Chapter 447: One More Deception

Ruo Xi changed her name while at Yi Hong Courtyard; actually she was previously called Li Qingqiu.

She is the daughter of a low‑ranking official, the youngest in her family, and therefore receives all manner of pampering.

If that conflict had never occurred, if the deadly strike in Qi Sha Gu had not happened, she would still be confined to her boudoir, awaiting the perfect husband of her heart to marry her.

Now she has probably long been a wife and mother, but now there is no way back for her.

She was rescued halfway, then sold to Yi Hong Courtyard, where she became its top courtesan.

Having changed name and surname, she has long forgotten that she once was the beloved little girl of the Li family.

Especially when the words "Miss Li" came from the man before her, she couldn't help but shiver violently.

These days, what astonishes Ruo Xi most is Gu Kang's transformation.

She never expected Gu Kang to later sit the imperial examination, become a disciple of Mr. Wen, and win the top prize in one go.

Her husband Zhang Liang had taken the imperial examination several times before, with unsatisfactory results and no titles, so he returned to Yunzhou to do business.

Because Zhang Liang failed the exams, he no longer wishes to discuss imperial examinations.

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The couple opened several shops in Yunzhou City, completely cutting ties with the distant imperial examinations.

Thus, when Gu Kang, in a bizarre manner, ascended the champion's throne, Ruo Xi and her husband were at the counter tallying today's profit.

She did not expect that upon entering the city, rumors about Gu Kang were everywhere.

Now Gu Kang is the emperor's top minister; this time, after meritorious service to the dragon, the emperor lavishly bestowed rewards, and he received the most.

He was even to be named Imperial Teacher, which frightened Gu Kang greatly, and he repeatedly declined.

Looking across Southern Qi, Gu Kang's rapid promotion is truly astonishing.

The more so, Gu Kang acted even more low‑key; after accepting the emperor's abundant gifts, he merely invited colleagues to a modest tavern for a meal and drinks, then said nothing further.

Now, watching Gu Kang who can control her life and death, Ruo Xi feels as if in another world.

Ruo Xi bowed and said, "Lord Gu, I have offended you many times before; please forgive me."

Ruo Xi knows Gu Kang bears a grudge against her; she had previously driven the matter to a dead end, forcing Gu Kang into a corner, and now she only hopes he will awaken.

Had it not been his sister Gu Jiu Ling secretly devising this scheme with him, there might not be the Gu Kang of today.

Gu Jiu Ling's move against her brother was also ruthless, a technique that sends one to death before rebirth.

After speaking, Ruo Xi fell with a thud, knelt before Gu Kang, and hammered several deep bows.

She lifted her eyes to the cold‑faced Gu Kang before her.

She didn't realize that as Gu Kang watched her bowing, his expression grew even darker.

Ruo Xi said, "Lord Gu, your reputation has spread through the streets; you are the upright magistrate who champions the grievances of the common folk."

"My father was the biggest victim in the military grain case seven years ago; he once obtained authentic evidence of the Duan family's grain collection in Pingcheng."

"Later my father secretly took that evidence. After all, he was a conscientious and righteous official; seeing so many people in Pingcheng devastated by the Duan family, he could not swallow that injustice."

"In other places the tax rate is fifteen per hundred or thirty per hundred, but the Duan family in Pingcheng, over these years, cheated, seized others' lands, and schemed to get rich, all under everyone's eyes."

"Many farmers were forced into destitution, having to sell their year's hard‑earned grain at low prices to the Duan family, which then resold it to border regions or to the more craft‑rich Jiangnan area."

"The Duan family tried every means to destroy the evidence, but the crucial documents were discovered when my father copied them."

"Those people still discovered my father's hidden evidence and set a trap to kill him."

"And… " Ruo Xi choked, inhaled, steadied herself, and said, "Moreover, they executed my father for treason."

"My father served as an incorruptible official all his life, yet in the end he was burdened with corruption charges, plus treason, and his whole family was exterminated. I must avenge this."

Gu Kang stared steadily at the woman before him, saying nothing.

He slowly raised his hand and extended it toward Ruo Xi: "The document in your hand, the one your father left you, where is it?"

Ruo Xi's eyes flickered slightly; she lifted her head and stared at Gu Kang: "Lord Gu, I can hand over the document to you, but I have one request: after it is handed over, could the entire Duan family be executed?"

As soon as Ruo Xi's question left her lips, Gu Kang's brows knit.

It seemed Ruo Xi was using the document to blackmail him into imposing harsher sentences on the Duan family.

But the matter involves the Empress Dowager; some things the Empress Dowager cannot simply watch her own clan be wiped out, not even the last bloodline.

Gu Kang's eyebrows twitched slightly; he hadn't expected Ruo Xi to still be watching him here.

He couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration; this woman had previously toyed with him, nearly causing his death.

Now, meeting again, she still does not treat him honestly.

Gu Kang's complexion darkened instantly; just as he was about to raise his hand with the teacup to say something, urgent footsteps sounded outside.

A subordinate shouted from outside, "Prince Rui has arrived!"

Hearing the words Prince Rui, Gu Kang froze for a moment, then looked at Ruo Xi, his mind forming a conjecture.

When he had previously sent someone to find Ruo Xi, he guessed that Prince Rui's manor had also dispatched people; his men were faster and brought Ruo Xi to Jing Cheng ahead of them.

Gu Kang now understood that Prince Rui had come to demand someone from him.

He had just stood up when a rush of footsteps surged in, and the door was thrown open from outside.

Gu Kang glanced at the doorway and couldn't help but smile wryly; the ones demanding a person were not only his brother‑in‑law, but crucially his far‑reaching sister Gu Jiu Ling as well.

Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin, upon learning that Gu Kang had taken Miss Ruo Xi into Dali Temple, instantly felt uneasy.

Gu Jiu Ling knew that she and Miss Ruo Xi had set a trap earlier, causing Gu Kang unbearable suffering.

At this moment Gu Kang directly brought the person into Dali Temple; Gu Jiu Ling, panicked, hurriedly pulled Xiao Yin over to demand a person, knowing her brother hated Miss Ruo Xi, yet she bore the main responsibility and could not let others take the blame.

In an instant several people crowded into Gu Kang's cramped room, eyeing each other, their expressions rather awkward.

Whether they had been acting or truly immersed, they now sang a new script with all their hearts.