Chapter 358

The case at Chongwen Pavilion has simply overturned the entire Jing Cheng.

First, the Princess Consort was burned to death, Gu Kang was placed under house arrest, Emperor Longqing said he would investigate thoroughly, but there was no movement.

Then Prince Rui, after going mad and taking out his anger on others, afterwards there was no further development.

Earlier, rumors in Shang Jing said Prince Rui doted extremely on this Princess Consort, but now it seems just that; men always favor the new and tire of the old—perhaps in a few days another Princess Consort of Rui will enter the mansion.

Just when everyone thought this matter would finally fizzle out, a secret passage was suddenly dug up; that in itself would be fine, but the key is that the passage leads directly into the palace.

Now there is a great spectacle to watch; exactly where in the Imperial Harem it leads, no one dares to say, but the gossip spread privately from somewhere.

It is said to be the bedchamber of Consort Duan, and immediately all kinds of rumors spread.

What Consort Duan secretly meeting lovers outside the palace, what Consort Duan secretly transporting young handsome boys from outside the palace for her pleasure.

After this incident occurred, immediately the personnel of the Five City Military Command of Shang Jing, the Jingzhao Yin, and the Ministry of Punishments all dispatched people to investigate the artisans who built Chongwen Pavilion last year; for a time, it was even more heated than investigating the cause of death of the Princess Consort of Rui.

Inside the palace, it was all gloom and misery; Consort Duan was sent to the cold palace, and even Emperor Longqing's formerly most beloved son, the Third Prince Xiao Wei, personally entered the palace to kneel and plead, but could not get his mother released from the cold palace.

By this point, the Duan family seemed poised to sever ties with Consort Duan, pushing all the blame onto her personally.

Consort Duan attempted suicide by hanging in the cold palace but was rescued; now she lives alone in a certain palace, with the Imperial Secret Guard stationed outside.

As for the close maids and palace attendants around Consort Duan, they were not so fortunate; they were all beaten to death.

For a time, Consort Duan's bedchamber fell into a sea of blood; the wails of the palace women, in the pitch‑black night, made listeners tremble with fear.

At this time, Gu Kang instead became the most idle; he invited his elder sister to a poetry gathering, which led to her being burned alive in Chongwen Pavilion, making this matter seem less important by comparison.

Now his only loss is having been struck a few times by his brother‑in‑law Xiao Yin; otherwise it's practically like being on vacation at home.

These past few days, being idle, Emperor Longqing's side has been so busy with Consort Duan's affair that they hardly bother with a small figure like him.

Originally the Emperor's edict ordered him to stay at home and reflect, with palace guards stationed at his gate watching him; now even that has ceased.

But Gu Kang acts with extreme caution; unless the Emperor himself speaks, he will absolutely not step foot outside his manor.

Coincidentally, taking advantage of his free time, he invited Master Wen to his manor to admire the flowers, although his garden is not as lovely as those of the great aristocratic clans.

However, when Gu Kang was a playboy, his greatest skill was cultivating flowers.

He had planted many camellias in his garden; Master Wen loved camellias, so he ordered Steward Zhang to fetch Master Wen to stay at his residence for a few days.

The servants around the flower hall had already been sent elsewhere; only Steward Zhang remained on guard outside.

The flower hall was filled with camellias; Gu Kang bent over to help Master Wen onto the cushioned bench, Master Wen's health being poor, he personally made a woolen hand‑warming sleeve and wrapped it around Master Wen's knees.

Besides, various snacks were sent, and someone presented precious tea leaves to him; Gu Kang was reluctant to eat them, saving them all for Master.

He presented the hot tea to Master's hand, letting Master Wen warm his hands first, while he himself half‑knelt before Master Wen and gently pounded his legs.

Master Wen looked at his disciple with a gentle expression and said slowly, 'Are you sure you want to borrow the Gu family's strength? After all, the Shangshu is your father, the Gu family…'

'Master, I have no home left; now, aside from my elder sister, I have no home.'

Gu Kang lifted his gaze and stared fixedly at his master; Master Wen was momentarily speechless, a feeling of guilt rising in his heart for the first time.

Had he dragged this child into the scheme, made a mistake, been unfair to him?

Master Wen never expected that Gu Kang's first strike against an aristocratic clan would be the Duan family, and that he would even have drawn his own father and elder brother into the calculation.

He suddenly felt some worry for this child; the opening move was to use his own biological father and his half‑brother as a blood sacrifice in this game of no return.

He thought this child's methods were extraordinary, but he did not expect him to be so ruthless.

At this moment, Master Wen realized that he and his disciple could not go back.

He collected himself and sighed softly: 'Will your father point out the matter of Chen Fu'an? After all, once this is brought to light, it will be a monumental affair, likely enough to drive the Duan family to rebellion.'

Gu Kang's hand paused mid‑motion, he steadied himself slightly: 'I'm not afraid of the Duan family rebelling—I have my brother‑in‑law!'

Master Wen was stunned for a moment, his gaze toward Gu Kang gaining a touch of astonishment.

It turned out that this game of chess was such that the stunningly talented Xiao Yin was merely a piece placed by Gu Kang's hand.

Gu Kang continued earnestly pounding his master's leg and said slowly, 'Xiao Wei has repeatedly committed injustice; the main point is that he has repeatedly framed Prince Rui, and now that he has become a eunuch, that too is a grand scheme of Prince Rui.'

'Those two have long been incompatible; sooner or later there will be a battle.'

'Prince Rui probably long ago wanted to act on Heaven's behalf and eliminate this hidden threat, but Xiao Wei is his nephew, and fratricide within the royal family is ultimately unbecoming.'

'Prince Rui surely wants to find an opportunity to formally declare war on the Duan family, a battle that would strip the Duan family of their military authority and restore his own standing in the army.'

'I merely created such an opportunity for my brother‑in‑law: leading troops to personally campaign against his nephew, and leading troops to suppress rebel traitors—these are two different concepts, and my brother‑in‑law will like this opportunity.'

Master Wen nodded slowly, yet a different feeling flickered in his heart.

Using his own elder sister as bait, he drew out the secret passage of Chongwen Pavilion.

Using his own elder brother as a scapegoat, he forced the Gu family to act and drag the Duan family down.

Emperor Longqing certainly cares about face; if he learned that the second‑in‑command of the Duan army had climbed up his consort's bed via the secret passage, how could he tolerate it?

He will surely resolve to suppress the Duan family; at this point, the Duan family has no choice but to rebel.

Once the Duan family rebels, Gu Kang will place the final crucial piece—the Prince Rui who has long endured.

When the dust settles, the Duan family, chief of the eight great clans, will be completely erased from the map of Southern Qi.

Without the Duan family among the eight great clans, the remaining seven will inevitably fall into chaos; then…

Master Wen carefully examined the youth before him; half of his face was handsome as beautiful jade, that being the charming and unrestrained Second Master Gu favored by the courtesans of Shang Jing.

The other half of his face resembled a demon from hell, grimly cunning, ruthless and heartless.

Anyone is merely a piece on his chessboard.

This game of chess has ensnared everyone, except himself.

Master Wen, at a loss for words, raised his hand and firmly patted Gu Kang's shoulder.

'It has been hard on you, making you become what you are now.'

Gu Kang gave a light laugh, lifted his head to look at his master, and was also frank.

'Master, I will see it through to the end.'

Master Wen was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

From outside came Steward Zhang's voice.

"Sir, someone from the palace has arrived; the Emperor's edict requests you to enter the palace for a discussion."

Gu Kang and Mr. Wen exchanged glances, and Gu Kang said lightly, "My father moves quite quickly."