Chapter 432: The capital is in a state of panic, and everyone is in danger
After Chu Ruohan accompanied her sister to settle down in the east wing, Doctor Qian came to take her pulse again and prescribed some medicine to maintain the pregnancy.
"Sister, do you think this baby will be a boy or a girl?" Chu Yueshu gently stroked her belly, her eyes full of anticipation.
"It's only been a month, how can I know?" Chu Ruohan smiled and sat next to her sister. "Both boys and girls are fine, as long as they're healthy."
Ying Qing stood aside, her eyes full of tenderness: "I hope it's a daughter, as gentle and virtuous as Yue Shu."
"You're such a smooth talker." Chu Yueshu's cheeks turned slightly red and she gave her husband a reproachful look.
Chu Ruohan looked at the loving couple and shook her head. She decided to go see her child and not disturb their love for the past two years.
Chu Ruohan was about to give a few more instructions when she suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves outside.
"Madam, the general is back." Yuling came in with tea and reported softly.
Chu Ruohan was a little confused: "You're back so soon?"
Gu Junze strode into the yard with a serious expression. Chu Ruohan saw him and quickly stood up to greet him: "What happened?"
"It's okay." Gu Junze shook his head, his eyes indicating that he wanted to talk to Chu Yueshu and Ying Qing, and then looked at Chu Yueshu and Ying Qing, "You two should rest first. Your sister and I have something to discuss."
Chu Ruohan followed her husband back to the study and asked softly, "What does the emperor want to see you about?"
Gu Junze closed the door and lowered his voice: "The matter of Qingmo Valley is about to be closed."
Chu Ruohan's heart was shocked: "Have you found out?"
"Almost done." Gu Junze nodded, a cold glint in his eyes. "The officials in the court who were involved with Qingmo Valley have been investigated almost completely, and the emperor has decided to take action."
Chu Ruohan nodded, "How can I allow others to sleep soundly under my bed? Qingmo Valley has extended its hand too far. Our emperor is much more decisive than the previous emperor."
"Well, let's start tonight." Gu Junze said in a deep voice, "I have mobilized my personal guards and are ready to raid the first target - the residence of Zhao Mingde, the Minister of Rites."
Chu Ruohan frowned slightly: "Zhao Mingde? He's involved in this too?"
"On the surface, he appears to be honest and loyal, but secretly he is an important pawn of Qingmo Valley." Gu Junze sneered, "Over the years, he has used his position to provide Qingmo Valley with many imperial secrets."
"Then tonight..."
"I will lead the team myself." Gu Junze said firmly, "The Emperor has already issued a secret decree."
Chu Ruohan nodded: "Be careful."
"Don't worry." Gu Junze patted her hand, "We have been monitoring these people for a long time. There will be no mistakes."
As night fell, Gu Junze put on military uniform and quietly left the house with a team of elite soldiers.
Chu Ruohan stood at the door, watching his back as he walked away. Even though she knew that nothing would happen, she still couldn't help feeling a little worried.
"Sister, where did my brother-in-law go?" Chu Yueshu walked behind her and asked curiously.
Chu Ruohan turned around and walked back with her sister's arm: "Official business. Let's go back. You are in poor health now and can't catch a cold."
Zhao Mingde's mansion was brightly lit.
"Sir, you are still reviewing documents so late. You should take a rest." The butler stood respectfully at the door of the study.
Zhao Mingde waved his hand: "You go down first, I'll watch for a while."
Not long after the butler left, there was a sudden burst of hurried horse hooves and shouts of killing outside the mansion.
"Open the door! Search and confiscate by order!"
Zhao Mingde stood up suddenly, his face pale. He rushed to the window and saw that the entire mansion was illuminated by torches and countless soldiers had surrounded the entire house.
"It's over..." He muttered to himself, hurriedly took out a stack of letters from the secret compartment of the desk, and was about to destroy them when the door was kicked open.
Gu Junze led the soldiers straight to the study, kicked the door open, and looked coldly at Zhao Mingde who was burning documents.
"Sir Zhao, what are you burning so late at night?" Gu Junze sneered and signaled the soldiers to come forward and take away the letters that were not completely burned.
"General Gu..." Zhao Mingde's legs softened and he knelt on the ground. "What does this mean?"
"Zhao Mingde, you colluded with Qingmo Valley and leaked imperial secrets. The evidence is irrefutable, yet you still dare to quibble?"
Gu Junze shouted sternly, and then ordered the soldiers, "Search! Turn the entire mansion upside down, don't leave a single needle behind!"
The soldiers acted quickly and soon found a large number of letters, account books, gold and silver treasures exchanged with Qingmo Valley from the secret compartments in the study, the cellar under the bed, and the rockery in the garden.
Zhao Mingde's face was ashen and he slumped to the ground.
"Take him away!" Gu Junze waved his hand, and the soldiers came forward and dragged Zhao Mingde out. "Everyone in the mansion, regardless of gender, age or status, take them all away for interrogation!"
The entire search and seizure operation lasted until dawn. Nearly a hundred people in the Zhao family were taken to the prison, and all the money and property in the house were confiscated.
The news quickly spread throughout the capital, shocking the government and the public.
The next morning, during the court session, the hall was completely silent. The ministers who had previously rushed to speak now lowered their heads, not daring to utter a single breath.
Zhao Yunci sat high on the dragon throne and glanced at the ministers: "My dear ministers, why are you all silent today?"
No one answered.
Gu Junze stood in front of the palace and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, I was ordered to search the residence of Zhao Mingde, the Minister of Rites, last night and found a large amount of evidence of his dealings with Qingmo Valley. Zhao Mingde has confessed his guilt and has revealed many of his accomplices."
Zhao Yunci slammed the dragon throne heavily. "Good! Qingmo Valley has committed numerous evil deeds and brought chaos to the government. I have long wanted to eliminate them!"
He looked around at his ministers and said, "I will give you one more chance. Those who confess their guilt will be spared! Otherwise, once the facts are proven, your entire clan will be punished!"
His Highness fell silent again, and many ministers turned pale and broke out in cold sweat.
After the court meeting ended, the ministers left in a hurry as if they had been pardoned, fearing to stay even a moment longer.
Three days later, Gu Junze led his troops to raid the residence of Li Jingwen, the Minister of Works, and again uncovered a large amount of incriminating evidence. Li Jingwen's entire family was imprisoned, and their property confiscated.
For several days in a row, Gu Junze swept through the capital like a storm and raided the residences of five high-ranking officials one after another. Each time, the evidence was conclusive and irrefutable.
The court was in a state of panic. No one dared to speak loudly during the morning court session. Even after the court session, officials avoided Gu Junze, for fear of provoking this great general and becoming the next target of liquidation.
"General Gu is here!" Someone exclaimed in a low voice, and several officials who were originally talking in low voices immediately fell silent and lowered their heads to avoid him.
Gu Junze walked by expressionlessly, glancing at those frightened faces from the corner of his eyes, sneering in his heart.
He knew that this purge had just begun, and how long could Qingmo Valley endure... Action would be taken soon!
I'm really looking forward to it...
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