Chapter 11: The Heartless, Faithless Royal Family
Gu Xinglang spitting up blood alarmed the entire family. Gu Xingyan hastily ran out to find a doctor, while Gu Xingnuo cradled his brother in his arms, afraid that he’d choke on the blood if he lied back down. The women of the Gu Clan all rushed into the room, crying. Grand Secretary Ying and the rest didn’t dare leave at a time like this, so they ended up waiting in the courtyard for updates.
In a flash, chaos had overtaken the Gu household. Only Supreme Commander Gu retained his calm as he stood by his youngest grandson’s bed. In a stern tone, he said, “Sons of my Gu Clan can die on the battlefield, but never lose their aspirations after a single bout of humiliation. If you die now, you’re not a son of my Gu Clan.”
“Grandfather,” Gu Xingnuo’s heart ached for his little brother. “Save those words for later.”
Gu Xinglang dizzily raised his head to look at the people in front of his bed. In a hoarse voice, he said, “It’s fine, I”m just a little tired.”
On the side, Old Madam had been reduced to a puddle of tears.
Gu Chen looked at his grandson’s bloodless face and felt his iron will waver. He gently patted Gu Xinglang’s shoulders and said, “Don’t think anymore, our days will get better.”
Gu Xinglang managed a smile before fainting away in his brother’s arms. He was truly exhausted.
“He’s obstinate,” Yin Nianyun murmured as he saw his old friend emerge from the rooms, “And now he’s lost the will to live. How is the child supposed to live on?”
Gu Chen shook his head, unable to answer.
Yet the gloomy clouds hanging over the Gu Clan couldn’t affect the master of the imperial palace. While his own son-in-law had spat up blood and lost consciousness, Emperor Xiaozong was bragging about his deeds to Yu Xiaoxiao.
“Imperial father’s bestowed an estate to the Gu Clan and conferred Gu Xinglang with an official rank. In the future, Linglong can live well with him. Give birth to a son or daughter soon, imperial father will be waiting for your good news.”
Yu Xiaoxiao glanced down at her petite form. I haven’t even grown up yet, and you want me to bear children? Does this emperor still have a brain?
Xiaozong said, “Linglong, imperial father has Consort Zhao looking after your marriage affairs. Although she’s ill, she was always on good terms with your mother. Imperial father doesn’t need to worry with the wedding in her hands. If you’re missing anything, just ask Consort Zhao.”
Yu Xiaoxiao carefully memorized Xiaozong’s words before she asked, “Can she give me anything?”
Xiaozong gave a start. In light of the fact that his daughter had tried to kill Consort Zhao recently, he cautiously asked, “What else do you want?”
“Money,” Yu Xiaoxiao replied.
Xiaozong nodded. “That’s permitted.”
“Oh,” Yu Xiaoxiao said, “Then I don’t want anything else.”
Xiaozong had yet to understand that “money” in Yu Xiaoxiao’s eyes included not only gold, silver, pearls, and jewels, but also pieces of coral, jade, famous calligraphy works and paintings. “Silly Linglong, ah,” Xiaozong was rather moved by his daughter’s words, “You don’t need to be shy in front of imperial father. You’re my only daughter, so imperial father can give you anything.”
Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t understand. Besides money, what else could this old geezer give her? His kingdom? “Then, then dad–imperial father, what can you give me?”
Xiaozong thought about this for a while. Although Wang momo had already explained to him that his daughter’s martial arts skills had come from a high-level expert invited by the empress, and although he’d witnessed her skills firsthand when she beat up those imperial bodyguards the other day, he still worried that she wouldn’t be able to awe the Gu Clan and its family of fighters if she only brought along a few retainers and eunuchs. Thus, Xiaozong declared, “Imperial father will give you a few more imperial guards. Imperial father can’t let you be bullied at the Gu Clan.”
The shadow guards who protected Xiaozong from their hiding spots felt despair for their master once more. The eldest princess had already beat up a whole crowd of imperial guards. Would she still be afraid of being bullied? Moreover, was the Gu Clan sick of living? Why would they maltreat an imperial princess in the first place?
Xiaozong didn’t wait for his daughter’s reply, but called out from his study, “Have all the imperial guards come in.”
A large group of guards entered the study and knelt in front of the pair to pay their respects.
“Rise,” Xiaozong said, “And raise your heads.”
All of the guards looked up and met Yu Xiaoxiao’s eyes. A moment later, they were all secretly chuckling to themselves. How could there be such a coincidence in this world? These were the very guards that Yu Xiaoxiao had soundly thrashed the other day.
“Pick anyone you like,” Xiaozong said magnanimously.
Yu Xiaoxiao looked at him expressionlessly and told the truth. “None of them can beat me in a fight.”
Xiaozong opened and closed his mouth a few times, not knowing what to saw.
“Forget it,” Yu Xiaoxiao suggested. She really didn’t want to raise a bunch of loafers for free.
But Xiaozong couldn’t feel at ease unless he gave his daughter something, so he spoke to a corner of the study instead. “You guys, come out.”
A few shadow guards wearing face masks emerged to silently kneel at his feet.
“These are imperial father’s shadow guards,” Xiaozong said. “Take two away with you.”
Sh*t!
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