Chapter 1242 - 1078: Grand Ambitions
Chapter 1242: Chapter 1078: Grand Ambitions
"Prince! There’s a message delivered from the rear!" Lu Chen was just about to leave when he saw a soldier handing over a message.
He paused, somewhat puzzled; He Chaoguang would actually send a message? How strange! Shouldn’t he just charge in directly?
Prince Gong was equally bewildered. He took the message, opened it, and the name that appeared was Gu Jinyu, Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice!
He opened his mouth, shook his head, and laughed, "Seems the second son has learned!"
"It’s an old acquaintance of ours; the one who previously said he wouldn’t accompany us: Master Gu Shaoqing!" Prince Gong’s fleeting smile made Lu Chen feel a sudden discomfort.
He contemplated for a moment, "Is he coming for the Empress? Surely he is acting under the Crown Prince’s orders?"
Gu Chengyu had just said the day before that he wouldn’t accompany them, and now he contradicted himself. Lu Chen couldn’t see how this wasn’t on the Crown Prince’s orders.
"Didn’t he previously say he wouldn’t get involved? Did the Crown Prince offer him some benefits? This man won’t act enthusiastically without incentives! He’s very calculating!"
Lu Chen gave a slight smile but soon understood the situation’s reason. Previously, Gu Chengyu had clearly heard the Empress’s voice but acted as though he hadn’t heard it, obviously not wanting to get involved.
Now, sending over a message, he must have been pushed to act.
"Liang Chen does seem to understand Gu Shaoqing’s temperament quite well!" Prince Gong squinted his eyes, but his expression didn’t change.
Liang Chen was Lu Chen’s courtesy name, but apart from family, few others called him this. Hence, he wasn’t accustomed to Prince Gong suddenly using his courtesy name.
But remembering he was now rebelling with Prince Gong, without an official position, and no longer the privileged young master of the Marquis Mansion, being called this was normal.
"I have previously worked on tasks with him and been outmaneuvered by him twice, so I do know something about him."
"But you did gain quite a lot from him before. You’ve taken advantage of him no less." Prince Gong’s remark rendered Lu Chen speechless.
If not for the Emperor’s declining health, due to collaborating with Gu Chengyu, which brought him benefits, he might have already been promoted by now.
"And what does the Prince intend to do with the Empress? Gu Chengyu’s martial arts are not weak, comparable to both yours and mine, perhaps even superior!"
"That depends on his performance!" Prince Gong smiled, "Invite Master Gu Shaoqing in!"
"Your humble servant pays respect to the Prince!"
Prince Gong, looking at Gu Chengyu walking towards him, seemed to be in a slightly better mood.
"Didn’t Master Gu Shaoqing say he wouldn’t accompany me before? Have you changed your mind now?" Feeling better, Prince Gong was in the mood to jest with his opponent.
"I came here precisely for the Empress. I’ve heard a bit about the events in the Capital. You previously promised that once a hundred miles away, you’d release the Empress. I’ve come to escort her away."
Prince Gong’s face darkened; it seemed Gu Chengyu now believed in his rebellion. So be it! He might as well lay it all out.
"Master Gu Shaoqing, I’ll ask this once more: Would you assist me in achieving great deeds? My previous promises still stand; I can satisfy everything but the throne!"
Prince Gong knew the likelihood of Gu Chengyu agreeing was low, but he still wanted to try.
Gu Chengyu looked at Prince Gong’s handsome profile, involuntarily recalling the emperor’s edict tucked away.
"Does the Prince know that there are too many unavoidable situations in this world? Some things can never be done as one wishes. Too many ties make one afraid to gamble!"
Seeing Gu Chengyu’s sudden melancholic expression, memories flashed in Prince Gong’s mind of his mother consort being slain by a sword.
Indeed! Who can live as they please? Even emperors have too many unavoidable situations!
Gu Chengyu has familial ties, perhaps more burdens than Prince Gong himself?
"Since I made a promise before, I will certainly fulfill it! I won’t make it difficult for you; take the Empress away. If you change your mind, you can still come to me. No matter when, my promise will never change."
Prince Gong looked at Gu Chengyu with a very solemn gaze, like a deep pool one cannot see the bottom of. Gu Chengyu was a bit surprised; did Prince Gong value him this much?
Resolving this matter so effortlessly, Gu Chengyu found it a bit incredible. However, being able to rescue the Empress without lifting a finger, Gu Chengyu was naturally willing.
"Then thank you for the Prince’s understanding! I have urgent matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave!"
Gu Chengyu took a few steps back, ready to leave the scene.
"Jinyu! The border is in chaos, war is imminent, you must set out immediately!" Prince Gong eventually warned, watching the youth’s thin figure.
Gu Chengyu suddenly turned back to look at Prince Gong. What did Prince Gong intend to do? Was he about to take action? His heart churned with waves, looking at Prince Gong with some internal struggle.
Prince Gong’s deep eyes watched Gu Chengyu; he actually had no qualms about telling Gu Chengyu. If Gu Chengyu were his enemy, he might suffer a great loss, but he wasn’t without chances of victory.
This was a test; if Gu Chengyu intervened, it would be their last friendly meeting. As for the future... regardless of how it goes, the priority is always the kingdom.
Gu Chengyu, after giving his salutations, turned and walked to his own carriage.
He struggled internally; should he intervene? He glanced back at Prince Gong, who was still watching him, and then took large steps towards the carriage.
The one who can make it to the end might be the most suitable. Since it was wrong from the start, it can only keep going wrong.
Moreover, with just his strength, how could he prevent all this? Getting too involved isn’t wise. He’s a civil servant, responsible only for civil affairs.
He’s human, not a god!
The Empress was blindfolded, and a rag was stuffed into her mouth, only allowing her to produce muffled sounds.
She loathed this deeply; when had she ever suffered such humiliation? Yet she was also fearful in her heart, afraid her son wouldn’t rescue her, afraid Prince Gong would harm her.
After days of anxiety, the Empress’s emotions were close to collapse.
Having been blindfolded for days, hands and feet bound, her fear intensified.
Suddenly, she sensed the carriage moving. Previously, the carriage had stopped for quite a while, and she caught the scent of tung oil on the torches. She could only use this to judge the time of day, a torchlight only needed to be lit at night.
This realization aggravated her fear further because three days had already passed.
"Huh? Master, did you rescue her?" Ming Yan looked at the spacious carriage behind Gu Chengyu; there was no need to ask who was inside.
His master was indeed capable; just a trip, a bit of talking, and managed to rescue the Empress.
Gu Chengyu ignored him and directed the coachman to drive the carriage to He Chaoguang.
He Chaoguang was equally amazed at how easily Gu Chengyu rescued the Empress.
He suspiciously scrutinized Gu Chengyu from head to toe; how could this be so smooth? Impossible! Could Gu Chengyu really have allied with Prince Gong?