Chapter 287 : Prince Linjiang
Chapter 287: Prince Linjiang
Princess Royal’s residence, within a garden.
By the pond, the Princess Royal was scattering some feed into the water, watching as a school of red and golden koi fish scrambled to eat.
Beside her, a maid was reporting, “Your Highness, it’s said that last night, His Majesty fainted on the spot upon learning about Seventh Lang and Xia Mudan. Eunuch Hong summoned the imperial physician into the palace in the middle of the night to treat him.”
The Princess Royal asked with concern, “Is Royal Brother’s health alright?”
“His Majesty’s dragon body is unharmed. He woke up not long after. It’s said that early this morning, he summoned Lord Chen into the palace and gave him a scolding. They say His Majesty was furious.”
“Serves him right!”
The Princess Royal chuckled somewhat schadenfreudely. “It was all because of that rotten idea of his that caused Royal Brother to lose face. Now he can’t advance or retreat. He’s stuck.”
After speaking, she turned to the slightly absent-minded Princess Mingyu beside her. “Mingyu, what do you think Royal Brother will do about this matter?”
Princess Mingyu snapped out of her daze and shook her head. “Your Majesty’s thoughts, little sister dares not speculate.”
The Princess Royal asked curiously, “What’s wrong with you? Ever since yesterday, you’ve seemed like you've lost your soul. Did something happen?”
“I’m just a bit worried about my useless younger brother. He’s all alone in Jiangzhou—I wonder if he’ll cause any trouble.”
That was clearly just an excuse.
The Princess Royal didn’t expose her and said, “To think that Seventh Lang actually had such ability. This palace underestimated him before.”
She recalled the events of last night and still found it unbelievable.
The Tower of Merits was cleared by a young fellow with only Second Grade cultivation?
Logically, even Divine Repository Realm strength would struggle to clear the eighth and ninth floors, as those weren’t something mortals could overcome.
Yet Gu Xianyu had done it.
To this day, she still couldn’t determine whether he truly possessed such heaven-defying means or had merely been lucky.
Precisely because she couldn’t understand it, it was all the more astonishing.
Extraordinary people did extraordinary things.
“Indeed. How exactly did he manage it?” Princess Mingyu echoed beside her.
“Right. You accompanied him through life-and-death in the Celestial Prison. You two share a bond forged in blood. What do you think—what kind of person is he?”
“Little sister can’t say for sure.” Princess Mingyu shook her head. “But this man often acts in unexpected ways. And he does indeed possess shocking means.”
She had seen with her own eyes how Chen Ming had slain so many First Grade prisoners, even one at the half-step Yang Spirit level. That wasn’t something an ordinary Second Grade martial artist could do.
However, afterward, her elder sister had taken responsibility, making everyone believe it was Princess Lingyu who turned the tide.
At that moment, another maid arrived to report, “Your Highness, His Majesty has drafted an imperial edict and sent someone to proclaim it at Qianyuan Hall.”
“Oh?”
The Princess Royal grew interested. “Royal Brother is surprisingly decisive. I thought he’d hesitate for a few days. What does the edict say?”
“Gu Xianyu is to be conferred the title Prince Linjiang…”
…
【...Hereby conferring Gu Xianyu, seventh son of the Duke of Jingguo, the title of Prince Linjiang, and bestowing upon him a set of the Profound Heaven Treasure Armor...】
【...Xia Yanyan, daughter of Princess Yong’an, is virtuous and gracious, with exceptional demeanor. A marriage is hereby decreed with Prince Linjiang...】
【...Thus is Our command!】
Inside Qianyuan Hall, the Xia family of three, along with Chen Ming, listened as the eunuch read the imperial decree. On the surface, all were moved to tears and hurriedly expressed their gratitude.
These two imperial decrees clearly indicated the Emperor’s stance. Regardless of what he truly felt inside, at least outwardly, not only was he not pursuing the matter, but he was also deciding to fulfill it and bestow marriage.
Such handling undoubtedly pleased everyone.
The Emperor also gained a reputation of magnanimity and benevolence.
But did this Emperor truly harbor no resentment?
Being so generous—conferring a title and arranging a marriage?
It didn’t feel that simple. There had to be a trap somewhere.
“Prince Linjiang need not be so formal.”
The eunuch who delivered the decree rolled up the scroll with a smile and helped Chen Ming up. “His Majesty said, from now on, Your Highness need not kneel in audience.”
Chen Ming smiled. “How should I address you, Eunuch?”
He subtly slipped over a silver note—originally meant for escape, now unused. Might as well use it to build connections.
“Your Highness flatters this servant. This one dares not accept it,” the eunuch refused repeatedly. “Just call this humble one Xiao Dezi.”
“So it’s Eunuch De.”
Chen Ming didn’t insist.
“Your Highness, please accompany this one to thank His Majesty in person.”
“As I should.”
“Your Highness may go alone. Princess Yong’an’s family may return first.”
“Then please wait a moment, Eunuch De. I’ll say a few words and come right out.”
The eunuch was easygoing. “Don’t let His Majesty wait too long. This one will await Your Highness outside Qianyuan Hall.”
“Alright.”
After they left, Chen Ming murmured in confusion, “Why would His Majesty confer me the title Prince Linjiang? Can royal titles be handed out so casually?”
Throughout history, royal titles were always granted only to royal family members, especially the Emperor’s sons.
Non-imperial princes were exceedingly rare.
The same held true in the Great Jin Dynasty. At its founding, five non-imperial princes were granted titles, but to this day, only two of those titles remained.
Now this Emperor suddenly granted him a princely title—what was he playing at?
Even if it was meant to elevate him to destruction, wasn’t this a bit too much?
Xia Shaowen looked at him strangely. “Seventh Lang, you don’t even know this? The merit earned in the Tower of Merits trial is equivalent to slaying enemies in battle. It was a rule set by the Founding Emperor. As long as one clears the fourth floor, they’re eligible for a noble title. You cleared the ninth floor—of course His Majesty must grant you a royal title.”
There was such a rule?
Chen Ming was surprised. No one had ever told him.
Without even realizing, he had become a prince.
No wonder the Nine Nether Demon Venerable had ensured he cleared the final floor—so there was this benefit.
A princely title meant his rank was now higher than that of his nominal father, the Duke of Jingguo. In court, that father would have to bow to him.
Xia Shaowen added, “Now that you have a title, you may establish your own residence. No need to keep pretending with the people of the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence. You can even petition His Majesty for a posthumous title for your mother—to officially acknowledge her.”
Chen Ming was moved. If he could obtain a posthumous title for Gu Xianyu’s deceased mother, it would settle this karmic debt.
After thanking Xia Shaowen, he left Qianyuan Hall and followed the waiting eunuch to thank the Emperor.
…
“Prince Linjiang?”
At the Princess Royal’s residence, she was surprised upon hearing the edict. “Royal Brother’s move carries deeper meaning. Could it be he wants him to confront Southern Chu?”
A trace of worry flashed in Princess Mingyu’s eyes.
She naturally understood the origin of the title Prince Linjiang. At the founding of the dynasty, it was one of the five non-imperial princes who achieved great military feats.
The fiefdom of Prince Linjiang was at the southernmost border, beside the great river, separated from Southern Chu by only a single river.
For centuries, the Prince Linjiang's forces had clashed with Southern Chu—wins and losses on both sides.
Until a century ago, a brutal war broke out. The entire Linjiang princely household perished, and since then, there had been no Prince Linjiang.
Now, His Majesty had bestowed the title of Prince Linjiang to Gu Xianyu—clearly placing great hope in him.
That war a century ago, officially said to be inconclusive, was in truth a crushing defeat for the Great Jin Dynasty. Half a province was lost—including the former fief of Prince Linjiang.
The Princess Royal shook her head. “Royal Brother is too naïve. Southern Chu is no longer the weak state of centuries past. Even the mighty Prince Linjiang and his army of hundreds of thousands couldn’t defeat them back then. Now, after a hundred years, Southern Chu is stronger than ever. Meanwhile, our Great Jin is in decline—we can't even handle the northern borders, let alone Southern Chu.”
Princess Mingyu suddenly said, “Perhaps... it's borrowing a knife to kill.”
The Princess Royal gave a peculiar smile at her words. “If Royal Brother could truly come up with such a plot, I wouldn't have to worry about him anymore. Even if it’s borrowing a knife, it’s the cabinet ministers doing it.”
“Heh, those useless old fossils—they only know how to suppress talent and eliminate dissent.”
Princess Mingyu softly asked, “Sister, don’t you plan to help him?”
“Why should I? This is a good chance to test his mettle. Let’s see if he can stir up waves like he did in the Tower of Merits. If he’s mediocre and dies, then so be it. But if he truly has the skill, he won’t need my help. Don’t you think?”
As she spoke, the Princess Royal looked at her with a half-smile. “You seem quite concerned about him.”
Princess Mingyu grew slightly uneasy under her gaze. “We did go through life and death together.”
…
Meanwhile, those well-informed in the Capital had already heard the news.
Inside the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence, Gu Haochuan wore a self-mocking smile upon hearing it. “A son’s title higher than his father’s—truly a rare sight in the officialdom of Great Jin. Our family will be laughed at for a long time.”
Gu Zhengshan stood silently, not daring to speak.
This alone showed how little weight the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence held in His Majesty’s eyes.
Not even the imperial decree was announced there.
Clearly, everything that happened to Gu Xianyu in the Gu household had reached the Emperor’s ears.
After a moment, Gu Zhengshan cautiously asked, “Master, how should we wrap this up?”
Gu Haochuan shot back, “Wrap what up?”
“I mean, about Seventh Brother…”
“Remember this—he was your Seventh Brother before, he is now, and he always will be. Understood?”
“Disciple understands. But... if the truth ever comes to light and His Majesty lays blame…”
A fake identity is still a fake. Who knew when it might be exposed?
Moreover, who knew what the man impersonating Seventh Brother really wanted?
What if…
Gu Haochuan said calmly, “If that day comes, then we were deceived as well. We’re the victims.”
Gu Zhengshan suddenly understood—his master was truly wise!