PNB Chapter 381 Lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot
Chapter 381 Lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot
Chapter 381 Lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot
What was originally just a topic of conversation over tea and dinner has now become a crime punishable by imprisonment in the Ministry of Justice.
The officials were so frightened that they sobered up and their eyes turned to Zhang Wenzhong in unison.
Zhang Wenzhong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was in charge of homicide cases.
The King of Chess was not surprised at all by Haitang's death, but he never expected that Zheng Youde would be here.
However, he couldn't ask too obviously in front of so many officials. After all, everyone who dined at his residence trusted him. If he exposed that he had set up the scheme, who would dare to attend the King of Chess's banquets in the future?
"Isn't this Lord Gu's room? What are you doing here?" He feigned great confusion.
“Dead…dead…” Zheng Youde repeated in terror, no longer able to utter a complete sentence.
Zhang Wenzhong, standing to the side, was also in a difficult position. He had been invited by the Prince of Yi to find something to use against Gu Chang'an. Causing the death of someone's concubine through adultery was a serious crime, even if it wasn't a death sentence.
As long as we capture this scene and have this evidence, we're not afraid that Gu Chang'an won't obey us.
But now that Zheng Youde is in a difficult situation, what else can he say?
Even if he didn't say anything, there were several ministers and their servants standing behind him. How could this be kept secret?
"Take him away to rest, and pretend this never happened." King Yi rubbed his temples.
Gu Chang'an, this fox that has shed its fur!
Even this couldn't trap him; in fact, he turned the tables on her!
Now he must cover this up at all costs, otherwise, just because he has cornered his father, his father will definitely take steps to eliminate his supporters.
What he absolutely could not lose was his uncle, who was the Minister of Personnel, and whose role was far more important than Wu Yong's.
"What's going on? Why are you all gathered in my yard so late at night?" A cool, somewhat puzzled voice came from behind the group.
The still-shaken crowd turned around and saw Gu Chang'an standing in the center of the lantern-bearing guards in the courtyard, wearing a cloak.
His eyes were clear, his lips were red and his teeth were white. He looked like a young scholar who had stumbled into a world of fame and fortune, completely unaware of what was happening in front of him.
But the moment he appeared, and emphasized that this was his courtyard, the ministers present understood the situation quite well.
If this is just a coincidence, then all their years in officialdom have been for nothing.
When the King of Chess came out of the inner room, he saw Gu Chang'an under the moonlight and lamplight. Gu's innocent appearance made his anger rise, but he still had to suppress his anger and asked, "Lord Gu, are you drunk? Where have you been?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. On my way back, I caught a chill and drank some wine. Seeing that the moonlight was just right, I went for a stroll in the garden. Why did Your Highness come to my courtyard?" Gu Chang'an said calmly and gently.
“You clearly…” The guard who had been watching over Gu Chang’an’s courtyard was unconvinced.
But he was stopped by a look from Master Gao before he could finish speaking.
Other ministers were also present, and they couldn't let anyone know that the people in the Prince's Palace were monitoring them.
"There was a slight mishap. Lord Gu, please stay in another guest room tonight." Prince Yi suppressed his emotions.
"Your Highness doesn't look too good. Is there anything I can do to help you?" Gu Chang'an asked.
"No need!" King Yi said through gritted teeth.
"In that case, I will not disturb you any longer. It will be convenient for me to return to my residence." Gu Chang'an bowed and turned to leave.
Chunsheng then emerged and whispered in a voice that everyone could hear, "Sir, someone has died inside the house."
"You little rascal, you're always asking about everything. There's a murder case involving Lord Zhang from the Ministry of Justice. Does he need your interference?" Gu Chang'an reprimanded him indifferently.
King Yi was furious. Gu Chang'an was clearly telling him that he knew what Zhang Wenzhong had come for.
The other ministers also sensed something was amiss. Why was the Prince of Yi arriving at this time? Why were there so many guards in the inner courtyard? They didn't believe it wasn't arranged in advance.
They realized this and started thinking about how to protect themselves. If things continued like this, they might not only not gain anything, but could also get into trouble.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Shen Li heard footsteps again in the middle of the night. She, who was already a light sleeper, immediately woke up and turned to Gu Chang'an as soon as he lifted the covers, throwing herself into his arms.
"My husband, you're finally back."
"Still not asleep?" Gu Chang'an reached out and gently pinched the bridge of her nose. "You always criticize me, but why are you being naughty now?"
"Let's not talk about me for now, how's it going, my husband?" Shen Li asked impatiently.
"It went very smoothly. Shadow is very fast, and they couldn't detect it at all." Gu Chang'an said this casually. He had let Shadow roam freely around the mansion on his first banquet to familiarize it with the environment.
Even before he returned, Zheng Youde had been led by Shadow to the courtyard prepared for him, which had twice the defenses.
As soon as Haitang entered, she was knocked unconscious by the shadow. The shadow then led Gu Chang'an away through the window to a secluded garden at night.
After that, things proceeded naturally. Zheng Youde woke up in a daze and found an extremely beautiful woman beside him. Naturally, he didn't care about anything else and became completely absorbed in the moment.
The result was that when the time came, the crabapple tree died, which greatly frightened Zheng Youde.
Of course, he left his shadow in the room, and if Zheng Youde didn't wake up, or if he woke up and shouted loudly, the shadow would take appropriate action.
In short, it should look like the two of them are having an affair.
Now that the blame has been handed over to Zheng Youde, he can retire gracefully.
He then told Shen Li everything.
“How vicious this person is! He’s already done something as ruthless as setting up a honey trap, but he’s still not satisfied.” Shen Li shook her head repeatedly.
This is why she said that Li Heng was more suitable to be emperor compared to Li Heng, because Li Heng was not ruthless enough and he was not capable of ignoring the civil service group.
But the King of Chess is different. He is ruthless but lacks strategy. If things go wrong, the Eastern and Western Depots, which have been dormant for many years, might rise again. With the court full of henchmen and everyone feeling insecure, how can the country become strong?
Gu Chang'an nodded noncommittally, but his mind wasn't working at the moment. Instead, he leaned closer to Shen Li and said, "Ah Li is right."
Seeing his expression as he leaned closer, Shen Li chuckled and said, "I don't think you were listening at all."
"I heard you." Gu Chang'an rubbed his nose with satisfaction and said softly, "Ah Li is my little Ah Li, and no one can take her away."
Shen Li felt that although he had brought medicine to relieve hangovers and detoxify, and had used it, he was still slightly drunk at the moment.
"Who wants to compete with you? I've been married for so long, and no one else would even look at me except you," Shen Li reassured her, both amused and exasperated.
"Yes." Gu Chang'an said decisively, then hummed, "They all like A-Li, but A-Li is mine."
Clearly, he still remembered the unrestrained look in Yi Wang's eyes when he mentioned A Li.
He disrespects Ah Li, and he will pay a heavy price for it!
Tonight's punishment of Zheng Youde was merely a minor one, serving as a warning to others.
The matter isn't over until these two are in their coffins.
"Okay, it's all yours, all of it is yours." Shen Li stroked his head and coaxed him, "I'm not going anywhere, husband, go to sleep."
Gu Chang'an smiled contentedly. He didn't say anything more and fell asleep while holding Shen Li.
Once he got home, he could finally relax completely.
Shen Li woke up late the next day, but fortunately she didn't have to attend court, while Gu Chang'an, who did have to attend court, had already left.
"Miss, have some porridge. It's just the right temperature, not too hot." During breakfast, Lian Qiao carefully served the porridge and placed it in front of her.
"Hasn't any word gotten out?" Shen Li asked.
"What's going on?" Lianqiao and Shaoyao asked, puzzled.
"It seems there isn't any." Shen Li shrugged regretfully, but in her opinion, given the timing of the release and the chaotic nature of the matter, some rumors should have surfaced by early morning.
But upon closer reflection, it's understandable that the King of Chess would do everything in his power to contain it, and that things might develop more slowly.
However, the idea of truly deceiving everyone was just wishful thinking.
Her husband will show him what it means to lift a rock only to drop it on your own foot.
"Miss, is there something new that we don't know about?" Peony asked curiously.
Shen Li shook her head slightly: "It cannot be said, it cannot be said, but you will know soon."
"Miss is keeping us in suspense again." Peony pouted, wishing she could fly to the streets right now and go to teahouses and taverns to inquire about the latest news.
Shen Li smiled indulgently, still eating even though they were about to be late.
The officials waited for a long time outside Chengde Hall, only to be told that the Emperor was unwell and the court session was adjourned.
Some officials, bewildered, muttered as they walked, "The feng shui of our capital has been rather strange lately. Not only are the Empress Dowager and the Empress ill, but Prince Rui and the current emperor are also sick."
"Not to mention our Grand Secretary, who has never missed a single day of his official duties over the years, even when he has a severe cold, he will go regardless of the weather to prioritize official business. What's going on?"
"Keep your voice down, it's obvious His Majesty doesn't want to come." Another minister said, "Can't you even see that?"
The person who initially said it was bad feng shui shook his head: "I don't think so. I think if it's not feng shui, then it's the location of the mausoleum."
Those around him were struggling to suppress their laughter.
Although the emperor did not attend court, he summoned Zhao Jing.
"Your Majesty, is your health any better?" Zhao Jing asked as he paid his respects.
"It's nothing." Emperor Cheng waved his hand. "Let's get down to business. Has anything been happening at Prince Yi's residence lately?"
If he were to fight alone, his most lethal forces would still be the Dali Temple and the Flying Fish Guards.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Last night, a person died at Prince Yi's residence. The third young master of the Zheng family violated one of the prince's favorite concubines. Perhaps the process was too intense, and the person died immediately."
"Human life?" Emperor Cheng narrowed his eyes.
“Yes, this kind of thing usually happens, and they just drag the body out and bury it. It’s just that last night it was a bit big, and there were a lot of adults present,” Zhao Jing added.
Emperor Cheng nodded: "Investigate!"
"Your Majesty, I wish to request a set of rules from you. To what extent should the investigation proceed?" Zhao Jing asked.
After all, it concerned the heads of the Six Ministries, Prince Yi, and even Consort Zheng in the palace. He dared not investigate without orders.
"Until the Zheng family is gone." Emperor Cheng uttered four words calmly.
The son is still one's own flesh and blood, but with too many cronies, he should be properly purged.