Prefect Song slammed his gavel: "Insolence! This concerns the position of the heir apparent, how can it be merely a family matter?"

Gu Shen said, "But when I submitted a memorial to change the heir apparent, the late emperor approved it. Hmph, does Prefect Song think the late emperor was muddle-headed?"

Prefect Song: "The late emperor was certainly not confused!"

Bah! Could the late emperor not have been confused?

Moreover, the third prince was overseeing the country at that time!

But bringing up this kind of thing now is getting a bit complicated!

Gu Shen said, "Anyway, that was the decision made by the late emperor. The late emperor also felt that Gu Han was unfilial and that the heir should be changed! Does Prefect Song intend to disobey the late emperor's decree?"

He even pulled the late emperor out of his coffin!

Prefect Song chuckled, "If that were all, I naturally wouldn't say anything more. But we've already found Mosquito Repellent in your room. I'm afraid you've even deceived the late Emperor!"

Gu Shen's expression changed drastically. How could it be considered deceiving the emperor?

Prefect Song stared at him mockingly. Wasn't it he who brought up the late emperor first?

Gu Shen flicked his sleeve and put his hands behind his back: "I told you it was a frame-up! It was this little thief who put it in! My only mistake was being curious and wanting to see if it was true."

Prefect Song said, "Unlike you, I do not convict people without conducting any investigation. I will investigate thoroughly."

Gu Shen gritted his teeth and asked, "Then can I go back?"

"Please! But before I present my memorial tomorrow, you are not to step out of the Marquis's residence except for the morning court session tomorrow. Also, you are not to enter the study again; I will have someone guard the study."

After all, he was an official, and Gu Shen was a third-rank official who attended court every day.

It's not something that can be easily decided by a few words; this matter requires a formal report to the emperor before imprisonment can take place.

Gu Shen glared at Gu Han fiercely, then turned and left.

Mei and Gu Yang also glared at Gu Han, then quickly helped Gu Shen, who was walking over, saying, "Come on, let's go home first!"

The family of three left just like that.

Gu Han kowtowed to Prefect Song at the head of the table: "Thank you, Your Excellency, for speaking up for me."

Prefect Song sighed softly, "This is what I should do. Get up and just wait for news."

He had already guessed that this was a setup.

But even the eldest princess and a group of noble ladies were implicated; the person who orchestrated this scheme is likely...

It's clear that Gu Shen is definitely going to be imprisoned!

But this scheme was merely a way to lead them to investigate the truth; it did not wrong anyone.

Behind the screen, Shen Zhiyan and the others, having finished watching the commotion, walked out chatting and laughing.

Shen Manman said, "It was only just started before it was gone."

Shen Zhiyan said, "Then it will be handed over to Prefect Song and the Court of Judicial Review."

"Sigh, I'm a little disappointed!"

In the hall, Li Jiaojiao helped Gu Han stand up.

The crowd outside had mostly dispersed. The two stepped outside, and then Gu Han froze, saying, "Grandmother..."

Not far away stood an old woman with a full head of silver hair; it was none other than Madam Gu.

With tears blurring her vision, Old Madam Gu cried out, "Han'er... Han'er!!"

Gu Han strode over, ignoring the stares of those around him, and knelt down with a thud: "Grandson greets Grandmother!"

"Alright, alright, get up!" Old Madam Gu's hands trembled as she helped him up, then cupped his face in her hands, gazing intently at him: "You've grown taller... but... but... sob..."

Looking at Gu Han's haggard face, Old Madam Gu was overcome with grief. Where was the once spirited and dashing young master of a noble family...?

Gu Han is her most beloved eldest grandson!

She never liked Mei Shi, nor did she like Gu Yang; she always felt that Gu Yang was a sleazy, disreputable person.

After Gu Han was kicked out of the house, Old Madam Gu fell ill with anger and became depressed ever since.

"Han'er...it's all Grandmother's fault! Grandmother couldn't stop them..."

"No, no, grandson doesn't blame grandmother..."

"You, your leg... what happened? Did you fall?" Old Madam Gu had just noticed that Gu Han was limping when he walked.

Gu Han gritted his teeth and said, "No! All these years, I have been hunted down by the Mei family! This leg injury was sustained during the chase and was never properly treated."

Old Madam Gu felt waves of sorrow and indignation: "That wicked woman! That wicked woman! She'll die a horrible death, struck by lightning!"

Gu Han stared at her intently again: "Grandmother, you saw it too, I will continue to sue him! I will send him to jail!"

Old Madam Gu's face paled, her heart filled with even greater sorrow: "I don't want you to do this... but you must... I don't want our Ningguo Marquis's mansion to be tarnished because of this, but..."

It's too late now; it's beyond her control.

She would have tried to dissuade Gu Han before he filed the complaint, but it was too late now! There was no turning back! Magistrate Song would definitely investigate!

And there are people in higher-ups who want to take them down!

Old Madam Gu wept uncontrollably, tightly gripping Gu Han's hand: "Why did it have to come to this...?"

Li Jiaojiao stepped forward with a sneer: "This matter should be blamed on Gu Shen, not Gu Han."

Madam Gu was taken aback: "Who is she? I don't resent Gu Han at all. He has already suffered a lot of injustices... It's all his father's and stepmother's fault!"

Li Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Old Madam Gu was quite understanding and righteous.

Gu Han said, "Grandmother, this is Jiaojiao. Last year, when I was being chased, it was Jiaojiao who saved me. If it weren't for her, I would have died at the hands of Madam Mei long ago."

Madam Gu's gaze softened as she looked at Li Jiaojiao: "Alright, alright, good child, thank you. Let's go sit in the restaurant up ahead and talk about your matter."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!