The next day.
When Gu Qingling attended court for the first time in Lingzhou, officials from south of the Mi River gathered in Lingzhou. Gu Qingling changed the reign title to Yongding, thus completely dividing the country with Gu Heng and ruling from the river.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Gu Qingling sat on the dragon throne, feeling extremely comfortable.
At the same time, Gu Heng remained unconscious in the Daqing Imperial Palace. The imperial physicians were frantic but could not come up with any prescription. The entire capital was shrouded in an aura of death.
Because Gu Heng was unable to attend the morning court session due to his health condition, all the officials simply kowtowed to the palace outside the palace gates and left.
He Yu, dressed in an official robe, blended in among the officials.
After kowtowing and returning to the He residence, He Yu picked up his pen and wrote a proclamation.
"Pack your things and head to Lingzhou tonight," He Yu ordered in a deep voice, then blew on the still-wet ink on the proclamation. "After I leave, find a way to spread this proclamation throughout the world."
This manifesto clearly details Gu Heng's various acts of inaction since taking the throne.
This intensified the feud between the royal family and the Jiang family. Gu Heng, as the emperor, knew about the injustice suffered by the Jiang family but turned a blind eye, which shows he cannot even be called a gentleman.
There was also the matter of replacing the Empress's child...
This manifesto can be described as a fatal blow.
He Yu rushed to Lingzhou overnight, and then his subordinates who stayed at the He residence burned the residence down at sunrise, and the proclamation was spread.
This led everyone to believe that He Yu committed suicide by burning himself because he could not be loyal to such a monarch.
For a time, public resentment towards Gu Heng reached its peak. Coupled with Gu Heng's prolonged absence from consciousness, more and more cities and officials voluntarily submitted to Gu Qingling.
On the way, He Yu disguised himself and rode a horse at full speed.
His master had treated him well for so many years, and he finally... had found an opportunity to repay his master...
The importance of the Jiang family was fully revealed at this time.
When the surrounding small countries heard about the sudden change in the situation in Daqing, they began to wantonly invade the people on the border of Daqing, but the local government did not have the courage to take up arms to resist.
Only then did everyone realize that the Marquis of Dingyuan, who could command thousands of troops with a wave of his hand, would never wave the banner of Daqing again.
"My lord... is Jiang He here?"
Outside the mansion gate, Bai Qian regretted her question as soon as she asked it and wanted to turn around and leave, but a voice stopped her, "I'm here."
Bai Qian turned around abruptly, looked at Jiang He in front of her, and pursed her lips, "Are you... are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but I'm no longer the Marquis of Dingyuan."
Jiang He shrugged casually, "In a few days, I will move my parents' graves to Lingzhou."
"So you'll stay in Lingzhou too? Isn't Lingzhou now occupied by Gu Qingling?"
“Not only my parents, but many of the Jiang family ancestors also died in Lingzhou.” Jiang He’s lips curved into a smile. “I will guard Lingzhou. As for Gu Qingling, we will take Lingzhou back.”
"That's easy for you to say."
Bai Qian's eyes flickered slightly. "Last time, Her Majesty the Empress said that you had something to say to me."
So once again she put aside her pride and came here to see him.
“Yes.” Jiang He was about to speak when General Bai’s voice suddenly rang out, “No wonder I couldn’t find you anywhere. So you came here.”
General Bai looked at Jiang He with a hint of sadness in his eyes, and reached out to pat Jiang He's shoulder, "These years have been tough on you."
"I'm not tired."
"Alright, the Marquis must have a lot of things to deal with right now. Ah Qian, don't bother him here." General Bai grabbed Bai Qian. "My daughter is naughty, please forgive her, Marquis."
Bai Qian stared intently at Jiang He, whose hands were clenched tightly. In the end, Jiang He managed a weak smile and said, "It's nothing."
He understood what Bai Shu had been looking at earlier.
After Bai Qian and her father returned to the Bai residence, Bai Qian stared blankly at General Bai, "Father, he clearly had something to say to me just now."
“Axi, the Jiang family is in too much chaos right now. I can’t let you get involved at this time.”
“But Father, I’m willing,” Bai Qian said, crying. “I’m willing to be involved.”
“I am your father. I promised your mother that I would take good care of you, so I cannot just stand by and watch you be in danger.”
General Bai lowered his head. "Axi, please grant your father's request this time."
......
Zhaoning Palace.
"Ayu, these are the investigation results regarding He Yu."
Gu Lin handed a small stack of booklets to Jiang Yu, who flipped through a few pages. “It looks perfectly fine. Every step from passing the county-level exam to becoming an official in the imperial court is traceable.”
Gu Lin's expression also became more serious. "So, does Ayu believe that He Yu really did invite disaster upon himself?"
"impossible."
Jiang Yu said decisively, "After He Yu set himself on fire, Gu Qingling easily gained so many benefits. No loyal subject of Daqing would stand by and watch Gu Qingling usurp the throne."
There is only one possibility: He Yu himself was colluding with Gu Qingling.
But how could that be?
“I think the same thing as you.” Gu Lin sighed softly. “He Yu stayed in the village until he was sixteen. I’ve already sent people to that village to investigate, but it will take some time.”
Jiang Yu nodded upon hearing this, "The current situation is entirely under our control. Once Gu Heng dies and Gu Qingfeng has no interest in the throne, A Yan will naturally be the rightful successor."
"Ayu, you've lost weight again."
Gu Lin felt a pang of heartache. In the past few months, A Yu had been working tirelessly every day, growing thinner and thinner each day.
"Once we get through this, things should get better from now on." Jiang Yu smiled. "Although I've been tired lately, I feel great."
All the truths that had been kept hidden in her heart were revealed to the world, and those who had bullied her received the price they deserved.
"You stay in the manor and take good care of my elder brother for me."
Gu Lin sat with Jiang Yu for a while longer. Jiang Yu held a book and read it, while Gu Lin watched her from the side.
You can watch it over and over again without getting tired of it.
As the sun sets, another day begins.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Gu Heng suddenly started talking nonsense again, almost exactly the same as last time, repeatedly murmuring: Ayu.
As for Gu Heng, he began to be forced to witness certain scenes again, which were beyond his control.
The only difference was that the scene he witnessed this time was one he had never seen before.
He witnessed Gu Qingling ascend the throne and honor Consort Rong as Empress Dowager.
But what Jiang Yu received was an imperial edict ordering his execution.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Empress Jiang has disturbed the inner palace and endangered the dynasty. I have just ascended the throne and hereby order the execution of Empress Jiang to rectify the court. I also grant a special imperial examination, which the whole country will celebrate."
A few breaths later, the imperial physician beside Gu Heng's bed cried out in horror: Your Majesty... why are Your Majesty shedding tears of blood!
Two streams of bloody tears slid down Gu Heng's cheeks.
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