Chapter 294: Truth and Falsehood
In the Emperor's presence, Gu Yanxi annotated each memorial before handing them to Lai Fu. Having heard everything clearly, Lai Fu naturally knew whom to assign the tasks to.
"Your Majesty, Yuan Shifang has reached his limit."
The Emperor snorted coldly, "The fact that he lasted this long shows he inherited the robust physique of the Chao Li Tribe. Has he revealed anything new under further interrogation?"
"The interrogation chamber has exhausted all methods. I'm afraid he truly has nothing left to confess." Gu Yanxi picked up the top ledger from the desk and flipped to the latest page. At his request, the Imperial Hospital recorded the Emperor's pulse readings daily after each examination, allowing him to monitor the Emperor's health condition constantly.
Seeing his action, the Emperor's expression visibly softened.
"The Chao Li Tribe has grown wiser. While they spared no effort in training Yuan Shifang, they also guarded against him. They let him know what was necessary but didn't allow him much contact with others of similar status. Yuan Shifang discovered some clues on his own, and following these leads, the Seven Constellation Bureau captured two individuals who are currently being escorted back."
Recalling the various incidents Yanxi encountered during Yuan Shifang's previous escort, the Emperor frowned, "Are the dispatched personnel sufficient?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have made thorough preparations."
"I trust your work. Interrogate them thoroughly—I want to know exactly how much they've infiltrated my empire!"
"As you command." Gu Yanxi set down the ledger and resumed his seat below the Emperor. "Uncle, I recently became involved in a business venture."
Hearing this form of address, the Emperor's eyes sparkled with amusement. Whenever this lad addressed him like this, it meant he was discussing personal matters. "Go on, what kind of venture could catch your interest?"
"Mushrooms."
"Mushrooms?"
"Not wild mushrooms, but artificially cultivated ones that can be eaten year-round."
The Emperor stroked his chin. If they could truly be eaten year-round, it would indeed be a good business—no wonder Yanxi took notice. However, if it were merely a business venture, this lad wouldn't specifically mention it to him. Suddenly feeling a sense of achievement in supporting a junior, the Emperor smiled and said, "Speak, what do you need me to do?"
"Nothing from you. I just thought you should know about the person who cultivated these mushrooms."
"Oh? Who is it?"
Gu Yanxi's heartbeat quickened slightly. "A daughter of the Hua family."
A daughter... of the Hua family? The Emperor's smile faded. "Hua Yizheng's granddaughter?"
"Yes, named Hua Zhi, Hua Yizheng's eldest legitimate granddaughter, daughter of Hua Pingyu."
The Emperor fell silent. He hadn't paid attention to the Hua family for some time, and hearing this surname suddenly reminded him that nearly a year had passed since Hua Yizheng's exile. The Hua family women had been protected by the Empress Dowager, but even the Hua family's Old Madam had passed away before the New Year.
"How are they faring now?"
"Reasonably well. After the passing of the Old Madam, Hua Zhi took charge. Under her leadership, the Hua family shows no signs of collapse, and she possesses considerable talent in business." Gu Yanxi maintained his usual composure as when discussing other matters, but inwardly he was tense, carefully weighing every word to ensure the Emperor would become aware of Hua Zhi without developing any particular interest in her.
The Emperor laughed. "A daughter of the Hua family skilled in trade—how intriguing. I wonder what that old fellow Hua Yizheng would think if he knew."
"I see no harm in it. At the very least, she has enabled the Hua family to regain their footing after great upheaval without having to beg for mercy.""Oh? Yan Xi holds her in rather high regard."
Gu Yanxi gestured for the palace maid to refresh the tea. "Does Your Majesty not think that compared to the He family, the Hua family's approach is actually more skillful? While engaging in trade may disgrace the Hua family's reputation, it has also preserved their dignity in another sense."
The Emperor found this perspective reasonable. With the comparison drawn, Yan Xi's favor toward the Hua family seemed justifiable. After all, the Hua family had established themselves through their own efforts, which alone deserved respect.
"Has she sought you out?"
"The Heir Apparent rarely leaves his residence—where would she find this subject?" Gu Yanxi handed the teacup to his imperial uncle. "She opened a culinary studio that has gained considerable fame in the capital. The establishment operates without a menu—patrons specify ingredients, and regardless of what is chosen, the kitchen must prepare twelve distinct dishes. My Lu family cousins invited me to try their mushroom banquet once. Some cooking methods were entirely unfamiliar to me, yet the flavors were exceptional. My cousin mentioned the mushrooms were cultivated by the eldest Hua daughter herself, and many have taken notice. She's clever enough to recognize the current Hua family cannot protect such a profitable venture."
The Emperor teased, "So you offered yourself up voluntarily?"
Gu Yanxi lowered his gaze to his teacup. "The Lu family expended great resources for their daughter's marriage—the dowry remains stored in my Heir Apparent Residence to this day. Your Majesty must have heard about the Lu family's current circumstances; they might as well be regulars at the pawnshop. While I lack no silver, the Lu family is in dire need. Yet they never take advantage of others, so I facilitated this partnership where we share the venture equally."
A faint smile touched Gu Yanxi's lips. "The Lu family acts with passionate loyalty, and consequently, they've extended their protection to the culinary studio as well. Calculated this way, the Hua family has gained the greater advantage."
Mention of the Lu family amused the Emperor. If one counted the capital's notorious scoundrels, three out of ten would hail from the Lu family. They were an odd bunch, seemingly specialized in producing such characters, yet they were also the court officials he trusted most. Their recklessness and loyalty were inseparable, a tradition maintained through generations.
He had indeed heard of the Lu family's financial struggles. Many laughed at their predicament, though ultimately the fault lay with his own brother. What impressed him was the Lu family's unyielding pride—even when Yanxi wished to assist, ordinary families wouldn't accept charity. That they'd found an opportunity to help was fortunate; he couldn't bear watching the family survive by pawning heirlooms.
"We understand. Although We punished the Hua family, We never forbade them from seeking livelihood. As you said, their approach is preferable to the He family's schemes of marrying off daughters."
"Indeed, this subject shares that view."
"You overthink things. Was this matter worth specially reporting to Us?" The Emperor pointed at him, tone chiding yet expression brimming with satisfaction. "Lai Fu."
"Your servant is here."
"Fetch the pair of luminous pearls delivered yesterday for our Heir Apparent."
Lai Fu acknowledged with a smile and turned to leave when the Emperor added, "Wait. Yan Xi, visit the treasury yourself and select suitable items to send to the Lu family. They've pawned so much—We shall replenish their storerooms."
Gu Yanxi immediately countered, "No matter how much You bestow, it would be futile. Would they dare pawn imperial gifts?"The Emperor casually threw the dossier at hand toward him, "Couldn't you just say it came from your own treasury?"
"Even if I were to send them a mere scrap of paper, they would treasure it like a gem," Gu Yanxi replied as he bent down to pick up the dossier. Unintentionally or not, his eyes caught a line: 'On the tenth day of the fourth month, a thousand acres of fertile land were gifted; another thousand acres followed in May.'
As if he had seen nothing, Gu Yanxi placed the dossier back and took two steps back, saying, "I shall return another day for the luminous pearl. There are matters at the Seven Constellation Bureau that require my attention. I take my leave."
The Emperor watched the man depart without hesitation, torn between amusement and exasperation. He complained to Lai Fu, "Listen to this—when I give him something, I still have to mind his mood."
Lai Fu chimed in smoothly, "The Heir simply treats you with familiarity, knowing full well you wouldn’t hold such things against him."
"That rascal," the Emperor cursed with a laugh, but his smile gradually faded as he looked at the dossier. "Investigate whether those mushrooms were truly cultivated by that Hua family girl. I cannot let Yan Xi suffer a loss."
"Understood."
"Take this to the Ministry of Justice," the Emperor flung the dossier in front of Lai Fu. "If they dare reach so far, I dare chop their hands off. Have the Xu family’s property confiscated and their clan exterminated. Tell that old fool Xu Shisong whether this empire bears the surname Gu or Xu!"
Lai Fu broke into a sweat, bowing even lower. "This old servant obeys."
P.S.: Third watch.
OpenNovel