The candidates were all terrified. In just one hour, they had witnessed a wonderful drama with many twists and turns and climaxes. They couldn't help feeling ashamed of themselves for having sympathized with Concubine Yang before.
Xuan Juren's mood became even more complicated. Thinking back to what Gu Jue had said in Mingfang Teahouse before, "Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened, listen to only one side and you will be in the dark," he felt that it was more meaningful and he gained some insights in his heart.
"Your Majesty..." Seeing Gu Ming kowtowing to Gu Jue so humbly, Concubine Yang felt extremely distressed. The slight resentment she had towards her son disappeared, and she wanted to say a few words in his defense.
But Gu Ming quickly reached out and grabbed one of Concubine Yang's sleeves and gave her a look. If he let his mother continue talking, he was afraid that he would offend the new emperor today, and he would also die.
The hall fell into a long silence. Gu Ming rested his forehead on the ground, not moving for a long time.
After a moment, Gu Ming finally couldn't help but move. He raised his head and looked straight ahead, meeting Gu Jue's cold eyes, as dark as the night and as cold as water.
Gu Ming felt uneasy when he saw Gu Jue's gaze. His heart was beating wildly, as if it was going to jump out of his throat.
Gu Jue smiled slightly and announced, "Gu Ming embezzled public funds and lent money privately. He will be tried by the three courts."
Gu Ming: “!!!”
Concubine Yang: “!!!”
Both mother and son's bodies trembled violently.
"No!" Gu Ming denied loudly, "I did not embezzle public funds, absolutely not."
At this point, Gu Ming could only choose the lesser of two evils. He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I lent money privately, but I did not embezzle public funds. That sum of money was the dowry for my mother and my concubine."
Gu Jue stared at Gu Ming quietly.
His eyes were clearer, colder, and brighter, like a sharp sword piercing straight at you.
The invisible pressure around him made Gu Ming's heart alarm bells ring, and the chill continued to spread and intensify in his body.
"Three hundred thousand for a dowry?" Gu Jue slightly changed his sitting position and gently leaned on the back of the dragon chair. "Do you dare to say it again?"
“…” Gu Ming’s eyes flickered as he wondered whether Gu Jue was lying to him or really knew something.
Gu Jue continued, "On the eighth day of the winter month last year, you received 300,000 taels of silver from the inner treasury a month in advance. This money should have been used to repair the Imperial Ancestral Temple, but you embezzled it and gave it to Li Er privately. Is that right or not?"
As he spoke, he placed the index finger of his right hand on his temple and tapped it casually.
Gu Jue knew, he actually knew everything! ! Gu Ming's eyes were filled with anxiety, and he didn't dare to look directly at Gu Jue. His whole body felt like it was soaked in a pool of ice water, and he was chilled from head to toe.
Either he had to admit that Concubine Yang and his wife had a dowry of 300,000 taels of silver, or he had to admit that he had embezzled a huge amount of money for repairing the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
He had no third way.
However, three hundred thousand taels of silver was too much even for him when he thought about it carefully. In the capital, even for relatively wealthy families, being able to prepare 50,000 taels of silver as a dowry for their daughter was already a rare and generous gift. When his wife married him, she came with 32 loads of dowry and 20,000 taels of silver, and his mother had even less.
If the new emperor asked him to submit a dowry list, or directly summoned his Yue family and Concubine Yang's family to explain the dowry, what should he do? !
Gu Ming was conflicted and felt even more uneasy and frightened. He didn't dare to reply at all. Another line of cold sweat slid down his cheek.
"explain!"
Gu Jue raised his voice slightly, scaring Gu Ming so much that he almost bit his tongue.
"Yes, I did embezzle that money." Gu Ming's body collapsed like mud. "I plead guilty, and I beg for forgiveness, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, please be lenient with me because I am also a descendant of the Gu family!"
Gu Ming knocked his head hard, making a thumping sound. After a while, his forehead was already bruised and purple, and he looked like he had lost his parents: It's over, it's all over! Gu Jue was not moved at all, not even his eyes or eyebrows moved, and he said calmly, "Because you are a descendant of the Gu family, I must deal with you impartially."
"Come here, arrest Gu Ming and let the three judges choose a day to hear the case."
A joint trial by three judges?! Concubine Yang also heard it, and her vision went dark.
This case could have been either light or heavy, but Gu Jue was too cruel. He insisted on bringing Gu's family affairs to the table and handling them as official business!
What would the three courts do next?! I'm afraid exile and confiscation of property would be the least severe punishment... Concubine Yang didn't dare to think about it any further.
The candidates could not help but recall the scenes that happened in front of the drum an hour ago, and felt even more ashamed: they were actually instigated by a few words from others. They thought that the evil queen was causing chaos in the emperor's ears and that the new emperor was bewitched by beauty and was a sign of a tyrant.
Thinking back on this now, they all wished they could dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it.
If they are so confused, even if they pass the imperial examination in the future, how can they serve as officials, see through everything and redress the grievances of the people!
The candidates all had solemn expressions, but Prince Li looked hesitant and wanted to plead for Gu Ming.
He knew that Gu Ming had committed a horrible mistake, but Gu Ming was a royal family member after all, and if the incident became a big deal, it would damage the reputation of the royal family.
Prince Li carefully suggested, "Your Majesty, should this case be handed over to the Imperial Clan Court for trial?"
"Then what about the Queen?" Gu Jue asked with a smile.
“……”Prince Li was speechless.
Well... In the heart of this kid Gu Jue, his queen is the most important. Who made Concubine Yang and Gu Ming so stupid that they had to implicate the queen and throw dirty water on her!
Then, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of the Supreme Court, and the Left Censor-in-Chief quickly stood up, bowed solemnly, and said, "We obey your order. We will definitely handle this case impartially."
Gu Jue continued to make a judgment: "Tai Concubine Yang falsely accused the emperor of deceiving her son and failed to educate her children properly. She is being stripped of her position as Tai Concubine to serve as a warning to others."
Yang: “!!!”
Then, Gu Jue gave Yang the final "fatal blow": "It is not a long-term solution to leave the title of Prince Jing vacant. Pass on my decree and restore the title to Gu Jin. Gu Jin has done nothing wrong and is the eldest brother, so he should inherit the title."
This time, even Gu Jin was shocked.
After being stunned for a moment, he bowed to Gu Jue solemnly and said, "I thank the emperor for his grace."
What?! Yang's eyes widened, her heart felt like it was crushed by a heavy object, and she felt so painful that she wanted to die.
Doesn't that mean she gave all the title and property of the Prince's Mansion to Gu Jin? ! Gu Jin was actually restored to his title, while her son was reduced to a prisoner, and his second half of life was completely ruined...
Yang could no longer face this cruel reality. Her eyes rolled back and she fainted on the stretcher.
Gu Jue didn't even look at Yang, and said to Prince Li, "Uncle, I noticed that the division of the Jingjun Prince's Mansion last year was not clean and decisive. I have to trouble you to preside over the division of the family for them again."
“Since the family is not united, it is better to divide this family as soon as possible.”
What Gu Jue meant was that when the Prince Jing's Mansion was divided last year, only Gu Jin's branch was divided, and the other concubines' branches did not. This time, it would be better to divide all the concubines' branches before Gu Jin was officially restored to the title, so as to save trouble.
Prince Li nodded repeatedly and agreed without further ado.
Immediately afterwards, Gu Ming was dragged away by the Royal Guards, but he still refused to give up. His heart-wrenching cry for mercy gradually faded away: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong..."
As for the unconscious Yang, she was carried out by two eunuchs.
No one present cared about the fate of the mother and son. They thought they deserved it and got what they deserved.
After the case was tried, two Jinyiwei took the four candidates out of the Huagai Palace.
The truth had been revealed, but the four candidates were still not calmed down, their thoughts still lingered on what had just happened, and they were filled with emotion. Although the new emperor was young, he was very experienced, and while he was talking and laughing, the masts and oars were reduced to ashes, which made them deeply realize the power of the emperor.
The candidates went out in a daze.
Immediately afterwards, the Minister of Justice and three other officials also tactfully said goodbye.
After leaving the Huagai Palace, Zuodu Yushi raised his hand and stroked his beard, and whispered thoughtfully: "Is the emperor going to clean up the royal family?"
The new emperor knew too well about Gu Ming's embezzlement of public funds and lending at high interest rates. He must have investigated it thoroughly long ago but simply kept it secret.
Concubine Yang and Gu Ming, mother and son, are really stupid. Why are they beating the drum to report to the emperor or filing a complaint? They are just walking into the knife of the new emperor.
If the case had not been tried by the three courts, the sentence could have been light. But now that it has been brought to court, the three courts will inevitably adopt an attitude of "the emperor is guilty of the same crime as the common people" and make an impartial judgment.
Gu Ming was used by the new emperor as an example to scare the monkeys, so that the royal family members could take it as a warning.
The Dali Temple Minister thought more and thought of Ji Mingzhi's matter. He murmured in a low voice: "First the army, then the royal family, and then..."
Whose turn would it be next? The three adults looked at each other in thought.
Yes, the new emperor personally tried the case this time and deliberately summoned them into the palace. I'm afraid that he was not only determined to sentence Gu Ming severely, but also used them to tell the civil officials his determination to rectify the government.
The Left Censor-in-Chief smiled slightly, stroked his sleeves, and walked forward with his hands behind his back, leaving a meaningful remark: "It is white, it cannot be black; it is black, it cannot be white. It is time to rectify it."
After they left, the Huagai Palace became much quieter, with only Gu Jue, Shen Qianchen, Prince Li and Gu Jin left.
Since they were all family here, Gu Jin's expression and tone became more casual, not at all restrained, and he said with a drooling face: "Your Majesty, I have been reinstated, but what about Qi Niang?"
He was asking Gu Jue, but it was Shen Qianchen who replied: "Princess is better than County Lord."
Shen Qianchen meant to promote Gu Zhiyan from county lady to princess.
Gu Jin had no intention of being polite with them. He smiled and clapped his hands, saying, "Princess Hui'an, yes, it sounds much better than Princess Hui'an."
Prince Li was amused and laughed heartily.
Gu Jue turned around and asked Shen Qianchen: "The imperial decree for Qi Niang is given to you?"
Shen Qianchen responded with a smile.
Gu Jin was delighted and was in a hurry to go back home to tell his wife and daughter the good news, but was stopped by Gu Jue again: "Gu Jin, I plan to set up a temporary Supervisory Office to supervise the examination affairs, and you will be in charge. The examination is coming soon and time is tight, so you will have to work hard for a while."
The imperial examination is to select pillars of the imperial court, and it is a matter of great importance. The importance of this assignment can be imagined. He knows that this is an opportunity given to him by Gu Jue. Whether he will continue to be an idle member of the royal family or earn a place for himself in the court depends on this one move.
Prince Li stroked his beard with a smile, feeling relieved.
As the head of the clan, he certainly hoped that the new emperor would make use of the clan members, so that the Gu family could prosper.
Soon after, Prince Li and Gu Jin also left.
It was getting late and the sound of the second watch could be heard in the distance. Tonight was the Chinese Valentine's Day and the entire imperial city was still brightly lit.
When Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen came out of the Huagai Palace, Pei Linye was waiting outside and reported, "Master Jiu, Yang has been sent back to the Prince's Mansion."
Gu Ming had been taken to the Tianlao to await trial by the three judges, but Gu Jue spared Yang and only took away her imperial edict.
"Have someone keep an eye on Yang." Gu Jue ordered calmly.
Pei Linye clasped his fists and accepted the order.
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
The two exchanged a tacit look.
They all knew that Yang was instigated by someone. Her plan failed and her son was also involved. Yang would not resign herself to this and would take action for her son. Gu Jue did not put Yang in jail for this very reason.
Pei Linye left, and Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen walked hand in hand towards the Qianqing Palace, taking a leisurely stroll.
The evening breeze was blowing, and the stars and the moon in the sky were quietly looking down at the people below.
Shen Qianchen's right hand was still playing with the folding fan, and he said with a smile: "Who do you think it is?"
What she asked was who deliberately instigated Concubine Yang to get involved with her.
"Wei Jingze." Gu Jue answered affirmatively.
Shen Qianchen pursed his lips and smiled, his smile was clever and cute, and he could see this clearly in his heart.
The ruler is strong and the ministers are weak.
Gu Jue was too powerful, making it impossible for Wei Jingze and his party to do as they pleased like they did during the reign of the previous emperor Gu Lang. They suffered repeated setbacks, especially in the matter of Ji Mingzhi. Wei Jingze must have wanted to use Concubine Yang's disturbance to force Gu Jue to reveal his flaws.
They wanted to teach Gu Jue a lesson so that he would not dare to act recklessly again and would listen more to them, the old ministers.
Shen Qianchen opened his folding fan in a casual manner, fanned it twice with a smile, and looked at him with bright eyes.
Gu Jue smiled and said, "Just wait and see. The court has been too chaotic in recent years."
When he said "these few years", he was referring to the few years since Gu Lang ascended the throne, and the sarcasm was evident in his words.
Shen Qianchen nodded in understanding.
No matter how powerful Gu Jue is, he cannot attack his ministers without reason, so he has been waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity to clean up the court.
You've worked hard! Shen Qianchen encouraged him by fanning him with a fan. The wind blew up a strand of hair on his temples, adding a bit of "I want to ride the wind back home" fairy spirit.
Shen Qianchen pursed his lips and smiled, looking contented with himself.
Under the moonlight, her eyes curved into a pair of crescents, and her smile was sweet and charming.
Gu Jue didn't know what she was laughing at, so he took the fan and fanned the two of them.
Shen Qianchen suddenly thought of something, tugged at his sleeve and said, "By the way, you must keep that bamboo card. I'll go with you to get the test paper in ten days."
Thinking that someone actually wanted to sell the test questions to Gu Jue, Shen Qianchen found it so funny that he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
As she laughed, she leaned towards Gu Jue.
The shadows of the two people on the ground were tightly fitted together.
Gu Jue let her lean on his shoulder and asked her softly, "Are you tired?"
Shen Qianchen shook his head, and then asked him: "Are you tired?"
Without waiting for Gu Jue to respond, Shen Qianchen said again: "There will be a day off tomorrow, let's sleep a little longer tomorrow morning." She directly assumed that Gu Jue was tired.
However, Gu Jue still shook his head: "Zhuang Maohua will come to see me tomorrow morning to discuss the issue of collecting empty salaries."
Zhuang Maohua was the Minister of War.
"..." Shen Qianchen pouted, his cheeks puffed up with anger.
Tomorrow was a day off every ten days, and she had originally thought that Gu Jue could sleep with her until the sun was high in the sky, and then enjoy a hearty breakfast. After breakfast, they would go for a walk, play chess, or something, and spend a pleasant morning.
Who would have thought that this Minister of War was so ignorant! Hateful, really annoying. Shen Qianchen's mouth was so pouty that it could hold an oil bottle.
Gu Jue handed her the fan again, rubbed the top of her head with his free hand, and said, "Sleep a little longer, I'll come back and catch up with you when you get some sleep."
Shen Qianchen responded sullenly.
She often heard Gu Jue talk about court affairs, and knew that he was busy with the issue of "drawing a salary without working" recently.
It took the Ministry of War more than a month to complete the statistics of all the troops in all states except the North. There were a total of 600,000 registered troops, but the actual number was less than 300,000.
This matter is of great importance.
Even though he knew it, Shen Qianchen still hated the fact that these people always came to Gu Jue for big or small matters.
The next morning, when having breakfast, Shen Qianchen still had the urge to get rid of Zhuang Maohua.
She stared at Gu Jue as he ate one more steamed bun, then let him go, half coquettishly and half admonishing him, "You have to come back early to have lunch with me."
Gu Jue wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, smiled slightly, rubbed her hair and said, "Just wait for me obediently."
Shen Qianchen was very happy to hear these four words uttered with such pampering.
She liked to wait for him, or rather, he would only say this to her: Wait for me obediently.
She nodded and smiled with her face tilted to one side, and her face looked as if it was saying, I'll be a good boy.
Gu Jue rubbed her head again.
After Gu Jue left, Shen Qianchen had no appetite anymore. It was best to eat until he was 80% full.
She obediently ran to the pharmacy at the back to boil the medicine.
Before they moved into the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Gu Jue had had this place renovated, adding a study and two pharmacies specifically for Shen Qianchen. One of the two pharmacies was used to store various conventional medicinal materials; the other was used by Shen Qianchen to prepare medicinal materials, boil medicine, and make medicine.
Gu Jue's medicine was all prepared by Shen Qianchen himself, and she was not willing to let anyone else handle it.
This medicine is used to detoxify corpses.
The poison from Gu Jue's corpse had been deposited in his body for more than two years. She estimated that Gu Jue would have to take medicine for at least three months.
The medicine needs to be boiled for an hour.
Shen Qianchen sat beside and watched the fire himself, occasionally fanning the stove gently with a palm-leaf fan.
By the time the medicine was ready, Gu Jue also came back.
Shen Qianchen personally poured the medicine for him and blew on it. When the temperature of the medicine was suitable for drinking, he handed the bowl to him.
The strong smell of medicine scared away the birds and cats in the yard.
Wherever the cat jumped past, the blooming flowers shook violently twice, shaking off a large number of tiny petals, as if they were frightened.
Shen Qianchen looked at Yueying's figure who was trying to avoid him and burst out laughing.
Gu Jue drank the medicine in one breath and said jokingly, "It is not afraid of heaven or earth, but it is afraid of your medicine."
Yueying was in very good health and seldom fell ill. Only once did she catch a cold, and Shen Qianchen prescribed medicine for her. After that incident, the cat stayed away from her for more than ten days.
"No way, it's afraid of you." Shen Qianchen said as he stretched out his hand to check his pulse, "Cats always know how to judge people by their appearance."
Normally, cats are not afraid of Gu Jue, but when Gu Jue is really angry, the first to flee is the cat. Cats seem to know who can be provoked and who cannot be provoked.
"That's right." Gu Jue nodded seriously, smiling. His "kitten" is like this! Shen Qianchen didn't notice his meaningful smile, but focused on the pulse under her finger, concentrating and holding her breath...
Soon, she withdrew her hand, curled her lips and smiled, and felt completely relieved.
Sure enough, it was the corpse poison that affected Gu Jue’s heart.
After taking the medicine for more than a month, the corpse poison was suppressed and dissolved, and Gu Jue's heart pulse gradually became stronger, not as weak as before.
very nice!
Shen Qianchen happily hugged his arms and rubbed her head against his shoulder, feeling so delicate and soft.
Her Jiuxia will never leave her again!
(End of this chapter)