RPAGF Chapter 232 This game of chess has only just begun.
Chapter 232 This game of chess has only just begun.
Gu Chengyan's worst fears came true.
"Go quickly and destroy everything. Be fast and make no mistakes!" He spoke rapidly, his anxiety almost overflowing.
"Yes, young master, I'll take care of it right away!"
The servant turned around and opened the door, but Gu Chengyan pulled him back.
Gu Chengyan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his mind racing. If the incident in the mine hadn't been an accident, going there now would be like lambs to the slaughter.
"No need to go." Gu Chengyan's voice was low.
The servant looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked, "The ledger?"
Gu Chengyan shook his head. "They are all things that are half true and half false. Even if the imperial court wants to investigate, it will take some time."
"Furthermore, the entire mine is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works and has no direct relationship with the Marquis of Anyang's residence. Acting hastily will only give others something to criticize us for."
He looked up, squinted at the sky, and asked again, "Has that shipment left?"
"It's already been transported away," the servant replied respectfully.
"That's good." Gu Chengyan calmed down and sorted out his thoughts. "Let's hold back for now and wait for my father to return from the palace."
"Yes."
A hint of worry flashed in Gu Chengyan's eyes. He had a vague feeling that this matter was definitely related to Gu Junze.
Could it be that he already knows about his origins?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shudder.
Gu Chengyan left the courtyard and walked alone in the quiet alley.
He had thought that this imperial examination would allow him to legitimately enter officialdom, but who knew that such a drastic change would occur before he even entered the court as an official...
Night fell, and the lights were sparse.
Marquis Anyang had just returned from the palace. Instead of going straight back to his residence, he had his carriage circle the capital twice before heading to the Yuanlai Inn, to the same room.
Before long, Gu Chengyan hurriedly entered the inn room, closed the door, and asked impatiently, "Father, how is the situation in the palace?"
Marquis Anyang snorted coldly and slammed his hand heavily on the table. "So this is Prince Yong, daring to embarrass me in front of the Emperor!"
"The matter at the mine is not just about the mine shaft collapsing. Prince Yong somehow found out that the Ministry of Works had falsely reported the mineral content and reported it to the Emperor."
"His Majesty was furious. Minister Su has been dismissed and is under investigation."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyan's expression changed drastically, but thankfully he did not act rashly.
"Father, how did Prince Yong suddenly find out? This matter is probably not simple."
"Do you think I don't know?" Marquis Anyang's eyes were filled with anger. "Minister Su has already sent someone to inform me that he wants to have a private talk with me here at this inn tonight."
Gu Chengyan pondered for a moment, "Father, should we strike first and find a scapegoat?"
Marquis Anyang's gaze gradually sharpened. "You're right, we can't just sit here and wait to die."
After a while, there was a knock on the door. Marquis Anyang nodded in acknowledgment, Gu Chengyan opened the door, and Minister Su slipped in.
Minister Su stared at Marquis Anyang and said urgently, "My lord, Prince Yong has come with great force this time, and I'm afraid he won't let this go easily."
"I've entrusted my entire family's fortune and lives to you, and even married my daughter to you. Now that something's happened, you can't just ignore it!"
Upon hearing this, Marquis Anyang was immediately displeased. His brows furrowed, and his eyes turned cold.
When this old scoundrel got a benefit, he praised him to the skies.
His daughter, Su Wanniang, was married to him willingly...
Her intention was to use marriage to bind herself to him for the long term.
Now, hmph...
However, Marquis Anyang suppressed his emotions and said in a deep voice, "Lord Su, things have come to this point, what's the use of complaining? The most urgent task is to come up with a solution."
Minister Su acted as if he hadn't heard, and continued to ramble on: "We agreed that if we followed you, Lord Marquis, you would guarantee the Su family's wealth and prosperity. Now look what's happened! We've been dismissed and are under investigation, and we might even be imprisoned!"
"This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. If I submit to the law, my lord, you will not be able to escape unscathed!"
Marquis Anyang slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups on the table jump with a loud "bang".
He glared at him angrily: "Lord Su, that's enough! When did I ever say I wouldn't care? Don't forget, we're all in the same boat now!"
The room fell silent instantly, with only heavy breathing as the sound.
After a long while, Marquis Anyang calmed down and said thoughtfully, "Minister Liu, this man is both greedy and stupid. We can push him out as a scapegoat. At most, you will only be guilty of negligence."
Minister Su's eyes lit up, as if he had grasped a lifeline.
"This plan is brilliant! Vice Minister Liu is indeed a hindrance, so we can take this opportunity to get rid of him. I'll go back and have someone prepare evidence to point at Vice Minister Liu."
"Ah."
After Minister Su left, Gu Chengyan slowly walked to the table, poured a cup of tea for Marquis Anyang, and sat down beside him.
He frowned, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.
Marquis Anyang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked up at Gu Chengyan. "Chengyan, do you have any thoughts in your mind? You might as well speak frankly."
Gu Chengyan took a deep breath. "Father, I have a feeling that there is a deeper conspiracy behind Prince Yong's attack this time."
"Even if we push Minister Liu out as a scapegoat and temporarily quell the Emperor's anger, Prince Yong may not let it go."
Marquis Anyang nodded slightly, "How could I not know? But for now, we can only take it one step at a time."
Gu Chengyan frowned. "Father, Gu Junze and Su Dongying's actions are definitely not as simple as they seem on the surface."
"After much thought, I feel that this mine collapse is related to him."
He paused, a hint of unease flashing in his eyes, and his voice unconsciously lowered, "Do you think he might already know about his background?"
Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Anyang's eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle's, and he said decisively without hesitation, "Absolutely impossible."
Back then, he eliminated everyone who knew about Gu Junze's background.
Even Gu Chengyan only found out recently...
But then he remembered that Gu Junze had confronted him back then, and that letting Feng go meant he had to be allowed into the Eastern Camp...
A ruthless glint flashed in the eyes of Marquis Anyang. The Eastern Camp was utterly useless. After all this time, they still hadn't managed to deal with Gu Junze.
Feng Shaoyu should be released...
At this moment, inside the Hongmeng Courtyard, Qin Fang strode towards the courtyard where Chu Ruohan was.
"Young Madam, news has arrived that Marquis Anyang and Minister Su are in secret talks," Qin Fang reported in a low voice.
The hidden clues that Chu Ruohan planted at Yuanlai Inn have been put to use so quickly.
She put down the book in her hand and raised an eyebrow slightly. "They intend to make Vice Minister Liu a scapegoat?"
Qin Fang nodded, "That's exactly right."
Chu Ruohan chuckled softly, "Just as Junze predicted."
"Then should we..." Qin Fang hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Chu Ruohan's eyes deepened. "No rush. Let them go first, and we'll observe the situation."
She stood up, walked to the window, looked at the distant view, and said softly, "This game of chess has only just begun."