Chapter 48: Do You Have A Sweetheart?

Pei Hantang had practiced martial arts for several years at the Gu Residence when he was young, so he and Gu Heyan were childhood friends. Friends so close, they were practically family. Naturally, Pei Hantang knew Gu Heyan’s personality and thoughts better than others, so seeing Gu Heyan like that made Pei Hantang raise his eyebrows in surprise. Thus, Pei Hantang asked Gu Heyan, who couldn’t hide his disappointment from him: “Hold on, were you waiting for someone else?”

Gu Heyan didn’t reply. Instead, he said: “…..Sit.”

“Hmm, so you were waiting for someone.” Pei Hantang rested his index finger and thumb against his chin. Since Pei Hantang had already answered his own question, he laughed: “It looks like you’re waiting for a very important guest. Could it be…a sweetheart? No way! You have been in the Northern border for five years, and yet you have a sweetheart in the Capital? How come I didn’t know about that?!”

Gu Heyan ignored Pei Hantang, instead telling Wen Zhongcheng, who was waiting at the entrance of the main hall: “Send this guest off.”

Pei Hantang: “Hey! How heartless of you! We haven’t seen each other for five years, and yet you treat me like this?”

Miss Juan brought tea, poured tea for both of them, and said with a smile: “Pei-gongzi, when you were a child, you always liked to tease our Young Master like this. Why are you still teasing him even now?”

“Oh, how could I dare make fun of him?” Pei Hantang sulkily sat on a chair, grabbed the cup of tea, and drank it. He then said with a smile: “He’s the Commander-in-Chief of the Rong Yan Army, as well as a First Rank General. As for me, I’m just a small Shaoyin1 of the Capital Prefecture2. If I were to mock him, wouldn’t his iron cavalry Xiongdi, who are as ferocious as wolves and tigers, come to take my head?”

Miss Juan covered her lips and laughed: “Pei-gongzi, look at what you said! How many fights and riots have you had to deal with? How many fight injuries have you suffered? All to eliminate criminals from the streets. The order and tranquility of the Capital depends entirely on the Capital Prefecture.”

Pei Hantang said: “Alright, alright, don’t mention it. If you mention it, I’ll get nervous. A few days ago, there was a thief on the east street that I couldn’t catch. His Qinggong skills were extraordinary, and it was impossible for me to catch up with him. Yuyi, do you have a Xiongdi with good Qinggong skills that you can lend me?”

Gu Heyan thought about it but then he shook his head: “No.”

“Aish.” Pei Hantang was worried.

After Miss Juan finished serving the tea for both of them, she got up and left. At this time, Pei Hantang continued: “If you weren’t injured, I would have dragged you to help me catch the thief. By the way, how is your wound?”

Gu Heyan replied: “It’s not a big deal.”

Pei Hantang glanced at Gu Heyan’s right arm, seeing it curled against his bosom, and knew that this ‘no dig deal’ wasn’t true. However, he also knew that Gu Heyan wasn’t someone who needed to be comforted, so Pei Hantang simply said: “The current Capital is quite different from what it was five years ago. Dark currents are flowing in all directions, and even though my official reputation is far less than yours, I have far more acquaintances than you. If there’s anything you need help with, feel free to ask.”

Gu Heyan nodded: “Thank you.”

“It feels so out of place to hear you say thank you.” Pei Hantang laughed. “Anyway, I’m still the big brother you have worshiped the handle with3. Oh, don’t look at me like that. Even Uncle Gu Miao agreed on that matter!”

Gu Heyan: “…..”

Right at that moment, Wen Zhongcheng quickly entered the main hall. After greeting the two of them, he rushed over to Gu Heyan to say in a low voice: “Young Master, Mu-gongzi came to visit you. Shall I let him in?”

Gu Heyan tightly gripped the chair handle to force himself not to abruptly get up. After taking a few seconds to calm down, he said; “Yes, invite him to the main hall. By the way, tell Miss Juan to prepare the pastries and bring them here.”

Wen Zhongcheng nodded and went away.

Pei Hantang was visibly confused: “Mu-gongzi? What Mu-gongzi? Could it be the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the son of the Duke of Yan? Wait! Pastries? I have been sitting here the entire time, so why are there no pastries for me?”

Gu Heyan: “You don’t like to eat them.”

“Alright, I’ll take that as a sign that you don’t care about me.” Pei Hantang consoled himself. “By the way, you haven’t answered my question just now. Is that Mu-gongzi the Duke of Yan’s son, Mu Zhiming?”

Gu Heyan: “….Mm-hmm.”

“What?!” Pei Hantang was surprised. “Is it really him? Why did he come to see you? You and him are so different from each other.”

Gu Heyan: “Why did you say that?”

Pei Hantang explained: “It’s not that he’s not a good person. In fact, he’s quite intelligent, friendly, and has never been an arrogant person. He’s really worth making acquaintances with. But now, he got involved in the muddy waters4.”

Gu Heyan frowned: “Muddy waters?”

“Indeed.” Pei Hantang patted his thigh. “As I was coming here, I heard that after you returned to the Capital, you refused to accept any gifts, let alone making friends with anybody. It’s clear that you are a wise man looking after his hide5, who wants his ears to remain pure and peaceful6. Am I correct?”

Gu Heyan: “Hm.”

In fact, Gu Heyan knew better than anyone else that he held too much military power, and that his reputation was far too important. Since ancient times, a man of great merit can never have a pleasant death. Although the current Emperor never held a grudge against him, it was something that cannot be avoided.

“That won’t do.” Pei Hantang said: “Do you not know about Mu Zhiming’s aristocratic family? His father, the Duke of Yan, is Noble Consort Niangniang’s elder brother. The favorite Concubine! With such powerful relatives, he has a high position. Now, he’s close to King Xian, which means he is one of King Xian’s followers. If you befriend him, aren’t you afraid of being targeted by the Crown Prince?”

“Him? A high and powerful position?” Gu Heyan frowned.

“Of course, he’s not as powerful as you. But now he’s an Assistant Minister, and a candidate to be the next Minister of the Ministry of Rites.” Pei Hantang said. “You haven’t been in the Capital for many years, so you shouldn’t know. This man is quite cunning and thoughtful. In recent years, he has been gaining power in various aspects. Many people consider him to be a thorn in their side. Hasn’t he come to visit you this time for the power you hold in your hands?”

When Gu Heyan heard these words, he became even more puzzled.

”
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Gu Heyan remembered that in his previous life, when he returned to the Capital, the party dispute between the Crown Prince, King Xian, and King Su was in full swing. To make matters more complicated, the Emperor was extremely partial to King Xian. But due to the etiquette system, which was like a mandate from the Heavens, Fu Qi, who was the eldest son born of the Empress, was given the title of Crown Prince. That was something that couldn’t be denied.

In order to avoid finding himself getting caught in the middle of conflicts between the different parties, Mu Zhiming simply resigned from his post as Assistant Minister and stayed away from the Imperial Court. Instead, Mu Zhiming became a rich and idle man.

At that time, Mu Zhiming was a carefree young man. He was fond of studying the art of mechanical craftsmanship, exploring strange things along with different cultures, as well as enjoying life by riding horses through the mountains and forests.

Now, the ‘Mu Zhiming’ that Pei Hantang was talking about, was very different from the Mu Zhiming that Gu Heyan knew in his previous life.

Gu Heyan suddenly thought of something.

‘Could it be…..’

‘That Mu Zhiming was also reborn?’

‘Could it be that…something happened to Mu Zhiming before he died in his previous life, and that is why he’s doing these things, which are causing such a transcendental change in his life?’

In his previous life, Gu Heyan died at a young age on the battlefield against the Gouji Kingdom. Before dying, Gu Heyan heard that the Emperor was seriously ill in his bed, and that the Crown Prince was in charge of the Government. However, as a Military General, Gu Heyan didn’t understand much about the political disputes, so he never thought much about it. He simply knew that behind King Xian, he had the power of the Noble Consort as well as the Duke of Yan. In addition to this, King Xian was also backed by important Ministers in the Imperial Court, who favored and praised him. Gu Heyan believed that even if King Xian’s political party failed, the worst thing that could happen to Mu Zhiming would be to be sent away from the Capital, living a carefree life.

‘Besides, Mu Zhiming shouldn’t have been involved, as he hadn’t been part of the Imperial Court for a long time.’

‘Furthermore, he and Fu Yi, King Su…..should have been a couple by then…..’

‘Even if Mu Zhiming got involved, wouldn’t Fu Yi protect him?’

‘But why is Mu Zhiming trying so hard to seize power in this life?’

‘Could it be….for the sake of Fu Yi, King Su?’

“What are you thinking about? You look lost.”

Pei Hantang’s voice interrupted Gu Heyan’s thoughts. At that very instant, the sound of someone walking towards the main hall came from outside.

When Gu Heyan looked up, he saw the clear sky and the warm sunlight reflecting an enchanting scene. Right there, an old friend stood dressed in robes as white as snow, while his long black hair, appearing as smooth as silk, was decorated with a jade crown. In this world, the beauty of a waterfall descending from the mountain, as if it were the Milky Way hanging from the Heavens7, cannot outdo that beautiful smile in Gu Heyan’s eyes.