Chapter settled
After pondering all night, Fu Yunxiu went to the General's Mansion at the first light of dawn the next day.
Chen Yan had gone to court and had not yet returned, so the steward led Fu Yunxiu to the hall to wait for him.
The maid served tea and, as she was leaving, she ran into Shen Jiao, who had come after hearing the news.
"Miss." The maid bowed. Shen Jiao glanced at her, nodded, and said, "You may leave."
"Miss Shen." Fu Yunxiu stood up and bowed when he saw Shen Jiao enter.
"Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities." Shen Jiao waved her hand, sat down in the hall, and after a moment's hesitation, asked, "What do you think of my suggestion from yesterday?"
Seeing Fu Yunxiu looking over, she explained, "Young Master, please don't misunderstand. I'm not forcing you. I just overheard my brother saying last night that the Left Prime Minister wants to settle his past before his son's burial."
As for how it would end, Shen Jiao didn't say, but Fu Yunxiu could guess.
Fu Yunxiu cracked his knuckles and asked, "Was what Miss said yesterday true?"
Seeing that the fish had taken the bait, Shen Jiao was secretly delighted but did not show it on her face. "Of course, I, Shen Jiao, always keep my word."
She only said that she would find someone she loved in the future and ask him to give her a letter of divorce. However, her beloved was him, so it cannot be considered that she broke her promise.
"Miss Shen, do you know that I already have a beloved in my heart? She is the true wife in my heart. Would Miss Shen be alright with that?"
Shen Jiao looked completely bewildered. "What do you mean by that, Your Highness? We are just business partners. You have someone you love, and I'm naturally overjoyed for you. How could I possibly mind?" Shen Jiao said this almost through gritted teeth.
She knew Fu Yunxiu liked that concubine, but she never expected him to value her so much. Even though he was going to marry her out of wedlock, he still treated her as his only wife, and even said it so openly in front of her, his soon-to-be fiancée.
But it doesn't matter, she's just a concubine, she, Shen Jiao, has plenty of strength and means.
A hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes, but it vanished in an instant, so fast that Fu Yunxiu didn't even have time to catch it.
This feigned nonchalance and casualness actually put Fu Yunxiu at ease. "In that case, it's a pleasure to cooperate."
Shen Jiao smiled and said, "It's a pleasure to work with you."
No sooner had the two finished speaking than a cheerful voice came from outside the door, "What do you mean, 'Happy cooperation'?"
Immediately afterwards, Chen Yan's figure appeared at the doorway.
As a military officer, his hearing was naturally better than that of ordinary people.
At this moment, Shen Yan was dressed in a crimson-purple casual robe and wore a jade crown. He was impeccably dressed, indicating that he had changed his clothes after returning from court.
When Shen Jiao saw him, she jogged over and said, "Brother, you're back from court!"
"Hmm, I heard from the servants that Young Master Fu has come to visit," he glanced at Fu Yunxiu in the hall, "What are you two talking about? What kind of cooperation?"
“Brother, you misheard. There’s no cooperation,” Shen Jiao said, a hint of unease on her face. “It was the Crown Prince who said he agreed to a marriage alliance with the General’s Mansion.”
“Really?” Shen Yan looked at Fu Yunxiu and sneered, “Didn’t you say yesterday that you would never agree to a marriage alliance?”
Feeling embarrassed at contradicting himself, Fu Yunxiu couldn't help but look awkward. Seeing his predicament, Shen Jiao secretly pinched Shen Yan's soft arm and said coquettishly, "Brother~"
"Okay, okay, I misspoke." Shen Yan hurriedly begged for forgiveness, pushing away Shen Jiao's flesh that was trying to free her.
He walked into the hall, looked at Fu Yunxiu, and asked, "Have you figured it out?"
Fu Yunxiu gave a wry smile. "Yes, I've figured it out."
The helplessness and self-mockery on his face made Shen Yan feel a little guilty. After all, Fu Yunxiu's relenting was something he and Shen Jiao had faked and coerced. But at the same time, he was also somewhat disappointed in Fu Yunxiu.
If he had stuck to his own opinion, Fu Yunting would have been released even without the marriage alliance.
"Very well. Those who achieve great things must make choices. In that case, I will go to the palace to inform the Emperor and ask him to grant you two a marriage."
Upon hearing this, Fu Yunxiu looked sharply at Shen Jiao. The emperor's decree of marriage meant that the two could not easily divorce in the future.
Shen Jiao met his gaze and instantly understood his meaning. Although she was annoyed by his ruthlessness, she still had to continue the charade.
"Brother," Shen Jiao stepped forward, "isn't this a bit too much trouble?"
"What trouble or not? You two, one is the heir of a marquis's family, and the other is the daughter of a general's family. Your marriage should naturally be decreed by His Majesty. Besides, you are going to marry into Yongzhou, and I will not be by your side. With His Majesty's decree, you will suffer less bullying."
The term "sunken eaves" refers to the power struggles and infighting within a noble family's residence.
His words also helped Fu Yunxiu understand some things.
The elders of the Fu family are known for their sycophancy and opportunism. The reason they don't respect him is because they see no benefit in him. However, if he marries Miss Shen and receives an imperial decree, the situation could change drastically.
Thinking about this, Fu Yunxiu was no longer so opposed to Shen Yan's suggestion.
It was just an arranged marriage. Even if he couldn't divorce Shen Jiao in the end, in his heart, Aman was his only wife, and that was enough.
Fu Yunxiu smiled and bowed gracefully, "In that case, I'll trouble you, Brother Shen."
“You’re still calling me Brother Shen? From now on, you should call me Brother, just like Jiao’er.” Shen Yan laughed heartily, and Fu Yunxiu followed suit, saying, “Yes, Brother.”
After seeing Fu Yunxiu off, Shen Yan immediately went to the palace to meet the emperor.
Emperor Xie Chen knew why he had come as soon as he saw him.
"Did it work?" he asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I beg you to grant my younger sister, Shen Jiao, a marriage with Fu Yunxiu," Shen Yan said.
"Are you trying to provide protection for your sister, afraid she'll be bullied in the Marquis's mansion?" Xie Chen asked.
“Yes, I only have this one younger sister, and I really don’t want to see her suffer after she marries into the family,” Shen Yan said.
"You've certainly put a lot of thought into this," Xie Chen said. "But have you considered that my personal bestowal of this marriage means the two of you can never divorce, otherwise it would be disobeying the imperial decree? What if your sister changes her mind later?"
"This..." Xie Chen's words clearly stumped Shen Yan. She only thought about giving Shen Jiao a guarantee, but she never thought about what would happen if Shen Jiao went back on her word in the future.
Xie Chen had spent his childhood in the military, so he was naturally less shrewd in dealing with people than Xie Chen, who had suffered many grievances since childhood.
"Alright, seeing that you love your sister dearly, I will grant this marriage. However, this marriage is only a verbal order, not an imperial decree, so as to leave them a way out in the future. Even if your sister goes back on her word in the future, it will not be considered disobeying the imperial decree."
This would be a win-win solution.
Shen Yan bowed deeply in gratitude, "Your Majesty's consideration is indeed thorough. Thank you for your kindness."
"Alright, get up. There's no need for all this formality between us."
After Chen Yan stood up, Xie Chen looked at his friend, who was three years older than him, and couldn't help but worry, "But speaking of which, now that your sister is getting married, shouldn't you also start thinking about your own marriage?"
"Your Majesty, please don't tease me," Shen Yan said with a wry smile. "You know my situation perfectly well."
"What, do you really intend to remain chaste for your mother for the rest of your life?" Xie Chen asked.
Recalling the past, Chen Yan's face inevitably showed some melancholy and regret. "Wan Niang saved my life, and I promised her that I would stay with her for life. I have already hurt her once, and I don't want to be a person who breaks his promise again."
Even if he could never find his stepmother again in this life, he would remain chaste for her for the rest of his life.
Xie Chen didn't understand love and didn't want to understand it, so he couldn't understand why someone who was once so spirited on the battlefield now gave people the feeling of being alive but barely alive.
"You're quite the romantic."
With that matter concluded, the two returned to their main topic and began discussing the Left Chancellor.
Now everything is ready, all that's left is for Fu Yunting to confess and confirm the Left Prime Minister's crime of disrupting the judiciary.
In recent days, he has sent people to secretly investigate and has collected a lot of evidence of the Left Prime Minister's crimes. Now, he is just waiting for an opportunity.
After a brief discussion, Shen Yan left the palace and headed straight for the Jingzhao Prefecture prison.
After the guards were removed, Shen Yan spoke with Fu Yunting alone. Upon learning of the emperor's plan, Fu Yunting immediately expressed his willingness to cooperate fully, and even suggested that Shen Yan torture him in order to prevent Shen Yan from exposing his scheme.
Such loyalty to the emperor and love for the country truly impressed Shen Yan. But looking at Fu Yunting's hands, which could have written beautiful articles but were almost ruined, Shen Yan felt even more guilty.
Fu Yunting was innocent; it was Fu Yunting who dragged him into the situation for his own selfish reasons.
"Don't worry, His Majesty will reward you handsomely after it's done."
Fu Yunting didn't care about these things. Compared to the reward, he was more worried about Fu Yunxiu. "General Shen, please pass on a message to my brother after you leave. Tell him not to worry, I am fine."
After he confesses, the Prefect of Jingzhao and the Left Chancellor will definitely not allow him to see anyone again. He is afraid that his brother will be anxious and upset when he hears the news.
The pretext Shen Yan had used to send the guards away was for a private interrogation, so he still had to go through the motions and symbolically cracked the whip a few times.
Anyway, Fu Yunting's clothes were tattered, and the bloodstains on them were so bad that it was impossible to tell when they were taken.
Not long after Shen Yan left, Fu Yunting shouted that he wanted to confess. The clerk brought paper and pen, and Fu Yunting recounted his crime in detail, following Shen Yan's instructions.
When the clerk delivered Fu Yunting's signed and sealed confession to the Prefect of Jingzhao, the Prefect was overjoyed and wept.
In the past few days, the Prime Minister has been putting pressure on him repeatedly, telling him to use whatever means necessary to make Fu Yunting confess his crimes and submit to the law.
But Fu Yunting was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), so it was inappropriate to torture him. He had been so worried that his hair had turned white these past few days, but now he could finally get what he wanted.
Overjoyed, he even forgot to ask Fu Yunting how he confessed, and rushed off to see the Left Prime Minister.
After reading the confession, the Left Chancellor saw that there was not a single word or sentence that was detrimental to his son, and that the confession was even self-consistent. He assumed it was the work of the Prefect of the Capital and, unusually, praised him a few times.
"Your Excellency flatters me; it's all my duty," the Prefect of the Capital said with a fawning smile, his obsequious manner truly nauseating. "Don't worry, once this matter is settled, I'll put in a good word for you before His Majesty," the Left Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister's residence was currently in mourning, so the Prefect of Jingzhao did not linger and quickly left through the back gate. Outside, the sound of suona horns filled the air. Looking at the white sails under the eaves outside the window, the Left Prime Minister was overcome with grief.
This was his only son, and he wanted him to leave this world with dignity and a clean conscience.
A strong wind swept through the capital city that night.
Along with the strong winds came Fu Yunting's confession. The white paper, like snowflakes, blanketed the capital overnight.
The confession stated that he killed Gao Zhao out of jealousy—jealous of Gao Zhao's illustrious family background and noble character.
But the common people don't know who Fu Yunting is, nor do they know who Gao Zhao is. He bullies men and women, flaunts his wealth in public, and indulges in all sorts of vices, from drinking and gambling to womanizing.
How can someone like that be worthy of the title "of noble character"?
Previously, the people were somewhat hesitant to discuss Gao Zhao because of the large-scale mobilization of the Prime Minister's residence. But now, because of this confession, Gao Zhao has once again become the topic of conversation among the people, and some victims have even come forward to testify that Gao Zhao was not as virtuous as the confession described.
Some of the students who were on good terms with Fu Yunting also spoke up for him, proving that he was usually self-disciplined and respectful, and that even if he had a conflict with Gao Zhao, it was Gao Zhao who started it. Moreover, Fu Yunting had always disdained associating with Gao Zhao, so how could he be jealous of him?
Thus, Fu Yunting's confession seemed particularly abrupt, and some clever and curious people quickly figured out the key to it.
News of the Prime Minister's forced confession spread with the summer heat.
With a loud bang, the fine Ru kiln porcelain teacup shattered at the steward's feet. The Left Prime Minister, panting heavily, glared angrily at a group of servants, "You bastards, who exactly dares to oppose me?"
A large group of people were kneeling on the ground, all silent and trembling. Only the steward dared to step forward and try to comfort him, "Prime Minister, please calm down. Don't get sick from anger."
"Calm down? There's so much going on outside, how can I calm down?" The Left Prime Minister snorted coldly.
“I’ve investigated, and they say that this morning, a lot of Fu Yunting’s statements were inexplicably scattered in the market. Some people pointed out that the statements in them did not match the facts, and the families that the young master had previously bribed also came forward to testify,” the steward said.
"They..." The Left Prime Minister frowned as he thought of that group of poor bastards, "Weren't they already given money?"
"Yes, but I don't know why today..."
"Ha!" The Left Prime Minister snorted coldly. What else could it be? It was simply that someone was interfering and didn't want his Zhao'er to be buried in peace.
If I had known, I shouldn't have been so soft-hearted; I should have just let Zhao'er kill them directly.
"I've heard that Fu Yunting has an older brother who has been running around for him all this time?" the Left Prime Minister asked.
"Yes, it is said that he is very close to Lord Ji Qing," the steward said.
"That old scoundrel..." the Left Prime Minister sneered, "Thinking that mere rumors could frighten me? What a joke! A bunch of ants, daring to try and shake a tree."
The Left Prime Minister waved his hand and said, "No need to worry about it. Once Zhao'er is buried smoothly, everything will be settled. I will then go to His Majesty to explain myself."
The following morning, the sound of suona horns, signaling the start of the funeral procession, resounded throughout the streets. The funeral banners fluttered, and the mourning procession stretched from one end of the street to the other. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought it was the burial of some important figure.
Paper money was scattered all the way out of the East Gate. The Left Prime Minister, with tears in his eyes, scattered the first handful of yellow earth into the grave that had been dug early in the morning. "Zhao'er, go in peace!"
"Bury him." At the steward's command, the monks, who had been preparing for some time, stepped forward, holding prayer flags and chanting to guide the soul to the mountain.
After the ceremony, eight strong men, each holding a shovel, covered the coffin with soil.
As the earth gradually buried the coffin, Gao's mother cried out in anguish, "Zhao'er, you're gone! How can your mother live now!"
The mournful sound was truly heartbreaking to hear and brought tears to the eyes of all who heard it.
Seeing this, everyone present wiped away their tears, until a sudden voice rang out, "Wait, spare their lives!"
In this world, I've heard of people being spared from execution by beheading, but I've never heard of someone being spared from death by burial shovel.
So astonished were they that the servants forgot to feign tears and turned around to search for the source of the sound.
Shen Yan arrived late, riding a tall horse. Behind him followed a squad of Imperial Guards, each armed with a long spear, clearly indicating that they were up to no good.
"Chen Yan, what do you mean by this?" The Left Prime Minister pushed aside the steward who was supporting him, took two steps forward, and glared at him angrily.
Shen Yan didn't speak, but with a wave of his hand, the well-trained Imperial Guards quickly parted the crowd to make way, completely surrounding Gao Zhao's grave.
“Lord Gao, the cause of your son Gao Zhao’s death is questionable. His Majesty has ordered that the coffin be opened for an autopsy and the case be reopened,” Shen Yan said.
"Impossible!" Upon hearing the words "exhumation and autopsy," the Left Prime Minister nearly rushed forward to tear Shen Yan's skin off. "It was you! It was you who interfered and forged an imperial decree! I want to see His Majesty! I want to see His Majesty!"
The Left Prime Minister was making a ruckus, and Madam Gao even rushed to Chen Yanma's side, trying to pull him off the horse and scratch his face. "It was you! It was you who abused your power for personal gain! My Zhao'er is already dead! Why won't you let her go? My poor Zhao'er!"
The two men's shouts and curses rose and fell, giving Shen Yan a headache. He sighed, dismounted, and took out the imperial edict from his bosom.
"His Majesty has decreed..."
The bright yellow imperial edict stood out starkly against the white backdrop. The four characters on the eaves acted like a switch, instantly silencing everyone around. The people in the Prime Minister's residence, including the Prime Minister himself, all knelt down.
The emperor slowly opened the imperial edict and read aloud:
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Left Chancellor Gao Shu has disregarded the law, abused his power for personal gain, and disrupted the judiciary. His crimes are unforgivable. He is hereby imprisoned in the Jinwu Guard prison to await investigation. The death of his son Gao Zhao is in doubt. The Jinwu Guard is hereby ordered to exhume the body for examination and to retry the case. This is the imperial decree.
As soon as Shen Yan finished speaking, Madam Gao, who had been emotionally agitated just moments before, closed her eyes and fainted.
"Madam, Madam."
The Left Prime Minister slowly raised his head, glaring fiercely at Chen Yan. "It was you, it was you who pulled the strings."
Shen Yan looked completely innocent. "Lord Gao, what makes you say that? His Majesty only ordered a reinvestigation of the case because he heard rumors circulating among the people, in order to appease the public. The Prefect of Jingzhao confessed to the crime himself, which is why he dragged you into this, Prime Minister. What does this have to do with me?"
Chen Yan waved his hand and said, "Take the Left Prime Minister away and take good care of him."
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