On the way back to the Duke of Chu's Mansion, Chu Ruoyan was lost in thought, nearly twisting the jade ribbon in her hands to shreds.
How could she not guess Yan Zheng's intentions?
Destroying the Gu family was a show for the Princess.
Becoming the Chief Minister? That was exactly what the Princess wanted!
An Sheng had played her cards too well over the years—she had bribed most of the officials in the Six Ministries, the scholars in the Imperial Academy and Hanlin Academy revered her like a deity, and even the common people sang her praises...
Under such circumstances, even if someone accused her of treason to the Emperor, he would likely dismiss it as slander against the Princess!
The only solution was to ride her momentum, then divide and conquer.
And that was exactly what Yan Zheng did.
But he had gone too far, too ruthlessly, turning himself into a living target!
To say nothing of others, just the countless disciples and protégés of Chancellor Gu over the years would never let him off easily!
Indeed, Chu Ruoyan's guess was spot on. The very next day, a hundred officials jointly petitioned the Emperor to dismiss Yan Zheng.
By the third day, memorials condemning Yan Zheng for violating propriety by entering officialdom as a cripple flooded the palace like snowflakes.
On the fourth and fifth days, thousands of scholars gathered in front of the palace gates, sitting in silent protest for Chancellor Gu...
When news of this reached the Princess's residence, An Sheng merely chuckled lightly. "Old Gu Sun hasn't wasted his decades as Chancellor. Even locked up in prison, he still has so many rushing to his aid..." She lifted her teacup, blowing gently on the floating tea leaves. "Zheng'er, kill them."
Five casual words, yet they sealed the fate of hundreds in the Gu family.
Yan Zheng paused mid-turn of a military strategy book. An Sheng smirked. "What? Losing your nerve?"
This was both a test and a demand for his pledge of loyalty.
Yan Zheng tossed the book aside. "No hesitation here. But death alone won't silence the world."
"Oh?" An Sheng raised an eyebrow with interest. "Then shall this mother await her son's good news?"
That afternoon, Chancellor Gu was dragged out of his cell.
Clad in white prison garb, shackled at the feet, his temples gray but his back straight, he strode out of the dungeon with his head held high.
"Chancellor Gu," Yan Zheng greeted, wheeling forward. Gu Sun shook his head. "Lord of Anning, spare your words. This old man never harmed Cao Yang. I’d rather die than confess to false charges!"
Yan Zheng remained silent, merely signaling for someone to present a few hairpins and ornaments.
At the sight, Gu Sun's face paled. "My wife... Feiyan? What have you done to them?"
Yan Zheng replied, "Their fate depends on your choice."
Half an hour later, the palace gates swung open.
The scholars, who had been sitting in protest for two days, rose as one—only to see Gu Sun, his face ashen, escorted out by guards.
"Chancellor Gu!"
"Chancellor Gu!!"
The crowd surged forward but was held back by soldiers. Gu Sun scanned their faces, then turned back to glance at Yan Zheng.
Yan Zheng gave a slow nod. Gu Sun closed his eyes. "This old minister... pleads guilty!"
The court was thrown into chaos. The Emperor, long vexed by his officials, finally exhaled in relief upon reading Gu Sun's confession. "An Sheng has raised an exceptional son! Now let’s see what those ministers have left to say!"
Yin Shun kneaded the Emperor's shoulders with a smile. "All thanks to Your Majesty’s discerning eye, breaking convention to appoint the Lord of Anning. Without Your Majesty’s wisdom, none of this would have been possible."
Pleased, the Emperor leaned back. After a moment, he suddenly asked, "What of Gu Sun’s fate?"
Yin Shun froze, then hastily knelt. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. This servant hadn’t finished relaying Chief Minister Yan’s words."
"Speak freely. No need to kneel."
Yin Shun bowed. "Chief Minister Yan proposes that while Gu Sun’s crimes warrant execution, given his years of service and the fact that Lord Cao still lives, the Emperor might commute his sentence. Instead, exile the entire Gu clan to their ancestral lands."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "He’s pleading for leniency?"
Yin Shun stayed silent. The Emperor’s expression shifted before he burst into laughter. "Good! Excellent! This plea will leave his critics speechless. Silencing opposition while winning hearts—An Sheng’s son is truly formidable!"
Only then did Yin Shun dare breathe. He quickly summoned officials to draft the decree.
When An Sheng read the edict, she smiled. Gong Shang frowned. "Your Highness, the Young Master disobeyed your order to make an example of them. Yet you seem... pleased?"
An Sheng’s lips curled. "Fool. Water can float a boat or sink it. With this, Zheng’er’s position is secure."
At the Duke of Chu's Mansion, in the Bodhi Courtyard, Chu Ruoyan finally exhaled in relief upon hearing the news, her heart settling after days of dread. "How difficult it must have been for him..."
An Sheng had demanded Gu Sun’s life, while the officials fought to save him. To navigate such pressures and achieve this outcome was the best possible under the circumstances.
Just then, Yuetao, maid to Lady Jiang the Younger, arrived. "Young Miss, the Duke and Madam request your presence in the main hall. They emphasized dressing meticulously."
Chu Ruoyan’s pulse quickened. "Dressing up? Are we expecting noble guests?"
Yuetao flinched, lowering her eyes. Nanny Zhou discreetly pressed two silver pieces into her hand.
"Young Miss..." Yuetao whispered, "It’s the Jian'an Count and his son..."
"Jian'an Count?"
Nanny Zhou prompted, "Have you forgotten? Lord Xiao—he even held you as a child!"
Realization dawned. "Uncle Xiao!"
Jian'an Count Xiao Haiping, her father’s closest friend, had been absent from the capital for years overseeing salt inspections. His return was unexpected...
"And his son, Xiao Yu, is here too?"
"Yes. They’ve brought lavish gifts."
Understanding flashed in Chu Ruoyan’s eyes. "I see. Go ahead. I’ll join shortly."
Once Yuetao left, Chu Ruoyan immediately powdered her face stark white, donned plain robes she rarely wore, and replaced all hair ornaments with a single wooden pin.
Yulu gaped. "Miss, what—?"
Weren’t noble guests arriving? Why dress like a nun?
Nanny Zhou fretted. "Young Miss, the Duke will surely reprimand you..."
"Better a scolding than dancing around the Xias’ intentions. If I don’t dissuade Father now, how many more families will he invite next?" Steeling herself, she marched to the main hall.
There, Chu Huaishan was mid-boast: "Brother Xiao, Nephew Xiao, my daughter is gentle, virtuous, and peerlessly beautiful—"
His words cut off as Chu Ruoyan entered. "Father, you summoned me? I came straight from reciting the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra. What instructions do you have?"
