Yusui Chang'an

Hearing the emperor's question, Gu Hongzhang supported himself on the armrest and stood up with some difficulty. He bowed respectfully with his eyes lowered, his voice full of fatigue:
"The Gu family is your majesty's subject. My family is loyal to your majesty and will obey your majesty's orders in everything."

After hearing Gu Hongzhang's accommodating reply, Chu Chengyao became even more flustered:

The Dingbei Army is at war with Mobei, and right now your father needs the Gu family. This old man is behaving like this, so in order not to disappoint him, won't your father punish him more severely?
After asking Lin Yanqing about his attitude, the emperor received the same answer as Gu Hongzhang, and he became even more furious.

Chu Chengyao was denounced for his wolfish ambitions and cruelty to his brothers, and for his desire for power and profit, he was willing to disrupt the government. From that day on, he was stripped of his title of King of Jin, his fiefdom was taken back, and he was imprisoned in the palace along with his wives, concubines and servants, and was not allowed to leave the palace without being summoned.

Once it is confirmed that the assassination attempt on Yamakawa Tai was true, further punishment will be imposed.

Qi Quan and other officials knelt down anxiously to plead for mercy, but the emperor warned them:

There will be no changes to this matter, and anyone who asks for mercy will be treated as a criminal.

In order to preserve the green mountains, Qi Quan and others could only hold back in silence even though they were extremely anxious.

Chu Chengyao gritted his teeth, trying his best to suppress the blood in his throat, and leaned forward to kowtow in thanks. His hands, which were supporting the ground, were clenched into fists because of his unwillingness, anger and resentment.

Qin Zongliang looked at Chu Chengyao's defeat, and his legs, which were numb from kneeling, felt relieved a lot. However, just when he was happy for a moment, he heard the emperor's voice again:

Although the witnesses of the assassination of Lin Jinyan have not yet arrived in Kyoto, the testimony is clear and does not seem to be groundless. Qin Zongliang is ordered not to leave the house until the matter is clarified.

The prince was about to plead for mercy, but the emperor spoke first:
"Knowing clearly that Zhao Xian's affair was suspicious, he did not investigate and instead reported it hastily, causing his brothers and sisters to suffer an unwarranted disaster. I will fine him three months' salary as a warning to others."

After that, he comforted Gu Hongzhang and ordered the prefect of Jingzhao to compile the witnesses and confessions sent by Qin Zongliang into a book and hand it over to the Dali Temple. After leaving the palace, Zheng Cheng deliberately reminded him that Gu Hongzhang seemed to be unwell.

The emperor pondered for a moment, rewarded some precious medicinal herbs, and ordered Zheng Cheng to personally escort Gu Hongzhang out of the palace.

Inside the Guangming Hall, the ministers were waiting for the Crown Prince and his companions to leave the hall. They gathered in groups of three or five, whispering and talking to each other.

With the help of the prince's extended hand, Qin Zongliang supported himself on his numb legs and struggled to stand up. With the attitude of a victor, he looked down at Chu Chengyao, who was lying on the ground in defeat.

Qin Zongliang couldn't help but smile when he thought about the gifts he prepared for Chu Chengyao, which would be presented one after another.

The prince helped his cousin up and walked in front of Yuan Dao and Han Qingru with a gloomy face. He stared at the two people who lowered their eyes respectfully without saying a word. When he heard Chu Chengye's gloating congratulations and congratulations on the release of his house arrest, the prince took Qin Zongliang and left with a cold face.

Qi Quan and the others helped the dejected Chu Chengyao up with concern. Their worried words were choked by Chu Chengyao's concern in return:
"Since there is no change, why worry? I am afraid that you will be implicated, especially Qi Quan, so please take care of yourself. I will not be able to enter the palace for a while, so I will go to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Mother first."

Seeing Chu Chengyao staggering and slowly walking out of the palace gate, Qi Quan and others felt mixed emotions:

How lucky they are to follow such a good master, but how unfair it is that their master is suppressed like this.

Grand Tutor Yao dragged Lin Yanqing to talk, and his relative Gu Hongzhang also accompanied them. The three of them saw it all.

After sending away all the ministers, Master Yao and the other two slowly walked out. Before they had gone far, they were stopped by Zheng Cheng, who was walking hurriedly. (End of this chapter)