The Whole Family is Reborn, But I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 51

Gu Qingjia was actually reluctant to engage in so much chatter, but since Gu Qingyi had arrived, he had to maintain a superficial level of courtesy. Moreover, while the brothers were not harmonious in private, they maintained a facade of closeness to the outside world. Besides, the Third Prince was using Liu Qingyue’s name as his pretext.

“I heard that Third Brother has been quite busy lately. I didn’t expect you to find the time to visit me,” Gu Qingjia remarked. Even though he had been away from the capital, he was not entirely ignorant of its happenings.

Gu Qingyi was momentarily stunned that his brother would bring this up, but his face quickly broke into a smile. “Fifth Brother is well-informed indeed. You’ve only been back for a day and already have the pulse of the capital.”

Gu Qingyi knew that the Fifth Prince was not as simple as he appeared. At the very least, he was not the “useless waste” the world claimed him to be; he was merely an expert at hiding his light under a bushel.

Gu Qingjia returned the smile. “It’s not that my news is particularly fast, but rather that Third Brother’s romantic escapades are so widely discussed that it would be difficult not to know.”

Gu Qingyi was a frequent topic of conversation among the nobility. Coupled with the significant stir caused by his pursuit of Miss Wei Shangzi, the news required no investigation to reach one’s ears. Remembering Wei Shangzi, Gu Qingyi felt a pang of frustration.

“Hardly a romantic escapade,” Gu Qingyi said with a hint of bitterness, his romantic path clearly being rocky. “Miss Wei has high standards; she looks down on a rogue like me. Fifth Brother, please do not mention it again, lest others hear and claim I am ruining Miss Wei’s reputation.”

He spoke with a touch of pique. He believed he had treated Wei Shangzi with genuine sincerity these past days, never showing her any disrespect. Though he had resorted to playing the “pity card” to keep her at his manor for so long, he knew that without such tactics, she likely wouldn’t have spoken a single word to him. Wei Shangzi was far too much like her father, Wei Changxu—far too upright to be easily charmed.

“Third Brother shouldn’t say that,” Gu Qingjia replied with a laugh. “If you are a rogue, then I truly am the ‘waste’ they call me. Though you are somewhat flirtatious, you are never crude. I believe in you.”

Despite their rivalry, Gu Qingjia knew that the Third Prince’s profligacy was mostly on the surface. If he truly were a deviant, their Imperial Father would never have sat by and watched. The Emperor was extremely strict with them, refusing to see them fall into depravity. Coming from the Royal Family and holding such high status, they were prone to causing immense trouble if not carefully disciplined. Furthermore, having fought his own way through a bloody succession, the Emperor kept a close watch on his sons to prevent similar fratricide or scandalous behavior.

Gu Qingjia was grateful for the Emperor’s desire for control; it was likely the reason he had survived this long.

“I say, what are you thinking, kid?” Gu Qingyi shot him a look. “You aren’t just saying nice things to coax me while cursing me in your heart, are you?”

Since he had decided to abandon his pursuit of the throne, Gu Qingyi’s mental burden was much lighter. He no longer feared his brothers catching him in a slip of the tongue. In his memory, the Fifth Prince was not a treacherous man. Even if they weren’t close, he didn’t believe the Fifth would kill him upon ascending the throne, especially since he no longer intended to compete.

Gu Qingyi felt a secret sense of relief that he had been reborn when he was. Had it been any later, he couldn’t guarantee what atrocities he might have committed.

Gu Qingjia was struck by his brother’s candidness. He keenly sensed that his Eldest, Second, and now Third brothers had all seemingly changed around the time of his marriage. A suspicion began to take root: Could it be that I am not the only one with memories of a past life?

If so, it explained their different choices. But in the previous life, they had fought until their heads bled for the crown; why did they all want to withdraw now? He understood the allure of being the “One Man Above Ten Thousand,” but he couldn’t find a reason for this collective surrender.

“Third Brother, why would I curse you in secret?” Gu Qingjia decided to be blunt. “If I truly couldn’t stand you, I’d say it to your face. After all, we aren’t that close—even if I have to consider the Princess Consort’s feelings.”

“Now that there are no outsiders here, I don’t mind speaking my mind. We have never been harmonious; we only put on an act for our Imperial Father. You know it, and I know it.”

Gu Qingjia’s patience was wearing thin, especially after glimpsing the potential secrets of his brothers. He was desperate to know their plans so he could make his own moves. “Third Brother, I doubt you came today just to see the Princess Consort and me.”

Liu Qingyue shared the same intuition. When she heard of the Third Prince’s visit, she asked her attendants, “Did the Prince give any other instructions?”

“No, the Third Prince arrived in a hurry, and His Highness was not prepared,” they replied.

“Very well, let’s go and see,” Liu Qingyue sighed. Rather than guessing, it was better to investigate.

When she arrived, the atmosphere between the two men was strained. “My cousin is here!” Gu Qingyi greeted her with a smile. “I was just speaking of you with Fifth Brother. You remain as radiant as ever.”

“It has been a while, Cousin. You are as silver-tongued as ever,” Liu Qingyue replied with a polite smile. “Since you have come out of the goodness of your heart, you must stay for dinner.”

The tension between the brothers was palpable, and Gu Qingyi had intended to leave, but he changed his mind to give Liu Qingyue “face.” As the three of them sat in awkward silence, an announcement came from outside:

Not only had the Sixth and Seventh princes arrived, but even the “immaculate” Fourth Prince, who usually stayed in a Buddhist temple surrounded by incense and scriptures, had come as well.

Gu Qingjia had heard rumors that the Fourth Prince had descended from the mountain, but he hadn’t seen him yet. It seemed his return had acted as a magnet, drawing all the brothers together.

“Third Brother, I truly didn’t realize I had such a reputation,” Gu Qingjia said, his eyes on Gu Qingyi. “Even Fourth Brother, who prefers green lamps and ancient Buddhas, has graced us with his presence.”

Gu Qingyi shrugged, signaling he knew nothing of the Fourth Prince’s motives. “When you left, he looked ready to take his vows and become a monk. I hear he isn’t going back to the temple. I’m a layman; I don’t understand the ways of those cultivators.”

The brothers soon entered. “I didn’t expect such a coincidence,” Gu Qingjia laughed. “It seems I have no choice but to play the host today.”

“We didn’t expect Third Brother to be here either,” the Sixth Prince chimed in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “But then again, you and Third Brother share a special bond. His cousin is your Princess Consort; you are brothers and in-laws.”

The Sixth Prince had always been foul-mouthed, and they were used to it, but it was still grating.

“Sixth Brother is right,” Gu Qingyi countered smoothly. “But if you desire a marriage alliance, there are plenty of noble ladies in the capital for you to meet. I wonder which one you favor?”

Everyone knew the Sixth Prince couldn’t make his own decisions; his mother, the Consort, kept him on a tight leash.

“Third Brother should worry about himself,” the Sixth Prince snapped back, aiming for a weak spot. “I hear the Miss of the Wei family is looking for a suitor. It seems our ‘Third Sister-in-law’ is about to belong to someone else.”

This was a direct jab at Gu Qingyi’s recent romantic failure. Gu Qingyi’s expression turned cold. “Sixth Brother, say such things among brothers if you must, but do not spread nonsense outside. You know Wei Changxu’s temper. If you ruin Miss Wei’s reputation and he complains to Imperial Father, an apology won’t save you.”

In this era, a woman’s reputation was her life. A reckless comment could lead to tragedy.

The Seventh Prince, sensing the rising anger, stepped in to play peacemaker. “Sixth Brother is always indiscreet. Imperial Father has scolded him many times, yet he never learns. We are all family; Sixth Brother, apologize to Third Brother and let this pass.”

Gu Qingjia frowned. He found the Sixth Prince’s behavior excessive but wondered if the Third Prince would actually lose his temper.

“It seems your loose tongue is beyond cure,” Gu Qingyi snorted, though he didn’t flip the table. “In the future, watch yourself, lest you get beaten in the street and wonder why.”

The Sixth Prince was indignant but knew he was in the wrong—and he was in the Fifth Prince’s home. “Third Brother and Seventh Brother are right. I will be more cautious in the future.”

“Enough,” the Fourth Prince finally spoke, his voice carrying a zen-like calm. “Sixth Brother has bowed his head; let the matter rest. However, one must indeed be careful not to create unnecessary ‘mouth karma’ (karmic retribution for speech).”

“I understand, Fourth Brother,” the Sixth Prince replied obediently. Among his brothers, he respected the detached Fourth Prince the most.

Liu Qingyue watched the scene from the side, finding the brothers’ “theatrical performance” quite entertaining, though she remained silent.