Chapter 94: The Previous Generation

The Hou Fu of Dongchang didn’t originally intend this person for Gu Yan Kai—he just happened to end up before Gu Yan Kai’s eyes for reasons unknown.

Gu Tingyu exhaled deeply, nodded, and agreed with Xu Zaijing’s words.

Xu Zaijing sat aside, thinking: in the original story, this woman’s name was You Lian, meaning “pitiable at first sight.”

She was bought by Xiao Qin Shi and given to Gu Yan Kai as a personal maid.

Later, she was violated by Gu Ting Bing of the fourth branch, then pushed by Xiao Qin Shi into Gu Ting Ye’s arms.

This maneuver gave Xiao Qin Shi leverage over the fourth branch, ensuring their loyalty, while also sowing discord between Gu Yan Kai and Gu Ting Ye.

Two birds with one stone.

Wait—now Xiao Qin Shi has married into the An Guo Gong’s household.

No, in memory, by this time Gu Yan Kai’s health had already begun to deteriorate—he started coughing!

He’s merely a nobleman stripped of real power!

Gu Tingyu saw Xu Zaijing’s understanding gaze but said nothing, merely waiting in silence.

“Brother Yu, isn’t Qin’s second daughter now the second wife of the An Guo Gong’s household?! Besides the Marquis, is there anyone else in the Gu family qualified to command the Gu Army? If not, could the An Guo Gong replace the Marquis?”

Gu Tingyu slowly shook his head and said:

“Besides Father, no one. I took the civil path; Xiao Er studied both civil and martial arts, but he’s still too young. You know the quality of the fourth and fifth branches. The collateral lines like the Xiangyang Marquis are too distant, and none of the other collateral branches have outstanding heirs.”

Gu Tingyu fell silent, sorting through the power structures among the various military factions of Da Zhou, then sighed.

“They’re trying to force Father to step down and make room for someone else. What a clever plan they’ve cooked up.”

“So the Marquis chose beauty over military authority?” Xu Zaijing asked.

Gu Tingyu nodded. Seeing Xu Zaijing still didn’t grasp the full picture, he continued:

“Father’s troops receive full, timely rations and pay.”

“For four or five generations, Gu family sons have served in the army, many falling on the battlefield.”

“Several of our direct ancestors knew death was certain—and still marched forward without regret. Some held the rear for the main force; others died carrying the general’s banner into battle.”

“His men know that for victory, the Gu family will not spare even its own.”

Xu Zaijing felt a pang—these weren’t empty words. To send your own nephews to die, to imagine sending Zhu Qinghu, your Sun family cousins, or even your elder brother Zaiduan or yourself into the fray—

All to pin down the enemy and win.

Without such ruthless resolve, you lose your edge—and then you’re just prey to be slaughtered.

“With such a commander, the Gu Army’s men will gladly die, knowing it’s for victory, so their comrades may stand, not lie dead.”

Gu Tingyu smiled at Xu Zaijing, but his eyes were misty as he nodded.

“Uncle Er, Gu Zhong Kai, and Uncle San, Gu Chuan Kai, both died this way. That’s why Father protects our fourth and fifth branches so fiercely. But now, Father…”

“Perhaps the Marquis didn’t think that far ahead—he didn’t foresee such a massive problem.”

Gu Tingyu shook his head. “Wu Lang, do you know how much grain and pay the Gu family spends monthly on its several armies, tens of thousands strong?”

Xu Zaijing frowned. “Wait—they want money? The blood and sweat of the soldiers?”

“If not that, then do they want Father to step down so they can lead the campaign against the Northern Liao and Bai Gao? Hmph! If they have such ambition, I’d gladly join the front lines as a military clerk!”

Xu Zaijing laughed bitterly: “Damn it.”

“Brother Yu, what’s your plan? Leaving this viper alive will only bring disaster.”

“I’ve already made some arrangements.”

“Can’t you tell me?”

“Not yet.”

“Then please, Brother Yu, don’t let my sister suffer. Or next time, I won’t just come to your house and make a scene.”

Gu Tingyu clapped Xu Zaijing on the shoulder.

“Understood. Not even a single hair of Ping’er’s maid will be harmed. Stop the carriage!”

They stepped out of the carriage.

Xu Zaijing’s face hardened again, wearing an expression of bitter anger, mounted the horse trailing behind, and returned to the Xu household.

Arriving at Quyuanjie,

Seeing the palace attendants smiling at the gate, Xu Zaijing knew another piece of good news had arrived.

He dismounted and walked to the courtyard where Sun Shi resided.

Inside, his second brother stood smiling nearby.

Sun Shi was bidding farewell to the palace eunuch, along with Xie Shi and An Mei.

“Mother, what’s going on?”

Sun Shi held her hand warmer and ignored Xu Zaijing, smiling as she bid the palace eunuch farewell—though a eunuch, he was an emissary of the Emperor.

Xu Zaijing bowed slightly in salute.

“Oh oh, good Wu Lang, this servant dares not accept such a bow! Not at all!”

The eunuch hurriedly bowed deeply in return—twice.

Then he quickly left Sun Shi’s courtyard, saying: “Lady, don’t see me off—I’m off now.”

The eunuch walked far away.

“Mother.”

Sun Shi’s smile vanished. She glared at Xu Zai Zhang, then returned to the main hall.

Her daughter-in-law Xie Shi and An Mei followed behind.

Xu Zaijing followed too.

He took the hand warmer from Xiao Dan.

Sun Shi looked at her youngest son.

“The Gu family did wrong, but why did you smash bowls and plates? Your brother said you even broke a chair?”

Hearing this, An Mei gripped her chair’s armrest, staring at her fifth brother in disbelief.

Xu Zaijing said:

“Mother, we’re not civil officials. As martial nobles, if we play nice, they’ll think we’re weak. When the Qi family and Xiangyang Marquis showed their teeth, everyone in Bianjing became more respectful.”

“If Aunt Bai had something irreplaceable, I’d be polite. But a concubine—”

“You, you!” Sun Shi pointed at Xu Zaijing with a trembling finger.

Sun Shi continued: “Send your sister home. I want to see her.”

“Yes, Mother. I’ll send word right away. Also, Mother—what’s the palace’s good news?”

Xie Shi smiled as she watched her mother-in-law sip tea.

“Wu Lang, the Empress is with child.”

Xu Zaijing froze, murmuring: “The Empress cares for herself well—she doesn’t look her age. Mother, do you know?”

Sun Shi shot her son a look. “No comment.”

She rose and went to the storage with Xiao Zhu to inventory the Empress’s gifts—discarding perishables to the kitchens and storing long-lasting items.

Xie Shi shook her head, wondering why her little brother couldn’t say something nice—why bring up age at all?

Xie Shi, helped up by her maid, said: “Wu Lang, my mother says the Empress is even younger than the Duchess of Yingguo.”

“Thank you, Elder Sister, for the clarification.”

Xie Shi nodded.

“An Jie, come along—let’s see the clothes the maids made for the cat.”

“Yes, Sister-in-law.”

Before Xie Shi had gone far, Xu Zaijing heard his mother’s voice:

“Daughter-in-law, you’re pregnant—don’t keep running over to the cat! Come here! Sheng’s eldest daughter is betrothed to the Yuan family. Come with me to pick out fine silks to gift her.”

“Yes, Mother-in-law. An Jie, go on your own.”

Xu Zai Zhang greeted his younger brother and went to the study to continue his studies.

Walking down the Xu family’s corridor, Xu Zaijing smiled wryly, muttering: “Yuan family? Hmph~~”

Exiting the corridor, the two reached the family’s side courtyard.

Inside, Deng Bo tended winter vegetables rarely seen in the cold season.

A large room, enclosed by earthen walls over half a zhang thick, housed Xu Zaijing’s master.

The thick walls retained warmth, the fire stove inside kept the air hot, and the steaming kettle moistened the air—his coachman master often came here to relax after work.

Seeing Xu Zaijing’s expression, his master walked into the heated room. Xu Zaijing stepped beside him, while Deng Bo edged close to the door.

“?”

His master gave him a look.

Xu Zaijing understood.

He summarized the Ningyuan Marquis’s affairs, knowing his master had a grudge against the Qin family due to their ties to Dongchang Hou Fu.

After listening, his one-eyed master’s gaze shifted thoughtfully.

Then, in a hoarse voice, he asked: “You two only thought of the An Guo Gong and the Qin family seeking money—but who’s standing behind them?”

Xu Zaijing frowned. “The imperial princes are healthy, the Emperor has heirs—why would they need someone to stand for them? Isn’t money, pleasure, and land enough?”

If there are typos, please let readers point them out! Thank you!

Again, I guarantee: no random chapter breaks!

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(End of chapter)