That evening, Zhou Gu and He Zheng, with the respective findings from their half-day investigation, entered the palace to report to the Emperor.
The Emperor was infuriated upon hearing that such a significant mishap had occurred in the Imperial Guard, resulting in a death and a disappearance, and that it was clearly related to this case. "He Zheng, I trusted you and entrusted the Imperial Guard to you, and yet look what has happened under your watch. What does this say?" he said, fuming.
He Zheng knelt on the ground, his face pale and unable to retort, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
The Emperor’s anger was palpable, "Starting from today, you are suspended from duty for investigation..." he began, intending to mention the deputy commander as his replacement, but at this point, he did not trust the deputy commander either, so he stopped abruptly, unsure of who to appoint in He Zheng’s place.
At this point, Zhou Gu spoke up, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, we can give He Zheng a chance to redeem himself for his errors."
After collaborating in the investigation for half a day, he still believed in He Zheng.
The Emperor frowned and glanced at Zhou Gu.
Zhou Gu stood up straight, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Guard is yours, and it should not be handed over to anyone else lightly, lest more mistakes are made. I suggest we still let He Zheng redeem himself."
The Emperor reflecting on this for a moment, felt that Zhou Gu had a point. He promoted He Zheng himself, so if even he did not trust He Zheng, then who could he entrust the Imperial Guard to? He adopted Zhou Gu’s suggestion, "He Zheng, I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. From now on, thoroughly inspect the Imperial Guard, find out where Ding Man is and apprehend the perpetrator, otherwise, you do not need to be the commander of the Imperial Guard."
He Zheng quickly made his stance known, gritting his teeth and saying, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will surely find the murderer."
The Emperor waved a hand, instructing them to retreat, "You may leave now."
Zhou Gu and He Zheng exited the Imperial Study Room together.
After they left, the Emperor’s anger did not lessen, pacing around the Imperial Study Room, "Such audacity, daring to tamper with my Imperial Guard. If only I had..."
He thought about the day of the Great Chao Hui, when he questioned the old Duke, and learned about Su Rong’s identity in advance, that when he sent someone to investigate after hearing Zhao La’er mention Princess Zhenmin, but also learned that Zhou Gu had taken Zhao La’er to the Duke Residence, wouldn’t that lead him to suspect that Zhou Gu and the Duke Residence had ulterior motives, and thereby raise suspicion towards the Eastern Palace?
The fact that he knew this in advance was the only reason he did not let the Imperial Guard bring Zhao La’er and Zhao Fei directly into the palace, instead letting Zhou Gu lead the investigation with the Imperial Guard’s cooperation. Otherwise, wouldn’t Zhao La’er and Zhao Fei probably have been killed before they could see him? Just like Feng Si?
The Emperor’s anger swelled as he considered this thought. If he had been neglecting oversight of the Imperial Guards in recent years, so be it. However, he tightly controlled the Imperial Guard and was not neglectful, especially in guarding against the Eastern Palace and Duke Residence, to an extreme degree. And despite this, such a significant collapse had occurred, indicating that he was too lax towards others, outside of the Eastern Palace and Duke Residence.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger and take care of your health," Eunuch Yu hurriedly reminded him.
The Emperor took a deep breath, slowly regaining his composure. King Rui’an, whom he trusted completely, had already been employed. Even though he had always been suspicious and wary of the Duke Residence, regarding the matter of Princess Zhenmin, he had no need for suspicion at this point, so he was using Zhou Gu today, allowing him to investigate the case. As for He Zheng of the Imperial Guard, he should still be trustworthy, although he felt like he was still short of reliable people.
He asked Eunuch Yu, "How is the review of the papers coming along?"
"I just finished half of them, working around the clock," Eunuch Yu replied. "At the earliest, it won’t be until half a month from now that the results will be out."
The Emperor nodded. "The court really needs new talents. The Three Departments and the Six Ministries need to be infused with fresh blood. Otherwise, I’m going to be driven mad by all of this."
Eunuch Yu quickly tried to dissuade him, "Your Majesty, this sort of thing can’t be rushed. Please don’t let it harm your health."
How could the Emperor not be upset? At this point, he didn’t want to use either the Crown Prince or his other sons. Who knew where their intentions lay? He waved his hand, "Go to Chenguo Duke Residence now, and convey my message to Ye Guixue. I wish to meet him tomorrow."
Eunuch Yu obliged and went immediately.
Last time, the Emperor had sent a junior eunuch to invite Ye Guixue, who had excused himself due to health issues and said he would come a few days later, but up to this day, he had not come to the palace. Now he again sent his chief eunuch to invite him, and he surely couldn’t decline this time.
But unexpected, when Eunuch Yu arrived at Chenguo Duke Residence and met with Ye Guixue, conveying the Emperor’s wishes, Ye Guixue gave a small smile. "I made a promise to meet with Lady Su Qi tomorrow. It would not be right to break my promise. Please ask the Emperor of Daliang to wait for one more day. I will pay my respects to the Emperor of Daliang the day after tomorrow."
Eunuch Yu was speechless.
He couldn’t help but think, this was really hard to ask for!
What could he say other than nod and reply with a chirpy, "I will return to the palace and relay this to His Majesty. Hopefully, His Majesty will be able to see you the day after tomorrow, Second Young Master Ye."
Ye Guixue smiled faintly, "There’s no rush. If His Majesty is unavailable that day, I can pay my respects to him a few days later."
Eunuch Yu gave a dry laugh, "His Majesty might be available, I should go now. Second Young Master Ye, you should rest early."
Ye Guixue nodded.
The Housekeeper from Chenguo Duke Residence personally saw Eunuch Yu out. Only when they left Ye Guixue’s courtyard, did Eunuch Yu ask the Housekeeper: "Is Second Young Master Ye a good guest to host in this residence?"
The Housekeeper quickly replied, "Very much so. Second Young Master Ye may be aloof towards others, but he is not unkind. He is not picky."
In Eunuch Yu’s mind, He elaborately praised Ye Guixue for his kindness but intentionally turned down the Emperor’s invitation. Nanchu technically was a vassal state to Daliang and remained as such since the reign of the previous Emperor. During the war between Dawei and Daliang, Nanchu, aided by Princess Zhenmin, provided assistance. If not for that, Daliang would have been obliterated long ago. Now, after several years, although Daliang has recuperated, Nanchu has also not declined. It is no surprise why Ye Guixue can afford to slight the Emperor now.
After returning to the palace, Eunuch Yu truthfully reported to the Emperor.
Upon hearing the news, the Emperor remained silent for a while, nodded, "I see. Then send someone to inform him again, if he wants it the day after tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow it shall be!"
Eunuch Yu glanced at the Emperor and seeing no signs of irritation, he responded affirmatively.
Early the next morning, Ye Guixue went to Ye Qiuying’s courtyard. Seeing that she had already eaten breakfast but had not put on makeup or changed clothes, he urged her, "Why aren’t you getting dressed? It’s time to leave."
Ye Qiuying shook her head, "Uncle, you go ahead. I’m not going."
Ye Guixue asked, "Why?"
Ye Qiuying exclaimed, "Ah uncle, you’re so dense. I’m not going with you because I don’t want to be in the way. Without me around, you and Sister Su Qi can talk more. I’m still a child, best avoid anything inappropriate for children."
Ye Guixue: "..."
He chuckled for a moment before asking, "Are you sure you don’t want to go?"
Ye Qiuying nodded firmly, "I won’t go."
"Alright! Just be good and stay in the residence." Ye Guixue patted her head, turned and left.
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