Kuang Zhao Ying imdiately perked up; this corruption case involved quite a few officials. If he could extract so useful confessions, he would surely earn credit.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Xia Qing bowed his head, contemplating how to deal with Peng Yuhao; otherwise, this corruption case might indeed implicate him too.
Previously, he had accepted twenty thousand taels of Silver as a gift from Peng Yuhao. If Peng Yuhao couldn’t withstand the punishnts of Dali Temple and exposed him, what would happen then?
That wouldn’t do. He wasn’t sure if there were any account books or relevant evidence left at Peng Yuhao’s mansion; he needed to send soone to destroy them first.
As long as he destroyed the account books and related evidence, even if Peng Yuhao revealed his na, he could deny it as slander. If he could eliminate the person too, that would be even better.
With a plan in mind, he thought of Jiang Shaohua, the Right Temple Minister at Dali Temple, who could now be of use.
"My lord, the Lord Prefect sent by the court has arrived and already entered the city gates!"
Ming Mo entered the study, seeing his master examining a portrait.
Gu Chengyu nodded, put down the portrait, and suddenly a thought flashed in his mind.
After a while, he returned the portrait to the hidden compartnt in the desk, "Let’s go! Since Ji Yan has arrived, we must not be discourteous."
When Gu Chengyu reached the front yard, Lu Chen was already waiting for him up ahead.
"Lord Lu is quite proactive!" Gu Chengyu smiled insincerely and stepped forward.
"Oh? I’m just afraid you’d be late, you know? I heard that Lord Ji’s eldest son, Ji Mingxuan, married as a concubine the sister of your close friend Zhu Pang’s wife. Oh well, a cousin is a sister too, right? With such a roundabout relation, you can’t be too rude, can you?"
Lu Chen pondered, finally sorting out the relationships.
Gu Chengyu chuckled, "You’ve really outdone yourself, seeing through such roundabout relations with your sharp eyes."
The two bantered all the way to the governnt office.
Ming Mo, following behind, watched the two bickering with a furrowed brow.
Seven carriages approached the gate of the governnt office, stopping in front of Gu Chengyu and Lu Chen, where they saw Ji Yan stepping down with the help of his followers.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Lord Ji!" Lu Chen stepped forward to extend his congratulations.
"Congratulations! Congratulations! I’ve heard the court assigned Lord Ji to the post of Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate, and I couldn’t be happier. Back in the Capital, I heard of Lord Ji’s extraordinary abilities and incorruptible character. Now that Lord Ji is in Yingnan, under your governance, it will surely thrive and flourish. Truly worthy of celebration!"
As Gu Chengyu moved forward to offer his congratulations, Ji Yan was taken aback, and even Lu Chen twitched his mouth, secretly cursing Gu Chengyu for his shalessness.
Look at that slick tongue, he thought, admiring how a martial artist like himself couldn’t compete.
Just monts ago, Gu Chengyu had seed indifferent, even a bit aloof. But upon eting in person, he was all smiles and complints.
Ji Yan was stunned for a mont before regaining his senses, "Mr. Gu’s generous words honor , though I do not deserve them! Who in the court does not know of Mr. Gu’s extraordinary skill and unmatched insight? How dare I show off before Mr. Gu and beco a laughingstock?"
Gu Chengyu maintained his broad smile, noticing the sweat beading on Ji Yan’s forehead, and his grin grew even wider.
Is it hot? Today’s clear skies must make standing in the sun quite uncomfortable, he mused?
"Lord Ji remains ever modest, while I, newly appointed to the officialdom, am quite inferior by comparison!"
Ji Yan kept a strained smile, wondering why he hadn’t been invited inside yet.
At this point, his inner garnts clung to his skin with sweat, making him exceedingly uncomfortable. He glanced at Gu Chengyu standing under the eaves, suspecting this was deliberate.
Lu Chen watched as the two exchanged words, seemingly lavishing praise on each other’s entire ancestry, and internally sighed at the duplicity of civil servants.
He had no idea that Gu Chengyu had such long-standing admiration for Ji Yan; it seed so false.
"I wonder why the official from the Ministry of Revenue sent by the court didn’t arrive with Lord Ji at Yingnan?"
Gu Chengyu noticed the growing perspiration on Ji Yan’s face, as Ji Yan had already pulled out his handkerchief, hesitant to wipe his face to avoid discourtesy, finding it quite satisfying.
Who told your son to fra ? And who made you an official under Xia Qing’s faction?
Thinking it was about ti, Gu Chengyu finally broached the official topic.
"Before I ca, the court had not yet decided on a representative from the Ministry of Revenue for Jiangnan. As the position of Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate had been vacant for so ti, the Crown Prince commanded to depart early. As for who the Ministry of Revenue will send and when, I’m not privy to that information."
Gu Chengyu nodded thoughtfully, "Oh my! I almost forgot, being so pleased to see Lord Ji. We ended up having such a delightful conversation, I forgot that you must be weary from travel. Quick, please co in!"
Coincidentally, Deputy Guo Haoshou had gone to inspect below, or else with his temperant, would have already ushered him inside.
The group entered the governnt office, and as Ji Yan turned, his face fell.
The Pri Minister was right; this person was indeed difficult to deal with.
This was no young man, but rather an experienced official who knew the ropes. Could Gu Chengyu have been unaware that he was one of Chief Minister Xia’s n? He must have thoroughly investigated him.
Despite knowing this, he was able to greet him with a smile, engage in conversation, and maintain composure for quite so ti. What youngster could possess such restraint?
...
It was already autumn, and while the days remained sweltering, the mornings carried a hint of chill.
Gu Chengyu sat in the carriage, eyes closed, resting. He had been away from Yingnan for three days, with more than half the journey back to the Capital remaining.
There was no rush on the return trip; Gu Chengyu traveled leisurely, resting along the way. Was this so kind of official expense-paid tour?
"My lord! The person has been brought, in another carriage."
A shadow slipped into the carriage, and Ming Mo, hearing the familiar voice, dropped the hand he had at his waist.
Gu Chengyu slowly opened his eyes, "Where are they?"
"Reporting to my lord, they’re in the other carriage. Would you want them brought here? They’re awake at the mont," Ming Yan replied respectfully.
Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain, seeing a patch of tree shade ahead and then spoke, "Let everyone rest a while!"
Ming Mo looked helpless, "My lord, we’ve rested twice already this morning; more rest?"
An elderly man was shackled hand and foot, struggling to maintain balance in the moving carriage. Soon, the carriage ca to a halt.
Had they reached their destination? What exactly did these people intend by capturing him? Did they recognize him?
Before he could analyze further, the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted, revealing a face he couldn’t have expected.
"Xue Miao, surprised to see ?"
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