month, there was still no news of Jiang Shangheng.
