Chapter 207: Wait

Chapter 207: Wait

Dai Ze wept, his nose running and tears streaming: "They said my father called His Majesty's name while drinking with him. His Majesty was furious and ordered eighty strokes of the cane for my father. He couldn't endure it and passed away."

King Qing was stunned, his immediate reaction being disbelief.

The founding emperor, though stern, still held deep affection for the veterans who had fought alongside him. Especially Count Gu Chang, his own uncle. How could he sentence his uncle to death over a mere insult?

Count Gu Chang was the fourth in his family. He had three older brothers. His second brother had died young, his third brother had perished in the chaos of war, and only his eldest brother had enjoyed a couple of good years thanks to his younger brother before passing away not long after the founding of the nation.

For King Qing, born in the third year of Emperor Xingyuan’s reign, this uncle was the only one he had left.

"I’m heading to the palace." King Qing, suppressing his panic, rushed to the imperial city.

"Your Majesty, Prince Qing requests an audience."

Emperor Xingyuan opened his eyes, expressionless: "Tell him to go back."

King Qing did not see Emperor Xingyuan and instead went to the Hall of Lotus.

Consort Shu’s eyes were swollen from weeping: "Yier, you're here."

"Mother, why did His Majesty kill Uncle?"

"I don’t know—" Consort Shu wiped her tears with a handkerchief, "It was so sudden. I rushed over upon receiving the news, but no matter how I pleaded, it was in vain."

She was forcibly sent back to her quarters, heartbroken. After much thought, the only possibility she considered was that her brother had sent someone to eliminate a threat, which had been exposed.

Consort Shu only learned of this from Count Gu Chang after Empress Xin’s incident.

It was inconvenient for the siblings to meet often, and they couldn’t discuss details. She had been anxious for several days but also felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

The woman had cast such a deep shadow over her life, and her years of disappearance were like a sword hanging over her head, causing her to have frequent nightmares.

Dreaming that the woman had returned and she had lost everything, along with Yier.

"Mother, you really don’t know anything?"

Seeing her confused and distressed son, Consort Shu suppressed her grief and fear, shaking her head: "Yier, go back. Go see your uncle on my behalf and lend a hand."

She couldn’t reveal her terrible suspicion to Yier. It was better for him to know nothing.

King Qing left the palace in silence.

In a short time, many ministers had attempted to request an audience but were all refused. These officials lingered outside the imperial city and, seeing King Qing emerge with a somber expression, instinctively drew closer.

King Qing glanced at them and continued walking without pausing.

News of Count Gu Chang’s incident spread far and wide. When Duan Shaoqing heard the rumors and hurried home, he ran into the messenger from Count Gu Chang's mansion who had just left Shaoqing Mansion.

Duan Yunhua was betrothed to Dai Ze, so it was necessary to inform Shaoqing Mansion of the death.

"I understand. Please accept my condolences." After dealing with the messenger, Duan Shaoqing went to Ruyitang.

In Ruyitang, the elderly lady sat motionless, not reacting for a while.

The servants in the room dared not make a sound until Duan Shaoqing’s arrival broke the silence.

"Mother, do you know about the incident at Count Gu Chang's mansion?" Duan Shaoqing signaled the maids and older women attending to her to leave before speaking.

The elderly lady rolled her eyes and said something unexpected to her son, "Wen Song, do you think Qiao Shi is a harbinger of bad luck, causing misfortune for her children even after her divorce?"

"Mother, please don't think like that—"

"If not for her, how could the eldest girl have made such a big mistake? The second daughter wasn't well-raised, and despite finally securing a good marriage, she unexpectedly faced such a disaster."

Compared to others who were merely curious, the Shaoqing Mansion was more concerned about the reason behind Count Gu Chang’s execution.

"Wen Song, haven't you heard any rumors while serving in the court? What caused His Majesty to detest Count Gu Chang?"

"It's said that he was disrespectful to His Majesty when drunk," Duan Shaoqing said bitterly. "Given Count Gu Chang’s status, it’s unlikely he would lose his life over such a matter. The real reason is still unclear."

The mother and son sat in silence, a heavy burden weighing on their hearts.

Their concern was no longer about Duan Yunhua's marriage, but whether the Shaoqing Mansion would be implicated in this affair.

The shocking incident that had startled the officials and nobility hadn't spread to the common folk yet, and the street where Qingsong Bookstore was situated remained lively.

Xin You sat by the counter, lost in her thoughts.

It was already March, and she and Xiaolian had agreed to make a trip to Thousand Sakura Mountain to collect the remains of Kou Qingqing.

As for Lord He's side, has that person been informed about her mother’s situation?

Hu Boss, with his abacus, glanced at the daydreaming girl, feeling strangely curious.

For the past two days, the owner had spent most of her time in the main hall. Was she waiting for someone in particular?

"Lord He, it's been a long time since we've seen you." Liu Zhou, thinking he might be hallucinating, rushed forward with great excitement when he saw He Qingxiao walk in, dressed in crimson robes.

He Qingxiao nodded briefly.

His gaze passed the young attendant and met the gaze of the girl at the counter.

Xin You stood up.

She had been waiting for him, but now that he was here, she felt a peculiar hesitation.

Did Lord He bring back any evidence from his southern journey? And how did that person react upon hearing the news?

Xin You was eager to know, yet also apprehensive.

She knew what she feared was disappointment.

As she hesitated, the man had passed Liu Zhou and now stood before her.

She heard that familiar, clear, and slightly deep voice, "It's been many days, how have you been, Miss Kou?"

Xin You composed herself and bowed slightly to He Qingxiao. "I'm fine, how about you, Lord He?"

"There are some matters I need to discuss with you, Miss Kou," He Qingxiao didn't beat around the bush.

He knew that the seemingly calm girl before him must be anxious inside.

Xin You escorted He Qingxiao to the reception room.

In the reception room, a large blue-and-white vase by the window held a few apricot branches, their delicate beauty heralding the arrival of spring.

He Qingxiao took a momentary glance before sitting down opposite Xin You.

Two cups of tea were placed in front of them. As Liu Zhou, who had served the tea, retreated, the small reception room was left with only the two of them. The slight awkwardness caused by more than two months apart instantly vanished.

Holding the teacup, Xin You asked, "Has Lord He reported to His Majesty?"

"I have reported it. I brought back witnesses and evidence from the south and have presented them to His Majesty."

Xin You clenched the teacup, waiting for the person opposite her to continue.

Seeing her slightly pale face, a tension He Qingxiao had never seen before tightened her expression.

Spring had arrived, but she had grown much thinner since he left the capital.

He Qingxiao felt a little stuffy in his chest, but he didn’t show any of it on his face, concealing his emotions. "Today, His Majesty invited Count Gu Chang to drink at the Western Garden. Count Gu Chang was caned eighty times for a breach of etiquette during the banquet and did not survive the beating."

Xin You couldn’t hide her astonishment. "Count Gu Chang is dead?"

The person she had considered carefully, hesitating to act against, had been executed by His Majesty for a breach of etiquette during a drinking session.

This demonstrated the Emperor's absolute power.

But what drove that person to act so swiftly against Count Gu Chang? Was it for her mother, or for Consort Shu and her child?

Perhaps the removal of Count Gu Chang was exactly what that person wanted.

Xin You bit her lip, letting the pain seep through, as she heard the man across from her say, "I'm sorry."

"Miss Kou, I mentioned Master Xin to the Emperor."