Gu Yanxi went to the garrison commander's residence.
Wu Yong hurried forward to greet him, but before he could speak, Gu Yanxi strode past him directly toward Chen Tu, who had rushed out anxiously. "Did they confess?"
"Yes." Chen Tu's throat tightened, not daring to withhold anything. "After learning that Old Master Hua was assisting in managing the Yinshan Pass defenses, the Second Prince knew things were going badly. He sent people to eliminate the Hua family before their involvement was exposed. To lure General Wu away, they didn't hesitate to use previously planted connections to strike a deal with the grassland tribes. The Second Prince dispatched twenty-four men in total—twenty for the ambush and four hidden in the shadows to eliminate any survivors. They didn't expect to be intercepted by the eldest young lady and Jia Yang, which alerted their targets. To ensure success, the hidden operatives immediately contacted the grassland tribes. Most of the second assassination attempt was carried out by foreigners."
"What did they trade in exchange?"
"Grain and tea." Chen Tu swallowed hard. "These are the two scarcest resources in the grasslands right now."
Gu Yanxi showed no surprise, not even blinking as he listened. "Words alone are not proof. I need evidence."
"Understood. They've already signed their confessions, but..."
Gu Yanxi glanced over. Facing such a composed superior, Chen Tu was utterly terrified and quickly added, "Not all nine of them were willing to aid the villain, but their families are in the Second Prince's hands, so they had no choice... They said if their families can be rescued, they're willing to testify."
Gu Yanxi strode inside. Calculating the time, the Emperor had likely received Wu Yong's memorial by now. He would undoubtedly be furious. Once the outburst ensued, the Second Prince would realize the plan had been exposed. To extricate himself, the best solution would be to find scapegoats to take the blame—and the pretext of harboring resentment after being exiled to Yinshan Pass was all too convenient. Those with families in his grasp were the perfect candidates.
Wu Yong dismissed the others and took a seat below The Heir. "This incident occurred at Yinshan Pass. I cannot stand aside. Perhaps I should immediately submit a memorial to preempt..."
"No matter how quickly you act, Gu Cheng'an will have the advantage. Chen Tu, send a fast horse to the capital to find Chen Qing. Have him locate the people the Second Prince is holding, but tell him not to act rashly for now. Contact Qu Qi and have him assist in gathering more useful evidence. Also, instruct Chen Qing to investigate Zeng Xian's matter in detail."
"Yes." Chen Tu acknowledged and then asked, "Should we take any action regarding the Second Prince?"
"Unnecessary. I want him cornered and desperate." Gu Yanxi turned to Wu Yong. "The outsiders won't let Gu Cheng'an use them for nothing. Investigate whether the goods have reached them."
"Yinshan Pass has been tightly secured these past two days. Without my permission, not even a mosquito could fly out. The goods couldn't have reached them."
"Then investigate."
"Yes."
"Thoroughly investigate everyone involved in this matter. If there's no evidence, find it or create it. I want ironclad proof for everything!" Gu Yanxi's expression remained calm, but sparks of fire flickered in his eyes. "Submit your poisoning incident along with this case. I spared the life of the person who stole the medicine back then. I told you I would give you an answer for this matter. Now is the time."
Mentioning this stirred up the hatred in Wu Yong's heart. "Yes, I haven't dared forget for a moment."
"Prepare yourselves. The prisoners will be escorted back to the capital by the Seven Constellation Bureau. We leave tomorrow."
Both men felt a chill and responded in unison, "Understood."Seeing Gu Yanxi fall silent, the two men bowed and withdrew. Once outside, they exchanged a glance, their hearts heavy. They knew they wouldn’t wrong the Second Prince, but how would the Emperor view it? It had been barely half a year since the eldest prince was overthrown, and now the second prince was being implicated—would the Emperor trust the Heir?
&&&
In the Hua family’s study, the new bookshelves still carried the distinct scent of wood. A knock at the door interrupted Hua Yizheng’s contemplation.
“Enter.”
Hua Pingyu and Hua Pingyang stepped in together. “Father, you asked for us.”
“Close the door.”
Hua Pingyang shut the door, and the brothers stood before the desk.
Hua Yizheng motioned for them to sit. “Yan Xi is of the imperial family—I am certain of it.”
Hua Pingyu pressed his lips together. “I had my suspicions as well, but none of the imperial relatives seem to match.”
“There is one person who seems somewhat suspicious.” Hua Yizheng looked at his sons. “The Heir, Gu Yanxi.”
“You mean…”
“His mother’s family name is Lu.”
Hua Pingyu shot to his feet, ignoring the dull ache from the wound on his back. “That Heir? But I’ve seen him a few times—he didn’t seem the type, and there was no scar on his face.”
“Some tricks could easily conceal it.” Hua Pingyang thought for a moment. “If it is him, it makes sense. A Heir who spends his years secluded in prayer would have the perfect cover to move about in another identity.”
Hua Yizheng’s eyes flickered. “What identity do you suppose?”
“Nothing in the Daqing Dynasty is more mysterious than the Seven Constellation Bureau. Outsiders only know it’s divided into seven constellations, led by a single chief, but no one knows the inner workings.” Hua Pingyang glanced at his father and brother. “What identity could be more fitting? Moreover, the Emperor’s special regard for the Heir is known throughout the court—his trust in him even surpasses that in the princes. Placing him in the Seven Constellation Bureau is entirely plausible.”
In fact, it might even be part of a plan to have him take over the Bureau!
Thinking of that decisive and formidable young man, Hua Pingyang grew more confident in his speculation. The only uncertainty lay in not knowing his exact position within the Seven Constellation Bureau. “Furthermore, Wu Yong, as a border garrison commander, wouldn’t show such deference even to a prince. Yet his attitude toward Yan Xi was clearly that of a subordinate to a superior—doesn’t that speak volumes?”
Watching his elder son’s sudden realization, Hua Yizheng smiled bitterly to himself. The Hua family was only permitted to produce scholars—pure scholars raised under rigid rules. He had rebelled once but ultimately submitted. That was why he had indulged his younger son, only to discover that the Hua family could indeed pursue paths beyond pure scholarship. Pingyang’s sharp insight into situations and quick reactions—if the Hua family fully supported him, his achievements would be considerable.
But the family rules were clear, and he could only entertain the thought. He had once believed Pingyang would rebel, just as he had in his youth, and had even considered how he would respond. Yet Pingyang never did. He had lived as a clear-headed man, perhaps harboring regrets but never causing his father distress—far more resilient than he himself had been.
Thankfully, they had such a person; otherwise, how could the Hua family have established themselves so swiftly at Yinshan Pass?
Seeing his father silent, Hua Pingyu couldn’t resist picking up the thread. “If he really is that person, then what about him and Zhi Er…”"If he truly had ulterior motives, would someone as clever as Zhi Er fail to see it? Since she knows the other party's identity and still chooses to interact with them, the two have likely reached some kind of understanding in this regard. Let Zhi Er make her own decisions. Yu'er, you must not use your status to interfere."
"Your son naturally would not," Hua Pingyu said self-deprecatingly. "She surpasses me in everything, excels beyond me in all aspects. How could I possibly have the right to dictate what she should or should not do."
For a moment, the father and his two sons fell into silence. Indeed, how could any of them claim such a right.
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