Chapter 64: He Can’t Part 3

Yet, tracing back to the root, which of these tragedies was not caused by that national disaster?

“Enough.”

A cold voice abruptly cut through the clamor.

Gu Huaiyu stood up suddenly, his snow-white cloak snapping as he pulled it over his thin shoulders, draped like an avalanche falling from a cliff.

He stood in the center of the court. Despite his thin, sickly frame, his aura was so overbearing that no one dared to look him in the eye. “Does the Grand Preceptor still think this is merely my personal vendetta?”

Grand Preceptor Dong’s knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed. If Qin Zijin hadn’t been quick to support him, the venerable Grand Preceptor would have lost all dignity on the spot.

Dong felt his face burning with shame. To be rebuked so publicly by a junior was humiliating enough to make him want to crawl into a crack in the floor.

But what caught them even more off guard was the reaction of the crowd.

Before this, Gu Huaiyu’s image in everyone’s mind was too brilliant: a son of a wealthy family, entering officialdom young, succeeding early, and reaching the pinnacle of power. He was a man who manipulated the court with ruthless decisiveness—so strong that people forgot he was a creature of flesh and blood. He was the mountain that never moved, a man who needed no protection.

But now, that story had completely overturned their perception of him.

If Gu Huaiyu had been “smart,” he could have spoken of his past years ago—how his parents died in the war, the bitter days he spent surviving with his sister, the cold stares he endured while living under someone else’s roof…

Hearts are made of flesh. He could have spared himself a lot of infamy.

But he had never uttered a single word. Even Yuan Zhuo and Shen Jun, who had known him the longest, were unaware of these details.

The looks the officials gave Gu Huaiyu were now filled with a complex, heavy mix of emotions: shock, respect, and even… pity.

Seeing Grand Preceptor Dong’s defeated face, Gu Huaiyu felt a flicker of satisfaction. These stubborn old fossils were finally “convinced.”

Thinking that he could finally move forward with his grand plans, he almost couldn’t suppress the upward curve of his lips. However, his face remained as calm as a placid lake as he said indifferently, “Since that is the case, the matter of invading Eastern Liao is settled.”

His gaze swept across the civil and military officials. “Does anyone else have an objection?”

The hall was silent.

Even the most stubborn members of the Pure Stream Faction lowered their heads, none daring to meet his eyes.

Good. They know when to be sensible.

Gu Huaiyu proceeded to arrange the logistics methodically. “The Ministry of War is to prepare military supplies starting today.”

“The Bureau of Military Affairs is to draft the troop deployment strategy within three days.”

“The Ministry of Revenue will coordinate the grain and fodder. There must be no errors.”

Just as the first act of the play concluded, the second act began unexpectedly.

Pei Jingyi took a large stride forward, coming to Gu Huaiyu’s side. He suddenly dropped to one knee with a heavy thud. “This subordinate is willing to don black armor as the vanguard, leading the Northern Guard Iron Cavalry for the Chancellor—”

Before he finished, he grabbed Gu Huaiyu’s hand and pressed it firmly against his own chest. He straightened his back with a sudden surge of strength, his bulging chest muscles flexing as they pinned the jade-white hand in place, as if making Gu Huaiyu feel his sincerity.

“—to trample Eastern Liao into the dust.”

Such a kneeling posture, such an expression—it was clearly a vow.

But several sharp-eyed officials in the hall turned pale.

Yuan Zhuo, who had been sitting on the dragon throne in silence, suddenly laughed. The Emperor’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the armrests of his throne, his voice as clear as spring water. “General Pei is so proactive. Is it truly for the sake of the country?”

Gu Huaiyu felt the firm, warm muscle beneath his palm. He tried to pull his wrist back, but Pei Jingyi’s hand was like an iron shackle, refusing to let go.

Pei Jingyi looked up directly at the Emperor, his face unmoving. “Naturally, this subject does it for the Chancellor—”

“For the country, and for Your Majesty.”

Yuan Zhuo saw that he only did it for the Chancellor. He said impassively, “General Pei’s loyalty brings great comfort to my heart.”

He gave a light, airy laugh. “Speaking of which, the General is nearly thirty. It is time for you to start a family. Why don’t I bestow a marriage upon you?”

Pei Jingyi actually looked thoughtful for a moment. “Your Majesty, I do wish to marry, but…”

He suddenly looked at Gu Huaiyu with burning intensity, pressing Gu’s hand harder against his chest. His voice was laced with deep meaning. “This matter must have the Chancellor’s approval.”

“Your Majesty might not be aware,” Gu Huaiyu interrupted suddenly. He used his fingertips to give Pei Jingyi’s chest muscle a vicious pinch, though his expression remained indifferent. “General Pei suffers from a congenital deficiency. He is impotent.”

He used his other hand to nonchalantly adjust his cloak, adding a finishing blow: “The General’s spear usually stands quite straight, but as soon as it’s time for business, it goes soft faster than anyone else’s.”