Chapter 367.1: Phenomenal Acting
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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[K.Rom] [Manon] [Smurfinbatik] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Chlaudette P.] [Gwyneth T.] [Mel Melz] [Passerby] [Xena]
G O L D S T A R
[Cindy] [Debra W] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Nevy] [Nicole]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Allie] [Amanda] [kuroneko_chan] [Liznel M.]
T H E S U N
[BritnaeM] [Caroline] [Christigale M.] [Haruka N.] [Hong] [Lily J.] [Malinkat]
[Michelle K.] [onepiece] [Reece P.] [Scorpion Princess]
Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)
Gu Jiao had never heard of such a thing before. Most of her knowledge about the rumors between the late Emperor and Grandaunt came from Rui Wangfei. However, Rui Wangfei's accounts were mostly related to Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing, such as the claim that Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing had willingly entered the nunnery.
But what Rui Wangfei said might not necessarily be the truth. At least the part about her willingly entering the nunnery was false.
Eunuch Qin had already clarified the matter to Gu Jiao. It was Empress Dowager Zhuang's decree that sent her to the nunnery.
Why didn't Empress Dowager Zhuang just order the execution of Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing directly? Gu Jiao used to think that the key factor lay with the Emperor. If Grandaunt openly issued a decree, the Emperor would tear it up and issue a counter-decree. If Grandaunt acted covertly, there were the Dragon Shadow Guards sent by the Emperor to obstruct her.
However, if what Gu Chengfeng said was true, Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing had once burned a decree that sentenced Grandaunt to death. In that case, Grandaunt owed her life to Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing.
But Gu Jiao didn't think this possibility was very likely.
Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing had even drugged the Emperor and trapped Grandaunt. Would she be so kind as to burn an imperial decree demanding Grandaunt’s life?
Of course, there was another possibility: the imperial decree that ordered Grandaunt's burial was not actually burned by Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing but was being held as leverage.
Until she obtained that imperial decree, Grandaunt couldn't let Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing die. Otherwise, there was no guarantee that Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing hadn't left any back-up plans. Once she died, the imperial decree would become public knowledge.
However, soon Gu Jiao dismissed this possibility as well.
Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing had meticulously schemed against Grandaunt. With that imperial decree, she could have sent Grandaunt straight to hell. Why would she keep it as leverage? Wouldn’t it be unnecessary?
Assuming what Gu Chengfeng said was true, that Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing had indeed risked her life to steal and burn the imperial decree, who else had seen the content of the imperial decree? How could it be proven that it ordered Grandaunt's burial and not something else?
Wasn't it all based on her word alone?
As long as it didn't involve personal relationships and love, Gu Jiao's mind worked swiftly.
Despite thinking so much, in fact, it only took an instant.
Gu Chengfeng had already taken out the imperial decree from the box. He placed the box in the crook of his arm and unfolded the decree with both hands.
However, just as he opened the decree, Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing suddenly returned. Even while still in the corridor, she sensed a slight movement inside her room.
Unlike the Dragon Shadow Guards, she was exceptionally sensitive to the sound of conversation.
"Who's there?" She asked sharply.
Gu Chengfeng's hands trembled, and the box in his arm fell to the ground, making a crisp sound!
"Seize the intruders!"
With Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing's order, the Dragon Shadow Guard rushed in and reached out to grab Gu Chengfeng and Gu Jiao.
"Run!" Gu Chengfeng grabbed Gu Jiao with one hand and tucked the decree into his bosom.
Seeing the Dragon Shadow Guard about to catch them, Gu Jiao quickly took out a black gunpowder ball from her pouch and threw it at him!
Having experienced the explosive power of the black gunpowder ball, the Dragon Shadow Guard quickly evaded to the side. The black gunpowder ball landed on the table behind him, causing a loud explosion!
Taking advantage of this moment, Gu Chengfeng pulled Gu Jiao and swiftly escaped the nunnery.
Both of them were wearing masks and had changed their clothes, so Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing couldn't recognize their appearance.
Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing entered the room and immediately noticed that the imperial decree was missing.
Her face turned pale, and she commanded the Dragon Shadow Guard, "Retrieve the imperial decree!"
Following her orders, the Dragon Shadow Guard chased after Gu Jiao and Gu Chengfeng in the direction they had left.
The Dragon Shadow Guard was unparalleled in both martial arts and qinggong, and he quickly caught up with the two people.
The Dragon Shadow Guard saw Gu Chengfeng taking the imperial decree and knew that it was on his person. Without hesitation, he grabbed Gu Chengfeng's shoulder.
His hand, resembling an eagle's claw, firmly clamped onto Gu Chengfeng's flesh, causing Gu Chengfeng's face to contort in pain. Instead of immediately fighting back, Gu Chengfeng mustered all his strength and forcefully pushed Gu Jiao away!
In that split second, he managed to slip the imperial decree into Gu Jiao's sleeve.
Perhaps only he could carry out such a maneuver right under the Dragon Shadow Guard's nose. The Dragon Shadow Guard didn't realize that the imperial decree had been transferred and extended his other hand towards Gu Chengfeng's chest.
As a death warrior, he was ruthless in his attacks. This strike might very well dig deep into Gu Chengfeng's chest.
Gu Jiao turned around and took out the imperial decree, saying, "The imperial decree is here!"
The Dragon Shadow Guard's gaze quickly shifted towards Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao forcefully threw the imperial decree in the direction of another part of the palace.
The Dragon Shadow Guard's orders were to retrieve the imperial decree, so he chased after it.
Gu Chengfeng held his shoulder, kneeling weakly on the ground.
Gu Jiao crouched down and asked, "Can you still go?"
With a pale face, Gu Chengfeng shook his head. "I can't use qinggong in this state..."
The Dragon Shadow Guard was too formidable. Even though he had only grabbed him casually, Gu Chengfeng's entire strength was instantly rendered useless.
"Hurry up and escape." He managed to say, enduring the weakness and intense pain coursing through his body.
The imperial decree was too important. Earlier, in the midst of chaos, Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing could only think of getting back the imperial decree. But once she got it back, she would remember to silence the two of them.
Gu Jiao grabbed hold of him, "Come with me!"
The Dragon Shadow Guard retrieved the imperial decree and handed it over to Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing.
Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing took the imperial decree, her expression turning cold.
"Imperial Concubine Dowager!" Grannie Cai hurriedly walked over, glancing at the imperial decree in her hand. Her face immediately changed. "Someone tried to steal the imperial decree? Who was it? How did they know about this imperial decree?"
Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing glanced towards the palace wall but remained silent.
Renshou Palace.
Eunuch Qin was busy feeding his pond of turtles when suddenly two figures descended from the sky and crashed into his turtles.
"Oh no! My turtles!" Eunuch Qin exclaimed, startled. The vegetables in his hand flew out.
He was about to call for the palace guards when one of the figures removed their mask, causing his eyes to widen in surprise, "Young Miss Gu?"
At that moment, Gu Chengfeng's mask also fell off, revealing his pale handsome face.
Eunuch Qin was taken aback once again, "Second Young Master Gu?"
"The Emperor has arrived——"
Gu Jiao: They act really fast!
Empress Dowager Zhuang wasn’t present; she had gone to a side hall of the imperial audience hall to discuss matters with the officials. Eunuch Qin led Gu Jiao and Gu Chengfeng into Empress Dowager Zhuang's bedchamber.
Shortly after, Eunuch Qin went outside Renshou Palace to pay respects to the Emperor, "This servant respectfully greets Your Majesty."
Grannie Cai was by the Emperor's side.
Eunuch Qin casually glanced at Grannie Cai and smiled, saying, "Why has Your Majesty come? Empress Dowager is in the imperial audience hall discussing matters with the court officials."
The Emperor replied, "Grannie Cai reported that there were assassins who attempted to attack Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing. The assassins were injured by the expert by Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing's side and fled all the way into Renshou Palace."
"Such a thing happened?" Eunuch Qin looked surprised. "Did the imperial concubine dowager get injured?"
Grannie Cai politely replied, "Imperial concubine dowager was slightly startled but is unharmed. Imperial concubine dowager was worried that the assassins might pose a threat to the Empress Dowager, so she promptly reported it to His Majesty."
"This servant, however, didn't see any assassin." Eunuch Qin turned to the palace servants and asked, "Did any of you see any assassin?"
The palace servants all shook their heads in unison. "No, we didn't see anyone."
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