Princess and the General

Enter the Palace and Plead for Forgiveness (Part Two)
This slap was very loud, as Yu Fu had put all of her strength into it.

Though she was not trained in martial arts, she was still influenced by what she saw and heard in Marquis Gu’s Manor, as she learned some basic skills from Gu HanMo and the others. As a result, the slap landed very heavily.

Liu Zhen was nearly flipped over by this slap, and his subordinates in the Imperial Court of Justice were stunned. They were so surprised that they forgot to help Liu Zhen get up.

“You, you actually hit me!”

Liu Zhen held the swollen half of his face, as he pointed at Yu Fu in disbelief, but his hand was swatted away by Yao Lan, “Impudence! You actually dare to point at the princess. Do you even have any place for the imperial family in your eyes?!”

Liu Zhen grimaced in pain and was nearly choked up by Yao Lan’s words. His face turned bright red in anger.

Yu Fu looked at the subordinate that she had stepped on, “Tell me, did you feel any resentment when I stepped on your back?”

The subordinate hastily said: “How could this subordinate dare? Being stepped on by princess was an honor for this subordinate.”

Yu Fu sneered, “Lord Liu, as the chief investigator of the Imperial Court of Justice, isn’t even as understanding as his lowly subordinate. To serve as this princess’ step stool, you actually dare to say that it was a lowly task. Are you insulting this princess or looking down on the imperial family’s dignity? This princess slapped you, so are you still dissatisfied?”

Liu Zhen finally understood that she had not come to plead for forgiveness. She had come to make a show of force.

Yu Fu then looked at that subordinate, “You did very well. This princess appreciates what you did very much. From today on, you will be this princess’ personal subordinate. Are you willing?”

The subordinate’s mind raced. Though Marquis Gu’s Manor was declining, Yu Fu was the future empress. Would that not mean that he would become a confidant of the future empress?

Compared to being a lowly subordinate in the Imperial Court of Justice, it was like ascending above the trees and becoming a phoenix!

He immediately kneeled and kowtowed, “This subordinate, Qian Tou, thanks princess for this promotion. In the future, I will definitely be loyal to princess and will strive to live up to princess’ expectations!”

The people nearby watched eagerly. To be able to climb to Princess ZhenJiang’s lofty branch was not easy. If they had been the ones ordered to be her step stool, they would have been the ones to benefit!

Thinking like this, everyone started treating Yu Fu respectfully. They thought that it might be possible that there might still be a chance to curry favor with her, and they too would be able to enter the palace with good jobs in the future.

No matter how stupid Liu Zhen might have been, he finally regained his composure. Yu Fu’s single act of grace was a good move.

First, she made a show of force by hitting him in front of everyone, and then she chose one of his subordinates for a promotion. Like this, even if he wanted to get revenge by harming Gu JiuGe, these subordinates would act disobediently. They would treat Gu JiuGe kindly for the sake of currying favor with her!

Where, where, where… Where was there any sign of her being a girl found in the wilderness? She was even trickier to deal with than someone who had been immersed in court politics since childhood!

Yu Fu faintly glanced at Liu Zhen and thought to herself that if Gu JiuGe’s life could be saved with this slap and giving a reward, this trip would have been worth it.

She spoke in a voice that was not angry but carried a great deal of force, “Lord Liu, what are you standing around in a daze for? Why haven’t you taken this princess to see the cavalry general?”

Before Liu Zhen could respond, the subordinates had run out of patience, “Princess, please come this way. This subordinate will lead you to see the second young sir. Don’t worry, the second young sir is fine!”

The group crowded around Yu Fu and headed toward the prison cell, leaving Liu Zhen on his own. Not a single person remained at his side.

He had just been transferred to the Imperial Court of Justice and did not have time to develop any close bonds. With Yu Fu provoking the group, they all ran off, and he became a leader without followers!

He angrily stomped his feet but quickly followed after the group in case Yu Fu tried to do something in the prison.

…

“Second brother?”

Light shone into the dim prison cells, and a damp and rotten stench assaulted their noses. Yu Fu could not help but frown.

The Imperial Court of Justice’s prison was unlike the imperial family’s manor’s prison. Yu fu had visited the imperial family’s manor’s prison. Everyone locked up there was a member of the imperial family, and the prison cells were clean and tidy.

The Imperial Court of Justice was different. There were all sorts of different criminals held here, and the conditions of the cells varied wildly.

Gu JiuGe was still wearing the same clothes that he had when he left Marquis Gu’s Manor. He sat on a pile of straw and faced the wall. Who knew what he was thinking, as hearing Yu Fu’s voice immediately brought him to the iron bars.

Yu Fu heard the sound of metal colliding and subconsciously looked down at his body. Only now did she notice that his hands and feet had been shackled!

She trembled with anger, “Who told you to torture him? He hasn’t killed anyone, nor has he started a fire. This is something that is only done to those who have committed heinous crimes. Who allowed you to do this to a court official?!”

The subordinates wore troubled expressions, as Liu Zhen rushed forward from the back, “Princess, this official was also compelled to do it!”

Yu Fu coldly looked at him, wanting to hear how he had been compelled. She then heard Liu Zhen say: “Second young sir Gu is a cavalry general, and everyone knows that he is exceptionally well-trained in martial arts. I am just a weak member of the Imperial Court of Justice and feared that I could not restrain him. What would we do if he decided to escape? I had no choice but to shackle him like a heinous criminal.”

His explanation sounded reasonable, but Gu JiuGe sneered, “Ha, if I wanted to escape, do you really think that these measly shackles would be able to stop me? I haven’t fled because Marquis Gu’s Manor is innocent. I will wait here for Marquis Gu’s Manor to be found innocent and then leave openly.”

He then said to Yu Fu: “Yu Fu, don’t worry. I’m fine. This place is dirty and smelly. It’s truly not a place for a girl to visit. Go back and tell father and the younger brothers that I am just fine here. Tell everyone not to worry.”

Yu Fu looked at his forced smile and thought to herself that the messenger still had not arrived when he had left the manor. He did not know about Gu ShuBai dying in battle or that GuHuaiJiang had coughed up blood.

If he knew, it might just be an extra burden.

Yu Fu did not say anything, but Gu JiuGe was able to learn a great deal from her gaze, “Yu Fu, what is it? Did something happen at the manor?”

“It’s nothing. Second brother, don’t worry…”

Before Yu Fu could finish speaking, Liu Zhen exploded with laughter, “Second young sir still doesn’t know? The eldest young sir died in battle, and Marquis Gu also coughed up blood. If not for showing consideration for him coughing up blood, he would have been arrested and locked in here with you.”

Yu Fu shot a fierce glare at him, as Gu JiuGe said in horror: “What? Yu Fu, is what he said true? How could eldest brother have died in battle? Wasn’t it uncovered that Western Kun’s deployment of troops was fake?!”

Yu Fu did not answer him. Instead, she said to Liu Zhen: “Lord Liu, please provide second brother with a clean cell. He and I have something to talk about. Please step back.”

Liu Zhen delightedly said: “I can take a step back, but there aren’t any clean cells!”

In any case, he was the chief investigator of the Imperial Court of Justice. Whether or not there were was just a matter of him saying so. Yu Fu immediately turned around and pulled the sword that was at Qian Tou’s waist, placing it against Liu Zhen’s neck.

“I will ask you one more time. Is there one?”

Everyone was completely shocked, as they wanted to stop Yu Fu but did not dare. Liu Zhen’s legs were trembling in fear, as the sword started to cut into his skin and flesh. Blood started to flow from the wound.

Gu JiuGe hastily said: “Yu Fu, you mustn’t! We can’t have anything else go wrong with our plan. I am a man and can live in any location. Don’t cause a fuss for me!”

Yu Fu looked at Liu Zhen with a smile, “Lord Liu, were you thinking that I would not dare to kill you? You can try it and see. Will His Majesty and cabinet leader Yin get revenge for you after I kill you?”

Liu Zhen’s entire body shuddered, finally understanding that he could not gain the slightest advantage over Yu Fu.

Ning ChengZhi himself had been given a beating, and rather than punishing her, he rewarded her. How could he possibly get revenge against her for his death?

As for Yin Shuo, that was even more impossible. Others did not know, but Liu Zhen had gained insight into Yin Shuo’s thoughts on Yu Fu from working under him. It was even more impossible that he would be avenged if killed.

His legs gave out, and he slowly kneeled on the ground, “Princess, spare me. There, there is a clean cell! Quickly, quickly open the cell and let second young sir Gu move to a clean cell!”

…

“Yu Fu, quickly tell me. What exactly happened that caused eldest brother to die in battle?”

After moving to a clean cell and everyone else had been dismissed, Yao Lan stood guard outside the cell to keep anyone else from getting close.

Yu Fu fell silent for a moment, telling Gu JiuGe about everything that had been written on the military report. After she finished speaking, she said: “But I keep feeling that eldest brother didn’t die. He has definitely suffered a serious injury, but he’s somewhere we can’t see!”

“I also feel that eldest brother hasn’t died.”

Gu JiuGe spoke unequivocally, “We are brothers. I can feel that he definitely has not died.”

Yu Fu was slightly stunned. Looking into his eyes, she wanted to see if what he was saying was sincere or if he was just trying to comfort her.

Regardless, these words gave her a bit of faith.

She nodded with vigor, “The Gu family’s soldiers stationed at the border will continue to search for eldest brother. As for head general, there’s no need for you to worry. With senior disciple sister present, her medical skills are far greater than mine. The most important thing for you is to take care of yourself. If something were to happen to you, whom should we rely on?”

Gu JiuGe faintly smiled, “Yu Fu, you are overestimating my importance. I am far from being on eldest brother’s level. I finally understand why you like eldest brother and don’t like me. If eldest brother had been present today, he would surely not have allowed things to get so bad. He would surely have a way to clear Marquis Gu’s Manor’s name, but I didn’t have any sort of plan.”

First, it was Gu HanMO, and now it was Gu JiuGe. The previously high-spirited young sirs of Marquis Gu’s Manor were now withering.

One’s survival was uncertain, one was in prison, and one felt useless.

Yu Fu hastily comforted him, “It’s not like that. Second brother has always been very good. Every time that eldest brother was not at the manor, head general would feel at ease with leaving the manor’s affairs to second brother. Marquis Gu’s Manor fell into its current situation because it was framed by a villain. It’s not that you are lacking! It was me. In the end, I ended up implciating everyone. If not for me rejecting His Majesty’s decree making me the empress…”

Gu JiuGe covered her mouth and sternly said: “What foolishness are you saying? It was our Marquis Gu’s Manor that was reluctant to give up its daughter-in-law. That’s why we refused His Majesty’s decree. How is that related to you? Yu Fu, eldest brother and I are not there, and father has fallen ill. You are the pillar of support for everyone. You absolutely must not let your imagination run wild. Do you understand?”

Yu Fu fell silent for a moment, “Me? Can I really… be everyone’s pillar of support?”

“Of course, you can. You have already been everyone’s pillar of support. If you had not been here, who knows just how badly I would have been tortured or beaten, but you came and protected me. Haven’t you been a pillar of support for me?”

He encouraged Yu Fu once more, smiling and saying: “I was terrified that you might kill Liu Zhen earlier, but after some more thought, I admired your courage and wisdom. You did very well. Even if I was in the manor, I might not have been able to do as well as you did. Marquis Gu’s Manor relies on you for protection. Yu Fu, you must take care of yourself to protect Marquis Gu’s Manor.”

Yu Fu let out a long sigh, “I will. Second brother must also take care of yourself. I will send someone to come and visit you every day to tell you about what’s happening on the outside and to ensure your safety. Right now, I need to go somewhere and do something more important.”

“Where are you going?”

“Into the palace to see His Majesty.”

…

As Yu Fu expected, when she entered the palace, Ji DaoGong and Chen GeLao arrived one after the other.

Gu WenQing supported the elderly Ji DaoGong into the palace. seeing Yu Fu, he was very shocked, “Yu Fu, have you also come into the palace to see His Majesty?”

Chen ChuXiu supported Chen GeLao, and the latter’s complexion was particularly pale. It seemed that he had not yet fully recovered from his illness.

Yu Fu saluted Ji DaoGong and Chen GeLao, “That’s right, I wanted to accompany my lords into the palace to keep His Majesty from harming my lords out of anger. You two cannot be allowed to be sacrificed over Marquis Gu’s Manor’s situation.”

Ji DaoGong hastily said: “Princess, please do not think of this old man as someone who lives in fear of death. This old man’s illness was fake, and I have been waiting for this day to put my life on the line to plead for Lord Marquis Gu’s forgiveness! This old man has already reached this age. What is the need to fear death?”

Chen GeLao also said: “That’s right. Lord Ji and I are of the same mind. Even if I need to give up my life today, I must persuade His Majesty to change his ways!”

“Many thanks, my lords. Yu Fu thanks you two on behalf of head general and everyone else in Marquis Gu’s Manor.”

She took Ji DaoGong’s hand and said to Gu WenQing: “Fourth brother, you go back first.”

Gu WenQing was stunned but quickly realized that Yu Fu was protecting him, keeping Ning ChengZhi from targetting him in anger.

“No! Yu Fu, as an elder brother, how can I allow you to face this danger on your own while sitting back and doing nothing? Eldest brother and second brother have already… Third brother is taking care of things at the manor, so I should go with you to see His Majesty!”

“Fourth young sir, allow us to accompany Princess ZhenJiang!”

A voice came from behind accompanied by the sound of footsteps. Everyone turned around and saw Ning TangShu supporting his father, as they urgently advanced. Upon seeing them, everyone saluted, and Ning TangShu said: “YuYang heard about what happened at Marquis Gu’s Manor and is on the verge of going crazy in the manor. She desperately wanted me to come and help you plead His Majesty for forgiveness. But since she got pregnant, it became inconvenient for her to come out. Besides, with her status as a princess from Western Kun, I fear that her pleading for forgiveness might make things worse. Father and I had no choice but to agree to come and plead with His Majesty.”

Yu Fu unconsciously smiled, “She’s pregnant? Congratulations. Many thanks for coming to plead for Marquis Gu’s Manor’s forgiveness. This grace, our Marquis Gu’s Manor will not forget it.”

The old imperial uncle waved his hand, “There’s no need for princess to be so courteous. As a person and as a subject, this is something that should be done. Fourth young sir, you should quickly go back! It’s one thing for the princess, but if anyone else from Marquis Gu’s Manor appears before His Majesty, I fear that pleading for forgiveness might be worse than useless. It might infuriate His Majesty. if you aren’t here, it might make things easier.”

Gu WenQing felt that this explanation was reasonable. After a moment of hesitation, he cupped his hands and said: “Alright, I will go back. Everyone, please take care.”

He turned around and headed toward the palace gates when he suddenly turned back and looked at Yu Fu, “Yu Fu, you absolutely must be careful. Regardless of what happens, your life is what father and we brothers worry about the most.”

“Fourth brother, I understand. I guarantee that everyone present today will leave the imperial palace alive. I won’t allow anyone to perish for Marquis Gu’s Manor, including myself.”

Gu WenQing nodded and slowly walked out of the imperial palace. His lonely figure seemed to have aged a decade in just a single night.

The young man who had been full of vigor was now like a noble in dire straits. He no longer had this former vigor or cheerful appearance.

Yu Fu’s eyes were slightly red, as she let out a long sigh. Turning back, she put on a faint smile, “Everyone, let’s go.”

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty, it’s bad!”

Eunuch Chi rushed into the imperial study in a panic. Ning ChengZhi was currently leaning against the sofa, enjoying a snack and a drink. Hearing this report, he frowned, “What has you so panicked? Has your butt caught fire?”

Eunuch Chi said: “Your Majesty, it’s not a fire. It’s the old imperial uncle with Lord Ji, senior minister Chen, and…”

Ning ChengZhi waved his hand impatiently, “Stop, stop, stop, it’s those worthless old folks who refuse to die that have come to advise Us on this and that again, right? Is there any end to this with them?”

Eunuch Chi said with difficulty: “But the eldest young sir of Marquis Gu’s Manor has died in battle, and Marquis Gu has vomited blood. The Gu family’s second young sir is also in the Imperial Court of Justice’s prison… With so many things added together, Your Majesty has used too much force this time. The old officials cannot be blamed for showing their opposition!”

Ning ChengZhi: “What do you mean? We used too much force? Gu ShuBai brought a thousand troops to the border, and there are hundreds of thousands of troops from the Gu family’s army stationed on the border. Who knew that he would be so useless as to be killed by Western Kun’s people? How can this be blamed on Us?”

“As for Marquis Gu vomiting blood, how could We know that he would be so angry that he would vomit blood? At worst, I captured Gu JiuGe. For Marquis Gu’s Manor to have fallen to its current state, it’s a result of their misfortune. It has nothing to do with Us!”