People are easily deceived, but heaven is difficult to deceive
Mei Juansheng flicked his sword to parry, breaking Gu Qiuhan's offensive. Following that, he launched three swift sword strikes. Gu Qiuhan blocked the three strikes and leaped into the air, delivering a powerful downward slash. His techniques were still sharp, and he followed up with a series of kicks. Mei Juansheng had no choice but to retreat two steps before advancing again with his sword. The two engaged in a fierce exchange, each taking turns to attack and defend, truly a battle of equals.
Mei Juansheng's face showed displeasure as he raised his cup and said, "No matter what else is said, it is of no use. This last cup shall be regarded as a farewell drink; it is time for us to have a conclusion between us." Gu Qiuhan hesitated slightly, then raised his cup and drank it all in one go. Mei Juansheng went to the wall and took down a sword and a knife, throwing the knife to Gu Qiuhan, knowing that Gu Qiuhan was skilled with a knife.
Shen Bisha was inexplicably captivated by someone, at which point Gu Qiuhan found it strange. With Liu Gui's lightness skill, it was difficult to ascend the stairs without Shen Bisha noticing. If it were Mei Juansheng, it would be a different story.
The prison guard scoffed and said angrily, "For a beast like you, it is only right to go hungry for a few days and suffer a bit, especially since you do not even spare defenseless women." Gu Qiuhan swallowed hard, no longer speaking, and lay back down on the straw, feeling extremely frustrated.
Mu Tianxiong led a large group, surrounding the Minister's residence so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through. To prevent Gu Qiuhan from employing the same tricks again, Mu Tianxiong positioned himself among the officers and instructed them that upon seeing the two individuals, no words were to be exchanged, and they were to be killed without question. However, as soon as they entered the main gate, they encountered Gu Qiuhan and Liu Jing coming out to meet them. Gu Qiuhan said as he walked, "Do not harm the innocent; we will submit to your disposal." Mu Tianxiong laughed heartily among the crowd, saying, "You are quite perceptive. The Minister's residence has already been surrounded by me; do not think you can escape. Surrender obediently, and you may live a few more days." Several officers rushed forward, binding the two tightly and leading them away.
Gu Qiuhan and Liu Jing could not see the hourglass, leaving no room for doubt; they both craned their necks to look, their faces revealing signs of anxiety. The executioner removed the death warrant for the two and presented it to Hu Weiyong. Hu Weiyong made a mark with a red pen and threw it to the ground. The two executioners first held down their heads, while the other two raised their execution knives, ready to strike. Suddenly, Gu Qiuhan let out a loud shout, bent his elbow, and charged, knocking over the executioner. He then freed his head and crashed it into the side of the executioner who was about to behead Liu Jing. Although he was encumbered by shackles, making his movements quite difficult, he managed to severely injure the two executioners with all his strength, but he himself fell to the ground.
Gu Qiuhan, who brutally killed an unarmed woman, is regarded as a heinous criminal and is to be executed at a quarter past noon. During this period, according to regulations, they should have their handcuffs removed, be given a meal and drink, and have the opportunity to bid farewell to their family. However, Hu Weiyong deprived them of their "last drink before execution." Liu Jing has no relatives in Yingtian, but Gu Qiuhan's old steward came with a food box, tears streaming down his face, to bid farewell.
On that day, Zhang Minzhong and Gu Qiuhan were worried that Hu Weiyong had set up an ambush to intercept Zhang Minzhong from entering the palace, and they were at a loss as to what to do. Suddenly, Liu Jing proposed a plan. When he had just unearthed the will from underground, Liu Jing discovered that it was not his father's handwriting at all. At that moment, he was grave, thinking that his father was a founding hero who had been with Zhu Yuanzhang for many years and was praised by Zhu Yuanzhang as "my son Fang." How could Zhu Yuanzhang not be familiar with his father's handwriting? If this will were to be presented, Zhu Yuanzhang would certainly be able to discern its authenticity. At that time, not only would they fail to bring down Hu Weiyong, but they would also likely be charged with the crime of deceiving the emperor. Just as everyone was unsure how to deliver this document to Zhu Yuanzhang, a flash of inspiration struck Liu Jing's mind; he was capable of imitating his father's handwriting. Thus, he forged another will. Of course, the one found in the portrait of Shen Bitiao was also likely not genuine.
At this moment, the crowd had no time to consider the authenticity of the matter. Zhang Minzhong, holding two copies of the will, feigned allegiance to Hu Weiyong and instructed Mu Tianxiong to capture Gu and Liu at his home, in order to gain Hu Weiyong's trust. Consequently, he carried the forged will of Liu Jing and entered the palace smoothly alongside Hu Weiyong. After the dispersal, Hu Weiyong went to the prison to mock Gu Qiuhan, while Zhang Minzhong seized the opportunity to re-enter the Forbidden City and sought an audience with Zhu Yuanzhang, presenting the will and explaining the situation in detail. Zhu Yuanzhang had always placed great trust in Liu Bowen's talents and strategies. Upon seeing that the will was indeed written in Liu Bowen's own hand, the list of accusations made his heart race with fear, as this was related to his empire and state; how could he afford to take it lightly? After the dispersal, Hu Weiyong went to the prison to mock Gu Qiuhan, while Zhang Minzhong seized the opportunity to re-enter the Forbidden City and sought an audience with Zhu Yuanzhang, presenting the will and explaining the situation in detail. Zhu Yuanzhang had always placed great trust in Liu Bowen's talents and strategies. Upon seeing that the will was indeed written in Liu Bowen's own hand, the list of accusations made his heart race with fear, as this was related to his empire and state; how could he afford to take it lightly? He immediately dispatched someone to summon Hu Weiyong's close associate, the Deputy Censor-in-Chief Tu Jie, overnight, and threw the will in front of him. After reading the will, Tu Jie was so frightened that his soul seemed to leave his body, for he had been involved in many matters but was unaware of Hu Weiyong's treachery. He then confessed orally to the numerous charges listed in the will in order to redeem himself. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and decided at that moment to spare no effort to eradicate the traitorous faction, which led to the scene of Zhang Minzhong leading the guards to the execution ground to capture Hu Weiyong and Mu Tianxiong.
The old steward seemed to understand yet not understand, scratching his head, and with tears in his eyes said, "But, young master, you are about to be executed by questioning." Gu Qiuhan smiled faintly and replied, "It is not that there is no retribution, the time has not yet come." He then ignored him, finished eating and drinking with Liu Jing, and dismissed the old steward.
Two individuals stepped outside. Mei Juansheng flicked his finger on the sword blade, causing the sword to hum and vibrate, producing a clear sound. Gu Qiuhan held his sword horizontally in front of him and said loudly, "Please proceed." Mei Juansheng executed a sword technique and thrust out a diagonal strike. Gu Qiuhan felt a slight surprise; although they had not fought before, he knew that Mei Juansheng's swordsmanship was extraordinary and that he was a well-known figure in the martial world. However, this strike did not reveal any particular uniqueness. He casually parried, and with a sound of "clang," the long sword was deflected upwards by more than two feet. Gu Qiuhan felt a slight surprise again; although they had not fought before, he knew that Mei Juansheng's swordsmanship was extraordinary and that he was a well-known figure in the martial world. However, this strike did not reveal any particular uniqueness. He casually parried, and with a sound of "clang," the long sword was deflected upwards by more than two feet. Gu Qiuhan thought that Mei Juansheng was merely testing his strength and had not used his full power. Just as he had this thought, he saw Mei Juansheng's sword tip suddenly dip and swiftly chop down. Gu Qiuhan was startled and stepped back to evade, but Mei Juansheng's sword momentum slowed down, and he calmly sliced towards Gu Qiuhan's left hand. Gu Qiuhan withdrew his wrist and quickly launched a counterattack, the blade sweeping out like a ribbon.
Gu Qiuhan grabbed the wine jug and took several big gulps, laughing heartily: "Isn't this the jar of Luofuchun that I buried underground? I had planned to drink it during the Mid-Autumn Festival next year, so why did you take the liberty to open it now?" Looking at him, there was not a trace of fear or sadness in his demeanor
The two were taken into the governor's prison and locked up in a single cell. Mu Tianxiong had tossed and turned all night, and at this moment, he was both tired and exhausted, collapsing into bed to sleep, thus sparing Gu Qiuhan from a bout of physical suffering. The two of them looked at each other, both with bruised faces, their appearance quite terrifying, which involuntarily made them burst into laughter.
Liu Jing urged his horse forward and suddenly exclaimed, "Take good care of Miss Shen for me!" The two were taken aback simultaneously and couldn't help but exchange glances. From Liu Jing's tone, it seemed as if he regarded them as a couple, and he himself, surprisingly, seemed to have feelings for Shen Bisha as well
Mei Juansheng suddenly burst into laughter, laughing while loosening her hair bun. She turned around and said: "Do you think my back looks somewhat like Shen Bisha's?"
Shen Bisha's neck flushed with a hint of pink, and she hurriedly averted her gaze, saying randomly, "Another good friend has left." The reason she said "another" was that before Liu Jing, there was also a Thirteen, and after Liu Jing, it would most likely be herself. Gu Qiuhan, upon hearing the word "friend," suddenly felt a flicker of sadness in his eyes. After a moment of thought, he said, "I am going to Yumei Mountain Villa to fulfill a wish. You go in first." Shen Bisha immediately guessed what he intended to do and said, "I will go with you." Gu Qiuhan shook his head, squinting his eyes as he gazed at the trail of smoke left by Liu Jing, "Let me handle this myself." Shen Bisha understood Gu Qiuhan's temperament; since he said he would handle it himself, it meant he was determined to do so. Forcing herself to accompany him would only cause him more distress.
Mei Juansheng said: "It is merely me donning the outer garment of deep blue silk, leading you into the realm of the unknown."
Gu Qiuhan surprisingly did not refuse, resting his hand on the windowsill, he leaped inside. The two of them arrived at the Eight Immortals table, sitting opposite each other. Mei Juansheng filled a cup for him and said, "Try my newly brewed plum wine." Gu Qiuhan gazed at the clear liquor in the cup, countless memories flooding his mind. Mei Juansheng forced a smile and said, "There is no poison in the wine; I am not despicable enough to stoop to that level." Once upon a time, the two of them would drink together, admire the plum blossoms, and share their innermost thoughts, but now, they could only regard each other with suspicion.
Liu Jing laughed heartily, "It is better to arrive at the right moment than to arrive early. If I can bring the notorious traitor Hu Weiyong to justice, then sacrificing my life would be worth it."
Mei Juansheng chuckled and said, "I have never aspired to be a sage. The reason I have not taken direct action is due to many factors. Initially, it was out of compassion, and after Lu Li's failure, I felt that I also lacked the confidence to defeat you. Striking first would only alert the snake in the grass, thereby losing the opportunity for a covert attack."
Yumei Mountain Villa is no different, Mei Juansheng stands by the window holding a jade cup, lost in thought as he gazes at the distant undulating mountains, allowing the chilly spring breeze to tousle his hair. It is not until Gu Qiuhan's figure fully appears before him that he awakens from his reverie and smiles, saying: "I heard you have been wronged and have cleared your name. As an old friend, I should have come to congratulate you, but I chose to stay here and wait for you instead." Gu Qiuhan also smiles, yet both of them wear a smile that feels forced.
Hu Weiyong never understood until his death why Zhang Minzhong, who had pledged loyalty to him, dared to turn against him so audaciously. Moreover, the will of Liu Bowen had clearly been torn to pieces by himself, yet the will presented by the emperor later, although the paper and the listed charges were similar, had completely different handwriting. Which one is true and which one is false
Hu Weiyong looked at the two and teased, "How is it? Are you getting used to living here? If not, it doesn't matter; tomorrow at noon, you will be moving to another place." Next to him, Mu Tianxiong chimed in, "Indeed, the Emperor has invited you to the Pichang Temple; that place is excellent, haha"
Gu Qiuhan raised his cup, took a sip, and praised, "Hmm, not bad." Everything has changed, yet the taste of this wine remains the same as before
Meihua Wu remains as tranquil and profound as ever, yet the flowering season has passed, no longer exhibiting the grandeur of blooming in the snow and exuding fragrance in the cold. Perhaps, as Liu Jing from wwwhetushu.com stated, everything has ended so quietly and imperceptibly.
Suddenly, Hu Weiyong shouted, "The time has come, execute the order!" At this moment, it was still not yet 12:15, but Hu Weiyong, seeing the clouds parting and sunlight breaking through, decided to carry out the execution early. According to the theories of the Yin-Yang school, at 12:30, a person's shadow is at its shortest and the Yang energy is at its peak. Executing at this time can cause the soul to scatter and the spirit to perish, preventing the deceased from becoming a ghost, thus they cannot entangle with those related to them. Hu Weiyong, fully aware that Gu Qiuhan was wronged, could not help but feel guilty. As he watched the sunlight suddenly appear, soon to be obscured by another cloud, he falsely reported the time to ensure that the midday sunlight would disperse the negative energy surrounding Gu Qiuhan's death. According to the theories of the Yin-Yang school, at 12:30, a person's shadow is at its shortest and the Yang energy is at its peak. Executing at this time can cause the soul to scatter and the spirit to perish, preventing the deceased from becoming a ghost, thus they cannot entangle with those related to them. Hu Weiyong, fully aware that Gu Qiuhan was wronged, could not help but feel guilty. As he watched the sunlight suddenly appear, soon to be obscured by another cloud, he falsely reported the time to ensure that the midday sunlight would disperse the negative energy surrounding Gu Qiuhan's death.
The two fought fiercely for over a hundred exchanges, yet neither could gain the upper hand. Both secretly admired each other's martial prowess. In the past, they would have taken great pride in this, but now they were nothing short of sworn enemies. After another hundred or so exchanges, both were drenched in sweat, their strength waning, and their movements no longer as swift as before. Suddenly, Mei Juansheng thrust his sword forward, and Gu Qiuhan summoned his remaining strength to parry. The clash of blade and sword produced a resonant sound, yet neither could maintain their grip, and both weapons flew into the air.
The former Minister of Justice Liu Weiqian was implicated in the Hu Party case, while Zhang Minzhong was entrusted with significant responsibilities, taking charge of the Ministry of Justice. Together with the Supreme Court and the Censorate, they jointly investigated the case of Hu Weiyong. Faced with the posthumous letter of Liu Bowen and numerous pieces of evidence, Hu Weiyong confessed without reservation and admitted to hiring Lü Li to murder Shen Bitiao. Of course, he did not anticipate that Lü Li would suddenly come up with the idea of framing Gu Qiuhan, and it was precisely this misstep that led Gu Qiuhan to risk his life in pursuit of the truth, ultimately forcing Hu Weiyong into a desperate situation
Liu Jing laughed and said, "The saddest thing in life is to bear a bad reputation even after death; the saddest of all, do you know what it is?" Gu Qiuhan replied irritably, "It's dying unjustly like me." Liu Jing laughed heartily and said, "Wrong, can you be worse off than me? At least there are two good girls who like you, while I still don't know what it feels like to be liked by someone." Gu Qiuhan rolled his eyes at him and said, "Nonsense." Liu Jing said seriously, "Can't you see? Actually, Shisan and Bisha both like you very much." Gu Qiuhan sighed and said, "Wrong, can you be worse off than me? At least there are two good girls who like you, while I still don't know what it feels like to be liked by someone." Gu Qiuhan rolled his eyes at him and said, "Nonsense." Liu Jing said seriously, "Can't you see? Actually, Shisan and Bisha both like you very much." Gu Qiuhan sighed, neither admitting nor arguing.
At this point, the two had already disregarded life and death, chatting and laughing until their eyelids grew heavy, and they fell asleep on the thatch. When they woke up, their stomachs were growling. Gu Qiuhan pounded on the bars and called out to the jailer, "Why haven't you brought us food yet? Are you trying to starve us to death? Even if I am sentenced to death, I should at least be taken to the execution ground to face that blade. What reason do you have for being so indifferent?" The execution ground he referred to is where prisoners are beheaded.
Mei Juansheng said: "Are you satisfied now? In less than two months, over ten thousand people have lost their lives, and every day someone is led to the execution ground. Everyone associated with Hu Weiyong lives in fear, wondering who will be next. This is all thanks to you! And what have you gained? Cleared of grievances, promoted, and enriched?" He was no longer calm, growing more agitated as he spoke, pointing towards the southeast, he continued: "The person sitting high in the Forbidden City is the ultimate beneficiary. With the chancellor abolished, he will no longer be subject to any constraints, and all power will be in his hands!" And what have you gained? Cleared of grievances, promoted, and enriched?" He was no longer calm, growing more agitated as he spoke, pointing towards the southeast, he continued: "The person sitting high in the Forbidden City is the ultimate beneficiary. With the chancellor abolished, he will no longer be subject to any constraints, and all power will be in his hands!"
Just as they were feeling a deep sense of sorrow, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the fence, followed by a hearty burst of laughter. "Hahaha, you little brat, did you ever think that the person you trust the most would betray you?" It was the voice of Hu Weiyong. The two of them stood up, their fists cracking ominously; had it not been for the iron bars separating them, they would have surely lunged forward to tear Hu Weiyong to shreds.
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The former official of the Ministry of Justice, Gu Qiuhan, has been poisoned by the Hu faction, suffering from wrongful accusations and humiliation. However, if he can rise up without fear of life or death, bravely resist, ultimately expose their treachery, eliminate their harm, and clear his name, his contributions will benefit the state. Therefore, Gu Qiuhan is specially promoted to the position of Deputy Minister of Justice, effective immediately. It is hoped that he will continue to diligently fulfill his duties and serve the country with dedication. On the first day of the second month in the thirteenth year of Hongwu
A decree was issued, and Gu Qiuhan filled the vacancy left by Zhang Minzhong, becoming the Deputy Minister of Justice. Shen Bisha and Liu Jing both congratulated him. Of course, Shen Bisha was not dead; she was severely injured at the time and could not withstand the suffering of imprisonment, so Zhang Minzhong hid her away and told a lie to Hu Weiyong.
Hu Weiyong and Mu Tianxiong both laughed heartily and instructed the jailer, "This young master Gu still has the energy to argue, so he doesn't need to be fed dinner tonight." The jailer replied, "Yes, my lord." Hu Weiyong and Mu Tianxiong swaggered out of the death row cell, while Liu Jing spat at their retreating figures. Since Hu Weiyong had already finished his shift, it must be at least the beginning of the third watch, no wonder the two were hungry; they had slept until late. The two lay back down on the thatch, too lazy to move again. Since Hu Weiyong had already finished his shift, it must be at least the beginning of the third watch, no wonder the two were hungry; they had slept until late. The two lay back down on the thatch, too lazy to move again.
As Liu Jing was mentioned, Gu Qiuhan couldn't help but think of Shisan, and a wave of emotions surged within him. To be honest, he preferred Shisan; it felt like a destined connection. Ever since Gu Qiuhan first kidnapped her in the carriage, he was struck by her resentful gaze and ethereal demeanor. The various experiences they shared in the mountains further deepened this vague affection. However, now her identity, her family background, and her entire being were a mystery to Gu Qiuhan, making him feel that the distance between them was growing ever wider. After Shisan was taken away by Old Du, Gu Qiuhan felt that they would never meet again in this lifetime.
Mei Juansheng smiled and said: "I originally thought the matter would be simple, having Lu Li kill Shen Bitao and find that will. But this fellow did not find the will; instead, he acted smart and framed you. Therefore, I played along and had him infiltrate the Yun Jin Inn to kill you, creating the illusion that you took your own life out of guilt. The result, however, was that Lu Li died at your hands. I had no choice but to continue seeking someone to deal with you. If I hadn't truly believed that you knew where the will was hidden, in the tomb of Master Baozhi, I could have successfully killed you by now. You probably still do not know that it was I who captivated you and Shen Bisha; the Six Soul Spirits were merely responsible for guarding."
Everyone dismounted in unison. Zhang Minzhong let out a snort, unfolded the yellow silk paper in his hand, and proclaimed loudly: "Hu Weiyong and Mu Tianxiong, receive the imperial edict!" Upon seeing that it was indeed the imperial decree, Hu and Mu did not dare to be negligent and both knelt down. Zhang Minzhong publicly read: "The decree states that the Left Chancellor Hu Weiyong, since taking office, has abused his position for personal gain, deceiving both superiors and subordinates; he has monopolized imperial commands, formed factions for personal interests; he has distorted the law and slandered the virtuous, undermining politics; he has treated human lives as mere grass, using his power to harm others; furthermore, he has harbored intentions of rebellion, betraying the imperial grace, and is intolerable to heaven and earth, inciting the wrath of both man and deity. Additionally, the Inspector General of the Imperial Guard, Mu Tianxiong, has sought favor with the chaotic faction, disregarding the law, assisting tyranny, and greatly increasing wrongful imprisonment. Now, these two individuals are to be immediately detained, dismissed from their positions, and investigated to rectify the court's order."
Upon reading the decree, the onlookers immediately erupted in an uproar, engaging in private discussions. This sudden turn of events greatly exceeded the expectations of Hu Weiyong and Mu Tianxiong, both of whom cried out in injustice. Hu Weiyong exclaimed, "The imperial edict must be fake; I want to see the Emperor!" It was as if he had fallen from the sky to the ground, unable to bear such a tremendous contrast. Zhang Minzhong presented the decree before him, sneering, "Look closely." Hu Weiyong saw that the decree was adorned with auspicious clouds and auspicious cranes, resplendent and magnificent, with silver dragon patterns at both ends. He immediately let out a wail and collapsed to the ground.
Gu Qiuhan felt a deep chill in her heart. In the past, she only wanted to uncover the truth and preserve her life. However, it now seemed that the humiliation she suffered from being wronged was far more excruciating than enduring a thousand or ten thousand cuts.
Hu Weiyong was executed by lingchi for conspiracy, and hundreds were killed alongside him. In the following decade, the number of those executed continued to rise, reaching over 30,000. Among the founding heroes who were implicated and either died or had their titles revoked posthumously were Li Shanchang, Zhao Yong, Marquis of Nanhong, Zheng Yuchun, Marquis of Xingyang, Zhu Liangzu, Marquis of Yongjia, and others, totaling one duke and twenty-one marquises. Zhu Yuanzhang also composed the "Record of Treacherous Parties" to announce to the world. After Hu Weiyong's execution, the position of Prime Minister became vacant. Zhu Yuanzhang took the opportunity to abolish the Prime Minister's office under the pretext of misrule, disbanded the Secretariat, and strictly stipulated that the heir apparent could not appoint a Prime Minister again. Anyone who dared to petition for an appointment would face severe punishment. After the abolition of the Prime Minister's office, its affairs were managed by six ministries. Amidst the widespread slaughter, Zhu Yuanzhang quietly consolidated his supreme power.
Gu Qiuhan raised her head and said, "Oh, what's the rush? Why not stay a few more days?" Liu Jing shook his head and said with a hint of emotion, "In just over two months, we have faced life and death together. This will be the most unforgettable period of my life. In the future, we will each have our own lives. Once everything is over, let us start anew as soon as possible." Though his words were brief, they were thought-provoking. Gu Qiuhan lowered her head, lost in contemplation and speechless. In the future, we will each have our own lives. Once everything is over, let us start anew as soon as possible. Though his words were brief, they were thought-provoking. Gu Qiuhan lowered her head, lost in contemplation and speechless.
Mu Tianxiong looked at them with satisfaction, not stopping them, secretly laughing to himself: "These two little brats must be furious, haha, let them curse to their heart's content, once they are in prison, I will deal with them later"
"Where are the people of Yumei Mountain Villa?" Gu Qiuhan asked, as he entered through the main gate and walked all the way to this elegant residence without seeing a single person. Mei Juansheng replied lightly, "They have been dismissed." Gu Qiuhan was slightly taken aback and sighed, "Did you know I would come to find you?" Mei Juansheng shook his head, "I did not know, but since I secretly assisted Hu Weiyong in dealing with you, I have been waiting for this day." He gestured, "Come in, let us have a few drinks."
The two individuals had thus starved for an entire night. By noon the next day, Mu Tianxiong led the imperial guards to bring the two out of the dungeon, affixing the wanted notice, and placing them in neck, hand, and foot shackles, before throwing them into a prisoner cart and escorting them to the execution grounds. It seems that a notice had been posted yesterday, as the area around the execution site was teeming with people, and along with those following the prisoner cart, there were actually over a thousand individuals. Hu Weiyong personally took charge, dressed in a complete set of official attire, draped in a large red cloak, and seated in the position of the execution supervisor.
Mei Juansheng let out a bitter smile, as if mocking, "Between friends, it is originally about mutual use; those without utility value surely cannot make friends." Regarding this statement, it is unclear whether Gu Qiuhan agrees or disagrees. He took a heavy gulp of wine and said, "Hu Weiyong does not recognize the people of the Jianghu; 'Half a Knife' Lu Li, the Six Ghosts of Soul Searching, along with the books and that landlord fellow, must have all been brought by you, right? You are in black and white, coming together to deal with me at the same time"
Gu Qiuhan said: "In the absence of being able to find the will, I devised a plan to lure the snake out of its hole. I deliberately told you that I had found the will and sent it to Deputy Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Justice, precisely to convey this message to Hu Weiyong through you, enticing him to send someone to steal the will, and then capture them on the spot, interrogating them to uncover the mastermind behind it, namely Hu Weiyong. In fact, at that time, I had not even seen a trace of the will; regrettably, this scheme ultimately failed."
What have you done to Bisha? She knelt in the tomb, looking dazed, and even when I called her, she did not respond, instead getting up and rushing into the back room. This has also been a question that has troubled Gu Qiuhan for a long time.
It is a cold winter day, with the northwesterly wind blowing unobstructed, cutting through like a knife against the face. A few clouds drift in the sky, just enough to block the sunlight, creating a chilling atmosphere between heaven and earth. Both Hu Weiyong and Mu Tianxiong wear smiles on their faces, while the onlooking commoners have cold, disdainful gazes.
Mei Juansheng's swordsmanship is indeed peculiar, alternating between tight and loose, appearing casual and unrestrained, as if each strike is effortlessly adapted to the opponent's changing moves, yet it does not show any signs of awkwardness. Gu Qiuhan's martial arts, on the other hand, are much more eclectic, often employing a combination of various knife techniques, executing several moves from the 'Spring and Autumn Knife Technique', followed by a few from the 'Six Harmonies Knife Technique', and occasionally interspersing with moves from the 'Earth Hall Knife Technique', darting left and right, jumping up and down, busily engaged in the fray.
Gu Qiuhan shouted angrily: "Zhang Minzhong, you treacherous scoundrel, how could we have trusted you, only to find that we entrusted our hopes to the wrong person? You are nothing but a beast in human clothing, utterly worse than pigs and dogs!" Liu Jing also cursed: "I should have known that officials protect one another. That Zhang, pretending to be a gentleman, is nothing but a sycophant at heart. He and Hu Weiyong deserve a terrible fate!"
Mu Tianxiong shouted angrily: "Bold thief, how dare you disrupt the execution site!" With a wave of his arm, the imperial guards and soldiers guarding the execution site immediately rushed towards the two. At that moment, a sudden sound of galloping hooves was heard, and the onlooking crowd hurriedly stepped aside. A group of horsemen charged directly into the area, led by none other than Zhang Minzhong. Following him was a group of military officials, each strong and imposing, exuding an air of authority. Hu Weiyong, sensing the gravity of the situation, left his seat and approached with a smile, saying: "Does Lord Zhang also have an interest in witnessing the execution?"
Mei Juansheng asked, "When did you start to doubt me?" He finally brought up a topic that should not have arisen among friends. Gu Qiuhan involuntarily shuddered, her eyes like cold stars, fixed on his face, and replied, "Wherever I go, there will always be assassins or imperial guards arriving in a timely manner, and at that time, only you knew my whereabouts. However, I still did not expect you would betray me until that time I sent you to the governor's office to see Shen Bitiao's corpse, agreeing to meet you outside Linggu Temple. I was attacked by the imperial guards, and when I descended the mountain, I encountered you. You said you saw Lü Li's corpse at the governor's office, but after we parted, I passed by Yun Jin Inn and happened to see the officials carrying out the innkeeper and Lü Li's corpse. At that moment, I was truly shocked, realizing that your visit to the governor's office was likely just to report me to Mu Tianxiong, revealing my appearance outside Linggu Temple. The reason you told me you saw Lü Li's corpse at the governor's office was probably to prevent me from becoming suspicious, but unexpectedly, this superfluous action allowed me to see your true colors. Therefore, I became cautious of that landlord and was not knocked out by his knockout drug, and since then, I have had no further contact with you.
Gu Qiuhan not only successfully cleared his name but also ascended to a prominent position in one fell swoop. To anyone else, this would be a cause for celebration; however, Gu Qiuhan felt disheartened. The case of Hu Dang had indeed implicated too many people, causing widespread fear both within and outside the court. The capital, Jing Tian, had seemingly turned into a city of slaughter, which was completely contrary to his original intentions. "The wrath of heaven has left a million corpses and rivers of blood for a thousand miles." This statement made by Tang Sui to King Qin fifteen hundred years ago is indeed the most fitting description of today's Hu Weiyong case.
The old steward wiped his tears and said: "Who will drink it next Mid-Autumn Festival? Young Master, that day you said you were going out to handle affairs, how did you end up in this blood disaster? You have no dealings with Shen Bitiao, why did you suddenly have the intent to kill?" Gu Qiuhan tore off two goose legs, giving one to Liu Jing, and while chewing, said: "Do not speak nonsense, I did not kill Shen Bitiao." The old steward raised his tearful eyes and said in a daze: "The notice clearly states it, could it be false?" Gu Qiuhan smiled and said: "You have been loyal and honest your whole life, how could you understand the malice of human hearts? In this world, there will always be some people who distort right and wrong, muddling black and white." As he said this, he glanced at Hu Weiyong and coldly laughed: "However, they will ultimately receive the punishment they deserve"
Liu Jing seemed quite interested and asked, "Between the two of them, who do you actually like?" Gu Qiuhan, unable to endure any longer, retorted, "I prefer you, Young Master Liu. With death looming, you are still so talkative." Liu Jing replied with a pained expression, "I rarely speak; am I not allowed to say a few more words before I die?" The two exchanged glances and burst into laughter
The most painful issue for Gu Qiuhan in recent days has been this. He sighed and said, "To be honest, I just want to clear my name and live an ordinary life, rather than being pursued by the authorities today and hunted by the underworld tomorrow. I never expected that the Hu Weiyong case would implicate so many people and cost so many innocent lives, but Hu Weiyong definitely deserves his fate."
Liu Jing said: "After I die, if I can transform into a vengeful spirit or a fierce ghost, I will definitely seek revenge on that group of scoundrels." Gu Qiuhan laughed and said: "Once they reach the underworld, we will not have peace again." Liu Jing replied: "In the underworld, what authority do they still have to act tyrannically? The King of Hell will not grant them high positions and rich rewards anymore." Gu Qiuhan clapped in agreement and said: "This statement is reasonable"
Gu Qiuhan coldly laughed and said, "Dog thief, do not be too pleased too early!" Hu Weiyong arrogantly replied, "Pleased? Am I not qualified to be pleased? I, Hu Weiyong, am beneath one person and above ten thousand, and all the civil and military officials in the court strive to curry favor with me, to please me. Do you think Zhang Minzhong would be an exception? When you reach the underworld, you can regret it then." Gu Qiuhan looked at him, his eyes filled with sympathy, as if the situations of the two were exactly the opposite. Gu Qiuhan said, "You know in your heart what you have done. You can deceive people, but you cannot deceive heaven; you will surely face retribution."
Gu Qiuhan was momentarily taken aback and said in a deep voice: "So it is you!"
Mu Tianxiong, in a frenzy, reached out to seize the imperial edict. A military officer behind Zhang Min moved like lightning, grabbing his arm and pulling him inward, then flinging him to the right. Mu Tianxiong, who had originally been kneeling on the ground, immediately fell over. The military officer stepped on his head and commanded, "Bind him." The other military officers rushed forward, securely binding both Hu and Mu.
Gu Qiuhan and Liu Jing had already risen, smiling at all of this. When they saw the military officer make his move, Gu Qiuhan's mind suddenly stirred. Although he did not know what technique the military officer was using, it felt particularly familiar, as if he had just witnessed it not long ago. While he was lost in thought, Zhang Min came over and patted him, apologetically saying: "Last night, I finally found the opportunity to present the will to the Emperor. After the Emperor reviewed it and verified the facts, he summoned the Hanlin Academician to draft the decree, which is why I was late and almost caused the two of you to lose your lives." For this moment, Gu Qiuhan had endured numerous hardships and made great sacrifices, yet when this moment arrived, he could not bring himself to feel excited.
Gu Qiuhan swallowed hard, and had to admit that Mei Juansheng was indeed a formidable opponent. After a pause, he asked, "Before you mistakenly believed that I was hiding the will, why didn't you take matters into your own hands and kill me yourself, instead of sending useless pawns to their deaths? If you had confronted me openly, I would have regarded you as an enemy, but now, I can only see you as a scoundrel!"
Zhang Minzhong raised his voice again: "The case of Gu Qiuhan murdering Shen Bitiao has many suspicious aspects, and it is now being returned for re-examination." Thus, Gu Qiuhan, Liu Jing, and the two others, Hu and Mu, were taken to the Ministry of Justice's prison, confined separately. The difference was that one side awaited release, while the other would walk towards the end of their lives in fear and anxiety. This was simply a shocking reversal
Along the way, the two continued to hurl insults at each other, attracting a crowd of onlookers. Some, unaware of the truth, whispered, "Oh, isn't that the murderer of Shen Bitiao? What was his name again?" "Gu Qiu Han, who is also an official in the Ministry of Justice." "Yes, that's him. Thank heavens, they finally caught this bastard." Another coarse voice chimed in, "How could he lay a hand on such a delicate beauty like Miss Shen? Is he even a man, raised by a dog?" Before long, rotten eggs and spoiled cabbages were thrown at the two.
Mei Juansheng was momentarily taken aback, then with a huff, he struck two punches directly at Gu Qiuhan's face. Gu Qiuhan did not show any weakness; with a flick of his right arm and a swift thrust of his left, he aimed to grab at Mei's chest. Without weapons, the two continued to grapple with bare hands. As the fight reached a critical point, both of them extended their palms simultaneously, pressing four hands together, each channeling their internal energy, refusing to yield to one another
Liu Jing smiled and said, "What, are you not planning to see me off?" Gu Qiuhan had no choice but to instruct the servants to prepare the horses and accompany Shen Bisha to see him out. The two originally intended to escort him to the city gates, but Liu Jing insisted against it. Mounting his horse, he laughed and said, "The farther you send me, the more reluctant it becomes; you should return." Gu Qiuhan and Shen Bisha clasped their fists together and said, "Take care." Liu Jing turned his horse around and sincerely said, "I will always remember you." Upon hearing this, all three felt a pang of bitterness in their hearts. Gu Qiuhan forced a smile and jokingly said, "If you dare to forget us, I will expose your forged will and accuse you of treason against the emperor." The three of them burst into laughter.
"The grudge has been settled, the year has passed, and it is time for me to return home." Liu Jing said with a smile as he bid farewell to Gu Qiuhan
Gu Qiuhan glared at him in frustration, not expecting him to be so straightforward. Mei Juansheng poured him another glass, this being the last one, as the wine jug was empty and her heart had grown cold.
Mei Juansheng's face passed over with a look of shame, and he sullenly drank a cup, saying: "But you sought me out again later." Gu Qiuhan coldly laughed and said: "That was entirely for your exploitation." Mei Juansheng raised his eyes to look at Gu Qiuhan, seemingly perplexed.