Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 24 A Move to Strike at the Heart

Shen Li got up before dawn. She sent a message to her mother early on, telling her to stop her father. She also placed her own people at every door in the house so that she would be notified as soon as her father went out.

As dawn broke, and no one came to report the news, she finally felt relieved.

The court assembly had already begun, and no matter what method the Grand Secretary chose, it was certain that he would challenge His Majesty. She didn't want her father to be used at this time.

Although officials should not blindly flatter the emperor, Li Heng was not worthy of his father's defense.

She will show her father how worthless he is.

If Li Heng thinks this is the end, he's being too naive.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The morning court session that day was probably the most intense in recent years, with censors submitting hundreds of memorials impeaching Zhao Jing, insisting that Liu Ling's confession was unverifiable and could not be used as evidence.

Zhao Jing, a rough and uncultured man, was no match for these censors. At first, he tried to defend himself, but later he was so scolded that he became dizzy and pale. He could not only not get a word in edgewise, but he also could not understand what they were saying.

The criticism of Zhao Jing was just the appetizer. Later, some extreme censors even accused the emperor of condoning cruel officials to carry out large-scale criminal trials, which was no different from the behavior of a tyrant.

Emperor Cheng was immediately enraged. He dragged the man away, had him flogged, and stormed off, leaving the court session in disarray.

As Gu Chang'an entered the imperial study, he saw Emperor Cheng sitting behind his desk, his head propped up by his hand, his eyes slightly closed.

"Your Majesty," Gu Chang'an bowed.

"See? Before we've even gotten to the bottom of this, these people are already getting restless." Emperor Cheng sighed. "What do you think?"

"I believe that since Liu Ling is dead, further investigation may cause unrest in the court and among the people. If the situation is not escalated and the officials involved in the case are treated leniently, then the censors will have nothing to say," Gu Chang'an replied in a proper and conventional manner.

"You always seem to think the same way I do." Emperor Cheng rubbed his temples and said, "These censors are really giving me a headache. If we punish them today, things will probably get even more intense tomorrow."

Gu Chang'an said calmly, "Your Majesty is of noble birth and need not stoop to their level. Besides, tomorrow's events may not be too intense."

"What mischief are you up to, kid?" Emperor Cheng understood the hidden meaning in those words.

Gu Chang'an had been serving as a Hanlin Academician by his side since he was fifteen, drafting imperial edicts and handling official documents for him. Emperor Cheng believed he knew this boy's temperament very well.

He was exceptionally gifted and mature beyond his years.

He needs such people to fight against the power of the civil service.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens." Gu Chang'an's words were a tacit admission.

Emperor Cheng smiled, but did not forget to remind him: "You don't need to be too serious about investigating the money here. Don't investigate people who shouldn't be investigated."

"Yes, Your Majesty understands," Gu Chang'an replied, knowing who the person should not be touched was.

Emperor Cheng cannot openly target the Crown Prince yet, but using the confession of a dead man to threaten the very foundation of the state is unthinkable. Who knows what kind of trouble the ministers will cause.

After leaving the palace, Gu Chang'an returned to the Dali Temple. Before entering, he saw the Flying Fish Guard's horses. The guards at the gate said that Commander Zhao wanted to take away the prisoner.

The matter of bringing along officials appointed by the imperial court naturally required a meeting between the two top leaders. So when Gu Chang'an arrived at the inner hall, he saw Zhao Jing pacing back and forth inside.

"Brother Zhao, why don't you ever sit down when you come to my place?" Gu Chang'an waved his hand, and the person next to him left.

"Lord Gu, you're finally back! What did His Majesty say?" Zhao Jing felt reassured upon seeing Gu Chang'an.

The impeachment proceedings in court today truly terrified him, as he feared that His Majesty might kill him to appease the officials who had spoken out.

“Those who shouldn’t be touched shouldn’t be touched. I suppose His Majesty instructed Brother Zhao in the same way.” Gu Chang’an said to him, “Brother Zhao, please sit down.”

"How can I possibly sit still? Those censors are working like madmen for the Crown Prince, they even dare to curse His Majesty. We can't kill them, and if we beat them, they'll just get even more excited."

Zhao Jing scratched his head and said, "I really have no way to deal with these scholars, so I can only ask Brother Gu for help."

"I'm ashamed to be a scholar; all I can do is come up with a rather unrefined method," Gu Chang'an said with a sigh.

"Does Your Excellency have a solution?" Zhao Jing's eyes lit up. "I'm all ears."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Eastern Palace.

Hearing the commotion in the court, Li Heng was finally able to catch his breath. The events in the court boosted his confidence. With such a big fuss, his father would never touch him.

As for the officials who were imprisoned, it pained him greatly, but as long as the civil officials remained on his side, he could win over another group of people.

He has plenty of time and opportunities; he needs to pull himself together.

"Wrap this painting up and send it to Madam Gu at the Gu residence in the name of the concubine," Li Heng said, pointing to the painting from the previous dynasty on the wall.

Ultimately, the fact that this crisis was overcome was largely due to Shen Li's timely message and that calligraphy. The Empress Dowager was pleased to see it and was more receptive to his advice.

"Yes," the eunuch beside him replied.

Another eunuch came in to serve tea, and Li Heng casually asked, "Has any news come in from outside the palace?"

"No," the eunuch replied.

Li Heng sighed and began to drink his tea.

"But the commander of the Flying Fish Guard has made a new move: he left the body of the assassin who killed Lord Liu the night before outside the city to be exposed to the sun," the eunuch said casually.

Li Heng, who had been relaxed, suddenly tensed up and stared at him, asking, "Anything else?"

"He also announced to the whole city that if no one came to claim them within seven days, they would be thrown down into the valley to be fed to the wolves." The eunuch did not understand why the crown prince was reacting so strongly.

Even if they were the Crown Prince's men, they're already dead, so what's there to be afraid of?

"Damn it." Li Heng slammed his teacup down and asked again, "What are the crimes of these assassins?"

"They were assassins who tried to kill Lord Liu." The eunuch was even more confused; he remembered what he had just said.

"Assassin." Li Heng repeated the word, his face turning pale.

This is an open conspiracy, a blatant plot aimed directly at him.

If he sends someone to collect the body, the act of intercepting the prison cart and killing the Flying Fish Guards would be tantamount to rebellion.

But if he didn't go, every corpse there would serve as a reminder to the officials who worked for him that if something happened to them, they would not only not receive help, but would also be silenced.

Moreover, if he doesn't even care about the subordinates who are willing to risk their lives for him, how can he live up to his reputation for benevolence and kindness? Without a reputation, how can he win over those upright civil officials?

This move is tantamount to destroying his spirit and undermining his foundation.

Absolutely vicious!

"You," Li Heng called out to the eunuch who was carrying the painting and heading towards the Gu family's residence, "ask Madam Gu what should be done about this situation."