newbobooks Chapter 708 A Quick Change of Face: How Quick to Become a Sycophant
Chapter 708 A Quick Change of Face: How Quick to Become a Sycophant
Wearing a brand-new fourth-rank official robe, holding an account book in his hand, Gu Lu walked steadily, step by step.
His face was calm, his eyes fixed straight ahead, and he walked straight through the deathly silent court to the emperor, where he lifted his official robe and knelt down.
There was another person following behind him, with their head down, so their face could not be seen.
Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an and Qian Zhenyun exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of unexpected astonishment in their eyes.
Could there be another trick up your sleeve?
"Your Majesty, Gu Lü, the former Prefect of Chengdu, hereby impeaches the Third Prince, Zhao Chenyu!"
"He abused his power, colluded with officials at all levels, and privately resold military supplies, including winter clothing and military rations, embezzling military funds and enriching himself! All accounts are kept here!"
He held the ledger high in his hand.
Zhao Chenyu, whose face was already ashen, jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on when he heard this.
He pointed at Gu Lu and yelled, "You're slandering me! Gu Lu, you're no longer the prefect! You're taking revenge for personal reasons! These account books are forged! They're fake!"
Gu Lu didn't even lift his eyelids. "The Ministry of Revenue can easily verify the authenticity of the account books. Besides, I have witnesses."
His gaze slowly shifted and landed on Lin Jiayou.
"Your Majesty, this ledger was compiled by me and Lord Gu. I can tell you the ins and outs of every single account recorded in it, from where it came to where it went."
The truth was completely revealed at this moment.
Lin Jiayou was actually Gu Lu's deepest pawn planted beside the Third Prince!
Everything he has shown—his so-called loyalty to the Third Prince and his pandering to power—has been paving the way for today.
Not only him, but also Gu Lanxin. If it weren't for Gu Lanxin's surrender, the Third Prince wouldn't have been so lenient with Gu Lu.
Zhao Chenyu completely broke down.
He staggered back two steps, looking at Lin Jiayou in disbelief, the strategist he trusted most, the "confidant" who devised plans for him and helped him frame the Crown Prince and Qian Zhenyun.
It turns out that his self-righteous conspiracy was nothing more than a stage for others to use their own scheme against him.
It turns out that the strategist he kept by his side and was so proud of was actually the Yama, the King of Hell, who had personally sent him to the guillotine.
"what--"
Zhao Chenyu's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.
Zhao Yunci, sitting on the dragon throne, had a face that was ashen and almost black. He slammed his hand on the dragon table.
"Guards! Seize the rebellious son Zhao Chenyu and all his cronies! Throw them in the imperial prison and investigate them thoroughly!"
At his command, the imperial guards outside the palace swarmed in.
A political storm in the imperial court has now come to an end.
Qian Zhenyun not only escaped unscathed, but also made a great contribution by exposing the prince's corruption case and luring the enemy out of hiding.
At the palace gate.
Gu Lu walked up to Qian Zhenyun, a hint of apology on his face.
"In order to ensure the plan goes perfectly, I had no choice but to include you in the calculation. I hope you won't blame me."
Qian Zhenyun shook his head, a hint of shame appearing on his face instead.
"Brother Lu, you're too kind. I misjudged people and even had doubts about you and... Lin Jiayou."
Gu Lu patted his shoulder and laughed loudly, "You don't need to feel guilty. Even Qingchen was completely fooled in this scheme, which shows that our acting was pretty good."
Qian Zhenyun's gaze passed over Gu Lu's shoulder and landed on Lin Jiayou, who was not far away.
Although he knew perfectly well that he was now "one of us," Qian Zhenyun's vigilance and hostility remained undiminished.
He knew very well that this man was far superior to him in terms of cunning, shrewdness, and the means to gain the trust of others.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Anguo's mansion is packed with guests today.
The waterside pavilion in the backyard was even more lively.
Today is the birthday celebration of the old lady of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, and almost all the prominent ladies in the capital have arrived.
Men and women sat separately; those seated in the waterside pavilion were all noble ladies and young women from various households.
As the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, Chu Ruohan was naturally treated as an honored guest and sat next to the old lady.
She was in a very good mood today, chatting and laughing with the ladies around her.
“Lü Ge’er is a stubborn child. He insists on going out to gain experience. As his aunt, I’m worried about him every day.”
Another lady immediately chimed in, "Young Master Lu is a man of exceptional talent and skill in both literature and martial arts; everyone in the capital knows this. I wonder how His Majesty intends to employ him upon his return to the capital?"
This is what they really care about.
Chu Ruohan put down her teacup, her smile unchanged: "That depends on His Majesty's decision. He's currently at home waiting for the imperial decree."
Upon hearing this, the previously lively atmosphere subtly cooled down.
The ladies exchanged glances, and the conversation immediately shifted.
"Young talents always need more training and experience, there's no rush."
"Yes, it's good to see the world. The capital is nice, but it's not as comfortable as being in the countryside."
The censor's wife, who had just tried to probe for information, simply smiled, picked up her teacup, and sipped it, without uttering another word.
They offered compliments, but the distance and observation in their expressions were impossible to hide.
An official who has just been transferred back from a remote area has an uncertain future. Who would be in a hurry to marry their daughter to him?
Moreover, Gu Lu is already twenty-five, which is considered "old" in the eyes of many.
Chu Ruohan saw all of this clearly, but remained calm and composed as she dealt with the situation.
The third branch of the Gu family is now managed by Madam Yang, but her husband's official position is not high, and he only sits at the end of the wives' seats.
She knew she couldn't make the decision about Gu Lu's marriage, but her father-in-law insisted that she come today to meet him and, incidentally, to sound out the Duchess's opinion...
Just then, a head maid from the Duke of Anguo's mansion quickly walked to the old lady's side, lowered her voice, and said a few words with an excited expression.
The old lady's smiling face was instantly replaced by astonishment. She looked sharply at Chu Ruohan, her voice rising several decibels: "A great joy!"
Everyone present was astonished and turned to look.
The old lady excitedly grabbed Chu Ruohan's hand: "News has just come from the palace! Just now at the morning court, your son Lu exposed the Third Prince's major case of embezzling military funds and reselling military supplies!"
"what?"
The pavilion erupted in chaos, and the ladies all looked horrified.
The old lady spoke with great enthusiasm: "Not only that! His Majesty was overjoyed, saying that Brother Lü was brave and resourceful, and had made great contributions to the country. He immediately issued an edict appointing him as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!"
Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!
A third-rank official! In charge of reviewing criminal cases nationwide, he was a true high-ranking official in the imperial court!
The once quiet waterside pavilion suddenly became like boiling water.
"My goodness! The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review! Young Master Lü has a truly promising future!"
The censor's wife was the first to react, her face beaming with a warm smile, as if she hadn't been the one observing just moments before.
"I knew Young Master Lu was a dragon among men, not someone to be confined to a pond!"
“That’s right!” another lady immediately chimed in.
"Madam of the Duke of Zhenguo, you've kept this from us for so long! My youngest daughter admires Young Master Lü the most for his sense of responsibility!"
“My daughter may not be the best in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but she is very gentle and virtuous, a perfect match for Young Master Lu!”
"My daughter just turned 18 this year, and she's absolutely stunning in both looks and personality!"
The ladies who had just kept silent about Gu Lu were now vying to arrange the marriage on the spot.
Those warm faces formed a stark contrast to the cold indifference and aloofness just moments before.
Surrounded by people, Chu Ruohan still wore a polite smile.
She responded politely, saying things like, "The children's affairs depend on fate," and "Thank you for your kindness, Madam."
But in her heart, she had already crossed those names off the shortlist one by one.
Gu Lu's wife may not come from a high-ranking family, and she may not be of average appearance, but she must not come from a family that is opportunistic and only values power and status.
To her, all the excitement and adulation was nothing but a joke.