Zuo Xiangfu.

"Xu Shilin, the lower official, pays homage to his mentor." Shilin came to the Prime Minister's Mansion to see Gu Zhong, who had a full head of hair.

"Sir Xu, please get up quickly and take a seat." Gu Zhong took his seat.

"Thank you, Master." Shi Lin sat aside and the maid served tea.

"I wonder why Mr. Xu came to see me today?" Gu Zhong took over the position of left prime minister after Liang Xiangguo retired and returned to his hometown. After boarding the plane with the new emperor, he became the minister of the auxiliary country. He held a high position in the court. He

I originally wanted to promote Shilin Qingyun to the top, but Shilin had no intention of coveting officialdom and only wanted to govern the local area, so he arranged for him to be appointed as a patrol governor to govern the Jiangnan area. Since Shilin took office, he has been honest and honest, and treated the people like his own children. Not only has there been no crisis,

The financial income increased year by year, and everyone praised it. Gu Zhong held his head high in front of the emperor, civil and military officials. Of course, there were also some who were jealous. Fortunately, the officials were indifferent to fame and fortune and did not seek power and wealth. They also

I can't help him.

"I am here this time to visit my mentor. I have specially prepared some good medicinal materials and supplements for my mentor to nourish him. The blessing of my mentor is a blessing to the court and the people." Shi Lin said, motioning to Zhao Wei.

Present the gift.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Xu. I am already old. I just want peace of mind and peace for the country and the people. I accept Mr. Xu's kind words with a smile." Gu Zhong gestured to the servant to accept it.

"Teacher, you're welcome. When I come here this time, I have something important to ask my teacher for advice." Shilin continued.

"Master Xu, please tell me."

"I would like to check the national examination for verification. Can I ask my mentor to recommend me?"

"Looking up the national examination? Why?"

"To be honest with you, my teacher, it's because sixteen years ago, our dynasty's predecessor, Queen Renchen, died in childbirth."

"Queen Rencheng?" After hearing this, Gu Zhong's face trembled slightly as he thought.

"Exactly, because the official is not in the capital, I don't know if my mentor knows the real situation at that time."

"The then Crown Princess Yu, whose maiden name was Qiao Yu, was the daughter of the Zhenguo General Yu Jiao. She died after giving birth to a stillborn child. After the emperor ascended the throne, she was posthumously named Empress Rencheng. This was a well-known thing at the time.

Do you have any doubts?"

"The incident happened sixteen years ago. I shouldn't have pursued it any further. It's not my duty. But now there are clues again, so I asked my mentor for help."

"What clues did you find?"

"Teacher, look, have you ever seen this thing before?" Shilin took out a small cloth bag from his arms, opened it and presented the mutton-fat white jade.

"Isn't this the precious jade that the vassal king of the Western Regions paid tribute to? That year I was lucky enough to see it from the late emperor. This jade was smooth and delicate, like the essence of mutton fat, which impressed me deeply. Why is it in your hands today?" Gu Zhong looked at it.

Wearing the precious jade, his brows gradually furrowed. The jade body was pure white and spotless, but it also exuded an ominous light, shrouding Gu Zhong's heart.

"The official is a person who has been entrusted by others and is loyal to the people. Before verifying the national examination, I dare not arbitrarily conclude that this jade is related to the succession, but it is related to human life. I cannot sit idly by and ignore it, knowing it and not repaying it.

I hope my mentor can help me."

"Okay, after I go to court, I will recommend you to go to the National History Library for verification."

"Thank you, mentor."

"Shilin, you are my favorite disciple, and I will not get along with you in an official capacity. Investigating the tributes is a serious matter, so you must be careful and follow it carefully. If you have any difficulties, you can discuss it with me."

"Young students should remember their teacher's teachings."

Shi Lin did not go to court to see Gu Zhong, but waited for Gu Zhong outside the palace gate. He stood there for several hours until Gu Zhong left the palace gate, and he hurriedly greeted him.

"Your Majesty Xu Shilin comes to see Gu Xiangguo." He bowed specially in front of other officials.

"Sir Xu, when I learned that you have been looking for me for a long time, I followed me to the Prime Minister's Mansion to continue." Gu Zhong said in front of the ministers.

"But Gu Xiangguo, don't you want to..." Before Shi Lin could finish his words, he was interrupted by Gu Zhong.

"Stop talking, you will find out when you return home with me." Gu Zhong whispered. Then the two of them left in a sedan chair.

"Master Cao, you see how strange it is that Master Xu did not go to the palace when he came to the capital, but only looked for Gu Xiangguo." Chen Jinde, the Minister of Personnel, muttered.

"Who knows, this Xu Shilin has always been in the capital for no reason, so if he doesn't go to the palace today, it must be nothing serious. It may just be a reminiscence between teachers and students." Cao Duo, the Minister of Punishment, responded as he looked at the two people walking away.

Zuo Xiangfu.

"Teacher, why don't you recommend Wansheng to go to the National History Library?" Shi Lin was puzzled.

"You can't go." Gu Zhong replied deeply.

"I was born ignorant late in life. I don't know why. I hope my teacher will make it clear." Shi Lin was surprised, and Gu Zhong suddenly regretted it.

"If I really let you go today, the consequences would be disastrous."

"What consequences?"

"Look, just now you were waiting for me outside the palace gate, and some ministers were talking about it. If I see you today, I'm afraid you will be in trouble before you finish your work."

"Does the teacher already know about it?"

"Well, it really surprised me."

"Teacher, please tell the truth."

"Before I went to court, I sent people to Yicui Garden to investigate and found the old palace maid who served the Crown Princess. What do you think I learned?"

"Teacher, please tell me."

"According to the old palace maid, before the emperor ascended the throne, that is, when he was still the crown prince, he personally gave the mutton-fat white jade given by the late emperor to the crown princess Yu. Empress Rencheng originally had a nickname.

It’s called Xiyu, the ‘rain’ of rain.”

"Xiyu, Yu, that's right. Master, look at this jade pendant, Fengniao and Yu, aren't they Queen Rencheng? This jade pendant does belong to the queen."

"That's right. Shilin, where did you get this jade pendant?"

"Teacher, now that things have come to this, I don't dare to lie to you. Please listen to me." So, Shi Lin told Gu Zhong the whole story.

"This matter is not trivial. If investigated, it will implicate many people and even subvert the entire harem." After hearing this, Gu Zhong was horrified.

"This late student also knows this, so he doesn't dare to act rashly and comes to discuss with his mentor."

"You have indeed posed a big problem for me. I must weigh the importance. If you are not careful, it will bring an unprecedented disaster to the entire court."

"It seems that my mentor already has something in mind?"

"I can't make a conclusion yet. This alone cannot be used as strong evidence. This matter needs to be investigated slowly and secretly. Shilin, I know that you can distinguish between good and evil, and you fight against the strong and help the weak, but this matter is nothing.

It's a big deal, and you must have considered it in your mind. Listen to my words, don't wet your hands when the boat is done, and the wild geese returning south will never forget the north."

"Teacher, do you want me to calm down?"

"Three feet of ice does not last in a day, and the rise and fall of a dynasty does not happen overnight. As ministers, we must pay attention to the overall situation, and anything that harms the court is not allowed to happen. I also know that there are many hidden things in this

There is so much blood, tears and injustice, but how many people can truly be freed from it? It requires a huge price to pay, do you think it is worth it? Aren't you worried about her?"

"Is she going to remain anonymous for the rest of her life, living outside without being able to return home?"

"Home, if there are no relatives of hers in that home and there are enemies everywhere, it would be better not to return. At least she will be safe outside."

"Teacher, you already know everything?"

"I have been an official in the government all my life. I can guess some things without going into details. Shilin, it's not that I am afraid of getting into trouble and dare not uphold justice. It's just that the current situation does not allow for the slightest shake. If you turn it over, you will be a boatload of people. To you,

The Holy One is even more unfavorable. Do you think I can do anything about it?"

"Teacher, but...".

"Stop talking and protect her. I believe I can return her to justice one day, but not now."

Shilin couldn't say anything more. Gu Zhong's words made his originally resentful heart suddenly become confused. As a minister, he should take the overall situation into consideration. Even if there is a huge injustice in front of him, he is too small at this moment.

, if you insist on going your own way, I am afraid that as Gu Zhong said, the consequences will be so serious that even Yuyan's life will not be saved, which will further let down the heavy responsibility entrusted to Aunt Liu.

Shilin said goodbye to Gu Zhong and returned to his room. He lay on the bed and couldn't fall asleep for a long time. He thought of what Gu'an said. What would happen if he won the first prize? Even if he was an official in the court, the powerful Prime Minister could not calm down.

There was an unjust case, and the superior emperor was unable to protect his wife and daughter. If he listened to Gu Zhong and settled the matter, would it really be considered loyal to the court? Nowadays, treacherous ministers are in power, and the right minister Cao Gan is the queen of the court because of his own daughter.

Together with his son Cao Duo, the Minister of Punishment, they monopolized power in the court and dominated the court. Even Gu Zhong was in awe of them. He was just a governor, and even the daily memorials were subject to their constraints. How could he tell the truth?

What about submitting it? Gu Xiangguo didn't allow himself to check the national examination. Without strong evidence, it was impossible to find out the truth. He closed his eyes as he thought about it.

"Sir Xu...Sir Xu." I seemed to hear someone calling vaguely.

"Who is it?" Shilin opened his eyes and saw a figure standing in front of him, and he immediately stood up.

"Who are you?" Shilin stepped closer.

"I am Concubine Yu." The faint wind blew away the veil of the figure, and a beautiful but pale face appeared in front of Shi Lin. The red rouge was exactly the same as Yu Rouge.

"Concubine Yu? Shilin was startled and took a few steps back.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"I have met your empress," Shi Lin said in salute.

"No, Lord Wenquxing is here, you deserve my respect." Concubine Yu bowed.

"My Majesty, I cannot do without this gift. Did you come here specifically to see me?"

"I've been waiting for sixteen years, it's so hard." Concubine Yu wept.

"My Lady, don't be sad. If you need to serve me as a subordinate, please just say it's okay."
To be continued...