There was only one dining hall. By regulation, it should have been cleared for the Chancellor’s exclusive use while everyone else ate elsewhere.
As the others prepared to withdraw, Gu Huaiyu raised a hand to stop them. “No need. This Chancellor does not care for such displays. One table is enough.”
He sat at a table by the window. His dishes had been swapped for official kiln porcelain, and several Jiangnan-style side dishes had been prepared for him—their colors elegant, their aroma fragrant.
Pei Jingyi saw his opportunity and slipped into the kitchen.
A moment later, he emerged carrying a bowl of thick, white soup. Steam rose from the rim as he walked straight to Gu Huaiyu’s table. He bowed his head slightly. “Lord Chancellor, pray try this Deer Antler and Pigeon Egg Stew.”
Gu Huaiyu’s gaze swept coldly over the bowl.
Pei Jingyi lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear. “It’s good for… tonifying the essence and replenishing one’s vitality.”
Gu Huaiyu’s knuckles whitened around his chopsticks. He dares bring that up?
His expression remained unchanged. “Set it down.”
Pei Jingyi placed the bowl gently on the table but pushed his luck further. “May this subordinate sit?”
Gu Huaiyu was blunt. “For what purpose?”
“To watch the Chancellor dine.”
“You can watch while standing.”
Gu Huaiyu cut him off coldly and began his meal. He ate with refined, slow movements, his etiquette perfect, his swallowing silent.
Pei Jingyi actually stayed put. He stood there, his burning gaze fixed on the Chancellor. For the first time, he realized that watching a man eat could be so incredibly pleasing to the eye.
Just like that handkerchief in his pocket. He would have found a normal man’s filth disgusting, but that cloth, stained with Gu Huaiyu’s scent…
He didn’t find it dirty at all. In fact, it was quite wonderful.
***
They reached the capital without further incident.
As soon as Gu Huaiyu stepped into the Chancellor’s Estate, he found Shen Jun already waiting under the corridor, hands tucked into his sleeves. Upon seeing Gu and Pei, Shen Jun’s eyes darkened slightly as he bowed in greeting.
The cold poison in Gu Huaiyu’s body had finally stabilized. He could finally turn his attention to the most thorny of official matters—”persuading” the Pure Stream faction to stop hindering the deployment of troops to Eastern Liao.
The sky over the post-snow capital was clear and bright. Gu Huaiyu walked with a leisurely, slow gait. Behind him, Shen Jun and Pei Jingyi followed like left and right shadows.
“The assembly will convene in the Zichen Hall in three days.” Gu Huaiyu didn’t look back, his tone deceptively casual. “Every official must be there. Whether they are Pure Stream or the old guard, I’d rather not have to ‘invite’ them one by one.”
Shen Jun’s expression was as steady as ever. “This subordinate understands. I will see to it that not a single soul is missing.” He paused. “Shall I prepare a backup plan?”
Gu Huaiyu stopped and looked back, a brow arched. “What kind of backup?”
Shen Jun kept his hands hidden in his wide sleeves, his eyes downcast and respectful, but his tone was chillingly calm. “I can arrange for the Imperial Guard to shadow several key Pure Stream officials. We can take their families into custody.”
“On the day of the assembly, whoever dares to stand against the Lord Chancellor… we slaughter their entire clan.”
Gu Huaiyu let out a short, amused huff. In the Gu Faction, the most venomous soul was truly Shen Jun. He turned and continued walking. “No need. This Chancellor has always preferred to win people over with virtue.”
He said it without the slightest hint of shame.
Shen Jun immediately bowed, playing along with the flattery. “The Lord Chancellor’s virtue is indeed great.”
As they walked a bit further, the winter plums in the courtyard were in full bloom, their fragrance cold and proud. It reminded Gu Huaiyu of someone.
“Keep an eye on Nie Jin,” he said. “Make sure he doesn’t end up on the opposite side of me.”
“Understood,” Shen Jun replied.
Pei Jingyi followed with his arms crossed, his eyes glued to the back of Gu Huaiyu’s head. Hearing the name ‘Nie Jin,’ his brows rose. “The Lord Chancellor knows Nie Jin?”
Gu Huaiyu gave a noncommittal smirk. “More than just ‘know’ him.”
Pei Jingyi’s expression shifted. He let out a dry chuckle. “Nie Jin has a temper so stiff it could break teeth. Has he not offended you, My Lord?”
Gu Huaiyu was indifferent. “I appreciate that stiffness. If he weren’t firm, I wouldn’t want to use him.”
Without warning, Pei Jingyi slammed a hand onto Shen Jun’s shoulder. The blow looked casual, but the force was heavy and mean. Shen Jun stumbled, nearly losing his footing.
“Master Shen had best watch him closely, then,” Pei Jingyi said airily, acting as if nothing had happened. “Nie Jin will almost certainly move against the Chancellor.”
Shen Jun glared at him with cold eyes, straightened his robes, and silently resumed following Gu Huaiyu.
Gu Huaiyu still had one important piece of business to settle. He stopped, his fingers toying with a branch of red plum blossoms peeking from beneath the eaves. “You may go.”
“General Pei, stay.”
