TSFLIP Chapter 289

Su Xu froze at the bloody scene before her, staring at Gu Yan in shock and momentarily forgetting to speak.

It wasn’t until Qian Qiu walked over that her senses returned. “Miss Su Xu, why are you here?”

“Commander Qian…” Su Xu regained her composure, her demeanor shifting to that of an untouchable and serene goddess. She spoke slowly, “I came here today knowing this scene would unfold, to persuade Commander Qian not to kill His Highness, King Qian.”

Qian Qiu’s expression darkened. “Why do you say that? With Gu Yan alive, he’ll only be an obstacle to me.”

“Commander Qian, you are destined to ascend as the Son of Heaven. However, if you continue ruling under the pretense of managing state affairs on behalf of the empress, over time, unrest will fester among the people. King Qian, on the other hand, is the regent personally appointed by the late emperor. If one day, the empress were to meet an untimely end, the court would likely support Princess Pinghe’s ascension. Without King Qian’s endorsement, your support would be minimal.

“But with the regent’s blessing, it would be different. The regent represents the highest authority in Dongyun. With his presence to suppress dissent among the ministers and my efforts to win over the people, your claim to the throne would be unquestionable.”

Su Xu’s lengthy argument was undeniably persuasive. Qian Qiu was tempted. After all, an emperor should ascend to the throne openly and honorably. Merely ruling in the empress’s name due to her illness would undoubtedly lead others to harbor ulterior motives.

Qian Qiu pondered this and glanced at Gu Yan, who was holding Feng Guang in his arms. He frowned. “Miss Su Xu, do you believe someone like Gu Yan, with his unyielding nature, would do as I say?”

“Commander Qian,” Su Xu replied with a faint smile, “everyone has a weakness. No matter how noble and steadfast King Qian appears he is still human. And his weakness is right in front of us.” Her gaze shifted to Feng Guang, her expression unreadable.

Feng Guang gripped Gu Yan’s clothing tightly, her lips pressed together, quiet and endearing like a child seeking comfort.

Gu Yan absentmindedly stroked her head, seemingly indifferent to everything around him, including the blood still flowing from his wounds.

Qian Qiu laughed. “Miss Su Xu is right. Keeping Gu Yan alive might prove more useful to me.”

He stepped forward and grabbed Feng Guang’s hand, attempting to pull her away. But a bloodied hand shot out, gripping Qian Qiu’s wrist and staining his sleeve red. The warmth of the blood sent a chill straight to Qian Qiu’s heart.

Gu Yan smiled faintly. “Commander Qian, you must take good care of Her Majesty.”

The unsettling feeling from earlier seemed to have been a mere illusion.

Qian Qiu forced a smile. “As Her Majesty’s loyal subject, I will, of course, take good care of her.”

“Gu Yan…” Feng Guang’s tears continued to fall as Qian Qiu pulled her out of Gu Yan’s arms. Her eyes were red from crying, her trembling voice pitiful enough to make anyone want to comfort her.

With a wave of Qian Qiu’s hand, two Imperial Guards stepped forward, each grabbing one of Gu Yan’s arms.

Gu Yan looked only at Feng Guang and spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“Gu Yan… It’s my fault. I’m useless, I’m stupid. If it weren’t for me…” Her words dissolved into sobs, and soon she was hiccupping uncontrollably.

Gu Yan couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. It was the first time he had seen Feng Guang cry so hard—and for him, no less.

His smile became more genuine, even though Feng Guang believed it was forced, an act to ease her worries.

“Feng Guang, we’ll meet again soon.”

Qian Qiu sneered at Gu Yan’s confidence and instructed the guards, “Throw him into the dungeon, and don’t let him die.”

“Yes, sir!”

Su Xu cast one last glance at the tear-streaked Feng Guang before respectfully excusing herself and leaving the bedchamber alongside Gu Yan.