Kong Xiang stared intently at Chen Yu. He was a follower of the Liu family's direct line, and now that Liu Deng was dead, he would support Liu Guiping.
If the scandal of the Empress Dowager keeping male lovers were to spread, wouldn't it ruin the Liu family's reputation? Therefore, as the Prime Minister, he had to eliminate Gu Luo.
Gu Luo remained kneeling with her head bowed, choking back tears, and said, "Your Majesty, Gu Luo knows she has done wrong. I beg Your Majesty to punish me according to the law. In my next life, I will surely serve Your Majesty..."
Shen Yu frowned, deep in thought: Why is Gu Luo acting this way? Something's not right. Why were there no maids in her room when she woke up? Why did Hong Yu and Prime Minister Qiu suddenly arrive?
It's obvious that someone deliberately set a trap to ruin her reputation.
If word gets out that the Empress Dowager has a male favorite, how will Ping'er maintain order in the court?
Enough! The bigger picture is more important. It's just that Gu Luo lost his temper and brought trouble upon himself. But looking at that familiar figure, she didn't know whether to regret Gu Luo's medical skills or to feel pity for him, and she actually said:
[Guards! Gu Luo has offended me. Take him to prison and execute him in the autumn.]
As soon as she finished speaking, Qiu family guards came in and dragged Gu Luo away.
[Your Majesty is wise! This old minister has personally imprisoned Guluo and takes his leave!]
After Prime Minister Qiu withdrew, Hongyu faced the door and knelt down in front of Chenyu.
[Your Majesty, Hongyu acted on her own initiative, ordering all the maids from Huiyang Palace to go to Zheng'an Hall, which allowed Guluo to offend you.]
Shen Yu was still immersed in Gu Luo's words, "Gu Luo knows he has made a mistake, and hopes that the Empress Dowager will punish Gu Luo according to the law..."
Shen Yu couldn't understand why Gu Luo wanted to die.
She slowly walked to the bed and sat down, then dragged herself onto the bed with her hands, covered herself with the quilt, and only then glanced at Hongyu:
What are they all doing at Zheng'an Hall?
Today, His Majesty attended the morning court session and will be staying at Zheng'an Palace afterward. Therefore, Hongyu has instructed all the servants from Huiyang Palace to go to Zheng'an Palace so that it can be prepared as quickly as possible to welcome His Majesty's arrival.
Shen Yu couldn't help but snort coldly, inwardly cursing Hong Yu for acting on her own initiative. She then asked in a cold voice, "Why was I poisoned? How could such a clever person as Gu Luo be used by you? And even do such an absurd thing!"
[I hope the Empress Dowager will allow Hongyu to approach and speak.]
Seeing Chen Yu nod, Hong Yu knelt down near the bed and replied, "The poison the Empress Dowager was afflicted with was also the Dream Death Grass. The assassin was indeed arranged by Hong Yu. Hong Yu only sent the assassin because she learned that Gu Luo had returned to the palace..."
[I only want to know, why is Gu Luo working for you?]
Being hunted down, he naturally sought refuge with the Empress Dowager.
It turns out that Gu Luo originally wanted to join the Liu family to avenge his deceased sister, Gu Yiyi.
Half a year ago, Gu Yiyi was favored by King Gu Huai, but unexpectedly, the very next day she was given to the old chief of the Dili tribe by King Gu Huai.
By the time Guluo found the Dili tribe, Gu Yiyi had already died on the old chief's bed.
Guluo was heartbroken and sought an opportunity to assassinate the old leader, but he was captured and had his tendons in his hands and feet severed, losing all his martial arts skills.
The ancient locust tree king remained unmoved by this.
The Guli tribe was weak. Although it paid tribute to the imperial court every year, the Zhao family was plagued by internal and external troubles and did not protect the Guli tribe.
The Guli tribe was frequently harassed by its neighbors, so King Guhuai had no choice but to curry favor with the powerful Dili tribe for protection. He dared not plead for Guluo.
Fortunately, Guro escaped.
The old leader ordered the pursuit and killing of Guro.
Knowing that he could not annihilate the Dili tribe on his own, Gu Luo thought of finding a reliable person to help him and his sister avenge their family.
Today, as soon as Gu Luo entered the palace, he was taken to Huiyang Palace by Hong Yu. As for teasing Chen Yu, it was something that had been discussed with Hong Yu in advance.
Hongyu revealed her entire plan.
Shen Yu hurriedly urged Hong Yu to leave, "Go quickly! Find a death row inmate to replace Gu Luo. If he dies, it'll be a waste of his medical skills."
Empress Dowager, don't be anxious. It's not a matter of execution after the autumn harvest.
Gu Luo said that he had no relatives left, and that his flirting with the Empress Dowager was also a way of seeking death, ending his life of constant wandering, and fulfilling his promise to the deceased.
After he died, he asked us to hand over his body to the Dili tribe.
Only then will the Dili tribe lower their guard and befriend our Liu family army.
At that time, we can take the opportunity to annihilate the Dili tribe, thus avenging the Guluo siblings, and also take over the Guli tribe.
It turns out that this was also one of Gu Luo's schemes.
Shen Yu was ashamed and shocked. She had always thought about returning to the capital and had never considered expanding to the southwest.
Upon closer examination, Gu Luo's plan was not bad. The Guli tribe was wealthy, and the Dili tribe was strong and well-equipped. If the Liu family army expanded northward to attack the capital, the Dili tribe might take advantage of the situation and seize Huangcheng.
Rather than being attacked from both sides, it's better to strike first.
However, when she thought of Gu Luo's desire to die, she couldn't help but burst into tears.
She looked at Hongyu and instructed, "Quickly prepare the carriage; I am going to the prison... to interrogate Gu Luo."
------
Before noon, the execution ground was already crowded with people and extremely noisy.
I heard that person is the legendary healer of the Guli tribe.
The old chief of the Dili tribe has offered a hefty reward for his head.
The court executed him because he had flirted with the Empress Dowager.
[Oh, this pretty boy wants to be like Lao Ai, huh? He deserves to be beheaded.]
"..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yu lifted the sedan curtain and staggered toward the execution ground. Looking up, she saw a headless corpse bound to the execution rack, and the azure blue clothes were none other than those worn by Gu Luo.
Her eyes were blurry with tears, her body limp and powerless, and she collapsed to the ground.
Cuiwei and Jiu'er rushed over and helped her up. "Empress Dowager, please rise quickly."
[It seems the Emperor is already aware of this matter; the Empress Dowager would be best advised to depart quickly.]
At this moment, Prime Minister Qiu hurried over and, seeing Chen Yu's gloomy expression, gently advised her:
[Your Majesty, please don't be confused! Since you have already ordered Gu Luo's execution, why are you still so troubled? Do you know that the Emperor, upon learning of this, immediately ordered the execution? Your presence at the execution ground will only further arouse the Emperor's suspicions.]
The Emperor's decree?
Shen Yu lowered her head and smiled bitterly. She never expected that Ping'er, who was still so young, would start scheming against her own mother.
Suddenly, her expression turned solemn. She broke free from Cuiwei and Jiu'er's support, fell to the ground, and picked up a pendant.
The silver fish pendant is identical in size, shape, and pattern to the white jade fish pendant.
It should be noted that the white jade fish pendant was a gift from Liu Yu to An'er and Ping'er. Such exquisite craftsmanship is rare even in the capital and Xiliang.
She suddenly turned her head, stared intently at Prime Minister Qiu, and asked in a deep voice, "Have any others been executed in the past few days?"
[Reporting to the Empress Dowager, only Gu Luo is present.]
Chen Yu was startled and clutched the small fish pendant tightly to her chest, her eyes instantly filled with tears.
Ping'er actually killed her own biological father?
She wiped away her tears and looked at the execution rack. There was a blood-soaked bundle on the ground. Staring at the wet, scarlet stain, she covered her mouth.
The Empress Dowager was frightened and quickly returned to the palace!
Prime Minister Qiu urged Cuiwei and Jiu'er to take Chenyu away, but unexpectedly, just as they helped Chenyu up, Chenyu suddenly broke free and ran wildly towards the headless corpse...
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