Upon learning of Zhong Lian'er's death, Jiang Yu didn't react much; for Zhong Lian'er, death was already a relief.
"When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out; once they're dead, that's it."
Seeing this, Wanji stopped mentioning Zhong Lian'er, as if she had never existed.
"Achen's one-month celebration is coming soon. My little Achen will be one month old soon."
Jiang Yu looked at Gu Qingchen, who was blowing bubbles in the swaddling clothes, and a smile returned to her face. Just as Wan Ji was about to leave, Jiang Yu spoke again:
"Tell the Emperor that the Zhong family can be dealt with now."
The next day, Gu Qingyan dismissed Zhong Wuyi from office on a charge that was neither too serious nor too minor. His original words were that Zhong Wuyi should take the Zhong family out of the capital and move to Jiangnan to live out their retirement.
When Zhong Wu received the imperial edict, his back hunched over. How did he, a veteran official, gradually fall to this state?
"Lord Zhong, His Majesty is concerned about your health and has specially ordered you to leave the capital within three days to retire in Jiangnan. Jiangnan is a wonderful place with beautiful mountains and rivers. You and the eldest son can travel around and enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
Yingzhi's ambiguous smile rang out, and Zhong Wuyi's heart sank even further. It seemed that the Emperor didn't even want them to attend Prince Chen's full moon banquet.
After all, it's the Prince Chen's one-month birthday, and the Emperor is very likely to grant a general amnesty.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhong Wuyi swallowed the bitterness in his heart, smiled and saw Yingzhi off. When he returned to the front yard, he stumbled and fell to the ground.
The Zhong family is finished!
"Min'er, go quickly and invite your sworn brother."
Despite receiving the invitation from the Zhong family, Wei Ruo still came to the Zhong residence. Upon seeing Zhong Wuyi lying on the bed, Wei Ruo's expression remained unchanged.
“Now that the Zhong family has been abandoned by the Emperor, I can leave the capital, but Min’er is the future of the Zhong family. Ruo’er, go and beg the Emperor to let Min’er stay in the capital.”
Zhong Wu also held Kui Ruo's hand, pleading with tears streaming down his face.
But Kui Ruo slowly pried Zhong Wuyi's hand away. "Godfather, if I were you, I would leave the capital as quickly as possible, the sooner the better."
"What do you mean?" Zhong Wuyi's eyes narrowed sharply. "If the Zhong family hadn't taken you in back then, how could you have become the top scholar in the imperial examination, and how could you have such a successful career today?"
"I have never forgotten the kindness of the Zhong family. Over the years, I have helped the Zhong family both openly and secretly. I am sure my godfather knows best how much I have helped them."
Kui Ruo curled the corners of her lips, "Most importantly, I originally pleaded for Zhong Qi'er in front of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager with the grace of adoption, so there is no way to plead now."
Some favors can only be asked for once.
"You pleaded for Qi'er, but she still died, didn't she?" Zhong Wuyi still wouldn't give up. "If that's the case, then what's the point of your pleading?"
"significance?"
“Godfather, if I hadn’t pleaded for her back then, Zhong Qi’er would have been killed by the Sun family long ago.” Wei Ruo smiled mockingly. “Or is it that Zhong Qi’er’s position in your heart is nothing more than that?”
"you!"
Zhong Wuyi gasped for breath, "I'm a veteran official of the court, and a former official of the Great Qing Dynasty. The Emperor treats me like this; isn't he afraid...?"
"Godfather, please be careful with your words and actions, lest you bring trouble upon the Zhong family."
Kui Ruo's expression immediately turned cold. "The reason I am still willing to come today is to remind my godfather one last time not to make any more futile struggles. In the Emperor's heart, the Zhong family has already been sentenced to death."
"The reason I didn't kill you is because you are a veteran official."
After Wei Ruo left, Zhong Wu stared blankly at the bed curtains, then frantically called for Zhong Min.
"Min'er, pack your things quickly, we're leaving the capital tonight."
"Father, but your legs..."
“I’ll just ride in the carriage.” Zhong Wuyi gripped Zhong Min’s hand tightly. “Min’er, if we don’t leave now, neither of us will survive.”
That night, Zhong Wuyi left the capital with Zhong Min and the rest of the Zhong family, thus ending the Zhong family's life in the capital.
......
The next morning after the court session, Gu Qingyan kept Kui Ruo behind alone.
"The gentleman went to persuade the Zhong family yesterday."
Gu Qingyan spoke with a smile, but Wei Ruo's heart was filled with alarm bells.
Although Gu Qingyan called him "sir," he knew better than anyone that Gu Qingyan was now an unstoppable beast, and if he wasn't careful, he would be devoured without even leaving a bone.
“I thought of our past relationship and was worried that the Zhong family would not understand His Majesty’s leniency, so I went to enlighten them.”
Gu Qingyan nodded upon hearing this, "It's good that they've left, and that brings peace and quiet. Otherwise, it wouldn't be good if Mother thought of the Zhong family again and became unhappy."
When Jiang Yu was mentioned, Wei Ruo simply smiled and did not respond.
"The full moon celebration for Achen is just around the corner. I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites to draft the regulations, but I am also thinking of inviting some officials from outside the capital to come and celebrate as well."
"Isn't this a bit too extravagant?" Kui Ruo asked with some concern. Even the Crown Prince's full moon celebration wasn't this grand.
"I have already thought of my words. On the one hand, it is to celebrate A-Chen's full moon celebration, and on the other hand, it is to celebrate the unification of the world. A-Chen's birth at this time shows that he is a lucky star of our Great Yu." Gu Qingyan loved his younger brother and naturally did not spare any praise.
"Your Majesty understands. I will immediately go and inform the officials outside the capital."
“Officials of the sixth rank or above within the capital, and those outside the capital, the fourth rank,” Gu Qingyan pondered for a moment. “Also, I intend to announce a tax reduction for next year on that day.”
Kui Ruo was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this. "Your Majesty, the people of Dayu have not paid taxes for several years now."
"This is a good thing." Gu Qingyan laughed out loud. "My people should keep the money they earn with their own hands in their own pockets. As for the national treasury, the government salt is enough."
"Yes, the Minister of Revenue said that now that taxes have been reduced, the revenue that government-owned salt brings to the national treasury has increased several times over."
"Let's do it this way."
Gu Qingyan made the final decision and eagerly awaited Gu Qingchen's full moon celebration. He wanted to show those old guys what an adorable little brother he had recently gained.
"I obey the order."
No sooner had Kui Ruo left the Hall of Supreme Harmony than Gu Qingyan rushed to the Zhaoning Palace, calling out Gu Qingchen's name as he entered the room.
"Ah Chen, your brother is here!"
Inside the room, Jiang Yu smiled and kissed Gu Qingchen's baby-scented face, "Your brother is here."
Gu Qingchen seemed to sense it, and immediately started gesturing wildly, making everyone laugh until their eyes narrowed.
"Oh dear, why is A-Chen spitting?" Gu Qingyan carefully wiped Gu Qingchen's face with a handkerchief. "I'm going to find an artist tomorrow to paint your likeness."
If he doesn't listen to us in the future, we'll use this to blackmail him!
Brilliant plan!
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