Chapter 508 — Turning the Tables

The Fragrant Hills villa was strewn everywhere with corpses and weapons, the stench of blood filling the air.

Gu Yu held Dou Yan back inside the room: "Sister-in-law, I don't want you frightened. Best stay in here. Once they've cleaned up, I'll take you, the Old Madam, and Yuan Heng out through the back gate."

With the Divine Pivot Camp protecting them, they no longer needed to worry about their safety.

The killing cries just now had shaken the heavens; the fighting must have been fierce indeed.

Dou Yan was still trembling with lingering fear, and all the more afraid of frightening Grandmother and Yuan Heng, so she gave a slight nod.

Chen Jia requested an audience.

Dou Yan had a great many questions for him, and said again and again, "Quickly, show him in!"

Chen Jia, mindful that Dou Yan was with child and might be as sensitive to smells as Jiang Yan, took off his outer armor and washed his hands and feet before following Chen Lanxu into the side room.

Perhaps to keep the smell of blood from drifting in from the courtyard, the front window of the side room was still covered with a felt blanket, while the small rear windows were all thrown open.

Dou Chu rushed up to him the moment she saw him and asked anxiously, "Where is the Heir Apparent now? How do matters stand? Is his life in danger?"

Seeing Grandmother present, Chen Jia wasted no time on ceremony and gave her only a perfunctory bow. "Ever since the last time A-Yan was abducted with the Heir Apparent, I've kept a watch. I had several men of exceptional skill follow you, and instructed them that if you met danger, they were to save you first if they could; if the odds were too great, they were on no account to play the hero, but to report to the Heir Apparent at once. When the Prince of Liao's men surrounded the villa, they were too few to hold out, so they sent one of their number to carry word to the Heir Apparent. But who knew the Heir Apparent was on duty in the palace and could not be reached, so the man turned back to me. It happened that Liu Yu had sent men to invite me to drink, and I realized at once something was wrong. I hurriedly sent him to carry word to Jiang Yi of the Five Districts Garrison, while I made the excuse that I must return to my room to tell A-Yan and change my clothes, and kept Liu Yu's men lingering in the parlor. Meanwhile I had Huzi hide A-Yan in the concealed wall-space at home, and slipped out the back gate straight for the Divine Pivot Camp.

"There was not a stir from Ma Youming's side. Without an imperial edict, the Emperor himself, or a handwritten order from the Crown Prince—and with Wang Xu, the Divine Pivot Camp's chief commander, plainly standing aloof from both sides—he could not move troops over Wang Xu's head. So he had no choice but to send a band of men from his own command to follow me quietly to the Fragrant Hills villa..."

The rest, everyone knew.

Dou Yan's heart leaped into her throat. "So that means no one knows what's happening in the capital?"

"Don't fret, Sister-in-law. I haven't finished." Chen Jia could not help laughing. "Just as we arrived at the Fragrant Hills villa, Ma Youming received a letter from Jiang Yi saying the Prince of Liao had rebelled, the palace was in chaos, and the Heir Apparent had taken up arms with the Jinwu Guard and the Five Barracks Army, and urging Ma Youming to bring men to rescue the Emperor at once.

"Ma Youming had Wang Xu's command tally seized by force. Wang Xu simply put on the appearance of being held hostage and shut himself in his room, leaving Ma Youming free to act. Only thus was Ma Youming able to move the Divine Pivot Camp smoothly."

"That's good, that's good!" Dou Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

With the Divine Pivot Camp and the Five Districts Garrison joining forces, the Five Barracks Army was no match at all.

Chen Jia said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard has vanished without a trace; the Prince of Liao most likely has more tricks up his sleeve. It's too dangerous for you to stay here, Sister-in-law. And this place is foul with blood. Best let Young Master Gu escort you away to take shelter in the Divine Pivot Camp. When the capital is at peace again, I'll come to bring you home."

Dou Yan nodded and cautioned him, "You be careful too—and don't try to play the hero!"

Chen Jia answered with a smile, "Yes."

But Gu Yu said, "I'll go with you to the capital."

"No!" The objection flew from Dou Yan's lips before she could think. Only then did she realize—if the Prince of Liao's coup failed, would not Gu Yu be taken for a kinsman of the traitor? Never mind the way he had once swaggered through the capital on the strength of imperial favor in her former life; now even his life might be in danger.

Her face went white.

For Gu Yu, this was no time to seek merit—only to avoid fault.

He must not be dragged into this affair.

Best that he know nothing at all...

Thinking of Gu Yu's temperament and the pained way he had crouched on the ground clutching his head a moment ago, Dou Yan raised her voice and ordered Duan Bing, "Tie Young Master Gu up for me!"

Everyone in the room was stunned, and they exchanged uneasy glances.

But Gu Yu only smiled—a smile that seemed especially bleak.

"Master Duan, I know you're my sister-in-law's guard, and I won't put you in a difficult spot," he said, and bringing his hands together, held them out before Duan Bing. "I won't run away. Just make a show of it—no need to truss me up like a bundle. In all my years, I've never suffered such humiliation!"

Duan Bing chuckled and turned to fetch a hemp rope.

Gu Yu lowered his eyelids, turned his face away, and put his back to Dou Yan.

Chen Jia opened his mouth, then thought better of it.

Chen Lanxu and the others stared at Dou Yan without blinking.

The atmosphere was rather odd.

But Duan Bing, as though he noticed nothing strange, bound Gu Yu, who offered no resistance at all.

Dou Yan said to Duan Bing, "I remember the Heir Apparent gave you a waist tablet that lets you pass through the city gates and markets without being questioned. Take Young Master Gu quietly back to Tianjin this very moment. Whatever you do, don't let anyone discover that he has been back to the capital..."

The whole room was astonished.

Dou Yan pretended not to see it, and only instructed Duan Bing further, "Young Master Gu is in an awkward position now, and there's no certain word from the Heir Apparent's side. If it's possible to beg mercy from the Emperor and the Crown Prince, well and good—but if not, then find some way to send Young Master Gu overseas. Let him hide for a few years; he's still growing, his looks will change, and he can come back under another name..."

Duan Bing answered with a smile, "Very well," but Gu Yu began to struggle violently. "I'm not going to Tianjin! At worst, a life for a life—what have I to fear! My aunt has been as good to me as a mountain, and how could I abandon her at such a time? The Cloudsun Estate has no place for me anyway—I won't skulk about and live in fear! In twenty years, I'll be a hero again!"

Dou Yan paid him no mind at all, and said to Duan Bing, "Look at that—isn't it all childish prattle? I'm entrusting him to you for the whole journey! Once you reach Tianjin, don't be in a hurry to come back. Stay with Young Master Gu a few days, and when matters on the Heir Apparent's side are settled, act as the circumstances require!"

Duan Yigong laughed. "Rest assured, Madam. I will deliver Young Master Gu safely to Tianjin."

Dou Yan nodded.

Gu Yu was still shouting, but when he looked into Dou Zhiwei's eyes, he understood.

Dou Yan said, "Gag him."

Gu Yu's eyes went wide.

Unfortunately, Duan Bing answered only to Dou Zhiwei. Without a moment's hesitation he gagged Gu Yu, and with great kindness even stripped a guard of his blue uniform and put it on the man. "If anyone asks," he said, "I'll say he injured his leg and needs his bones set at once."