Chapter 1341 - 1177: Arrival of Da Xing Envoys
Chapter 1341: Chapter 1177: Arrival of Da Xing Envoys
Gu Chengyu turned to leave the bedchamber, suddenly there was a sound behind him, "Jinyu! No matter what happens in the future, please make sure to protect Ye’s life. Will you promise me?"
The Emperor looked at Gu Chengyu’s thin back and asked nervously.
Gu Chengyu nodded, "I promise!"
"Good, I am satisfied!" The Emperor’s face revealed a relieved smile. As long as Gu Chengyu promised, he knew Gu Chengyu would fulfill it.
"Even if you replace me, I will not blame you! As long as you protect Ye’s life and leave a legacy for me, I can rest in peace in the afterlife."
The Emperor said softly, then he took a deep breath and suddenly shouted, "Someone, grind ink for me!"
"Your Majesty, Mr. Gu just instructed that you need to rest. You cannot get up!" A eunuch quickly entered the inner chamber, having just been transferred from the Empress Dowager’s Palace to serve here.
"Grind ink, I am going to draft a Holy Decree!" The Emperor ordered them to help him up, panting heavily as he tried to rise. He feared he might fall asleep and never wake, so he needed to prepare early.
...
"Have these people confessed?" Gu Chengyu stood in the prison cell of the Dali Temple, looking at the few confined people, and asked the Left Temple Minister Peng Fang beside him.
"Sir! They’ve all confessed, but two of them have inconsistent testimonies. Chef Zhang said he was originally on duty today, but Chef Wang needed to celebrate his elderly mother’s birthday tomorrow, so they switched their duties. However, it was just a private switch, without reporting to their superiors. But Chef Wang said he was originally on duty today, claiming Chef Zhang lied."
Peng Fang handed a stack of confessions to Gu Chengyu, who took them and started flipping through them.
"What do the others say? There should be a record from their superior who assigned tasks!" It shouldn’t be hard to find out who is lying.
"The others agree with Chef Wang’s account. I already consulted their superior, but the superior says Chef Wang lied. He even showed me his task records, and they tally with his account that Chef Zhang was originally recorded as being on duty!"
"Given what you said, those in the Imperial Kitchen believe Chef Wang was on duty today. Yet, their superior claims Chef Zhang was on duty, is it so?" Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment, regardless of who lied between the two, they were definitely connected to the matter.
"Exactly!" Peng Fang nodded.
"Have their residences been searched? Any abnormal signs from the eunuchs and palace maids?" Gu Chengyu was contemplating, trying to discern who was lying.
"We searched, but did not find any stem or root of the Jiuhe Flower!" Imperial Guard Commander Ke Jun strode into the Dali Temple’s cell, as he had apprehended the suspects, he could freely enter and leave today.
"Lord Ke!" Gu Chengyu saluted, the Imperial Guard Commander ranked as Standard Second Rank, two levels above him.
"Gu Siqing!" Ke Jun nodded, "Everyone is here now, Gu Siqing will take over the interrogation. If help is needed later, feel free to ask Gu Siqing."
"Then I must thank Lord Ke." Gu Chengyu watched Ke Jun’s back, the man was quite courteous to him.
There are many in the court who disdain him, of course, there are also many who wish to ingratiate and watch the situation unfold. This person shows friendly intentions without excessive flattery, creating a decent impression.
"Interrogate those chefs on duty again, and question them thoroughly!" Gu Chengyu felt the superior at the Imperial Kitchen would not lie. If this person indeed has a problem, they would naturally coordinate with the chefs to unify their testimonies, but it seems otherwise now.
Of course, it’s not to say other people might have problems, there is certainly more to it.
"Yes!" Peng Fang agreed, he glanced at Gu Chengyu before turning to walk towards them.
Gu Chengyu’s promotion was incredibly swift, Liao Wu was assassinated, his backing fell. If he hadn’t had a low rank and withdrawn quickly, he might have gotten severely implicated.
It seems he still must prove himself well in front of this individual, otherwise, his promotion would truly be hopeless.
"Since no stem or root of the Jiuhe Flower was found at the eunuchs and palace maids’ residences, the suspicion of the chefs is considerable, search their residences carefully again." Gu Chengyu instructed several other Dali Temple officials, then promptly exited the Dali Temple prison cell.
Walking to the familiar place he’s been frequenting these days, he saw that small familiar figure sitting under the corridor lost in thought from a distance.
"Why did you come late today?" Upon hearing footsteps, the Eldest Prince quickly set down his hand from his cheek and sat upright.
"Greetings, Your Highness! I was delayed by some matters today." Gu Chengyu sat beside him and looked towards the sky, the weather had warmed slightly compared to previous days. In two days it would be the beginning of February, spring is here!
"Father is sick, isn’t he?" a soft voice sounded beside him, the lonely and tender voice made Gu Chengyu’s heart soften.
"Yes!"
"Grandmother said, everyone in the palace knows."
Gu Chengyu was somewhat surprised, not expecting the Empress Dowager to inform the Eldest Prince of this matter.
"Mr. Gu, Father seems to have been ill for quite a while, when will he recover?" Zhao Guangye tilted his head and looked at the person beside him. Although he could only see a bit of brightness flashing before him, he persistently looked.
Gu Chengyu raised his eyebrows, he didn’t expect Zhao Guangye to suddenly clarify his identity, given that these days neither of them spoke of this matter, engaging only in casual conversation.
"Your Highness, are your eyes better today?" Gu Chengyu didn’t wish to answer, though Zhao Guangye was young, he shouldn’t deceive him.
"Much better, you really are Mr. Gu!" Zhao Guangye pouted, he had guessed it a long time ago.
"I have urgent matters today, I must take my leave now. It’s better for Your Highness to return to the sleeping chamber! The spring chill is biting, and the wind here is strong, easy to catch a cold!"
Gu Chengyu stood up, saluted, and then walked outward. Zhao Guangye didn’t call him back, merely listened to the gradually retreating footsteps.
After walking quite far, Gu Chengyu turned to look at Zhao Guangye. From the moment he saw this child, perhaps they were entangled together.
"Sir! We found out, it was Chef Zhang who lied, we found stem and root powder of the Jiuhe Flower at his home." Upon stepping into the Dali Temple cell, Peng Fang greeted him.
"Has he confessed who instructed him?" Gu Chengyu, re-energized, immediately asked.
"No, still holding out! Sir, shall we use torture?" Peng Fang asked cautiously.
"You may! Find out the mastermind as soon as possible, and be vigilant to ensure he doesn’t die!" Gu Chengyu glanced at Peng Fang, thinking this person was rather capable, performing this way in front of him; he likely wanted to hold onto his leg.
No matter whose man he was previously, he was surely not Prince Jing’s. In that case, let’s use him for now!
...
On March 15, Second Year of Guanghui, Seventh Prince of Da Xing, Ge Yuan, led the envoys to reach Dayan City.