7. Chapter 7

It was as if the entire capital was holding its breath for the Spring Hunt. Gu She felt that it truly was the quiet before the storm, but he did not have any idea what was headed their way.

Oh, he had a few guesses, which were mostly Mu Chun’s guesses flavored with a bit of enigmatic and definitely-not-by-accident remarks from Noble Consort Jing. JIngyan was in the know and not subtle about it but surprisingly closed lipped, talking mostly about his upcoming marriage and his plans for educating Ting Sheng whenever they met for tea. He was a lock for the position of crown prince — after Mei Changsu’s cunning and daring maneuvering, there really wasn’t anyone left to take the role anyway, something that the Emperor no doubt had noticed himself even if he did not know who the mastermind was.

Gu She sat tapping his chopsticks against his bowl, looking out the open breezeway to the small private courtyard facing their suite of rooms. It was a quiet meal taken deep in the privacy of their quarters, and normally a time for, as he liked to think of it, enjoyable marital relations. But he was bothered by some of the court gossip and had sent Mu Chun out to dig up more information as discreetly as he could. Which wasn’t very, and likely not to result in anything concrete.

“Are you bothered, husband? Are the dumplings not to your liking?” Tao Mo frowned at him, then at his bowl, then at him again.

Gu She forced himself to set down his chopsticks and stop fussing with them like a toddler. “There is palace intrigue, and many rumors, and very little clarity. I worry for Prince Jing.”

“But is he not in line to be made crown prince soon? So I heard,” Tao Mo added quickly, not meeting Gu She’s eyes.

Who had he been talking too?

“Tao Mo, my beloved, please be cautious about who you talk with, and what is said. For your safety, and my peace of mind.”

Tao Mo nodded eagerly. “Don’t worry! Princess Chen has been coaching me in the ways of the court!” He lowered his voice. “I understand all about secrets now. I know that what you and Prince Jingyan are hiding from the court is very important.”

“Hiding?” Gu She squinted at his dearest husband in confusion and a dawning sense of dread. “From the court?”

“Mn!” Tao Mo nodded again. “Princess Chen made it very clear that when I figure something out, I must check it with you first. Although, Gu She, I’m very certain Consort Jing already knows.” He gave Gu She a pitying look.

“Consort Jing...knows?”

“I am almost certain!”

“Knows...what?”

“Exactly!”

“Exactly? What?”

Tao Mo sighed and rolled his eyes, the very picture of fond affection. “Don’t worry so much! I told you, I understand the importance of keeping secrets now. I promise that I will not tell anyone that Mei Changsu is Lin Shu!”