Chapter 87 A Clever Bird Chooses Its Branch

Chapter 87: A Wise Bird Chooses Its Perch

"The peony is our national flower, symbolizing wealth and auspiciousness. These fireworks must be His Majesty's way of expressing his wish for the common people's prosperity and well-being in the coming year!"

Someone shouted this loudly, instantly pulling Jiang Shuning back from her long-buried memories to reality.

These were merely fireworks ordered by the current emperor to celebrate with the people on New Year's Eve. How could they possibly be from Xiao Lingchuan, set off just for her?

Jiang Shuning gazed up at the brilliant peony fireworks in the sky, a bitter self-mockery welling up in her heart.

She had actually entertained such an absurd delusion—she was truly being too presumptuous.

On the city tower, the emperor watched the dazzling fireworks lighting up the sky, a satisfied expression appearing on his face.

He turned to look at Xiao Lingchuan beside him, his tone filled with undisguised praise. "Chuan, I never expected you to have such skill, finding craftsmen in such a short time to create such exquisite fireworks. You've truly broadened my horizons!"

Xiao Lingchuan bowed slightly. "Your Majesty flatters me. I merely did my humble part. It is my honor to bring Your Majesty joy!"

The emperor turned his gaze back to the night sky illuminated by the fireworks, a hint of regret in his voice. "It is a pity, however. The Third Prince is currently on his way west to suppress the bandits and misses this splendid spectacle in the capital!"

A shadow of gloom flickered through Xiao Lingchuan's deep *peach blossom eyes*, but it quickly returned to normal.

"I believe Third Brother will soon quell the bandit rebellion for Your Majesty and return triumphantly!"

A profound, inscrutable look flashed in the emperor's eyes as he said meaningfully, "All my sons are well-versed in both civil and military affairs, each exceptionally talented! In the future, when the Daye empire is entrusted to your governance, it will surely become even more prosperous and flourishing!"

Xiao Lingchuan caught the underlying implication in his words and replied self-deprecatingly, "Third Brother is truly capable, able to go west to suppress bandits and share Your Majesty's burdens. Unlike me, who only knows how to play with fireworks and firecrackers to amuse Your Majesty."

The emperor immediately laughed heartily. "Why must the Fourth Prince belittle himself so? In my heart, you are not one bit inferior to the Third Prince!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Lingchuan bowed again and slowly retreated, a profound, inscrutable smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

After he left, the smile instantly vanished from the emperor's face, replaced by a dark expression.

He asked the Grand Steward Chen Shun beside him, "How is the investigation I tasked you with going? Did the Third Prince and Beauty Su know each other before?"

Chen Shun hurriedly bowed in response. "Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant has already ascertained the truth. When Beauty Su was at the Chunxiang Pavilion, it was the Third Prince who single-handedly made her famous. Moreover, the Third Prince secretly invested in the Chunxiang Pavilion's business. He receives a share of the silver earned by the top courtesans he promoted..."

"Excellent! My son truly has great capabilities!" A cold smile appeared on the emperor's face. "Carousing outside and using power for personal gain—these I could turn a blind eye to. But I never expected his ambition to be so great, even reaching into my own harem! If I allow him to continue his reckless behavior, will the Wang family still regard me, the emperor, with any respect?"

"Your Majesty speaks wisely!" Chen Shun cautiously observed the emperor's expression and tentatively asked, "Then... regarding that Beauty Su, does Your Majesty require this servant to handle her?"

"No need!" The emperor's smile carried the confidence of one in complete control. "Ultimately, she is merely a pitiful woman forced by circumstances, who happened to be used as a pawn by the Third Prince. Why should I vent my anger on her? I believe she will soon understand the principle that a wise bird chooses its perch and will know to whom she should pledge her loyalty."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Meanwhile, the westward-bound army was setting up camp on a desolate official road. A biting cold wind howled past, whipping up clouds of dust.

Gu Yiting huddled alone in a simple military tent, shivering uncontrollably.

In previous years on New Year's Eve, he had spent it in rooms warmed by silver-bone charcoal, surrounded by family, enjoying delicious food and wine, engaging in cheerful conversation—how comfortable it had been.

But now, he had to endure the hardships of camping in this desolate wilderness, exposed to the elements. A wave of sorrow washed over him.

Just as he was wallowing in self-pity, several soldiers suddenly lifted the tent flap. Seeing him hiding alone in a corner, gnawing on dry, hard pastries, they wore mocking expressions.

"Well, if it isn't Master Gu! Hiding here all alone? Why not come out and join us for some meat and wine, make it lively?"

Hearing this, a flicker of disgust crossed Gu Yiting's face.

He prided himself on being a cultured scholar, well-read and refined, and had always looked down upon these vulgar military men. Naturally, he disdained associating with them.

Moreover, this journey to West Yu was exceptionally arduous. Unlike those trained in martial arts who were strong and robust, even hiding in the jolting carriage couldn't shield him from the severe cold. He appeared sickly and weak.

Seeing him resting almost the entire journey, the soldiers concluded he was merely here to gild his reputation and claim undeserved credit for suppressing the bandits. They held him in contempt and seized every opportunity to mock him.

"You enjoy yourselves. There's no need to mind me!" Gu Yiting refused coldly.

The soldiers had no intention of letting him off easily. Relying on their numbers and strength, they roughly dragged Gu Yiting out of the tent without another word.

"Today is New Year's Eve, a day of celebration for all under heaven! Even the esteemed Third Prince has condescended to roast meat and drink wine with us. Master Gu, why must you put on such a lofty air?"

"You... what are you doing? Let me go!"

Furious, Gu Yiting struggled desperately, but he was no match for these wolf-like, tiger-fierce soldiers. In the end, they forcibly dragged him to the bonfire.

"Master Gu, here, have a drink!" A soldier said with a false smile, holding out a bowl of wine and bringing it close to Gu Yiting's face.

Before Gu Yiting could reach for it, the soldier's hand jerked, spilling the entire bowl of wine onto his face.

The cold liquid trickled down his cheeks. The biting wind blew against him, making him sneeze uncontrollably. His wretched appearance provoked a burst of raucous laughter from the surrounding soldiers.

"Oh dear, Master Gu, my apologies! You must be careful not to catch a chill. Here, have something hot to warm yourself up!"

Another soldier said in a sarcastic tone, then picked up a glistening, oil-slicked roasted chicken leg and shoved it into Gu Yiting's mouth without another word.

Gu Yiting's lips were instantly scalded by the hot chicken leg, and he cried out in pain.

Inside a military tent not far away, an attendant lowered his voice and said to Xiao Xiuzhan seated above, "Your Highness, rest assured. These past few days, Gu Yiting has been frightened by our men like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring. He would surely not dare to follow us deep into the bandit lair when the time comes!"

Hearing this, Xiao Xiuzhan nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent. After returning to the capital, we will report to His Majesty that Gu Yiting was cowardly and afraid to enter the bandit lair. I doubt His Majesty will have anything to say then!"

Before his words faded, an unusual commotion suddenly erupted outside.

Xiao Xiuzhan's face darkened with displeasure. "What is all that noise?" he asked sternly.

A soldier rushed in, flustered, and reported, "Reporting to Your Highness, Master Gu has suddenly run off! We don't know where he's hiding!"

Xiao Xiuzhan's expression abruptly turned grim. "Then go find him immediately!"

"Yes! This subordinate will go at once!" The soldier trembled with fear and scrambled out.

Xiao Xiuzhan exchanged a glance with the attendant beside him, then also stood up and left the tent, joining the search for Gu Yiting.

They didn't know that the moment they stepped out, Gu Yiting, trembling like a frightened rabbit, stealthily slipped into Xiao Xiuzhan's military tent.

His lips were scalded, his clothes soaked with wine. He was cold and in pain.

He truly didn't want to be captured and tormented by those wolf-like soldiers again. He could only come to beg the Third Prince to take his side.

After entering the tent and finding the Third Prince Xiao Xiuzhan absent, he was about to leave when he heard a "whoosh." A swift, powerful eagle swooped in through the tent entrance, dropped a slip of paper, then flew back out the way it came, disappearing without a trace.

Gu Yiting instinctively picked up the fallen slip of paper and slowly unfolded it.

When he saw the writing on it, his face instantly turned deathly pale, and his entire body felt as if plunged into an icy abyss!

The writing on the slip was actually in the language of Xizhou!

The Third Prince Xiao Xiuzhan was actually corresponding with someone from Xizhou!

This... wasn't this treason?!