Chapter 363

The Chongwen Tower case is finally closed; the sins hidden beneath the ruins end with Gu Kang's brilliant closing report, and some truths remain forever buried in that wreckage.

Translate: "The case of Chongwen Tower was finally settled, and the sins buried beneath the ruins ended with Gu Kang's brilliant closing document; some truths will forever remain buried in that ruin."

Note: "brilliant writing" means brilliant writing; "closing document" means closing document. Keep meaning.

We'll output: 【1】 The case of Chongwen Tower was finally settled, and the sins buried beneath the ruins ended with Gu Kang's brilliant closing document; some truths will forever remain buried in that ruin.

To showcase the state's civil and military achievements, the Longqing Emperor commanded the Ministry of Revenue to allocate massive funds for rebuilding Chongwen Tower.

Translate: "To showcase the state's civil and military achievements, Emperor Longqing ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate huge funds to rebuild Chongwen Tower."

Partly to preserve his reputation, and partly to conceal those shameful past events.

Translate: "On one hand to save his face, on the other hand to conceal those past disgusting matters."

Gu Kang now also shoulders the task of rebuilding Chongwen Tower, and he never lets up.

Translate: "Gu Kang now bears the responsibility for rebuilding Chongwen Tower on his shoulders, and he dares not slack off each day."

He erected a shed next to the tower and sat there to personally oversee the construction.

Translate: "He set up a shed beside the tower and sat there personally supervising the work."

The capital's residents couldn't help but feel that Gu family's second son had been shaken by the eldest son's earlier mistake, taking it as a lesson.

Translate: "The people of Shang Jing couldn't help but sigh inwardly, that the Second Master of the Gu family had been startled by the Eldest Young Master's past mistake, taking it as a warning."

Gu Kang had just ridden back from Chongwen Tower on horseback, planning to return to the manor to pick up some documents, when he unexpectedly collided with Gu Sheng coming the other way.

Translate: "At that moment, Gu Kang had just ridden his horse from Chongwen Tower, intending to return to the manor to fetch some documents, but unexpectedly he bumped into Gu Cheng head-on on the road."

Gu Sheng's outfit was exquisitely detailed, his robe embroidered with silver thread into a subtle pattern, giving him an air of elegance, though the exhaustion on his face could not be hidden.

Translate: "Gu Cheng's attire at this time was exceptionally refined, his robe embroidered with silver thread into subtle patterns, making him look even more elegant, yet the weariness on his face could not be concealed."

He carried a box adorned with exquisite floral carvings, clearly a gift from one of the capital's renowned jewelry stores, and this street runs straight to the princess's mansion.

Translate: "He held a box in his hand, its exterior carved with exquisite patterns, clearly a gift bought from one of Shang Jing's famous jewelry shops; this street leads directly to the princess's mansion."

Originally, palace princesses could only set up their own residences and receive their own fiefdoms after marrying.

Translate: "Originally, princesses in the palace could only establish their own mansions and receive their own fiefdoms after marriage."

Earlier, the Longqing Emperor had favored the Changping Princess.

Translate: "Previously, Emperor Longqing favored Princess Changping."

An exception was made for the Changping Princess; besides, the Duan family heads the eight great clans, and her mother, Consort Duan, was highly favored, so even before marriage the Changping Princess already had her own estate in the capital, with numerous rewards and lands.

Translate: "An exception was made especially for Princess Changping; moreover, the Duan family is the foremost of the eight great clans, and her mother, Consort Duan, enjoyed great favor, so even before marrying, Princess Changping had already opened a fief in Shang Jing, with countless bestowals and lands to her name."

Among the capital's young ladies, everyone looked to the Changping Princess as their guide, and even when she uttered vicious remarks, they had to put up with them.

Translate: "In the entire circle of noble ladies in Shang Jing, they all took Princess Changping as their leader; even if she spoke vicious words, those women had to endure them."

After all, she is the emperor's cherished treasure, so carriages of noble young ladies from the great clans frequently park outside her gate.

Translate: "After all, she is the emperor's beloved treasure, so carriages of various noble ladies from the clans often stop at Princess Changping's gate."

After all, currying favor with the Changping Princess also brings some status among the capital's young ladies.

Translate: "After all, ingratiating oneself with Princess Changping also counts as gaining some standing among the noble ladies of Shang Jing."

Unfortunately, after Consort Duan's death and the Third Prince Xiao Wei's scandal that turned him into a eunuch, the Changping Princess's gate is practically deserted, with noble young ladies keeping their distance.

Translate: "Unfortunately, after Consort Duan's death and the Third Prince Xiao Wei's huge mishap that turned him into a eunuch, the princess's gate is now deserted; those noble ladies keep far away from her."

Ordinary commoner families may not be aware of what goes on in the palace.

Translate: "Ordinary households may not know what happened in the palace."

However, those noble young ladies have fathers or brothers serving at court, so they naturally returned and secretly described the horrific scene that occurred in the Hall of Nurturing Heart.

Translate: "But those noble ladies have fathers or brothers serving as officials in the court, so they naturally returned and secretly spoke of the gruesome scene that took place in the Hall of Nurturing Heart."

The emperor himself chopped Consort Duan's corpse and her lover Chen Fu'an almost entirely into minced meat.

Translate: "Consort Duan's corpse and her lover Chen Fu'an were almost chopped into minced meat by the emperor himself with a knife."

His hatred had grown so intense that he forgot their years of marital affection and even fed Consort Duan's corpse to the dogs.

Translate: "His hatred had reached such a point that he did not even recall their years of marital affection, and actually fed Consort Duan's corpse to the dogs."

No one in the Duan family dared to claim Consort Duan's body; even the usually arrogant Xiao Wei and the Chang

Translate: "Not a single member of the Duan family dared to step forward to collect Consort Duan's remains; even the usually arrogant Xiao Wei and Princess Changping's siblings remained mute, silently burying their anger and grief in their hearts."

Nobody in the capital dared to loiter outside the princess's mansion; it was obvious that the Longqing Emperor's anger was aimed straight at the Duan family, and everyone worried they would be dragged into it.

Translate: "No one in Shang Jing dared to linger at the princess's gate; clearly, Emperor Longqing's wrath was now directed at the Duan family, and everyone feared being implicated."

Gu Sheng had already sent a note to the princess's residence via an intermediary and had received her reply, easing his mind; Princess Changping still felt affection for him.

Translate: "Gu Cheng had originally sent a note to the princess's mansion through an intermediary and received her reply, which eased his mind; Princess Changping still harbored feelings for him."

But this time, Chen Fu'an and Consort Duan were intricately linked to his father through countless ties.

Translate: "But this time, Chen Fu'an and Consort Duan are intricately linked to his father by countless threads."

He also feared that Princess Changping would snub him; this time he couldn't worry about the Duan family—if he could just gain her favor, become a prince consort of Southern Qi, even a bit of political leverage would let him rise again.

Translate: "He also worried that Princess Changping would ignore him; this time he didn't even care about the Duan family, as long as he could latch onto this connection with the princess, become a consort of Southern Qi, and even a bit of political capital would allow him to turn his fortunes around."

Now that he could no longer count on the crown prince's backing, he had to rely solely on Princess Changping's affection for him—but his foolish father had gone and dragged the Chen Fu'an affair into the open.

Translate: "Now without the Crown Prince's support, he could only rely on Princess Changping's affection for him, yet his clueless father had actually brought up the matter of Chen Fu'an."

The Duan family probably despised the Gu family utterly; he had prepared numerous gifts, hoping merely to win back some favor in Princess Changping's eyes.

Translate: "At this point, the Duan family likely hates the Gu family to death; he has prepared many gifts, hoping only to regain something in front of Princess Changping."

To his surprise, only a few hundred steps from the princess's residence, he ran straight into Gu Kang.

Translate: "Unexpectedly, just a few hundred steps from the princess's mansion, he bumped head-on into Gu Kang."

Upon seeing Gu Kang, Gu Sheng's eyes instantly grew icy; his stare was as venomous as a poisoned blade, and he longed to tear him apart right there.

Translate: "The instant Gu Cheng saw Gu Kang, his eyes turned icy cold, his gaze toward Gu Kang as if laced with poison, wishing he could bite him to death on the spot."

He had already paid a small fortune for hitmen, but he hadn't anticipated that the young man's residence was tightly secured inside and out, giving him no chance to strike.

Translate: "He had already spent a fortune hiring assassins, but he didn't expect that this brat's residence was heavily guarded inside and out, leaving no opening for an attack."

Isn't Gu Kang just a pampered playboy? How did he, after earning Mr. Wen's approval, become so formidable step by step?

Translate: "Isn't Gu Kang just a spoiled rich kid? How did he, after gaining Mr. Wen's favor, become so formidable step by step?"

Even the guards protecting his residence are highly skilled.

Translate: "Even the guards protecting his residence are not weak in martial skill."

He also suspected Gu Jiu Ling and the Du family, but he never suspected that Mr. Wen was orchestrating a major plot behind the scenes.

Translate: "He also suspected Gu Jiu Ling and the Duan family, never imagining that Mr. Wen was directing a major plot behind the scenes."

The two brothers stared at each other.

Translate: "The two brothers looked at each other face to face."

Gu Kang raised his hand in a salute to Gu Sheng; as an official now and Gu Sheng a commoner, the gesture, seen through Gu Sheng's eyes, felt ever more sarcastic.

Translate: "Gu Kang raised his hand to salute Gu Cheng; now that he is an official and Gu Cheng a civilian, this salute, seen in Gu Cheng's eyes, carried an increasingly mocking tone."

Gu Sheng hadn't wanted to stir up trouble, but seeing Gu Kang's smug look made him instantly seething.

Translate: "Gu Cheng originally did not want to cause a scene, but seeing Gu Kang's smug look, he instantly felt his anger rise from nowhere."

He sneered, "Gu Kang, I never thought my father would personally go to your residence to ask you to return, and you still wouldn't come—what a grand attitude."

Translate: "He coldly laughed: 'Gu Kang, I really didn't expect that Father himself went to your manor to invite you back, yet you didn't come—what a big show you put on.'"

Gu Kang laughed: "Elder brother, you're joking; at this point, the heir of the Gu Xiang mansion is no longer something I value, you have always been a bastard son, but if you now wish to enter the legitimate line, that's possible—I'll yield this position to you."

Gu Kang laughed: "Elder brother, you're joking; at this point, the heir of the Gu Xiang mansion is no longer something I value, you have always been a bastard son, but if you now wish to enter the legitimate line, that's possible—I'll yield this position to you."

That one word "let" left Gu Sheng feeling choked; he clenched his teeth and said, "Heh, Gu Kang, flowers don't stay red for a hundred days, people don't stay good for a hundred days—I'll wait to see how you die."

Translate: "That single word 'yield' made Gu Cheng instantly feel suffocated; he gritted his teeth and said: 'Heh, Gu Kang, flowers don't stay red for a hundred days, people don't remain fortunate for a hundred days—I'll wait to see how you die.'"

Gu Kang shook his head: "When did Master Gu become so fond of joking? Life and death are decided by fate, not something we can control."

Translate: "Gu Kang shook his head: 'When did Master Gu start liking jokes? Life and death are determined by heaven, not something we can control.'"

By the way, do you know who I bumped into today at the Hall of Mental Cultivation during court?

Translate: "'By the way, do you know whom I met today when I attended court at the Hall of Nurturing Heart?'"

Gu Sheng froze on the spot—was he just running in circles with him here?

Translate: "Gu Cheng froze on the spot, wondering if he was just going in circles with him here."

Gu Kang didn't wait for Gu Sheng's reply, then slowly smiled and said, "I saw the envoys from the north; they probably want to arrange a marriage alliance with our Southern Qi."

Translate: "Gu Kang didn't wait for Gu Cheng to answer, and slowly smiled: 'I saw the envoys from the northern lands; they likely want to arrange a marriage alliance with our Southern Qi.'"

Now, in the Southern Qi palace, the only princesses of marriageable age are Princess Fuqing and Princess Changping—what a shame.

Translate: "'Now, in the Southern Qi palace, the only princesses of suitable age for a marriage alliance are Princess Fuqing and Princess Changping—what a pity...'"

Gu Kang sighed, looking somewhat regretful: "Princess Fuqing has grown into a young lady; she was once lovely as flower and moon, but a few days ago she came down with a strange illness."

Translate: "Gu Kang sighed, his expression somewhat regretful: 'Princess Fuqing has already grown into a young lady; she was naturally beautiful as flower and moon, but a few days ago she inexplicably contracted a strange illness.'"

Sores broke out on her face and body, making her face itch terribly each day. Still young, Princess Fuqing couldn't stop herself from scratching, bursting the sores and further marring her looks.

Translate: "'Sores began to appear on her face and body; her face itched terribly each day. Princess Fuqing is still young and cannot resist scratching, breaking those ulcers, which has further marred her appearance.'"

She cries and wails nonstop in the palace; the imperial physicians have examined her repeatedly but still can't find the cause—it's utterly maddening.

Translate: "'She cries and shouts nonstop in the palace; the imperial physicians have examined her repeatedly, yet they could not find the cause—it's truly a headache.'"

If so, then the envoy sent to the Northern Di for a marriage alliance must certainly be Princess Changping.

Translate: "'If that's the case, then the person who must go to Bei Di for the marriage alliance is none other than Princess Changping herself.'"

Gu Kang locked eyes with Gu Sheng's ashen face: "Elder brother, where are you headed with all those gifts? Oh, you're not off to see Princess Changping, are you?"

Translate: "Gu Kang stared fixedly at Gu Cheng's pallid face: 'Elder brother, with all these gifts you're carrying, where are you headed? Oh, you wouldn't be going to see Princess Changping, would you?'"

If you want to see her, you'd better go now; in a few days Princess Changping will be leaving the capital.

Translate: "'If you want to see her, you'd better go soon; in a few days Princess Changping will be leaving Shang Jing.'"

As soon as Gu Kang finished speaking, Gu Sheng's face went pale; the gift box he was holding slipped from his hand with a clatter, scattering its rouge and powder across the floor.

Translate: "As soon as Gu Kang's words fell, Gu Cheng's face turned ashen instantly; the gift box he was holding clattered to the ground, and the rouge and powder inside scattered everywhere."

Gu Kang laughed, shook his head, said nothing more, and rode away.

Translate: "Gu Kang laughed, shook his head, said no more, and rode ahead on his horse."

The steward Zhang beside him hurriedly after him; he was quite puzzled today—he had come out from the city gate tower, heading toward the Zhuangyuan mansion, with no need to make such a big detour.

The steward Zhang beside him hurriedly followed, feeling quite puzzled today; originally he had come out from the city gate tower, heading toward the Zhuangyuan mansion, with no need to make such a big detour.

It turns out the second master deliberately took this detour just to run into the eldest master; he has plotted against the eldest master to perfection.

Translate: "He didn't expect that the Second Master deliberately made this detour, probably just to run into the Eldest Master; the Second Master had schemed against the Eldest Master to a deadly extent."