Chapter 81: Don

No. 7 Changqing Street, Imperial Capital.

Yesterday, Wu Qi suffered a terrible fate in an outdoor secret realm, being brutally tortured by demonic beasts, and only escaped by hiding in a tree hollow until the two hours ended.

After emerging, Wu Qi sighed: living is truly good.

Next time anyone asks him to enter such a low-level secret realm, he’d rather die than go.

Early in the morning, Wu Qi left his residence.

The Wu family owns shops in the Imperial Capital; he manages them and also studies and socializes here to enhance his reputation in the capital.

He’s laying the groundwork for inheriting the family business.

Wu Qi’s original purpose in coming to the Imperial Capital was to make more friends, ideally infiltrating the upper circles of the younger generation and befriending noble scions.

After arriving, he did indeed try hard to integrate into the capital’s younger generation circles.

Until he met Chu Ruoyan, he forgot all about it and became a sycophant for a long time.

Not only did he fail to make friends, he also made enemies among many due to Chu Ruoyan.

Take Liu Hao from the circle—he’s a scion of a great noble family. Wu Qi didn’t even maintain good relations with him; now they’re outright enemies.

This is pure reverse psychology.

Lately, the family seemed to be recalling him, planning to send another disciple in his place.

The meaning was clear: Wu Qi’s abilities were inadequate, and they intended to replace him with a new Wu family heir.

Fortunately, a few days ago he flattered Li Chen a bit, using his supposed acquaintance with His Majesty as an excuse, and gained some internal family support, allowing him to remain in the capital.

Otherwise, he’d already be back in Huju City receiving his father’s “friendly” greeting.

Since Chu Ruoyan left the circle, Wu Qi has returned to normal, his cultivation speed has accelerated, and the shop’s business is thriving.

But these are secondary matters; cultivation isn’t something achieved in a day or two, and the shop would run fine without him.

Wu Qi was thinking: if he could forge a connection with Li Chen, it would surpass befriending every high-ranking official in the capital.

Li Chen is the very core of power in the entire Imperial Capital.

But the key question is: how to grovel before Li Chen?

He’s merely rich; he doesn’t wield any influence like Liu Hao.

Aside from going through Chu Ruoyan, he couldn’t think of another way.

He’d heard the Chu family was hosting a grand housewarming banquet in the capital’s first ring; as a junior, he wasn’t invited by the Chu family head—but he still planned to show up shamelessly.

After all, he’d been a sycophant for so many years that the Chu family head knew his face; surely, if he showed up, they’d let him sit.

Now he was preparing to get a gift—he couldn’t possibly go empty-handed.

He figured Chu Ruoyan would likely attend; perhaps he could say something to her, ask her for guidance, and so on.

Ideally, he’d find a chance to introduce his aunt to Li Chen, and then he, too, could rise to prominence like the Chu family head.

Still, since returning yesterday, his aunt had been distracted and lost in thought, for no apparent reason.

Since attending the Chu family banquet was fine alone but inappropriate with others, Wu Qi exchanged a few casual words with Wu Nanzhi and then left the estate.

Since returning yesterday, Wu Nanzhi had been thinking: had that man heard what she said?

Would they ever meet again?

That man’s behavior was vile—he made her walk naked through the forest; it was a profound humiliation!

Yet she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The truth was, when a man has the means and is sufficiently cruel, a woman will never forget him.

Whether she wanted to punish Li Chen or thank him, she could never forget this incident—she might never forget it for the rest of her life.

But since emerging from the secret realm yesterday until nightfall, the man never appeared, as if he’d vanished into thin air.

This morning, she wondered if perhaps he’d been busy yesterday.

But now it was the second day—why hadn’t he come yet?

Had he truly not heard her? Or was there another reason?

Wu Nanzhi was lost in these thoughts because she had nothing else to do.

She’d picked nearly all the flowers in the courtyard apart.

“Hmph, don’t let me catch you—if I do, I’ll make you regret it!”

She “guessed” Li Chen might be playing hard to get, but the tactic had worked—Wu Nanzhi’s once-still heart had been stirred. Every time she thought of Li Chen, she gritted her teeth in rage.

And the Li Chen she longed for was now attending morning court.

Today, the ban on Grand General Guo Poyun was finally lifted, and he rushed to court early, eager as ever.

Budebushuo ， Wujiangmenshizhenbuhuijianghua ， Yigegeshanglaizhuheguopoyun 。

Guo Poyun was puzzled: what was there to celebrate? Congratulating me on my “release from prison”?

Wait until I’m granted command of the northern campaign before you congratulate me.

On another note, Guo Poyun had planned to petition Li Chen today, but Li Chen had already said the northern campaign command would be decided at the Spring Hunt.

If he brought it up now, wouldn’t that be defying His Majesty again?

Being punished with another house arrest was minor; Feng Huai’s fate was the real concern.

So Guo Poyun simply attended court as usual, with no further thoughts.

He was determined to win the Spring Hunt.

!

He didn’t believe anyone could outmatch him in this.

He had many allies in court.

And how many of these generals dared compete with him? How many dared not show him respect?

I’m taking the command—let the rest fight over the other positions.

Before Li Chen arrived, Guo Poyun wouldn’t be polite to anyone.

As a legendary general of the Tian Ce Dynasty, he had rendered immense service to the realm.

When he led troops into battle, most of these generals were still nursing at the breast—how dare they compete with him?

Merely by glancing at them, he could make these generals shrink half a head lower.

When Guo Poyun’s gaze fell upon Pang Jin, he paused.

“Oh? Haven’t been to court for a few days, and there’s a new face here.”

“Your servant pays respects to General Guo,” Pang Jin replied with utmost humility.

His rank was not low, but Guo Poyun’s was higher.

Moreover, he was indeed a newcomer to court—he needed to show proper decorum.

Besides, he’d long heard tales of Guo Poyun’s legendary exploits; meeting him in person stirred a small thrill.

Guo Poyun patted his shoulder, encouraging him to work hard and ease His Majesty’s burdens.

Pang Jin pledged he would do his utmost to repay His Majesty’s patronage.

Since Li Chen hadn’t arrived yet, Guo Poyun continued greeting court officials.

His actions appeared warm, but in truth, he was telling everyone here: though I’ve been absent a few days, I’m still the leader of the generals—speak to me with respect from now on.

Don’t provoke me, or you’ll regret it.

He indeed had the seniority to intimidate these court ministers.

Because one of his duties was precisely this.

The leader of the generals and the leader of the civil officials both needed to establish authority here.

Zhao Wenyuan stood at the head of the civil officials, looking as frail as ever, eyes half-closed, resting.

Guo Poyun walked over and probed: “Any major developments lately? I heard progress in the Crown Prince case?”

Zhao Wenyuan opened his eyes slightly and replied: “You should ask the Minister of Justice. Why ask me?”

He still spoke with perfect caution—outside his official duties, he had nothing to say.

Even if he knew, he wouldn’t speak of it here.

They chatted idly, one laying traps, the other avoiding them.

This was the norm of court life for decades.

With Li Chen’s arrival, the civil and military officials returned to their positions and bowed respectfully to him.

Li Chen, seeing Guo Poyun’s presence, offered a perfunctory greeting: “General Guo, it’s been many days. Are you in good health?”

(End of Chapter)