On the third day after Madam Fan and Madam Fan entered the palace, they received a comprehensive attack and retaliation from Jiang He.
Early morning.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
As soon as Cen Hai finished speaking, Jiang He stepped forward with his scepter in hand, saying, "Your subject has a report to make."
Upon hearing this, the officials exchanged glances. Marquis Dingyuan rarely spoke in court, so who was this troublesome person who had offended him?
"speak."
Gu Heng quickly racked his brains but couldn't think of anyone who had offended Jiang He. Now that Gu Heng wanted to gain Jiang Yu's forgiveness, he naturally had to be more considerate of Jiang He.
"Your subject wishes to impeach the Earl of Wenchang for failing to manage his household properly and for failing to properly discipline his sons and nephews."
The ministers' eyes widened in disbelief. Was this a nephew impeaching his uncle?
Wenchangbo's face flushed red, and his hand holding the scepter trembled. "Your Majesty, please see the truth. When have I ever failed to manage my household properly?"
"First, there was his son Fan Shen, who favored his concubine over his wife, spending his days indulging in brothels and theaters, and his household was full of 'skinny horses' gathered from all over the place." Jiang He spoke righteously and sternly. "Then there was the old lady and the countess of the Earl's mansion who entered the palace without being summoned by the Empress."
“A thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant hole. If this is not stopped and restrained, it may cause a great disaster in the future.” Jiang He turned to look at Wenchangbo. “Uncle, I am also thinking about the Earl’s Mansion.”
Wenchangbo almost choked on his breath. He had impeached almost every master in his entire earldom, and now he was saying it was for the good of his earldom.
"Fan Qing, is what the Marquis of Dingyuan said true?"
After listening to Jiang He's words, a thoughtful look flashed in Gu Heng's eyes. He had heard about the Fan family's visit to the palace a few days ago, and he had initially thought that it was A Yu who had invited them. But now it seemed...
It's Gu Qingling.
This realization caused a sudden surge of murderous intent to flash in Gu Heng's eyes.
"Your subject... Your subject..." Wenchangbo stammered, unable to speak. Jiang He's actions had given him no time to react, and he had specifically targeted Gu Heng's sensitive points, leaving Wenchangbo powerless to refute.
"Since even Minister Fan cannot explain it clearly, he should stay in the Earl's mansion and come out to tell me when he has figured it out."
With his confinement indefinitely, Gu Heng had already begun to consider eliminating the Wenchang Earl's Mansion.
After the court session ended, Wenchangbo remained kneeling on the ground, trembling all over.
"The court session has ended. Hurry up and help your uncle up."
Jiang He stood in front of Wen Changbo, looking at him as if he were a clown.
“My lord, no matter what, we are blood relatives.”
“From the moment the Fan family drove my mother out of the mansion, the blood ties were severed.” Jiang He approached again, his tone light but like a block of iron hitting the Earl of Wenchang’s heart. “Your Majesty is the Empress, not some Tom, Dick, or Harry can presume to manipulate you.”
How dare they bully his sister right under Jiang He's nose? Do they think Jiang He is dead?
......
"Thank you very much, brother."
Inside Zhaoning Palace, Jiang Yu's skirt fluttered in the wind, reflecting the beauty of the flowers behind her. For a moment, Jiang He felt as if time had flowed back to his childhood.
Only when he stood up for A-Yu would A-Yu obediently thank him.
"Today I noticed that His Majesty seems to be considering taking away his title." Jiang He's gaze softened, filled with tenderness.
For the Fan family to align themselves with Gu Qingling at this time, isn't that just courting death?
Seeing Jiang He's expression, Jiang Yu's eyes darted around. Something was wrong. Her brother was so certain that he must have found some other leverage over the Earl's mansion.
Suddenly, Jiang Yu seemed to realize something, and her red lips parted slightly.
"Brother, could there be a woman who disappeared from Hengxian among the 'skinny horses' that Fan Shen bought?"
A smile spread across Jiang He's eyes. "Your Majesty is wise."
[This is truly a case of Heaven wanting to destroy the Fan family, but Heaven is helping me!]
"Have all the missing women in Heng County been found?" After fully realizing what had happened, Jiang Yu hurriedly asked. Compared to these missing women, the Fan family's affairs were no longer worth mentioning.
Jiang He's expression also turned serious.
"Your Majesty, we have only found sixty-four people. The rest... have probably all perished."
Jiang He's words were like cold water poured over Jiang Yu's head, chilling her to the bone. Nearly half of the women had perished...
"Fortunately, all the missing women are in the capital and have not been sent to other areas." Jiang He told Jiang Yu the results of the investigation one by one. "It should be a method that Wei Sheng came up with to win over officials in the capital."
[They were using the lives of innocent civilians to win over officials in the capital.]
"Ayan is also waiting for news of these women. I will write to him now." Jiang Yu closed her eyes. "Brother, their deaths were too unjust."
What's chilling is that this kind of thing only happens in Hengxian County?
"Your Majesty, just do your best and be true to yourself."
......
Hengxian County.
Gu Qingyan noticed that Gu Lin had been disappearing for longer and longer periods of time lately.
“I haven’t seen Brother Huo much lately.” Gu Qingyan pouted, and Chang Qing immediately spoke up, “Third Prince, Mr. Huo mentioned before that he has some business to take care of.”
"He said that you have arranged things perfectly, and with your subordinates protecting you, you will surely be able to handle the matter in Heng County properly."
Gu Qingyan nodded, but he couldn't express the feeling in his heart. He was actually a little afraid that he would never be able to see Mr. Huo again.
But his connection with Mr. Huo was based on matters in Heng County, and once he finished his business and returned to Beijing, he would likely never see him again...
"Third Prince, a letter has arrived from the capital."
Gu Qingyan's attention was immediately drawn to the letter. He opened it and found that the whereabouts of the missing woman in Heng County were clearly written inside.
While the soldiers and Gu Qingyan were discussing the next move in the study, Gu Lin collapsed on the bed.
"Ling Hai, is this how you protect your lord?" Ling Shan rushed all the way from the capital to Heng County, and after seeing Gu Lin's condition, he punched Ling Hai.
"Your mission is to protect the lady, Ling Shan. You have disobeyed the master's orders again." With one punch, blood was already trickling from the corner of Ling Hai's mouth. Last time, the master used his internal energy to protect the young master, which caused the poison to spread. He had to hold on until he was sure that the young master could handle the matter in Heng County before collapsing.
"Three years ago, Master Jingyuan said that the Master should no longer use his internal energy and should take a dose of medicine every month to suppress the toxins." Ling Shan's eyes were bloodshot. "Ling Hai, with your skills, can't you handle those lackeys? Does the Master really have to take action?"
“Ling Shan, that’s the young master.”
Ling Shan remained silent for a moment upon hearing this. Looking at Gu Lin lying on the bed, Ling Shan's eyes turned bloodshot. "I can only take Master to Lingshan to find Master Jingyuan."
Lingshan is a rugged place, and wild animals often roam there.
But Ling Shan and Ling Hai did not hesitate at all. They carried Gu Lin on their backs and disappeared into the courtyard in just a few breaths.
Only a corner of the yard remained, where a patch of bellflowers bloomed.
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