Emperor Yong'an's reaction was entirely within Gu Yuye's expectations.
When Gu Fangchen had still been officially regarded as Gu Yuye's biological son, Emperor Yong'an had not seen the boy even once in nineteen years.
Before the destruction of his dantian and meridians, the Emperor would occasionally ask how his cultivation was progressing or how his studies were going.
After that, he couldn't even be bothered to ask. At most, when Gu Fangchen caused trouble, the Emperor would give Gu Yuye a token reprimand, telling him to discipline his son better.
Now that the true heir had just been recognized and Gu Fangchen's identity had become suspect, Emperor Yong'an immediately summoned him to court. There wasn't even an attempt at subtlety.
That single word "interesting" from the Emperor had likely been spoken after he'd already laughed for half a day before sending Xiao Qiu to deliver the decree.
This game had been half lost from the very start.
If it hadn't been for that sudden replacement of Gu Fangchen by some unknown person, when had the mighty War Saint ever suffered such humiliation?
But... entering the palace was not without its advantages.
A shadow flickered across Gu Yuye's eyes. The fingers clasped behind his back twitched slightly as he looked at the plump eunuch before him and said evenly, "If His Majesty wishes to see him, it is naturally that unfilial son's greatest honor."
The round-faced eunuch, smiling with benevolent serenity like a Maitreya statue, was none other than Xiao Qiu, senior eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Rites.
Hearing Gu Yuye's words, Xiao Qiu smiled warmly and said, "From the sound of it, Your Highness still acknowledges the heir. It seems that even if he is not of your bloodline, after more than ten years together, familial affection cannot be so easily severed."
"In the past, when the heir caused great trouble, it was said Your Highness never beat nor scolded him, only confined him for a few days. His Majesty often remarked on the deep affection between father and son in the Northern Garrison Prince's household."
"It shouldn't come to this, turning against that pitiful child so suddenly..."
He sighed and shook his head. "Perhaps there were too many eyes at White Horse Temple, and someone mistook what they saw."
Then Xiao Qiu lightly tapped his own lips.
"Oh dear, I am one without descendants and have always yearned for family joy. If I've spoken out of turn, Your Highness, please don't take offense."
Gu Yuye narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a cool tone, "You jest, Eunuch. If that unfilial son can remember the grace of being raised in this prince's household for nineteen years and not turn against me, I would already thank the heavens."
His voice became sharp and resolute.
"This prince acts only on facts. If that unfilial son truly has no ties to the Demonic Sect, what harm is there in keeping him at home? But if he really has aided the enemy, this prince will not forgive!"
Gu Yuye's gaze was cold as ice.
At present, there was no evidence proving Gu Fangchen's collusion with the Demonic Sect, instead, the situation had turned against him.
Openly, he could no longer act rashly.
But if Gu Yuye couldn't act, Gu Fangchen could even less.
By returning his own identity to its starting point, he had tied Gu Yuye's hands, but also his own.
In Great Wei, which revered the Confucian order, the foremost principle was hierarchy, ruler and minister, father and son.
All actions must have righteous justification.
What had happened with Ding Xingfeng killing one of his soldier-puppets could only happen once within Huangtian City.
If Gu Fangchen could not justly convict Gu Yuye, then the entire bureaucratic system of Great Wei, half the immortal sects, and all disciples of Yaoshan Academy would instantly become his enemies. The righteous path would no longer be his to tread.
"How could it be otherwise?" Xiao Qiu said. "The heir's nature is not evil; he was simply delayed by those poisons and injuries. Alas, who could be so vicious as to lay such a hand upon a mere child?"
He continued, "But, Your Highness, if I may, Her Highness the Princess Consort was once famed as the foremost beauty on the Rouge Registry. How could such a woman have..."
"Eunuch, mind your tongue!" Gu Yuye's voice cut in, cold and sharp. "There are villains at work here, spreading confusion and sowing discord!"
"In my view, this is merely the Demonic Sect's desperate act, driven by a guilty conscience."
"I am acting under His Majesty's command and continue to investigate this matter with all diligence. I would ask you not to repeat idle rumors! Otherwise, you may be suspected of consorting with the Demonic Sect!"
Anyone else accused in such solemn tones by the Northern Garrison Prince would have been terrified on the spot.
But Xiao Qiu only frowned with false worry.
"I trust in Your Highness's character, of course. It's only that I've heard rumors, the Princess Consort's family seems to have caught wind of this matter. There's quite an uproar..."
The Princess Consort's family was, of course, the Sword Pavilion.
The foremost sect of Liuhua Province, the pinnacle of sword cultivation in the world.
Gu Yuye drew in a deep breath.
All these years, aside from Ning Caiyong, he had not touched another woman, and with her, he had always been respectful and restrained. It was because of the promise he had once made to the Sword Pavilion: that in this life, there would be none other but Ning Caiyong.
Otherwise, how could a mere declaration of "love at first sight" have moved the Sword Saint, the man who had carried his daughter's bridal palanquin twelve thousand li on foot, to give her away?
Gu Fangchen's move aimed to detonate precisely this superweapon, the Sword Saint himself.
That was the true danger Gu Yuye now faced.
Gu Yuye said coldly, "Idle rumors. Once I uncover the hand behind them, the Sword Saint will see the truth for himself."
Xiao Qiu smiled and cupped his hands. "Then I wish Your Highness success in discovering the truth soon."
Gu Yuye glanced at him, then ordered his men to summon Gu Fangchen.
Although it was nearly midnight, Emperor Yong'an's will was not something that needed to consider anyone's rest.
Gu Fangchen arrived shortly after, still in freshly changed clothes, his collar crooked, his appearance casual.
Around his neck was a distinct red bite mark, undeniably from a woman.
Gu Yuye's gaze turned cold as he looked him over. If he hadn't already confirmed this man had been replaced, he would have found no flaw in him at all.
And yet, under these circumstances, he still had time for women...
If it weren't for that brainless wastrel's reputation, Gu Yuye could hardly imagine anyone else capable of such absurdity.
But then his expression darkened even further.
Because the aura on Gu Fangchen's body was that of the Xiyin Attendant!
Princess Prajna, she would go this far for the sacred relic?!
A flicker passed through Gu Yuye's eyes. His thoughts grew firmer. Since that was the case, the relic in his hand could surely be put to greater use.
Gu Fangchen adjusted his robe, casually brushed the gold-threaded bird pattern embroidered into the fabric, and sauntered forward with a grin.
"Eunuch Xiao! Could it be that my talent is so dazzling that even the War Saint begging to take me as his disciple has startled His Majesty himself?"
Xiao Qiu: "..."
He had seen shameless people before, but never one this shameless.
The infamous scoundrel of Huangtian City had not changed in the slightest.
With a small smile, Xiao Qiu said, "Indeed, His Majesty is quite curious. Yet the War Saint remains in seclusion and refuses an audience. Otherwise, His Majesty would have invited him as well."
Gu Fangchen grinned and glanced toward Old Ding's quarters.
"No matter. I am the War Saint's most, most, most beloved and only true disciple. If I go, it's the same as if the War Saint himself went."
A snort came faintly from the night.
Everyone could almost imagine the old man's glare.
But given Ding Xingfeng's notorious temper, for him to merely snort and not act was already remarkable.
Xiao Qiu gave Gu Fangchen a meaningful look. It seemed this man truly was the War Saint's most, most, most beloved disciple.
Just as they were about to leave, Xiao Qiu suddenly paused, slapped his forehead, and turned back with a smile.
"Oh, I nearly forgot! His Majesty, in his concern for Your Highness, has already consulted the Pillar of Silence and asked the National Preceptor to divine an augury."
"As for whether the heir is truly of your bloodline, there should soon be a definitive answer. Your Highness may rest easy."
Gu Yuye: "..."
Expressionless, he watched the two figures soar into the sky, turning into twin streaks of light that vanished into the night.
That effeminate creature could still disgust him just as much as ever...
After dismissing his attendants, Gu Yuye took a single step forward and was once again standing at White Horse Temple.
Before the rear courtyard, he gazed at the abbot sweeping the ground and said calmly, "Please deliver a message. Gu Yuye wishes to see Princess Prajna, regarding the matter of the Lotus Concealed in the Womb."