The second day of Shangsi Festival.
An imperial censor has impeached Lord Gu for failing to educate his son properly and allowing his son to commit crimes.
When Lord Gu heard this, he was shocked.
Ever since he took the position of prefect of the capital, he has been working very hard and walking on thin ice.
I dare not make any mistakes for fear of being caught.
He never expected that his son would cause him a lot of trouble before anything happened to him.
Lord Gu asked someone to find out which son had caused him trouble.
Sure enough, as he had guessed in his heart, it was that bastard Gu Ting.
Upon learning that Gu Ting had fought with Xie Shi in public yesterday on Shangsi Festival, Lord Gu was immediately furious.
Treason!
He did not delve into the impeachment. He immediately rushed back to the mansion and angrily asked as soon as he entered the door: "Where is the rebellious son? Call him out."
Upon seeing Gu Ting, Lord Gu gave the order without a word, "Come here, drag this rebellious son out and beat him severely."
Mrs. Xie was overjoyed.
Gu Ting, that brat, caused such a big disaster within two days of returning home. He deserves a beating!
"Yes, he must be beaten severely. If he is not taught a lesson, he will not know the seriousness of the matter."
Gu Ting was still confused, and the servants held him down and wanted to beat him with a stick.
He yelled, "My son refuses to accept this. He has done nothing wrong, why is he being beaten?"
Lord Gu pointed at Gu Ting and angrily shouted, "Because of you, I was impeached by the censor for not parenting my son well. Tell me whether you should be beaten or not."
ah?
Gu Ting was stunned.
My sister was right. Someone really made use of this incident to make a fuss.
Master Gu said angrily: "Beat him, beat him hard!"
Just as the board was about to fall, the servant reported, "Second Aunt is back."
Immediately afterwards, Gu Jiu appeared in the flower hall with his men.
"Greetings to father and madam."
Xie narrowed her eyes, thinking that Gu Jiu's return was just in time. She wondered who had tipped off her and invited her back.
Master Gu was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why are you back?"
Gu Jiu said, "I heard that my father was impeached. I was worried and anxious, so I came back to see him. Is he okay?"
Master Gu said sternly, "How can it be alright? Because of this rebellious son, your father was impeached. If you don't teach him a lesson, he won't learn his lesson."
Gu Jiu coughed lightly, "It's just an impeachment, why would father do this?"
Lord Gu was stunned.
Xie said, "Second Aunt, even if it's for Sanlang, you shouldn't speak against your conscience. This is an impeachment. The Master was impeached by the Censor. How can such a serious matter become a trivial matter in your mouth?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "These days, those old officials in the Secretariat, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of State Affairs are all impeached year round. If you pile up the impeachment memorials against them, they would probably be as high as a person."
Xie said, "This time the censor impeached the master for failing to educate his son properly and allowing him to commit violence. Can this be compared to the old master in the political hall?"
"Things in officialdom may seem different, but if you look closely, they are essentially the same."
Gu Jiu simply sat down on the chair.
Master Gu frowned, looking thoughtful. "Xiao Jiu, when you say this, could it be that you have received some news?"
Gu Jiu asked, "Father, do you really think that the censor's impeachment today was because of the fight between Third Brother and Xie Shi?"
"Isn't it?"
Gu Jiu said softly, "Father has recently been ordered to clear the arrears of the Ministry of Revenue. He must have offended quite a few people."
Xie suddenly realized, "Could it be that your palace has hired someone to impeach the master? This is really too much. You are helping your husband's family to harm your own family. How can you have a clear conscience?"
Gu Jiu laughed sarcastically, "Madam, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Even though we are talking behind closed doors, you should at least be careful. You dare to convict the prince without any evidence. Aren't you afraid that the prince will investigate?"
Xie opened her mouth to refute.
But unexpectedly, Master Gu scolded him, "If you don't speak, no one will think you are dumb."
Xie was extremely embarrassed, her expression changing constantly, like a dyeing factory, from white to blue, then blue to purple.
Gu Jiu faced Lord Gu and said solemnly, "The palace has absolutely not asked the censor to impeach father. Father, don't forget that there is another person involved, Xie Shi, in this matter of my eldest brother's fight. I think Madam should know best what the Xie family's situation is like now."
Lord Gu turned around abruptly and stared at Mrs. Xie. That's right, it's impossible for one person to fight. Could it be that the Xie family did it?
Thinking back to the time when Xie Mao had done a lot of harm to him before he died.
Now Xie Mao is dead, and his son Xie Shi, a wolf cub, is serving as a personal guard beside the emperor's eldest grandson.
If he is willing to spend money, there will naturally be imperial censors willing to serve him.
Xie was horrified. "Master, you can't listen to Second Aunt's nonsense. Ever since my eldest brother died, the two families have separated. Second brother is only focused on making money, how can he have the ability to influence the officials in the court? As for Xie Shi, he is just a young man, he has not done anything, what ability can he have?"
Lord Gu was suspicious.
Gu Jiu asked, "How long has it been since Madam last saw Xie Shi?"
Mrs. Xie said with a straight face, "I only saw him once during the Chinese New Year."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Xie Shi hasn't gotten married yet, right?"
"He is still in mourning, how can he get married?"
Gu Jiu tapped the table lightly. If he hadn't gotten married, he would have no in-laws to help him, and the Eastern Palace would probably not stand up for him for such a small matter.
"If it's not the Xie family, then it must be another family."
"Could it be the Haixi Marquis's Mansion?" Xie looked at Lord Gu.
Lord Gu frowned, "I heard that Zhao Erlang fell off a cliff yesterday, but he survived?"
Gu Jiu nodded. "His life has been saved, but his legs may not be. The Haixi Marquis's Mansion has invited Doctor Wang to treat him, but I heard that Doctor Wang is not very confident that he can save his legs."
"Ah?" Xie was horrified. "How could it be so serious? The Haixi Marquis's mansion sent someone with the news yesterday, but they didn't say the leg couldn't be saved."
Lord Gu snorted coldly, "Of course the Haixi Marquis' Mansion won't tell the truth."
Mrs. Xie burst into tears. "Master, what should we do? If Zhao Erlang can't save his legs, won't Yue'er's life be ruined?"
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows. It seemed that Xie still had feelings for Gu Yue and had not completely given up on her.
Lord Gu frowned and asked Gu Jiu, "Do you really think that the Haixi Marquis' Mansion sent someone to impeach me?"
Gu Jiu answered irrelevantly, "Father, do you know which censors impeached you?"
Lord Gu nodded and said seven or eight names in one breath.
Gu Jiu nodded slightly. "I don't know anything else, but if I remember correctly, the Xu Yushi my father mentioned just now should be from the same hometown as the Haixi Marquis Mansion."
The Zhao family of Haixibo Mansion were not born and raised in Beijing. Their ancestral home was Qingzhou, and they had only been prosperous for two generations.
The three major relationships in officialdom are fellow townsmen, classmates, and classmates.
The relationship between fellow townsmen is stronger than that between classmates or classmates.
People from the same hometown usually unite under the most powerful person and collude with each other for mutual benefit.
Among the people of Qingzhou, the most powerful person nowadays is Haixibofu.
If this Censor Xu was not familiar with the Haixi Marquis's Mansion, Gu Jiu would definitely not believe it.
Lord Gu also thought of this.
He gritted his teeth and said, "What a jerk Haixi is! I treat him as a relative, but he treats me as an enemy. He owes the Ministry of Revenue money, and he thinks he's right. This is really too much."
Xie asked cautiously, "Master, there's no evidence to prove it was the Haixi Marquis's Mansion that did it. I think we should be more cautious about this matter. It would be bad if we offended someone. In the officialdom, more friends are always better than more enemies."
Lord Gu's eyes were red, and he simply refused to listen to Xie's advice.
Unexpectedly, Gu Jiu said, "Madam, you're right. This wasn't necessarily done by the Haixi Marquis's Mansion. Perhaps Lord Xu is truly loyal to his duties and acts impartially, which is why he filed a petition to impeach Father. Father, think about it again. Who else have you offended since you took office?"
Lord Gu snorted coldly, what else are you thinking about.
It is absolutely impossible for the censor surnamed Xu to do things impartially.
This matter must be related to the Haixi Marquis's Mansion.
However, speaking of offending people, Lord Gu mentioned another incident.
"The Minister of Revenue promised me something a while ago, maybe it's related to this matter."
The Minister of Revenue promised to promote Mr. Gu to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue, which must have hindered others.
Some people may take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble, but they will not bring down Lord Gu. However, as long as they ruin Lord Gu's reputation, the things promised by the Minister of Revenue may be snatched away by others.
Lord Gu didn't say what it was about, but Gu Jiu guessed it.
She said, "It seems that father has many political enemies in the officialdom. He must be careful."
Lord Gu nodded secretly, "Father will act with caution."
Xie suddenly pointed at Gu Ting, who had remained silent the entire time. "No matter who's behind this, this is all because of Sanlang. Are we really going to let him go? If His Majesty asks about this, how will I explain it?"
Lord Gu had a serious expression and stared at Gu Ting with an unfriendly look.
Gu Ting felt a little guilty. He had never thought that a fight with Xie Shi would cause so much trouble.
Gu Jiu lowered his head and smiled, "You worry too much, madam. Your Majesty is busy with many things every day and has no time to care about such trivial matters."
Xie was furious. "According to Second Auntie's opinion, shouldn't Gu Ting be held accountable? Could it be that he was right to fight?"
Gu Jiu looked at Mrs. Xie with a half-smile, "I know that Madam loves Xie Shi, but there's no need to keep yelling at Third Brother to kill him.
If Madam is really worried, then she should beat up her Third Brother and then take him to the government office and have them investigate the matter thoroughly.
By the way, as someone involved, Xie Shi must go to the government and explain the situation clearly. What happens next is entirely up to the government officials."
Xie's expression changed.
Lord Gu immediately said, "Give Gu Ting five lashes of the board to teach him a lesson. There's no need to send him to the government office."
Gu Ting was a little unconvinced and muttered quietly, "Father should also beat Xie Shi."
Upon hearing this, Lord Gu flew into a rage. "If Xie Shi was my son, you can see I would beat him. You bastard, you got into trouble and still dared to talk back. You really deserve a beating."
Gu Jiu frequently winked at Gu Ting, telling him to shut up. It was only five strokes of the cane, and she figured the servants wouldn't dare to hit him hard in front of her.
As expected, those servants were afraid of Gu Jiu and just pretended to hit Gu Ting five times.
After all, Gu Jiu’s status is not ordinary now, and the servants are used to changing with the times, so they naturally know what to do.
But Gu Ting also loved to act. When he was hit by the first stick, he started screaming and howling, the sound was deafening to his eardrums.
After five beatings, his butt was fine, but his throat was hoarse.
Gu Jiu covered his face, unable to bear to look.
Silly brother, you're overdoing it.
Look at my father’s ugly face, he’s almost pissed off.
Gu Ting suddenly felt guilty and simply jumped up and ran away.
"You bastard, you've fallen into my hands. Next time I'll give you a beating."
Xie was gloating over other people's misfortune. This is the result of being spoiled.
"If we continue to indulge him like this, I'm afraid Sanlang will cause even greater trouble in the future."
Gu Jiu snorted coldly, "Madam, you're worrying too much. Third Brother knows how to handle things properly, so there's no need for you to worry."
Xie sneered, "Property? Fighting in public, is that considered proper propriety?"
Gu Jiu said, "That's called manliness. Some people just deserve a beating, so every time you see them, you have to beat them up."
Xie's expression changed. "Who do you say deserves a beating?"
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Don't worry, Madam. I'm definitely not talking about you."
"You, you, sir, listen to what she said?"
Xie was furious. Gu Jiu was truly unscrupulous now, daring to insult her like this. Was there any rule left?
"Okay, stop talking."
Lord Gu was a little impatient.
He will be very irritable now.
"We can't just let it go like this with the Haixi Marquis' Mansion."
Gu Jiu said, "If your father is struggling with a lack of evidence, your daughter can handle this matter on his behalf."
Lord Gu's eyes lit up.
Yes, Gu Jiu is now the wife of the prince. It shouldn’t be difficult for her to find out the truth behind this.
Lord Gu asked, "Are you sure?"
Gu Jiu said, "I'll do my best. When I get the news, I'll send someone to inform Father. Don't worry, Father. It's not as serious as you think."
"I hope so."
Xie was a little worried, "Master, are you really going to break up with the Haixi Marquis' Mansion?"
Master Gu snorted coldly, "They are unkind, don't blame me for being unrighteous."
"What should we do about Gu Yue?" asked Xie.
Lord Gu said expressionlessly, "I can't take care of so many things right now. Let's deal with this matter first and then talk about other things."
Xie gritted her teeth and said, "I'll arrange for someone to go to the Earl's Mansion to check the situation. If Zhao Erlang's legs are really not worth saving, we have to find a way to deal with this matter."
Lord Gu did not object.
Gu Jiu didn't stay for long.
After leaving Gu Mansion, she went directly to Zongzheng Temple.
When he saw Liu Zhao, his first words were: "Lend me your men, I need to check on a few people."
Liu Zhao asked calmly, "What happened?"
"My father was impeached..."
Gu Jiu went over the whole thing from beginning to end, "The people I have are good at investigating the private affairs of the inner house. But to investigate the affairs of the officialdom, I can only rely on your people."
Liu Zhao nodded and said, "Go find Qian Fu and ask him to arrange for someone to investigate. However, the impeachment of my father-in-law may not have been done by the Haixi Marquis' Mansion."
"Oh? You think it's my father's political enemy?"
Liu Zhao smiled and said, "It's also possible that the emperor's eldest grandson instructed his subordinates to do it."
Huh?
This was completely contrary to her idea.
Seeing that Gu Jiu was confused, Liu Zhao pointed at her and said, "Have you forgotten yourself? You are my wife now. If you impeach Lord Gu properly, you might even be able to implicate the palace."
Gu Jiu frowned, "Just based on this, you think it was the emperor's eldest grandson who did it?"
Liu Zhao said, "You've never met the Emperor's eldest grandson, so you don't know his character. But I've fought him for over a decade, and I know his temperament and methods inside and out. He might have been behind Xie Shi's provocation of Gu Ting. Even if he wasn't behind it, he'd definitely use it to his advantage later."
Gu Jiu was still a little confused: "It's just a fight, he should know that he can't do anything to the palace?"
Liu Zhao nodded. "You're right. A mere fight wouldn't do anything to the palace. But you've forgotten the saying, 'A thousand-mile dam is destroyed by ants.' Bit by bit, bit by bit, even the strongest dam will eventually be destroyed. This time, we can't do anything to the palace, but we can definitely leave an impression on Grandfather Huang. A bad one."
Gu Jiu frowned, "If it's really as you said, then there's no need to investigate this matter."
Liu Zhao shook his head. "No, you have to investigate further. I also want to see how far the emperor's eldest grandson has extended his hand over the years."
Gu Jiu heard the coldness in Liu Zhao's tone and felt a little worried.
She warned: "You can't do anything rash."
Liu Zhao nodded and said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything rash." I will only do it according to a plan.
Gu Jiu was worried, "I'll handle this matter, you don't need to interfere."
Liu Zhao smiled coldly, "Why, are you afraid that I will harm you?"
Gu Jiu snorted, "I'm not afraid that you will hurt me, I'm afraid that you will seek death yourself."
Liu Zhao's brows relaxed and he smiled gently, "Don't worry, I won't seek death."
Gu Jiu asked again: "When will you come out?"
"It's almost there, just be patient."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
