Chapter 344: Advice
When he returned, Jinchao had just coaxed Changsuo to sleep.
She herself had dozed off leaning against the small bed, having already washed up. Her dark hair was loosely tied into a bun, devoid of any jewelry. Usually, she felt her youth made it hard to command respect, so she often wore more mature accessories. Without any makeup, she looked rather youthful.
Her cheeks were rosy, as if glowing with a soft fuzz.
He didn’t wake her, quietly sitting down instead. Thinking she might be uncomfortable sleeping like that, he gently gathered her into his arms, letting her rest against him. Red marks from the bedding pressed into her face, but she slept deeply. Chen Yanyun watched her silently for a long time.
Gu Jinzhao woke when she felt herself being placed on the **. Her body settled first before the arms holding her withdrew. It must be Third Master Chen returning... Blinking groggily, she remembered she had just put their son to sleep and quickly grabbed the retreating hand. "Changsuo—"
"He’s sleeping soundly, don’t worry," Third Master Chen said softly.
Only then did Gu Jinzhao fully wake up, tugging at Third Master Chen to make him sit. "When you spoke with Duke Zheng today... was it about Zhang Ju Lian?"
Third Master Chen hummed in acknowledgment. Gu Jinzhao was about to ask more when he stood up. "Let me wash up first, then we’ll talk."
Gu Jinzhao had no choice but to hold back her questions, calling for a maid to fetch hot water.
By the time Third Master Chen was ready for bed, she was still half-sitting, waiting for him. Clearly exhausted, she stubbornly kept herself awake with a book, her eyes drooping intermittently. She only closed the book when she saw him approach. As he lay down beside her, she grabbed his arm.
"I still have questions... How confident are you in dealing with Zhang Ju Lian?"
The maid quietly extinguished the lamp and left, leaving the room dim. Gu Jinzhao could barely make out the outline of his profile.
His eyes were closed, yet his hand unerringly pressed her head down. "Enough. You’re clearly tired—go to sleep."
Her forehead bumped against his chest, and she pinched his large hand in frustration. It felt like Third Master Chen was hiding things from her again, just like before. But her pinching had no effect—he remained still, eyes shut, as if indifferent to her antics.
Gu Jinzhao simply nestled fully into his arms. "...Chen Yanyun, I won’t sleep until you tell me."
He sighed and opened his eyes. She only ever called him by his full name in moments like these. Relenting, he turned to pull her closer. "Fine. Ask... but I might not answer everything."
"Have you already planned everything? Will Duke Zheng help you? Will it come down to armed conflict?"
Duke Zheng held a key position in the Left Military Command and commanded a private army. Gu Jinzhao guessed Third Master Chen had sought him out precisely because the situation might escalate to military force. That was no trivial matter—the slightest misstep could be fatal.
Third Master Chen gazed at her in the darkness, slowly stroking her hair. He didn’t want to lie. "If necessary, we will resort to arms."
"Is it unavoidable? Can’t it be prevented...?"
Gu Jinzhao knew all too well that once military power was involved, it would be a fight to the death.
Third Master Chen only replied softly, "That’s not for me to decide."She thought it was indeed inappropriate to ask such a question, knowing full well that failure in such matters could lead to utter ruin, and there was absolutely no room for misplaced mercy. Gu Jinzhao took his hand and hesitated before saying, "If it's too dangerous, you could always prioritize your own safety..."
Third Master Chen shook his head with a faint smile. "Jinzhao. If you were to hunt a tiger, and the tiger told you it would let bygones be bygones and not harm you if you released it back into the mountains—would you believe it?"
Of course, she wouldn't. Neither would Zhang Ju Lian, and Third Master Chen would never retreat.
Yet, deep down, Gu Jinzhao still harbored a sliver of such hope.
He gently urged her to lie down. The night was quiet, and all she could hear was his soft, deep voice.
"Jinzhao, you once said you foresaw the scene of my death. Tell me now, what was it like..."
Gu Jinzhao explained how she had helped Ye Xian in the past with the palace coup, mentioning that he might have died then. But that event had already been altered. Now, she couldn't help him. It was almost laughable—back then, she could assist Ye Xian, but now, when she truly wanted to aid Third Master Chen, she found herself powerless.
She forced a smile. "Are you afraid of death too?"
"Of course I am," he replied, also smiling. "Who isn't? But I won't die. I still have to wait for you to give birth to a little Jinzhao, and teach her elder brother to read and write. If I fail to keep the promises you once asked of me, wouldn't you resent me?"
Hearing this, Gu Jinzhao felt somewhat reassured. If he could still joke, perhaps things weren't as dire as she feared...
Third Master Chen tightened his arm around her waist and sighed. "Alright... even if you don't sleep, I must. I have court assembly tomorrow."
Gu Jinzhao felt a little embarrassed for disturbing his rest. "Go ahead and sleep," she said, nestling against him and staying still.
Once she fell asleep, Third Master Chen opened his eyes and quietly gazed at her.
Afraid that he might never get to see her again.
The meticulously laid plans were about to unfold. If anything went wrong, even being ground to dust would be a merciful fate.
All that remained was to wait and see.
Zhu Junan wore a slightly thin inner robe beneath his court attire. The weather had warmed early, and even dressed like this, he didn't feel cold.
Seated high on the throne, he had a clear view of the expressions of all the civil and military officials. The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had once taught him: "Those who look up at you have likely been promoted within the last three years. Those who lower their heads have served for at least five. The highest-ranking officials, however, gaze straight ahead, neither submissive nor arrogant..."
Now, observing them, he found it to be true.
Newly appointed vice ministers and junior officials held their heads up straight, while senior officials like He Wenxin, the assistant grand secretary, and Gao Zan, the chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, kept their eyes fixed on the gold-bricked floor, as if it held some fascination. The polished surface reflected their figures like a mirror—why not just stay home and admire themselves there instead of attending court?
As for Zhang Ju Lian and Chen Yanyun, they looked straight ahead, never turning to see who stood behind them to present memorials.
Even Ye Xian, standing at the very end, was no exception—though he took it further by dozing off on his feet. The Grand Dowager Consort had once scolded him for his lack of decorum, and rightly so.
Zhu Junan understood why he dozed. Court affairs were tedious. If everyone else passed the time staring at their reflections in the gold bricks, why shouldn't he nap?Finally, when no one else stepped forward to present a memorial, the court herald led the ceremonial conclusion.
However, Li Ying, the Vice Minister of Revenue, was the last to step forward: "This subject has a memorial to present."
His voice echoed hollowly through the hall. Zhang Ju Lian and Chen Yanyun remained motionless.
Zhu Junan signaled the herald to allow him to continue.
Li Ying spoke slowly, "This subject impeaches the Salt Transport Commissioner of Hejian for forcibly seizing common women and plotting to take lives. Fearing exposure, he then falsely accused Lord Liu of corruption. His crimes are too numerous to record! Allowing such a man to roam free is intolerable by reason and justice!"
Li Ying's voice was firm, and the vast hall amplified his words, making them thunderous.
Those who had been staring at the golden floor tiles now lifted their heads. The entire court wore expressions of shock.
This Li Ying—was he courting death? The incident had passed months ago—why bring it up now? Did he not fear Zhang Ju Lian's wrath and retaliation?
If this was mere impulsiveness, it was recklessness of the highest order.
Zhang Ju Lian stiffened, lips pressed tightly together, and glanced sideways at Chen Yanyun. Li Ying was one of his subordinates.
Chen Yanyun also seemed puzzled, frowning slightly before signaling with his eyes that he, too, was unaware of this development.
Zhu Junan, intrigued, asked, "Minister Li. You serve neither in the Ministry of Justice nor in the Court of Judicial Review or the Censorate. As the Vice Minister of Revenue, why involve yourself in such matters?"
Li Ying replied calmly, "The reason this subject speaks is because those in charge neglect their duties—none dare speak plainly, nor dare they act. Today, this subject insists on speaking—not only to impeach Zhou Husheng but also to impeach He Wenxin, Minister of Justice; He Yingting, Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review; the Left and Right Censors-in-Chief of the Censorate... and others for concealing crimes and abetting wrongdoing, making them accomplices! This subject further impeaches the current Grand Secretary Zhang Ju Lian! He conspired with Chief Minister He Yingting to fabricate charges of embezzlement against Liu Xin Yun, all to exonerate Zhou Husheng and leave Lord Liu with nowhere to turn!"
"Lord Zhang has long assisted Your Majesty, and his contributions should be considerable. Yet now, his achievements overshadow the throne—he manipulates power, forms factions, and engages in corruption! With such a tainted record, how can he continue to aid Your Majesty's wise governance?"
By the end, his words grew impassioned.
Zhang Ju Lian, initially furious, gradually lowered his gaze and composed himself.
Others had impeached him before, but their memorials never reached the Emperor—they were always intercepted. The court had its share of pedantic scholars who cared for the nation and its people, eager to speak out—and they usually died the fastest!
Before Zhu Junan could respond, those named by Li Ying stepped forward, each with a memorial to present.
The turn of events was too sudden. Li Ying's accusations voiced what many had long thought but dared not say. The faint-hearted were already drenched in cold sweat. The hall was so silent one could hear a pin drop. Yet Zhu Junan raised a hand to silence the petitioners: "Hold your words. Let me clarify first."
He turned to Li Ying and asked, "You claim Liu Xin Yun was wronged and Zhou Husheng is guilty. Do you have evidence?"
Zhang Ju Lian's eyebrow twitched.
"This subject naturally does," Li Ying declared firmly. "Lord Zhang and Chief Minister He discussed this matter in secret—someone overheard everything, and the details are clear."Zhu Junan nodded but did not mention his own involvement in impeaching others: "Since you have evidence in hand, and Zhou Husheng is indeed guilty—then take your men and arrest him. If officials from the Dali Temple or Censorate refuse to heed your call, then I’ll lend you my Golden Crow Guard and Divine Machine Battalion!"
He called out the name of a palace attendant: "Summon the commanders of both battalions for me!"
Upon hearing this, the officials from the Dali Temple and Censorate were so terrified they could no longer speak, immediately dropping to their knees.
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