Ning Caiyong was not unaware of her husband's temperament, nor was she unfamiliar with the terrifying stories about "heart demons."
She had no cultivation. Other than her beauty and family background, she was merely an ordinary boudoir woman.
To support her husband and raise her children, to manage the household, that was her greatest pursuit in life.
For so many years, her entire existence had revolved around her children. She did not even have a single close confidante.
Her husband's reputation on the battlefield was, to Ning Caiyong, a distant and unreal concept.
Sometimes, she would feel a moment of pride for his valor, proud that her courageous husband fought for Great Wei.
But most of the time, she would simply smile faintly and let her gaze drift back to the children in the Northern Garrison Prince's mansion.
Never had she imagined that one day, she would have to experience such fear and unease herself.
Ning Caiyong's marriage to Gu Yuye had been, for the most part, one of political convenience.
At that time, the Sword Pavilion had just gone through an internal upheaval. Ning Songjun, wielding the "Lofty Sword," had beheaded Feng Liu, who had tried to split the sect, and with one slash, divided the land itself.
That single stroke cleaved the very earth of a thousand-li radius where the Sword Pavilion stood, and in a thunderous roar, the landmass drifted into the waters, forming an island within the Cave Dragon Lake.
And thus, the title of "Sword Saint" was born.
After that great battle, the Sword Pavilion was too wounded to stand, and as the foremost sect of Liuhua Province, it had made no shortage of enemies.
In times of both internal and external crises, even a Sword Saint alone could not sustain a sect of that size.
It was then that the Northern Garrison Prince, Gu Yuye, personally came to propose marriage, claiming he had once met Ning Caiyong by chance in Gushu and fallen for her at first sight.
The Pavilion Lord adored his eldest daughter. After long consideration, and consulting her own wishes, he finally agreed to the marriage.
From that day, the Sword Pavilion and the Northern Garrison Prince were tied to the same ship.
With such a son-in-law, the Sword Pavilion was able to recover from civil strife and once again secure its standing as Liuhua's foremost sect.
Ning Caiyong, however, could not recall ever meeting Gu Yuye in Gushu.
The first time she truly saw him was when he came to propose. She had hidden behind a curtain and secretly peeked out.
Though Gu Yuye's expression had been cold, his looks were exceptional, once a spirited young general, and later, as he matured, dignified and refined, the very image of a scholar-warrior.
Yet when he mentioned Ning Caiyong's name, there had been a flicker of gentleness in his eyes.
Ning Caiyong could easily imagine what kind of husband this man would be.
He would be, in her mind, a "suitable husband."
Reliable and steady.
And indeed, in the years that followed, they had always treated each other with respect.
To outsiders, and even to herself, their marriage had been nothing short of perfect, save for one unworthy son.
But in Ning Caiyong's eyes, Gu Fangchen's waywardness and misbehavior were not innate flaws.
She had seen the boy's seriousness and effort in childhood, and also his despair and unwillingness later on. She knew why he had strayed from the right path.
That was why she had always protected him.
In the end, it was their failure to protect this child that had left him so wounded.
...Ning Caiyong had always believed that Gu Yuye thought the same.
She thought that her husband, however ruthless his methods, however cold his nature, reserved that cruelty for his enemies alone.
Just like that first time she had seen him, when his eyes softened slightly upon hearing her name.
Even if the child they had raised turned out not to be his own blood, how could Gu Yuye be so heartless as to cut off all affection overnight?
Ning Caiyong had even hoped she could persuade him to let Gu Fangchen remain in the Prince's mansion as an adopted son.
She never expected that Gu Yuye would not only insist on killing Gu Fangchen but would also utter such words that struck directly at her heart.
Her greatest pursuit had always been to support her husband and raise her children. For decades after her marriage, she had rarely stepped beyond the gates of the mansion.
She had barely even seen her younger brother since his own wedding.
And now, Gu Yuye was suspicious of her.
Ning Caiyong's face went pale as she took two steps back. Her beauty, the kind that could steal the breath from men, did not dim, but instead became tinged with tragic grace.
She was like the fragile moon reflected in water, so beautiful one wanted to cup her in one's hands, yet she would slip away like liquid light.
Anyone who saw her in that moment would have felt pity stir in their heart.
Her voice trembled as she asked, "My lord... what is it that you suspect?"
A flicker of hesitation passed through Gu Yuye's eyes, but he inhaled deeply and said coldly, "Whatever you think I suspect, that is precisely what I suspect."
Through all these years, Ning Caiyong had committed no fault. He could find no weakness in her... except her unwavering defense of Gu Fangchen.
To say such things would hurt her deeply.
But to keep Gu Fangchen alive, that would be his own weakness.
And Gu Yuye allowed no weakness in himself, nor any crack in his son's path to glory.
Therefore, Gu Fangchen must die.
Gu Yuye looked at his wife, sighed softly, and took her hand, his tone deep and earnest.
"Caiyong, you must understand, he is not your child, but a nail planted by the Demon Sect.
Even if, by some stretch, he were innocent, what right does he have to call himself our son? Think of the shameful, foolish things he has done over the years. You've worried yourself sick for him, but has he ever shown you the least bit of gratitude?
He is base-born, a wretched seed by nature, impossible to teach. Heaven itself took pity on us and let us find our true son again.
Our real son, a Saint's direct disciple, fifth-rank Divine Dao cultivation, he is the one worthy of our pride.
He was nearly ruined by that little bastard's schemes. You should go to him. All these years, he's never felt a mother's love, and you've turned a blind eye."
Gu Yuye's grip on her hand tightened. His once-hard eyes softened, filled with what looked like affection.
"Don't disappoint me again, all right?"
Ning Caiyong was silent for a while.
Then, just as Gu Yuye thought she had come around, she withdrew her hand, lifted her head, and said each word clearly:
"My lord, is it truly that Chen'er cannot be taught, or that you never intended to teach him at all?"
Gu Yuye's pupils constricted.
Ning Caiyong looked at him, her gaze suddenly distant, unfamiliar, and spoke softly, almost mournfully:
"My lord, when you returned this time, you called the monk Shenxiu to heal Yuandao's heart injury, and even personally guarded him. How could his condition possibly be serious?
But do you remember? When Chen'er's dantian was destroyed years ago, you only came back for a brief visit before returning to the frontier.
The sword manuals you left behind, Chen'er studied over and over, but without a dantian, he could not cultivate at all. You never knew the pain he endured."
She paused.
"My lord, Chen'er was raised by my own hands. He may not be the Northern Garrison Prince's son, but he will always be the son of Ning Caiyong.
If you wish to suspect me, then do so. My conscience is clear.
But if it turns out he has no ties to the Demon Sect, and you still refuse to acknowledge him, then I will take him back to the Sword Pavilion myself."
With that, she turned and left.
Outside the door, Gu Lianxian, who had been eavesdropping, gave a startled cry and quickly backed away.
Gu Yuye stepped out expressionlessly, one hand gripping the doorframe as he watched his wife's departing figure. His face darkened; without realizing it, his fingers clenched until, crack, the wood splintered to dust in his hand.
Gu Lianxian stepped forward and muttered, "Why can't Mother just understand Father's intentions?"
In truth, a hint of jealousy flickered in her heart. Among the three children, Gu Fangchen had always received the most affection.
As the saying goes, the child who cries loudest gets the milk.
Gu Fangchen might be useless, but he was the one her mother poured the most care into, naturally, the bond ran deepest.
Gu Yuye understood that too. He simply had not expected the ever-gentle Ning Caiyong to bare her fangs when cornered.
And... in her words, there had even been a trace of doubt toward him.
The Northern Garrison Prince exhaled slowly, gazing toward the dimly brightening horizon, eyes narrowing.
So be it. Once it's proven that Gu Fangchen is colluding with the Demon Sect, and Ning Caiyong sees the truth with her own eyes, even the deepest bond will shatter.
And for that outcome, he had laid the groundwork three years ago.
A Martial Saint?
Even a Martial Saint cannot stand against the authority of the throne.
...
When Gu Fangchen returned to the Prince's mansion, he saw Ning Caiyong waiting at the gates with a lantern in hand.
The pale morning light bathed her in a soft glow; her red gown shone vividly, and the trembling lanternlight outlined her anxious, searching figure.
When she saw Gu Fangchen descending from the sky, her brows relaxed, and a gentle smile spread across her face.
She beckoned. "Chen'er, come here."
Gu Fangchen hurried forward and instinctively wrapped his arms around her. "Mother!"
He realized only afterward how naturally the word came, and felt a bit embarrassed.
Truly, some things grow easier with repetition.
Ning Caiyong smiled faintly, smoothing his hair, but Gu Yuye's words suddenly flashed through her mind.
Her hand stiffened for a moment before she silently reminded herself —
A clear conscience fears nothing.
Gu Yuye was trying to provoke her, was she really going to let him succeed and push Chen'er away because of it?
If she did, then who would Chen'er have left?
That old Martial Saint might have taken him as a disciple, but since Chen'er could not cultivate, how much could that really mean?
Besides, with his unreliable temperament, it was doubtful the man would ever teach Chen'er properly.
Only she could.
While she was lost in thought, Gu Fangchen turned and pointed beside him.
"Mother, this is Miss Qingjian. Princess Prajna couldn't yet remove my poison, but she was compassionate and took a liking to me at first sight, so she sent someone to look after me."
Qingjian: "..."
This man's ability to talk nonsense without blinking was truly unmatched.
She bowed politely. "Princess Consort."
Ning Caiyong blinked in confusion, wasn't this... wasn't this one of the Tara Sect's Heayin Attendants?
Qingjian continued calmly.
"The Princess instructed me to serve Young Master Gu."
Serve- serve?!
Ning Caiyong's eyes widened in shock.
She remembered clearly that when this same attendant had delivered Princess Prajna's earlier message, she hadn't even treated Gu Yuye with much respect. Though outwardly polite, she had been utterly unyielding.
Cold, aloof, prideful, her eyes had looked down on all.
Even within the Tara Sect, Heayin Attendants held exalted status, second only to Princess Prajna herself.
While not the strongest in cultivation, they represented the Princess's will, and so no one dared to slight them.
And now she was willingly serving Chen'er?
Given Chen'er's reputation, shouldn't Princess Prajna have kept her distance?
To gift her personal attendant to a man, to have her care for him intimately, the implications were... countless.
What could Princess Prajna mean by this?
Ning Caiyong was utterly bewildered.
If it were only out of interest in Chen'er's poison, that would make sense.
But this... this was beyond comprehension.
She adored her son, yes, but she also knew exactly what kind of person he was. There was no way someone like Princess Prajna would fall for him.
Yet when Ning Caiyong looked to the left, at the Martial Saint, then to the right, at the golden-eyed attendant..
Finally, she turned toward the west, where the sky was darkening.
Strange. The sun hadn't risen from the west, had it?
"Mother, why are you still standing there?"
A cold, clear voice spoke.
Gu Youren appeared at the doorway and immediately noticed the black-cloaked attendant with the golden lotus eyes. She froze.
Her expression changed. "A Heayin Attendant? Has Princess Prajna come in person?"
Qingjian's face remained expressionless. "I am now Young Master Gu's attendant."
Gu Youren frowned slightly. "By the Princess's order?"
Qingjian nodded. "The Princess worries for Young Master Gu's safety and sent me to tend to him."
Gu Youren nodded, glanced at Gu Fangchen, and snorted coldly.
"Indeed, there are always vile little men who, once their identity is exposed, rush to eliminate their rightful betters to keep what isn't theirs.
Princess Prajna's insight is keen, protecting the virtuous and guarding against the wicked is a most necessary act."
Everyone around them exchanged strange looks.
Ning Caiyong opened her mouth, finally realizing why her eldest daughter's tone sounded so off —
She wasn't surprised, nor skeptical.
She was agreeing.
At first, Ning Caiyong had thought her daughter had suddenly changed temper, only to realize she had completely misunderstood.
Gu Youren thought Qingjian had been sent to protect Gu Yuandao!
Gu Fangchen blinked, spread his hands, then put on an indignant face.
"Gu Youren! Even when I've fallen this low, you still mock me? Are you even human?!
Why can't Princess Prajna have sent someone to protect me?"
Gu Youren sneered. "You?"
"The reason Gu Yuandao's Dao Heart shattered, you don't know? Only a despicable wretch like you would harm another at first sight."
Gu Fangchen remained expressionless but raised his voice.
"Who's despicable? It's not my fault your Gu Yuandao is so weak he loses his Dao Heart just because someone talks to him. He's not even as strong as me!"
Gu Youren's eyes grew colder.
"Whomever Princess Prajna guards against, that person is the despicable one. You still won't admit it?"
Gu Fangchen grinned. "Well, you said it yourself."