The Prairie Wolf Lord's Twice-Married State Preceptor - Chapter 2

The Emperor was both shocked and furious, staring at Gu Chengyan for a long while without saying a word.

This senior martial brother of his possessed wisdom bordering on the supernatural; he was born with a shrewd mind and an exquisite heart. For ten years, his calculations had never failed; he could find a way out of even the most hopeless, dead-end situations.

If all of this was within his calculations, then he must already be certain of his escape.

The Emperor dared not guess, nor did he dare to gamble. His eyes turned red, and after his chest heaved violently several times, he gritted his teeth and summoned an attendant to take away the pot of wine.

He fiercely gripped the hem of his robe, twisting it, his voice low and hoarse as he managed a forced smile. “It is late… I shall not disturb Senior Brother’s rest. We shall drink this wine another day.”

Gu Chengyan looked at him, genuinely impressed by this ability to change his expression instantly and paint over the cracks to maintain the facade of peace.

No wonder he was able to become Emperor.

Before leaving, the Emperor paused and ordered the men he had brought to ensure the protection of Xingyun Pavilion. “Senior Brother is in poor health, and with an enemy at the gates, if any harm comes to him, I shall have your heads.”

The Four Evils of Qishan and the three commanders bowed, kneeling on the ground to loudly swear that they would protect the State Preceptor.

Only then did the Emperor, satisfied, order his procession to depart and urgently summon his officials to the palace.

Watching his retreating back, Gu Chengyan could not help but shake his head. The tangled fate between him and the Emperor actually began with the previous generation:

Gu Chengyan was born on Qingshuang Mountain. His father, Gu Chi, was a famous chivalrous hero in the pugilistic world  and the former sect leader of Qingshuang Mountain.

In his youth, Gu Chi practiced the sword through Taoist principles and created a sword technique that was unparalleled in the world. He was also skilled in divination, prophecy, and the interpretation of I Ching and the Eight Trigrams.

Later, Gu Chi organized a righteous army at the border, opened trade routes, and fought against the Rongdi tribes, gaining immense prestige among both the jianghu and the common people.

On one occasion when he was in mortal danger, he happened to be saved by Wei Rong, the Emperor’s brother-in-law, who was then serving as a low-ranking soldier at the border.

Years later, Wei Rong was promoted and moved to the capital. His only younger sister was selected to be a consort of the former Emperor. Shortly after giving birth to the prince, Ling Xun, she became embroiled in palace intrigues and was cast into the Cold Palace.

Later, during the struggle for succession among the princes, Consort Wei was burned alive in the Cold Palace. The young prince, Ling Xun, only narrowly escaped death because Wei Rong risked everything to protect him.

Seeing the continuous stream of pursuers, Wei Rong, having run out of options, had no choice but to take the child to Qingshuang Mountain to try his luck.

At that time, Qingshuang Mountain was already the world’s foremost sect with great renown in the jianghu. Remembering the debt of gratitude for his life, Gu Chi took the risk of keeping the young prince, ordering him to hide his identity and pass him off as a disciple of the sect.

Ling Xun was seven years old at the time, the same age as Gu Chengyan. Sect Leader Gu and his wife treated him not only as a disciple but as their second son, raising the two boys together, sharing their food and living quarters.

Gu Chi personally taught them martial arts, sword techniques, and astrology. Madam Gu took them on travels far and wide, teaching them literature, painting, chess, and music.

Counting it this way, the Emperor and he were not just fellow apprentices; they were childhood sweethearts who grew up together.

Later, the former Emperor passed away. Disputes arose in the imperial court, rebel armies emerged everywhere, and the chaos of war left the people displaced.

To save the people living at the foot of the mountain, the Gu couple eventually died in the flames of war.

When both his parents died, Gu Chengyan was fourteen. He and Ling Xun went to the battlefield together to collect the remains of his father and mother. They buried the coffins and knelt side-by-side in the ancestral hall.

After seven days of keeping vigil, Ling Xun helped Gu Chengyan to his feet. Suddenly, amidst the red clouds of the rising sun, he invited him to help end this chaotic situation together.

The fourteen-year-old Ling Xun was high-spirited and radiant. He said that the chaos in the world was all because “treacherous clans gather, and those without status act as if they are supreme.”

The vengeance for his parents could not be solved by killing one person, destroying one clan, or pacifying one army.

He wanted to bring order to the world, be a wise monarch, and restore peace and prosperity. He wanted the nation to be strong, the people to be happy, and for there to be no more senseless sacrifices in this world.

Gu Chengyan looked at his glowing eyes and believed his magnanimous words. Afterward, he refused the position of Sect Leader of Qingshuang Mountain, turned around, shouldered his sword, and followed Ling Xun down the mountain to plunge into the chaotic world.

For the ten years that followed, they went from having nothing to recruiting soldiers and forming their own army. After enduring hardship, they finally succeeded in stopping the war and were welcomed into the capital by the people.

It is a pity that the Emperor’s heart is difficult to fathom.

It was truly a case of “when the birds are exhausted, the good bow is hidden; when the enemy state is defeated, the strategist dies.”

He regarded the Emperor as a brother—the bright-eyed, passionate little junior who had always followed behind him. Yet, the other man harbored delusions and was filled with malicious desires toward him.

Gu Chengyan withdrew his gaze. Under the wary eyes of the Four Evils of Qishan, he picked up the empty tea cup again and plucked the ginger slice from it to hold in his mouth.

Actually, he did not like the taste of ginger, but he had no choice. He was severely injured and frail, sensitive to the cold, and after being forced to stand there in the wind with the Emperor for so long, his body was freezing.

Gu Chengyan did not want to fall ill at this time, nor could he summon an imperial physician the Emperor was only momentarily bluffed by him, but he was not stupid.

If the Emperor knew he had summoned a physician, he would surely use it as an excuse to delay and refuse to negotiate with the Rongdi.

The Rongdi were not like the Central Plains. Although they had a royal court and a Wolf Lord, fundamentally, they were a relatively loose coalition of nomadic tribes from the grasslands.

The Wolf Lord did not exercise actual control over the entire territory like the Emperor of the Central Plains; he only required the leaders of various tribes to swear allegiance and provide troops during wartime.

The Rongdi were a nation of soldiers; children learned to ride horses at three, and the women were excellent horse-handlers and archers. In times of peace, the entire tribe raised horses and grazed livestock.

Therefore, if one looked closely, one would find that the timing of the Rongdi’s southern invasions was very consistent, almost always in the autumn of each year.

This was because, between spring and summer, the Rongdi had to lead their herds to feed on the lush pastures. Only after the horses became fat and strong in autumn, and the pastures elsewhere turned withered and yellow, was it suitable to launch expeditions and loot for wealth.

The Zhalantai tribe, which led the charge this time, was actually a tribe in the southern part of the northern grasslands. Their purpose in attacking the Central Plains was merely to seize money and grain.

As a result, during the clash of arms, they unexpectedly discovered that the Han people of the Central Plains were not resilient, which led to an uncontrollable situation, eventually reaching the gates of Jizhou City.

Seeing that the Zhalantai tribe had won a great victory and gained significant spoils, more and more Rongdi tribes joined in, until finally, the Wolf Lord himself arrived, eager to get a share of the loot.

Gu Chengyan was considered the Young Master of Qingshuang Mountain. He had become famous in the Central Plains martial arts world in his youth, and later, while following Ling Xun in his struggle for the throne, he had fought many brilliant battles:

Winning against a larger force with a smaller one, using terrain and astronomical phenomena to catch the enemy off guard, and turning defeat into victory…

A man born with an exquisite, beautiful appearance, yet a strategist who could plan a campaign from behind the scenes.

Despite being a wanderer of the jianghu, he held the hearts of the people and was able to help a penniless young prince seize the throne.

For such a legendary and mysterious State Preceptor, who wouldn’t be curious?

After hearing many such rumors, the Wolf Lord of the grasslands gradually became interested in Gu Chengyan. Since his massive army had already reached the border, and he had long heard of the custom of “male wives” in the Central Plains, he wanted a taste of something new.

This arrangement of marriage had happened in his past life, too.

Only, at that time, the Emperor’s devious plan had already succeeded. Hearing that the Rongdi army was pressing toward the border, he had only pondered for a moment before coming up with an idea.

The Emperor ordered someone to find a prisoner on death row to disguise himself as Gu Chengyan, announcing to the outside world that the State Preceptor had died suddenly due to severe illness. Using the people’s love for Gu Chengyan, he staged a display of “brotherly affection and deep monarch-subject loyalty” at the “State Preceptor’s funeral.”

While he wept bitterly at the coffin, he also gave a passionate speech, turning the state funeral into a mobilization before the battle.

The people of the capital were deeply moved, and the members of Qingshuang Mountain, unaware of the inside story, rushed to reinforce them, further organizing a jianghu volunteer army to join the imperial forces on the front lines to resist the enemy.

At the same time, Qingshuang Mountain also brought a manual by the former Sect Leader, Gu Chi, who had organized volunteer armies at the border during his lifetime and was familiar with the temperament of the Rongdi after many years of fighting.

The Rongdi cavalry was powerful, and their heavy bows had a long range. If they engaged in a direct confrontation, the Jin Dynasty’s army would definitely not be their match.

However, the Rongdi were not skilled at siege warfare; their armies never possessed tall siege towers, and the cavalry did not know how to build scaling ladders.

Gu Chi had discovered long ago that as long as one avoided a direct head-on clash with the Rongdi cavalry and held firm in a city with strong walls, the Rongdi would eventually withdraw if they could not take it.

In his past life, the Zhalantai tribe also fought all the way to Xijindu before being stopped by the high city walls.

Eventually, unable to conquer it, the Wolf Lord of the grasslands retreated in disappointment.

Therefore, this matter could not be delayed and had to be facilitated as soon as possible.

Delay leads to change. If truly driven into a corner, one could not guarantee the Emperor would not think of that “faked death” idea from his past life.

Gu Chengyan walked through the long corridor with the ginger slice in his mouth. His room was at the other end of the corridor, behind a cluster of bamboo. The heating system (dilong) had been lit long ago, and as he pushed the door open, a wave of warmth greeted him.

This Xingyun Pavilion was built by the Emperor specifically for him in the year he ascended the throne.

The State Preceptors of previous generations of the Jin Dynasty lived in the “Star-Falling Altar” within the palace, but that place was over a hundred feet high, and the winds were bitter and cold at night, which was not suitable for Gu Chengyan to recover from his injuries.

Therefore, not only did the Emperor have the dilong installed in every room of the Xingyun Pavilion, but he also had people specially divert water from Qihuang Mountain north of the capital to provide a hot spring pool in the backyard of the pavilion.

And the west window of Gu Chengyan’s room looked directly out at the steaming hot spring.

In the past, Gu Chengyan only thought this was because the Emperor was sentimental and respected him as his senior martial brother. Thinking about it now, he suspected there were ulterior motives and ill intent.

After all, phrases like “granted a bath in the spring chill” and “soaking in the hot spring” were words emperors used toward their favored concubines; they contained no small amount of unmentionable, lascivious intentions.

Sigh…

Gu Chengyan picked up the snow-white sword at his waist. This was his mother’s sword, named “Yibai” (One White), and it was the only memento his mother had left him.

He stroked the scabbard, his eyes curving into a smile:

It is all your fault for making me look so good.

After entering the room and being warmed by the heat, Gu Chengyan clearly felt that the ginger slice he had been soaking in his mouth had not been very effective. The feeling of sluggishness in his meridians not only failed to subside but intensified, and his temples began to throb with pain.

He pursed his lips, bent down, and took a carved wooden box from a hidden compartment in the bed frame. Pushing open the lid, he found more than a dozen long-necked medicine bottles neatly arranged inside.

Gu Chengyan took one out, unstoppered it, and poured out a pill that emitted a strong, exotic fragrance. Just as he raised his hand to place it in his mouth, his wrist was suddenly gripped.

Gu Chengyan blinked and looked up, seeing the Commander of the Imperial City Guard, not at all surprised.

…Sigh.

Gu Chengyan moved his wrist. “It is medicine, not poison for suicide.”

The Commander did not believe him, staring at him without letting go.

Gu Chengyan clicked his tongue and shoved the bottle and the pill into the Commander’s hand with his other hand.

The Commander took the medicine bottle, quickly opened the cap, sniffed it carefully, and then summoned the “Evil Medicine King,” known for his expertise in poisons among the Four Evils of Qishan, to inspect it together.

The Evil Medicine King checked the pills one by one, and even pinched one open to taste it. Finally, although he nodded at the Commander, he could not help but give Gu Chengyan two extra, scrutinizing looks.

Gu Chengyan met his gaze, first taking the medicine handed back by the Commander and swallowing it, before shrugging and saying:

“Yes, you guessed correctly. This medicine was prescribed for me by Old Master Lu.”

With his thoughts exposed, the Evil Medicine King hummed and turned his head away. “That old fool doesn’t have any real skill, actually using such a heavy dose…”

Gu Chengyan did not retort, only closing his eyes to endure the medicinal effect.

This medicine was bitter—extremely bitter. It was specially prescribed for him by the divine doctor, Old Master Lu of the Apricot Grove Villa, before he entered the capital. It consisted entirely of potent ingredients.

Before entering the capital, Old Master Lu had checked his pulse and said that as long as he did not overwork his mind, avoided calculating and plotting, remained calm, and lived a peaceful life, he might be able to recover fully after the grand matter was concluded, provided he received acupuncture for three to five years.

Unfortunately, after saying goodbye to the old doctor, he still spent his days worrying.

And Old Master Lu had also passed away not long after, following an accident where he fell off a cliff while picking herbs.

Gu Chengyan fiddled with the remaining bottles in the wooden box; the porcelain bottles clinked together, making a crisp sound.

Based on the frequency of his illness, this medicine would last him at least three to five years. Compared to the bleak one-year lifespan of his past life, he had truly earned it.

Gu Chengyan smiled, pushed the wooden box back, and naturally ordered the Commander to bring him hot water for washing.

“You…” The Commander’s face flushed red. “Don’t push your luck!”

Gu Chengyan coughed weakly behind his hand and sat on the edge of the bed with an innocent face. “If not… should I go myself?”

The Commander gritted his back teeth tightly, eventually resigning himself to bringing the copper basin and hot water to serve Gu Chengyan.

The Imperial City Guard followed the laws of the ancestors, supervising all officials and remaining independent of the Three Departments; they reported only to the Emperor himself. As their leader, the Commander actually held a very prestigious position.

But even so, Gu Chengyan shook his head and let out a long sigh:

“You are truly terrible at serving people. I am washing my feet, not rinsing them.”

Seeing the veins bulging on the forehead of the Commander, who was squatting by the copper basin, Gu Chengyan chuckled lightly and stopped while he was ahead:

“So, please, could you go and fill a hot water bottle for me?”

The Commander: “…”

A while later, Gu Chengyan pushed the hot water bottle to his feet, then curled back into bed with a smile, wishing the ashen-faced Commander a good night.

With a loud bang, the door was slammed shut.

Gu Chengyan simply yawned, tucked the edge of the quilt under his feet, and as sleepiness clouded his mind, he thought of Qingshuang Mountain again.

The current Sect Leader was his father’s junior apprentice. Although his sword technique was average, he had a good personality and was well-liked; the leaders of various sects in the jianghu enjoyed associating with him.

This Uncle looked like a nice guy on the surface, but in private, he was the most protective of his own. The idea of marrying off the State Preceptor was absurd; he wondered if his uncle would faint straight away when he heard about it.

But then, reflecting on it, Gu Chengyan felt relieved:

Qingshuang Mountain was his weakness, but wasn’t it also a variable for the Emperor?

If he let people from Qingshuang Mountain come, those dirty thoughts of his would inevitably be exposed, so the Emperor would likely block the news and try his best not to let a single word leak out.

As for the court officials, Gu Chengyan was not worried.

The Emperor had seized the throne; Consort Wei had died long ago, and the Wei family was thin in numbers, making it difficult to stand firm in the capital, which was filled with high-ranking noble families.

These great clans had occupied the capital for hundreds of years. Although they were grateful to the Emperor for pacifying the war, in their future dealings, they valued their own interests more.

Originally, they had brought loyal officials and capable generals with them when they entered the capital, but the Emperor was suspicious and stubborn, killing them all off.

Now, those who remained were mostly those seeking security and wealth.

Most of these people were civil officials, and not the kind of upright moralists; having been through the ravages of war, their family fortunes had suffered greatly, and they certainly wouldn’t risk going to war against a strong northern enemy again.

No matter what the Emperor thought, these officials would definitely find a way to forcefully promote peace talks.

Tucking the quilt around him and stepping on the warm hot water bottle twice, Gu Chengyan relaxed his brows and closed his eyes to sleep.

He had to get a good rest and build up his energy; he feared there would be no end of good shows to watch in the future.

In any case, he had already broken this situation; the rest would depend on how the Emperor handled it.

…

The Xuanzheng Hall, where the Emperors of the Jin Dynasty and their ministers discussed state affairs.

Ling Xun sat on the golden throne with a blank expression, watching the civil and military officials leave. At least five hours had passed; the bright moon had sunk, and a “fish-belly white” had appeared in the east.

The officials left the hall in batches. The last to leave was the Prime Minister, of the Shen family, representing the high clans of the capital.

Ling Xun had expected the officials to have several different opinions at least advocating for peace or war, or having other clever ways to turn the situation around.

But to his surprise:

After hearing the urgent military reports from the front lines and the peace terms of the Rongdi, the officials had no objections to the marriage of the State Preceptor.

The focus of their debate was instead on how to send him to marry, how to make the alliance, where to hold the peace talks to ensure safety, and how many troops to bring, among other trivial details.

The more he listened, the uglier his expression became, until he finally couldn’t help but sweep all the scrolls from his desk to the floor.

Although he was wary of Gu Chengyan and jealous of the high prestige he had gained among the people, he also admitted that he owed everything he had today to Gu Chengyan’s planning on his behalf.

These ministers occupied the highest positions in the imperial court and lived off the state’s bounty. Now that the country was in danger, they actually had the nerve to offer the State Preceptor for marriage?!

How did they dare?!

The Emperor was furious, and naturally, there was absolute silence in the hall.

After a long time, Prime Minister Shen stood out and softly asked him a few questions—

He asked him, given the strength of the Rongdi, how could the Central Plains respond? He asked him, from where would the funds and troops for another war come?

He even bluntly stated that if the State Preceptor were here, he would surely agree to the peace talks.

Hearing this, the Emperor was stunned and speechless for a long time:

The political situation, the hearts of the people, the interests, Gu Chengyan had already calculated everything.

In reality, everything the Prime Minister said was correct; the imperial court was exhausted and could no longer fight. He was just unwilling; anyone could go to marry, even if the Rongdi demanded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun…

He was only that far away he could have kept his Senior Brother by his side forever. It was just that little bit of difference that made his move fall short and caused him to lose completely.

“Your Majesty” Before leaving, Prime Minister Shen could not help but lower his voice to exhort, “The State Preceptor is meticulous in his thoughts and skilled in strategy. Even if he marries, he cannot be kept. You must make plans early.”

“Otherwise, you will be letting a tiger return to the mountains, and one day you will surely regret your soft-heartedness today.”

The morning sun rose, and red clouds filled the sky.

The Emperor sat quietly in the hall. The brilliant golden sunlight gradually illuminated the Xuanzheng Hall, the light acting like a sharp blade, splitting the hall in two:

The doorway was bright and magnificent, while the side with the golden throne was plunged into darkness.

Ling Xun stared fixedly at the imperial desk. On the wide purple sandalwood table, a tray had appeared at some point.

In the center of the red lacquered wooden tray sat a familiar white jade pot, with only a single delicate wine cup left beside it.

Looking at this pot of “Shao Ri Zui” (Burning Sun Drunkenness), the Emperor suddenly let out a strange laugh, then slumped forward, his forehead dropping heavily into the darkness.

“…Go, issue the decree.”