On the ninth day, a grand investiture ceremony was held in the palace, followed by a visit to the Ancestral Temple for offerings.
Today was the sixth day of the seventh month, with three days remaining.
Duan Wen noted the time, took a sip of tea, and said, “Qin Mian, do you have any family in Jingpo?”
This person might not be entirely loyal; he clung to power, yet his actions were what mattered, not his intentions.
Gu Wen subtly worked to win his loyalty, using him to gather information from within the palace.
Qin Mian had at least been helpful.
While not a lifesaver like Jiang Fugui with his timely help, he still provided a valuable addition.
The coming days in Bianjing would be chaotic, with many deaths likely.
As a member of the imperial guards and Zhao Feng’s personal bodyguard, Qin Mian stood in the most dangerous position and would likely face him in battle.
Qin Mian responded, “My parents died at the hands of barbarians. I am currently unmarried.”
Gu Wen said, “Bianjing has been unstable lately. Would you be willing to take some money to Nanshui for me?”
“But Your Highness is already the Crown Prince. As his personal guard, how can I leave my post?” Qin Mian looked puzzled, subtly refusing.
He too hoped to rise through the ranks with Gu Wen’s help.
The opportunity was now before him; leaving would mean giving up immense wealth and power.
“It’s just a suggestion. Whether you go or not is up to you.”
Gu Wen placed a paper with details of the boat location and a token on the table.
He had sold all his assets, preparing to send everything to Nanshui in one go.
Including yesterday’s gifts and all his property, the total amounted to fifteen thousand taels, enough for Jiang Xiu to establish a foothold there.
Qin Mian looked troubled, saying, “As an official, it’s difficult for me to leave my post.”
“Then forget it.”
Gu Wen didn’t press him.
It was natural that the other didn’t trust him completely.
After all, he was no destined ruler whose mere presence could command undying loyalty.
Qin Mian bowed and left.
Whether he would report this to others was of no concern to Gu Wen.
He was done pretending, and the Zhao family wouldn’t change the investiture ceremony because of this.
Now, he only waited to see if Zhao Feng would step out of the palace with his left foot first or his right, each choice potentially a capital offense.
On the seventh day.
Gu Wen tirelessly honed his magical powers.
The guards at his residence increased to fifty, with patrols becoming more frequent, hinting at a subtle house arrest.
A carriage stopped outside Gu’s residence, and Yang Shanyu alighted.
The guards at the gate approached her.
“Madam, what brings you to Marquis Wen’s residence?”
“I am here to see Marquis Wen.”
“Please wait, I will inform him.”
“No need, I’ll go in myself.”
“Very well…”
As Yang Shanyu walked past the guards, their eyes became glazed with a dazed look, not knowing when it had happened.
She entered the manor, leaving a faint fragrance in her wake.
The patrolling guards seemed entranced, and the entire manor fell silent without a sound.
Yang Shanyu walked into Gu Wen’s room, directly pushing the door open.
Seeing Gu Wen unaffected by the illusion, she was somewhat surprised. "It seems Marquis Wen has some tricks up his sleeve. Zhao Feng must treat you well." She realized that Gu Wen, representing Zhao Feng in dealings with Qian Feng Lou, was not an ordinary person.
Gu Wen continued to look at the map of Bianjing, not lifting his head. "Lady Yang, what brings you to my home?"
He had sensed her presence before she even entered the mansion.
With his cultivation at the peak of the third Dao Foundation stage, his abilities extended beyond the physical, enhancing his spiritual awareness.
He could sense everything within a mile.
At the same time, he could finally discern her cultivation level: Yang Shanyu was at the second Dao Foundation stage.
Typically, it was impossible to directly sense the level of a Dao Foundation, as it naturally harmonized with the heavens and earth.
But the perfection of the third Dao Foundation brought changes, such as the spiritual projection of the soul, allowing his divine sense to extend outward without being crushed by the natural laws.
Furthermore, before a perfect Dao Foundation, all others seemed inferior, making their flaws and levels apparent.
The natural laws were like water pressure, omnipresent, and everyone bore its immense weight constantly.
Success was never about background or cultivation but about talent.
For Gu Wen, Yang Shanyu, ranked twenty-first on the Human List, was merely average.
"I’ve come to offer Marquis Wen a great future," Yang Shanyu said, moving within three steps of him and sitting down gracefully. "Marquis Wen, I heard that five years ago, you sold a jade pendant to the Zhao family."
"Just for a meal," Gu Wen didn’t deny it. "Are you interested in buying it?"
"I don’t have that fortune, nor the means to scheme against the Three Purities’ protectors. The Gu family, with over a hundred members, perished in a rebellion, leaving only a distant relative." Yang Shanyu softly revealed Gu Wen’s background, her eyes showing a hint of sympathy.
"You ended up begging on the streets and became a servant to the Zhao family. Do you still think the Zhao family gave you wealth?" Gu Wen remained unmoved.
He asked, "What do you want, Lady Yang?"
"Zhao Feng’s Dao Foundation is damaged. The Dao Emperor will undoubtedly use you to support him, which could cripple or kill you."
"I have a Dao Foundation?" Gu Wen retorted.
He was curious why they all assumed he would be used to help Zhao Feng, even though he himself didn’t know he had a Dao Foundation.
If Yang Shanyu truly understood his identity, she would address him as "Dao Brother" rather than "Marquis Wen."
Yang Shanyu replied, "Using your life force to help Zhao Feng refine the jade pendant. It’s a Dao artifact, enough to mend his foundation. Given his talents, he probably needs you even without the damage."
"So he can’t refine the jade pendant by himself?" Gu Wen’s disdain for Zhao Feng grew.
He knew Zhao Feng was incompetent but hadn’t realized he was this useless.
Yet, this worthless individual had suppressed him for five years.
Regardless of reason, just because Zhao Feng was a Zhao, even a fool would be praised as having saintly qualities.
"A Dao artifact cannot be refined by ordinary prodigies. It requires at least the talent of someone in the top ten of the Earth List. Zhao Feng clearly isn’t such a genius, but having a Dao Emperor for a father, he needs to rely on you, who doesn’t have such backing." Yang Shanyu took out a pill, revealing her true purpose. "This is a Sealing Pulse Pill. It can spare you from the pain of having your essence drained, making it harder for Zhao Feng to consume your life force and reducing his chances of success."
Gu Wen paused, then chuckled, "I thought you wanted to use me to kill him."
Yang Shanyu smiled, "I wouldn’t dare. If I were caught, not only would I lose my life, but so would everyone around me. Zhao Feng may be incompetent, but his father, the Dao Emperor, is not. Therefore, you should take this pill and protect yourself as best you can."
Gu Wen examined the pill in her hand, then asked, "What do you want in return?"
"Cooperate with us," Yang Shanyu said. "We have a plan to weaken Zhao Feng’s influence. Your cooperation will ensure mutual benefit. Refuse, and you might end up worse than you are now."
Gu Wen’s eyes narrowed, evaluating the risk and potential reward.
After a moment, he nodded, "I will consider your proposal. Leave the pill with me."
Yang Shanyu placed the pill on the table and stood up, her movements graceful. "Think it over carefully, Marquis Wen. We have much to gain from this alliance." With that, she turned and left the room, her fragrance lingering in the air.
As the door closed behind her, Gu Wen leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.
He hadn’t expected that the other party merely wanted him to hinder Zhao Feng.
Qian Feng Lou seemed rather petty.
Yang Shanyu sighed, "As I said, he has a Dao Emperor father. It's not wise to completely sever ties. Marquis Wen, if you survive this ordeal, the main house of Qian Feng Lou will offer you an opportunity. Take care." With that, she got up and left.
Gu Wen looked at the pill and gazed at the ceiling.
After a long while, he chuckled, "Indeed, who can blame him for having a Dao Emperor father?"
Because of this, Zhao Feng enjoyed abundant resources, occupying the jade pendant for five years without possessing even half of Gu Wen's talent.
But the world does not allocate fortune based on virtue, talent, or intelligence.
There were still two days until the investiture ceremony.