Chapter 84 Daring to Steal This Prince’s Woman

Chapter 84: How Dare You Snatch This Prince's Woman

The next day, Gu Yiting was summoned into the palace by Xiao Lingchuan.

For some reason, the moment he stepped into Jinghe Palace, he felt an oppressive, stifling atmosphere that made even breathing difficult.

Especially the gaze Xiao Lingchuan directed at him—it was like a poisoned blade, filled with murderous intent, sharp and terrifying, as if it could pierce through him in an instant.

Gu Yiting racked his brains but couldn't figure out how he had offended this mercurial Fourth Prince.

Last time, when he accidentally witnessed his private meeting with Jiang Yaozhen, he had Jiang Shuning intervene to stop it. He didn't dare provoke this brooding prince directly.

"Your humble servant, Gu Yiting, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Fourth Prince. Might I inquire as to the reason for Your Highness's summons?" He performed a bow, trembling with fear.

Xiao Lingchuan coldly scrutinized him for a moment, then the corner of his mouth curled into a mocking smile as he sneered, "This prince has heard that you intend to seek the hand of Jiang Shuning, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jiang family?"

Gu Yiting was taken aback upon hearing this, surprised that Xiao Lingchuan's information was so swift.

He dared not conceal anything and answered truthfully, "That is indeed the case. My father has long hoped that I would establish myself early and marry a virtuous lady of equal status. Miss Jiang is around my age, dignified, virtuous, gentle, and lovely, so..."

"You dare?!" Xiao Lingchuan suddenly roared, hurling the teacup he had been toying with at Gu Yiting's feet. The fine porcelain shattered instantly with a spine-chilling crash.

This sudden outburst of rage turned Gu Yiting's face deathly pale.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger! I do not know what I have done wrong. I beg Your Highness to enlighten me!"

Xiao Lingchuan's anger had not subsided. He looked down at Gu Yiting, his tone sinister, "Daring to snatch this prince's woman, Gu Yiting, you truly have admirable courage!"

Gu Yiting was stunned, momentarily unable to process the words.

He was seeking to marry Jiang Shuning, yet the Fourth Prince said he was snatching *his* woman.

So, the one the Fourth Prince desired was... Jiang Shuning?!

Realizing this, he hurriedly knelt down, "Your Highness, please calm your anger! I truly did not know that Miss Jiang was the one Your Highness favors. It was my overestimation of my own abilities. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness!"

"Master Gu, your courage is commendable. What crime is there to forgive?" The anger on Xiao Lingchuan's face faded, replaced by an inscrutable, playful smile.

He said leisurely, "However, Master Gu, such courage should be applied in more suitable places, lest it be wasted. Why not accompany my third brother to Xiyu to suppress the bandits? That would be a good way to temper this excess courage of yours!"

These words struck like a bolt from the blue, instantly shocking Gu Yiting out of his wits.

He trembled even more violently, his face turning as pale as paper, "Your Highness, I am utterly useless for such an endeavor! I have no skill in arms. Going would only hold back His Highness the Third Prince!"

"Master Gu is too modest. With your extraordinary courage, even without martial skills, you are sure to bravely charge into the bandits' lair. I have already reported this matter to His Majesty. I believe the Gu family will soon receive the imperial decree. Master Gu should make the most of the time and prepare well for the journey!"

Knowing that Xiao Lingchuan was serious, Gu Yiting desperately kowtowed, "I beg Your Highness to rescind the order! I beg Your Highness for mercy!"

But even after his forehead was bruised and bleeding from kowtowing, Xiao Lingchuan remained unmoved.

"Someone, escort Master Gu out of the palace," Xiao Lingchuan ordered indifferently. "He will soon be departing westward. We must leave him some time to properly pack his belongings and bid farewell to his family!"

Gu Yiting returned to the Gu residence in a daze.

No sooner had he stepped through the gate than the imperial decree arrived.

The Gu family knelt in a row as the eunuch read in a shrill voice:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

We have heard that in the lands of Xiyu, banditry runs rampant, and the people suffer greatly.

Gu Yiting, son of Censor Gu, is young and promising, talented and outstanding. We commend him highly.

Now, We specially summon Gu Yiting to accompany the Third Prince westward to assist in suppressing the bandits, to demonstrate Our esteem for the descendants of loyal officials, and also in the hope that he may achieve merit in this campaign and contribute to Daye.

So decreed!"

Before the decree was even finished, Gu Yiting's vision went dark, and he fainted on the spot.

When he awoke, his mother was weeping beside him, "What sin have we committed! Ting'er is clearly a frail scholar without the strength to truss a chicken. How could His Majesty suddenly decree that he follow His Highness the Third Prince to Xiyu to suppress bandits? This is clearly sending him to his doom!"

Gu Yiting spoke weakly, "Mother, where is Father?"

"He went to plead with His Majesty, begging him to rescind the order." Lady Gu tightly grasped his hand, sobbing, "My son, don't worry. You are the only heir of our Gu family. No matter what, your father will not let you take this risk!"

A glimmer of hope ignited in Gu Yiting's heart, "Yes, Father will surely persuade His Majesty so I don't have to go suppress the bandits!"

Beside them, Gu Wanying frowned deeply, "Why would His Majesty suddenly send a frail scholar like you, brother, to suppress bandits? Who gave His Majesty such a terrible idea?"

Gu Yiting felt like crying but had no tears, "It was His Highness the Fourth Prince. It turns out the one he desires is Jiang Shuning. Hearing that I wanted to seek the hand of the Jiang family's legitimate eldest daughter, he immediately summoned me to the palace and humiliated me severely! And that wasn't enough. He even urged His Majesty to have me accompany the Third Prince to Xiyu to suppress bandits. This is clearly pushing me over the edge!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Wanying shook her head helplessly and sighed, "Brother, I told you long ago that your motives for seeking Jiang Shuning's hand were impure. You were bound to face retribution. I just didn't expect it to come so quickly!"

Xiao Lingchuan was currently highly favored by the Emperor and deeply trusted. His words naturally carried great weight with His Majesty.

Having offended such a vindictive master, brother could only blame his own misfortune and accept his fate!

Censor Gu stumbled to the Imperial Study. The Emperor was concentrating on painting. Seeing his arrival, as if expecting it, a faint, almost imperceptible sneer appeared on his face, "Lord Gu has come today. Could it be to offer another remonstrance?"

Censor Gu, forgetting to perform the proper courtesies, said urgently, "Your Majesty, today I have not come to remonstrate, but to beg a favor."

"Oh? It is rare for Lord Gu to seek a favor from Us. Speak, what is it?" Only then did the Emperor put down his brush, casting a casual glance at him.

"Your Majesty, I humbly beg you to rescind the decree and exempt my unworthy son, Yiting, from the bandit-suppression mission! My son is frail and weak. Going to Xiyu would not only be of no benefit but would become a burden to His Highness the Third Prince!" Censor Gu prostrated himself and kowtowed, his tone mournful.

The Emperor chuckled lightly, "Lord Gu worries too much. Suppressing bandits in Xiyu is a matter of national importance. How could We not know that your son is a frail scholar? Having him accompany the mission is not to have him charge into battle, but to broaden his experience and knowledge. Upon the triumphant return, We will naturally reward merit and grant him an official post so he may serve the court!"

Censor Gu's face turned deathly pale. After a moment's hesitation, he threw himself to his knees, "Your Majesty's gracious intent fills me with gratitude! However, my son has been frail and sickly since childhood, unable to endure hardship. Moreover, he is the sole heir of the Gu family. Should anything happen to him, my Gu line would be cut off! I beg Your Majesty for mercy!"

These words caused the Emperor's expression to turn frosty, his tone becoming sharp, "Lord Gu's son is a treasure, but are Our sons not? Suppressing bandits is a great undertaking that benefits the state and the people. Our third son does not fear hardship and volunteered for the task. Yet Lord Gu cannot bear to let his son suffer even a little! Does the court support you all so that you may shrink from duty?"

Censor Gu hurriedly kowtowed, terrified, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I absolutely did not mean that!"

"Enough," the Emperor's tone softened slightly. "Considering your past service and contributions, We will not pursue this. But regarding the Xiyu bandit suppression, your son must go! This is an opportunity We are giving the Gu family to achieve merit. Do not disappoint Our expectations!"

Seeing that the matter was settled and beyond reversal, Censor Gu could only thank the Emperor through tears and withdraw from the Imperial Study.

The Emperor watched his retreating back and snorted coldly, "When offering remonstrances on ordinary days, weren't you quite eloquent? Now you too can taste the flavor of such humble supplication!"

Seeing this, the Grand Steward Chen Shun at his side quickly presented a cup of fragrant tea, flattering, "His Highness the Fourth Prince is indeed wise. This plan is excellent. It both deflates Censor Gu's arrogance and places an informant beside His Highness the Third Prince. Truly killing two birds with one stone!"

A pleased expression appeared on the Emperor's face, "Lao Si (the Fourth) indeed understands Our heart well! Go, summon Beauty Su. We are tired from reviewing memorials and wish to smell the fragrance on the beauty to soothe Our mood!"

"Your servant obeys!" Chen Shun bowed in response.