Chapter 263 : The Only Opportunity
Chapter 263: The Only Opportunity
Chen Ming finally showed interest and asked, “Who is this noble person? How dare they meddle in something like this?”
Outside the door, Gu Yuyin didn’t answer directly but said, “May this little sister come in?”
“Go ahead.”
The door pushed open, and Gu Yuyin, dressed in full finery, walked in with a charming smile. “Seventh Brother, why don’t you just come with me and find out?”
He hated this kind of riddling speech the most.
That thought passed through Chen Ming’s mind, but he said aloud, “Since a noble summons, how can I let my little sister be put in a difficult spot?”
“Then consider this little sister owing Seventh Brother a favor.”
Gu Yuyin secretly let out a sigh of relief. She had taken the initiative to volunteer to invite this Seventh Brother—if she failed, it would’ve been hard to explain.
“Let’s go.”
…
In a garden within the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence, a banquet was being held, attended by many noble ladies—friends of the young lady of the household.
This banquet was being held in honor of a noble from the palace.
After Chen Ming entered the garden and saw the gathering of chattering women in the pavilion, his head began to ache.
He spotted the so-called noble almost instantly. A seventeen- or eighteen-year-old young woman wore a bright yellow long dress, exuding dignity and luxury, with stunning beauty that radiated grandeur.
Among all the women, she stood out the most. The others surrounded her like mere supporting characters.
“Seventh Brother, hurry and pay your respects to Her Highness the Princess Royal.”
Standing beside the young woman in yellow was another beautiful woman in a light lake-green dress. She was gorgeous too, but still outshined in comparison.
This was the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence—Gu Yurong.
So, it was the Princess Royal!
Chen Ming had a sudden realization and stepped forward to salute. “Gu Xianyu pays respects to Her Highness the Princess Royal!”
“No need for formalities.”
The Princess Royal sized him up and praised, “Indeed as the rumors say—Seventh Young Master Gu is handsome and carries an extraordinary presence. No wonder he could…”
“Ahem ahem.”
Gu Yurong coughed twice beside her, subtly reminding her not to mention that name.
The Princess Royal smiled slightly, understanding her concern, and said no more. “It’s getting late. I should return to the palace now.”
The others, of course, respectfully bid her farewell.
Chen Ming followed in salutation, feeling a bit bewildered. She summoned him, then left like that?
What was the meaning of this?
Just then, Gu Yuyin tugged lightly at his sleeve, signaling him to follow.
Chen Ming followed her out of the garden. After winding through several paths, they exited the Duke’s Residence through a side door and waited in an alley.
After a while, a luxurious carriage rolled up and stopped at the roadside.
A pretty palace maid opened the carriage door and saluted, “Seventh Young Master Gu, please board the carriage.”
Chen Ming stepped into the carriage. Gu Yuyin did not follow.
So, the Princess Royal had something important to discuss with him privately.
Inside the carriage, only the Princess Royal was present. She scrutinized him with a serious gaze and said solemnly, “Gu Xianyu, do you know why I summoned you here?”
He lowered his head and replied, “I do not.”
The Princess Royal suddenly chuckled. “She says you’re a heroic man, a rare hero in the world. I honestly don’t see it.”
Chen Ming replied calmly, “In this world, everything depends on strength. With my current status and power, I can do nothing. If I dared even mention her name, my father would throw me to the borderlands, never to return.”
The Princess Royal sneered. “So you’re planning to accumulate strength until even the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence can’t suppress you. Then go snatch her back? Isn’t that reckless?”
He looked up, angered. “If Your Highness summoned me only to mock me, then I shall take my leave.”
He turned to leave.
“I’m not that free. Do you want to know how to get your beloved back?”
He suddenly turned around. “Your Highness isn’t joking? The imperial decree summoning her to the palace has already been issued.”
The Princess Royal asked, “Do you know why the Emperor insists on marrying your beloved?”
“I don’t.”
“In truth, the Emperor isn’t someone who indulges in beauty. Since ascending the throne, he’s been diligent. Despite having thousands in the harem, he has only one Empress and two consorts.”
The Princess Royal sighed slightly. “The reason the Emperor wants to make Xia Mudan a consort is actually because of Prince Yan.”
“Prince Yan?”
Chen Ming was confused. There weren’t many vassal princes in Great Jin. By the second generation, titles usually degraded. Like the Sea-Calming King, even adoption was required to maintain the princely title—that was an exception.
Normally, how high a prince stood depended on his relationship with the Emperor.
Was this Prince Yan an exception?
The Princess Royal said, “Prince Yan is from our grandfather’s generation. One year, the four northeastern countries invaded and the border troops were crushed. It was Prince Yan who rallied the remnants and outmaneuvered the enemy. He even single-handedly broke their forces. After that battle, our grandfather granted him the special right to lead troops.”
So that was the story.
Chen Ming understood. Prince Yan wasn’t just highly respected and powerful—he had military command. A regional powerhouse!
The Emperor was trying to win him over by marrying his granddaughter, Xia Mudan.
To be fair, the current Emperor of Great Jin had an awkward position.
The Empress Dowager was extremely domineering. Worse still, the Emperor wasn’t her biological son.
There were rumors that although the Emperor had reigned for over a decade and the Empress Dowager claimed to no longer interfere in politics, the court still operated under her shadow.
Chen Ming hadn’t paid much attention to politics before. He’d only heard such rumors in passing.
Now, it seemed the rumors weren’t unfounded.
Perhaps last year’s great defeat in the northern border was due to the power struggle between the two.
It was understandable that the Emperor wanted to consolidate power by winning over a powerful figure like Prince Yan.
Chen Ming said, “Since the Emperor wishes to win over Prince Yan, he’s even less likely to give up.”
The Princess Royal smiled faintly. “Normally, that’s true. But not entirely hopeless. The Night Banquet of the Ghost Festival in twenty days will be your only chance.”
“I ask Your Highness to enlighten me.”
“The Night Banquet of the Ghost Festival will invite members of the royal family and noble descendants. Anyone under thirty may perform on stage. There’s a tradition—whoever wins first place may ask His Majesty for a reward, face-to-face.”
“……”
Chen Ming never expected her to suggest such a method.
In front of all the civil and military officials, and so many nobles—asking the Emperor for his consort? He might be dragged out and executed on the spot.
He looked at the Princess Royal with suspicion. “I heard Your Highness and His Majesty are born of the same mother…”
Then why give such a trap of an idea?
If he really did it, whether the Emperor agreed or not—either outcome would be humiliating.
She must have a grudge against the Emperor, right?
The Princess Royal said, “You needn’t overthink it. I do this for the Emperor’s own good.”
She gave no further explanation and only said, “This is your only chance. If you truly wish to win back your beloved, then win first place at the Night Banquet of the Ghost Festival.”
Chen Ming took the chance to say, “With my current strength, I fear it’ll be difficult to win first place. Since Your Highness is willing to guide me, why not help all the way—lend me a hand?”
The Princess Royal’s brows furrowed slightly, showing some displeasure at his pushiness. “What kind of help?”
Chen Ming said, “These days, I’ve been in the Celestial Prison sparring with Second Grade prisoners. I’ve made great progress. But unfortunately, my token doesn’t grant access to spar with First Grade prisoners.”
The Princess Royal stared at him for a moment and said, “You may leave now.”
“Yes.”
Chen Ming wasn’t disappointed. She hadn’t refused outright—there was still a chance.
…
Chen Ming got off the carriage and found that night had fallen. The street was unfamiliar; he had no idea where he was.
Not a single person was in sight.
The inner city of the Capital had a curfew—once it got dark, people were not allowed outside. He couldn’t even ask for directions.
Just as he was considering whether to ask a patrolling colleague from Six Doors for directions, Gu Yuyin appeared at the end of the street and waved at him.
“This little sister is quite considerate.”
Chen Ming walked over and followed her back to the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence.
On the way, they encountered a few patrols from Six Doors. After verifying their identities, they were let go without trouble.
After all, they were from the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence.
Gu Yuyin didn’t ask what he discussed with the Princess Royal. They didn’t part ways until they returned through the back door.
Chen Ming returned to the courtyard and met Gu Zhengshan’s blade-like gaze. “Seventh Brother, where did you go?”
He answered gloomily, “Yuyin dragged me to meet a noble. But I didn’t even get a word in before it was over. I got lost, wandered around for a while, and finally found a servant to ask for directions.”
Gu Zhengshan still seemed skeptical. “Next time, I should go with you.”
“If I’d known, I’d have brought Fifth Brother too. It’s late. I’ll head back to train.”
With that, Chen Ming returned to his room and took out the Visualization Diagram to cultivate.
…
The next morning, Chen Ming, as usual, left in his designated carriage.
Upon arriving at the Celestial Prison, he found that his reception officer had changed to a First Grade Purple-Robed Inspector.
The Purple-Robed Inspector looked him up and down and asked, “You’re Gu Xianyu from the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence?”
Chen Ming respectfully replied, “Indeed. What are your orders, sir?”
The man laughed heartily. “Since you’re one of us, no need to be so formal. From now on, use this token. You may interrogate any prisoner you like. Access to the third level is permitted. This is a special order from Her Highness.”
The Princess Royal!
Joy welled up in Chen Ming’s heart. “Thank you, sir.”
The man added, “Her Highness also instructed me to protect you, lest you get hurt. Though the First Grade prisoners are confined, who knows what hidden tricks they might have? One must stay cautious.”
“Her Highness is indeed thoughtful. Then, I’ll be in your care.”
“We’re all serving Her Highness, after all.”