Chapter 771 Rupture - Investigation

"Shushu understands me best!"

No need for words of thanks, Yun Yichen pulled Gu Shuyan into his arms.

He was afraid that Gu Shuyan would think he was too cruel, but then he thought about it again. What this little girl had done before was also seen as cruel by others.

Not content with killing people, they also burned them alive; in this respect alone, the two of them were truly a perfect match.

After the meal, Yun Yichen wanted to sit with Gu Shuyan for a while longer, but then someone from the palace arrived.

Upon learning of the massacre of the Duke of Anguo's entire family, the emperor immediately sent someone to invite Yun Yichen to the palace.

Inside the hall, the emperor glanced at Yun Yichen, who was standing in the center, and had someone offer him a seat before asking, "My dear minister, are you aware of the massacre of the Duke of Anguo's family?"

Given the magnitude of the case that had shaken the entire capital, Yun Yichen knew he couldn't possibly be unaware of it, so he nodded.

"I overheard the servants talking about it before I came. I wonder who Duke Anguo offended that led to such a deadly disaster."

Yun Yichen's answer was exactly what everyone expected. The emperor glanced at him and couldn't help but snort coldly.

"Over the years, you've certainly learned those old guys' tricks."

This is the kind of outcome that everyone would agree on, and it's not what the emperor wants.

"Tell me! What's your real opinion?"

Yun Yichen smiled upon hearing this, "Over the years, if it were to be said that Duke Anguo has offended anyone, there would surely be many. Yet, nothing happened before, so why has his entire family been wiped out? I believe it must be related to Duke Anguo's accusation against the Fifth Prince."

The emperor nodded upon hearing this, as he had actually thought the same thing, which was why he had summoned Yun Yichen.

Upon seeing this, Yun Yichen continued, "On that day, Duke Anguo had no evidence. If it weren't for the Fourth Prince suddenly appearing with Miss Sun, I'm afraid Duke Anguo would have ended up being accused of framing a prince."

"Therefore, if we are talking about who this matter is related to, I can't think of anyone other than the Fourth Prince."

Yun Yichen's words struck the emperor's heart. He knew very well that in the entire court of the Great Zhou Dynasty, no one else dared to speak so frankly and doubt the prince.

"In your opinion, my dear minister, the fifth prince has already been exiled, so why would the fourth prince still turn against someone who helped him?"

The emperor asked again. He already knew the answer in his heart, but he still couldn't resist wanting to know from others what kind of person his son was!

Upon hearing this, Yun Yichen hesitated for a moment before cautiously looking at the emperor and speaking: "Perhaps, Your Majesty should order the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly search the Duke of Anguo's residence."

As Sun Ruoyun had predicted, Yun Yichen did not want the Fourth Prince to get into trouble yet. At least for the next month, he still needed the Fourth Prince to stabilize the court.

Therefore, Yun Yichen had already prepared the perfect excuse for the Fourth Prince's "assassination of the entire family".

Of course, Yun Yichen did not deny that he also had his own selfish motives, wanting the Duke of Anguo to be cursed by thousands even after his death.

The emperor was prompted by Yun Yichen's words. After learning that the Duke of Anguo's family had been wiped out, the emperor could only think that his son might have been responsible for this as well.

And is the reason he did this because, like the fifth brother, he was not only malicious but also wanted to die?

However, he overlooked the fact that since the Duke of Anguo's family had been wiped out, given the Duke of Anguo's personality, he would have left some clues to prove the reason for his murder.

"Someone come here!"

The emperor immediately called out, and the eunuchs waiting outside the door hurriedly came in.

The emperor issued an order: "Send a decree to summon the Minister of Justice to see me."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch hurriedly left.

Seeing that the emperor had already made up his mind, Yun Yichen immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute to the emperor and said, "If Your Majesty has no other instructions, this humble subject will take his leave."

"No rush!"

The Emperor raised his hand. "You were involved in the Ministry of Justice's affairs before, and I don't trust them with this matter alone. When the Minister of Justice arrives, you will personally lead him to the scene to investigate!"

Yun Yichen really wanted to refuse, but then he thought that if the people in the Ministry of Justice couldn't find what he had put there, then all his efforts in talking to the emperor would have been in vain.

After a rapid mental search, Yun Yichen reluctantly agreed.

"Since Your Majesty has ordered me to investigate the massacre of the Duke of Anguo's family, shouldn't Your Majesty find someone to help me with other matters?"

Yun Yichen spoke bluntly, but the emperor was easily swayed by his words. In addition, the emperor's health was deteriorating, so after thinking for a moment, he immediately agreed to Yun Yichen's request.

"You're getting lazier and lazier these days, so let's ask your brother-in-law to help you out!"

The emperor appeared to be indulging Yun Yichen, but in reality, he was plotting how to quickly groom Gu Renjie into a qualified crown prince.

His health was deteriorating, a fact the emperor himself was aware of. Moreover, the fourth prince, seemingly harmless, was able to persuade the Duke of Anguo to abandon his son-in-law and side with him.

Based on this ability alone, the emperor believed he was no pushover.

She only had a few sons in her life, and now they're all gone. How could she be so heartless!

Yun Yichen was naturally unaware of the emperor's inner thoughts. Upon hearing that the emperor had agreed to let Gu Renjie help him, he immediately thanked him.

That afternoon, news spread quickly throughout the capital that the Grand Secretary and the Minister of Justice had gone to the Duke of Anguo's residence to inspect the scene.

After searching the Duke of Anguo's mansion, the two men found a considerable amount of gold and silver treasures, as well as evidence that the Duke of Anguo had raised a private army and intended to usurp the throne.

That evening, when the evidence was presented to the emperor, he was so angry that he smashed his cup.

“A traitorous scoundrel, how dare he harbor such disloyal intentions! Killing his entire family would be too lenient.”

The emperor was lamenting the tragedy that morning, but in just one day, he immediately changed his attitude and even considered whipping the corpse of the Duke of Anguo.

If Duke Anguo hadn't died, the emperor would have publicly pronounced judgment and exterminated his entire clan.

"Your Majesty, the matter is now clear. Shall we announce it to the world?"

Yun Yichen's face remained expressionless. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to the emperor, appearing ready to obey orders.

However, after thinking about it, the emperor shook his head and said, "No, the massacre of the Duke of Anguo's family is a major case. If it is revealed now that the Duke of Anguo intended to rebel, I'm afraid the people in the court will be unsettled."

The emperor said this, but in reality, he couldn't bear to lose face. Not only could he not bear to lose face, but he was also afraid that people would call him a tyrant, because he almost killed his own son because of the accusations of treacherous officials.

The Minister of Justice swayed slightly as he glanced at the emperor, who was unwilling to publicize the matter.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this matter is no longer up to us."

The Minister of Justice felt sweat beading on his forehead. Although he was also an important official in the court, he was not as good as Yun Yichen when it came to disobeying the emperor's wishes.