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墨書 Inktalez
Murong Cheng knew better than anyone whether Liu Chengye had secretly colluded with Gu Bei. It was not about making people believe they had a friendship, but rather about sowing doubt regarding their relationship.
A single word could make all the difference.
For the sake of the crown prince's position, Murong Cheng was deeply entrenched in this matter. He understood that once dirt was thrown, even an innocent person could be left stained.
Liu Chengye was a trusted confidant of the emperor. Murong Cheng had not considered how to deal with him just yet, but he was more than willing to incite discord between Liu Chengye and the emperor.
However, since Liu Chengye had managed to rise to his current position, he was no fool. To Liu Chengye, Murong Cheng's little schemes seemed rather juvenile.
"The crown prince's words are quite surprising. Are the laws of our dynasty merely empty words? Should we rely solely on personal connections to handle cases?" Liu Chengye said sternly. "I serve alongside General Gu in the court; he is a man of martial prowess while I am a man of letters, and we do not have much interaction. But even if it were not General Gu involved in this case, does that mean we can wrongfully accuse an innocent person?"
His words were sharp. If Murong Cheng did not agree, it would clearly indicate that he was the one who disregarded the law and acted based on personal relationships, leading to wrongful accusations.
Murong Cheng felt cornered and quickly signaled Gu Rong with his eyes, urging him not to stand there foolishly.
Gu Rong was also troubled by the emperor's sudden decision. Upon receiving Murong Cheng's signal, he immediately stepped forward to align himself with him, though he had to maintain a facade of subtlety.
"Liu Chancellor is willing to believe in my brother's innocence and seek justice for him; I am very grateful," Gu Rong began politely before shifting his tone. "However, this matter has already become a foregone conclusion; everyone in the court knows about it. To suddenly reverse course now would only be slapping oneself in the face and contradicting oneself."
He sighed deeply, expressing his distress. "The Gu family has been shamed by such a scandal! If I could avoid acknowledging it, I would. But I cannot act recklessly simply because he is my brother and ignore the facts for my own selfish reasons!"
His words were heard by everyone in the hall, including Gu Bei. Hearing his brother desperately drag him into an abyss from which he could not escape left Gu Bei feeling a mix of emotions.
He clenched his fists against the ground until his knuckles turned white, his entire body tense.
"Liu Chengye said: 'Lord Gu is truly devoted to public service; it is commendable. However, there is one point where Lord Gu is mistaken: if General Gu is indeed proven guilty of a grave crime now, it would align with what you call personal interests.'"
"How can we determine the nature of this case without a conclusion? The emperor’s thorough investigation is meant for fairness and clarity. I do not understand why Lord Gu would be unwilling to see General Gu remain unharmed," Liu Chengye pointed out, exposing Gu Rong's intentions.
Murong Cheng saw that Gu Rong had not turned the situation around but instead had been cornered, and he couldn't help but curse him as useless in his heart.
"Liu Chancellor trusts Gu Bei so much; can you provide evidence to prove that Gu Bei has been framed?" Murong Cheng knew better than anyone that he had cleaned up all the evidence thoroughly after the deed was done.
Liu Chengye replied, "It is precisely because there is no evidence that a thorough investigation is necessary. If there were evidence to prove General Gu's innocence, yet people still accuse him of being a criminal, wouldn't that be slander?"
He deliberately sought confirmation from Murong Cheng, "Your Highness, do you think this makes sense?"
"You!" Murong Cheng found himself at a disadvantage in their verbal exchange. Anger surged within him, and just as he was about to retort, the Emperor, who had been listening to their argument, interrupted.
"Silence!"
The Emperor's face was stern as he spoke loudly, "What kind of behavior is this? Prince, you are not young anymore; why do you always act so impulsively? I have made my decision on this matter; we will get to the bottom of it. Whether it is a grievance or a clever defense, there will be a conclusion in due time! Enough of this quarrel; are there any other matters?"
With the Emperor's words, no one dared to disobey. Liu Chengye was the first to step back, and Murong Cheng and Gu Rong had no choice but to temporarily cease hostilities and return to their original positions.
The court resumed its usual order, with ministers attending to their affairs and submitting memorials in an orderly fashion.
Once the morning court session concluded and the Emperor returned to his chambers, the ministers also left one after another to have breakfast at home.
Gu Bei had knelt in the great hall for a long time; when he stood up, his legs felt numb, and he walked slowly, falling behind.
As soon as he exited the palace gates, he saw Gu Rong standing outside with eyes full of hatred, staring at him intently.
"Don't get too cocky. Just because you have the Emperor backing you doesn't mean you can turn your fortunes around!" Gu Rong sneered at him. "Everything you've done is punishable by death; it's not so easy to save your life!"
Gu Bei looked at the person before him—his younger brother whom he had watched grow up—yet he felt as if they were strangers who had never known each other.
"Why are you doing this? Why do you hate me so much?" Gu Bei couldn't help but ask. Ever since long ago, he had wanted to know what had caused Gu Rong to harbor such deep-seated hatred towards him.
Gu Rong looked at Gu Bei, the person who had taken everything from him, yet showed no remorse and could innocently ask such questions.
Anger surged uncontrollably in Gu Rong's heart, even making his voice hoarse. "How can you even ask me why? Gu Bei, if it weren't for your existence, how could I be overlooked everywhere?"
He gritted his teeth and continued, "From our family, everyone only cares about you, revolves around you. You are the favored one, while I am merely a sidekick, a mere accessory to your brilliance!"
"Why do you think that way? No one looks down on you; everyone loves you. Have you forgotten all of this?" Gu Bei didn't understand. Although the Gu Family indeed had high hopes for him, they had never treated Gu Rong poorly.
He never expected that this was how Gu Rong viewed himself and their relationship.
Gu Rong stared at him fiercely and suddenly sneered, "I will take back what belongs to me. Don't think that just because you are favored more than I am, you can win over me. Let's see who will have the last laugh between us!"
After dropping those harsh words, Gu Rong turned and walked away without looking back. Gu Bei watched his retreating figure, realizing that the child from his memories who used to walk unsteadily could no longer be reconciled with the person before him.
How had their brotherhood fallen to such a state? Gu Bei shook his head and walked in the opposite direction.
Upon returning to the General's residence, he found that there were guests.
"Gu Bei, you're back from court? Come here so Aunt can have a good look at you."
It turned out that Aunt Gu had heard the news and rushed over to see him.
"You've lost weight! You've lost weight!" Aunt said with concern as she looked at Gu Bei, especially pained to see the scars on his face.
Gu Bei smiled and replied, "Not at all; I feel like I've gained a little weight. Aunt, what brings you here today?"
"Ah, look at my memory," Aunt said. "In this general's residence, there’s hardly enough to eat or wear, and even the servants are few. How can you manage like this? I've brought some things for you; make do with them. If it's not enough, I'll bring more next time."
Gu Bei had grown accustomed to a life of hardship, so he didn't mind these provisions. The presence of servants was not something he considered important. Even in the past, when he lived in the military camp, enduring the elements, he had never been spoiled.
However, he was grateful for Aunt's thoughtfulness.
His situation had long been the talk of the town, and now he was merely a man awaiting punishment. Despite her status, Aunt still came to visit him, especially after comparing her kindness to Gu Rong's ruthless indifference; it made him feel a flicker of warmth.
Aunt couldn't stay long. After chatting for a bit, she hurried home, repeatedly reminding Gu Bei to take care of himself.
Naturally, Gu Bei promised to do so. Once he was alone again, the general's residence returned to its cold and desolate state.
The mansion was vast, yet there were so few people inside that it felt deserted at a glance.
Gu Bei found it quite agreeable; he had never liked crowds. While he enjoyed his time with the soldiers in the camp, there wasn't much revelry or playfulness.
Previously, as a general surrounded by attendants, he felt no discomfort. Now, after living as a poor man for over a year, he had forgotten what it felt like to be served and found himself somewhat unaccustomed to it.
He preferred his current life—those days of modesty yet happiness. He had family and Ye Xiaohan.
Suddenly, Gu Bei felt that bringing them to the capital was the right decision. In just a short time, he had already begun to miss them.
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