GTB Chapter 219

Chapter 221: Everything Happens According to Fate and Heart

Chapter 221: Everything Happens According to Fate and Heart

Snowflakes flew in the cold night, and the secluded night was silent.

Shí Yan’s figure was like a ghost, leaping over walls and rooftops in the darkness, his black cloak fluttering in the wind.

His footsteps were light, as if merging with the night, only his deep eyes flashed with a cold light in the darkness.

Inside the Jiang residence, the front hall was brightly lit, filled with laughter and chatter, which gradually subsided only after midnight.

At the entrance of Che Ya Courtyard, Jiang Jiuche held his sleeping daughter, his eyes watching Jiang Jiuchu’s retreating figure, a slight heaviness in his heart. He then turned and entered his own courtyard.

Shí Qingya, standing beside him, tilted her head, looking at Jiang Jiuche’s profile and tentatively asked, “Husband, if it were you, what would you do?”

Hearing this, Jiang Jiuche paused slightly, then continued forward, his voice firm, “I would never let you down, nor would I go against your wishes in the name of doing what’s best for you. I would stand with you through thick and thin.”

Shí Qingya’s eyes widened slightly, suppressing the surge of emotion in her heart, she said in surprise, “So you guessed that Seventh Brother has his reasons?”

Jiang Jiuche stepped onto the stairs as he spoke, “Shí Xiu’s current position is virtually no different from that of a regent. In such a situation, it’s hard not to suspect that the Crown Prince is trying to preserve himself.”

“But I also believe his words to Chuer about trying to win over the Marquis of Zhenbei by promising his daughter the position of Empress.”

Shí Qingya understood and followed Jiang Jiuche into the room. After helping him lift the bedding and placing their daughter on the bed, she looked at him and asked:

“Then what if I were poisoned and had to divorce to get the antidote?”

Hearing this, Jiang Jiuche suddenly looked up at Shí Qingya, his eyes filled with shock: “Are you saying…”

Shí Qingya nodded, turned and sat down at the round table, and said softly: “Although Chuer’s poison has been controlled, the residual toxins have not been cleared. The herbs to completely remove this poison are extremely rare, and Shí Xiu just happens to have them.”

As she spoke, she looked up at Jiang Jiuche, who had walked over and sat opposite her, her eyes filled with confusion and worry.

“I don’t understand why he is so obsessed with Chuer that he would use this to force Seventh Brother to divorce her. She was already married when he returned to the capital, and they had no interaction. Could it be that he was smitten at first sight?”

Hearing Shí Qingya’s words, the shock on Jiang Jiuche’s face deepened.

He had never imagined that Shí Xiu would covet his own sister.

His eyes drifted away, “Perhaps it’s not just about being smitten at first sight.”

Hearing this, Shí Qingya’s face was full of doubt: “What do you mean by that?”

Jiang Jiuche was silent for a moment before slowly opening his mouth, “Because we had some interaction with him on our way to Qianjing…”

After listening to Jiang Jiuche’s words, Shí Qingya’s doubts were resolved.

She sighed softly, “So that’s how it is. No wonder he didn’t threaten Seventh Brother with more favorable conditions, but just wanted him and Chuer to divorce. It turns out he doesn’t want to seize her by force, he wants Chuer’s heart.”

Jiang Jiuche chuckled softly, his laughter tinged with coldness, “Not seizing her by force? I don’t think so. After all, his methods are not exactly honorable.”

After he finished speaking, he retracted his contemptuous gaze, looked at Shí Qingya, and said in a solemn tone:

“Now that things have come to this, don’t mention it to anyone else. Most of the court is now controlled by the Empress and Shí Xiu, and those who are neutral dare not speak out. The Crown Prince doesn’t have much of a chance of winning. He doesn’t want Chuer to be sad again when the time comes, and neither do I.”

Shí Qingya nodded: “I know. I’m telling you this because first, you are my husband, and second, I want to have someone else who knows the inside story.”

Jiang Jiuche reached out and took Shí Qingya’s hand, and said softly: “Ya’er, I won’t be a persuader. Even if there are many reasons behind this, the hurt Chuer suffered is real, and neither of us can understand it. So let everything happen according to fate and heart.”

Shí Qingya gave a soft “hmm,” a look of relief appearing on her face.

On the other side, in Crabapple Courtyard, Green Lo held a lantern, its faint light illuminating the steps of the threshold. “Miss, be careful of the steps.”

“Mm.” Jiang Jiuchu stepped onto the steps and pushed open the door. Turning back to look at Green Lo, she said, “It’s late, go to sleep.”

In the dark night, Jiang Jiuchu’s familiar voice reached the top of the wall, seeping into Shí Yan’s heart, as if soothing the longing in his heart.

Hidden behind a tree on the courtyard wall, Shí Yan’s eyes were fixed on the door that Jiang Jiuchu had closed.

A day apart feels like three autumns. He used to scoff at this saying before he met her, but now he knows it deeply.

He closed his handsome eyes, a burst of bitterness rising in his heart. He seemed to have overestimated his willpower.

He suddenly felt afraid of the half chance of winning. He was afraid of winning the world but losing her…

After all, he had said such hurtful words.

Moreover, if things were as he imagined, would he still have a chance?

Would she fall in love with Song Fuge again after her heart turned cold?

…

Half a month later, Ji Shutíng, who had returned to the Ji residence after spending a day at her parents’ home, walked excitedly towards Gu Changxuan’s study, holding a newly bought jade crown in her hand.

Originally, she was going to stay with her mother at the Ji residence for three days, but during dinner last night, she suddenly felt nauseous. The family doctor was called in and found out that she was pregnant.

Therefore, after lunch today, she couldn’t wait to return to the residence, wanting to tell Gu Changxuan the good news. She had just heard from the gatekeeper that Gu Changxuan had returned to the residence early today after the morning court session.

Inside the study, wine was warming on the coffee table, its fragrance rising and filling the air. Gu Changxuan and Shí Xiu were sitting opposite each other.

Gu Changxuan picked up the wine cup in front of him, a smile on his face, and said respectfully, “Let this cup be a premature congratulations to the Regent.”

Shí Xiu smiled and picked up the teacup in front of him and touched it with Gu Changxuan’s. “I’ll drink the wine, but let’s save the congratulations until I ascend the throne. It’s still too early to say, I prefer to be safe.”

Gu Changxuan drank the wine in his cup in one gulp, a flash of joy in his eyes: “It’s not too early. Tomorrow morning, the ministers will put pressure, and Shí Yan’s position as Crown Prince will cease to exist.”

“As long as Shí Yan, who was personally appointed Crown Prince by the Emperor, is deposed, the other princes will not be worth fearing. No one else will be qualified to block your path to the throne.”

Shí Xiu’s expression was calm, his gaze as deep as a pool. He said faintly: “Even if I sit on that throne, everything will just be the beginning.”

After he finished speaking, he saw Gu Changxuan’s eyes pause slightly, then skipped the topic and smiled: “But I still need to thank you, Lord Gu, for this matter.”

“Although the assassination was not successful, it can be considered a surprise attack on Shí Yan. More importantly, Ji Huaizhou is now working for me.”

“The court officials all know that he is the Emperor’s guard. He only allows me to enter and leave the Emperor’s bedroom, which also shows that the Emperor trusts me, and the neutral parties have not resisted too much because of this.”

Hearing this, Gu Changxuan bowed to Shí Xiu, his tone humble: “It is my duty to handle this small matter for Prince Rui. Prince Rui doesn’t need to take it to heart.”

Shí Xiu waved his hand, his expression indifferent: “There is no need to be so polite with me, Shí Xiu is not an ungrateful person.” As he spoke, he picked up the wine pot and personally poured wine for Gu Changxuan, continuing to say in a calm and elegant manner:

“I am also a person who keeps promises. I promised to avenge you for the loss of your love, and I will never break my promise. I will never let Shí Yan go for the sake of brotherly friendship and respect.”

Gu Changxuan was greatly relieved to hear this. This was exactly what he wanted to hear.

He knew Shí Xiu’s feelings for Jiang Jiuchu, so he was worried that Shí Xiu would spare Shí Yan’s life so as not to incur Jiang Jiuchu’s hatred.