klisemfg Chapter 23 The Worthless Lord Gu
Chapter 23 The Worthless Lord Gu
After lunch, Shen Li was reading in the courtyard. Outside the wall, large groups of people kept running past, and the sounds of shackles scraping against the ground and soldiers urging her on could be heard from time to time.
The surrounding mansions were no longer peaceful as before. People came and went, and the noise was deafening. Some of the mansions that had been broken into soon echoed with cries and screams.
The maids in the courtyard exchanged curious glances; if they weren't worried about disturbing their mistress's reading, they would have already started chatting.
Shen Li, dressed in a plain white dress, leaned back in her chair and quietly turned the pages of her book. Her eyes were as calm as autumn water, showing no concern for the changes around her.
Ying'er hurriedly entered the courtyard, stood in front of Shen Li, and whispered, "Miss, the Flying Fish Guards are arresting people indiscriminately."
After reading this page, Shen Li turned the page and said, "I understand."
"But didn't we already send the message to the palace? How could this still happen?" Ying'er asked anxiously, not caring that Shen Li didn't like being disturbed while reading.
Shen Li took a breath before looking up at her: "Who do you think His Majesty is? That I can turn the tide with just a piece of calligraphy?"
Ying'er felt an immense pressure emanating from Shen Li's calm demeanor. Her gaze instinctively shrank back, and her voice weakened: "This servant was ignorant, but..."
“None of the people listed in those confessions can be saved.” Shen Li continued, holding up the book. “If things are handled properly in time, it will only implicate fewer other officials.”
Ying'er's face turned pale. If this were true, the Crown Prince's faction would likely suffer a major blow.
The Third Prince must be laughing in his sleep.
But Shen Li seemed far too indifferent to such a huge change; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she didn't care at all.
But she couldn't really make a judgment, since Shen Li had provided timely and accurate information at every stage, so it wouldn't be fair to say she hadn't helped.
Ying'er felt that the current situation had become difficult. It seemed that the Crown Prince had been sailing smoothly before, but suddenly things were looking turbulent.
What exactly went wrong?
The Dali Temple and the Flying Fish Guard were undoubtedly the busiest at this time, arresting many people to take back for interrogation. Gu Chang'an knew that he would be investigating until very late, so he simply sent someone to inform Shen Li that he would not be returning to the mansion that night.
"Sir, didn't you say you couldn't stand sleeping in the yamen? And your wife is still waiting for you, so why aren't you going back?" Chunsheng asked, puzzled.
“It’s too late, she won’t be able to sleep well if she waits for me.” Gu Chang’an flipped through the bloodstained confession in his hand: “It doesn’t matter where I sleep.”
Chunsheng hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. His master seemed to be picky about everything, but he wouldn't eat what he didn't like, and he wouldn't sleep if he wasn't comfortable. He was incredibly picky, but he just didn't say it.
"We'll order dinner from Yuelai Restaurant. It should be light and at least eight dishes." Gu Chang'an thought for a moment and then added, "Add two more meat dishes, and make sure they're prepared in a light way."
Chunsheng was stunned. When did his family start being picky about food? They used to eat whatever was prepared for them. Why the sudden change?
"Remember, no matter how busy you are with official duties in the future, you must bring my three meals a day to my table on time. Don't be careless." Gu Chang'an solemnly instructed.
Chunsheng nodded blankly. He vaguely remembered that his master hadn't been this serious when he interrogated Liu Ling under severe torture a few days ago.
"And one more thing," Gu Chang'an's eyes flickered slightly, "If Madam asks about the food, you must report it truthfully."
He did listen to Ah Li and eat properly.
Chunsheng understood; his master meant for him to report, and then… wait… he thought he saw a hint of mischief flash in his master's eyes…
They looked as if they were already waiting for praise.
It's unbearable to watch! His master is a top scholar and a powerful minister, how can he be so worthless in front of his wife?
Fortunately, the lady has recently started to care about the master, otherwise even as an outsider, she would be heartbroken.
"Inform the warden that no one is allowed to report anything about the prison before dinner, and no more blood is allowed on the confessions," Gu Chang'an instructed again.
He dislikes the smell of blood. It's fine normally, but it affects his appetite before meals.
"..." Chun Sheng thought it was outrageous before he left.
If word got out that a living Yama looked like that, people would have to believe it.
After Chunsheng left, a tall, thin figure silently slipped in: "My lord, news has come from the palace that His Majesty has promised the Empress Dowager that there will be no large-scale torture this time, and those who confessed will be treated leniently."
Gu Chang'an closed his eyes and exhaled a long breath. Li Heng wasn't entirely useless.
In this way, the Shen family will most likely not be implicated, and he has finally lived up to Ah Li's expectations.
The corrupt officials who confessed to their crimes, even if they receive lenient sentences, will only be able to keep their heads. They will find it difficult to return to the center of power in the future, and Li Heng's influence will be greatly diminished.
This is the result His Majesty wanted, and it's also the result he and Ah Li desired.
"Prime Minister Zhou, who is outside the palace, has joined forces with a group of censors to submit a memorial tomorrow morning, impeaching Commander Zhao Jing of the Flying Fish Guard for coercing a confession under torture, and some even say that the confession was forged." Shadow continued, his tone very calm.
“Zhou Zhen is a cunning old fox. Once the confession is questioned, none of this will count.” Gu Chang’an said casually, “Let them do what they want. It’s not like they’re suing me.”
“But that confession came from…” Shadow paused, “The civil officials are powerful. What if Zhao Jing can’t withstand the pressure…”
"You're mistaken. It's not Zhao Jing who needs to withstand the pressure." Gu Chang'an's interest waned when he mentioned this, and he changed the subject, asking, "No need to worry about these things. Is there any news from the manor? Is Madam asleep?"
"..." A blank look appeared on Shadow's usually serious face, as if he hadn't heard clearly.
"No?" Gu Chang'an asked seriously.
"I will go and investigate immediately."
"Alright, don't startle her, go down." Gu Chang'an raised his hand.
Shadow's face almost turned black. His tracking and stealth skills were so good that even experts from the Imperial Palace or the martial arts world would find it hard to detect. How could the master be worried that he would disturb the madam?
This is practically questioning his abilities!
However, he was saved by adults, and even when questioned, he dared not speak out.
"Yes, you're too thin. Do you want me to prepare your meals from now on?" Gu Chang'an asked him on a whim.
"...Thank you, sir, but no need."
Gu Chang'an sighed: "It's pitiful that no one cares. You should get married if you find someone suitable."
"..." Shadow's face darkened even more.
I know you have a wife! I know your wife cares about you! But there's no need to brag about it all the time!
"Subordinates retire."
He simply couldn't stand being in that room any longer.
Gu Chang'an didn't even see how the person disappeared, and muttered in confusion, "Why did you walk so fast? There's no wife waiting for you at home."