Chapter 23: Mother, You Must Prepare Yourself Mentally

Ten thousand taels... of gold?!
Who gave it?
And to whom?

A single short sentence from the young Daoist acolyte of the Canliao Pillar left everyone present in a state of triple bewilderment. The State Preceptor, ten thousand taels of gold, and the Heir Apparent. No matter how one looked at it, these three terms should never appear in the same sentence. Yet, at this very moment, they had converged.

Gu Yuye’s expression froze, his face turning incredibly grim. This "Military Saint" of the Great Wei, known for his profound schemes and flawless calculations, felt a sudden, destabilizing sense of doubt. Ever since he had brought Gu Yuandao back to the manor from the Ziji Hall, everything had veered completely off course from his plans. Over the past twenty-four hours, one accident after another had befallen Gu Fangchen. A Martial Saint, a princess of the Prajna, and now the State Preceptor—figures who should have had nothing to do with Gu Fangchen had suddenly stepped forward as his old acquaintances.

Gu Yuye couldn't help but wonder if this hedonist he had raised under his own nose for nineteen years was a fraud. But that was clearly impossible. The problem must lie in the time between last night, when he and Gu Yuandao recognized each other, and Gu Fangchen’s stubborn insistence on heading to the White Horse Temple. Having seemingly grasped the source of the trouble, Gu Yuye suppressed his tumultuous thoughts, a cold light flashing in his eyes. The more things slipped out of his control, the more he needed to crush Gu Fangchen completely, ensuring he would never have a chance to turn the tables. It didn’t matter what the State Preceptor intended; unless Gu Fangchen could transform his fake identity into a real one, it wouldn't matter who intervened!

Gu Yuandao stood expressionless, staring at the chests of gold glittering in the sunlight. His hands were clenched into fists beneath his sleeves, his neatly trimmed nails pressing into his palms until they turned deathly pale. Why? This was supposed to be the day of his top-ranking success in the imperial examinations, the day he should have been riding high, reunited with his biological parents, with everyone’s eyes naturally fixed upon him. He had imagined the congratulations, the envy, the admiration, and the praise countless times. Yet, the focus remained entirely on Gu Fangchen, that fake! Even the State Preceptor, who sat high above in the tower and viewed the masses like ants, had taken the initiative to gift ten thousand taels of gold to such a good-for-nothing!

"Master... how could she possibly give gold to Gu Fangchen?"

Beside him, Gu Youren was in a trance, her disbelief so profound it was as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight. In this world, she was the person closest to the "Saint of Fate," Xu Fu. She had become a disciple under the State Preceptor at thirteen; though only a lay disciple rather than a true successor, she was far more legitimate than the self-proclaimed ones like Emperor Yong'an, and she had had many more opportunities to interact with Xu Fu.

If one had to describe the State Preceptor, only the term "Human Immortal" would suffice. She was not a cold, unfeeling deity, but a human immortal who held the world in her heart. But an immortal was, at the end of the day, an immortal. Xu Fu had almost no worldly desires; she had sat in meditation at the Canliao Pillar for decades, observing the heavens and the earth, holding the fate of the nation in her palm, overturning clouds and rain with a flick of her wrist. The name "Canliao"—meaning vast, distant, and detached—could not be more fitting. Unless something threatened "the peace of the world," Xu Fu would not concern herself with external affairs. And for something to threaten "the peace of the world," it would surely have to be on the level of a major sect collapsing, right?

Gu Youren stared wide-eyed at Gu Fangchen, who was rushing toward the ten chests of gold, rubbing his hands like a fly and making no effort to hide his excitement or greed. Such a piece of trash, capable of affecting the peace of the world?! Moreover, why would her master, an immortal-like figure who cared nothing for worldly fame or wealth, gift ten thousand taels of gold to Gu Fangchen? This was what Gu Youren found most incomprehensible. Her master had given her many gifts, but they were always elegant, feminine items like jade flutes, go boards, silk fans, or ancient books. Gold was something easily obtained by high-level practitioners—surely only someone like Gu Fangchen would care for it?

Wait... could it be... Gu Youren’s face suddenly turned pale with terror, a thought so horrifying that it shook her very Daoist heart. Unless... it was precisely because Gu Fangchen liked it that her master had gifted him the gold! Once this thought took root, Gu Youren could not stop her mind from racing. The logic was too sound! Every other hypothesis failed, but this one was absurdly coherent. If so, why would her master choose this moment to give Gu Fangchen what he liked? How... how did it feel so much like she was backing him? As she contemplated this, Gu Youren even detected a hint of "indulgence" in that extravagant gift of ten thousand taels of gold.

Gu Lianqian, her mouth agape in surprise, tugged at her sister, wanting to voice her confusion, but found she couldn't pull her. The young girl looked up, only to realize that her eldest sister—the academy’s top female scholar, usually cool, wise, and unflappable—was frozen solid, looking as if she had shattered. Gu Lianqian blinked, even more bewildered. How could her sister’s reaction be greater than her own?

"As expected of the State Preceptor, she certainly has money," Gu Fangchen remarked, picking up a heavy gold bar and weighing it. It was solid. Ten thousand taels of gold was an astronomical fortune in this era. Even for a player, it was the same. While gold and silver were of little use to high-level practitioners, that was only true if the practitioner already had a background. However, the karmic thread of the fake heir [Gu Fangchen] was valued at ten thousand taels, which was much lower than he had expected. Thinking it over, it was likely because the news hadn't fully spread yet. Outside of the Imperial City, only a few top powers would have received the news; the lower levels were not yet widely aware of the "true and fake heir" situation. Thus, the recognition of the fake [Gu Fangchen] hadn't plummeted yet, and the system had kindly given him a discount during the valuation.

Gu Fangchen looked at the young acolyte and smiled. "My thanks to the State Preceptor."

The young acolyte looked solemn and bowed again. "I have delivered the items. His Highness may dispose of this gold as he sees fit."

Ning Caiyong regained her composure and quickly said, "Have someone move these chests to the Xie-Fang Courtyard..."

Gu Yuye stepped forward and said indifferently, "Since it is a gift from the State Preceptor, we must not be negligent. After counting them, place them in the manor’s treasury..."

Gu Fangchen tossed the gold in his hand. The metal clanged sharply, cutting off Gu Yuye. "No need." He smiled without warmth. "The State Preceptor was afraid someone might steal my things, so she specifically taught me a little trick to keep thieves away."

He reached out and snapped his fingers. *Snap!* [Fake Heir Karmic Thread: Ten Thousand Taels of Gold (Converted)]. In an instant, all the gold in the courtyard vanished before everyone’s eyes.

Gu Yuye remained expressionless. He was no longer surprised by Gu Fangchen’s methods; the anger in his heart had been ignited in an instant. A thief? Gu Fangchen actually dared to call him a thief! There could only be one thief in this manor, and that was Gu Fangchen, the one who had stolen the identity of the Heir Apparent! To think he would dare to turn the tables—he was truly something else! Gu Yuye was almost driven to laughter. He took a deep breath and reminded his eldest daughter, "Youren, why haven't you started the examination?"

Gu Youren swallowed the tumultuous waves in her heart and returned to Gu Fangchen’s side. Gu Fangchen looked at Ning Caiyong and sighed. "Mother, you must prepare yourself."

Ning Caiyong, thinking he was reluctant to part with their blood connection, was deeply moved. Tears shimmered in her beautiful eyes as she bit her lip. "Chen'er, don't worry. Mother said, no matter what, you are my child."

*Well, I hope you can really handle this...* Gu Fangchen nodded, a look of righteous solemnity on his face as he waited for Gu Youren to act. He looked at Gu Youren with a sincere, melancholic expression and said softly, "Since Mother has always treated me as her own, please don't hurt her. Just find out who my biological father is, will you?"

Gu Youren felt a vague sense that something was wrong, but she didn't dwell on it. She reached out, tapped Gu Fangchen on the forehead, and closed her eyes. Feeling a sensation in her heart, the red karmic threads tangled around Gu Fangchen appeared before her eyes. The eldest daughter picked up the red thread with her slender fingers, stripping away the falsehood to find the truth and tracing its path. Thinking of the coachman who had already been captured, her first question surfaced instinctively: *Who is Gu Fangchen’s father...*

Gu Youren’s fingers moved, and the red thread extended toward the side. She froze slightly, then suddenly opened her eyes, looking in near-terrified disbelief at—the Prince of the North standing right beside her!