Xie Chen was somewhat bewildered. He looked to Gu Sinian for an explanation, asking with his eyes, what was going on?
Had this person been swapped?
Did Li An have accomplices?
Where was Emperor Chongwen currently?
Was he safe?
"He is His Majesty," Gu Sinian said. "It's just that Li An used some means to control His Majesty."
Xie Chen frowned.
"To control His Majesty, Li An must be very close to him," Gu Sinian continued.
"Xie Chen, don't listen to Gu Sinian's nonsense. Li An is currently locked up safe and sound, personally guarded by the Commander of the Imperial Guard! It's Gu Sinian, who outwardly appears loyal to me, but secretly is very close to her cousin. His actions today are to create a false impression of my sudden death! With the Lu family fallen, and the second prince not particularly interested in the throne, Gu Sinian is trying to earn merit by assisting the dragon's ascent! His goal is to receive a title higher than Duke, to suppress Gu Changwei, and to vent Qin Shi's grievances," Emperor Chongwen roared.
Xie Chen remained expressionless.
"If A Nian is seeking to avenge Ting Xue, I would be delighted."
"However—"
Xie Chen looked at the 'Emperor Chongwen' with a half-smile.
"The A Nian I know is never someone who would disregard consequences for his own selfish gain. In his heart, family is important. But he would never do anything to destabilize the court for his family."
"Besides, didn't Your Majesty proactively offer A Nian a higher noble title before this?"
"Your Majesty does not have amnesia."
"So, Li An, how long do you intend to hide? Do you think I would be fooled by your clumsy acting? You underestimate people too much!"
Li An's sinister voice echoed, while Emperor Chongwen appeared dazed.
"Even if you couldn't take down Gu Sinian, what of it? He has him to die with me. Don't you both claim loyalty to Emperor Chongwen? I want to see how you save him!"
"Although I didn't manage to kill Gu Sinian, I'm not at a loss," Li An snorted coldly.
"You are arrogant and always believe everything is within your control," Gu Sinian said calmly. "If you had only targeted His Majesty, he would have died without anyone noticing. None of us would have had time to rescue him. But you insisted on trying to capture us all in one go, and once again, you will be disappointed."
"Your so-called thorough preparation is nothing but a joke."
"Or do you think I would come to the palace without any preparations?"
"At this point, all you rely on is your Gu arts. While you are skilled in this, you are not the only one who can surpass you."
"Do you have any idea who broke the Gu worms you controlled in those ministers?"
Emperor Chongwen slumped down weakly.
Li An, meanwhile, spat out a large mouthful of blood.
He clutched his chest, gasping for air.
"You, you, how is this possible?"
"The witchcraft of the Northern Borders evolved from the Gu arts of the Southern Borders. The rules in the Southern Borders dictate that Gu arts cannot be used to harm others. The people of the Southern Borders adhere to this rule, which is why the Northern Borders had the opportunity to become arrogant. Your Gu arts originate from the Northern Borders. Do you truly believe you are the best in the world? The Southern Borders have the Golden Gu, and also the Golden Gu King. Coincidentally, Bai Su's natal Gu is the Golden Gu King."
"You should know, the Golden Gu King is the king of all Gu."
"It reigns supreme over all Gu worms."
Li An stared blankly.
The Golden Gu King, wasn't that something that only existed in legends?
His master had said it was something the Southern Borders made up to fool people.
But the sharp pain he had just felt confirmed that his natal Gu, which he had nurtured with his heart's blood for years, had been broken.
Moreover, it was a fatal blow.
He hadn't even felt any discomfort.
"I'll leave him to you. I'm in a hurry to get back, otherwise Zhen Zhen will worry. Oh, and find Imperial Physician Li to examine His Majesty." Gu Sinian's face showed a hint of disdain. Really, if not for Emperor Chongwen's carelessness, why would there be all this trouble? As the Emperor, he was too inattentive. He deserved this suffering!