The two were kissing beside the lake after the rain. The gentle breeze dispelled their stuffiness, leaving only boundless love lingering.
Xie Jiuan would probably never say that in order to protect Gu Jiangyue's safety, he had planted many informants throughout the capital. When he was in love with Gu Jiangyue, he was passionate and gentle.
In the Azure Water Cloud Residence, Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue were sitting opposite each other, while Ji Yunsheng was munching on an apple noisily at one side.
"So what are you guys going to do? We can't just give up on the Jade Curved Spirit Grass, right?"
As soon as Ji Yunsheng finished speaking, he heard Gu Jiangyue say anxiously,
"Of course we have to get the spirit grass. Gu Yi's illness must be cured."
Ji Yunsheng spread out his palm, looking helpless. "If you don't marry, the military power won't be in his hands. Naturally, he won't give you the spirit grass. What can we do? I'm afraid Xie Chengrui guards that grass more preciously than his own life. We can't just snatch it away, can we?"
Xie Jiuan, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke up. His eyes were dark and inscrutable as he said,
"We'll just go and snatch it on the day Xie Chengrui marries Mu Xia."
Ji Yunsheng thought for a while and said with a smile,
"Why don't you two get married on that day too? With so many people around, it'll be easier to snatch the grass. The publicity of the marriage of you, the prodigal Ninth Prince, will surely be greater than Xie Chengrui's."
After finishing an apple, Ji Yunsheng leaned forward, looked at Gu Jiangyue and then at Xie Jiuan, and then said,
"Xie Chengrui's wedding day will surely be turbulent. Xie Yuwen has been getting very close to Xie Chengrui recently. Since Xie Chengrui dared to directly approach Gu Jiangyue without fearing being discovered by you, he must have some confidence. I guess this confidence comes from Xie Yuwen."
Ji Yunsheng spoke unhurriedly and continued,
"Xie Yuwen and Xie Chengrui should be in a cooperative relationship. Moreover, I've noticed that Xie Yuwen has been raising a lot of gu worms recently. The two of them are plotting something. Even the preparations for a royal wedding take at least half a year. Xie Chengrui is in such a hurry and is eyeing the military power in Gu Jiangyue's father's hands covetously. I guess..."
Ji Yunsheng paused for a moment, then looked around furtively and whispered,
"They're preparing to rebel, and Xie Chengrui is being manipulated by Xie Yuwen."
Since they're planning a rebellion, it's not hard to guess who those gu worms will be used on. It must be the important court officials.
"In that case, won't those court officials be in trouble? Although the emperor is fatuous and incompetent, those court officials are all honest and upright. If they're involved, won't the country be turned upside down?"
Back then, Xie Jiuan's mother was the most favored concubine in the harem. The emperor was indulged in her charm and even neglected many important affairs because of it, which was why people didn't have a good impression of Xie Jiuan's mother.
Therefore, when the emperor wrongly imprisoned her in the Cold Palace, no one spoke up for her, which led to her hanging herself. All of this could be attributed to the emperor's incompetence.
If he had truly loved Xie Jiuan's mother, he wouldn't have pushed a woman out to face the gossips under the continuous admonition of the court officials. Her death was caused by the emperor himself, which was why Xie Jiuan hated the emperor to the core.
She could have lived a carefree life away from the mortal world, but she fell in love with the wrong person, only to have her true feelings betrayed. In the end, she had no choice but to hang herself to prove her innocence.
"Yes, if Xie Yuwen ascends the throne, he'll first take revenge and kill Xie Jiuan, then seize the military power and kill you. Finally, for the sake of the Medicine King Valley, he'll kill me, the valley master. We'll all be in trouble. It seems that we have no choice but to fight to the bitter end."
Ji Yunsheng raised his hands and stretched. He made the sad situation sound funny, which relieved the atmosphere a little.
Gu Jiangyue was both angry and amused by Ji Yunsheng's words. She let out a long sigh, and her expression became serious again. She looked at Xie Jiuan gravely.
"Let's get married. On that day."
Xie Jiuan looked up at Gu Jiangyue, his eyes dark and inscrutable. Gu Jiangyue continued,
"For the sake of the country, for Yi'er's illness, and for our lives, what do you think?"
There was no trace of fear on Gu Jiangyue's face. Her round eyes were shining, as if they could inspire all one's fighting spirit.
Xie Jiuan nodded heavily and said,
"Okay."
It wasn't that he couldn't let go of his hatred and affection. On the contrary, he just didn't know how to face them. But as long as Gu Jiangyue was by his side, the fog in his heart would be dispelled.
After finalizing the plan, almost everyone in the Azure Water Cloud Residence was busy these days. Gu Jiangyue also told Gu Yanwu about this. Gu Yanwu didn't object. Instead, he highly approved of their idea.
"The world has no real master. The hearts of the people are the direction. The world has long lost its former glory. It's time for us to make a change."
Gu Yanwu had always been loyal to the people, not the emperor. As long as the people were safe and sound, he didn't care. Gu Yanwu was also secretly gathering troops behind the emperor's back.
Over the years, Xie Jiuan had raised many people in the Thousand Sound Pavilion, aiming to kill the emperor and avenge his mother. Now, they finally had a chance to show their skills, and he was also busy making preparations.
Xie Jiuan and Gu Yanwu secretly informed many honest court officials. Xie Chengrui had become increasingly ostentatious recently. Anyone could tell that something was wrong with him. Therefore, their side was relatively smooth.
Gu Jiangyue also drew many detailed maps of the palace for everyone based on her memories from her past life, which would facilitate their actions.
What surprised Gu Jiangyue the most was Ji Yunsheng. These days, Gu Jiangyue had noticed that Ji Yunsheng loved apples and ate them every day. She couldn't stand it anymore and asked,
"Aren't you going to prepare anything?"
Ji Yunsheng threw away an apple core, propped his chin up boredly, and said with a smile,
"By then, you guys will surely be too busy to steal the spirit grass. I'll go and steal it. This is just the right thing for me. Stealing things doesn't require much preparation."
Ji Yunsheng looked relaxed, but there were also a lot of sweat on his tightly clenched palms.
Gu Jiangyue had no choice but to give in to Ji Yunsheng. She casually grabbed a map of the palace and stuffed it into Ji Yunsheng's hand.
Ji Yunsheng had been coming to her place often recently. Gu Jiangyue could tell that he was looking at the maps she drew. In fact, he wasn't not worried. He just didn't show it. Gu Jiangyue was too lazy to expose him and said,
"Hold on to the map and study it carefully. The matter of the herb is up to you. You must succeed. There's no room for failure."
Although Ji Yunsheng was smiling carelessly, he still folded the paper with detailed markings and put it into his bosom.
"With this valley master around, we're sure to succeed."
This spirit grass was Gu Yi's only hope of survival. Now, that hope rested on Ji Yunsheng. It was impossible for Ji Yunsheng not to be anxious. He kept repeating Song Zhong's words in his mind. As long as the three rare treasures of heaven and earth couldn't be gathered, even a god couldn't save Gu Yi.
Ji Yunsheng forced a smile. Since it was a matter of Gu Yi's life, he must bring the grass back.