Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C294. Real and Fake.

Chapter 294: The Real and the Fake

In the grand hall, beneath the watchful eyes of the Emperor, Gu Yanxi worked with precision and authority. He annotated each memorial with sharp notes, his brush gliding across the parchment as if wielding a weapon. Once done, he handed the documents to Lai Fu, his trusted aide who knew exactly how to assign the tasks without missing a beat.

"Your Majesty," Gu Yanxi began, his voice calm but firm, "Yuan Shifang is at his limit. He can't hold on much longer."

The Emperor scoffed, a mix of disdain and acknowledgment in his tone. "The fact that he's endured this long is a testament to the Chao Li clan's resilience. Have we squeezed anything new out of him after all this interrogation?"

Gu Yanxi's gaze didn't waver. "The Criminal Court has used every method they have. It seems he genuinely knows nothing more." Without pausing, he picked up a record book from the Emperor's desk, flipping to the latest entry. The Imperial Hospital's meticulous records of the Emperor's pulse were all there, updated daily as per the Emperor's request. Gu Yanxi's focus was sharp, his movements deliberate, showing his unwavering dedication to the Emperor's health.

The Emperor's expression softened ever so slightly as he watched the young man work, a rare crack in his otherwise unyielding demeanor.

"The Chao Li tribe has grown clever," Gu Yanxi continued, his voice low but cutting. "They've invested in training Yuan Shifang carefully, but they've also kept him on a tight leash. He only knows what they wanted him to know, nothing more. He managed to gather scraps of information on his own, but we've captured two others through the Department of Seven Stars. They're being brought back as we speak."

The Emperor's face darkened at the thought of the trouble Yuan Shifang had caused, his brow furrowing deeply. "Is the escort team strong enough? I don't want another fiasco."

"I've ensured the arrangements are flawless," Gu Yanxi replied with unwavering confidence. "You can rely on me, Your Majesty. We will root out just how deeply the Chao Li tribe has managed to infiltrate."

The Emperor nodded, his voice sharp with finality. "Good. Don't hold back. I want every thread of their network unraveled and burned."

Gu Yanxi set the record book back on the desk and took a step closer, his tone shifting slightly. "Imperial Uncle, there's something else I need to discuss. A personal matter."

The Emperor's stern features softened further at the title. Whenever Gu Yanxi called him "Imperial Uncle," it meant the conversation was about to take a more personal turn. "Go on," the Emperor said, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "What's caught your interest this time?"

"Mushrooms," Gu Yanxi said, his tone steady but with a hint of amusement.

"Mushrooms?" The Emperor arched a brow, clearly not expecting this turn in the conversation.

"Not the wild kind," Gu Yanxi clarified, his words precise. "Cultivated ones. They can be grown and harvested all year round."

The Emperor leaned forward, intrigued despite himself. "They can be grown?"

The Emperor leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. If these mushrooms could be harvested year-round, that was a solid business opportunity. No wonder Gu Yanxi was so keen on it. But if that was all it was, there was no way the boy would have bothered coming to him with this.

The Emperor's lips curled into a smirk. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction, almost like he was protecting the younger generation. "Alright, speak up. What do you need from me?"

"I don't need anything from you," Gu Yanxi said, his tone casual, but there was an undercurrent of urgency in his words. "I just thought you should know who's behind these mushrooms."