Chapter 22

Guo Gong Mansion.

Main Hall.

As the Marquis of Zhen arrived, Gu Ningya slowly appeared.

He wore a flying fish robe, with a Xiu Chun knife at his waist, his face calm, waiting for the old master to appear.

"Have you investigated clearly?"

The old master spoke, his face as calm as water.

"Father, I am incompetent and have not found any results."

Gu Ningya lowered his head, looking somewhat ashamed.

But the old master did not blame him, instead sitting in the armchair.

"It's normal not to find anything."

"Anyone daring to harm Nian must have done their homework. This matter involves a lot, and someone wants our Gu family to be in turmoil."

"Fortunately, Nian is not seriously hurt; otherwise, it would be real trouble."

Gu Yuan was not concerned about whether the investigation had found anything.

This matter is far from simple.

"Father, do you really think someone is trying to harm Jin Nian?"

"Who in the entire capital has the nerve to do such a thing?"

Gu Ningya frowned slightly. Since Gu Jin Nian's incident, he rushed back to the capital in a hurry.

He also investigated the drowning incident as soon as possible, but no matter how he investigated, he found no clues.

That's why he was so puzzled.

"Nonsense."

"Do you not know Jin Nian's constitution?"

"Half an hour in the water wouldn't drown him, let alone just a few minutes."

"Moreover, his illness has nothing to do with drowning."

"There must be a conspiracy. Someone is targeting the Gu family, and it's likely related to some people in the court."

Gu Yuan spoke coldly.

There are too many inconsistencies in the drowning incident of Gu Jin Nian.

Many things don't add up, and if there's no one behind it, he really doesn't believe it.

"Father, could there be a possibility?"

Gu Ningya spoke, looking at his father cautiously.

But before he could continue, Gu Yuan immediately stopped him.

"Don't speculate."

"Wait until you have evidence."

"Also, what has the Xuan Deng Si found out about the Bai Hong Guan Ri incident?"

Gu Yuan continued to ask.

"Father, the Jian Tian Si has already given a response regarding the Bai Hong Guan Ri incident."

"The court is about to welcome a major villain, and His Majesty has already issued an edict, instructing the Minister of Personnel to select officials more rigorously, possibly advancing the capital inspection."

Gu Ningya replied.

"Hmm."

"Since the Jian Tian Si has taken responsibility, we should avoid getting involved. This matter is not trivial."

"Recently, the political struggles in the court have become more intense. Tell your older brothers to be cautious for a while."

"The Gu family must not be the one to take the lead. One wrong step, and it's a deep abyss. Understand?"

The old master said meaningfully.

"Understood."

"Father, rest assured, I know what to do."

Gu Ningya nodded heavily. Although he appears idle, anyone who can enter the Xuan Deng Si is meticulous and skilled at disguise.

"But Father, aside from whether someone secretly harmed Jin Nian, the actions of the Minister of Rites have already disrespected our Gu family."

"Pushing Jin Nian into the water is one thing, but framing him afterward, should we really remain silent?"

"According to my son, we should confront them directly, clean and swift. Why be afraid of them?"

Gu Ningya said angrily.

Since learning that Gu Jin Nian did not provoke first, the entire Gu family has been seething with anger.

Unfortunately, this anger was suppressed by the old master, making it difficult to vent.

"The Gu family has never been afraid of anyone."

"Take this list."

"Have the Xuan Deng Si investigate secretly, and once they have evidence, arrest them one by one."

The old master spoke calmly, handing over a list.

Gu Ningya took the list, flipped through it casually, and his eyes showed surprise.

The list contained hundreds of names, including court officials and officials from various regions.

But all of them were civil officials. If they were all arrested, it would undoubtedly be a significant blow to the civil official group.

"Father, arrest them all?"

At this moment, Gu Ningya couldn't help but be amazed. After all, the top three on the list were high-ranking officials, even including a future Minister of the Six Ministries.

If they were all arrested, the entire court would be shocked, truly terrifying.

"Otherwise, do you think a mere direct admission quota can silence the Gu family?"

"Regardless of whether we have the quota, the Gu family will not let this go."

"Your father has already instructed your elder brother to prepare a memorial. Once the Xuan Deng Si finds evidence, everyone on the list must die."

"Do you understand?"

The old master said coldly.

"Father, I understand, but what if it wasn't them?"

Gu Ningya nodded, but he was still shocked. After all, what if they were wrong?

"If it wasn't them, then it wasn't them."

"Sixth, remember, if you're not ruthless, the same thing will happen again."

"I want the entire court to be in an uproar, I want the civil officials to be furious. If they are the ones behind it, it's a counterattack. If they are not, it's a warning."

"I want them to know that if Jin Nian had almost died, the Gu family would act like this. If Jin Nian really died, no one could bear the wrath."

"Also, now that His Majesty has ordered the rectification of public opinion, it's our turn to act."

"Spread some rumors to create balance. You should understand this better than anyone."

The old master said word by word.

Under the lamplight, the old master's face was solemn and serious.

"I understand."

Gu Ningya nodded. Controlling public opinion is what the Xuan Deng Si is best at. Civil officials rely on scholars, while the Xuan Deng Si relies on ruffians. Adding a bit of conspiracy theory would immediately polarize public opinion.

The old master slightly relaxed his stern expression and asked about another matter.

"Also, did that person agree to our request?"

The old master continued to ask.

Mentioning this, Gu Ningya's face turned bitter.

"Father, that guy is stubborn."

"I suspect he has a problem with his brain. Moreover, if I release him privately, I won't be able to give an account."

Gu Ningya said, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Since I told you to release him, just do it. What rules and regulations?"

"This is the emperor's order. Go to the Xuan Deng Si and tell him that if he finds the truth, he will be set free."

The old master, somewhat annoyed, scolded and then took out an order from his pocket, handing it to Gu Ningya.

With the order, Gu Ningya immediately smiled.

"Alright."

"But, Father, let's be clear. If he still refuses to come, don't take your anger out on me. If you bully me like this, don't expect me to help you in the future."

Gu Ningya said seriously.

"Get out."

The old master kicked him, not bothering to deal with his son.

Gu Ningya, after being kicked, didn't show any discomfort. He wiped the dust off his buttocks and left to talk to Gu Jin Nian.

After Gu Ningya left.

The old master sat quietly in the main hall, deep in thought.

After about a quarter of an hour.

Another figure appeared.

It was Lin Yang Hou Gu Qianzhou, Gu Jin Nian's father.

In the entire Gu family, the pillar is still the old master. But as the head of the Marquis, unless it's a major event, the old master doesn't need to attend the morning meetings.

These big and small matters are all handled by Gu Qianzhou.

After all, the old master is indeed old and needs to give the young generation a stage.

Because of this, Gu Qianzhou is almost busy from morning till night. Plus, his good relationship with Emperor Yongsheng, he often handles affairs in the palace, making it difficult to take care of Gu Jin Nian.

For his eldest son, the old master still felt some guilt.

After all, he bears the most pressure and is the most hardworking and sensible.

But soon, this feeling disappeared.

"Father."

"Look at what happened."

"Ning Yue secretly took Jin Nian to the palace."

"And personally complained to His Majesty, asking for justice for Jin Nian."

"That's not all, that little brat Jin Nian even incited the Grand Prince to smash the head of the Minister of Rites."

"Isn't this lawless?"

"Father, will you handle this? If you don't, I will. I can't believe this little brat is so lawless."

Gu Qianzhou's voice was full of resentment towards Gu Jin Nian.

But as soon as he finished speaking, the old master slapped him on the head.

"Who are you calling a little brat?"

"If Jin Nian is a little brat, then I am an old brat."

"Also, don't pretend in front of me. Do you really want to hit your precious son?"

"You can't even control your wife, and you're pretending in front of me?"

The old master said, somewhat annoyed.

He couldn't possibly not know what his son was thinking.

"Father, what do you mean?"

"Don't you know my status in the family?"

Mentioning his wife, Gu Qianzhou immediately became firm, determined to argue.

"Shut up."

The old master coldly snorted, and Gu Qianzhou was speechless.

"Alright, tell me what happened."

The old master spoke, not bothering to deal with Gu Qianzhou.

"It's not a big deal."

"Mainly, Jin Nian incited the Grand Prince to injure Yang Kai, and this is hard to resolve."

"Also, it's hard to explain to the Crown Prince."

Gu Qianzhou said sheepishly.

"What's there to explain?"

"Gu family matters, besides the emperor, who else do we need to explain to?"

"The Grand Prince is stubborn and spoiled. A beating is appropriate. If the Crown Prince is not satisfied, let him come to me, and I will beat his son in front of him."

"As for Yang Kai, can the matter of his daughter pushing Jin Nian into the water just be ignored?"

The old master said coldly.

"Father."

"Your words are not wrong. I can go and talk to the Crown Prince."

"But Yang Kai is the head of the Daxia Academy. Jin Nian's behavior will inevitably offend him. When Jin Nian goes to the Daxia Academy, he will face all kinds of difficulties."

Gu Qianzhou was somewhat depressed. He didn't care much about the Crown Prince, after all, the Grand Prince is naughty, and a beating is just a beating.

But Yang Kai was more troublesome.

In a short time, Gu Jin Nian would go to the Daxia Academy. The relationship between the two families was already not good, and now with this incident, it would likely get worse.

"It's not a big deal."

"Yang Kai, no matter how bold he is, wouldn't dare to target Jin Nian."

"What can be done if he makes things difficult? Who made our Gu family lack scholars?"

"Besides, would Yang Kai not have found a way to trouble Jin Nian even without this incident?"

The old master's words made Gu Qianzhou silent.

After a while, Gu Qianzhou said nothing.

The old master understood Gu Qianzhou's meaning and slightly softened his tone.

"Qianzhou, I understand your meaning."

"But we must also consider reality."

"Jin Nian is not cut out for studying. You have already done your best by securing him a direct admission to the Daxia Academy."

"If he is not cut out for studying, then he is not. Forcing Jin Nian to study might not be good for him."

The old master said.

But Gu Qianzhou shook his head.

"Father, Jin Nian is smart. The teacher praised him. It's just that he learned bad things from Ningya and the others."

"Sending him to the Daxia Academy and pushing him hard, the Gu family needs a scholar. Not only to protect the Gu family, but also to protect himself."

"Father, let me be selfish this once. If Jin Nian hates me, let him. I would rather make him suffer for three years than let him regret it for a lifetime."

Gu Qianzhou was stubborn, his expression very serious.

With these words said.

The old master also became somewhat silent.

After a moment.

The old master sighed.

"Alright, do it your way."

"But don't have too high expectations for studying."

"We are all of the same blood. When it comes to fighting, the Gu family has no cowards. When it comes to studying and writing."

"Ah."

The old master sighed.

He was more aware of this than anyone.

The Gu family will never produce a scholar.

Gu Qianzhou did not openly object to this, but he couldn't help but mutter a few words in his heart.

"But remember, no matter what, don't be too compromising."

"The Gu family has one more chance. Seize this opportunity, and it can extend for three more generations. Do not lose the big picture for a small gain."

At this moment, the old master's expression was extremely serious.

He mentioned something very important.

"I understand