10. Flowers are not flowers, mist is not mist

Gu Qiuhan looked at Shisan with sorrow and anger. No matter what, he could never forgive her. If there was still an unfulfilled wish, it would be, "In the next life, let us not fall in love again!" Upon hearing this, Shisan let out a cry, her heart breaking.

Gu Qiuhan held Shisan's fingers and smiled, saying, "Your delicate fingers have unexpectedly sent the outstanding Mei Daguoren to the underworld." Shisan, puzzled, smiled and replied, "Perhaps I am destined to be your lucky star?" Gu Qiuhan gently said, "Because of this, I can no longer let you go. I want you to stay by my side for the rest of your life and be my lucky star, alright?" A look of worry flashed across Shisan's face, and she reluctantly nodded, then said, "But it can't be now. If you want to be with me, you must have enough patience, maybe a year, maybe several years. I promise I will only marry you, and you must promise me..." She bit her lip and smiled, saying, "Perhaps I am destined to be your lucky star?" Gu Qiuhan gently said, "Because of this, I can no longer let you go. I want you to stay by my side for the rest of your life and be my lucky star, alright?" A look of worry flashed across Shisan's face, and she reluctantly nodded, then said, "But it can't be now. If you want to be with me, you must have enough patience, maybe a year, maybe several years. I promise I will only marry you, and you must promise me..." She bit her lip and said, "You also cannot marry Miss Shen."

Gu Qiuhan's expression darkened as he sighed, "Forget it, after confirming that you are indeed Old Du, I have already guessed her identity." Du Heng stared at him without any reaction, remaining silent.

The day after that, Shisan took Old Du to release Gu Qiuhan and Shen Bisha. Unexpectedly, they saw Gu Qiuhan entering Yumei Villa from the mountain below. Shisan then realized that he had escaped from the ancient tomb. She immediately fabricated a series of lies and pretended to run into Gu Qiuhan by chance when he left Yumei Villa. She discovered that it would be difficult for Gu Qiuhan to comprehend the profound meaning of the nine characters "At midnight, the tower of Baofang Gong is withered" in a short time, so she directly reminded him that these nine characters hinted at the location of the hidden painting. However, by that time, she had told too many lies and did not dare to be with Gu Qiuhan and the others, fearing that she would reveal a flaw. Therefore, she had Old Du forcibly abduct her. Her good intentions finally led to a moment of inspiration for Gu Qiuhan, who found the will and cleverly presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang through Zhang Minzhong.

Gu Qiuhan opened his eyes and, in a haze, discovered a delicate figure sitting beside him. The first image that appeared in his mind was that of Shisan, but a wave of faint fragrance that followed made him realize he was mistaken. He struggled to recall, and his thoughts gradually became clearer: Zhu Yuanzhang, Shisan, poisoned wine! "Am I still alive?" he exclaimed in astonishment, in that moment, unsure whether it was joy or sorrow.

"If the sovereign wishes for the minister to die, the minister has no choice but to die. If Your Majesty wishes to execute Hu Weiyong, a single imperial decree is sufficient; why go to such great lengths?" Gu Qiuhan, resolute in his determination to die, felt no fear whatsoever

Gu Qiuhan swiftly ran to the Xihua Gate outside the Forbidden City. Although he was now the Deputy Minister of Justice and had the authority to enter the palace, officials were not allowed to enter the Forbidden City at night without special circumstances. However, this did not pose a challenge for Gu Qiuhan. He falsely claimed that Zhang Minzhong had discovered another official linked to the Hu Weiyong case and sent him to request the Imperial Guard Du Heng to secretly apprehend the individual. Recently, the Hu Weiyong case had caused a great uproar, and it was common for investigating officials to enter the palace at night to report to Zhu Yuanzhang or seek his orders. Gu Qiuhan's request for the Imperial Guard to capture someone was not much different, and the gate soldiers did not think much of it, allowing him to enter and find Du Heng.

Before long, Gu Qiuhan was led in by the maid. Thirteen's heart raced wildly as she stared at him in a daze, unsure of what to say. A look of sorrow spread across Gu Qiuhan's face as he said in a deep voice: "I pay my respects to Princess Thirteen!" Although he used the term "pay my respects," he did not kneel, clearly intending to mock Thirteen with his words.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled coldly and said, "You are not wrong; for me to kill Hu Weiyong is as simple as crushing a stinking bug. If you think I am merely eliminating one Hu Weiyong, then you underestimate me." This statement once again piqued Gu Qiuhan's interest, and he listened intently. Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "As the saying goes, to take something, one must first give something. Hu Weiyong is greedy and arrogant, and I have long harbored dissatisfaction towards him. The reason I have ignored him and indulged him is precisely to allow him to create more chaos, until his crimes accumulate and his followers are widespread. At that time, I will have sufficient reason to abolish the position of Prime Minister."

After Xiao Gu started working, he gradually distanced himself from his former friends. The only relationship that continued to develop was with a certain Lord Mei. However, this friend, whom he trusted the most, ultimately desecrated the word "friend." Nevertheless, Xiao Gu expressed understanding, stating, "The bond of friendship cannot rival the deep affection between father and son." But did he truly understand Princess Thirteen? Thirteen also acted for her father and for the countless descendants of the Zhu family.

Since the establishment of a unified monarchical state by Qin Shi Huang, the chancellor or prime minister has been the highest administrative officer under the emperor, responsible for assisting the emperor in handling state affairs, holding a position of great power and influence. The chancellor can be a capable assistant to the emperor, but can also pose a threat to the emperor's authority—historically, it is not uncommon for chancellors to usurp imperial power. Zhu Yuanzhang, having endured numerous hardships to ascend to the throne, could not tolerate anyone sharing power with him, and he remained vigilant against any powerful officials around him. In this sense, any powerful official by his side faced danger. Zhu Yuanzhang, having endured numerous hardships to ascend to the throne, could not tolerate anyone sharing power with him, and he remained vigilant against any powerful officials around him. In this sense, any powerful official by his side faced danger.

In a fit of anger, Gu Qiuhan returned home, where Shen Bisha was anxiously waiting at the door. Upon seeing him return safely, she was overjoyed, but soon noticed his gloomy expression and the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth, and could not help but exclaim, "Are you hurt?" Gu Qiuhan shook his head and glanced back, wishing fervently that Shisan had been quietly following him all along. However, the road was long, and there was no sign of her. He couldn't help but feel regret, uncertain whether Shisan would be angry. If she no longer came to find him, would they not miss each other forever?

Thirteen herself also admits that she grew up in a place devoid of human warmth, yet she defended a love as pure as the wintersweet flower through her actions. Unfortunately, no matter how perfectly she portrayed it, she ultimately could not escape the tragic fate of "never to meet again for eternity"

Du Heng coldly said: "So what if it is? Why did you come to find me?" Gu Qiuhan's pupils constricted, and taking a deep breath, he said: "I want to see Thirteen." Du Heng flatly refused: "I will not get involved in your matters."

"It is poison," Shen Bisha said, "but it is not a lethal poison; it will only cause you to faint temporarily."

You! Gu Qiuhan was so enraged that he could not meet her with sincerity; what is the point of being a couple then? His gaze suddenly turned exceptionally stern, like a knife, stabbing towards Shisan. Shisan involuntarily took a step back, appearing somewhat terrified. Gu Qiuhan brushed his sleeve and swiftly passed by her, hastening out of the courtyard

This year's creative plan is to write a truly significant long novel after "The Six Records of a Floating Life". I had no intention of writing a special issue, but under the temptation of Li Hui's invitation for a massage, I decisively paused my fervent long novel creation. Thus, this piece "The Cold Moon and Plum Fragrance" came into being. However, considering the long journey involved, what Li Hui promised me is, without a doubt, a "Marshall Plan".

A chill quietly crept up Gu Qiuhan's spine, indeed reflecting the heart of an emperor, unfathomable! He gazed blankly at Shisan and asked, "Have you always been using me?"

Gu Qiuhan certainly only wished to become a couple with Shisan, yet he could not understand why he had to wait. "Why?" he exclaimed, almost shouting, "How many more things are you hiding from me? Your identity, your address, and even your real name, I do not know. Now that Hu Weiyong has been severely punished, can you not tell me?"

Martial arts techniques? Gu Qiuhan recalled the encounter between Old Du and the Six Ghosts of Soul Searching, where he only used the whip in his hand as a weapon, how could one discern the techniques? Later, due to Shisan, he had exchanged a few moves with him, which was the most direct contact he had experienced. At that time, he only felt that Old Du's strikes were extremely fast and his techniques were clever, and in just a few moves, he was thrown aside. Suddenly, a bright light shone in his eyes, and the scene of sparring with Old Du vividly resurfaced in his mind. He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "I know who he is!" He stood up and left. Xia Guiqiao was astonished and could only see him off.

Thirteen shook his head and said: "We were originally strangers, who could have anticipated that you would be drawn into this? I deliberately let someone reveal to Hu Weiyong that the will listing his crimes was hidden within the portrait of Shen Bitiao, in order to force him to commit murder and destroy evidence. Once I capture the murderer and expose him as the mastermind behind this, I would then use a forged will to publicly disclose Hu Weiyong's crimes, leaving him with no way to deny it. Initially, I also mistakenly believed you to be the murderer. I knew that Mu Tianxiong was a close ally of Hu Weiyong, and if he caught you, he would surely kill you with a single blow. The key to the success or failure of this matter was who found you first. I anticipated that you would go to Nanyang to find Defu, so I decided to accompany Old Du to Nanyang, waiting for an opportunity. Unexpectedly, I encountered you just as we were leaving the city, and it was only later at Defu's house that I realized you were innocent. However, my father's grand plan cannot be altered. I can choose not to capture you, but I must utilize you. I believe that your pursuit of the truth to clear your name will yield results that are more convincing to the officials, which is why a series of plans followed."

One by one, the people around him left, and Gu Qiuhan felt an immense sense of loss, as if a heavy stone was pressing down on his heart, both weary and pained. He locked himself in his room, deep in thought about how to find Shisan, lacking the appetite to eat dinner. He recalled Shen Bisha's words, "There are not many wealthy families that can afford a highly skilled servant." Indeed, with Old Du's martial arts skills, he would certainly not be an unknown figure in the martial world. Perhaps asking a few nearby major factions could yield unexpected results.

Unfortunately, it is unclear whether he underestimated Gu Qiuhan's intelligence or underestimated her love for him, but Gu Qiuhan unexpectedly found this place, and it just so happened that her father caught her. Now, she has no choice but to rack her brains on how to rescue Gu Qiuhan.

Shen Bisha said: "As long as you are fine, I can leave with peace of mind"

Gu Qiuhan appeared to be utterly exhausted, his body swaying unsteadily, and he could only lean on Shisan's shoulder, asking, "How did you come here?" Shisan, still recovering from her shock, replied hesitantly, "I went to your house to look for you, and I saw Miss Shen. She said you had come to Yumei Mountain Villa." Gu Qiuhan gazed at her, his eyes so gentle and so greedy. Shisan felt a bit embarrassed under his gaze and glanced at Mei Juansheng, saying, "Your friend is about to die; why are you only looking at me instead of him?"

Startled, Shisan did not understand martial arts and was unaware that the two were fighting to the death. At this critical moment, seeing Gu Qiuhan spitting blood, she was both angry and anxious. She raised her hand and jabbed Mei Juansheng, shouting, "What are you doing?" Unbeknownst to her, this jab struck precisely at the "Zhongfu" acupoint. "Zhongfu" is the starting acupoint of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Mei Juansheng was currently channeling his internal energy through his arm to his palm. At that moment, when the "Zhongfu" acupoint was struck, it was as if a rushing stream had its source suddenly cut off, causing the power in his palm to dissipate instantly. Blood gushed from his mouth as he fell backward.

Friend? Gu Qiuhan smiled bitterly in his heart, taking Shisan's hand and walking to Mei Juansheng's side, looking down at him with a heavy heart. Mei Juansheng lay there with his eyes open, blood continuously gushing from his mouth, pooling into a puddle beside his head. "What benefits did Hu Weiyong give you? Why do you want to help him?" Gu Qiuhan still could not understand.

Thirteen's face turned pale, rendered speechless by his questioning, and he coldly laughed, saying: "I do not understand what you are rambling about." Gu Qiuhan smiled sadly and said: "How you deal with Hu Weiyong is none of my business, but I have been caught up in this; at the very least, you should let me know the truth, right?" Thirteen, in anger, replied: "You are simply stubborn; do you not understand that knowing certain things can be more harmful than beneficial?" Suddenly, someone outside the window said: "Since he has already guessed the general idea, you might as well tell him everything." Thirteen's expression changed, and he immediately became tense.

Gu Qiuhan cannot be strictly considered a person of the jianghu (rivers and lakes) lifestyle. He comes from a well-off family; his father bribed Hu Weiyong during his lifetime, allowing him to transform from a wayward youth who spent his days socializing and engaging in reckless behavior into a state official. He could have continued living such a tranquil life, but a chance act of kindness unexpectedly drew him into the emperor's conspiracy, making him a pawn in Zhu Yuanzhang's abolition of the chancellor system. Had it not been for his involvement with the Thirteenth Princess, he might have lost his life.

After turning thirteen, she took a long while to emerge, and in her hand was already a jade pot. With her delicate hands glistening, the jade pot shimmered as she lowered her head and presented it to Gu Qiuhan, who was already in tears, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word. Gu Qiuhan forced a bitter smile and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness!" In such a mundane world, what need is there for attachment? He poured the entire pot of wine into his belly.

Gu Qiuhan clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh, her heart aching as she murmured: "Thirteen, Thirteen!"

At that moment, a petite figure came running from a distance. Gu Qiuhan caught a glimpse of her and was surprised to see it was Shisan! Her arrival was truly untimely. Upon seeing her, Gu Qiuhan felt both excited and delighted. This momentary distraction caused the flow of true energy within her body to slow down, and she suddenly felt a powerful force transmitted from Mei Juansheng's palms. A tightness gripped her chest, and a trace of fresh blood flowed from the corner of her mouth

Here is a story about the Mochou Gang. Gu Qiuhan has had several encounters with the gang leader, Xia Guiqiao. Now that he has restored his reputation and received a promotion, it is believed that Xia Guiqiao would not turn him away. As expected, upon hearing that Gu Qiuhan was visiting, Xia Guiqiao hurriedly came to greet him in person and invited him to take a seat in the living room. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu Qiuhan stated directly: "I have come here uninvited to inquire about a person from Gang Leader Xia." Xia Guiqiao asked: "Who is that person?"

Gu Qiuhan came out of the guard room, and instead of leaving the palace, he walked deeper into the palace courtyard

"Are you leaving too?" Gu Qiuhan was momentarily bewildered. Shen Bi, after a long silence, seemed to muster great courage to say, "This is not my home, so why should I stay? I know you like Shisan; she didn't come back with you, which suggests there was a disagreement between you. A girl like her, once she sets her mind on something, will never look back. If you have hurt her, a little coaxing should suffice." Gu Qiuhan said dejectedly, "This time, being able to bring Hu Weiyong to justice is largely due to her efforts, but I know very little about her and have no idea where to find her." Shen Bisha replied, "She should be living in Yingtian. It is rare for a wealthy family to afford a highly skilled servant, so as long as you put in the effort, you will surely be able to find her."

Thirteen let out a scream, covering her mouth with both hands, staring blankly at Mei Juansheng. She knew she had made a mistake, but she did not know what mistake she had made. How could the dignified Master Mei be brought to vomit blood and fall down by just a few pokes from her fingers

After the soldier left, Gu Qiuhan smiled and said, "Calling you 'Old Du' should be correct, right?" Du Heng replied indifferently, "Isn't it you, Lord Gu, who wants to take me to catch someone? Why are you interested in how I am addressed?" The tall and imposing direct guard before him was like a world apart from the disheveled and hunched coachman. If Gu Qiuhan had not suddenly recalled the technique Du Heng used to throw down Mu Tianxiong, which was exactly the same as the one he used to throw him off that day, he would not have noticed any flaws. Gu Qiuhan said, "Your appearance may change, but your martial arts cannot. " As he spoke, he grabbed Du Heng's hand, pulled it towards him, and then threw it outward, laughing heartily, "Don't you admit it yet?"

Gu Qiuhan said: "A man in his thirties, known as 'Old Du', has a lewd appearance and a hunched figure, yet possesses exceptional martial arts skills." Xia Guiqiao, hearing such a simple description, showed a look of difficulty and said: "I do know a few people with the surname Du, but none of them are in Yingtian, and their martial arts cannot be considered remarkable. Does he have any distinctive features? It would be best to know his martial arts style, as that would make it easier to locate him."

Father! Gu Qiuhan sighed, "No wonder Hu Weiyong took the blame for hiring Lü Li to commit murder upon himself, never revealing Mei Juansheng. It turns out they are father and son!" This is a sufficient reason; the bond of friendship cannot compete with the deep affection between father and son. Gu Qiuhan did not understand the early years of Hu Weiyong, and undoubtedly, that was another tragic fate. He suddenly felt sympathy for Mei Juansheng; having such a father was already a misfortune, and what was even more unfortunate was that the father and son could not acknowledge each other openly. For the sake of a secret father-son relationship, he betrayed righteousness, and in doing so, also buried himself.

Indeed, her plan was not flawless. Gu Qiuhan had once doubted the existence of the portrait and the will, but due to his trust in Shisan, his doubts ultimately faded away. He was still led by Shisan, becoming a crucial tool in eliminating the Hu faction. In the original plan of Zhu Yuanzhang and his daughter, after their success, Gu Qiuhan, as a pawn, had to die. However, what she did not expect was that during this process, she quietly fell in love with Gu Qiuhan. For this reason, she earnestly pleaded with her father, and Zhu Yuanzhang finally agreed that as long as Gu Qiuhan remained unaware of these hidden truths, he could be spared. While Shisan was grateful to her father, she also developed another kind of worry. To keep Gu Qiuhan in the dark, she had to distance herself from him, even to the extent of not letting him know her true identity. So, when would the joyful dreams of their reunion come to fruition?

Gu Qiuhan laughed sorrowfully, tears streaming down his face. Shisan listened, his heart aching as if it were being cut by a knife. Zhu Yuanzhang waited for him to finish laughing and said calmly, "Minister Gu, do you have any unfulfilled wishes? I will certainly fulfill them for you." This was almost a clear announcement that Gu Qiuhan's time of death had come.

Gu Qiuhan bid farewell to the Summer Return Bridge, riding straight to the office of the Chief Justice. Hu Weiyong had already faced execution by slicing, yet the case was far from over. Zhu Yuanzhang vowed to investigate thoroughly, compelling Zhang Minzhong and others to toil day and night. For more than a month, they had been returning home very late.

Thirteen cried out: "No, Lord Gu has made great contributions in eliminating treachery, and should be allowed to keep his whole body. I ask for my father's grace to permit me, the son, to handle this matter properly." Zhu Yuanzhang understood his daughter's feelings for Gu Qiuhan, and nodded in agreement, yet he did not leave, as if he wanted to see Gu Qiuhan die on the spot before he could feel at ease

Shisan was taken aback and asked, "Which Lord Gu?" The maid replied, "The newly appointed Deputy Minister of Justice, Gu Qiuhan."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "You guessed correctly, the case of Hu Weiyong is, from beginning to end, a complete deception. The portrait of Shen Bitiao and the testament of Liu Bowen were both forged by the Thirteen. " Gu Qiuhan nodded, noting that the portrait of Shen Bitiao did not bear the seal of Ma Wenbi, and the testament was not in Liu Bowen's handwriting; only forgeries would make sense. He said: "At that time, I noticed that the colors of the portrait were vivid and did not seem like something buried underground for a long time, which struck me as strange, but I did not suspect it was fake. So, does this mean that the Emperor has long been fully aware of Hu Weiyong's crimes?"

Gu Qiuhan initially did not understand, but upon further reflection, he suddenly realized: Zhu Yuanzhang was not targeting Hu Weiyong or the Hu faction, but rather the chancellor system that had existed for over a thousand years! As a founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang's desire for power was far stronger than that of others, and the establishment of the chancellor position precisely limited his authority. Zhu Yuanzhang, being astute and calculating, had actually prepared Hu Weiyong's grave from the moment he ascended to power, laying the groundwork for today's various plans. Gu Qiuhan had always thought that Hu Weiyong and Mu Tianxiong were insignificant, believing that the truly formidable enemy was Mei Juansheng, but now he realized that the most terrifying enemy was actually sitting right here! He could not help but recall Mei Juansheng's words: "The one sitting high in the Forbidden City is the ultimate beneficiary; by abolishing the chancellor, he will no longer be subject to any constraints, and all power will be in his hands!" It seems that Hu Weiyong is not only laughable but also pitiable; everyone is being toyed with by the emperor, and although he, like Hu Weiyong and Mu Tianxiong, is on a similar path, at least he does not meet a death as muddled as theirs.

Thirteen chased a few steps, but how could he catch up with him? He then stopped again, gazing at Gu Qiuhan's stubborn figure as it receded into the distance, two lines of pink tears falling softly.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression darkened as he said, "If you do not speak, then I shall speak." Being an emperor indeed carries a certain authority, and even Gu Qiuhan could not help but feel a chill in his heart, lowering his head and daring not to meet his gaze. Thirteen felt a wave of coldness in his heart, his eyes filled with despair, knowing that his father would not let Gu Qiuhan off the hook.

I am sorry, "Thirteen stammered, "It is not possible yet."

The night was cool as water, and Shisan sat in front of the dressing table like an old monk in meditation, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror. Ever since returning from Yumei Mountain Villa, she seemed to have lost her soul, with no appetite for food or drink. She had originally thought that the gloom had finally lifted, and after more than a month of separation, their reunion would surely be filled with tender feelings. However, Gu Qiuhan's indifferent departure deeply wounded her. It was not that she did not want to pursue Gu Qiuhan, but what would happen if she did catch up? She had thought that the gloom had finally lifted, and after more than a month of separation, their reunion would surely be filled with tender feelings. However, Gu Qiuhan's indifferent departure deeply wounded her. It was not that she did not want to pursue Gu Qiuhan, but what would happen if she did catch up? For his safety, she dared not reveal the truth for the time being. Her struggles, her helplessness, her lack of control over her own life, were things Gu Qiuhan could never understand.

Thirteen said: "Yes, it was all a fabrication of mine to lead the Grand Inner Guard to Yangzhou. After everyone parted that afternoon, I returned to the palace and carved those words on the jade statue, then had Old Du deliver it. In the end, Old Du and I buried the portrait at the location indicated by the shadow of the midnight tower." After a slight pause, he further explained: "The reason I used my jade statue was to draw your attention, allowing you to find the will based on the inscription on the jade. I never expected you to be so oblivious, rummaging around the tower with Shen Bisha, and even getting caught by the Six Ghosts of Soul Searching."

"As long as you put your heart into it, you will definitely find it." Gu Qiuhan repeated her words, as if a light had dawned upon her, and asked, "But where are you going?" Shen Bisha smiled and said, "I am different from you; I am a true wanderer of the rivers and lakes, with the world as my home, drifting through the ends of the earth." After a pause, she added, "Through this matter, I feel that the officialdom is not as simple as it seems; you must be more cautious in the future." Gu Qiuhan nodded and said, "You should also take care of yourself." Shen Bisha smiled faintly, turned to leave, and in an instant, her eyes were filled with tears, leaving Gu Qiuhan with only a solitary and beautiful figure of pride.

Drive, drive! A carriage has emerged from the stone city gate, swiftly passing by the shores of Mo Chou Lake. The rumbling wheels crush the solitude and desolation of the night, transforming into a deep sigh between heaven and earth

Let me make a joke, for what we are about to discuss is a rather heavy topic—spring ice is thin, and human feelings are even thinner; the rivers and lakes are perilous, and human hearts are even more treacherous

Zhang Minzhong was reviewing case files in the office when he saw Gu Qiuhan rushing in energetically. He smiled and said, "Having just been promoted to Deputy Minister, you are already working hard to assist me with the case?" Gu Qiuhan, feeling a bit embarrassed, replied, "That is indeed the case. However, today, I have a matter I would like to ask you, my lord. What is the name of the direct guard who captured Mu Tianxiong at the execution ground that day?"

Oh? It seems that Zhang Minzhong cannot recall. Gu Qiuhan reminded him, saying: "After the lord proclaimed the imperial edict, Hu Weiyong claimed that the edict was false, and Mu Tianxiong attempted to seize the edict, only to be thrown down by the guard beside the lord..." Upon hearing this, Zhang Minzhong exclaimed, "Oh, that was Du Heng."

Du Heng! Gu Qiuhan appeared extremely excited and laughed, saying: "That's right, it's him." Zhang Minzhong asked in surprise: "What happened?" Gu Qiuhan replied: "I have urgent business to discuss with him, I will explain it to you in detail later." After saying this, he rushed out of the Ministry of Justice and disappeared in an instant. Zhang Minzhong was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and sighed, saying: "This kid is indeed much more spirited now that he has sought justice."

Zhu Yuanzhang shouted, "Come in." Du Heng walked in, glanced at Shisan, then at Gu Qiuhan, and let out a helpless sigh. Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Give your dagger to Minister Gu, let him take his own life. I will issue an edict to the world, stating that Minister Gu was retaliated against by treacherous factions and sacrificed himself for the country, posthumously honored as the Earl of Loyalty and Righteousness, and given a grand burial.

The world of rivers and lakes is perilous, and human hearts are even more treacherous

Shen Bisha continued, "She said that only by using this method can your life be preserved, and she also mentioned that although your life is saved, you can never appear in Yingtian again, nor can you use the name 'Gu Qiuhan' anymore"

Du Heng saw that her tone was resolute and unchangeable, so he could only pause for a moment, follow her instructions, find a mat, wrap Gu Qiuhan's corpse in it, and carry it on his shoulder. Shisan held the lantern, and he and Du Heng left the palace one after the other

Shen Bisha said: "She gave me a gold medal from the palace, allowing me to leave the city under the cover of night, to take you far away, and even arranged for a carriage for me."

Zhu Yuanzhang, with great cunning, first created the clown Hu Weiyong, then personally destroyed him, using fabricated charges as a pretext to abolish the Central Secretariat and eliminate the position of Chancellor. Furthermore, he systematically slaughtered tens of thousands of people. The heart of an emperor is indeed exceedingly cruel

Oh my! Thirteen almost jumped out of her chair, "He... is he right outside the door? How could he find this place?" The maid covered her mouth and laughed, "Why is the princess so nervous? Whether to meet or not?" Thirteen quickly opened her makeup box, took some rouge and put it in her mouth, then drew her eyebrows and applied powder, hurriedly dressing herself up before saying, "Let him in." The maid secretly clicked her tongue; having been by the princess's side for three years, she had never seen her so diligent before. In fact, Thirteen's feelings at this moment were extremely complex, filled with both joy and fear.

Gu Qiuhan was greatly angered and forcefully shook off her hand. Shisan, feeling wronged, said: "Why are you being so fierce? For some things, it is better for you not to know! When that day comes, you will naturally know who I am. As for everything else, no matter how curious you are, I will never tell you." Gu Qiuhan replied: "But if it weren't for Old Du suddenly appearing last time, you would have already told me, right?" Shisan bit her lip and said: "Last time, I indeed had a plan on how to lie to you, but now, I can no longer deceive you."

Thirteen gazed at him intently, as if the entire world had ceased to exist. The voice of her father echoed in her ears, "Prepare the coffin." She shook her head and pleaded, "Let me accompany him a little longer; I will take care of his funeral arrangements." Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a while, then finally nodded in agreement and left on his own. Thirteen extended her delicate fingers and gently touched Gu Qiuhan's cheek, weeping, "Why didn't you listen to me? Why were you so determined to know the truth? What difference does it make? In this life and the next, we will never meet again. Let me look at you a little longer, to keep you in my heart. Will you also remember me in your heart?"

Gu Qiuhan closed her eyes in pain and said in a sorrowful voice, "Is there more?"

A maid quietly approached her from behind and softly said: "Your Highness, Lord Gu is requesting an audience outside the door"

The woman beside him was Shen Bisha, her eyes resembling two autumn waters, gazing affectionately at his face. "I was wandering on the street, planning to find an inn to stay at, when I happened to encounter Shisan and Old Du. She entrusted you to me, instructing me to take you away from Yingtian immediately, as far as possible." Gu Qiuhan replied with a soft "Hmm," and asked, "Isn't she giving me poison?"

It is well known that after ascending to the throne, Zhu Yuanzhang was relentless in persecuting the founding ministers, and the reason was simple: anyone who threatened his centralization of power deserved to die. However, after the death of Hu Weiyong, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict to the court officials stating: "The state abolishes the position of Prime Minister, establishes offices, departments, institutes, and temples to manage various affairs, and legislates in great detail. In the future, successors must not discuss the establishment of a Prime Minister. Any officials who propose its establishment shall be punished with the utmost severity." This indicates that Zhu Yuanzhang believed the true threat to imperial power was not Hu Weiyong, but rather the Prime Minister system, which had persisted in Chinese history for nearly two thousand years.

Shen Bisha gently tilted her head and said, "In the end, she asked me to convey a message to you—forget each other at the ends of the earth"

Zhu Yuanzhang revealed a satisfied smile, while Du Heng furrowed his brows tightly, sighing deeply. Gu Qiuhan threw the wine jug to the ground, and the shards of broken jade, illuminated by the candlelight, sparkled like stars in the sky, transporting him to another world. He felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and had to bend down, curling into a ball. As his consciousness gradually blurred, he took one last look at Shisan before collapsing with a thud

Gu Qiuhan said sadly, "So what? In order to keep me as a pawn, you still went through the Emperor to send the guards to Baofang Tower to hunt down the 'grave robbers'?" A flash of anger crossed Shisan's eyes; to think that her actions were merely understood by him as a means to preserve a single piece on the chessboard! She bit her lip and huffed, "If you want to think that way, I can't help it. However, the guards did not know that there were people in the tomb. Dulongfu is a forbidden area of the royal tomb, and they did not dare to barge in. After killing the six ghosts, they retreated. I had intended to wait a while longer before releasing you, but by the time I arrived, you had already escaped." She bit her lip and huffed, "If you want to think that way, I can't help it. However, the guards did not know that there were people in the tomb. Dulongfu is a forbidden area of the royal tomb, and they did not dare to barge in. After killing the six ghosts, they retreated. I had intended to wait a while longer before releasing you, but by the time I arrived, you had already escaped."

Gu Qiuhan sighed, "It just so happens that I took you out of the city, and then in Nanyang Prefecture, you gradually gained my trust, and then fanned the flames from within." Shisan said, "It can be said that I led you step by step, ultimately finding that will." Gu Qiuhan replied, "Indeed, at that time, Bi Sha and Liu Jing both said they had never seen the portrait and the will, yet you always firmly believed in their existence and repeatedly argued for them. The jade statue in Liu's residence must have been intentionally placed there by you, right?"

Thirteen waved her hand at the maid and sharply said, "You all get out." Gu Qiuhan coldly laughed and said, "So you do know that some things are not meant to be seen?" Thirteen frowned and angrily replied, "Gu Qiuhan, what do you mean by that?" Gu Qiuhan said, "No wonder you know so much, no wonder there is your jade statue in the place where Shen Bitiao lived, no wonder the will is not in the handwriting of Lord Chengyi, the Hu Weiyong case is fundamentally a scam, isn't it?" By the end, he was almost roaring.

Mei Juansheng's lips moved together, "Because... because he is my... father..." Before he could finish his words, he coughed violently a few times, and a mouthful of blood spurted up over two feet high, and he died from asphyxiation

Du Heng listened to her murmuring as if in a daze, feeling a pang of compassion, and advised, "I hope the princess will take care of herself." Thirteen raised her tearful eyes and said, "Go find a mat, wrap him up, and send him out." She stood up and whispered a few words in his ear. Upon hearing this, Du Heng's expression changed drastically, and he stammered, "Princess, this... this is a capital offense!" Thirteen smiled bitterly and said, "I grew up in this place devoid of humanity, accustomed to the struggles for power, the pretense and deceit. Only you have treated me well. At this moment, will you still not help me?" Du Heng felt a cold sweat and said, "But if the Emperor finds out about this..." Thirteen replied, "I will bear all the consequences."

Gu Qiuhan finally sorted out all the clues, and could not help but feel a myriad of emotions. If that is the case, then Shen Bitiao is indeed the most innocent person. She probably does not even know the reason for her death. As I have walked step by step, it has been like treading on thin ice; if there were any missteps, it would lead to irreparable consequences. A general's success is built upon the bones of countless others, let alone that of a founding emperor! For his own selfish desires, he could completely disregard the lives of his subjects. I have been tirelessly seeking the truth, yet the ultimate truth is so chilling. It is laughable to think that in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, Hu Weiyong truly resembled a jumping clown. He had been powerful for many years, forming numerous factions, but in the end, he merely dragged a large group of people to their doom! And now, Zhu Yuanzhang cannot allow outsiders to know of his despicable actions; once this is leaked, how could he still have the face to be this emperor? Gu Qiuhan no longer dared to hope to walk out of the Forbidden City alive. And now, Zhu Yuanzhang cannot allow outsiders to know of his despicable actions; once this is leaked, how could he still have the face to be this emperor? Gu Qiuhan no longer dared to hope to walk out of the Forbidden City alive.

The carriage was shrouded in darkness, and Shen Bisha could not see. At that moment, two lines of clear tears fell from his eyes, dampening his collar. Outside the carriage, the cold moon hung high, and a branch of wintersweet stood quietly between the drooping willows, as if mourning the fragrance that had long since faded away

Gu Qiuhan nodded slightly, understanding that although he was still alive, "Gu Qiuhan" had already died. Otherwise, he would not only betray the heartfelt efforts of Shisan but also implicate her and Old Du.

Did Hu Weiyong actually conspire to rebel? The "History of Ming: Biography of Hu Weiyong" clearly records: "When Weiyong was executed, the details of his rebellion had not yet been fully revealed." This indicates that when Hu Weiyong was executed, the crimes of his rebellion were still unclear. The accusations against Hu Weiyong, much like a story or legend, gradually became embellished over time, becoming increasingly complete as time went on. His charges included: plotting to assassinate Xu Da; poisoning Liu Ji; colluding with Li Shanchang to conspire against the state; communicating with the Japanese (in fact, this charge was only discovered in the 19th year of Hongwu, which is 1386); even sending Lin Xian, the commander of Mingzhou Wei, to the sea to collude with Japan, seeking military assistance; communicating with the Mongols (the charge of paying homage to the Yuan successor was only discovered in the 23rd year of Hongwu, which is 1390); sending a letter to the Yuan successor claiming allegiance and arranging for external support, among others. Through historical investigation, it has been found that many of the aforementioned charges against Hu Weiyong are largely based on hearsay.

The Hu Weiyong case was the most significant political event in the early Ming dynasty. In order to eliminate the so-called "rebellious party," Zhu Yuanzhang executed the Left Chancellor Hu Weiyong, leading to the execution of over 30,000 individuals (including relatives, this number becomes even more staggering). This campaign lasted for a total of 10 years and can be regarded as a genuine massacre. It is noteworthy that the term "rebellious party" is placed in quotation marks because it remains to be verified whether Hu Weiyong truly engaged in treasonous acts at that time. Many historians believe that the Hu Weiyong case, orchestrated by Zhu Yuanzhang, was merely a grand conspiracy designed to strengthen central authority.

Postscript

He could not bear it any longer and instructed the old steward that if Thirteen came knocking, no matter what, she must be kept there until his return. After that, he rode out of the city and arrived at the shores of Mo Chou Lake. In the middle of the second month of spring, the weather was still somewhat cold, especially along the lakeside, where one could clearly feel the chilling mist rising from the water's surface. As dusk approached, the lake's surface resembled a wrinkled dark blue satin, bearing the beautiful legends of yesteryears.

Zhu Yuanzhang coldly remarked: "He is merely a jumping clown, how could he possibly deceive my eyes? If I cannot even control a minor figure like Hu Weiyong, how can I govern the world?"

As the sound of footsteps echoed, Zhu Yuanzhang entered slowly, and Gu Qiuhan hurriedly knelt down to pay his respects. Zhu Yuanzhang, over fifty years old, still appeared vigorous and full of spirit, his piercing gaze sweeping across Gu Qiuhan's face. He sat down and said, "Get up, Shisan, you tell him." Shisan shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, he knows nothing, I won't tell him, let him go." He cast anxious glances at Gu Qiuhan, his worry evident.