Quick Transmigration: After Fake Death, All the Protagonists I Flirted With Went Crazy

Chapter 220 Ingratitude and Deceit (55)

In the fourth year of the Zhengqian era, Ning Yi and Baili Weisheng were appointed as the chief examiners and were also in full charge of matters related to the imperial examinations.

The responsibility of guarding them was also primarily led by the Imperial Guards, with the Embroidered Uniform Guard assisting them.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Depot gradually declined.

This edict caused a stir both inside and outside the court.

If in the past things were merely undercurrents, this matter is now a storm in the open.

By this point, even the most oblivious person could sense it.

The situation in the capital is about to change.

The officials who were the first to suffer losses and were hampered were gathered together in the main courtyard of the Shen residence.

"Master, we must make plans soon. His Majesty's current actions are clearly aimed at you."

The Vice Minister of Rites was somewhat indignant and launched into a tirade.

"Yes, what Vice Minister Zhang said makes sense. Currently, many official positions in the court are vacant. The entry of new scholars into the court will inevitably affect the political landscape."

This spring's imperial examinations are once again entirely in the hands of Baili Weisheng and Ning Yi; those they select will undoubtedly join their faction.

The Minister of Works then followed up with an analysis of the political landscape in the court.

He paused, then added fuel to the fire.

"Your Majesty is making more and more moves these days. Isn't this a challenge to you?"

Gu Yao rested his chin on his hand, looking somewhat lazy, and then looked at the group of people in front of him, most of whom were old enough to be his fathers, with an anxious expression.

At such an advanced age, still so hot-tempered, aren't you afraid of having a stroke?

Is it because I've been delegating too much authority lately, making them anxious?

Gu Yao looked at them as if they were clowns.

A bunch of incompetent bastards who hold positions without doing any real work, and are utterly worthless.

Taking a sip of tea, Gu Yao concealed the disdain in his eyes.

Listen quietly to what else these people have to say.

Seeing that Gu Yao remained unmoved, the Vice Minister of Rites also became somewhat anxious.

"The Grand Secretary, this isn't like what happened in Jiangyou last time. When this batch of students enters the court, it will affect matters at the heart of the nation, and besides,"

He paused again, his gaze fixed on Gu Yao, his words filled with deep concern, "Moreover, they are pointing their swords at the Grand Seal, not even allowing the Eastern Depot to interfere in the duties of guards, and many matters are being transferred from the Eastern Depot to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. All of this is weakening your power as Grand Seal Master."

Before he could finish speaking, the Vice Minister of Rites bowed first, saying, "As long as the order to issue the seal is given, we will do our utmost for the seal-bearer at tomorrow's morning court. It's time to expand our influence during this spring examination."

"We will give our lives for the seal of office."

Gu Yao looked at the people below, a cryptic smile playing on his lips, but didn't reply.

Her slender, pale fingertips tapped lightly on the table, each tap feeling like a blow to the hearts of everyone present.

The Minister of Works glanced up at the person sitting at the head of the table, only to meet a pair of eyes that seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

The sarcasm in his eyes was undisguised.

Gu Yao showed no embarrassment at being caught, but simply stroked the jade pendant at his waist and sneered, "Gentlemen, please leave. I will pretend I didn't hear such treasonous words today. Doing your duty is better than anything else."

Those who had just been saying they would do anything for Gu Yao were now all ashen-faced.

The Vice Minister of Rites looked anxious and wanted to persuade Gu Yao again, but was deterred by a single look from the young man.

Gu Yao turned his gaze to the man with the displeased expression. "Lord Zhang, is there anything else?"

In the flickering candlelight, the young man's face was so beautiful it was breathtaking, but his amber eyes held disdain and contempt.

This was unbearable for those who had become somewhat arrogant from years of being praised, and the Vice Minister of Rites spoke somewhat recklessly.

"Is the palm print truly not on our side?"

Gu Yao smiled upon hearing this, raised her hand, and extended a slender finger, her gaze following the finger to the people in front of her.

"You, you, and you, aren't you all opportunists?"

If I were to fall today, which of you would risk your life to plead for me?

I remember you all used to follow Grand Secretary Feng.

The faces of the men whose secrets had been exposed turned ashen, but Gu Yao laughed heartily and continued, "And Lord Yao, Lord Chu, Lord Wang, you were caught by the Eastern Depot's spies back then, and you had to pull a lot of strings to get to me. Now you're all standing on your own two feet."

The Vice Minister of Rites was so angry that his face turned ashen. He flicked his sleeve and turned to walk out.

The Minister of Works' gaze fell on the young man in front of him.

"Since the Master looks down on us, then we'll take our leave."

Hearing these slightly threatening words, Gu Yao's expression remained unchanged. He suppressed the itch in his throat, and the smile on his lips widened even more.

"Please do as you please, Lord Yao."

The Minister of Works gave Gu Yao a gloomy look before turning and leaving.

Those who were not capable of achieving anything also left.

The person who had just finished speaking, with their back straight, immediately slumped down as soon as they saw the person walk away, clutching their chest and letting out a heart-wrenching cough.

Ying Lian walked out from behind the hall, gently patted Gu Yao's back, and said with some heartache, "Why do you have to speak so harshly? Are you going to burn your bridges?"

Actually, you don't need to go to such lengths for him. If you don't want to continue, Han Shu and I will take you back to Medicine King Valley.

Why suffer here any longer?

Gu Yao patted his chest to catch his breath and gave Ying Lian a reassuring smile.

"Senior brother, you don't need to lie to me. I know my own body. Even if an antidote is developed, my lifespan is not long."

Ying Lian clenched her fists, which were hidden in her sleeves, but the hand that landed on Gu Yao's back was still pacing him gently, her expression unchanged. "A Tang, don't talk nonsense."

Gu Yao grasped Ying Lian's hand, a smile spreading across his face.

He pointed to the pitch-black sky outside and slowly said, "Senior brother, do you know what the sky is like inside the palace?"

Ying Lian shook his head.

"The palace is square, and you can see the whole thing at a glance."

It makes you feel like your entire body, even your soul and spirit, are confined in a place where you can see right through it.

It's like my life, which I crawled out of hell, is so predictable that I can see the end from the beginning.

It all boils down to two words: revenge!

"To avenge the wrongs done to my entire Gu family."