I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 355 - 273: Doubts
Gu Lan looked at Song Zhi and thought that his support for the Second Prince was probably because of his loyalty to Rong Jing.
Since the founding of Dayan, the imperial guard has always been the sharpest and most loyal weapon in the hands of the Emperor. ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ธ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ต.๐ฌ๐ค๐ข
In the past, the Dingyuan Army, the Pingnan Army, and the Dayan imperial guard were renowned forces capable of crushing Wei Country.
However, over the years, the imperial guard stationed in the Capital City to protect the Emperor has not experienced the baptism of war, its combat effectiveness greatly reduced, now serving as a gilding tool for noble children.
For example, Su Zixiao, or Lu Rufeng, the youngest son of Lu Bingxin, both holding positions in the imperial guard.
But a starved camel is still bigger than a horse, and the imperial guard still serves to guard the Capital and intimidate those with sinister intentions on behalf of the Emperor.
The real power over the twenty thousand imperial guards, however, lies with Song Zhi.
He is the person the Emperor trusts the most, even more than Zhang Fengcai, who manages the Inner Supervision.
Song Zhi stepped forward, exuding a chilling aura.
Rong Jing spoke coldly:
"Deliver my decree: except for Su Shouli, all Su Family members serving as officials, regardless of their legitimacy, are to be escorted by you with the imperial guard to the Ministry of Justice prison, Zhou Xing, investigate the Su Family for me."
"I obey the decree!" Song Zhi and Zhou Xing replied in unison.
The Ministry of Justice and the imperial guard moving together signifies a familyโs downfall, effectively pre-announcing the Su Familyโs death sentence.
Su Shoucheng knelt on the ground, devastated like he was mourning, his body limp like mud, allowing two guards to drag him away.
Just as Su Shoucheng was about to be dragged from Taihe Palace, he suddenly came to his senses, begging for mercy in a hoarse voice:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the old man devoted his whole life tirelessly to Dayan, please look at the service despite hardship, spare his life!"
Rong Jingโs eyes were gentle and deep: "Su Wenzhong has served three reigns, contributing much to Dayan, and is the teacher of Dayanโs scholars. If he is wronged, I will naturally give him justice."
Su Shoucheng breathed a sigh of relief, then turned, glaring fiercely at Xie Yun, and couldnโt help but curse:
"Xie Jingqi, the Su Family raised you to adulthood, taught you to read and achieve official rank, and you, you beast in clothes, ungrateful hypocrite! The Prime Minister should never have adopted you!"
Rong Jingโs eyes suddenly turned cold: "Silence him."
Song Zhi stepped forward and knocked Su Shoucheng unconscious with a blow.
Only then did Rong Jing speak: "Take Su Shoucheng away. As for Su Shouli, since he colluded with the Qiangrong people, execute him on the spot in Ningzhou.
The Crown Prince colludes for personal gain and bribes court officials... return to the Eastern Palace, reflect behind closed doors!"
The Crown Prince, sincerely fearful, thanked, and finally gave Gu Lan a deep look.
The look was like a creeping venomous snake, cold and malicious, wishing nothing more than to devour her flesh.
Gu Lan slightly furrowed her brow, casually glancing at the calm and aloof Xie Yun.
Now, not only did Xie Yun have questions, but she also had similar doubts in her heart.
Since Su Shoucheng resented and loathed Xie Yun so much, what was the Su Family thinking, not getting rid of him early, this person destined to stand against them?
Was it just because Xie Yun was talented, reserved, and obedient?
After a series of imperial decrees were issued, the morning court session finally ended.
Essentially, Rong Jing only dealt with the Su Family and Prince Ruiโs matter, without mentioning the Empress Dowager, nor imposing heavy punishment on the Crown Prince, let alone mentioning the Crown Prince and Prince Ruiโs death in the same breath.
However, since the Su Family was the support of the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince, whether they were mentioned became unimportant once the pillar toppled.
Gu Lan knew Rong Jing didnโt mention the Empress Dowager to preserve Yan Countryโs face; should news of the Empress Dowagerโs plot against her prince spread, Yan Country would become the laughingstock of nations.
"So, the Su Family is finished, the Crown Prince has fallen, and the Second Prince, without doing anything, suddenly becomes the next Crown Prince?"
On the way from the court, Gu Changting asked thoughtfully.
Gu Lan nodded helplessly: "More or less, but he hasnโt truly defeated the Crown Prince yet, as the Crown Prince is not deposed, just lost his backing, and Rong Qijun lacks maternal clan power. Now, theyโre on the same starting line. By the way, thereโs good news concerning you."
Gu Changting asked, somewhat puzzled: "Concerning me?"
He pondered for a moment, suddenly understanding: "I know, with the Su Family gone, there will be many vacant positions in the court, and Iโm going to be promoted, right?"
Gu Lan nodded: "This time, youโre not being foolish."
Gu Changting, occasionally the bookโs lowest intelligence, could sometimes react quickly, leaving even her unable to decipher what kind of person her brother really was.
"Promotion, wealth, marrying a wife, all together. Your father will also be promoted." Gu Lan paused, speaking slyly.
Gu Changting looked back at the spirited Second Young Master Gu, frowning:
"My father was just promoted to Minister of Rites the other day; itโs surely impossible for another promotion so soon."
Gu Lan turned, glancing at Lu Bingxin, the Minister of Revenue, who watched everything in silence from the beginning.
"Iโm talking about this father of yours."
Lu Bingxin, previously insistent on marrying his daughter to her, nearly endangering his own daughter, had some mental issues.
Nonetheless, he was dedicated to Yanโs strength, with true skills and knowledge, clear-minded when not concerning Gu Lan.
With the Su Family down, Lu Bingxin was the best candidate for the new Prime Minister.
Lu Bingxin, feeling Gu Lanโs gaze, lifted his head, let out a cold sneer, rolled his eyes, and swiftly passed by Young Master Gu, as if embarrassed to look at her any further.
Gu Lan gently patted Gu Changtingโs shoulder: "Ahem... Gu Changting, donโt blame me."
She had initially offended the Lu Family completely, and if Gu Changting truly wished to be with Lu Congyun now, Lu Bingxin, his potential father-in-law, might be driven to fury by the Gu Family.
Upon reaching the palace gates, they saw a group of imperial guards, swords glistening, assembled in readiness, waiting for Song Zhiโs command to proceed to arrest the Su Family.
Gu Lan saw Xie Yun standing beside this group of guards, pausing: "Are you waiting for Song Zhi?"
Xie Yun nodded: "I want to personally seek an answer."
Just as he spoke, Song Zhi walked out from the side gate, sword at his waist, his phoenix eyes glistening like divine lights, his stride full of imposing power.
Xie Yun hurriedly stepped forward, gently cupping his hands: "Commander Song."
Song Zhiโs demeanor was solemn, but upon seeing Xie Yun awaiting him, his attitude softened slightly, courteous and respectful: "Vice Minister Xie is waiting here for me, what important matter might it be?"
Gu Lan raised her eyebrows in surprise.
She noticed Xie Yunโs expression change, seemingly surprised by Song Zhiโs favorable attitude towards him.
Song Zhi noticed the presence of Young Master Gu, his peripheral vision sweeping over her and Gu Changting.
Gu Lan was most sensitive to such subtle emotions, immediately sensing the disdain hidden in Song Zhiโs gaze; suppressing her inner doubts, she took Gu Changting by the arm, taking leave:
"Then, Iโll take my leave. See you another day."
Song Zhiโs disdain for her with Gu Changting, that was understandable; after all, she was a playboy heir, and Gu Changting was a Gu Family descendant... yet this proud Song Zhi treated Xie Yun with respect.
Xie Yun, over these years, why did he gain the Prime Ministerโs protection? Why does Rong Jing regard him highly, and how does he manage to alter Song Zhiโs iceberg-like demeanor?
