Chapter 54: Cousin part 1
Gu Zhen stood at the palace gate for a long time.
Only when the carriage procession traveled further and further away, finally disappearing from sight, did he come back to his senses with belated realization.
“Bixia, several Prime Ministers are waiting in the Purple Heaven Hall. What does Your Majesty think…” Wu Mao stepped forward, reporting in a lowered voice.
Gu Zhen withdrew his gaze, glanced back indifferently, and said, “Let’s go back.”
The weather at the end of spring was gradually heating up. Illuminated by the bright sun, a long shadow dragged on the ground, and he felt a certain scorching heat on his back.
Yet Gu Zhen felt cold.
From his heart to his fingertips, everything was cold.
He couldn’t help but look back again, his eyes gradually becoming tinged with crimson.
Wu Mao followed at his side. Sensing something unusual in the atmosphere, he couldn’t help but look sideways, stealing a glance at the Emperor’s face.
The moment he looked, seeing Bixia’s red phoenix eyes, the dense bloodshot veins in the depths of his eyes, and his iron-blue complexion, he nearly froze in place.
Last night he was on duty outside the hall. The night was deep and quiet, save for the low chirping of birds as the sky brightened; the Purple Heaven Hall was very silent. Doing the work of serving others, one’s eyes and ears had to be sharper than others to know what the master was thinking.
Although he was guarding outside, he could hear that Bixia inside seemed not to have slept all night.
And today happened to be the day for the morning grand court assembly. No matter how late Bixia was busy with official duties usually, he would retire on time. Not sleeping all night—what else could it be for?
Tossing and turning all night, yet when sending Empress Niangniang off today, he stubbornly refused to say it.
Thinking of this, Wu Mao couldn’t help but sigh. There was clearly affection; why force things to become like this?
“Report the Empress’s whereabouts to Us once every other day.” About to step through the Right Yintai Gate, Gu Zhen suddenly paused and turned his head to order.
Steading his mind and taking a deep breath, he felt his spirit gradually returning. his body felt somewhat more comfortable, and his strength recovered.
Several Prime Ministers were already waiting in the side hall, drinking tea while discussing matters. Seeing the Emperor enter, they all rose to bow.
Secretariat Director Zheng asked with concern, “Bixia looks somewhat weary today. Is it because you did not rest well last night?”
Gu Zhen blinked his eyes slowly, nodding. “The cicadas were too noisy last night; it was disturbing.”
Every blade of grass and tree in the Purple Heaven Hall had been carefully cleaned. Even a slightly conspicuous bug was hard to find, so where would there be cicadas?
Wu Mao stumbled and nearly fell face-first over the threshold.
“Bixia is in the prime of life and it is an eventful autumn; you should take good care of your health.” Secretariat Director Zheng recalled the Late Emperor, who could be called a heroic ruler of civil and martial virtue. His only flaw was probably that his life was too short.
A short life was a great taboo for an emperor who wanted to achieve great deeds.
The Late Emperor had failed in this regard, and for this reason, these courtiers paid extra attention to Bixia’s health. Fortunately, compared to the Late Emperor, Bixia’s health was several times better; he could draw a three-stone bow, and his riding, archery, and swordsmanship were all exquisite.
Gu Zhen nodded and whispered, “Many thanks to Minister Zheng for the concern. We are fine.”
He had always been a man of few words. It was so when he was Crown Prince, and now that he was the Sovereign, he was even more so than before.
Everyone discussed the war with Rouran.
This matter was temporarily only discussed among the heavy ministers and had not yet been made public. However, those who were slightly sharper had already guessed the signs.
Gu Zhen looked at the border intelligence received today, his brows slightly furrowed. He stared at those few short lines for a long time.
Only when everyone was feeling apprehensive did he say, “This matter should not be delayed any longer.”
He Mingshou responded, “What Bixia says is very true. The Anbei Protectorate has recruited a new batch of soldiers and is currently drilling them. When does Bixia… plan to mobilize troops?”
“Prince of Yan has already gone to the Western Capital.” Gu Zhen’s voice was indifferent. A few casual sentences, however, set off a huge wave in everyone’s hearts. “We intend to personally preside over this war.”
Secretariat Director Zheng said anxiously, “Bixia, a son of a thousand gold does not sit under a precarious hall…”
“We know.” Gu Zhen interrupted him directly, speaking warmly. “We will only go to the Northwest to preside; as for the deployment of this battle, We will rely on you gentlemen.”
The Emperor presiding personally would certainly stabilize the morale of the army and prevent Rouran from seizing on any weakness. Everyone relaxed in their hearts, kneeling in unison and respectfully responding yes.
After everyone withdrew, Matron Song followed closely and entered.
Since entering the palace these days, Matron Song hadn’t been to the Purple Heaven Hall. She was Taihou’s wet nurse. In this vast palace, even the ordinary Grand Consorts of the Late Emperor would respectfully call her “Matron” upon seeing her.
Therefore, the attendant’s announcement process was very smooth, and she walked in before long.
The palace servants were all dismissed. Even Wu Mao didn’t know exactly what Matron Song said to the Emperor; he only knew that when Matron Song came out, her expression was slightly grave.
As he was pondering, he suddenly heard the Emperor summoning him from inside.
“Since nothing can be interrogated from Gu Li’s side, have the people from the Imperial Prison withdraw for now.” Gu Zhen’s brow was like a sharp blade. Holding a wolf-hair brush in his hand, his eyes seemed to harbor a mass of fog. “Let him have a respite for a few days. That He Xun… He Xunling, is that the name?”
Wu Mao nodded repeatedly. “Second Miss He is indeed called by this name.”
Gu Zhen nodded. With force in his hand, he nearly snapped the wolf-hair brush in two. “The bracelet that was accidentally sent to Empress Mother’s side last time—did Empress Mother award it to her?”
Since the day the Empress got drunk at the Altar of Agriculture, Wu Mao had investigated the matter thoroughly. He hurriedly replied, “Empress Dowager Niangniang awarded that bracelet to Second Miss He. Later, Empress Niangniang’s bracelet was also awarded to Second Miss He.”
Observing the Emperor’s face, he tremblingly recounted the events of that day. Looking up, he saw the Emperor’s expression turn cold, his entire face tensing up.
“She certainly has bold guts.”
So, there were so many things he didn’t know.
Half-lowering his eyes and looking at the desk for a long time, Gu Zhen said indifferently, “Go investigate what the second branch of the He family has done all these years. Father Emperor favored them greatly because of Grand Consort He and promoted them repeatedly. Check how much of that was truly for the country and the people.”
Wu Mao was startled. Among these aristocratic families, aside from those of high moral character with nothing but a clean reputation, who didn’t have some shady business behind the scenes?
Who could withstand an investigation?
It all depended on whether someone reported it and whether the Emperor wanted to accept the case.
With this move, Bixia probably intended to take down the entire second branch of the He family.
Wu Mao was slightly shocked. Just because of one matter involving Second Miss He, the entire branch was going to suffer. She was truly bringing disaster upon her family.
Gu Zhen propped his elbows on the desk, closed his eyes, and rubbed the center of his brow, feeling a pang of pain across the tip of his heart.
How many more things were there?
How many grievances had his Yiyi suffered in places he didn’t know about?
She had suffered so many grievances, yet he had never helped her. Later, he even absurdly pretended to know nothing, speaking words of supporting her.
How laughable.
It had been almost three years. Now, it was time to settle the accounts.
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