Chapter 1369: The Xue Family's Rehabilitation 2

“Good! Since you know, I won’t say much more. You go back today, and when I’ve made the arrangements, you’ll go to beat the drum. Of course, if you regret during this period, you can find Ming Mo at my side.”

Gu Chengyu feared this young lady was acting on impulse. If she truly beats the drum, there’s no backing out. Ancient times were quite unfriendly to women, and he wondered if she could bear it.

After Liu Su’er left, Gu Chengyu fell into deep thought. This matter involved his teacher, so he should first inquire about the events of that year from his teacher. Perhaps he could gain something different from him.

The next day, Gu Chengyu left work early and went to the Liang Mansion.

“You haven’t come for several days. You must have been very busy lately?” Mrs. Ning directed Qin Jiao to the kitchen to add dishes as she asked with a smile.

“Court affairs have been busy. He is still in the Cabinet, and the Emperor’s health…” Liang Zhirui sat beside, sipping tea. He studied Gu Chengyu, seeing his weary expression and knowing he had been overwhelmed with work, likely not having rested well for many days.

“No matter how busy, you must rest well. Administration isn’t solved in a day or two. Though you are young, you shouldn’t recklessly exhaust yourself.” Mrs. Ning had noticed Gu Chengyu’s fatigue for a while and could not hide her concern on her face.

“Some political matters must be urgently handled; he knows his limits.” Liang Zhirui knew Gu Chengyu came today for a matter he wanted to discuss.

Master and disciple for many years, Liang Zhirui was somewhat aware of Gu Chengyu’s temperament. This pensive demeanor suggested he was troubled by something.

“Has His Majesty’s eyesight improved at all?” Liang Zhirui thought of the Emperor’s eyes, unsure how long they would take to fully recover. As the Emperor’s teacher, he couldn’t merely hold the title.

“Better than before; now he can see figures before him, but things farther away are very blurry. Probably won’t be long before recovery!” Gu Chengyu smiled. The late Emperor had appointed Liang Zhirui as the Emperor’s esteemed teacher, and despite the Emperor ascending, the choice of mentor remained unchanged.

Moreover, his teacher had luckily benefited, becoming a First-Grade Grand Tutor, originally only a Junior First Rank.

“Though young, I find His Majesty honorable in conduct, keen and astute. With proper guidance, he will surely be a wise ruler!” Liang Zhirui suddenly set down his teacup, gazing fixedly at Gu Chengyu.

“Indeed, that’s what I believe, too! His Majesty diligently studies and advances, even without sight, not relaxing in his studies. Every day, Hanlin Academy officials are sent to the palace to teach him!”

With these words, Gu Chengyu’s face lit up with more smiles. Despite a previous period of dejection, the Emperor’s current proactive attitude made Gu Chengyu view him differently.

Seeing Gu Chengyu’s genuine smile, Liang Zhirui was relieved. Though he knew the young disciple had no improper desires for that position, he couldn’t help but worry.

After all, power holds sway, and over time, one might change their genuine intentions. Also, with the disciple still youthful, his disposition uncertain, he feared Jinyu might not withstand temptation.

If previously he had been resolute in coveting that position and acted upon it, so be it. He used to be straightforward, believing loyalty to the court and Emperor was a subject’s basic duty. But since taking this young disciple, his temperament was no longer so rigid.

But now the Little Emperor is enthroned, and everything is too late. If actions similar to those of the Duke Qin Mansion were made, it would only end in mutual ruin.

He decided to constantly remind Gu Chengyu, for who could resist the allure with power in hand?

With concerns in mind, Gu Chengyu hastily finished dinner and went to the study with Liang Zhirui. Liang Zhirui noticed Gu Chengyu was distracted, losing his appetite too.

“Speak! On entering the mansion today, I felt you were burdened. Have you encountered any difficulties?”

Their relationship was close enough not to beat around the bush.

“Teacher, do you know the details of the Xue Family case from those years?” Gu Chengyu thought for a moment and directly asked; he trusted his teacher.

“Xue Family?” Liang Zhirui’s expression immediately darkened, he looked at Gu Chengyu with shock and suspicion.

When Gu Chengyu displayed doubt, he quickly composed himself, slowly asking, “Why suddenly bring this up? It’s gone through four reigns, making me quite surprised.”

Seeing Liang Zhirui’s strange reaction, Gu Chengyu confirmed there must have been undisclosed details back then involving the teacher. But considering the teacher’s character, could he truly have framed others? He couldn’t believe it. Maybe there’s another story behind it?

“Two years ago, when I served at Hanlin Academy, I perused related histories, becoming curious about Xue Haozhen. Later, I reviewed various unofficial histories, noticing discrepancies between them and historical records!”

Carefully observing Liang Zhirui’s responses, Gu Chengyu felt his earlier reactions seemed excessive. Though the teacher might have participated in the issue back then, he shouldn’t react this way now.

“You doubt historical records? The case was concluded years ago. Why bring it up now?”

“I met a descendant of the Xue Family!” Gu Chengyu stared at Liang Zhirui, stating firmly.

“Impossible!” Liang Zhirui’s eyes widened, staring at Gu Chengyu with disbelief.

“The Xue Family was completely executed, even eradicating Nine Families; where do descendants come from? You must have been misled, been taken advantage of.”

“I’ve verified it; she’s indeed a descendant of the Xue Family. And she claims there are suspicions around the Xue case, arguing they shouldn’t endure wrongful injustice, hence came to the Capital aiming to clear the Xue name.”

Liang Zhirui stood abruptly, supporting himself on the book table, silent for a long time.

“Xue case evidence was conclusive back then! Xue Haozhen colluded with Prince Daxing Wei Dan. In times of war between the two states, he leaked our battle formations to Daxing; otherwise, main general Zhou Bozhong wouldn’t have died, and the court wouldn’t have faced repeated defeats!”

Liang Zhirui clenched his fists, frowning as he spoke.

Gu Chengyu raised a brow at his words. Why was the teacher’s account similar to the letter’s, except the initiator switched from the teacher to Xue Haozhen?

Clearly, the matter was authentic, but who the mastermind was remained unknown.

“She plans to submit a plea to the court for the Emperor to hear the case tomorrow!” Gu Chengyu gently sipped tea; Liu Su’er’s determination was unwavering this time.

“It absolutely mustn’t happen!” Liang Zhirui abruptly turned back, his face full of panic.

Gu Chengyu was stunned, not expecting Liang Zhirui’s intense reaction.