Chapter 22: Jin Nian, your Sixth Uncle has arrived

The Duke's residence.

Inside the main hall.

As the Duke Zhen Guo arrived, Gu Ningya also gradually appeared.

He wore a flying fish robe, his waist belted with an embroidered spring knife, his expression calm, waiting here for Grandfather Gu to appear.

"Have you investigated it clearly?"

Grandfather Gu spoke, his expression calm as water.

"Father, I am incapable and have not found any result."

Gu Ningya lowered his head, appearing somewhat ashamed.

However, Grandfather Gu did not blame him, but sat in the grand master's chair.

"It's normal not to be able to investigate it."

"Whoever dared to move against Nian'er obviously put in effort; this matter is significant, and someone wants our Gu family to cause trouble."

"Fortunately, Nian'er is unharmed; otherwise, that would be real trouble."

Gu Yuan didn't care whether it had been investigated or not.

This matter is absolutely not simple.

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

"In the whole capital, nobody has such gall, right?"

Gu Ningya furrowed his brows slightly; since Jin Nian's accident, he has rushed back to the capital in a panic.

He also investigated Jin Nian's drowning incident at the first opportunity, but despite searching, he found not a single clue.

That's why he is so doubtful.

"Nonsense."

"Jin Nian's physique, you don't know?"

"Even if thrown into water for one hour, he wouldn't drown, let alone a mere quarter hour."

"Furthermore, he just had a serious illness; what does that have to do with drowning?"

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

Gu Yuan spoke, his voice cold.

Regarding Jin Nian's drowning incident, there are too many clues exposed.

Many places cannot be self-consistent; if there's no one behind it, he really wouldn't believe it.

"Father, do you think there could be a possibility?"

Gu Ningya opened his mouth, looking at his grandfather, speaking cautiously.

But before he could continue speaking, Gu Yuan immediately spoke up to stop him.

"Don't guess randomly."

"Speak after investigating the evidence."

"Also, what did the Office of the Suspended Lamp find out about the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun incident?"

Gu Yuan continued to ask.

"Reporting to Father, the Bureau of Heavenly Surveillance has already given a reply on the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun incident."

"The court is about to welcome a great villain; the Emperor has already issued an edict, ordering the Minister of Personnel to select officials strictly, possibly advancing the capital inspection."

Gu Ningya gave a reply.

"En."

"Since the Bureau of Heavenly Surveillance has taken responsibility for this matter, we had better not touch it; this matter is also by no means trivial."

"Recently, the court's struggles have become increasingly fierce; go back and tell your few brothers to stay steady these days."

"The Gu family must absolutely not be the one who sticks out; a single misstep leads to an abyss, understand?"

Grandfather Gu said meaningfully.

"Understood."

"Father, rest assured, I have it in mind."

Gu Ningya nodded heavily; although he appears idle, those who enter the Office of the Suspended Lamp are meticulous and good at disguise.

"But Father, whether someone is secretly harming Jin Nian aside, the Minister of Rites' conduct already gives no face to our Gu family."

"Even if pushing Jin Nian into the water is forgivable, turning around to frame him—would we really just swallow our anger?"

"According to my opinion, we should directly cause trouble for him, clean and neat—what are we afraid of?"

Gu Ningya said somewhat angrily.

Since learning that Jin Nian did not first flirt with words, the whole Gu family has been simmering with anger.

Unfortunately, this fire was suppressed by Grandfather Gu, making it really hard for them to vent.

"The Gu family has never feared anyone."

"Take this register."

"Have the Office of the Suspended Lamp secretly investigate, grasp the evidence, and then capture them one by one."

Grandfather Gu spoke calmly, at the same time taking out a register.

The latter received the register, flipped it open casually, and then a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes.

The register records hundreds of names, including court officials and also various clans or officials from elsewhere.

But these people are all civil officials; if they were all captured, it would undoubtedly be a heavy blow to the civil officialdom.

"Father, have you caught them all?"

At this moment, Gu Ningya couldn't help but click his tongue; after all, the top three on the register are third-rank officials, and there is even one who will become a future Minister of the Six Ministries.

If we capture them all, the entire Da Xia court and populace will be alarmed; it's truly terrifying.

"Otherwise? Do you really think that a single direct appointment quota could silence the Gu Family?"

"Even if the quota hasn't been secured, let alone if it has, our Gu Family will never be satisfied with a quiet end."

"Your father has already had your elder brother draft a memorial; as soon as the Suspended Lantern Department uncovers evidence, everyone on the list must die."

"Understood?"

Grandfather Gu said coldly.

"Father, the child understands, but what if they didn't do it?"

Gu Ningya nodded, yet his heart was still shocked—after all, what if they were mistaken?

"If it's not, then it's not."

"Lao Liu, remember this: if we're not ruthless, the same incident will happen again."

"What I want is the whole court in uproar, the civil officials enraged; whether they meddle in secret or retaliate, if not them, it's still a warning."

"Let them know that Jin Nian only barely escaped death, yet the Gu Family acted like this; if Jin Nian truly died, no one could bear such fury."

"Moreover, the Emperor has now ordered us to curb rumors from outside; it's now our Gu Family's turn to act."

"Also spread some statements to create balance; you should understand this better than anyone."

Grandfather Gu said word for word.

In the lamplight, Grandfather Gu's face was grim and solemn.

"The child understands."

Hearing this, Gu Ningya nodded; manipulating public opinion is the Suspended Lantern Department's specialty—civil officials rely on scholars, while the department relies on thugs and ruffians; sprinkle in a few conspiracy theories and the reputation polarizes instantly.

Grandfather Gu slightly eased his severity and turned to ask another matter.

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

Grandfather Gu continued to ask.

At the mention, Gu Ningya's expression turned bitter.

"Father, that fellow doesn't take any oil or salt."

"I suspect his mind is flawed, and moreover, if I release him on my own, I can't report properly."

Gu Ningya said uncomfortably.

"Since you let him go, just let me release him—no rules matter what."

"This is the Emperor's edict; go to the Suspended Lantern Department and tell that fellow, if the truth is uncovered, set him free."

Grandfather Gu, irritated, cursed once, then took a decree from his bosom and handed it to Gu Ningya.

Receiving the decree, Gu Ningya instantly broke into a grin.

"Alright then."

"But, Father, let's get the ugly talk out of the way first; if he still refuses to come, don't take your anger out on me. If you keep bullying people, don't expect me to help you later…"

Gu Ningya said earnestly.

"Get lost."

Grandfather Gu kicked him away, too lazy to bother with his own son. The son, after taking the kick, didn't look hurt, brushed the dust off his backside, and slipped away directly to find Gu Jin Nian to discuss something.

After Gu Ningya left.

Grandfather Gu sat quietly in the main hall, lost in thought.

About a quarter hour later.

Another silhouette appeared.

It was Marquis of Linyang Gu Qianzhou, Gu Jin Nian's father.

The Gu Family's pillar remains Grandfather Gu, but as the head of the dukes, unless it's a major affair, Grandfather Gu need not attend the morning assembly.

All these various matters are handled entirely by Gu Qianzhou.

After all, Grandfather Gu truly is old and needs to give the younger generation a stage.

Precisely because of this, Gu Qianzhou is busy from dawn to dusk, and with his excellent relationship with the Yongsheng Emperor, he often handles palace affairs, making it hard to look after Gu Jin Nian.

Regarding his eldest son, Grandfather Gu still feels some resentment.

After all, he bears the greatest pressure, being the most exhausted and sensible.

But soon, that sentiment vanished instantly.

"Father."

"Look at what this is about."

"Ning Yue actually sneaked Jin Nian into the palace."

"She even personally lodged a complaint to the Emperor, asking him to vindicate Jin Nian."

"That's one thing, but that little brat Jin Nian even dared to incite His Highness the Crown Prince to smash the Minister of Rites' head."

"Isn't that lawless and unbridled?"

"Father, will you handle this or not? If you don't, I'll come, I won't believe it, that little brat still dares such lawlessness."

Gu Qianzhou's voice rang out, his words full of resentment toward Gu Jin Nian.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Grandfather Gu slapped Gu Qianzhou on the head.

"Who are you calling a little brat?"

"If Jin Nian is a little brat, then does that make me an old brat?"

"Also, stop putting on airs before me; could you bear to strike your beloved son?"

"You can't even control your wife, yet you still put on a show before me."

Grandfather Gu said irritably.

He couldn't possibly be unaware of what's in his own son's mind: "Father, what does this mean?"

"You don't know my family status?"

The moment the wife was mentioned, Gu Qianzhou instantly stood his ground; he had to argue the point at length.

"Shut up."

Grandfather Gu snorted coldly, and Gu Qianzhou was left speechless in an instant.

"Enough, what exactly is it? Speak quickly."

Grandfather Gu spoke, too lazy to bother Gu Qianzhou.

"There's actually nothing much to it."

"The main issue is that Gu Jin Nian incited His Highness the Crown Prince's grandson to injure Yang Kai; this won't be easy to clean up."

"Moreover, it's hard to account to the Crown Prince's side."

Gu Qianzhou said awkwardly.

"What is there to be hard to account for?"

"When the Gu Family acts, besides the Emperor, to whom else must they answer?"

"The Crown Prince's grandson is already stubborn and spoiled; a beating is fitting. If the Crown Prince objects, let him come to me; I will, in front of him, beat his son."

"As for Yang Kai, his granddaughter's pushing Gu Jin Nian into the water—does that just get revealed like this?"

Grandfather Gu said coldly.

"Father."

"Your words aren't really a problem; I could go over to the Crown Prince's side, it's no big deal."

"But Yang Kai can't be ignored; after all, he's the dean of Da Xia Academy. Gu Jin Nian's actions will inevitably provoke him. When Gu Jin Nian goes to Da Xia Academy, it'll just be a slew of petty harassment."

Gu Qianzhou felt a bit depressed; the Crown Prince also seemed indifferent, since the Crown Prince's grandson is mischievous—just a beating is a beating.

But Yang Kai is more troublesome.

It won't be long before Gu Jin Nian goes to Da Xia Academy; the two families already have a strained relationship, and with Gu Jin Nian's recent uproar, it will likely worsen.

"It's nothing."

"Yang Kai has a huge amount of nerve, yet he doesn't dare go after Gu Jin Nian."

"What can be done if you really get petty harassment? Who made the Gu Family lack a scholar?"

"Moreover, if not for today's incident, Yang Kai wouldn't have trouble with Gu Jin Nian?"

Grandfather Gu's words left Gu Qianzhou silent.

After a brief moment, Gu Qianzhou said nothing.

Grandfather Gu understood Gu Qianzhou's meaning and softened his tone slightly.

"Qianzhou, I understand your point."

"But we must also consider reality."

"Gu Jin Nian isn't cut out for studying; you securing a direct admission slot for him at Da Xia Academy is already doing your utmost."

"Since he's not made for study, forcing Gu Jin Nian to study may not be a good thing for him."

Grandfather Gu spoke.

But Gu Qianzhou shook his head.

"Father, Gu Jin Nian is a clever child; the Master praised him, it's just that he's picking up bad habits from Gu Ningya and the others."

"Sending him to Da Xia Academy and giving him a good push—Gu Family needs a scholar; that would not only safeguard the Gu Family but also protect him himself."

"Father, let me be selfish this once; if Gu Jin Nian hates me, let him hate me. I'd rather have him suffer for three years than have him regret his whole life."

Gu Qianzhou was somewhat stubborn, and his expression was very serious as he spoke.

That's all the talk.

Grandfather Gu also seemed a little silent.

A moment.

Grandfather Gu sighed helplessly and said.

"Then we'll go with your suggestion."

"But regarding studying, don't have too high expectations."

"It's all my doing; I sent you to the battlefield, and the Gu Family has not a single coward, and I let you study and write."

"Alas."

Grandfather Gu sighed.

He knows this better than anyone.

The Gu Family could never produce a scholar.

On the surface Gu Qianzhou had no objection to this, but inwardly he couldn't help muttering a few words.

"But remember, no matter what, don't retreat too much."

"The Gu Family still has one chance; seize this chance, and it can continue for three generations. Do not lose the big for the small."

At this moment, Grandfather Gu's expression was extremely serious.

He mentioned something very important.

"Child, I understand."

Gu Qianzhou nodded; he knew what his grandfather meant.

Meanwhile.

The Crown Prince's residence.

Gu Ningya's voice sounded slowly.

"Jin Nian."

"Your sixth uncle has come."

As this voice rang out, it made the Gu Jin Nian who was about to fall asleep suddenly wake up.

(End of chapter)