Divorce Agreement

"You all wanted Xu Qiu to die on the way, didn't you?" Shen Changqing said confidently. "But the plan failed, and instead, it made him wary."

"Does Young Master Shen have any better method?"

"It's good that he can go to his post safely. There's no need for you to make things difficult for him on the way. If he's too scared to come and hides back in Shengjing, that would be a bigger problem."

He already had a plan in mind, and seeing everyone looking at him expectantly, he stopped keeping them in suspense.

"Shengjing issued a document to the Ministry of Revenue in Bianjing, ordering them to continue investigating the case of Zhang Xuyan, the heir of the Marquis of Shouning, who was accused of encroaching on farmland."

"The documents from the Imperial Inspector of Yingtian are on their way to Yangzhou Prefecture. If he takes office, this will be his first case."

The case of Zhang Xuyan, the heir apparent of the Marquis of Shouning, is an old case from three years ago, but because it almost sparked a popular uprising, everyone still has some recollection of it.

Three years ago, when Yangzhou was hit by floods, the people surrendered their land to the Marquis of Shouning in order to avoid the imperial land tax. However, two years later, with favorable weather, those people wanted to take back their land.

Zhang Xuyan naturally refused, so these people jointly sued him in Yangzhou Prefecture. The case was closed when Zhang Xuyan was ordered to return the land to the people. However, Zhang Xuyan relied on his powerful family and found an excuse to deceive them, and did not return any of the land in private.

The people were outraged and filed another complaint with Yingtian Prefecture, which alarmed the nobles of Bianjing and Shengjing.

The Ministry of Revenue in Shengjing kept a record of the case, but its main focus was on appeasing the local authorities. Now, however, it has ordered the Yangzhou Prefecture to re-examine the case.

Three years ago, there wasn't a single person in the Land Bureau, but it was used by someone with ulterior motives as a tool to incite Xu Qiu and the nobles.

Upon seeing the document, Shen Changqing immediately had an idea.

Since the Gu family is deeply rooted and powerful, and he can't touch them, why not target Xu Qiu, who is a weak point? Moreover, he can use this opportunity to win over the Marquis of Shouning and help the Crown Prince succeed.

Emperor Shengyuan has not attended court for three months again. Shengjing is now in charge of the cabinet. It's easy to guess who is behind this.

"What Young Master Shen means is that we don't need to do anything; there are enemies in Shengjing who want him to fall from power, and the enemy of our enemy is our friend..." Lin Shiyin stroked his beard.

"Lord Lin, what you said is half right and half wrong. We need to push things along for what happens next."

He paused, his fingers stroking the teacup, and slowly began to explain his plan.

Ten days later.

Gu Yu received Xu Qiu's second letter: "I have arrived in Yangzhou and my injuries have healed. Madam, please do not worry. Do not panic or move."

She propped her head up, covered the paper, and looked up at Qingfeng, asking, "Is this person really healed?"

Qingfeng had just finished reading Liuyun's letter and said hesitantly, "It seems he can get out of bed, but he's probably not fully recovered."

Gu Yu snorted inwardly. Xu Qiu really only reported good news and not bad news. Did he really think she cared about him?

However, Xu Qiu has already safely taken up his post, but she still hasn't been asked to leave, which suggests that something might have gone wrong.

The city of Shengjing was calm on the verge of a storm, but undercurrents were stirring, and something big seemed about to happen.

She hadn't been entirely confined to the mansion these past few days; she would occasionally return to the Duke's mansion to visit her brother, but Gu Jin was busy, so they only met twice.

It looks like they're reinforcing the defenses around Beijing.

She was wondering when this game of chess would begin, and from whom it would start.

After waiting for Xu Qiu for more than twenty days without receiving any news, Liu Yun, who was guarding Xu Qiu, hurriedly returned to Shengjing.

"Miss, something terrible has happened! The young master has been imprisoned in the Yingtian Prefecture jail."

He looked hurried and flustered, like an ant on a hot pan. "I couldn't get into the prison and couldn't see my son-in-law, but before he was taken away by the officials, he told me to rush back to Shengjing to bring news to my young lady."

Didn't he send me any message?

Liu Yun thought for a moment, but couldn't come up with an answer. "No, nothing."

"I understand." Gu Yu closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, her eyes were calm.

"Qiuju, bring me paper and pen."

Qiuju thought that her young mistress was going to write a letter to her son-in-law, but to her surprise, Gu Yu took the paper and pen and wrote three big characters on it: "Letter of Divorce".

“Miss…” Liu Yun stared in disbelief, completely stunned.

After all, the two have been married for over a year, and apart from not having children yet, their relationship is very deep and affectionate; to anyone, they seem to be deeply in love.

Gu Yu wrote the divorce agreement and handed it to Liu Yun.

"Take this letter of divorce to the prison and tell him that it was from me. If you mention the name of the Duke of Ying's Mansion, the Governor of Yingtian will let you in."

"And then what?" Liu Yun asked blankly.

"After you give him the things, stay in Yangzhou Prefecture and follow him from now on. With his weak martial arts skills, he'll be dead if another assassin comes."

"Miss, I..." Liu Yun never expected things to turn out this way.

"I'll take one portion of your monthly allowance, and then that person will give you another."

"Okay."

Liu Yun instantly beamed with joy.

Liu Yun was optimistic. Since the young lady said there would be a future, then the young master would definitely be fine. This divorce agreement might just be a temporary measure.

He took the things, went to the street to buy dry food and a fine horse, and rode out of Shengjing City.

After everyone left, Gu Yu looked around at the room where she had been living for almost two months, then lowered her eyes and began tidying up the things on the table.

"Qiuju, send someone to pack up the things and return to the Duke's mansion."

"Miss... have you really divorced your husband?" Qiuju hurriedly took the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone, her heart filled with doubt.

“Since a divorce agreement has been signed, it is naturally a divorce,” Gu Yu said. “Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly away separately. There are not that many devoted people in the world, and your young lady is not a loyal person either.”

Qiuju nodded. As Miss's dowry maid, she would unconditionally support whatever Miss did.

"First, pack some gold, silver, valuables, and everyday clothes. We can get the dowry later. We'll rent a sedan chair and head back to the Duke's mansion tonight."

The sky was gloomy and dark, the gray sky pressing down on one's senses, making it hard to breathe.

Unfortunately, the weather has been uncooperative; it's been either raining or overcast these past few days, and we haven't seen a single bright day.

As night fell and the winter wind howled, a sedan chair emerged from the back gate of the Xu residence and headed towards the Duke's mansion.

As soon as Gu Yu arrived at the courtyard, she heard that Gu Jin had already arrived at the mansion and that he had sent someone to find her to have dinner together.

The atmosphere at the table was somewhat somber, but Gu Jin showed no anger on his face. His calm demeanor made him seem completely unrepentant, as if he were not blaming her for being willful and heartless.

After the maid had cleared away the plates, dishes, and bowls on the table, Gu Jin finally spoke, "Ayu, what happened? This afternoon I received a message from you saying you wanted a divorce."

"Brother, tell me about Xu Qiu's case first."

"I only heard about this this afternoon. Xu Qiu was appointed as the prefect of Yangzhou and reopened the case of the heir of the Marquis of Shouning. However, during the interrogation, the torture was too severe, which forced Zhang Xuyan to commit suicide in prison."

"The Ministry of Justice in Bianjing collectively submitted a memorial impeaching Xu Qiu, and Marquis Zhang Henian of Shouning also wrote a memorial and submitted it to the Emperor. The Emperor issued an edict ordering the three judicial departments to thoroughly investigate the matter."

"Xu Qiu is currently imprisoned in the Yingtian Prefecture jail, awaiting the imperial envoy appointed by the Emperor to take over the case."

Gu Yu pondered for a moment, "I have already written a letter of divorce for him and asked Liu Yun to take it to him. But I can't completely ignore his life or death. Brother, who do you think the Imperial Inspector will send?"

"I'm not sure either. The cabinet is probably still discussing it. But if the Emperor intends to protect Xu Qiu, he will send people from the Eastern Depot or the Embroidered Uniform Guard to assist him."

"I understand." Gu Yu looked at Gu Jin with calm eyes. "Brother, I want to see the Fifth Prince."

“Ayu,” he frowned, “what do you want to do?”

“Brother, a storm is brewing. The Gu family cannot remain unaffected. Moreover, I am not taking sides on behalf of the Gu family. The Gu family only needs to listen to the Emperor, but I have my own choices.”

Gu Jin frowned deeply, his brows furrowing as he thought of Gu Yu's resolute decision to divorce Xu Qiu.

She was trying to use her marriage as leverage again. So what if Gu Yu had been married before? The Fifth Prince had previously expressed his desire to marry her.

Now that Gu Yu is willing, it might actually work out.

“Ayu, since you are the daughter of the Duke of Yingguo and my sister, your stance will inevitably influence our stance.”

Gu Yu smiled bitterly, "What if she isn't?" She wasn't Gu Yu. She had already made up her mind that everything she did from now on would be completely separate from the Gu family.

“Brother, believe me, I don’t want credit for supporting the emperor. I just want to help that person, the one behind the Gu family.”

In the deep darkness, the brilliance in her eyes caught Gu Jin's attention. Ultimately, it was her love for her younger sister that made him waver.

"Besides..." Gu Yu saw the emotion in his eyes and quickly said, "Even if you don't invite him, he will definitely come to visit, but I think it will be more effective if we invite him."

"Alright, tomorrow. I'll return home a little later, so I don't run into him."

If only Gu Yu and the Fifth Prince were to talk, there would still be room for negotiation. However, if Gu Jin were to step in, the Gu family would definitely have to take sides.

"Thank you, brother." Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. "I will tell you the things you want to know when the time is right."

Gu Jin felt uneasy, but he still chose to believe Gu Yu.

"Brother, wait for me."

She turned her eyes away and looked out at the dark night.

The game hadn't even started yet, but she already knew how to get that person to make the first move.

In a game of chess, everyone is a piece.

The next day, Gu Yu sat in the front hall waiting for the Fifth Prince, Jing Zichen.

A stove was placed in the center of the hall. Because the room was not cold, Gu Yu's clothes were not thick, with only a thin layer of cotton lining.

When Jing Zichen received the invitation sent by Gu Jin, he thought about it more deeply. Although Gu Yu was already married, Xu Qiu was neither his person nor the Crown Prince's person.

The Gu family still hasn't taken sides.

However, once the invitation is sent out, the nature of the matter changes.

His eyes and brows were full of joy as he excitedly ran to the Duke of Ying's mansion, only to find Gu Jin nowhere to be seen.

Gu Yu, who was already married, held a medical book in her hand. When she saw him arrive, she raised her eyes.

"Your Highness, please sit down." Gu Yu put down her book. "Qiuju, bring some tea."

Jing Zichen said thoughtfully, "Is it Sister Ayu who wants to see me?"

“It’s me. Your Highness, are you disappointed?” Her eyebrows curved slightly, and her dimples appeared.

“I want to help Your Highness, but this is only my own idea. My father and brother don’t know about this yet.”

"I heard that Xu Qiugang has fallen on hard times, and Sister Ayu has already divorced him. What is Sister Ayu trying to do?" Jing Zichen smiled, his face showing a hint of good fortune.

He seemed to have the answer in his heart, but he still hoped that Gu Yu would say it herself.

However, this answer would disappoint him. Gu Yu said, "My divorce from him has little to do with Your Highness. Your Highness is not a stupid person. This invitation was just to offer you some advice."

"Oh? What does Sister Ayu want to say?" Jing Zichen asked curiously.

"No matter what happens, do not let it affect your mind, do not think about it, and do not do anything about it."

He took a sip of tea, blinked, and said, "If you don't explain things more clearly, I don't know how to trust you."

"Your Highness can believe it or not."

Gu Yu glanced at the teacup in his hand. "This is Yin Hao Chun tea. What does Your Highness think?"

"Sweet in the mouth, clear in the tea soup, and with a pleasant aroma, not bad."

"If Your Highness would like to drink this tea again, you are welcome to visit the Duke of Ying's residence more often. Ayu will treat Your Highness to a good time."

“Alright, since Sister Ayu isn’t afraid of what others might say, I certainly won’t be either. If you really want a position, I won’t refuse to give it to you.” He chuckled, his slightly chubby face fair and tender.

Gu Yu understood what he meant, but she didn't say anything. Her divorce from Xu Qiu wasn't for the purpose of marrying the Fifth Prince.

Some people don't need marriage to maintain their alliance; they are allies with shared interests. If that's the case, why bother with all that?

Two days later, the officials from the three judicial departments who would go to Bianjing to investigate Xu Qiu's case were selected. Half of them were officials from Shengjing, and the other half were officials from Bianjing.

The imperial inspector sent was the current imperial son-in-law, Dongfang Hongyao, and the official in charge of the investigation was the eunuch Qiu Xinhai, the current director of the Eastern Depot.

Upon hearing the news, Gu Yu had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Emperor Shengyuan will not give up on Xu Qiu, as Xu Qiu still holds considerable importance.

Therefore, Xu Qiu can live.

As for his fate after getting out of this case, that depends on the outcome of the trial.

Was someone behind Zhang Xuyan's case sabotaged?

The best outcome would be to be reinstated to his original position, and the worst outcome would be to be sidelined for a few years before being reappointed.

Who can bring down the people the emperor wants to use? Who can survive the people the emperor wants to kill?

"Brother, who is currently in charge of military affairs for the three major military camps in the capital region?" Gu Yu asked Gu Jin during a break from her meal.

The previous Assistant Military Governor was Zhang Yutang, Zhang Liuying's father. His entire family suffered because of his involvement in the illegal manufacture of weapons and treason.

"It's still someone from the Zhang family, Zhang Congshen."

Seeing Gu Yu's confusion, Gu Jin explained, "The Zhang family is the ancestral home of Marquis Shouning, Zhang Henian. They have deep roots and a long line of officials who have served several dynasties. The family is very large."

“Zhang Yutang and Zhang Yanming, who were previously convicted, were both collateral relatives of the Zhang family. They are still officials in Shengjing and Bianjing, and many of them are from the Zhang family.”

“Zhang Xuyan was Zhang Henian’s biological son, the most direct descendant of the direct line, and the heir of the Marquis of Shouning. He was forced to die in prison, which naturally enraged the old Marquis. That’s why Xu Qiu’s case has become such a big deal. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent so many people to Bianjing to investigate the case as the year draws to a close.”

The assistant military commanders of the three major camps in the capital region are from the Zhang family. No wonder the Marquis of Shouning is so valuable and worth such a large-scale operation.

The fuse has been lit.