Blossom in Adversity

C142. Shameless.

Chapter 142: Shameless

Inside a house in the capital city of the Yan Kingdom, Gu Yanxi was also studying a map. He was dressed in simple blue robes, with an ordinary appearance, looking slightly thinner than before.

The door was pushed open from outside, and Gu Yanxi looked up to see Xiao Wu entering.

Xiao Wu hurried in and knelt down, "Master, we found the person, but we were too late. He's dead."

"How did he die?"

"Fire. It's still burning now."

This method was clever, burning all traces clean so that no evidence could be found. Gu Yanxi snorted coldly, "We've already alerted the enemy. Order everyone to retreat immediately."

"Yes."

Since taking over the Seven Star Division, this was the first time Gu Yanxi found himself in such a disadvantageous position. He had a feeling that the other party knew of his existence, knew of the Seven Star Division, and even knew about his current operation. From the moment he left the capital city, he had been under the other party's surveillance. This person was not in the Yan Kingdom.

Gu Yanxi's gaze returned to the map, and he firmly pointed at the words "capital city." He would uncover the truth!

"Bring him in."

A person quietly knelt by the door.

"Two members each from the Fourth and Fifth Constellation stay behind. Hide them well and keep an eye on Ruan Xijiang."

Ruan Xijiang was the current ruler of the Yan Kingdom, in his prime and ambitious. He was truly skilled; even the combined efforts of the previous rulers couldn't match his abilities. If given the chance, he would surely take a significant piece of Daqing Dynasty.

Gu Yanxi wasn't planning to give him that opportunity.

After making arrangements, Gu Yanxi felt a sense of urgency. It had been two months since he last saw Huazhi. He had not returned as promised, and he wondered if she was even slightly concerned about him.

*

Several days after the mourning period had passed, when the Hu family had almost been forgotten by everyone, Hu Bailin dressed in simple white clothes went to thank various families for their condolences.

He didn't enter any of the houses but bowed outside each one. After thanking the Chen and Yu families, he turned back. However, both the Chen and Yu families didn't stop their carriages when passing by.

There had been no fresh news in the capital recently. When people saw Hu Bailin's actions, they immediately speculated. Upon further questioning, it was revealed that not only had the eldest disciple of the Hua family not shown up for his teacher's funeral, but he hadn't worn a single day of mourning or sent off the deceased.

This stirred up a storm of controversy.

Hua Matriarch's funeral was not grand, and unlike some families, their mourning rituals lasted for forty-nine days. Chen and Yu didn't show up, and everyone assumed they were just helping out around the Hua house, like Chen Dayi. They didn't draw attention like him.

Now, the truth was out, and the literati and scholars who were usually refined and cultured were furious. They gathered outside the two families' homes that day, berating them, "How many benefits have you gained from Hua Patriarch? How many things have you done under his name? How many favors have you received because you're his disciples? Now that he's in trouble and the Hua family is in turmoil, you want to fly separately. This kind of behavior is unacceptable!"

"Yes, it's unacceptable!"

"Yu Zhengyao, don't pretend you're not home. We already found out that you had dinner with Chen Zhi a few days ago. Don't think finding an inconspicuous place means nobody will know!"

"If you don't come out, we'll break down the door!"

"Yes, break it down!"

"..."

The anger and resentment from the crowd outside could be heard clearly through the walls. Yu Zhengyao paced back and forth, sweating despite the cold weather. If he couldn't get through this, then there was no future for him!

He had no future at all!

"My lord, what should we do? How will Kun'er face others in the future?"

"Shut up!" Yu Zhengyao shouted angrily, causing Lady Yu to step back in fear. They had been married for many years, and her husband had never treated her like this before. She couldn't believe it.

Tears streamed down Lady Yu's face as she left, covering her mouth.

Yu Zhengyao didn't have the mind to console her. He stripped off his clothes and stood in the yard, instructing the servants to pour cold water over him. The icy water and cool breeze made him sneeze uncontrollably. After drying off and lying on the bed, he ordered, "Open the door and let them in."

About ten people entered, their anger subsiding slightly at the sight of Yu Zhengyao lying pale and coughing on the bed.

Yu Zhengyao was about to justify himself, but then he heard someone say, "It's strange. How does your illness now relate to your failure to pay respects to your disciple two months ago? Don't tell me you've been sick for two months; someone saw you perfectly fine just a few days ago."

Yu Zhengyao's mind went blank. He couldn't understand how he had overlooked this!

"Shame on you, Yu Zhengyao, trying to deceive us!"

"Why is this surprising? He didn't even attend his teacher's funeral. Deceiving us is child's play. As fellow literati, I am ashamed of you. I can't bear to be in the same air as him any longer!"

"Yes, let's go! We must let more people know what kind of person he is!"

"I'm not..." Yu Zhengyao tried to get up but stumbled due to his genuine illness. Dizzy and disoriented, he fell back on the bed, hitting his head on the edge and seeing stars.

He tried to get up in a hurry, and the servants rushed to help him, but the more they panicked, the more chaotic it became. As his heart raced, everything went black, and he lost consciousness. He fainted just like he had planned earlier, but without an audience.

On the other hand, Chen Zhi remained calm in contrast to Yu Zhengyao. He stood confidently against the literati outside the Hua family's residence. Dressed in plain white robes, with a determined expression, he stated, "I did not pay my respects to the Hua family, and I accept the label of being unfilial. But I am not disloyal!"

The crowd was taken aback by Chen Zhi's unexpected statement. Seeing that he had silenced them, Chen Zhi continued boldly. He knelt resolutely towards the direction of the palace and proclaimed, "As a citizen of the Daqing Nation, I must support every decree of the Emperor. If the Emperor declares the Hua family guilty, then they are guilty. If I continue to associate with the Hua family, where does that leave the Emperor's dignity?"

The crowd was shocked, and then their anger flared up. Chen Zhi's stance indicated that he supported the Emperor's decision and hence cut ties with the Hua family.

Did this mean they were disregarding the Emperor's orders and the blurred lines between them and the Hua family?

Clearly, it was he who was heartless and unfaithful. Yet, with a few words, he managed to turn them into the unloyal ones?

I've seen shameless people before, but never someone so shameless!

The hot-tempered one was now clutching their chest, their vision darkening, and they could only point at Chen Zhi, trembling but unable to speak.

Chen Zhi, however, had no intention of stopping there. Since his reputation among the scholars was already ruined, he might as well go all the way. "I apologize to my teacher," he said, "but even if my teacher were here, I would still do the same. As a subject of the Great Daqing Dynasty, I am loyal to the Emperor, and there is nothing wrong with that."