Qi Yuanjing didn't expect that Cheng Jiao left but he still had to continue singing, so he pinched his brows tiredly.

But the only solution now is to use this method to "trick Cheng Jiao back" to solve the problem.

He could leave Concubine Yu and Qi Yixuan, mother and son, alone for the time being, but as for the others, Qi Yuanjing had an expressionless face and cold eyes.

"Gu Xiuyi, Gu Feirui, and Zhao Chengmo." The emperor suddenly called out the names of the three.

The three of them immediately knelt down and saluted. "I now appoint Gu Xiuyi as the second-rank General Jianwei, Gu Feirui as the third-rank General Dingyuan, and Zhao Chengmo as the fourth-rank General Zhaoyi."

Everyone present was dumbfounded. Gu Lingze stood up and stared at Zhao Chengmo's back, motionless.

The Queen smiled and said to the three men, "You have served the country with loyalty and risked your life many times. This is the reward you deserve. Why don't you accept the decree and express your gratitude?"

"Your Majesty..." Zhao Chengmo was about to speak, but Qi Yuanjing waved his hand, "The imperial decree has been issued, don't say anything."

The three of them kowtowed and accepted the order, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your grace."

As for Xie Xiru and Gu Tianhua, one was a first-rank Taifu and the other was a first-rank general guarding the country, which were positions that could not be further rewarded.

So the Queen bestowed upon Old Madam Xie and Xie Qingwan the title of first-rank ladies, and the two of them accepted the order and expressed their gratitude.

You should know that this first-rank imperial edict is not bestowed casually. Only when there is no other title to be bestowed upon one will it be bestowed upon the family. This also indirectly reflects the emperor's importance.

After everyone else had received their rewards, everyone's eyes turned to Gu Lingze. If we were to talk about rewards based on merit, he was the biggest contributor.

But Gu Lingze is a young man. When Qi Yuanjing insisted on appointing Ji Zixuan as the king, many court officials strongly opposed it. If he were to confer an official position on the young man now, it would probably shock the court and the public.

"Gu Lingze, what do you want me to give you?"

Gu Lingze bowed and replied: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. However, I am used to being free and undisciplined and living in the market. I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish."

"Is this the only request?" Qi Yuanjing couldn't help but be a little surprised.

Gu Lingze couldn't help but smile, "That's the only request."

"Since you like freedom, I will grant you the right to enter and exit anywhere at any time. You can go wherever you want. I also give you a promise. If you want anything in the future, you can always ask me."

Gu Lingze couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. The emperor was more generous than he had imagined.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

All those who deserved titles were given titles, and all those who deserved rewards were given rewards. The emperor and the empress were escorted back to the palace. Everyone was tired after a day of work, and after washing up, they prepared to rest.

Xie Qingwan leaned on the bed, her face not showing any joy at being awarded the first-rank imperial decree, but rather a hint of worry.

"What are you thinking about?" Gu Tianhua saw her expression as soon as he came in.

"My dear husband, it is a blessing that Lingze and Chengmo have caught the eyes of the emperor and the queen, but after what happened with Cheng Jiao, the emperor will inevitably have a grudge against the mysterious arts. I am afraid that the water will overflow."

Gu Tianhua was silent for only a moment, then he said, "Some of Lingze's abilities are unknown to even us, so don't worry too much. Besides, the emperor is a wise ruler and will not confuse right and wrong."

After hearing this, Xie Qingwan had no choice but to put her worries aside for the time being and just hope that everyone would be safe in the future.

The next day, the emperor's decree was officially issued, and visiting cards from many aristocratic families, officials, or upper-class people came to the Taifu Mansion and the Zhenguo General's Mansion like snowflakes.

But these things are mainly aimed at the Gu family. Gu Lingze is not yet a member of the Gu family, so naturally he has nothing to do.

Among them was Zhao Chengmo's, but he didn't know anyone in the capital except the Xie and Gu families, so he didn't plan to go at all.

At the same time, the emperor dismissed Yu Tai from his post as commander of the imperial guards on the grounds of poor protection, and gave him an idle position as secretary of the Honglu Temple. However, he did not move Yu Guifei's father, Yu Minrong, from his position as Minister of Revenue. After retiring from court, he went directly to Yu Guifei's Changxin Palace.

These imperial edicts left all the civil and military officials in the court confused.

Imperial Concubine Yu and the Third Prince were almost in control of the government. The Emperor had always clearly trusted the Queen Mother and the First Prince. If he said there was nothing fishy going on, I'm afraid no one would believe it.

But if we say that Concubine Yu and the Third Prince had used some conspiracy, and the emperor did not impose severe punishment on them, but just dismissed Yu Tai from his position, it would be too lenient.

For a time, people in the court and the public were trying to guess the emperor's intentions, and all kinds of rumors were rampant.

The Gu family had just cleared the incense burner and table used for receiving imperial edicts when a servant ran in with something in his hand.

"Master, this is a letter someone gave you."

Gu Xiuyi unfolded the letter and his face suddenly changed color.

"Lingze, Lingze! Open the door quickly."

Gu Lingze did not go out to receive the imperial edict in the morning. After all, the emperor exempted him from the kneeling ceremony, and he did not want to stand out among the crowd, so he took a nap in the room.

When Gu Lingze heard Zhao Chengmo's voice, he turned over and sat up. Zhao Chengmo was rarely so anxious. He quickly put on his clothes and opened the door.

Zhao Chengmo was holding a letter in his hand, his face covered in sweat.

"Something happened at home!"

Gu Lingze, Zhao Chengmo and Gu Xiuyi set out first, traveling day and night towards Beiyong Mansion.

Since Xu Mingyan was only a scholar and could not ride a horse, Xu Ge escorted him from behind.

Even though they traveled day and night, Gu Lingze and his team still traveled for a full ten days. When they arrived at Beiyong Mansion, it was already early morning.

Yao Zhengqing was sleeping when he suddenly heard someone banging on the door outside. He quickly asked the housekeeper to open the door.

As soon as the butler opened the door, before he had time to ask any questions, three figures rushed in.

"Hey, hey! What are you three doing?!"

When the three of them arrived at the hall and did not see Prefect Yao, they quickly went to the wing room.

Yao Zhengqing had just put on his clothes and came out when he saw the three people and was stunned.

"You're finally back! Something big happened in your family." These words were mainly said to Gu Lingze.

Gu Lingze's face turned pale. "Prefect Yao, please explain the situation as soon as possible."

Yao Zhengqing waved his hand and said, "I am no longer the prefect. The imperial envoy from above dismissed me from my post on the charge of partiality and perverting the law. If it were not for that, I would still be able to defend him."

Gu Lingze was already extremely anxious at this moment, and his brain could not hear anything else. "Prefect Yao, what on earth happened in my family?"

It turned out that a month ago, the higher authorities sent an imperial envoy to inspect Beiyong Prefecture, and Zou Guanghong was with him.

As soon as Yao Zhengqing saw it, he knew something was wrong. He thought it was aimed at him, but he didn't expect that people in Gu Lingze's family would suffer before him.

After the imperial envoy went to Xuyang County and ate snacks at Yunlai Restaurant, he vomited blood from his mouth and fainted.

At that time, the officers and soldiers arrested the three families who cooperated in making dim sum. Brother Wu resisted, but two fists were no match for four hands, and the result was predictable.