met free Chapter 269 The Holiday is Here
Chapter 269 The Holiday is Here
"Rui'er did a great job this time." Emperor Cheng looked at the well-organized case files and patted Li Rui's shoulder with great appreciation.
He adored his clever and mischievous son, but because Li Rui was so unruly, Emperor Cheng always thought of him as a child. Yet, many important events of the year were handled by Li Rui.
He handled border defense, disaster relief in Henan, and this investigation ordered by imperial decree perfectly, and he did not seek credit or steal credit, which is truly commendable.
"Thank you for your praise, Father. The reason we were able to find out so quickly is thanks to Minister Gu's help and the intelligence gathered by the Flying Fish Guards. I dare not take credit for it myself," Li Rui said humbly.
"Father can naturally tell who did it. It's good for you to learn from them so you can solve cases on your own in the future." Emperor Cheng's words had a hint of doting affection.
This airtight chain of evidence, and the person who could still control the situation even after it had escalated to this point, could only be Gu Chang'an.
Emperor Cheng looked at the couple standing below and felt relieved: "It's good that you're alright. Your father and I were so worried about you during the days when there was no news."
"It is truly my fault to cause Your Majesty worry. Fortunately, with Your Majesty's protection, my wife and I were able to escape danger and expose this conspiracy." Gu Chang'an's tone was neither humble nor arrogant, subtly flattering the emperor.
As expected, Emperor Cheng laughed: "Well done. If you and your husband hadn't taken the initiative, we wouldn't have achieved such great results. Now, tell me, what reward do you want?"
"I have no other request, but Ah Li has been frightened this time. I would like to ask Your Majesty for a favor and whether it is possible to grant her leave to recuperate for a period of time," Gu Chang'an said.
Shen Li was still preparing to speak when Gu Chang'an subtly steered the conversation towards her. Under these circumstances, she found it hard to imagine what reason Emperor Cheng could possibly have to refuse.
After all, Gu Chang'an was already at the age where he could be granted the highest honors, but the emperor didn't want to lose face. Gu Chang'an's move showed that he was not greedy and also gave the emperor a way out, so that he wouldn't have to worry about the reward.
"Granted. Miss Shen, go back and rest well. After all, you are a girl, and it's inevitable that you'd be frightened by such a scene." After saying that, Emperor Cheng added, "Don't rush back. This position will remain in your name. You can take leave for as long as you want."
"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your great kindness."
The holiday is here!
The key is to have a good man.
After leaving the palace, Shen Li washed her hands in the carriage and leaned against Gu Chang'an, her face beaming with joy: "Thank you, my husband. I can spend the winter at home again."
In previous years, she found the New Year's gifts troublesome, but now she thinks they are easier than court intrigues. She has made too many contributions and needs to lay low to avoid becoming the target of criticism.
"Take some time to do what you want to do. Put aside the New Year's gifts for now, I'll take care of the preparations." Gu Chang'an washed his hands in the basin she had used, and when he saw her glance at the oranges on the table, he picked them up.
Shen Li's pupils trembled, and she immediately shook her head and said, "No way, you're too busy with your own official duties, why should I, the head of the household, have to worry about things at home?"
"It's good that you're here." Gu Chang'an held a segment of orange to her lips.
Shen Li ate several pieces in a row, puffed out her cheeks, and said, "I said no, no, I'll be in charge of this household."
Gu Chang'an chuckled: "Of course, it's Madam who's in charge. I'm just sharing her burdens, so there's nothing wrong with that, is there?"
Shen Li thought for a long time but didn't know what to say. She knew that her husband was always good at debating and strategizing, but she didn't expect that he could be so compliant that she couldn't get angry at him at all.
"I will resign from my position at the Dali Temple after the New Year, which will give me some free time," Gu Chang'an added.
Shen Li nodded upon hearing this: "I also wanted to say this. After the Crown Prince case, my husband must not hold two positions concurrently. As the saying goes, the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow. Those who are dissatisfied because of the Crown Prince case will definitely impeach my husband."
The impact of this matter was so great that even she had to lay low, let alone Gu Chang'an, who held both the second and third ranks of officialdom.
Moreover, the fall of the crown prince would certainly shake the court, and the emperor would not allow the presence of a powerful minister like Gu Chang'an in the court. He might even take the initiative to promote a new Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
The best outcome for them would be for Gu Chang'an to propose it himself, which would be both dignified and demonstrate that he knows his place and is not greedy for power.
"Don't worry, A-Li, my resignation has already been submitted. After the Emperor's approval, it has been sent to the Grand Secretariat. The document will be issued after the New Year to grant my resignation." Seeing the worry in Shen Li's eyes, Gu Chang'an immediately explained the reason.
"That's good. It seems His Majesty still wants you to finish handling the Crown Prince's case." Shen Li felt a little relieved, but after thinking for a moment, she couldn't help but instruct, "It concerns the Crown Prince, and everyone in the world is watching. Husband, you must be extremely cautious and make sure you don't give anyone cause for gossip."
Such a major event, even if handled properly, could be brought up again in the future and used to frame someone for plotting to murder the crown prince.
"It's alright. Although the person is being held in the Dali Temple, such a major case will definitely be tried by the three judicial departments, the Flying Fish Guard, and the Cabinet. It will only be possible to overturn the case when none of us have a voice."
Gu Chang'an held her hand: "That day will never come."
“Yes.” Shen Li’s gaze was equally firm. Li Heng was about to be eliminated, and then the nightmare of her previous life would be completely broken.
She will face the new challenges of this life together with Gu Chang'an, and will never repeat the old mistakes.
Gu Chang'an pulled her into his arms, instinctively adopting a protective stance; he wanted to protect his Ah Li well.
"Husband, why do I feel a little uncertain now that things are going so smoothly?" Shen Li expressed her concerns.
Gu Chang'an thought for a moment: "Is A-Li worried that he'll do something desperate?"
“The Shen family is, after all, part of the princeling faction. Although my father is fair and honest, and she hasn’t done anything that could be used against her, there are still correspondence between them. It’s hard to guarantee that they won’t hide it,” Shen Li said, expressing her concerns.
Gu Chang'an put his mind to it: "Ah Li, don't worry. I'll test him today, and then I'll know what's going on with him."
"I have nothing to do today, how about I go to the yamen with my husband?" Shen Li became interested.
She also wanted to see what Li Heng looked like as a prisoner; in her previous life, she had suffered no shortage of such humiliation.
Gu Chang'an shook his head: "It will be a bit chaotic today. If A-Li wants to see him, I will choose a suitable time another day."
"Won't you be angry if I go to see her husband?" Shen Li asked curiously when she saw that he had guessed it but didn't react.
"How could I be angry with A-Li? Besides, if A-Li had even the slightest feeling for him, she wouldn't be so eager to kill him." Gu Chang'an fiddled with the hair on her forehead, feeling that A-Li was so lively and lovely that he couldn't get enough of looking at her.