Chapter 42: Empress Yan

Following the sudden passing of Deng Sui, the burden on Gu Xi’s shoulders grew heavy once more.

He had no choice but to pause his steps.

Within Luoyang, he coordinated affairs from all directions.

Although Liu Hu was no longer young, Gu Xi could see that Liu Hu lacked the potential to become an enlightened monarch.

Even though Deng Sui had already passed away.

He still showed not the slightest intention of seizing supreme power.

He continued to leave everything to Gu Xi, while he himself sat leisurely and securely upon the dragon throne.

It appeared to be a sign of high trust in Gu Xi, but in reality, it allowed Gu Xi to see deeper, underlying dangers.

Old friends were withering away one after another.

Time would eventually destroy everything.

If he were to pass away in the future, what would become of the Great Han and the Gu clan?

It was precisely out of this concern that Gu Xi placed increasing importance on the education of the Gu clan’s descendants, while also pouring more of his heart and soul into the cultivation of the Crown Prince, Liu Bao.

Starting with Gu Kang, the Gu clan had established specialized family rules.

This was to prevent the family branches from drifting further apart.

Once the family descendants passed the period of early childhood mortality, they would be gathered together for unified training and study.

This measure indeed maintained the emotional bonds within the family, and coupled with the fact that the Gu clan remained glorious and prosperous, this tradition had continued to this day.

But the matter of education is destined to depend on talent.

Even if the Gu clan’s educational methods were ahead of their time, the upper limits the descendants could reach were ultimately constrained by their natural gifts.

Among this generation of Gu clan descendants.

Perhaps some could be competent as local prefects, or even secure a place in the imperial court.

But to find someone who could truly carry the banner of the Gu clan was truly difficult.

However, this was not something that could be changed by human effort.

Gu Xi naturally understood this, and thus placed higher expectations on the Crown Prince, Liu Bao.

As long as Liu Bao, the Crown Prince, could be cultivated well.

Whether for the Great Han or for the Gu clan, it would be a tremendous boon.

Liu Bao was indeed exceptionally intelligent; at only six years old, he already showed great talent in his studies, which made Gu Xi value him all the more.

He even personally and strictly selected the eunuchs who served him.

Among them, one person caught the attention of Gu Yi.

—Cao Teng!

Gu Yi truly had not expected that the Gu clan would now have connections with both the Yuan clan and the Cao clan.

This Cao Teng was none other than Cao Cao’s grandfather!

Although Gu Yi did not know if history would still unfold as it originally had.

But if it truly remained unchanged.

Could this be the opportunity for the Gu clan to avoid the chaos of the world?

Regarding this, Gu Yi’s imagination ran wild.

The extent to which the existence of the Gu clan had changed the Great Han was now on full display.

In the original history.

Liu Hu, the Emperor, disregarded the state of the country, embarking on grand construction projects and spending countless sums.

But now, it was completely different.

Gu Xi’s existence was like a needle pinning the sea, steadily keeping the Great Han court on the correct path of development.

However, there are shadows beneath the sunlight, let alone in this treacherous and unpredictable court.

The ministers had now truly and completely abandoned their offensive against Gu Xi.

Just like Gu Kang in the past, Gu Xi had long been able to intimidate the hundred officials single-handedly.

The officials naturally would not offend Gu Xi now.

Instead, they attacked one another.

To this day, Gu Xi had even developed a hint of being a referee, looking down upon the treachery of the court from above the clouds.

However, even with Gu Xi’s eyes like torches, there were still places he found hard to perceive.

—For instance, the inner palace.

Empress Yan Ji was a woman of a jealous nature.

In truth, there were many specific reasons why Yan Ji was able to become Empress.

In years past, Gu Xi was busy with disaster relief, and he had no desire to meddle in the Emperor’s harem affairs, so this matter was handled directly by Deng Sui.

Deng Sui’s attitude within the court had always been to suppress the prominent and powerful clans.

Although Yan Ji could be considered a prominent family, she was by no means a powerful clan.

Her grandfather was Yan Zhang, who served as a Minister during the reign of Emperor Xiaoming, and Yan Zhang’s two younger sisters were both noble ladies in Emperor Ming’s harem.

Logically speaking, the status of the Yan clan should have risen with the tide.

But do not forget that during the reign of Emperor Xiaoming, all maternal relatives except for the Gu clan suffered severe suppression.

The Yan clan had gained no benefits whatsoever.

It was precisely because of this that Deng Sui, thinking her family background was average and seeing that she had gained Liu Hu’s favor, made her Empress.

In the past, with Deng Sui in the harem, things were fine.

But following Deng Sui’s passing.

Yan Ji’s true character was directly exposed.

Having had no offspring for many years only intensified the jealousy in her nature.

She set her sights on Liu Bao.

She wanted to seize the position of Crown Prince and install an emperor she could control!

Liu Bao was completely out of reach.

Even though his mother, Lady Li, had already passed away from illness, with Gu Xi there, he was not someone she could easily manipulate.

Although Liu Bao was now the Crown Prince in name, he had no one to protect him in the inner palace.

Yan Ji was already exceptionally favored.

Even with Gu Xi present, Liu Hu had over the years successively promoted several members of the Yan clan, and even posthumously titled Yan Ji’s mother as the Lady of Yingyang.

Under these circumstances, it was all too easy for Yan Ji to make a move against a young Crown Prince.

However, perhaps because Gu Xi was still alive.

Yan Ji still had some reservations.

She simply decided to first aim her spear at Liu Bao’s wet nurse Wang Nan, the kitchen supervisor Bing Ji, and others.

The Northern Palace.

Yan Ji leaned lazily in Liu Hu’s embrace, her face exquisitely beautiful, radiating charm.

Accompanied by the sound of music, she would from time to time lightly stroke Liu Hu’s cheek with her fingers.

Liu Hu, his face glowing with health, was intoxicated by Yan Ji’s gentle caresses and the scene of peace and prosperity before him.

His days now were truly comfortable.

There were no worries of state affairs, nor any more of Deng Sui’s lectures.

Gu Xi would never interfere with his indulgence in the lap of luxury.

This made Liu Hu sink deeper and deeper, unable to extricate himself.

Just then, Liu Hu suddenly noticed that the intoxicating touch had come to an abrupt halt, and he could not help but lower his head to look at Yan Ji in his arms.

Seeing the look of sorrow on her face, he could not help but frown and ask, "What is the matter, Empress?"

"Your Majesty."

Yan Ji murmured softly, the sorrow on her face growing heavier, "Your concubine has something to say, though I know not if I should speak it."

"The Empress may speak freely."

Liu Hu was increasingly puzzled, "I am here, and I have the Grand Tutor to assist me; what could you possibly have that you cannot say?"

He was truly confident now.

Because the common people truly praised him as an emperor, all calling him a benevolent ruler.

Even if he had done nothing, the current era of prosperity was still attributed to him as Emperor.

This undoubtedly greatly intensified his self-confidence.

"This matter must absolutely not be told to the Grand Tutor!"

Yan Ji’s expression turned panicked in an instant, and she glanced at the singing girls dancing in the hall.

Liu Hu’s brows locked together, his heart filled with suspicion.

He immediately waved his hand, dismissing the others, and only then did he look at Yan Ji again, saying earnestly, "Speak, Empress."

"Your Majesty!"

Yan Ji sat up abruptly from Liu Hu’s embrace, looking at him with a serious face, "Your concubine has recently heard some rumors within the inner palace."

"They say that the Crown Prince’s wet nurse Wang Nan, the kitchen supervisor Bing Ji, and others are secretly cursing Your Majesty."

"They claim to hope that Your Majesty will pass away soon."

"When the time comes for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne, they will rise to the heavens in a single day!"

Empress Yan’s expression was exceptionally earnest, as if every word she spoke were true.

Liu Hu was stunned at first, then rage surged from his heart.

He slammed his hand onto the desk before him and shouted, "How bold!"

"To think there is someone who dares to curse Me in the shadows like this??"

Prophetic superstition is an element that feudal dynasties can never avoid.

Liu Hu was truly enraged.

He had forgotten how long it had been since anyone dared to underestimate him, the Son of Heaven, like this!

The monstrous fury completely destroyed all his reason.

Liu Hu did not waste any words and immediately barked, "Someone, come here!"

"Immediately throw the Crown Prince’s wet nurse Wang Nan, the kitchen supervisor Bing Ji, and the others into the dungeon, execute them, and exile all their family members!"

Having said this, he looked at Empress Yan again, his gaze as sharp as a blade, "Did the Crown Prince participate in this matter?"

"This concubine does not know."

Empress Yan lowered her head, the look of distress on her face growing more intense.

She had clearly said nothing, but relying solely on this expression intensified the anger in Liu Hu’s heart.

"Good! Very good!"

Liu Hu laughed out of extreme anger, the smile on his face appearing exceptionally terrifying, "This is My son!"

"The Crown Prince of our Great Han!"

A terrifying smile appeared on Liu Hu’s face, and he roared in anger: "Summon! Summon the Grand Tutor immediately!"

"I am going to depose the Crown Prince!"

Before long, Gu Xi hurried over.

The moment he entered the hall, he felt that the atmosphere was wrong.

Upon seeing Liu Hu’s furious face, he frowned slightly, bowed, and saluted: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Why is Your Majesty so angry?"

Seeing Gu Xi, the anger on Liu Hu’s face finally eased somewhat.

He immediately stood up, walked to Gu Xi’s side, grabbed Gu Xi’s arm, and said with a solemn expression: "Grand Tutor, I am going to depose the Crown Prince!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xi’s expression changed instantly.

He looked at Empress Yan almost immediately, seemingly having guessed the reason.

However, he did not say much.

Gu Xi’s political acumen was still very high.

Liu Hu was no longer a child, but a true Emperor.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly asked: "Why does Your Majesty wish to depose the Crown Prince?"

Liu Hu did not hide anything, recounted the events just now exactly as they happened, and said righteously: "At such a young age, to have such a vicious heart."

"Our Great Han has always governed the world through filial piety; how can we let such a child be the ruler?"

Gu Xi’s expression grew more solemn, and he silently glanced at Empress Yan.

Empress Yan did not even have the courage to meet Gu Xi’s gaze and instinctively lowered her head.

"Your Majesty."

Gu Xi shook his head slightly, looked at Liu Hu, and softly advised: "Since the time of Emperor Xiaohe, the matter of the foundation of our Great Han has always been unsettled."

"Currently, the Crown Prince has committed no immoral acts."

"How can one proceed with deposition?"

Liu Hu was clearly caught off guard by Gu Xi’s response.

He was stunned for a moment, then showed an expression of disbelief, looking at Gu Xi and saying: "Grand Tutor."

"Does this matter of cursing Me to collapse not count as an immoral act?"

Gu Xi did not answer Liu Hu directly but looked at Empress Yan and asked in a deep voice: "Does the Empress have solid proof for what she said?"

His eyes were fixed tightly on Empress Yan.

Empress Yan kept her head down, not daring to meet Gu Xi’s eyes at all, and only shook her head: "Grand Tutor, this concubine does not know of this matter."

Gu Xi’s gaze grew colder.

But seeing Liu Hu’s still furious expression, he did not say anything more, only advising again: "Your Majesty."

"Our Great Han is currently flourishing; the foundation of the state should not be easily shaken."

"I know the character of the Crown Prince."

"I dare to assert that the Crown Prince would absolutely never commit such a rebellious act."

"I implore Your Majesty to think thrice."

Gu Xi still carried a lot of weight in Liu Hu’s heart.

Hearing this, Liu Hu could not help but calm down a little.

He stared fixedly at Gu Xi, pondered for a long time, and finally nodded slightly: "Enough, enough."

"What the Grand Tutor says is reasonable; I still trust the Grand Tutor’s judgment."

"But I absolutely cannot forgive Wang Nan and the others."

Gu Xi did not advise further, but he did not leave either.

Instead, he glanced at Empress Yan, then said to Liu Hu again: "Your Majesty, I wish for the Crown Prince to reside at the Champion Marquis Mansion for some time."

"This will also make it easier for me to better instruct the Crown Prince."

Hearing this, Empress Yan frowned immediately, instinctively wanting to speak up to stop it.

Liu Hu, however, paid her no mind and waved his hand directly: "The Grand Tutor may decide this matter."

"Your subject obeys." Gu Xi bowed to Liu Hu once more, then turned and left.

Liu Hu was clearly still in a bad mood, a faint look of gloom hanging on his face.

Watching Gu Xi depart,

he sat back down and had just wanted to call the singing girls back when he suddenly heard Empress Yan sigh faintly.

Liu Hu immediately looked at Empress Yan and asked with a frown: "Why does the Empress sigh?"

"This concubine... just feels that the Grand Tutor seems somewhat disrespectful to Your Majesty."

Empress Yan’s eyes suddenly turned red, as if she could shed tears at any moment.

"Your Majesty summons the Grand Tutor first even for family matters."

"What kind of high regard is this?"

"And the Grand Tutor, he is actually lecturing Your Majesty; could it be that Your Majesty does not know these reasons?"

"The Grand Tutor actually still treats Your Majesty like a child..."

Empress Yan’s expression became more sorrowful as she spoke.

After hearing this, Liu Hu only felt his mood grow more stifled, but he still suppressed this emotion, held Empress Yan in his arms, and comforted her:

"Empress, do not speak such words again in the future."

"The Grand Tutor is a minister entrusted by Emperor Xiaohe."

"He has great merit to our Great Han."

"To Me, the Grand Tutor is both teacher and father..."

"This concubine knows." Empress Yan suddenly interrupted Liu Hu, tears flowing from the corners of her eyes, and she looked at Liu Hu, sobbing: "This concubine just feels heartache for Your Majesty."

"Nowadays, the people of the world all praise the kindness of the Gu clan."

"In the imperial court, the officials are all cowed by the Grand Tutor, and the Gu clan line even controls the Central Army."

"Everywhere in the world, people talk about how the Gu clan is this or that."

"But without the successive ancestors of our Great Han, where would the Gu clan’s current prominence come from?"

"Could it be that without the Gu clan, the wise monarchs of our Great Han could not have created a prosperous age?"

"Could Your Majesty not govern the country?"

"This concubine is just feeling aggrieved for the successive ancestors and for Your Majesty..."

Liu Hu stared fixedly at Empress Yan, the look of gloom on his face growing even more intense.

This time, he did not say anything more; instead, his gaze became increasingly profound.

Clearly, he had taken these words to heart.

That very day, Liu Hu issued successive imperial edicts.

He promoted members of the Yan clan to key positions within the Imperial Guard, in charge of the Emperor’s personal guards.

Once this matter was announced, the court and the public were shocked!

These people were all old foxes.

Such an obvious decree from Liu Hu was clearly aimed at stripping the Gu clan of its power!

Everyone had guessed it.

There must be a rift between Liu Hu and Gu Xi.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this, and there was no surprise in his heart.

This Emperor, Liu Hu, had listened to many slanders in the original history.

This was entirely due to his character.

Even if the Gu clan had already changed the general trend, how could one change a person’s character?

Furthermore, in Gu Yi's view, the most critical factor was not the slander from Yan Ji.

Simply put.

It was that Liu Hu had become arrogant.

He truly believed that he no longer needed to rely on anyone.

This was the fundamental reason for the estrangement between him and Gu Xi!

The Champion Prince's Mansion.

Gu Xi did not have much of a reaction to this; instead, he comforted Liu Bao.

Liu Bao was truly terrified.

At only ten years old, having lost his mother early, he had a very deep affection for his wet nurse, Wang Nan.

Yet today, he watched helplessly as the guards took Wang Nan and the others away.

The psychological trauma caused to him was simply unimaginable.

Fortunately, Gu Xi had brought him out directly and kept comforting him, which avoided a more serious situation from occurring.

"Father."

After watching Liu Bao fall asleep with his own eyes, Gu Xi had just stepped out of the room when his eldest son, Gu Lin, walked up eagerly and asked:

"Why would His Majesty have such a change?"

"Regarding today's actions, this son truly cannot fathom them."

His attributes were indeed very ordinary, and he simply could not figure out why such a great upheaval had occurred.

Before this, wasn't the Emperor still very trusting of the Gu Shizi?

"How can imperial power be shared with others?" Gu Xi said calmly, with a faint tone.

"Sigh." Gu Lin sighed softly, "Thinking back to the beginning, if it weren't for Father helping His Majesty..."

"Hold your tongue!"

Gu Xi barked a reprimand, cutting him off, and said sternly: "Do not ever say such things again in the future!"

Gu Lin hurriedly lowered his head.

Gu Xi just looked at him like that, shook his head slightly, his eyes full of disappointment and worry.

He suddenly understood the actions of Gu Kang in his later years.

Laying down the affairs of state, showing an intention to retire from public life.

But compared to the situation back then, the current landscape was much more complex.

If he were to pass away, what would become of the Gu Shizi?

All sorts of emotions welled up in his heart.

Gu Xi could not help but turn his head to look at the room where Liu Bao resided once more, his gaze becoming increasingly firm.

(End of chapter)