BDSMST -Chapter 94 Undercurrents in the Court

The steward respectfully withdrew, leaving the space to the true masters of the marquis manor.

Gu Xuan could no longer contain himself. He broke free from Jiang Suisui’s hand and darted around the newly renovated yet faintly familiar courtyard like a bird released from its cage—touching the freshly planted flowers one moment, crouching by the pond to watch the koi the next.

Gu Yan watched his son’s lively figure, then turned to Jiang Suisui. He took the gilded invitation from her hand and set it aside.

“If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to,” he said steadily. “It’s only a flower-viewing banquet. It’s not worth troubling yourself over.”

Jiang Suisui shook her head, her gaze resting on the crabapple tree in the distance. Its branches and leaves were even more luxuriant than when she had left.

“No. I must attend this banquet—and I must attend it in full splendor.” She withdrew her gaze and looked at Gu Yan, her eyes clear and resolute. “The Empress hosting a banquet and sending me a personal invitation is both a public favor and a private test. All eyes in the capital are on us. If I retreat this step, I will be forced to retreat at every step afterward. They want to see how capable this ‘Lady Protector of the Nation’ truly is. Then I will let them see clearly.”

Not only would she go—she would use this opportunity to tell everyone in the capital that Jiang Suisui was not a vine clinging to a man’s protection, nor a rustic woman who could be easily manipulated.

Gu Yan understood the meaning beneath her words. He reached out and tucked a strand of wind-tousled hair behind her ear, the gesture natural and tender.

“Very well. I’ll stand with you.”

He did not mean accompanying her to the banquet—no outer court official could attend a palace gathering of the inner quarters. He meant that whatever she faced in front, he would hold up the sky behind her.

“For these three days, focus on your preparations. Leave court affairs to me.” His tone was calm, yet carried a reassuring strength.

Jiang Suisui gave a soft hum of agreement. The last trace of unease in her heart dissolved.

The husband and wife exchanged a smile. Some things no longer needed to be spoken aloud.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking—

After three years, the Yongning Marquis, Gu Yan, once again stepped onto the bluestone road leading to the imperial palace. He wore his official court robes, a dark garment embroidered with auspicious beasts in gold thread. His tall frame and stern features were striking. The iron-blooded aura forged on the battlefield had been restrained; in its place stood a composure as steady as deep waters and towering mountains.

The bells signaling the morning court rang out, and officials filed into the hall.

Gu Yan’s appearance caused no small stir among the gathered ministers. Many cast sidelong glances at him—some curious, some respectful, others openly hostile.

The Marquis of Anyuan stood at the front of the military officials. Sensing movement behind him, he turned and met Gu Yan’s gaze.

Separated by only a few paces, the two locked eyes from afar.

The Marquis of Anyuan wore a courteous smile, as though greeting an old friend not seen for years. Yet beneath that smile lay scrutiny and guardedness. Gu Yan, however, remained expressionless. He merely gave a slight nod before shifting his gaze away, as though the man before him were nothing more than an insignificant passerby.

The feeling of being utterly disregarded caused the Marquis of Anyuan’s smile to stiffen for a brief moment.

The court session began. As usual, the proceedings were tedious and drawn out. The borders were stable; the realm was at peace. The various ministries reported trivial matters.

The Emperor, seated upon the dragon throne, appeared somewhat weary.

Just when everyone assumed the day would pass uneventfully, Gu Yan stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, this subject, Gu Yan of Yongning, has a matter to report.”

The moment he spoke, the Hall of Supreme Harmony fell silent. All eyes focused on him.

“Speak,” the Emperor said, straightening in his seat as he looked at the general he had personally restored to power.

“The matter concerns the epidemic in Qinghe County,” Gu Yan declared, his voice clear and resonant throughout the vast hall. “While assisting my wife in treating the afflicted in Yong’an County, I secretly entered the epidemic zone in Qinghe County and discovered that this plague was not a natural disaster—but a man-made calamity.”

The words “man-made calamity” sent shockwaves through the court.

“Yongning Marquis, one must be careful with such accusations!” an imperial censor immediately stepped forward. “Plagues have existed since ancient times. They arise from unfavorable seasons and the spread of pestilential qi. You claim it was man-made—what evidence do you have?”

“I do.” Gu Yan withdrew a memorial from his sleeve and had it presented to the throne. “In the silt of the river near Xiaohe Village in Qinghe County, I discovered this.”

The Emperor unfolded the document. The description of the “Rotgut Grass” matched exactly what he had read in secret intelligence reports. His expression darkened.

“I have confirmed that Xiaohe Village was the origin of the epidemic. Malefactors cast the highly toxic ‘Rotgut Grass’ into the village’s water source, slaughtering hundreds of innocent villagers. The poisoned water then flowed downstream, triggering the widespread outbreak across Qinghe County.”

Gu Yan paused, his gaze sweeping across the hall—finally settling on the Marquis of Anyuan standing opposite him.

“One epidemic has left thousands displaced and nearly a thousand innocent people dead. Such utterly deranged acts—how are they any different from treason? I beseech Your Majesty to order a thorough investigation, to grant justice to the dead and reassurance to the people!”

His words rang out like hammer blows, each syllable striking the hearts of the assembled officials.

Massacre. Poisoning.

When those two words were linked together, the impact was immense.

The Marquis of Anyuan’s expression had already shifted slightly at the mention of “Rotgut Grass.” Now, with his eyes lowered, his face unreadable, the tight clench of his fists betrayed the turmoil within.

“The Yongning Marquis’ claim is truly alarming,” said Minister Zhou of the Ministry of War, stepping forward from beside the Marquis of Anyuan. “Yet this matter rests solely on the Yongning Marquis’ word. That seems rather arbitrary. Xiaohe Village is already a land of the dead—how can it be verified? And who can confirm the existence of this so-called ‘Rotgut Grass’? If this proves false, would it not lead the people to believe that such monsters who treat human life like grass exist within our Great Xia, thereby shaking the foundations of the state?”

On the surface, he appeared to be safeguarding the court’s reputation. In truth, he was subtly suggesting the matter should not be pursued too deeply—shielding the Marquis of Anyuan.

Several others immediately echoed his sentiments, urging caution and restraint.

Gu Yan watched their coordinated performance with cold eyes, offering no rebuttal.

He knew that what he had cast out today was merely a hook. He did not intend to topple the Marquis of Anyuan immediately. He intended to drag the matter from the shadows into the open, turning it into a blade suspended over the man’s head.

“Minister Zhou’s concerns are not without merit,” Gu Yan replied evenly. “Precisely for that reason, I request that the case be jointly reviewed by the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice, and that an imperial commissioner be appointed to travel to Qinghe County to gather evidence anew and examine the site. Right and wrong will become clear with investigation.”

He had deftly kicked the ball to the Emperor.

Seated upon the dragon throne, the Emperor silently observed the debate below. In his mind, he compared Gu Yan’s memorial with the secret intelligence report he had received. He knew Gu Yan spoke the truth.

He also knew how vast the network behind the Marquis of Anyuan was.

After a long pause, he spoke at last—his voice authoritative and unquestionable.

“The matter raised by the Yongning Marquis is of grave importance. If the massacre of an entire village is true, such crimes would not be tolerated by Heaven or Earth.”

“I hereby appoint Sun Chuanting, Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, as lead investigator, with Vice Minister Li Mo of the Ministry of Justice as his deputy. They are to immediately form a special task force to reinvestigate the Qinghe County epidemic case. All related files are to be transferred at once, and all local authorities along the route must fully cooperate.”

The appointment shocked the court.

Sun Chuanting was famed for his incorruptible integrity, unmoved by bribes or pressure. Li Mo, however, was a protégé of the Marquis of Anyuan—personally promoted and deeply trusted.

The Emperor’s intention in pairing these two was obvious.

He wanted the case investigated—but he did not want the flames to burn too fiercely or too quickly. What he desired was balance. Control.

At this, the Marquis of Anyuan’s rigid posture eased slightly. As long as Li Mo was involved, there was still room to maneuver. He glanced toward the dragon throne, his heart settling somewhat.

Gu Yan’s expression remained unchanged.

The outcome was within his expectations.

The Emperor had handed him a sword—but the hilt remained in the Emperor’s grasp.

Still, that was enough.

The game had begun. The pieces were set. Now it was only a matter of who would reveal a flaw first.

Gu Yan bowed to accept the decree and returned to his place in the ranks.

As he stepped back, his eyes met the Marquis of Anyuan’s once more. This time, the other man’s gaze held an undisguised chill.

Gu Yan knew that from this day forward, peaceful days were over.

When he returned to the manor, Jiang Suisui was in the greenhouse tending to several new plants brought from their estate. Having already heard about the morning court session from the steward, she set down her small trowel and handed him a cup of warmed floral tea.

“Li Mo is the Marquis of Anyuan’s man,” she said directly. Over the past few days, she had already asked Steward Fu to compile thick dossiers on the capital’s political relationships.

“I know.” Gu Yan accepted the cup, warmth spreading from his palms through his body. “The Emperor needs balance. He also wants to see how sharp the blade I hold truly is.”

“Then from now on, you’ll be in the open while he remains in the shadows. That won’t be easy,” Jiang Suisui said with a trace of concern.

“No.” Gu Yan shook his head and looked at her calmly. “I have never been investigating this case alone.”

He paused, then continued, “I’ll draw their attention in court. But the real breakthrough… may lie at the flower-viewing banquet you’re attending tomorrow.”