FIMA Ch60.1: Awooo

In the original storyline, Kou Yuanwu took all the blame upon himself and then committed suicide, thereby pinning the crime of selling military weapons on the Fifth Prince and the Wang family.

The Fifth Prince had no way to defend himself.

Everyone in the capital knew about the relationship between Kou Yuanwu and the Wang family. They knew how much Kou Yuanwu respected Minister Wang and loved his own wife. No one believed Kou Yuanwu would deliberately frame them.

Moreover, for the deceased, the highest respect was given.

People wouldn’t throw any dirt on him.

Besides protecting the Wang family, who else could make Kou Yuanwu risk his life to do this?

This speculation was just too reasonable.

For Emperor Yongjia, it was naturally the same.

Especially when Kou Yuanwu committed suicide, he admitted in his letter of appeal that he did everything himself but did not explain the whereabouts of the stolen military weapons.

Emperor Yongjia turned to question the Fifth Prince, but the Fifth Prince couldn’t produce them at all.

As a result, Emperor Yongjia believed even more that he was unrepentant and, in a fit of rage, permanently confined him to the Prince’s Mansion, forbidding him to leave without summons, and sent Consort Wang to the Cold Palace.

Minister Wang was also dismissed from his position and ordered to stay at home.

Those military weapons were never recovered.

When winter came, Emperor Yongjia fell seriously ill again.

At this time, news came from the palace that Emperor Yongjia intended to appoint a crown prince and wanted to clear the obstacles for the crown prince beforehand.

First, he bestowed death upon Consort Wang in the Cold Palace, and soon, the decree and poison wine were to be delivered to the Fifth Prince’s mansion.

Upon hearing this news, the Wang family and the Fifth Prince could no longer sit idly by and decided to fight to the death.

The Wang family hadn’t been working for so many years in vain, after all, and they had some deep resources. So they gathered a group of people and directly sent troops to force their way into the palace. But in the end, they naturally fell into a trap and were wiped out.

Although the reason for the Wang family and the Fifth Prince’s ultimate downfall was their rebellion, without the previous events, with Consort Wang’s influence in the palace, they wouldn’t have fallen for such a simple scheme.

A fortress always falls from within, and the harm brought by Kou Yuanwu alone was immense.

But this time, because Gu Siyuan had prepared in advance, Kou Yuanwu was stopped before he could take the so-called fake death drug, and they learned it was actually real death poison – crane top red. They really intended to kill him.

Of course, the most important thing was that he also learned the son born to his mistress was not his at all.

He had been thoroughly deceived by Xiao Jingchuan and the Fourth Prince.

Although he wanted to take revenge on the Wang family, he wanted to live even more.

Moreover, for someone like Kou Yuanwu, who was paranoid and sensitive, the thing he couldn’t stand the most was betrayal and deceit.

So, in a fit of madness, he wrote down the entire deal between him and Xiao Jingchuan.

And naturally, someone walking a tightrope like him had left a way out. He had all the account books and letters.

The evidence was irrefutable, with no possibility of denial.

Such a reverse blade, if used well, could also turn around and kill the enemy.

Gu Siyuan naturally didn’t hesitate to be the one wielding the knife.

In the summer, Qinzhen Hall, the silence was almost stagnant.

Except for the drip of melting ice sculptures on the ice plates and the occasional cicada chirping outside the window, there was no other sound.

After Qin Huai finished explaining Kou Yuanwu’s motives as he confessed them, he handed the collected evidence to Eunuch Liu, who then presented it to Emperor Yongjia.

Emperor Yongjia casually flipped through a few pages, and his expression immediately became extremely grim.

Because the records were too detailed, and they bore the private seal of the General’s Mansion of Zhen Nan, and since the evidence was jointly investigated by the three judicial offices, there was no possibility of forgery.

At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan was also being brought in by Song Qi.

As soon as Xiao Jingchuan stepped into Qinzhen Hall, he was stunned by the oppressive atmosphere, and his sense of unease reached its peak.

Emperor Yongjia looked at him, said nothing, and threw the items in his hand at him, his face extremely cold. “In my Imperial Guards, there’s actually someone like you. Xiao Lin, a brute, actually raised a son with such sinister thoughts. Truly remarkable.”

Xiao Jingchuan was hit squarely, knelt on the ground, picked up the account books and letters, and after a glance, his entire back bent down.

He knew that something must have gone wrong with Kou Yuanwu.

Years of plotting, all lost in a single day…

Everything was over.

Emperor Yongjia descended from the top of the steps. Perhaps he had already been angry several times in a row, but his expression was very calm at this moment.

However, it was the calm before the storm.

He walked to the people kneeling on the ground and finally stopped in front of the Fourth Prince, kicking him: “I really underestimated you! Usually appearing so virtuous and loyal, yet you deceived your father and framed your brothers, walking each step so meticulously.”

The Fifth Prince, who was usually gentle and kind, now showed a hint of surprise, squinting at the Fourth Prince with a tumultuous heart.

The book says that a dog that bites doesn’t bark.

He had been preoccupied with guarding against the Eldest Prince, never expecting that this person in front of him had long been preparing in secret to deliver a fatal blow.

He couldn’t even imagine what the outcome would have been if Kou Yuanwu had really died…

The Eldest Prince also looked at the Fourth Prince with lingering fear. If his fifth brother were knocked down this time, would this guy do the same to him next time?

Terrifying!

The Fourth Prince retreated several steps on the smooth floor until he was stopped by the wall beside the hall door.

It was clear that Emperor Yongjia’s kick had not held back at all.

The Fourth Prince’s clothes and hair were disheveled, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but his emotions were extremely calm, eerily calm.

He raised his hand to wipe the blood from his mouth, looking directly at Emperor Yongjia with a slight sneer: “I am neither the eldest nor the legitimate son, and I don’t have an external family like the Wang family. What’s wrong with me thinking more and planning more?”

Emperor Yongjia looked at him with a detached expression: “Of course it’s wrong, because I don’t like you doing this.”

He used “I” instead of “Zhen,” representing a conversation between father and son.

The Fourth Prince sneered: “Father, you can’t be thinking of saying something ridiculous about brotherly harmony, can you? How laughable. How did you get your throne in the first place? Wasn’t it by stepping over the bones of your brothers? I am also your son, why can’t I think, why can’t I act?”

Emperor Yongjia said expressionlessly: “The fact that I could do these things doesn’t mean you can. Besides, I remember saying from the beginning that I would choose the most capable, not the eldest. You and your eldest brother and fifth brother are on the same level. I have never favored any one of you. You all have been assigned to positions in the Six Ministries fairly. In fact, my wariness towards you was less than towards them. As long as you performed well, I would use you more, but you still chose to play these sinister tricks?”

The Fourth Prince was slightly stunned.

After a long pause, he laughed mockingly: “What’s the use of saying this now? In the end, it’s just the winner taking all.”

“It seems you are already awaiting your fate.”

Emperor Yongjia gave him one last look, then turned to his other two sons, and said sternly: “The same goes for you. I will say it one last time: I choose the most capable, not the eldest. Do not do things I dislike, or the consequences will be severe.”

Perhaps, in the future, this country would be handed over to them.

But now he was the emperor. If he didn’t like it, no matter how much they wanted, they couldn’t do it, and doing it would bring consequences.

This was an invisible constraint; otherwise, the court would surely be in chaos, with everyone forced into factions by the princes’ struggles.

Emperor Yongjia strode to the dragon desk and sat down, his face extremely cold: “Guards, take the Fourth Prince and Xiao Jingchuan to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. Seal the Prince’s Mansion and the General’s Mansion of Zhen Nan. The Three Judicial Offices will immediately begin investigating this case. I believe my good son has not only done these things over the years.”

At this moment, another report came from outside Qinzhen Hall: “Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Pei Xiangnian, requests an audience.”

Qin Huai glanced at his younger brother and blinked curiously.

Pei Xiangnian, however, did not look aside, directly knelt down and said: “Your Majesty, I greet you.”

Emperor Yongjia sneered: “Speak directly, let’s see what surprise you have for me today?”

Pei Xiangnian kowtowed, his voice trembling: “Minister Pei received a secret report from Hanlin Academy Junior Compiler Gu Zhen, stating that the Fourth Prince and the Captain of the Imperial Guards, Xiao Jingchuan, have raised a private army in the dense forests of Wuqing County, Tongzhou.”

Emperor Yongjia squinted his eyes, looking at the Fourth Prince and Xiao Jingchuan as if he were looking at two corpses.

The people in the hall were either wide-eyed or trembling.

Although everyone had long suspected that the stolen military weapons might be used to arm a private army, there was still a significant difference between speculation and hearing it firsthand.

The Fourth Prince really intended to rebel…

When the Longxiang Guards arrived at the General’s Mansion of Zhen Nan, Shen Changhuan was inviting a few friends from the capital for tea. He had been married to Xiao Jingchuan for two years. Although he had not given birth to a child, he was the head of the entire inner courtyard, making all the decisions.

After chatting for a while, someone laughed and said: “Today, Changhuan seems to be in a particularly good mood, smiling constantly since we arrived.”

Shen Changhuan touched his face: “Is it that obvious?”

“Oh, it seems something good has happened? Tell us, so we can all be happy together…” someone teased.

Shen Changhuan shook his head.

How could he say it? He was happy because the Fourth Prince and Xiao Jingchuan were about to eliminate the Fifth Prince and the Wang family, their great enemy.

Moreover, the Wang family had a good relationship with Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue. It would be best if they could kill two birds with one stone…

At this moment, a servant from the gate rushed in, stumbling.

Shen Changhuan was about to scold him for his rudeness.

The servant cried out with a tearful face: “Young Master, something terrible has happened! The Longxiang Guards have arrived, saying they are here on the emperor’s orders to confiscate our General’s Mansion of Zhen Nan!”

Shen Changhuan’s face was full of disbelief: “Impossible!”

As he was speaking, a commotion arose, and Song Qi had already led several armored Longxiang Guards into the hall: “All unrelated people leave immediately. By the emperor’s decree, Xiao Jingchuan has committed treason and rebellion, his crimes are heinous. From today on, the General’s Mansion of Zhen Nan is sealed, and all members of the Xiao family are to be taken to the prison of the Ministry of Justice to await trial!”

At the command, the Longxiang Guards began kicking down doors and arresting people, causing chaos in the entire courtyard.

Shen Changhuan’s face turned deathly pale, his whole body trembling violently as if struck by lightning, and he kept muttering: “Impossible! How could such a thing happen? There must be a mistake!”

He was holding a tea party today, specifically to celebrate…

Shen Changhuan staggered and almost fell to the ground, but was immediately grabbed by two Longxian Guards who dragged him directly out of the mansion.

The other guests, who had initially been shocked, quickly came to their senses and rushed out of the general’s mansion. This had nothing to do with them.

When Gu Siyuan left the palace, it was already near dusk.

After greeting Qin Huai and the others, he headed straight for Yushu Alley. His tasks for the day were temporarily finished.

Although Emperor Yongjia had not implicated him for Gu Zhen’s knowledge of the matter without reporting it, considering his merit in solving the case, Gu Siyuan had sensibly applied to withdraw from the case. Knowing when to step back is a crucial skill for an official.

At the County Lord’s Residence.

Xie Changyue had a lounge chair moved into the courtyard to cool off. Lazily reclining on a soft couch, he read some book while fanning himself and directing the servants to catch dragonflies.

“Husband…” He looked up and immediately saw Gu Siyuan, and promptly rushed towards him.

Gu Siyuan caught him, his tone calm: “The County Lord is quite leisurely.”

Xie Changyue immediately waved the fan in his hand, fanning him vigorously: “I’m not enjoying it alone, let me share some of this coolness with you, Lord Gu.”

Gu Siyuan pinched his nose, let go, and said: “Thank you, County Lord, but I must go and wash up first.”

It was midsummer, and after spending the whole day interrogating in the prison and then going to the palace, his clothes were soaked with sweat several times over.

Xie Changyue nodded, touched his husband’s face, which seemed to have gotten thinner, and said: “Go ahead, clean yourself up and then come and serve me well. I’ll take good care of you.”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

He’s rebelling.

Gu Siyuan stared at Xie Changyue without blinking, his expression indifferent, and his eyes seemed to convey only one message: you better not regret this later.

“…” Xie Changyue tucked the book he was reading away and decided not to read this kind again, it was misleading.

Halfway through washing, Gu Siyuan heard a small voice outside: “Husband, I’ve prepared dinner for you.”

Gu Siyuan smiled and decided to be kind to him tonight and bully him a little less.

Gu Siyuan washed quickly, threw on a robe, and walked out with his hair still dripping wet.

He rarely appeared so casual. It was partly due to the hot weather and partly because he hadn’t had a proper meal since morning, and he was very hungry.

The bathroom was connected to the room. As soon as he turned from the flower gate, he saw Xie Changyue sitting at the table, smiling at him: “Husband, I’ve carefully selected tonight’s dishes for you.”

Gu Siyuan sat at the table and saw that they were all his favorite dishes. He teased deliberately: “County Lord, are you planning to fill me up first so that I have the strength to serve you properly?”

“…” Xie Changyue pouted.

He wasn’t sure whether to praise his husband’s good memory or to complain about his pettiness…

However, he definitely couldn’t offend him.

Xie Changyue blinked his big moist eyes, got up, took a towel, and gently wiped Gu Siyuan’s wet hair.