Chapter13: The Silent Web of Intrigue

Gu Yichen sat in the "Ningyue Pavilion" within the British Duke's residence, where a gentle breeze stirred the wind, and the surface of the pond rippled with small waves. The surrounding bamboo and pine trees cast dappled shadows in the fading light of the setting sun, filling the air with a serene atmosphere.

Though this courtyard appeared peaceful and inviting, every person who entered or exited was not simply a servant, but rather an eye sent by the Duke of Britain to monitor him. Gu Yichen was fully aware that every move he made was under the watchful gaze of these spies. Yet, he did not rush to resist. Instead, he quietly observed, knowing that it was precisely through these seemingly mundane daily activities that he could gradually approach his goal, leaving no trace behind.

In the stillness of the Ningyue Pavilion, Gu Yichen fell into silent contemplation once more. The plum tree outside the window stood lonely, occasionally shedding a few yellowed leaves, gently disrupting the tranquility. He knew that the peace around him was only surface-level, hiding countless schemes and plots. The British Duke's surveillance, though seemingly lax, constantly reminded him that every step he took was inevitably entangled in this carefully woven web.

Dr. Zhu, as usual, came on time to administer acupuncture to Gu Yichen. After each session, he would bring back snippets of news from the outside world. Today, Dr. Zhu's news was as trivial as ever, but Gu Yichen had become accustomed to extracting valuable clues from these small details. The palace's politics, the movements of the Crown Prince, and even the subtle actions of the British Duke towards him were all carefully noted in his mind.

However, today, he overheard a conversation between two servants in the courtyard that made his heart skip a beat. With his sharp hearing, he overheard one servant speaking to another outside the courtyard.

"Did you hear? The British Duke has obtained evidence of the Crown Prince's crimes. He dares to go against the Crown Prince—now the Crown Prince is in trouble."

"We're just servants. What does it matter to us? Those high-ups can fight their own battles. What does it have to do with us?"

This brief exchange made Gu Yichen's heart race. He hadn't expected the matter regarding the Crown Prince to have escalated to this extent. Although he didn't fully understand what the Crown Prince was planning, he had always seen him as the future ally he could rely on. If the Crown Prince was truly in trouble, things would become far more complicated.

A mixture of emotions flooded Gu Yichen's heart, with a predominant sense of worry—was his father's tragic fate about to repeat itself with the Crown Prince?

He suddenly found it hard to stay seated. The walls around him felt more oppressive, as though he could no longer breathe. He rose and walked to the window, gazing at the distant plum tree. The wind blew, making the tree's shadow sway, as if nothing had changed. But the unease in his heart only grew stronger.

If the Crown Prince was really being framed, and if Gu Yichen didn't intervene in time, the situation could spiral out of control. Gu Yichen took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and slowly stood up, his steps steady, but his heart filled with urgency.

He decided to visit the British Duke in person to see what schemes he was playing at.

As Gu Yichen entered the British Duke's estate, his eyes involuntarily scanned the surroundings, and a subtle feeling arose within him. Compared to the residence of the Duke of An Gu where he had grown up, this place seemed more luxurious and imposing. The courtyard was adorned with intricately carved fake mountains, a pond, and neatly trimmed bamboo, resembling a palace filled with hidden secrets.

Every detail exuded the British Duke's immense power and ambition, as if there was not a single spot that did not remind Gu Yichen that the place he now found himself in was far from the simple estate of his youth.

The servants in the estate had long grown accustomed to Gu Yichen's silence. They didn't find his presence unusual but politely approached him, asking, "Are you here to see the Duke?"

Gu Yichen nodded, letting out a quiet sigh. Though he could not speak, his eyes communicated his intent.

The servant continued, "The Duke is in the front courtyard receiving a guest. If you don't mind, you may wait in the study."

Gu Yichen's heart skipped a beat, puzzled. The study was a private space for the realm's officials, and ordinary people were rarely allowed entry. Furthermore, his relationship with the British Duke had never been particularly close, so it struck him as odd that the servant would casually lead him there to wait.

After a moment's hesitation, Gu Yichen pointed to a stone table in the courtyard and bowed his head slightly to signal that he would wait there. The servant, seemingly used to Gu Yichen's quiet and reserved demeanor, nodded without saying much more and left.

Gu Yichen sat at the stone table, but his mind could not settle. His thoughts drifted back to his childhood days at the Duke of An Gu's residence, when he and the Crown Prince, Li Xian, had grown up together, playing and joking as if they would always live carefree lives. However, with the death of his father and the changing times, he realized that he had long been trapped in a massive vortex, where nothing was as simple as it seemed.

Now, the Crown Prince, Li Xian, was embroiled in a scandal, and Gu Yichen's position was precarious. The British Duke's residence seemed to be a key element in this complex situation, laden with unspeakable secrets and traps.

A frown creased Gu Yichen's brow as he recalled the servant's words—"The Duke is receiving a guest in the front courtyard." Who was this guest? And why had the servant led him alone into the study?

Suddenly, from the eastern side of the estate came a rush of smoke, quickly filling the air. The once peaceful courtyard erupted into chaos.

Gu Yichen remained seated at the stone bench, his gaze calm and unwavering. The servants hurried toward the source of the fire, attempting to put it out, and the entire courtyard became a flurry of activity. However, Gu Yichen did not move a muscle, merely observing the situation with quiet detachment.

He sat there, as if the turmoil around him had nothing to do with him, but in his mind, various thoughts began to form. The sudden fire gave him an idea: if he could seize this opportunity to slip into the study and either find or destroy the so-called evidence, he might be able to protect the Crown Prince. In doing so, he would not only clear the Crown Prince's name but also demonstrate his loyalty to him. After all, he needed to find his position in this intricate power struggle and secure an alliance with the Crown Prince.

He rose with firm resolve, his eyes sharp. Just as he moved toward the study, an unsettling premonition washed over him. Why had the conversation occurred right outside his bedroom? And why had the fire broken out just now?

At that moment, a strong intuition hit him—this was likely a meticulously crafted trap. His heart tightened, and he realized that if he proceeded with his plan, he would fall directly into the British Duke's scheme.

He slowly turned around, retracting the step he had taken, and silently returned to the Ningyue Pavilion. His decision became clear: he must not act impulsively. The fire was likely a distraction designed by the British Duke to lure him into action. If he rashly entered the study, he would have exposed himself and played into the Duke's hands.

As he walked back into the Ningyue Pavilion, the fire raged on, and the commotion outside continued. Yet, Gu Yichen's mind was as calm as a frozen pond, clear and deep. He knew that any hasty move would put him at a disadvantage. He had to be cautious, stepping carefully, and making every move count.

Gu Yichen sat back in the Ningyue Pavilion, his mind working rapidly. He had been trained to recognize patterns, to see beyond the surface of things, and now, as he sat in the quiet, his thoughts were laser-focused. The British Duke's movements, the sudden fire, the overheard conversation—it all pointed to something far more intricate than he had initially realized.

The fact that the British Duke had allowed him into the study, despite their cold relationship, was suspicious in itself. Perhaps it was meant to be a test, a subtle invitation to fall into the trap set for him. If he acted impulsively, he would likely become a pawn in the Duke's game.

Gu Yichen knew he had to maintain his composure, remain one step ahead. He could not afford to make a move that would expose his intentions. The Duke was watching him, no doubt, and the presence of the fire and the chaotic noise outside was likely part of a larger strategy to unsettle him, to force him into a misstep.

As the noise from the fire slowly died down, and the servants began to return to their duties, Gu Yichen took a moment to reflect. His thoughts returned to the Crown Prince and the conversation he had overheard. If the British Duke truly had evidence against the Crown Prince, it could mean the downfall of his childhood companion—and a devastating turn in the struggle for power within the imperial court.

But Gu Yichen knew he couldn't act recklessly. The Crown Prince might be his ally, but he also understood the dangers of getting too deeply involved in the intrigue of the palace. The stakes were high, and any wrong move could lead to dire consequences.

The evening light was fading, and the shadows in the garden grew longer. Gu Yichen stared out at the courtyard, the pond reflecting the deepening dusk. His mind raced as he considered his options. He could make a bold move, confront the British Duke, and demand answers. Or he could wait, bide his time, and see what more he could learn from the pieces of the puzzle before making his decision.

But patience, he knew, was key. For now, he would remain in the shadows, watch, and wait. He would gather more information, not act out of impulse. The fire had shown him the dangers of acting without caution; the trap was laid, and the best course was to avoid it for now.

As the night deepened, the once peaceful courtyard of the British Duke's estate now felt like a battlefield. Every corner seemed to hide a secret, every movement could be a signal, every word a potential trap. And Gu Yichen was right in the middle of it all, trying to keep his balance in a world where nothing was as it seemed.

He stood up, the weight of his thoughts heavy upon him. It was time to leave the Ningyue Pavilion, to disappear into the night and observe further. There was much he still needed to understand, and his next steps would be crucial.

He moved silently through the shadows of the estate, his mind set on finding the answers that would determine not only his future but also the future of the Crown Prince, and perhaps the entire empire.