Chapter 1370: Xue Family Redress 3

Gu Chengyu silently looked at Liang Zhirui, his eyes full of inquiry. Liang Zhirui realized his lapse only when he noticed Gu Chengyu’s deep eyes fixed on him.

“What is her relationship with Xue Haozhen?” He didn’t reply but suddenly raised this question.

“Xue Haozhen’s granddaughter!” Gu Chengyu answered softly.

He didn’t know how to describe his inner feelings at that moment. He was somewhat fearful; his teacher’s reaction inevitably made him think more.

“Granddaughter?” Liang Zhirui was stunned, recalling that he seemed to have heard at the time of the family seizure that Xue Shiqian’s wife, Mrs. Yao, was giving birth. Could that child be the granddaughter now mentioned by his young disciple?

After pondering for a long time, he continued, “Filing a complaint with the Emperor is no easy task. A young girl shouldn’t act rashly. Moreover, she is a remnant of the Xue family; filing a complaint is akin to seeking death. Since she managed to survive, why persist in this? Just live well!”

Liang Zhirui’s hand gripping the chair back was tense, and Gu Chengyu stared at him and said, “She is very persistent, believing that the Xue family’s case was unjust and is determined to clear their name. The student couldn’t persuade her; it’s her choice, and I have no right to interfere.”

“Do you think there was nothing suspicious about the past events? Haven’t you suspected anything at all? Xia Qing was also involved; you are well aware of his character, Teacher. Moreover, he was indeed colluding with Da Xing; perhaps he had a hand in this. Of course, this is just the student’s speculation!”

Gu Chengyu recalled Xia Qing; if Xue Haozhen and Xia Qing were indeed traitors, why would Xia Qing get involved?

“Don’t inquire about past events anymore. In any case, the Xue family has fallen to such a low point because Xue Haozhen brought it upon himself. Persuade the girl; if it’s really impossible, knock her out and send her away! Give her silver, so she won’t worry about food and clothing, and stop thinking about this matter. For a girl, marrying is the right path.”

Liang Zhirui finished speaking, then pulled open a hidden compartment on the desk, took out a stack of silver notes, and handed them to Gu Chengyu.

“Although Xue Haozhen was despicable back then, many of his clan members were innocent. Since I gathered evidence and impeached him at the time, today I’ll give his granddaughter some support as compensation!”

Gu Chengyu suddenly felt like a heavy stone weighed on his heart, suffocating!

“I just said she’s very stubborn and unwilling! Teacher, are you hiding something from me? We’ve been mentor and pupil for years; is there anything we can’t discuss openly? Even if the facts indeed differ from the past judgment, I will handle it with discretion. No one is closer to us; I’ve always regarded you as my family, Teacher.”

Gu Chengyu’s words were probing and expressing his stance. If Liang Zhirui truly did such a thing, wouldn’t Liu Su’er implicating the teacher when she files a complaint tomorrow?

As long as the teacher speaks out, even if it goes against his conscience, he won’t hesitate.

“What? Do you suspect me?” Liang Zhirui’s eyes widened, unable to resist angrily rebuking. Did the young disciple’s words suggest he didn’t trust him?

Though moved by the young disciple’s abandonment of principles for him, he didn’t want to see such a disciple. This Jinyu is too sentimental, will surely be manipulated by important people in the future.

“I must meet her face to face!” Liang Zhirui calmed down, feeling it’s best to see the girl.

“She won’t meet you; I’ve mentioned before she said you’re the enemy of their Xue family!”

Upon hearing this, Liang Zhirui trembled with anger and flung the silver notes onto the desk, “Fine! In that case, I won’t interfere any longer. I want to see if their Xue family can still falsely accuse me.”

“Why won’t you detail the past events to me, Teacher?” Gu Chengyu saw Liang Zhirui almost explode in anger, apparently showing his extreme distress.

“Everything I stated is true; Xue Haozhen was not only a traitor and a corrupter, but he also slandered me. The evidence gathered by me and other ministers proved his crimes, which led to his punishment. Now his descendants arrive, daring to smear me, do they still hold false evidence against me?” Liang Zhirui pointed his finger at Gu Chengyu in furious questioning.

Gu Chengyu frowned, Xia Qing is dead, the Xia Mansion has been seized, and even if there is evidence, it is no longer existent.

“Why don’t you explain the past events to me, Teacher? Perhaps there’s another story within it. This matter affects your reputation; I won’t allow anyone to tarnish your character!”

Gu Chengyu stood up and bowed deeply.

Seeing this, Liang Zhirui sighed deeply.

“Since you want to know, there’s nothing I can’t say. I’ve lived an upright life; how could I commit vile deeds to frame others? The only regret in this life is Xian and you. Never mind! Let me tell you here!”

Liang Zhirui sat back at the desk, and Gu Chengyu eased his heart; the fact that the teacher is willing to speak means he has nothing to hide.

“Back then, Xue Haozhen served as Grand Secretary, his power in court surging. Since Emperor Huiming ascended the throne, he depended heavily on him and respected him due to his being an elder favored by the Great Ancestor. However, Xue Haozhen had ambitious collusion with Prince Wei Dan of Da Xing, evidenced by intercepted correspondence; this evidence should be archived in the Three Ministries.”

“I was then Minister of Revenue, the Dayan Dynasty was newly founded, and the National Treasury was exhausted by war. I was worried over funding, when officials impeached Xue Haozhen for soliciting bribes, seizing merchant lands, etc. This enraged me. After investigation, the allegations were verified, so I listed the crimes and impeached him. The traitorous crime was jointly pursued by several officials. During the house seizure, substantial evidence was discovered, bearing Xue Haozhen’s private seal.”

“Later, finding it untenable, he blamed me. Fortunately, the Emperor understood my nature, refusing to believe him, and unable to produce evidence at the moment, I escaped unscathed.”

Here, Liang Zhirui suddenly stopped, hesitant to proceed.

“Is there something more you haven’t said, Teacher?” Gu Chengyu knew Liang Zhirui still hadn’t divulged important details.

“Actually, Xue Haozhen is my half-brother!” Liang Zhirui pondered a moment, deciding to tell Gu Chengyu, after all, he’s not an outsider.

“What?” This time it was Gu Chengyu’s turn to be shocked; he hadn’t expected the situation to take such a twist.

“How could your half-brother become a member of the Xue family? Given your family background, wouldn’t the household be able to support him?”

“This matter is lengthy,” Liang Zhirui sighed, then began his narrative.

“Back then, my father established a second family outside, fearing an uproar from my mother, he kept it secret. Later that second wife became pregnant, desiring legitimate status. However, my father was somewhat afraid of my mother, unwilling to bring her into the household. The second wife was naturally unwilling but could do nothing. Yet, one day, she vanished, taking the child with her. My father thoroughly investigated, discovering she’d latched onto a Xue family member. The Xue family was scholarly, and she became a concubine, the man unable to father children, thus keeping the child from the second household.”