Gu Yuanqing did not hurry over. He waited in his room for quite a while, only leaving the courtyard after Eunuch Xu had climbed the mountain.
After rounding a few bends, he saw Eunuch Xu and the others ahead and quickened his pace a little.
Gu Yuanqing dearly wanted to say, "Eunuch Xu, I've missed you to death." But it occurred to him that those words could easily invite misunderstanding in this world. When he reached him, he merely smiled and cupped his hands. "I heard magpies calling in the Courtyard early this morning and wondered what happy occasion could possibly come to this remote mountain. So it was your esteemed arrival, Eunuch Xu. It's been many days, yet you look as splendid as ever."
Then Gu Yuanqing cupped his hands toward Chen Chuanshan as well. "General, thank you for last night."
Xu Lianying smiled faintly and inclined his body, cradling his Fly-Whisk. "My greetings, Young Master Gu. It's been several months. Have you been well? Have you grown accustomed to life on this mountain?"
As he spoke, he carefully studied the young man before him. After several months apart, his bearing had become entirely different.
A little over eight months ago, he had been an utterly unremarkable young man. Now his eyes shone brightly, his spirits were vigorous, and his long hair hung loosely behind his head, lending him an air of carefree grace, untainted by worldly dust.
As for his cultivation, he seemed to possess some means of concealment that masked his qi. Yet his abundant vitality and the faint mingling of his will with heaven and earth showed that he had already reached the True Martial Realm.
A flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes. He had personally escorted Gu Yuanqing to North Spring Mountain and knew his circumstances better than anyone. Over a decade of cultivation had brought him only to the Third-Level Origin Scholar, yet in a few short months he had advanced this far!
Chen Chuanshan merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment without speaking.
Finally hearing someone speak to him lifted Gu Yuanqing's spirits considerably. Even Eunuch Xu looked more agreeable to him, like a fellow townsman suddenly encountered while wandering far from home.
Gu Yuanqing smiled. "Even if I wasn't used to it, I've had to get used to it by now. Thinking about it, life here is actually quite good. No scheming and deception, far from the turmoil of the mortal world, and nobody to restrain me. In my spare time, I can admire the mountains and streams or read a book. Isn't that wonderful?"
Seeing that Gu Yuanqing spoke with genuine feeling rather than pretense, Xu Lianying found himself admiring a young man who could possess such a disposition. He smiled. "I'm glad you've settled in, Young Master Gu. Such a life even makes me a little envious."
Gu Yuanqing laughed heartily. "Then come and experience it more often whenever you have time, Eunuch Xu. That way, I'll have someone to talk to. Though, now that I mention it, there is one thing that isn't quite so wonderful."
"Oh? Please tell me."
"There's no fine wine on this mountain. With such beautiful scenery but no wine to accompany it, a third of the charm is lost."
Xu Lianying glanced back at Chen Chuanshan.
Chen Chuanshan said flatly, "Alcohol is forbidden in camp. We have none. That is the Divine Eagle Guard's rule."
Xu Lianying said, "That was an oversight on my part. I'll have someone bring some in from outside."
Overjoyed, Gu Yuanqing said repeatedly, "Thank you, thank you."
Chen Chuanshan cast a sidelong glance at Xu Lianying but said nothing, tacitly agreeing to the arrangement. He knew only a little about Gu Yuanqing, and the fact that Eunuch Xu considered him worth a second personal visit could not help giving him food for thought.
Of course, with his rank and standing, he could have learned more if he wished to inquire. But as deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, he understood perfectly well that it was best to become as little entangled as possible in matters involving the palace. Knowing more was not necessarily a good thing. Only those who knew to do their own duties and nothing more lived long!
After exchanging pleasantries, Gu Yuanqing finally asked, "Have you come on some business today, Eunuch Xu?"
Xu Lianying glanced at Chen Chuanshan.
Chen Chuanshan understood at once. He turned and said, "Leave this load here. Take everything else to the Imperial Kitchen." Then he cupped his hands toward Xu Lianying. "Eunuch Xu, I'll make a patrol of the mountain."
Xu Lianying nodded. "Please go ahead, General. Young Master Gu and I still have a few things to discuss."
A moment later, only three people remained in the clearing: Gu Yuanqing, Xu Lianying, and a young eunuch whose face was unfamiliar.
Xu Lianying turned and gave a meaningful look. The young eunuch lifted two Fur Coats out of the basket.
Xu Lianying said, "The mountain is bitterly cold at this time of year. His Majesty ordered these two Fur Coats taken from the Inner Treasury as a reward for you."
Gu Yuanqing was somewhat surprised, but he still turned toward Capital City and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The young eunuch put the fur coats back, then took the Sword Case off his back and presented it with both hands.
Xu Lianying opened the Sword Case and took out a three-foot sword. "This sword is called Kunwu. It was forged through a thousand refinings from meteoric iron mixed with various rare treasures. It can sever a hair blown against its edge and slice through iron as though it were mud—a superb blade. Knowing that you practice swordsmanship, His Majesty specifically ordered me to bring it along."
Gu Yuanqing accepted the sword and drew it from its sheath. Its blade was as thin as a cicada's wing and the color of autumn frost. Merely looking at it sent waves of cold through him.
He was rather bewildered. First the old emperor had sent Fur Coats, and now a treasured sword. What exactly was he planning? It was as though Gu Yuanqing were not confined here for wrongdoing, but instead a favored subject.
Half an hour later, Eunuch Xu and his party headed down the mountain. His parting words carried a profound undertone.
"Young Master Gu, there are some things I really ought not say, but after thinking it over, I've decided to say them anyway. I know life on the mountain is austere, but your remaining here is good for you, good for His Majesty, and good for Great Qian. You must endure solitude and keep things to yourself." He paused before continuing, "In this world, cultivation alone is the foundation of everything. Do not disappoint His Majesty's good intentions."
Gu Yuanqing puzzled over it endlessly, unable to work out what those words meant.
Could I be the emperor's illegitimate son, lost outside the palace? Then wouldn't she and I be... A chill of revulsion swept through Gu Yuanqing, and he hurriedly cast the thought aside.
It was already after sunset when Xu Lianying returned to the Imperial Palace. Even though a superior Horned Dragon Horse could travel three thousand li in a day, the journey still took six hours. After all, North Spring Mountain was six hundred li from the royal capital.
He came to the Imperial Garden and prostrated himself. "This old servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise. How did it go?"
"Your Majesty, the rewards have been delivered to Gu Yuanqing."
"And what of North Spring Mountain?"
"This old servant looked around but found no trace of a Grandmaster. Perhaps they had already left, or perhaps they deliberately concealed their whereabouts upon seeing me arrive."
"Then Gu Yuanqing truly comprehended Sword Intent?"
"Commander Chen is at the True Martial Seventh Layer, so his senses should not have been mistaken. According to him, when Gu Yuanqing severed Qin Baijun's arm that day, he used his raised fingers as a sword. Today, this old servant observed the qi surrounding Gu Yuanqing, and he was certainly no ordinary True Martial Realm Cultivator."
Li Haotian nodded slightly, then said, "I understand. Old companion, go and invite Imperial Physician Zhou Yanhuai into the palace, and have the midwives ready. Counting the days, Miaoxuan is due to give birth soon. I would not feel at ease entrusting this to anyone else."
"This old servant will see to it at once."
Xu Lianying left. Li Haotian furrowed his brow, then finally let out a sigh.
Just then, a eunuch approached with his head lowered, taking short, hurried steps.
"Your Majesty, Prince Qing requests an audience."
"Uncle Qing? What brings him here so late? Show him in!"
A moment later, a white-haired old man in magnificent robes entered the Imperial Garden.
"This old subject pays his respects to Your Majesty!" the old man said, bowing.
"Wang Uncle, please rise. Someone, bring him a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Have you come on some urgent business at this late hour, Wang Uncle?"
Prince Qing glanced around. Li Haotian waved his hand, dismissing all the servants.
Only then did Prince Qing speak slowly. "Your Majesty, is Princess Miaoxuan with child?"
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