Chapter 44: Old Matters Invite Trouble, Liu Hu Falls Critically Ill (Seeking First Subscription)

The impact of this matter is truly unimaginable.

Liu Hu is, after all, the Emperor!

His change in attitude toward Gu Xi will stir up people's ambitions.

Looking at the imperial court today, who is not jealous of Gu Xi's prominent position?

In the past, the sovereign and his ministers were of one mind, so these people naturally dared not harbor ulterior motives.

But now, it is different.

Liu Hu's reaction has made many perceive an opportunity, and turmoil has risen once again in the court and across the land.

Of course, in the current situation where things are unclear, no one is willing to be the one to stick their neck out.

It is just that the talk of "returning power," which had not appeared for many years, has begun to circulate in the court.

——However, this time.

Gu Xi's attitude is extremely firm.

The Champion Marquis Mansion.

Deng Zhi looks at Gu Xi with a solemn expression and asks in a deep voice: "Grand Tutor."

"With the situation in the court as it is, are you just going to keep watching like this?"

"If there truly comes a day when you are dismissed, what will become of my Deng clan and the Gu clan?"

Deng Zhi can now be considered Gu Xi's confidant.

He is the elder brother of Deng Sui, a man of extraordinary talent, and is deeply valued by Gu Xi.

It can be said that he is on the same boat as Gu Xi.

Now, seeing that the political situation is changing, he is naturally somewhat panicked.

"Zhaobo, there is no need to panic."

Gu Xi's expression remains calm as he says indifferently.

How could Deng Zhi remain calm?

He looks left and right, as if there is something he wants to say, yet he hesitates.

Gu Xi just looks at him with indifference.

Deng Zhi hesitates for a long time, as if finally deciding to go for it, and is just about to speak.

But before he can speak, Gu Xi interrupts him directly: "Zhaobo, do not say anything that would damage the reputation of our ancestors."

Instantly, Deng Zhi's expression stiffens.

His lips move, but in the end, he does not say what he wanted to say, and merely sighs.

"Rest assured."

Gu Xi speaks again: "The Emperor will not do anything to me."

"And as long as I am here."

"The Crown Prince will certainly ascend the throne in the future."

When saying the final part, Gu Xi's tone becomes significantly heavier.

Deng Zhi is stunned for a moment, then nods slightly, bows to Gu Xi, and rises to leave.

The development of events does not exceed Gu Xi's expectations.

Although many in the court are looking forward to Liu Hu's next move.

Liu Hu has no such intention at all.

Since the day he weakened the Gu clan's power within the Central Army, he seems to have returned to how he was in the past.

He still leaves the state affairs for Gu Xi to handle.

He sits peacefully on the dragon throne, indulging in pleasure every day.

Everything seems to have remained unchanged.

Yet everything has changed.

Everyone can feel that the harmony between sovereign and minister that originally existed between Liu Hu and Gu Xi is gone.

In fact, Gu Yi can understand Gu Xi's current thinking.

There are not many choices left for him.

At this point, his power has even surpassed that of Gu Kang in the past.

And the problem of his successor is even more severe than it was for Gu Kang.

Who was the successor Gu Kang faced back then?

——Gu Liang.

Even if Gu Liang could not compare to the very best, his talent was definitely that of a dragon among men.

It was just that the Gu clan was too prominent.

If he had been born into another minor clan, he would have definitely brought rise to the entire family, if not led them to soar to the heavens.

And the Son of Heaven at that time was Liu Da!

That was a perfect starting hand.

And what about Gu Xi now?

His power is even greater, the Gu clan's successors are severely lacking in ability, and the Son of Heaven is still Liu Hu.

In this situation.

His only way is to protect Liu Bao, and only by relying on this bond of loyalty can he ensure the interests of the Gu clan.

As for deposing the Emperor as Deng Zhi and others think, like Huo Guang did.

Even if Gu Xi could truly do it.

The moment he dies, the entire Gu clan is destined to fall from the clouds immediately; even if they are not exterminated due to the reputation of their ancestors.

It would be unknown how long it would take to rise again.

Gu Xi clearly has this in mind.

In truth, this is already the best method for the current situation.

The Gu clan aims for ten thousand generations, not for momentary gratification.

This move of his can be said to have minimized the risks for the entire family.

As long as he can withstand the turmoil.

And truly help Liu Bao ascend the throne.

Then all this turmoil will clearly not be a problem.

The shift in human hearts is destined to intensify with time.

Yan Ji will naturally not give up any such opportunity.

Liu Hu has promoted members of the Yan clan one after another, which has caused the Empress's reputation to grow day by day.

Many officials have secretly begun to harbor thoughts of leaning toward her.

Human ambition is destined to never be satisfied.

Previously, Yan Ji was very afraid of Gu Xi, but as time passed, she finally could not resist the temptation of power and set her sights on Gu Xi.

The Northern Palace.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been at the Champion Marquis Mansion and has not come to pay his respects to you for a long time."

"Could it be that the Crown Prince is holding a grudge against you..."

Yan Ji's sudden words once again interrupt Liu Hu's good mood.

Anger surges in his eyes again, and after a moment of silence, he says: "The Grand Tutor told me."

"The Crown Prince was somewhat frightened before."

"I suppose his body has not yet recovered; there is no need to worry about this."

In fact, Liu Hu does not fully trust Yan Ji either; he still has his own judgment.

He took back some military power only because Yan Ji's previous words made him feel insecure again.

But to say he would directly and completely cut ties with Gu Xi.

That is something he still cannot do.

Hearing this, Yan Ji sighs softly and looks at Liu Hu with a pained expression: "Your Majesty is truly magnanimous; your favor toward the Grand Tutor is visible to all..."

Liu Hu's eyes sharpen, and after a moment of silence, he sighs softly again: "The Grand Tutor was, after all, entrusted by Emperor Xiaohuo."

"Thinking back to those days..."

"When I was young, Emperor Xiaohuo treated me with great favor."

"And the Gu clan's ancestors of several generations have all rendered great service to our Great Han."

"Empress, from now on, do not pay any more attention to the Grand Tutor."

"The Grand Tutor is already old."

"In some time, perhaps he will resign."

Having said this, Liu Hu sighs deeply again.

But then, Yan Ji's expression suddenly changes, and that familiar look of hesitation appears on her face once more.

"Your Majesty... your concubine..."

Liu Hu immediately frowns and asks: "Empress, why are you like this again?"

"Your concubine knows of a secret... but your concubine is somewhat afraid to speak." Yan Ji's voice even begins to tremble.

But the more she acts this way, the more curious Liu Hu becomes.

He stared fixedly at Yan Ji, his gaze growing increasingly sharp: "Speak!"

"Your Majesty."

Yan Ji swallowed hard and took a deep breath: "Do you still remember the incident of Lord Yewang falling into the water all those years ago?"

Lord Yewang was Wang Sheng.

Liu Hu truly had deep feelings for this wet nurse.

Not long after Deng Sui passed away from illness, once he had grasped some power, he posthumously titled Wang Sheng as Lord Yewang and bestowed rewards upon her family.

Gu Xi did not interfere in this matter.

A person like Wang Sheng truly could not catch his eye.

Hearing this, Liu Hu's expression suddenly became incomparably solemn, and a murderous intent even surged within his eyes.

Almost instantly, he reached out and grabbed Yan Ji, his tone turning heavy: "What exactly happened?"

"Your Majesty."

A look of fear appeared on Yan Ji's face, and she lowered her head, her body trembling as she said: "Your concubine has heard... that Lord Yewang's falling into the water back then was not an accident."

"It was done by the order of the Grand Tutor, carried out by Marquis of Huxiang, Zheng Zhong."

A bombshell!

Liu Hu's face turned deathly pale in an instant.

It was as if he had suffered some kind of blow; his entire body froze on the spot.

Yan Ji still kept her head lowered, her tone growing increasingly flustered: "This matter... is news that your concubine discovered within the inner palace."

"The eunuchs and palace maids who were by Your Majesty's side back then..."

"After being sent out of the palace by Zheng Zhong, they were almost all killed by people sent by Zheng Zhong."

"Only one eunuch escaped."

"The person sent to kill him feared Zheng Zhong's blame, so he reported false news, allowing that eunuch to escape with his life."

"He is precisely the attendant who served Lord Yewang back then."

"This is what he told your concubine."

Liu Hu's expression grew increasingly ugly, and even his breathing became rapid.

"Bring him here!"

"Bring him here!!"

"I want to question him myself, I want to question him myself!"

His emotions seemed to have reached the verge of collapse, and he kept roaring.

Yan Ji seemed to have been prepared for this long ago.

She hurriedly had someone go to bring the man.

Before long, a white-haired eunuch was brought directly inside.

Liu Hu stared at him intently.

Although this person had now reached an advanced age, Liu Hu still recalled some memories from the past.

It was actually the eunuch who had been by his side back then!

"Your Majesty!"

As soon as the eunuch entered the palace, he immediately knelt on the ground, his tone trembling with excitement: "This old servant pays respects to Your Majesty!!!"

"Speak!"

"What exactly happened back then!"

Liu Hu stared at him tightly, his tone icy: "If you dare to deceive the Emperor, I will never forgive you!"

"This old servant would never dare to deceive Your Majesty."

The old eunuch could not help but tremble, burying his head deeply into the ground, "Back then, this old servant was ordered to serve by Your Majesty's side..."

"From the day the Grand Tutor entered the palace to see Your Majesty, this old servant heard the Grand Tutor summon the Great Chamberlain Zheng Zhong."

"The next day... we were transferred out of the Northern Palace and sent out of the imperial palace."

"Then we were hunted down, and Lord Yewang also fell into the water and died."

These words were like a thunderclap in a clear sky, instantly exploding in Liu Hu's ears.

After the old eunuch finished speaking.

He suddenly staggered, nearly collapsing to the ground.

"Your Majesty." Yan Ji hurriedly stood up to support Liu Hu.

But Liu Hu did not hesitate at all, pushing her away directly; he seemed to have lost his senses, roaring loudly: "Where is Zheng Zhong? Where is Zheng Zhong?"

"Your Majesty!"

Yan Ji cried out: "Zheng Zhong has long since passed away!"

"Have someone dig up his corpse!"

"Whip the corpse a hundred times, and expose his remains in the wilderness!"

"Issue a decree!"

"Strip Zheng Zhong of all his titles, and exile all his adopted sons and family!"

At this moment, Liu Hu was like an angry lion, venting all his fury.

"Additionally, immediately summon the sons of the vassal kings aged 7 to 14 from all regions to the capital!"

"Immediately!!!"

A look of joy immediately appeared in Yan Ji's eyes.

This decree was too obvious!

Liu Hu wanted to depose the Crown Prince!

He wanted to completely sever the bond between the Liu family's Son of Heaven and the Gu family!

The edict was sent out rapidly.

Liu Hu's mood remained extremely poor; this matter was truly too great a blow to him.

It had stirred up all the unease in his heart.

To him, Gu Xi was now not just a minister who could threaten his throne.

He was someone who could threaten his very life.

How could this allow him to be at ease?

Yan Ji kept comforting Liu Hu, habitually stroking him with her fingers.

Unexpectedly, the very next moment.

Liu Hu, not knowing what he had thought of, suddenly lost complete control of his emotions; blood gushed from the corners of his mouth, and he immediately collapsed.

"Your Majesty!"

Yan Ji's expression changed drastically, and she hurriedly lifted Liu Hu: "Quickly summon the imperial physician!!!"

She was truly panicked.

If anything happened to Liu Hu, all her support would be gone.

Even if she were to become Empress Dowager.

But what could an Empress Dowager do?

The former Empress Dowager Dou, although Liu Zhao did not kill her because of so-called filial piety.

Was she not still effectively placed under house arrest within the palace?

This was a critical moment.

Yan Ji did not want any accidents to occur.

Her thoughts raced, and she immediately remembered something, hurriedly saying again: "Remember!"

"You must not let the ministers know about this."

"Quick, immediately summon the Marquis of Changshe into the palace!"

The Marquis of Changshe was Yan Xian.

He was also her older brother, who now controlled the imperial palace guards.

Before long.

Yan Xian walked in eagerly, looking at the panicked Yan Ji and asking: "Empress, why are you so alarmed?"

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty vomited blood and fainted."

Yan Ji's face was somewhat pale.

She never expected things to develop to this point.

Hearing this, Yan Xian's expression also changed, and he hurriedly asked: "What did the imperial physician say?"

"The imperial physician is currently treating him..."

"I have already had people suppress the news, but although the Grand Tutor usually does not ask about palace affairs, I fear it cannot be hidden for long."

Yan Ji told him everything that had just happened.

Yan Xian's expression grew increasingly ugly.

He gritted his teeth tightly and said with some anger: "The great cause is within reach, how could an accident happen at this time?"

"Empress, rest assured."

"Your servant will definitely guard the palace and will not allow anyone to enter."

Yan Ji nodded, her eyes filled with both a desire for power and a trace of panic, staring fixedly at Yan Xian: "No matter what..."

"As long as elder brother can protect the Imperial Palace."

"Even if His Majesty truly meets with an accident, we can still..."

She did not continue, but the meaning behind her words was extremely obvious.

Yan Xian's expression also gradually turned grave.

Silence reigned for a moment.

Then, he nodded slightly.

"Good!"

These two imperial edicts, once sent out, could be described as earth-shattering.

—The entire court and public were shaken!

The political signal from Liu Hu was far too obvious.

Whipping the corpse of Zheng Zhong.

Summoning the heirs of the princes into the palace.

And it completely bypassed Gu Xi!

What this represented, who could fail to see?

Immediately, quite a few ministers came to find Gu Xi, wanting him to stop this matter.

This kind of decree was not something everyone wished to see.

The foundation of the state is a matter of great importance.

Moreover, Liu Bao had already passed the period of early childhood mortality.

At a time like this, this decree from Liu Hu was clearly destined to cause turmoil in the court and the public.

Gu Xi's expression at this moment was also somewhat unsightly.

He truly had not expected that after so much time had passed, this matter would still cause such a massive upheaval.

Originally, he had done this to prevent Liu Hu from harboring suspicions.

That was why he decided to suppress the matter.

He never expected today to come.

In truth, this was also due to Gu Xi's personality.

Having gained power from a young age, self-confidence had become completely ingrained in his bones.

Many things in his eyes were not worth mentioning, and this naturally included many people.

They were merely some eunuchs; why would he pay them any special attention?

This kind of personality is, in fact, both good and bad.

The good is that Gu Xi has the courage to face everything; even when facing natural disasters, he could still say things like wanting to win half a move against Heaven.

The bad is exactly as it is now.

The current situation could be said to have completely exceeded Gu Xi's expectations.

However, he was not impulsive.

The moral bottom line of the Gu clan indeed supported Gu Xi in doing many things.

But for the sake of the family's eternal plan.

He decided that he must first go and see Liu Hu.

However, it was also no surprise.

Yan Xian had blocked everyone outside the palace.

And the reason he came up with was clearly well-considered.

That was that His Majesty was furious and did not wish to see anyone.

This was something no one had anticipated.

But this seemed to have caused Gu Xi to make certain decisions.

He merely took a deep look at the tightly shut palace gate, his gaze becoming increasingly sharp at this moment.

(End of chapter)