What Lingyan needs to think about now is, what other tricks do these desperate families have up their sleeves? Will Chen Muxian get involved? Will the Witchcraft Association, which has also suffered greatly in recent years, stir up trouble?
She had a vague feeling that a storm was brewing, and all her discontent was waiting for a trigger to erupt.
"gentlemen!"
For as long as Lingyan locked herself in her study to think, Gu Zhong knocked on her door for just as long.
"His Majesty."
Finally, Lingyan couldn't bear it any longer and opened the door, only to find a person standing before her with eyes full of worry.
"Sir... are you alright?"
"I'm fine..."
"Sir, have you changed your mind?"
Lingyan was surprised that Gu Zhong would ask such a question.
"Why would Your Majesty think that way?"
“…Scholars rely on their reputation to establish themselves. It was I who disregarded your good name and kept insisting, even refusing to give you a proper title…” Gu Zhong’s eyes flickered with unease.
"What's so important about titles and reputation?"
Ling Yan chuckled lightly, but unexpectedly, her words angered Gu Zhong.
“Sir, when you say that, I always feel like you’re doing me a favor,” Gu Zhong said, emphasizing each word.
"I still remember, a few years ago, my father had just issued an edict to choose a husband for me. That night, my husband got drunk and kissed me forcefully. Although I was confused and shocked at the time, I was happy."
However, before I could figure out what these feelings were, the man pushed me away. I thought that perhaps he was really drunk and lost his composure, or perhaps he was worried about his reputation, or perhaps I was just imagining things. So I decided to pretend that nothing had happened.
I agreed to the marriage proposal half out of spite and half out of helplessness, hoping to make my husband angry and jealous. But all you do is spout grand principles and even think about pushing other men onto me.
But I can't forget it, and I can't understand it. Why would the gentleman risk his life to save me time and time again, and why... did he always treat me with such gentleness?
While in Qinghe, I thought I should push things a little further and let Mr. Yu see my heart. Even though he never said 'I like you,' I always assumed it was the same for him, but now it seems that's not necessarily true.
I always asked my husband for this and that, and he never refused. He always indulged me and never asked anything of me.
Sir, the endless tenderness I receive from you feels more and more like a flower in the water or the moon in the mirror, as if it could slip away at any moment, and I can't hold onto it.
I feel like I'm drifting further and further away from my husband. Does he really like me?
Because Lingyan's emotions were too calm, her words, though carefully considered, carried a questioning tone.
She revealed all the vulnerability and confusion she had buried deep inside, without reservation.
Do you really like me?
Lingyan was stunned by this resounding question and stood there for a long time, unable to recover.
A normal relationship should involve mutual reliance and mutual needs. Her apparent lack of desire made Gu Zhong uneasy. The unbalanced scales between the two would eventually break one side.
Only by being indifferent can one be without desires. She forgot that she shouldn't have acted this way.
From the very beginning, she positioned herself as a self-righteous victim, indulging in self-pity. What else could this be but charity?
All she wanted was to stay by Gu Zhong's side. Her obedience, her rejections, and her loyalty were all for this reason.
However, from the very beginning, he never said "I like you".
She pushed Gu Zhong away from the beginning because she didn't want to get the outcome she least wanted.
She never made any promises or spoke of love; it was her self-deception and wishful thinking that she could leave Gu Zhong a way out, as if by remaining silent, she could return to the way things were once Gu Zhong grew tired of her. Ultimately, it was all due to her selfishness; she couldn't accept any possibility that Gu Zhong would willingly abandon her.
Unexpectedly, Gu Zhong was far more sensitive and concerned than she had imagined. From beginning to end, it seemed that she was accommodating Gu Zhong, but in reality, it was Ling Yan who was in control.
The unease caused by her acting on her own initiative gradually weighed on Gu Zhong's heart, making her anxious and increasingly eager to keep Ling Yan by her side forever.
"sorry…"
Ling Yan spoke with a heavy heart, a sincere and solemn apology to Gu Zhong, her tone resolute as if she had made a firm decision.
"I've been too selfish all along. I'm always afraid that you'll leave me, so I don't dare to say much or ask for much. But Gu Zhong, I really like you."
Hearing such a direct confession from Ling Yan for the first time, Gu Zhong's eyes widened in surprise, and he was momentarily speechless.
"...I always thought I was the one who would be abandoned by Mr. Gu," Gu Zhong said slowly after a long silence.
"Until the mountains crumble and the heavens and earth unite, I will never part from you!" Lingyan was practically swearing an oath to the heavens.
"Then, sir, do you truly not regret losing your reputation now?" Gu Zhong always seemed to care a lot about this.
"Gu Zhong, what does it matter if I bear the world's condemnation for being with you? Why should I regret it?"
If I could, I would even like to hold a grand wedding with you in front of the whole world.
However, considering your position as the emperor, you are ultimately destined not to act recklessly.
Lingyan spoke with utmost sincerity and earnestness, word by word.
“I can…” Gu Zhong pursed his lips, his eyes filled with determination.
"...With your words, sir, I have nothing to fear, no matter how many difficulties and dangers I may face. Please wait for me, sir."
"Okay." Ling Yan smiled at her, her eyes filled with tenderness, and replied softly.
The inexplicable barrier that had always existed between the two was completely removed, and their wavering and fearful hearts finally found a place to belong.
Chapter 24 The Imperial Tutor and the Crown Princess (Twenty-Three)
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The rumors in Xijing spread even more fiercely.
As expected, the witchcraft cult took center stage, making the prophecy that "a ruler without virtue will surely face great calamity."
Gu Zhong had the Grand Diviner calculate the horoscope and learned that there would indeed be a major disaster this year, but the witchcraft sect took the initiative and cunningly used the rumor that "the emperor is immoral" to lure him away.
People in this era always believe in gods and Buddhas. In short, whenever there is a disaster in the year, everyone's first reaction is to blame it on the current emperor, making it easy to incite public resentment.
This is both a perfectly legitimate and open scheme, and a vicious plan that strikes at the heart of the matter.
Lingyan was at a loss. Unless she could obtain evidence of collusion between the Witchcraft Cult and the previous dynasty, there was no possibility of turning the tide.
In this way, we can only passively wait for these covetous traitors to take the initiative before we can catch them by the tail.
The good news is that Gu Yang wrote to her; she found a witch doctor willing to go to Xijing to treat Gu Zhong, so it can be said that every cloud has a silver lining.
Shortly after the start of spring, as predicted, the Qinghe River breached its banks and Jiangling experienced an earthquake. Despite the fact that Gu Zhonglingyan had taken ample precautions against all possible disasters this year, some casualties still occurred.
Although it was not a major event compared to the snow disaster of that year, rumors of "divine punishment" spread throughout the land in an instant. The people, who were most easily swayed by others, quickly forgot that it was Gu Zhong's land equalization decree that allowed them to live without worrying about food and clothing, and they all began to denounce it with righteous indignation.
The powerful families, who had long been unable to restrain themselves, seized this opportunity and, under the banner of "punishing treacherous officials and purging the emperor's inner circle," launched a joint uprising.
Everyone knew perfectly well that although they were using grand and respectable banners, they were already carrying out a rebellion; it was just that the name sounded nice.
Aristocratic families have always been allowed to maintain private armies, and there are certain regulations governing this. Although in recent years, due to the newly established etiquette system, this has been reduced considerably, a united aristocratic family in a prefecture or county is still enough to raise an army that can overpower the local militia. Not to mention that some prefectural governors and military commanders are themselves from aristocratic families, and they are in cahoots with the local gentry, surrendering the entire prefecture without any resistance.
Within half a month, the world was in chaos. The two most powerful and loyal border armies—the Northern Army and the Southern Army—were stationed on the border year-round and could not be easily mobilized without the Tiger Tally.
Given the speed at which the chaotic army captured ten prefectures in half a month, even if Gu Zhong immediately sent people to mobilize troops, it would be too late.
Not to mention they had made thorough preparations, and the counties they occupied perfectly blocked the route for sending orders for reinforcements.
The rebel army was aiming for a quick victory, hoping to capture Xijing in one fell swoop and bring down Gu Zhong, who had completely threatened their very survival.
In less than a month, the allied forces of powerful families, boasting an army of 100,000, met at the gates of Xijing.
The city gates of Xijing have been sealed for three days, and no one is allowed to enter or leave.
Upon hearing that the rebel army was at the city gates, the people inside the city lived in constant fear, and the once spacious capital city became desolate and lonely, losing its former vitality.
This is especially true at night. With the current curfew decree, the once magnificent scene of thousands of lights shining brightly is gone. Only the majestic imperial city in the center of the city remains lit all night long.
Teams of ten guards from the capital region patrolled the crisscrossing streets, creating an atmosphere of urgency and crisis.
A series of hurried footsteps rushed towards the city gate, startling the vigilant guards.
"Halt! Who goes there!"
Axes and halberds were placed before the newcomer's neck, torches were lit, illuminating the darkness, and archers on the city wall drew their bows and aimed at those below.
"By order of the King, another edict to aid the King is hereby issued." The man knelt down, lowered his head, and held up a roll of cloth with both hands.
The two soldiers guarding the gate exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat hesitant.
"What is it?" Another person came down from the city wall.
"Lieutenant Yang!"
The two soldiers sheathed their weapons, clasped their hands in a salute, and showed great respect.
The newcomer had a full beard and a scar across his left side; he was none other than Yang Jie, the commander of the Thousand Bulls who had defended Beiling County to the death a few years ago.
He was highly regarded and promoted to Lieutenant of the Capital Guard, in charge of the security of the capital and the defense of the city. Now the safety of the entire capital rests in his hands.
"This man said that he was ordered by the king to go out of the city to deliver the imperial edict to defend the king."
"Nonsense! Kill him without mercy!"
Yang Jie's expression hardened. He drew the hilt of his knife from his waist, and with a swift motion, the knife fell, splattering hot blood onto Yang Jie's face. A head rolled to the ground.
"Order the fires to be lit! Investigate the movements of the rebel troops outside the city. Imprison all four gates! Patrol teams, form ranks and search the entire city!"
In an instant, the sounds of swords clashing rang out. Seeing that they had failed to deceive the city gates, a group of masked men in black, who had been hiding nearby, leaped out and attacked the city's guards.
Outside the city, as if by prior arrangement, shouts of battle filled the air as chaotic troops launched a night attack.
"Report! Your Majesty! Mutant troops have launched a night attack on the East Gate! There are traitors inside the city colluding with them!"
The Ganlu Hall was brightly lit, and a group of ministers sat with the king, trembling with fear.
"How is the battle going?"
Gu Zhong put down the book he was holding, appearing very calm, as if he had known this all along.
"Lieutenant Yang handled the situation well. The mutinous troops were probably just testing the waters. Since they couldn't open the city gates, they didn't go all out to attack the city and have now retreated."
"Very well. My lords, I wonder which family these rebels in the city came from? Is there anyone who can enlighten me?"
Having learned that the capital was temporarily safe, Gu Zhong turned his intense gaze to the assembled officials.