RPAGF Chapter 432 A sense of unease and fear pervades the capital.
Chapter 432 A sense of unease and fear pervades the capital.
After Chu Ruohan settled her younger sister in the east wing, Doctor Qian came again to take her pulse and prescribed some medicine to prevent miscarriage.
"Sister, do you think this child will be a boy or a girl?" Chu Yueshu gently stroked her lower abdomen, her eyes full of anticipation.
"It's only been a month, how can we know?" Chu Ruohan smiled and sat down next to her sister. "Boy or girl, it doesn't matter, as long as they are healthy."
Yingqing stood to the side, her eyes full of tenderness: "I would prefer a daughter, as gentle and virtuous as Yueshu."
"You're so glib." Chu Yueshu blushed slightly and gave her husband a reproachful look.
Chu Ruohan looked at the loving couple and shook her head. She decided to go see the child and not disturb their two years of blissful marriage.
Just as Chu Ruohan was about to give a few more instructions, she suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves outside.
"Madam, the General has returned," Yu Ling said softly as she brought in tea.
Chu Ruohan asked with some confusion, "You're back so soon?"
Gu Junze strode into the courtyard, his face grave. Seeing this, Chu Ruohan quickly stood up to greet him: "What happened?"
"It's nothing." Gu Junze shook his head, indicating that he wanted to talk to her alone. Then he looked at Chu Yueshu and Ying Qing and said, "You two rest first. Your sister and I have some things to discuss."
Chu Ruohan followed her husband back to the study and asked softly, "What did the Emperor want to see you about?"
Gu Junze closed the door and lowered his voice: "It's time to close the net on Qingmo Valley."
Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat: "You've found out?"
"That's about it." Gu Junze nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "We've investigated almost all the officials in the court who have ties to Qingmo Valley. His Majesty has decided to take action."
Chu Ruohan nodded, "How can we allow others to sleep soundly under our bed? Qingmo Valley's reach is too far. Our emperor is much more decisive than the late emperor."
"Yes, we'll start tonight," Gu Junze said in a deep voice. "I've already mobilized my personal guards to prepare to raid our first target—the residence of Zhao Mingde, the Vice Minister of Rites."
Chu Ruohan frowned slightly: "Zhao Mingde? He was involved too?"
"On the surface, he appears honest and kind, but behind the scenes, he is an important pawn of Qingmo Valley." Gu Junze sneered. "Over the years, he has used his position to pass on a lot of imperial secrets to Qingmo Valley."
"Then tonight..."
“I will personally lead the team.” Gu Junze said firmly, “The Emperor has already issued a secret decree.”
Chu Ruohan nodded: "Be careful."
"Don't worry." Gu Junze patted her hand. "These people have been under our surveillance for a long time, there won't be any mistakes."
As night fell, Gu Junze changed into military uniform and led a team of elite soldiers to quietly leave the mansion.
Chu Ruohan stood at the door, watching his departing figure. Even though she knew nothing would happen, she couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"Sister, where did brother-in-law go?" Chu Yueshu asked curiously as she appeared behind her.
Chu Ruohan turned around, took her sister's arm, and walked back: "Official business. Let's go back. You're pregnant now and shouldn't catch a cold."
Zhao Mingde's residence was brightly lit.
"My lord, it's so late and you're still reviewing official documents. You should rest." The steward stood respectfully at the door of the study.
Zhao Mingde waved his hand: "You can go down first, I'll watch for a while longer."
The steward had barely left when a sudden burst of rapid hoofbeats and shouts of battle came from outside the mansion.
"Open the door! This is an imperial order to search the premises!"
Zhao Mingde suddenly stood up, his face turning deathly pale. He rushed to the window and saw that torches illuminated the entire mansion, and countless armored soldiers had already surrounded the entire residence.
"It's over..." he muttered to himself, hurriedly taking out a stack of letters from a hidden compartment in his desk. Just as he was about to destroy them, the door was kicked open.
Gu Junze led his soldiers straight to the study, kicked open the door, and coldly watched Zhao Mingde burning documents.
"Lord Zhao, what are you burning in the middle of the night?" Gu Junze sneered, signaling the soldiers to step forward and seize the letters that had not yet been burned.
"General Gu..." Zhao Mingde's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground. "What...what does this mean?"
"Zhao Mingde, you colluded with Qingmo Valley and leaked imperial secrets. The evidence is conclusive, yet you still dare to deny it?"
Gu Junze shouted sternly, then ordered the soldiers, "Search! Turn the entire mansion upside down, don't miss a single needle!"
The soldiers acted swiftly and soon found a large number of letters, account books, and gold and silver treasures related to Qingmo Valley in the study's hidden compartments, the cellar under the bed, and the artificial hill in the garden.
Zhao Mingde's face turned ashen, and he slumped to the ground.
"Take him away!" Gu Junze waved his hand, and soldiers stepped forward to drag Zhao Mingde out. "Everyone in the mansion, regardless of age or gender, is to be taken away for interrogation!"
The entire raid lasted until dawn. Nearly a hundred people from the Zhao family were all taken to prison, and all their money and valuables were confiscated.
The news quickly spread throughout the capital, causing a stir in the court and among the public.
The next morning at court, the hall was deathly silent. The ministers, who usually vied to speak, all bowed their heads, not daring to utter a sound.
Zhao Yunci sat high on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials: "My dear ministers, why are you all silent today?"
No one answered.
Gu Junze stood before the hall and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, last night I was ordered to search the residence of Zhao Mingde, the Vice Minister of Rites, and found a large amount of evidence of his dealings with Qingmo Valley. Zhao Mingde has confessed and implicated several accomplices."
Zhao Yunci slammed his hand on the dragon throne: "Good! Qingmo Valley has committed numerous evils and wreaked havoc on the court. I have long wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible!"
He looked around at his ministers and said, "I will give you one more chance. Those who confess will be spared death! Otherwise, once the facts are verified, their entire families will be executed!"
His Highness fell silent again, and many ministers turned pale and broke out in a cold sweat.
After the court session ended, the ministers felt as if they had been granted a pardon and hurriedly left, afraid of staying even a moment longer.
Three days later, Gu Junze led his troops to search the residence of Li Jingwen, the Minister of Works, again uncovering a large amount of evidence. Li Jingwen and his entire family were imprisoned, and their property was confiscated.
For several days in a row, Gu Junze swept through the capital like a storm, searching the residences of five high-ranking officials one after another, each time with irrefutable and conclusive evidence.
The atmosphere in the court was tense. No one dared to speak loudly during the morning court session. Even after the court session, officials avoided Gu Junze, fearing that they might offend this great general and become the next target of retribution.
"General Gu is here!" someone exclaimed in a low voice. The officials who had been talking in hushed tones immediately fell silent and lowered their heads to avoid him.
Gu Junze walked past expressionlessly, his eyes glancing at the terrified faces, a cold smile playing on his lips.
He knew that this purge had only just begun, and how much longer could Qingmo Valley endure it...? They would take action soon!
I'm really looking forward to it...