County Supervisory Imperial Censor Office in Fengyang County
At this moment, Yao He was muttering curses, his expression livid.
"This Yu You is truly insane, isn't living good enough? He actually learned to rebel?!"
In a fit of rage, he couldn't help but slam his palm heavily on the table.
Nearby, many clerks in the government office glanced at this scene and exchanged silent looks, trembling with fear. How many times has the Imperial Censor slammed the table now? His hand is already red!
It is no wonder Yao He was furious and ashamed.
Whether it was the last time the four great families forced Yu Tongguang into a sudden attack or this time when the Yu Family took action against the other three families, the County Imperial Censor's Mansion was always caught off guard, forced to clean up the mess afterward.
The former Governor just had an issue.
Now the current acting Governor has a problem too, how is he supposed to cover this up?
But if he doesn't cover it up, and the news reaches the Court, wouldn't it imply that he, as the County Imperial Censor, is incompetent? He definitely won't be able to keep this position and might even be degraded.
Beside him, Zhang Yi and Qi Yi were seated on the left side, with Qi Yi taking the lead. He looked at Zhang Yi and signaled for him to speak.
Zhang Yi sighed helplessly and cleared his throat.
"Inspector Yao, actually, handling this matter isn't particularly difficult!"
"Although acting Governor Yu is muddled, we must not match his muddledness. This time, acting Governor Yu was coerced into attacking our other families, and Inspector Yao foresaw the key issue early, instructed us to prepare in advance, and successfully shattered the plot of the former Governor's remnants!"
Zhang Yi felt a little uneasy; even he couldn't believe these words himself.
But he had to do it.
After all, Yu You, as the acting Governor, represents the Court's righteousness.
Having eliminated one Governor already, eliminating a second one would definitely raise suspicion with the Daqian Court, and such suspicion would not be beneficial for the three families in the county.
Yao He heard these words, and his eyes brightened. Despite Zhang Yi thinking there were many flaws, Yao He felt the answer was excellent.
Happiness flickered in his heart, and his furious expression gradually softened as he nodded appreciatively at Zhang Yi, puffing out his chest and saying:
"Patriarch Zhang, you're too kind. This is what I should do.
As the County Imperial Censor, I certainly cannot allow the remnants of the former Governor to cause trouble in Fengyang County!"
"It's a shame about Yu You, Governor Yu, who worked diligently yet ended up being manipulated by the remnants of the former Governor, becoming a puppet and abetting wickedness!"
Yao He stroked his beard slightly, with a look of regret on his face.
Qi Yi and Zhang Yi looked at this scene, nodding secretly.
Given the situation, there's nothing else to do. Though they wish to quickly eliminate Yu You, they can only help conceal matters for the Yu Family to avoid targeting themselves — the Qi Family and Zhang Family.
The authority of the Court cannot be confronted directly by the two families right now.
Just then, outside the County Imperial Censor's Mansion, Zhang Hu hurriedly walked in, leaned slightly to Zhang Yi's ear, and spoke a few words.
As soon as the words were spoken, Zhang Yi's expression changed dramatically.
"Zhang Yi, what's wrong?"
Qi Yi's gaze fell upon him.
Zhang Yi took a deep breath and faced the gaze of Yao He and Qi Yi, saying, "We have obtained concrete information that Yu You and the former Governor Yu Tongguang belong to the same clan, both are descendants of Prince Mian!"
These words landed like a bomb, causing everyone's expressions to change!
"What?"
Hearing this, Qi Yi was momentarily stunned.
Yao He brightened up and laughed heartily, "Well! This is irrefutable proof; Yu You and Yu Tongguang are indeed accomplices. He concealed it so well!"
Instantly, Yao He looked at Zhang Yi and couldn't help but ask, "But have any specific pieces of evidence been found?"
He was still somewhat apprehensive!
Zhang Yi nodded and said, "This matter was unearthed by prying open the mouths of Yu You and several key figures of the Yu Family!"
"There are witnesses and physical evidence!"
A trace of a smile appeared in his eyes — this was truly an unexpected harvest.
Of course, this 'prying' was quite unusual and required the use of special means to extract the truth.
"With concrete evidence, it's good. Even if the Court's Imperial Envoy arrives, we can provide answers!"
At this moment, Yao He's face was full of smiles.
Originally considered 'incompetent,' he was now elevated to 'capable official.' He was already planning how to exert influence at the Court to be reassigned to Haojing.
Beside him, Qi Yi also nodded secretly; he was greatly impressed with the capability of this son-in-law.
...
Gu Family Mansion
Within the Gu Family estate, the air was filled with crying, a melancholy aura permeated the mansion.
In front of Gu Chengyan's sickbed, many hurriedly returned members of the Gu Family crowded around, numerous elders sighing.
Just recently, they received news that Gu Chengyan was injured in his heart meridians, nearing the end of his life.
There was a sense of panic within the Gu Family.
Originally, the Gu Family had already suffered losses due to the hijacking of tribute ships, diminishing its Primordial Qi, with many family members and foundations severely damaged. Now, Gu Chengyan was severely injured, nearing death — truly, misfortunes never come singly.
People discussed endlessly, but most were calculating which branch would take the position of the next Patriarch.
Only a few senior members of the Gu Family understood that the Gu Family had reached a turning point, and a misstep might lead to its decline.
At this moment, before his deathbed, Gu Chengyan, witnessed by numerous clan elders, struggled to make his will, passing the position of Patriarch to his brother Gu Chengye, rather than his 15-year-old favorite son Gu Changsong.
This was unexpected to many within the Gu Family, but it was reasonable, as the family needed a mature leader during such turbulent times to steer it through hardships.
Having decided on the successor, most of the Gu Family members slowly left the room, leaving only Gu Chengye and Gu Xiu'Er, who was trying to suppress her sorrow.
"Xiu'er, if your second uncle is to secure the position of Patriarch, he still needs your full support!"
Gu Chengyan's eyes turned to his daughter, showing some regret and remorse.
"Father..."
Gu Xiu'Er's eyes were red, her beautiful face full of reluctance. She grasped Gu Chengyan's hand tightly.
"In the future of Fengyang County, that Young Master of the Zhang Family is key. I know you're unwilling in your heart, but no matter what, you must help the Gu Family preserve its foundation!"
"You grew up in this estate, and when you were little, I often protected you. For this, your brother often complained to me, saying I loved you more than him. Now your father begs you to protect this family and not let the Gu Family fall apart!"
Gu Chengyan's face was pale, his breath weak, but his eyes refused to close, firmly staring at Gu Xiu'Er.
Gu Xiu'Er was sobbing uncontrollably, opening her mouth just as Gu Chengye exclaimed 'Brother.' Gu Chengyan, suddenly staring, had already lost his life.
The sound carried across the family, eliciting a wave of mourning.
...
Zhang Family, Zhang Jian soon received the news about the death of Gu Chengyan, the patriarch of the Gu Family, feeling somewhat emotional and reflecting on how life's circumstances can be unpredictable.
Gu Chengyan was once an influential figure within and outside Fengyang County, his every move concerning countless forces, including the Zhang Family, which was wary of him. Yet now, he fell at such a moment.
This signifies a turning point in time.
From now on, the Gu Family will inevitably decline.
Among the current Gu Family, apart from Gu Chengyan, there were no distinguished successors to take charge.
Most were mediocre, incapable of turning the tide.
Zhang Jian soon brushed aside his feelings; however, he was overloaded with mundane affairs, not only representing Zhang Yi, the clan leader, in consoling the soldiers and confidants who sacrificed themselves in the rebellion, but also making contact with various factions.
In such matters, Zhang Jian managed with great competence.
Additionally, he needed to meet with Phoenix Spirit to select materials for the refining of his Lifebound Dharma Artifact.