Gu Shichong's face turned pale.
Setting up secret agents is nothing new. Not to mention him as a prince, even many powerful officials have their own sources of information.
But the difference is that once this crime is made public, it is a capital crime.
As long as his father really wanted to kill him, he could use this as an excuse to kill him in a natural way, and then write it into the history books, so that people in later generations would think it was justified.
This time, he was really panicked.
It was all Gu Shimin's fault, that ambitious guy, who set up such a trap to lure him into it.
Why...why couldn't he notice Tu Yuxian's abnormality earlier?
Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and dripped silently onto the bricks and stones of the Hall of Eternal Life.
The emperor was also very angry and didn't speak for a long time.
After a long silence, he called out, "Gu Shichong."
At this moment, Gu Shichong's voice had already weakened: "Your son... is here!"
The emperor's voice was as cold as frost: "I can spare your life out of consideration for our father-son relationship, or I can find the most suitable person to bear all the punishment for you."
Gu Shichong knelt down, his eyes suddenly jumped, and his stiff body remained motionless.
"Go back to Prince Gong's Mansion and think about the secret agents you have. Once you have figured it out, come back to the palace and report to me."
Gu Shichong's heart sank as if it were beating a drum. At this moment, he didn't know whether he was glad that he had escaped death or heartbroken that the news network he had painstakingly built for many years had failed.
Then the emperor coldly warned, "Don't blame me for not reminding you. Think it over carefully before reporting back to me. If there are any mistakes or omissions, you will be punished for deceiving the emperor!"
Gu Shichong wanted to speak, but he was already mute from fear. After several attempts, he finally managed to utter, "Your Majesty, I obey your command! I thank you, Father, for your great grace!"
When he left the Hall of Eternal Life, Ge Mingli's desperate cry for mercy behind him was still frightening.
Isn't Ge Mingli the most suitable person to bear the blame for him?
He was just a distant relative, and the Ge family wouldn't be upset over him, but he could be used as a warning to others, just like punishing Ge Yuanhui, to intimidate the Ge family.
He will never forget the humiliation he suffered today, and he will make Gu Shimin pay it back a hundredfold sooner or later!
As for Tu Yuxian, this fence-sitter...
The hatred in Gu Shichong's eyes was so strong that it seemed to be dripping with blood: he had already written Tu Yuxian's handle in those forged letters. The letters were forged, but the knife that could stab Tu Yuxian to death was indeed real.
Gu Shichong's steps were unsteady, and when he walked down the long steps, his legs softened. If it weren't for the eunuch beside him supporting him, he would have rolled down.
“Chong’er…Chong’er!”
Concubine Ge also rushed over after hearing the news. She covered her mouth and asked him in shock, "What happened?"
Gu Shichong was pale, and his weak legs were staggering. He was helped into the sedan chair by the eunuch with difficulty, but he could no longer utter a word.
Concubine Ge wanted to ask something else, but the eunuch said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has ordered His Highness to return home to reflect on his mistakes. Please don't make things difficult for us servants."
So, Concubine Ge could only watch the sedan chair being carried away from the Changsheng Palace.
She was stunned for a long time, then suddenly looked towards the main entrance of the Changsheng Palace and knelt down.
"Your Majesty, your concubine, Imperial Concubine Ge, requests an audience!"
The eunuch wanted to persuade her, but Concubine Ge didn't even look at her, so it was useless even if she tried to persuade her.
It was Peng Hui who emerged from the palace. He said politely, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has spoken. He has made his decision and does not wish to see anyone at this moment. Please return to Cuiwei Palace."
Seeing that it was Peng Hui, Concubine Ge asked, "Your Majesty, are you really unwilling to even see me?"
Peng Hui said nothing, but just sighed in embarrassment.
Her pupils trembled, and her face was filled with uncontrollable anxiety: "Eunuch Peng, what exactly happened today? Please tell me."
Peng Hui sighed again: "You...it's better not to ask."
After all, if you ask too many questions, how can Your Majesty still protect Prince Gong?
Concubine Ge was panicked. She stopped asking questions and kowtowed solemnly in the direction of the Hall of Eternal Life: "Your Majesty! I have not been strict in educating my son. I beg Your Majesty to forgive Chong'er. I am willing to take the blame on your behalf!"
There was no response from the palace, and Concubine Ge could only kowtow and repeat over and over again: "I have not been strict in educating my son. I beg Your Majesty to forgive Chong'er. I am willing to take the blame on your behalf!"
But she waited for a long time for the emperor's summons, but only waited for Gu Shimin.
As soon as Gu Shimin arrived, Peng Hui said, "Your Highness, please come in. His Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time."
Gu Shimin thanked him and then noticed Concubine Ge, who was in a rather embarrassed state at the moment.
He chuckled softly: "Madam Ge is well, the ground is cold, please take care of yourself, otherwise the third brother will be isolated and helpless."
Seeing Gu Shimin coming, Concubine Ge guessed that Chong'er's demotion today was most likely related to Gu Shimin.
She glanced at Gu Shimin coldly, her chin still raised arrogantly.
She snorted coldly: "Born from a palace maid, Chong'er will never fall behind you no matter what!"
Gu Shimin's eyes turned cold, but the smile on his lips deepened: "Then I wish Third Brother good luck and escape this disaster."
After saying this, he no longer looked at Concubine Ge's reaction and went into the palace alone.
Concubine Ge felt a pain in her back teeth. She supported her aching knees and stood up, glaring fiercely in the direction of the Hall of Eternal Life. She said to Yun Shuang, "Go back to Cuiwei Palace. I need to write a letter home to my brother!"
…
As soon as Xue Zhiyi returned to her room, she saw Huo Wuyou in a red dress, leaning sideways and looking at her.
She was startled and closed the door: "I am getting more and more used to the Marquis of Lin'an entering my house now."
Huo Wuyou stood up, walked around to her, tilted his head, looked at her, and said, "I have good news to tell you."
Xue Zhiyi sat down and said, "I've also heard that Gu Shichong was demoted by His Majesty. I'm afraid he's been severely injured this time."
Huo Wuyou then sat down with her and said, "Although Gu Shimin defeated Gu Shichong this time, he may not have gained all the benefits."
"oh?"
Huo Wuyou smiled faintly. "The letter forged by Gu Shichong contains a lot of secrets about Prince Cheng's party. To avoid unrest in the court, Your Majesty won't punish them all one by one. But with these handles in hand, it will be easy to use them to punish Prince Cheng whenever you want."
Their eyes met, and Xue Zhiyi chuckled, "This way, both sides will suffer."
Huo Wuyou pointed out her thoughts without hesitation: "This way, we can really kill two birds with one stone."
Xue Zhiyi did not deny it, but Huo Wuyou asked curiously: "Why, do you have a grudge against Prince Cheng?"
It’s not hatred, but it is an enemy.
Xue Zhiyi had no way to explain, so he simply asked him, "The entire imperial court is so small. If Prince Gong and Prince Cheng have more followers, the Marquis will have less room to expand his power. Moreover, if Prince Cheng's followers are honest officials, how could they have any evidence against them? Even if a few are eliminated, it will be a good thing for the people, right?"
Huo Wuyou just narrowed his eyes and said, "You're very sharp-tongued."
Xue Zhiyi smiled in response: "Thank you, Marquis Lin'an, for your praise."
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