Taming Tyrants III

Arc 7: Royal Deceit (248)

"Lou Ying." Gu Zixing answered. He knows Lou Ying since he was there, the time An Country's main defense fell through the death of its wisest general, Hong Qiuran. Gu Zixing seemed to have returned to that time where Zhan Miao found him holding a bloodstained dagger with Hong Qiuran's dead body lying on the riverside. Gu Zixing regained his calmness. Countless black guards appeared in the palace, only waiting for Lou Ying's command to kill him. He looked at Hong Cha and raised his hand as if coaxing her to leave with him. "Camellia, you trust me, right? Let's leave. We still have to go back, and fulfill our promises together."

Hong Cha almost fell if not for Hong Qingning supporting her. She doesn't wish to accept but it was him behind all those four years of suffering. He was the reason she lost everything. Her father, who promised to return for New Year. Her mother, who loved her dearly. Her siblings, those that comforted her. Especially Hong Ji, he's the kindest person she ever knew, before she met Gu Zixing.

"Camellia." Gu Zixing called once more. The black guards are stepping closer and any time soon, Lou Ying will order for his death. He is seeking for her to trust him. He can explain to her but she shook her heard. At that moment, his irises trembled and his hand slowly lowered. The girl he loved turned her back on him.

"Kill Gu Zixing here." Lou Ying finally gave an order. The black guards withdrew their sharp blades.

"Camellia!" Gu Zixing called one more time. He was pushed back by a black guard and he have no choice but avoid their attack. She never looked back, she decided to stay and no longer go with him.

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After all that was said and done, it came to this point. He fled the palace and returned devastated to House Gu. Hong Cha can remember that following night. She was crying in Hong Qingning's arms. She lamented over and over, why it has to be him, why of all people, Gu Zixing is the cause of their death. The moment Hong Cha recovered, she changed. She has been disappointed by everyone around her, they had broken her trust and stabbed her painfully.

Thus, the birth of Imperial Noble Consort Hua occurred. Just after Gu Jiaoyue married his empress, he took in a concubine and gave her a title only second to the empress position. Hong Cha successfully had him under her influence. She heard from Lou Ying that Gu Zixing didn't come at the wedding. It was obvious he can't accept it. Although she married Gu Jiaoyue, it is ineffective. Her true husband is Gu Zixing and only a divorce can dissolve it. She never considered divorcing him, wanting him to know she can be with others even if she is still his wife. Cuckold him, humiliate him, trample over his pride, do it. He deserve to be.

Camellia was replaced by a scheming consort. She was able to avenge her misfortune from Hong Qingning and poisoned her to heart attack. Hong Qingning turned her to a monster she is, and she is one ungrateful beast. To stabilize her position, she plotted against concubines that can be a threat to her until no one can replace her. Afterwards, the empress had an argument with her because Gu Jiaoyue never had a heir for a year, and she blamed Hong Cha for those setback. Hong Cha wouldn't sit back and let her insult her. She acted like a bullied loved and Gu Jiaoyue was enraged. He deposed the empress just like that.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, she became the most poisonous woman history had. If ever she caused Tian's downfall, then she is even worse than Su Daji. Every official hated her for being an enchantress, every woman despised her for  being unreasonable, yet the emperor seemed to be blind and doted on her. Fortunately, she isn't a concubine that can make an emperor neglect his duties. Hong Cha never sticks her foot with their federal circumstances. It is a relief, but they never knew how dark her heart had become.

House Gu offended her. The Imperial Tutor, as the father of the deposed empress, complained about Hong Cha. The Chancellor did the same, thinking she might muddle the emperor's thought. Two important official of House Gu had spoken but Gu Jiaoyue didn't listen. Hong Cha appeared pitiful after hearing their complain and with this, Gu Jiaoyue revoked their position. Gu Zixing tried to convince him it wasn't a good decision but Hong Cha was there to influence him.

Of course, there are more she wanted to bring down. Se Xunyi was sent to fight Warlord Bai from the border. She ordered Lou Ying to assassinate him and let the soldiers fail. A city of Tian was occupied by Warlord Bai once more. Se Xunyi died and a lot of soldiers returned injured. Se Hong can't even mourn for her father's death. She was forcibly sent to the north with her grandfather, Warlord Bai.

The news of the Grand General's death caused a commotion. When everyone was out of order, panicked from the main defense's death, Hong Cha spoke from the throne and suggested Gu Zixing to take his place. Gu Jiaoyue also believed he can manage the army well. That time, Hong Cha gave him a profound smile. Gu Zixing is unsure if she is plotting or not. He can only accept and replace Se Xunyi.

Gu Zixing didn't fail them. He managed to take back two cities that Warlord Bai had occupied, using one third of Se Xunyi's army. It was a thousand against tens of thousands yet he returned victorious. Soon, his rank raised quite fast. Hong Cha again suggested for him to get back An Country and make it Tian's territory. Once more, he was able to retrieve nearly all of An Country in two years time. Through Hong Cha's force, Gu Zixing became a first rank general. He guarded the inner palace for the meantime and she purposely had him stationed close to her residence.

Gu Zixing knew she is behind his quick advancement. He can't understand why she is helping him. Until one night, he saw her alone at a balcony. She was gazing at the starry night sky, and he was able to see a tear drop. They both knew she is lonely.