Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 460

Xiao Luzi confessed, “This servant was ignorant and didn’t understand your Highness’s intentions at the time. But after repeatedly pondering your words, it became clear to me like a sudden realization. I inquired with the palace chef privately about the most effective way to enhance the effects of deer blood and created this pot of deer blood wine.” He couldn’t help but smile as he continued, “The effects of deer blood are quite apparent. When it’s mixed into the wine, no one can resist it unless they’re a God!”

Gu Ye inquired further, “Then how were you sure that Duke Lu will definitely be with that maid…”

Xiao Luzi believed that his Highness was assessing the situation and promptly responded, “Of course, this servant couldn’t predict it with certainty, but even if Duke Lu doesn’t fall for it, my intention is to have Lady Lu drink it. Then, we can publicize their intimate relationship before their marriage, which would tarnish Lady Lu’s reputation.”

Gu Ye had heard about the scandal while he was by Emperor Zhengyuan’s side. The Emperor had received reports about the incident. Though he hadn’t expressed anger, he felt somewhat embarrassed for Feng Yuan and muttered, “This camp is so close, and the families are so large, with tents close to each other. The girl engaged to the Feng family lives just a few steps away… Couldn’t he help himself?!”

Unbeknownst to him, the farce was orchestrated by those around him.

Given the current situation, it was indeed what Gu Ye wanted to see. He couldn’t outright tell Xiao Luzi that he was wrong because he hadn’t even thought of such a scheme.

“Was it done discreetly?” Gu Ye inquired.

Xiao Luzi smiled and assured him, “Don’t worry, Your Highness. Those who participated in this task are all long-serving slaves whom I trust implicitly. They are reliable. Moreover, the palace chef and the eunuchs who delivered the news to the young Lady Lu don’t know each other.”

Gu Ye nodded, indicating that he understood, and dismissed Xiao Luzi.

Once he was alone in the room, Gu Ye’s straight-backed composure waned, and he scratched his head, lost in thought.

Shortly thereafter, Feng Yu approached. He was present with Emperor Zhengyuan at the time of the incident. At almost eleven years old, he was approaching the age for marriage.

Hearing that his father and maid had been involved in such a scandal, and having been caught by his soon-to-be stepmother, Feng Yu’s fair face flushed with embarrassment. He probably wished he could dig a hole and hide.

Gu Ye noticed his discomfort and immediately reassured him, “He is him, and you are you.”

Emperor Zhengyuan also noticed his strangeness and followed up by saying, “Prince Lie is right, Ah Yu doesn’t have to be like this. It’s not you who did absurd things. Stand tall and proud; what does it look like when you shrink?”

Feng Yu was moved and thanked them.

However, when Gu Ye realized that the people around him had acted wrongly, he felt embarrassed to face Feng Yu again, and his brows tightened further.

“What troubles have you encountered, Your Highness?” The two didn’t pay attention to formalities in private. After sitting down, Feng Yu asked, “Can I help?”

He was genuinely kind to Gu Ye and looked into his eyes with sincerity and earnestness, as if he genuinely wanted to help him solve his problems.

Gu Ye also valued his friendship with Feng Yu. After a moment, he murmured, “It’s not something to worry about; it’s just something that I hope you won’t get angry about.”

He then repeated what Xiao Luzi had said and assured, “I really didn’t mean that at the time. I just overheard my mother and grandmother talking. My mother made deer blood into blood  tofu for my uncle.”

Feng Yu inquired further, “Then your mother and your uncle…”

Gu Ye replied, “I’m sure they didn’t do anything; otherwise, my grandmother would be so happy and not act like a guilty thief.”

Feng Yu continued, “This is not the case. The general ate the blood tofu but didn’t do anything out of line. But my father… So what Xiao Luzi said is that it won’t be reliable unless they’re a God. The deer blood is just a way. In the end, the problem still lies with the person taking it.”

Gu Ye really didn’t expect that Feng Yu was not only not annoyed but also helped him analyze it with reason. 

“Ah Yu, you really don’t blame me?”

Feng Yu shook his head. “No, but there were some things I should have discussed with you.”

Gu Ye motioned for him to continue, and Feng Yu got up to make sure there was no one around. Then, he sat down and continued, “Since I became your companion, I don’t know what you think. I have already regarded myself as someone on your side. Have you thought about your future?”

He said it very seriously, and Gu Ye also corrected himself, “Of course, I have thought about it.”

The two had lived together for a long time, and they had cultivated a tacit understanding. They understood each other’s feelings naturally. Gu Ye wanted to be the prince and inherit the throne, and Feng Yu wanted to assist him.

“Let me tell you an allusion,” Feng Yu said after some thought. “There is a sentence in the outer chapter of ‘Yanzi Spring and Autumn Period External Chapter (Part 1): The King of Yue was brave, and his people died lightly. King Ling of Chu was so slender, and many people starved to death in his dynasty’. It means that the King of Yue liked brave people, so his people didn’t take their own life seriously in order to be brave. King Ling of Chu liked people with slender waists, so people starved to death in pursuit of a slim waist…”

Gu Ye enjoyed listening to Feng Yu’s allusions, and he was fascinated by them.