Chapter 1368: The Xue Family's Rehabilitation (Part 1)

The first year of Xizong, on the tenth of May, the sky gradually darkened as a woman dressed in a bean-green crossed-collar long skirt paced in front of a grand and imposing mansion.

She wandered at the corner gate for quite a while before mustering the courage to step forward and knock.

The door finally creaked open, and the servant at the gate, after sizing up the person in front of him, couldn’t help but sigh, “Miss, our Prince hasn’t returned yet! Please hurry back! It’s almost dark, and it’s very improper for a young lady to be out alone!”

The doorkeeper was astonished by this young lady’s persistence, as she repeatedly lingered at their mansion’s gates, always waiting for their Prince to return.

When their Prince’s mansion was originally in the South City, this lady often came by. Since the Prince was appointed as the Regent King and moved to the North City, she could still find her way there, which was quite the perseverance.

This place was not somewhere just anyone could enter, and the guards at the gate wouldn’t treat her kindly. Once she got close, she’d be driven away. Who knows how much silver she spent just to knock on the door.

Initially, he quite disdained this girl. Chasing someone to this extent—doesn’t she care about her reputation as a young lady? How shameful that must be for her parents!

Although their Prince was powerful and outstandingly handsome, he indeed had a fiancée. This girl didn’t seem to come from a particularly affluent family, how could their master possibly marry her?

However, as the girl kept coming, always waiting in a daze, his view of her slowly changed. He had never seen such a devoted young lady.

He even found himself secretly blaming his Prince for being heartless, wondering how he could bear to let such a beautiful girl suffer in heartache.

“I say, miss, don’t be too persistent. Our Prince is like the moon in the water, visible but intangible. Why trouble yourself so?” The doorkeeper couldn’t help but advise, being of eighteen or nineteen, and seeing such a beautiful girl so infatuated, how could he not utter a few words of counsel?

“Did you mention me to your Prince these past few days? As long as you report my name, he should see me.” Liu Su’er already knew the doorkeeper had misunderstood, but she couldn’t explain, so she just let him be.

By now, even the guards of the Regent King’s mansion knew her as an infatuated woman who often harassed their Prince, and she truly had a grievance that was hard to express!

“Recently, with the new Emperor ascending the throne, our Prince has been busy with state affairs and usually returns before curfew. After a long day of work, we dare not report to him! If you’re not in a hurry, why not wait a little longer?”

The doorkeeper saw that she wouldn’t heed his advice, so he planned to close the corner gate.

“Please, sir, find a way! Otherwise, ask your steward in the outer court, if your Prince knows, he surely will see me.”

The doorkeeper was gradually losing patience. If their Prince really had her in mind, she wouldn’t need to seek him out; he would’ve already seen her, wouldn’t he?

Yet, looking at her anxious demeanor, could she possibly be—?

The doorkeeper glanced at her, eyes flickering with a strange light, could she be pregnant?

Liu Su’er felt a shiver under the doorkeeper’s gaze, which seemed odd. Just as she was about to leave dejectedly, upon turning, she heard the sound of a carriage approaching in the quiet, empty alley.

Her heart lifted with hope, for the incoming carriage certainly belonged to the Gu Mansion.

Gu Chengyu threw the letter he was holding onto the small table, wearily rubbing his brows.

“Prince! The person in front seems to be Miss Liu!” Ming Mo scrutinized the figure ahead for a while before shouting towards the inside of the carriage.

Gu Chengyu pondered, Miss Liu? Oh! He almost forgot about this matter; he had been too busy with affairs to care for such things.

The court was unstable at the moment, and he was overwhelmed with matters regarding border trades. He hadn’t been able to think of this matter. Yet, he did promise them before, regarding the vindication matter, he ought to give them an explanation.

“Invite her into the mansion,” Gu Chengyu instructed Ming Mo, and then closed his eyes to refresh his mind.

“Prince!” The doorkeeper removed the door panel, nodding with respect as he watched the carriage proceed into the courtyard.

Liu Su’er was desperately anxious; surely Gu Chengyu was in the carriage, and she couldn’t miss this great opportunity.

“Miss Liu, our Prince invites you inside for a talk!”

The doorkeeper watched Liu Su’er’s silhouette fade from sight, couldn’t help but click his tongue, “Hey! She truly entered the mansion, next time better be more courteous! Who knows if the house will gain another concubine first?”

“Knowing the Prince is busy with state affairs, I still disturb him, and I truly feel uneasy. But this matter has been delayed long enough; I kindly ask the Prince to fulfill his original promise!”

Liu Su’er looked at Gu Chengyu sitting at the head, still in his court attire, and quickly walked up to him, kneeling in front of him.

“The Emperor has just ascended the throne, to bring it up now is indeed inappropriate. Moreover, this matter was decreed by his ancestor, Emperor Jia Ren; whether he agrees to thoroughly investigate is uncertain for me.”

It has spanned four reigns now, this matter being brought up now is akin to slapping Emperor Jia Ren in the face, would the Little Emperor be willing?

“Does the Prince not wish to help?” Liu Su’er’s heart chilled, she looked at Gu Chengyu in shock, not expecting him to renege on his promise.

Gu Chengyu remained silent, then picked up the tea bowl from the table and took a sip.

Just as Liu Su’er’s rage was about to peak, he spoke, “My status is sensitive now, involvement in this matter without caution would undoubtedly incite court gossip. I do have an idea, but I wonder if you’re willing to try it.”

Though his power is feared in the court, he is not admired, and many curse him behind his back. While he doesn’t mind these, he cannot afford to provide others with more fodder for criticism. As a court official, reputation is important.

“Please, enlighten me, Prince!” Liu Su’er drew a breath of relief seeing Gu Chengyu not directly refusing.

“File a petition to the Emperor! Are you willing?” Gu Chengyu gently set the tea bowl down on the desk, his eyes fixated on Liu Su’er’s reaction.

Liu Su’er’s pupils slightly constricted, “File a petition to the Emperor?”

Gu Chengyu nodded, “Are you willing? Once you file it, the Emperor is obliged to assign officials to thoroughly investigate the matter.”

However, in doing so, the young lady would have to endure many unnecessary humiliations.

“I am willing!” Liu Su’er nodded firmly, as long as she could clear Xue Family’s name, her own humiliation mattered not to her.

“Do you understand the consequences of filing a petition, aren’t you afraid? Or do you simply not know?” Gu Chengyu’s deep gaze met hers; if she understood the price of doing so, he genuinely admired her resolve.

“I understand, but I have no choice!” Liu Su’er’s fair face was filled with determination; this was her last chance. She wouldn’t blame Gu Chengyu for not helping her, they didn’t know each other well, and Gu Chengyu’s acceptance to look into the matter was because it involved Liang Zhirui.