Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 190 Accident
Zichen Palace.

Marquis Jingyuan, his official hat askew and his court robes soaked with rain, knelt on the cold gold bricks, his back hunched over like a bow.

"Your Majesty, please have mercy. My son has been missing for seven days, and his fate is unknown. I beg Your Majesty to order the Prefect of the Capital to do everything in his power to search for him and give my son a chance at life..."

There was silence in the hall.

The only sounds were the rustling of the emperor turning the pages of memorials and the occasional popping from the charcoal brazier.

Emperors are beyond comprehension.

Cold sweat had already appeared on the forehead of the Marquis of Jingyuan.

"Your Majesty, I dare to be so bold as to offend you. I humbly beg Your Majesty to consider the loyalty and bravery of my entire family and grant me your grace..."

Emperor Chongzhao then put down the memorial, his gaze falling on the old minister's sweat-dampened temples, and sighed heavily.

"How could I sit idly by and watch my son suffer such a misfortune?"

Although Gu Jie was not an only son, he was the apple of the eye of the Marquis of Jingyuan.

The marriage alliance between the Xue and Gu families was initially a joyous occasion, but unexpectedly, it was marred by the scandal of Xue Yueying's affair with the Prince of Wei. At this moment, Emperor Chongzhao's illegitimate "grandson" is still being raised in the Jingyuan Marquis's residence…

This was undoubtedly embarrassing for Emperor Chongzhao...

The old minister was pleading for his son's life, and his words had a hidden meaning, which the emperor understood perfectly.

"My dear minister, please rest assured and go back. I will immediately order the Prefect of the Capital to conduct a thorough investigation and find your son."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Jingyuan slammed his forehead heavily against the ground.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

Just as he was about to leave, Emperor Chongzhao suddenly called him back.

"Your son embezzled treasury funds that day, enriching himself at the expense of others; his actions were truly despicable. Fortunately, the Marquis's mansion promptly returned the embezzled funds, demonstrating remorse... Alas, considering your loyalty and integrity, and your son's young age, perhaps he was deceived. If the embezzled funds can be recovered this time, let him go to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and find a sinecure..."

Marquis Jingyuan kowtowed again, his voice filled with gratitude.

"Your subject will certainly discipline his son strictly and make him diligent in his duties to repay the Emperor's grace."

The emperor offered a few more words of comfort, and only then did the Marquis of Jingyuan kowtow in thanks and withdraw.

On that day, the officials of the Prefect of the Capital were ordered to set out and conduct a thorough search of the city.

The matter caused quite a stir...

However, no one expected that Gu Jie would return home that very night.

He entered quietly through the side gate like a lost soul, his face as pale as a ghost, his body extremely thin, clearly having suffered a great deal.

Madam Chun was chanting Buddhist prayers inside the house when she saw her son appear. Suddenly, she loosened her grip on the prayer beads, which clattered to the ground.

"Son!"

She lunged forward and grabbed Gu Jie's sleeve, looking him up and down. When she saw the ligature marks on his neck, she couldn't help but let out a sob.

"Where have you been these past few days? And who has done this to you..."

"Mother, I'm fine." Gu Jie shook his head, avoiding his mother's hand. His voice was icy, and his expression was very somber. "It's my fault for being unfilial. I gambled with some hooligans and lost everything. I'm too ashamed to come home..."

Madam Chun, her eyes brimming with tears, scolded, "Foolish child, how can you be so insensible, causing your parents worry day and night? Tell me quickly, who plotted against you, so that your father can avenge you..."

"Chunniang." Marquis Jingyuan stepped forward at the right moment, stopping the indignant Madam Chun from continuing to ask questions, and gave Gu Jie a deep look.

"Wulang has been traveling and is tired. Let him go back to his room to bathe and change his clothes and rest for the night before we talk in detail."

Gu Jie glanced gratefully at his father, then bowed and clasped his hands in thanks.

"I take my leave."

Gu Jie returned to Qiwu Courtyard and locked himself in his study. He didn't call anyone to prepare water for washing, but sat alone, gazing at the raindrops drifting outside the window.

Slowly, place your hand over your chest—

Ping Le's ferocious laughter and the red-hot branding iron in the dungeon were like a nightmare.

Ping Le didn't take his life, but instead used other methods to torture him.

She pestered him hysterically, demanding things like a madwoman, wanting to squeeze out every last bit of his dignity...

Shame, resentment.

It was supposed to be a love affair between a man and a woman, but there was no joy in it at all.

Her mind kept replaying Xue Liu's aloof face, and the sizzling sound of the branding iron in his hand burning her waist when they were young...

"boom!"

The study door was suddenly pushed open.

Xue Yueying's shrill voice, laced with sarcasm, rang out.

"Oh, so the Grand Prince Consort Gu has finally decided to return? Does the Princess's residence not provide meals? How come it's in such a sorry state?"

"Get out." Gu Jie slowly turned his head, looking at her coldly.

"What an arrogant attitude, Prince Consort Gu." Xue Yueying was already seething with anger and had originally intended to say a few sarcastic remarks to him, but she was startled by the ruthlessness surging in his eyes.

The once gentle and refined husband now had eyes like icy knives.

It's like he's become a completely different person...

"What's wrong?" Xue Yueying's lips curled into a cold smile. "Princess Shang is so dignified, and you're acting all aggrieved?"

Gu Jie remained silent, staring intently at her with a chilling gaze.

"I never would have guessed that my lord is so beloved." Xue Yueying swayed her hips and walked gracefully to Gu Jie's side, glancing at him with a pair of charming yet mocking eyes.

"Princess Ping Le has caused such a stir in the city because of you that even Xue Liu has humbled himself and come to the Marquis's mansion to find you. They are all so devoted..."

Gu Jie tensed up instantly.

Hearing her mention Xue Liu, his sinister expression grew even colder than before. "I'll say it again, get out!"

Xue Yueying smiled, took his arm with both hands, and feigned a coquettish reproach.

"What, did I touch a sore spot? Are you getting angry?"

Seeing that she was pushing her luck, Gu Jie suddenly sprang to his feet, slapped her hard across the face, grabbed her wildly swinging arm, and threw her away violently, his face contorted with rage.

"You bitch! Stop disgusting me!"

Xue Yueying staggered back half a step.

He always considered himself a scholar, and even knowing that she had an affair with the Prince of Wei and had a child with him, he had never been as rough with her as he was today, let alone laid a hand on her...

Xue Yueying covered her face, gritting her teeth as she provoked him, "You've learned to hit people now? Gu Wulang, you've really grown up. Fine, then go ahead and divorce me, and we'll never see each other again..."

"I have no sons." Gu Jie sneered. "My sons are raised for other people, what sons do I have left? But Xue Si, you think you can gain your freedom to climb the social ladder? Dream on!"

Xue Yueying screamed: "You—"

"What about me?" Gu Jie approached her with a stern face, his hands digging deep into her neck.

The cold wind from his coat brushed against his face, and his low, hoarse laughter seemed to come from hell.

"From now on, just bear with it. Even if you die, you'll die with me."

Xue Yueying's pupils dilated, her body stiffened with tension, and she found it difficult to breathe...

Madam Chun heard the commotion and came over, knocking on the door of the study. "Fifth Brother, Fifth Brother, what are you doing... Don't frighten your mother..."

Gu Jie glanced at the door, slowly released his grip, and turned his back.

"Get out!"

Xue Yueying was quite frightened by his terrifying appearance.

Is this person still Gu Jie?
If Madam Chun hadn't arrived in time, he almost would have strangled her.

Xue Yueying opened the door and ran out in a disheveled state.

Madam Chun pushed open the door and came in. She saw that Gu Jie's eyes were still bloodshot, and his face was as red as if it had been burned by a raging fire.

She paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "Why bother arguing with her? She's a shameless woman. Since she's so eager to climb the social ladder, you might as well go along with her and find a good match to live a peaceful life."

“No.” Gu Jie shook his head. “Mother, I want her. In this life… I will definitely be entangled with her to the very end.”

Lady Chun couldn't help but shudder.

Her son's words sent chills down her spine.

She could tell that her son no longer had feelings for that woman, so why was he unwilling to let go?
Are you hoping she'll come back to you?
"My son, listen to your mother's advice, forced love is never sweet..."

Madam Chun tried to persuade him, but Gu Jie coldly interrupted her.

"Mother, I'm tired, I want to be alone..."

Lady Chun could not say anything more, but only sighed softly.

"Your decision is yours to make. Your father and I will not force you."

She paused, then said gently, "Your father humbled himself before His Majesty for your sake, securing you a position at the Court of State Ceremonial. This opportunity is hard-won; you must make amends and work diligently..."

Gu Jie looked up, a glimmer of light appearing in his eyes.

How could he not want to cherish everything he has?
But now, it's too late.

With no way back, he could only go down a dark path...

"mother!"

Suddenly, Gu Jie lifted his robe and knelt down properly before Madam Chun, kowtowing deeply.

“You and Father have raised me with great difficulty and worried about me. I am an unfilial son—from now on, I will listen to you and never make things difficult for you again.”

Madam Chun felt a lump in her throat, bent down and hugged her son, bursting into tears.

"Silly child, your parents only wish for your safety, there's nothing difficult about it..."
-
In the early morning, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices and fell upon the table in Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

Xue Sui, dressed in a plain silk dress, sat upright at the table, intently writing a prescription to help Xue Ji recover.

Xiao Zhao and Ruyi stood silently by each other, hands clasped and brows furrowed, eyes downcast and mind at ease.

The room was completely quiet.

The only sound was the soft rustling of the pen tip against the paper.

At this moment, Jinshu hurried in, lifting the curtain as she entered.

She glanced at Xiao Zhao first, signaling her to go outside and stand guard, before stepping forward, bowing to Xue Sui, and presenting the letter with both hands.

"Miss, this was sent by the young master."

Xue Sui paused slightly, put down his pen, and took the letter.

The letter contained only a few words, yet it carried an undeniable power.

"The butterflies have begun to flutter their wings, and the ants have also bared their fangs."

The ink is still fresh, and the ink penetrates the paper.

The wronged souls of 200,000 soldiers were awakened by hatred, and the vulnerable people rescued by the Old Mausoleum Swamp also gripped the sharp knives in their hands...

A multitude of ants will weave a vast, all-encompassing net in their own way.

At the center of the net lies the gray justice that has lain dormant in the old mausoleum for decades…

The fire of revenge of an ordinary person will also stir up countless tiny gears, turning the wheel of fate...

Li Zhao: When will the lone gear turn?

Xue Sui: I'm stuck...