Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

Gu Mingli's Adam's apple bobbed.

It turned out that Xiao Ye had already thought of what he was worried about.

Gu Mingli quickly cupped his hands in greeting, "Your Majesty, I will convey your words back to you."

For the next ten days, everyone in the Control Yuan went crazy.

From old archives to files stored in the Ministry of Justice, from the Ministry of Revenue's silver allocation records to the Ministry of War's secret transfer orders, every document related to Lu Lin's case was thoroughly examined.

On the third day, they found the list of the property that the late emperor had confiscated from the Lu family. The total value was less than ten thousand taels of silver.

A general who was accused of "colluding with the enemy and betraying the country" had less wealth than a small merchant in the capital.

On the fifth day, a secret report, deliberately buried at the bottom of the old files of the Ministry of Revenue, was unearthed. The report showed that Lu Lin had indeed opened granaries and organized military settlements during his time in Jiangzhou, but all the grain and silver were meticulously recorded in detail, with not a single penny missing.

On the seventh day, the Ministry of War discovered that the Lu family army had always been loyal to their duties and guarded the border. Even the 10,000 Lu family soldiers in the Jiangbei camp had never left the camp without permission, let alone committed treason or collusion with the enemy.

Xiao Ye compiled all the evidence into a book and personally drafted a decree that was a thousand words long.

The edict listed, point by point, the evidence of the late emperor's collusion with powerful clans and his framing of loyal officials.

The wording was unvarnished and unconcealed, even avoiding the cliché of "the late emperor was misled by powerful clans, leading to the creation of a miscarriage of justice," which would have been a way to save face for the late emperor.

It can be summed up in four simple words: wrongful conviction and execution.

When Gu Mingli received the draft of the imperial edict, his hands were trembling.

I never expected Xiao Ye to actually dare to do that.

It only took ten days!

However, the contents of the edict clearly indicated that the crimes of the four powerful clans were serious enough to warrant the execution of their entire families.

Gu Mingli cautiously said, "Your Majesty, wouldn't it be risky to issue this edict now? It's tantamount to declaring war on the powerful clans."

"Yes. So we need to weaken the power of the aristocratic families first, get the nobles to break free from his control, and then announce the edict."

Xiao Ye picked up another stack of Xuan paper from the corner of the table and handed it to Gu Mingli.

"Take a look at this."

Gu Mingli took it and glanced at it.

It was a secret report sent by the Control Yuan last night.

The three powerful clans secretly met on Mid-Autumn Festival night and bought poisonous insects from martial arts practitioners, intending to release them into the palace.

Although all the poisonous insects died and the assassination attempt failed, the intention of the three parties joining forces is now clear.

Xiao Ye said seriously, "With the downfall of the Cui family, the remaining powerful clans became alert."

"Currently, the Liu family controls the Ministry of Justice and holds a large amount of land in the southern region. The Jia family monopolizes the Ministry of Rites and the imperial examinations, while the Wang family controls the Ministry of War and the military power of the major camps."

"If these three join forces, they will definitely challenge me."

Gu Mingli frowned as well.

"How does Your Majesty intend to deal with them?"

"Start with the Liu family. If the land issue in the southern border isn't resolved, the number of refugees in Dayong will only increase."

"But before that, I need to win over allies."

Gu Mingli asked curiously, "Whom should we ally with?"

Xiao Ye looked up at him with a smile, "Right Chancellor, Gu Debai."

Gu Mingli: "!!!"

"I will personally visit tomorrow night to apologize on behalf of the late Emperor, discuss cooperation with Prime Minister Gu, and also visit Master Gu."

Wait a minute! He's coming in person?

To the Gu residence?

Go see his father, who's always ready to kill the emperor?

Gu Mingli felt a chill run down his spine whenever he thought of that scene.

"Your Majesty, could we postpone this matter of paying a personal apology?"

Xiao Ye glanced at him.

Why?

"My dad's been in a bad mood lately."

Xiao Ye's lips curled slightly as he observed Gu Mingli's anxious expression with great interest.

"Prime Minister Gu has been all smiles and polite to everyone during court sessions lately. How can you say he has a bad temper?"

Gu Mingli scratched his head in frustration.

Oh dear, why won't this child listen to advice?

You have no idea what's hidden beneath my dad's smiling face!

Gu Mingli was speechless, but he couldn't betray his father, so he could only awkwardly change his words.

"There's a recent outbreak of colds and coughs in my household, and I'm afraid it might offend Your Majesty."

"It's alright, I'm not made of paper."

Gu Mingli: (´థ౪థ)σ

Are you determined to die?

There's nothing else I can do.

Since we can't persuade Xiao Ye, let's go home and settle our father first.

The following evening.

Xiao Ye changed into casual clothes, boarded the imperial carriage, and headed to the Gu residence with more than a dozen boxes of gifts.

Geng Zhi led a team of Dragon Scale Guards to protect him throughout the journey, making it a very grand affair.

Gu Mingli waited at the entrance of the Gu residence.

When Xiao Ye's carriage came to a stop, Liu An was carrying a sandalwood box as he got out.

Gu Mingli went up to him, lowering his voice.

"Your Majesty, I fear that mentioning the past will upset my father..."

Xiao Ye glanced at him and teased:

"I'm here to apologize, not to start a fight. What are you worried about?"

Gu Mingli chuckled twice, still feeling uneasy.

The two entered the main hall.

Gu Debai was already seated in the main seat.

He was wearing a gray casual robe today, with a polite smile on his round face, just like he always was in court.

Gu Mingyue sat on the left, with a tea set in front of her, and was boiling water.

Xiao Ye walked in, and Gu Debai stepped forward to greet him with a warm smile.

"Your Majesty, please have a seat."

Xiao Ye took his seat in the superior position and gave Liu An a wink.

Liu An immediately placed the sandalwood box in his hand on the table and pushed it in front of Gu Debai.

Xiao Ye pointed to the wooden box.

"Prime Minister Gu, these are all the case files, imperial edicts, and irrefutable evidence of the late emperor's collusion with the four powerful clans in the Lu Lin case."

"I personally wrote the contents of the edict. Lu Lin is posthumously granted the title of Marquis Zhongwu, with the posthumous name of Zhonglie. The eldest princess is posthumously granted the title of Zhenguo Furen. All the soldiers who died in the Jiangbei Camp are officially named and their names are recorded in the Temple of Loyalty and Martyrdom. A temple is built for Emperor Guangxian, and the surviving families of the former officials of the Great Qi are given relief."

"I will take responsibility for the late emperor's mistakes. As for the crimes of the four great clans, I will ensure they are punished."

Gu Debai didn't speak, but reached out, opened the box, and took out the imperial edict to read.

The hall fell silent.

Gu Mingli sat below Xiao Ye, his hands resting on his knees, his palms sweaty.

He was on high alert, observing his father's expression while also being wary of Xiao Ye's safety.

After carefully reading the edict, Gu Debai put it back in the box, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Xiao Ye.

"The powerful clans are too strong. If Your Majesty announces this edict at this time, it will likely plunge the country into chaos."

Xiao Ye stared at Gu Debai quietly, his expression serious, and said:

"What you say is absolutely right. That is why I have come today to discuss something with you."

"Oh? Your Majesty, please speak."

"The Cui family has fallen. But the Liu, Jia, and Wang families are still powerful clans that should not be underestimated."

"Next, I will take action against these three families. But my strength alone is not enough."

Xiao Ye looked up and met Gu Debai's gaze without any attempt to hide it.

"I need Prime Minister Gu's help."

Gu Debai waved his hand and smiled, "Your Majesty flatters me. What help can this old minister possibly offer?"

Xiao Ye wasn't in a hurry when he was rejected to his face.

He smiled slightly, waved his hand, and dismissed all the servants in the room.

Even Geng Zhi retreated outside the door.

Gu Mingli and Gu Mingyue exchanged a glance, not understanding what Xiao Ye was doing.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Ye turned and looked directly at Gu Debai, then said something that shocked everyone.

"Has Prime Minister Gu ever heard of the missions of renowned ministers?"