Lin Jiang was filled with regret!
Now Ning Que is the true Prince of Great Feng!
He has the royal crown, royal sword, royal seal, and royal authority!
Thinking back, Ning Que had been nothing but good to the Jiang Family Family.
He saved the Jiang Family Family with a death-exempting gold tablet.
Lin Qinghuan wanted to go to the Six Arts?
Ning Que personally pleaded for her, and she was admitted exceptionally!
Lin Xianhong wanted to study medicine?
Chang Divine Doctor, the best physician in the world, personally took her as a disciple!
And there was Lin Chao…
Others might not know.
But Lin Jiang, that old fox, knew full well.
That's right, Gu Yuan is currently the commander of the Western Border Wolf Army.
But the Wolf Army is supported by Old Prince Ning's former subordinates.
How could Lin Chao have risen so quickly without help?
These connections can't be bought with money!
The camaraderie of fellow soldiers, only those who've experienced it truly understand.
And Lin Qinghuan's marriage…
Lin Jiang looked at Jiang Quan in the distance again.
The Jiang Family is one of the eight great families of Chang'an.
They are a family of prestige and wealth, renowned for their scholars and officials.
All Jiang Family daughters marry princes, and all Jiang Family sons marry princesses.
This time, it was unprecedented that they were willing to marry Lin Qinghuan.
No need to think, it was also because of Ning Que.
Jiang Quan was a subordinate of Old Prince Ning.
When Old Prince Ning was buried, Jiang Quan personally carried his coffin.
During the funeral, he cried until he fainted.
The Jiang Family Family voluntarily observed mourning for Old Prince Ning for two years.
With such sincerity, would they refuse Ning Que?
And there's so much more…
Ning Que had done many things over the past three years.
He had practically granted every request from the Jiang Family Family.
They were living in a blessing but didn't realize it.
Only when they lost it did they regret it deeply.
Lin Jiang actually knew all these things. The reason he supported Lin Xianhong back then was also because the abortion had already happened, and regretting it was useless. It was better to tightly cling to the Gu Family's thigh.
The crucial part was the rumors among the people…
They all said that Old Prince Ning's achievements overshadowed the Emperor, and Emperor Feng had him removed.
The Prince's power was too great, and Emperor Feng wouldn't tolerate it.
By Ning Que's generation, he might not be able to inherit the princely title.
At most, he would be a mere heir apparent in this life.
He might even disappear one day.
But now?
Lin Jiang glanced at the Emperor's throne out of the corner of his eye.
Emperor Feng and Ning Que have a very good relationship!
All those rumors were self-defeating!
So, is it still too late for him to regret now?
…
Emperor Feng sat back down on the imperial throne.
His gaze finally landed on Samuer.
“This time, the Princess was injured in my Great Feng.”
“I said I would give you an explanation.”
“Minister of Dali Temple!”
“Your subject is here.”
Li Su, Minister of Dali Temple, slowly walked out.
The main responsibilities of Dali Temple are to review cases and overturn unjust convictions. All officials who break the law are also tried by Dali Temple. It is independent of the Six Ministries and is a high-ranking official of the second rank. Although not of the first rank, it holds real power and has a very high status.
“Your subject has already investigated the assassination case of the West Liang Princess,” Li Su said, holding up a document and raising his hand. “Although the assassin committed suicide by poisoning, your subject thoroughly investigated this person. His ancestors for three generations all died in the Western Border, and his two younger brothers also died at Gao Que.”
Hearing this, Gu Mingzhi smiled.
He secretly exchanged glances with Qi King Tian Zhongxun.
Since they were going to assassinate, they naturally had to consider being thoroughly investigated after the incident, so they definitely had to do things cleanly. These aristocratic families, on the surface, seem to have nothing, but in reality, they have many hidden forces in secret.
This is the foundation of their survival!
“What else?”
Li Su picked up the silk scroll and continued, “The assassin made a living by farming, and in his spare time, he liked to go to gambling houses. He had good luck and often won money, so he was quite wealthy. According to the Patrol Inspectorate's investigation, the gambling house he frequented belonged to the Gu Family.”
Emperor Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
Only then did he look at Gu Mingzhi and his son.
Actually, this matter was known without even investigating.
The assassin could only have come from Qi King and the Gu Family.
Samuer's death would be most beneficial to them.
“Your Majesty!”
Gu Mingzhi quickly stepped forward, raising his hand and saying, “This matter has nothing to do with our Gu Family. All the gambling houses in Chang'an are operated by my Gu Family. That assassin was a desperado, and it's perfectly normal for him to gamble for fun. Even if he got lucky and earned some money, you can't say he's a member of my Gu Family, can you?”
“I didn't say anything.”
“…”
Gu Yuan slowly stepped forward and said forcefully, “Your Majesty, your subject believes this case is merely a coincidence. Many common people in Chang'an have fallen in battle, just like this assassin. It's not an exaggeration to say he has a blood feud with Western Liang. Knowing that Prince Ning negotiated peace with Western Liang, he naturally felt discontent. An impulsive person would naturally think of assassinating the Princess.”
“Your subject has guarded the Western Border for three years, enduring wind and sun. A handful of broken rice, a handful of yellow sand. The soldiers fear no hardship, and even less Western Liang. Now, Prince Ning negotiates peace with a single word, and even wants to give away one hundred thousand shi of grain for free. Instead of blaming others, Prince Ning should reflect on his own problems. Princess Samuer was assassinated because of you!”
“Your subject seconds the motion!”
“Your subject seconds the motion!”
“General Gu is right.”
Tian Zhongxun watched calmly, mockingly saying, “Prince Ning might as well look for his own problems. You facilitated the peace talks, which is a great achievement, but the common people are ignorant and don't know the benefits. Plus, there's a generational feud with Western Liang, so they will definitely want revenge.”
“Presumptuous!”
Emperor Feng slammed the table.
The entire hall immediately fell silent.
He looked at Gu Mingzhi and said coldly, “As the Prefect of the Capital, your subordinate Patrol Inspectorate failed to prevent this in time, leading to the assassin's attempt. This is dereliction of duty and a violation of orders. I sentence you to a three-year reduction in salary and a demotion in official rank to the first rank below the principal.”
“And you, Gu Yuan. I exceptionally allowed you to inherit the title of Tiger Marquis, placing you as a First Rank General. Yet, you govern laxly, and Lin Chao, as your thousand-household commander, has repeatedly made grave mistakes. This time, he even incited public opinion and openly defied imperial edicts, nearly causing a great disaster. From today onwards, you are fined three years' salary, and your official rank is demoted to the second rank!”
Ning Que sat calmly.
This was actually a veiled warning to the Gu Family.
The Gu Family was, after all, deeply entrenched and difficult to uproot. For Emperor Feng, it would certainly be best if the Gu Family defected and helped deal with Qi King.
Gu Yuan's chest heaved violently with anger.
His official rank was directly demoted to the second rank!
Had all his hard work over the past few years been in vain?
Yet, he couldn't find any fault…
Some things, Emperor Feng could turn a blind eye to.
As long as he didn't pursue it, everything was fine.
This time, punishing them, no one could refute it.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see it.
This was a veiled warning.
In the future, they would certainly continue to target the Gu Family.
Using this to suppress Qi King Tian Zhongxun!
Of course, it wasn't just that.
Emperor Feng let out a long breath.
This matter could actually be big or small.
Because the one who was assassinated was Princess Samuer.
Moreover, she only suffered superficial injuries.
His grand display this time was simply using the incident as an excuse.
He had to let the Gu Family know.
Who was truly their monarch!
In addition, it was also to vindicate Ning Que.
All the grievances Ning Que suffered today had to be settled.
Emperor Feng raised his hand.
“Bring everyone up.”
“Yes!”
The guards on both sides of the gate then exited.
The officials exchanged glances, all remaining silent.
Li Su stood in the middle, calm and composed.
Soon, Lin Chao and Lin Xianhong were brought up.
They were both wearing shackles and leg irons.
In just three days, they looked incredibly weak.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Long live Your Majesty, long live Great Feng.”
Emperor Feng coldly flicked his sleeve.
“Lin Jiang!”
“Your subject is here.”
Lin Jiang walked out, trembling.
It was a swift death either way.
He knew that the Jiang Family Family was basically finished!