Chapter 110

Fengyang Prefecture Supervising Censor's Office

Yao He was cursing, his face ashen.

"Yu You is really crazy—why not live peacefully? He actually learned to rebel!"

In his anger, he couldn't help slamming the table hard with a palm.

The clerks of various offices nearby watched the scene, exchanging glances in silence, like cicadas in winter—this was already how many times the Supervising Censor had slammed the table? His hand was red from the blows.

No wonder Yao He was embarrassed into anger.

Whether it was the four great families threatening Yu Tongguang and attacking him suddenly, or this time the Yu family moving against the other three great families, the Supervising Censor's Office was always behind the times, forced to help clean up the mess.

The former prefect had just run into trouble.

Now the acting prefect has also run into trouble—how can he cover it up?

If he doesn't cover it up, and the news reaches the imperial court, wouldn't that mean he, the Supervising Censor, is incompetent? This position is surely untenable; he might even be demoted.

Beside them, Zhang Yi and Qi Yi sat on the left, with Qi Yi taking the foremost seat; he glanced at Zhang Yi beside him, signaling him to speak.

Zhang Yi, helpless, gave a dry cough and said.

"Supervising Censor Yao, actually handling this isn't particularly troublesome!"

"Although Acting Prefect Yu is muddle‑headed, we cannot be as muddle‑headed as him; this time it was only because Acting Prefect Yu himself was coerced, forcing him to attack us other families, while Supervising Censor Yao had long seen through the key point, ordering us to prepare in advance and in one fell swoop crush the conspiracy of the remnants of the former prefect's office!"

Zhang Yi's scalp tingled at this; even he couldn't believe the words he was saying.

But he had to do this.

After all, Yu You, as acting prefect, represents the imperial court's righteousness.

Everyone has already eliminated one prefect, and eliminating a second prefect will surely make the Great Qian court suspicious—this suspicion brings no benefit to the three great families of the prefecture.

Yao He's eyes lit up at the words, while Zhang Yi felt the argument was full of holes, yet he thought it was excellent.

He felt a faint pleasure, his anger easing, he nodded and gave Zhang Yi an admiring look, chest out, and said.

"Head of the Zhang family, you overpraise me; this is what I, as an official, ought to do.

"Since I am the Supervising Censor, I naturally cannot allow the remnants of the former prefect to secretly sabotage and cause chaos in Fengyang Prefecture!

"What a pity for Yu You, the prefect—he devoted himself loyally, yet was wounded by the remnants of the former prefect's faction, turned into a puppet, aiding the wicked!

Yao He stroked his beard slightly, a look of regret appearing on his face.

Qi Yi, Zhang Yi watched this scene, nodding silently.

For now, this is all we can do; although they hate Yu You and wish to kill him quickly, they can only help the Yu family cover up a bit, lest the Qi and Zhang families become the losers.

The imperial court's dignity is not something the two families can openly oppose.

Just then, Zhang Hu rushed into the Supervising Censor's Office, his expression hurried, and he leaned close to Zhang Yi's ear to whisper a few words.

As the words fell, Zhang Yi's expression changed instantly.

"Zhang Yi, what's wrong?"

Qi Yi's gaze came over.

Zhang Yi took a deep breath, facing Yao He, Qi Yi's gaze said: "We have obtained definite news: Yu You and the incumbent governor Yu Tongguang are of the same clan, both are descendants of the Mian King!"

This news landed like a heavy bomb, and everyone's faces changed!

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yi's expression froze for a moment.

Yao He's face lit up, and he burst out laughing: "Great, this is solid as ironclad proof; Yu You and Yu Tongguang are indeed allies, he hid it so well!"

In an instant, Yao He turned to Zhang Yi and couldn't help asking: "But have you found any concrete evidence?"

He was still somewhat worried!

Zhang Yi nodded and said: "This is what we pried open from the mouths of Yu You and several key figures of the Yu family, and dug out!"

"There are witnesses and material evidence!"

A faint smile appeared in his eyes; this really is an unexpected gain.

Of course, this "prying open" was not conventional; we used some special means to extract it.

"Having ironclad proof is enough; even if an imperial envoy arrives, we can still report our duty!"

Yao He's face was full of smiles at this moment.

Having risen from "incompetent" to "capable official", he has already calculated how to exert some influence in the court and be transferred back to Haojing.

Beside him, Qi Yi also nodded silently, yet he was still greatly surprised by this son-in-law's ability.

……

Gu Family Manor

Inside the Gu family residence at this moment, wailing filled the air, a sorrowful atmosphere pervading the entire manor.

Before Gu Chengyan's sickbed, many Gu family descendants who had hurriedly returned crowded in, and many elders sighed.

Not long ago they received news that Gu Chengyan's heart meridian had been injured, and he was now near the point of exhaustion.

The Gu family, both high and low, felt somewhat lost.

Originally the Gu family had already been weakened by the robbery of the tribute ship, with many descendants and resources lost; now Gu Chengyan has suffered a severe blow and is near death—truly misfortunes never come singly.

Everyone was discussing, but most were calculating which branch would inherit the next head of the Gu family.

Only a few senior elders knew that the Gu family had reached a turning point; one misstep could lead to decline.

At this moment before the sickbed, Gu Chengyan, amidst the witness of many clan elders, struggled to establish his will, passing the headship to his younger brother Gu Chengye, not to his fifteen-year-old beloved son Gu Chengsong.

This surprised many Gu family members, but it was understandable; given the current tempest, having a steward too young would hardly help the family weather the crisis.

After the heir was decided, most of the Gu family descendants in the room gradually left for the courtyard, leaving only Gu Chengye and Gu Xiu'er, who was barely holding back her grief.

"Xiu'er, if your second uncle wishes to secure the position of family head, he still needs your full support!"

Gu Chengyan's gaze fell upon his legitimate daughter before him, his eyes filled with some regret and remorse.

"Father……"

Gu Xiu'er's eyes were red, her beautiful jade-like face full of reluctance, she tightly held Gu Chengyan's hand.

"In the future, within Fengyang Prefecture, that eldest young master of the Zhang family is the key; I know you are unwilling, but no matter what, you must help the Gu family preserve its foundation!"

You also grew up on this estate; as your father, I protected you plenty when you were young; for this, your elder brother has repeatedly complained to me, saying he loves you more than he loves himself; now Father begs you to protect this home, do not let the Gu family fall apart!

Gu Chengyan's face was like gold paper; at this moment his breath was faint, yet his pair of eyes refused to close, staring straight at Gu Xiu'er.

Gu Xiu'er wept uncontrollably; she opened her mouth, only to see Gu Chengye exclaim 'Elder brother!'—Gu Chengyan at that moment glared with his eyes, already having lost vitality.

The sound transmitted, and instantly the Gu household was filled with weeping.

"……"

The Zhang family; Zhang Jian quickly learned of the death of Gu Chengyan, the Gu family grand clan chief; he felt a faint sigh in his heart, and also felt the unpredictability of worldly affairs.

Gu Chengyan had also been a prominent figure within and beyond Fengyang Prefecture; his every word and deed kept countless powers, big and small, on edge—naturally, the Zhang family also wary, yet now he has suffered a loss at this time.

This is a turning point of an era.

From now on, the Gu family will inevitably decline.

In this generation of the Gu family, aside from Gu Chengyan, there is no other worthy heir.

Most are merely of mediocre stature, unable to turn the tide.

Zhang Jian soon set aside his feelings, but at this moment he had numerous mundane affairs: not only representing Zhang Yi, the grand clan chief, to console the soldiers and confidants who sacrificed in this rebellion, but also to liaise with various factions.

In this matter, Zhang Jian handled it with ease.

Besides this, he must go to see Feng Ling to select materials for refining his natal magic artifact.