Chapter 103: The Wrath of Thunder
Gu Yangui's anger did not erupt immediately like that of an ordinary person. Instead, it was like a volcano covered by ice and snow, its surface calm but its interior churning with magma. He patted Su Wanrou's back reassuringly, his tone regaining its usual composure: "It's getting late, you should rest first. I still have some official documents to deal with."
Su Wanrou knew his thoughts were related to the rumors. She felt both warm and worried, but she didn't stop him anymore. She just gently reminded him, "Husband, don't stay out too late."
Gu Yangui nodded, personally helping her lie down, carefully tucking in the blankets, and lowering the bed curtains before turning and leaving the inner room. As he stepped out of the room, the last trace of gentleness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a bone-chilling coldness. He said to Wang Mama and Qingdai, who were waiting outside, in a deep voice, "Take good care of Madam and ensure she rests peacefully. Do not disturb her unless it is absolutely necessary."
"Yes, Your Excellency." Wang Mama and Qingdai sensed the invisible oppressive atmosphere and quickly lowered their heads in response.
Gu Yangui did not go to the study, but went straight to the council hall in the outer courtyard. It was late at night, but the council hall was brightly lit. His trusted steward, Gu Zhong, and two men dressed in casual clothes, with sharp and capable bearing, were already standing at attention, waiting. These two were Gu Yangui's capable subordinates in charge of intelligence gathering, and they did not usually appear in the mansion.
"Have you found out?" Gu Yangui sat down in the main seat, his voice calm, yet it made the temperature in the room drop several degrees.
One of the wiry men stepped forward and reported in a low voice, "Your Excellency, the rumors initially came from a tea party among several ladies, including the young mistress of the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion, Madam Wang, and the daughter-in-law of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Madam Zhao. The content... is quite offensive, mainly questioning the month of the ladies' pregnancy, and... implying that the ladies are using their children to secure the emperor's favor." The man spoke concisely, but a hint of indignation flashed in his eyes as he mentioned the content of the rumors.
Another person added, "My investigation has revealed that rumors have spread among some noblewomen in recent days, and even... there have been subtle discussions in jewelry stores, teahouses, and other places. It seems that the Cheng'en Marquis's mansion is behind it all." The Cheng'en Marquis's mansion is the maternal family of Gu Yangui's deceased first wife, and they have always harbored resentment towards Su Wanrou, his second wife.
Gu Yangui listened quietly, his knuckles rhythmically tapping the armrest of the rosewood chair, each tap seeming to strike the heart. His face was expressionless, but in his deep eyes, ice had hardened and a storm was brewing beneath the surface.
"Very good." After a long pause, he uttered two words, his voice as cold as the ice outside the window. "Gu Zhong."
"This old servant is here." Gu Zhong bowed quickly.
"Tomorrow, in the name of the Lady, send generous New Year's gifts to several families with whom we have a long-standing friendship and a reputation for integrity, including the Marquis of Yongting's residence and the Duke of Ying's residence. The gift list should be exceptionally lavish to highlight our close relationship," Gu Yangui instructed. This was a blatant show of allegiance and distinction, letting everyone know who the Duke of Zhenguo's family was as friends.
"Yes, this old servant understands."
Gu Yangui then looked at his two subordinates, his voice icy: "The Wang family of the Marquis of Anyuan, it's time to let people know about the tricks her father played in the canal transport. The old case of the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel getting into a fight with someone at the Imperial Academy last year and accidentally injuring someone, seems to have been forgotten by the Prefectural Magistrate's Office."
His tone was calm, yet every word struck at the heart of the matter. The Marquis of Anyuan's family relied on its connections in the Grand Canal, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel valued his reputation above all else. If his son's misconduct were to be exposed, it would be enough to cause him immense trouble. This was a precise and ruthless counterattack, subtle yet capable of crippling the opponent.
"As for the Marquis of Chengen's mansion," Gu Yangui paused, a sharp glint in his eyes, "the evidence of their Third Master's case of receiving a salary without working at the Xishan Garrison and condoning his subordinates' oppression of the people should be submitted to the Censorate."
"Yes, sir!" The two subordinates were startled and responded in unison. They knew that the Duke was truly enraged and intended to use swift and decisive measures to completely extinguish the source of the rumors and deter all those with ill intentions.
“Remember,” Gu Yangui stood up, his gaze sweeping over the three of them like lightning, “I don’t want chaos and turmoil, I want them to keep their mouths shut from now on. And to do things cleanly and efficiently.”
"yes!"
The men received their orders and left, and the council hall returned to silence. Gu Yangui stood alone by the window, gazing at the deep night outside, his hands clenched into fists behind his back. His beloved, so pure and beautiful, had been defiled by these filthy words! This angered him a hundred times more than if he himself had been humiliated.
He would not allow anyone to harm his beloved wife and unborn child. This turmoil had to be quelled completely with the strongest possible force.
In the following days, the capital city appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging beneath.
First, the An Yuan Earl's Mansion was suddenly in a mess. The young mistress of the house was impeached by the censor for embezzlement in the grain transport. Although it did not damage the foundation, it still caused the An Yuan Earl's Mansion to lose face and its source of income. The young mistress of the house suddenly found life difficult and no longer had the mind to gossip outside.
Following that, the eldest son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was brought up again. Although he eventually spent a lot of money to settle the matter, his reputation was damaged, and he was strictly disciplined by his father. As a result, Zhao's status in her husband's family also plummeted.
The most shocking event was that of the Marquis of Chengen's household. The Third Master of the Marquis's household was the apple of the Marquis's eye, yet he was exposed for his scandalous affair at the Xishan Garrison. The evidence was irrefutable, and he was immediately stripped of his post and imprisoned. The entire Marquis of Chengen's household was shaken, scrambling to bribe officials to get him released. They dared not cause any more trouble in secret.
These events occurred one after another, seemingly unrelated, but the well-informed top elites keenly sensed a connection between them. In particular, when the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion sent exceptionally lavish New Year's gifts to several friendly residences, the winds of change instantly shifted.
Those who had previously participated in the gossip or secretly watched the spectacle fall silent. They suddenly realized that Duke Gu Yangui was not merely a husband who doted on his young wife; he was also a powerful minister who made decisive decisions on the battlefield and manipulated events in the court! His usual indifference to the trivial matters of the inner quarters was merely out of disdain, but once his sore spot was touched, the retaliation would be swift and ruthless!
The rumors vanished as quickly as ice and snow exposed to direct sunlight. No one dared to openly discuss the Duke's wife's pregnancy anymore. In some situations, people even defended her, praising her as gentle and virtuous, a perfect match for the Duke.
On this day, Lady Li, the wife of the Marquis of Yongting, came to visit Su Wanrou. During their conversation, Lady Li held Su Wanrou's hand and said meaningfully, "Good child, you can rest assured now. In this world, sometimes thunder and rain are both acts of imperial favor. The Duke truly protects you with all his heart."
Su Wanrou was not ignorant; although she hadn't witnessed the turmoil unfolding outside, she had vaguely learned about it through various channels. She understood that all of this must be her husband's doing. She felt grateful for his protection, but couldn't help worrying about his situation.
During their evening rest, she nestled in Gu Yangui's arms and whispered, "Husband, I've heard about what's happening outside. Thank you for everything you've done for me. But, won't these actions make you enemies, and affect His Majesty's side..."
Gu Yangui gently stroked her long hair, his tone steady and resolute: "Jiaojiao, remember this. I, Gu Yangui, act only to have a clear conscience. Protecting my wife and children is my duty. As for making enemies?" He chuckled softly, a hint of arrogance and coldness in his voice, "If I can't even protect my own wife, what face do I, Gu Yangui, have to stand in the court? His Majesty is wise; how could he punish me for such a trivial matter?"
He looked down at her still flat stomach, his gaze softening: "You just need to focus on your pregnancy. I'll protect you from all the storms outside."
Su Wanrou raised her head and looked into his deep and unwavering eyes, where there was an unquestionable protectiveness and an all-conquering confidence. All her unease and worries vanished in that moment. She buried her face in his warm chest and said softly but firmly, "Yes, with my husband here, I'm not afraid of anything."
A thunderous rage swept away all filth. After this incident, no one dared to underestimate this young Duchess, nor did anyone question the legitimacy of the child in her womb. Gu Yangui used his forceful methods to declare to the entire capital his deep affection and protection for Su Wanrou.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, it remained warm and spring-like. Outside, however, the once-clamorous rumors had completely vanished, blown away by the winter winds without a trace.
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