Chapter 43: Has the Turned-Over Salted Fish Become a Non-Salted Fish? Additional Updates for Xia Xue's Crystal Shoes

  The empress's expression changed, and she turned her head to glance at Yuwen Changqing. Yuwen Changqing stepped forward and said, "This incident occurred right under my nose, I request permission to investigate."

  Shi Wulong frowned: "The appearance of an assassin in the palace is naturally something that I should investigate, how dare I trouble General Yuwen?"

  "Shi Tong led the protection of the emperor's safety, but is there an empty case to investigate?" Yuwen Changqing said: "Now that the Minister of Justice Shi is on leave and the deputy minister is also vacant, there is no one to investigate the case. This time Yuwen returned to Beijing, he was idle and had nothing to do, and can share the worry with you."

  The Empress Dowager smiled and said: "Yuwen Ai Qing is young and promising, the Emperor can rely on him."

  The emperor sat on the dragon chair in the Taihe Hall, letting them argue for half a day without turning his head to look, but instead staring at Gu Zhaobei.

  Everyone present had a jade pendant at their waist, and even the princes who didn't wear pendants wore jade ornaments as decorations. The only one with nothing around his waist was Gu Zhaobei.

  "It goes without saying that the Empress Dowager and the two beloved consorts are not to be mentioned." After a moment, the Emperor spoke up: "As for this matter, I have already made up my mind."

  The empress dowager and everyone else looked at the emperor, who smiled as he asked Gu Zhenbei: "Just now, when you saved me, was it out of filial piety? When Shi Tianlin saved me, it was out of loyalty. But you, Fourth Master Gu, are neither a prince nor an official, so what kind of heart did you use?"

  Gu Zhaobei was taken aback, and the eyes of everyone present fell on him in an instant. Even Gu Chengxiang, who was sitting ahead, turned his head to look back at him with a tense expression.

  Shen Guiyan took a slight breath and felt that she shouldn't worry too much, because although Gu Zhaobei looked like a spoiled rich kid, he actually was someone who understood boundaries and wouldn't...

  "Does saving someone require a specific intention?" Gu Zhaobei stepped forward, still with his usual nonchalant demeanor: "It's just that I saw an assassin, so this humble subject went over to block them, Your Majesty is worrying too much."

  Everyone was in an uproar, and Prime Minister Gu's face could no longer be described as just looking difficult. The Emperor had clearly intended to reward him, having even prepared words of praise, but this unfilial son was so obtuse that he didn't understand, and instead rebuked the Emperor's dignity!

  The Empress Dowager snorted and glanced at Grand Minister Gu, but didn't say a word. The Emperor hesitated for a moment before looking at Shen Guiyan with a hint of helplessness: "Since Fourth Master Gu can't answer, perhaps Fourth Mistress Gu can answer me this question?"

  Shen Guiyan's body stiffened, and she stood up, bowing to the emperor: "I, a humble woman, dare to speak out, sir's intention is not to offend Your Majesty, but rather that he is not very good at speaking."

  "I knew you would speak, so I let you speak." The emperor pinched the palace plate in his hand: "If what you say is right, I will reward your merits for escorting me today. If what you say is wrong, I will punish your crime of offending me, how about that?"

  Gu Zhāo Běi glanced at Shěn Guī Yàn with a hint of encouragement in his eyes.

  Shen Guiyan was at a loss for words, this man himself loved to pretend to be stupid and confused, but also wanted to pull her in as his shield. However, since Gu Zhaobei couldn't give the emperor an excuse to step down, she had no choice but to smooth things over herself. Just get out, I don't love you, President!

  "The people's wife obeys the order." Shen Guiyan knelt down, kneeling upright and said: "The Emperor said that the fifth prince saving him is a filial heart, and General Shi saving him is a loyal heart. But my husband says that saving him doesn't need a heart, then it is exactly the true heart."

  The emperor raised an eyebrow.

  "The people of the world are all children of Your Majesty, and although Mr. Xiang has no official position, he is not a child of the emperor either. However, he understands the importance of the emperor to the people of the world. The life of the emperor is as precious to him as his own father's life, so he risked his life to save the emperor, relying solely on his conscience."

  So, the art of speaking is very important. The same meaning can be expressed in two different sentences with completely different effects. Even if some people are shameless, when facing someone who holds power and control over life and death, does having a face matter?

  The emperor's eyes flashed with some light, and he was actually a bit red: "Really?"

  "It is." Shen Guiyan bowed down without a hint of embarrassment or nervousness.

  Gu Zhaobei couldn't help but stifle a laugh and said in a low voice, "You're really something."

  Shen Guiyan's hand on her knee moved slightly to pinch him, signaling him to be honest.

  She was about to believe him, but he still went and did something so ridiculous.

  "Hahaha." The Emperor laughed heartily and said to Grand Preceptor Gu, "The Grand Preceptor has a good son and also a good daughter-in-law. I have just thought of what rewards should be given today ---- Fifth Prince, come forward and receive your reward."

  The fifth prince smiled and took a step forward: "I am here."

  "The fifth prince Ming Xun, with a heart that embraces all living things, has saved the throne from danger. Today, I grant you the position of Crown Prince. May you inherit my will and unify the mountains and rivers in the future."

  "Your Majesty!" The Empress Dowager was shocked and stood up.

  "Does Empress Dowager think it's inappropriate?" The Emperor smiled slightly: "But the matter of establishing the crown prince should be decided by me."

  The Empress Dowager was furious, and the Empress had returned to her palace. Shi Fa Long led the Imperial Guards to guard here, she looked around and found that there was only Yuwen Changqing by her side.

  The Emperor's good opportunity!

  "The reward is not yet complete, if there are any objections, let me finish speaking." The emperor looked up at Shi Falong and continued: "General Shi also has the merit of protecting the emperor, with increased loyalty. Increase his salary by 200 stones per year, and allow him to move freely within the palace."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Shi Wulong smiled and bowed his hands. The Creator God Emperor

  The emperor finally looked at Gu Zhaobei.

  "This case of assassination in the palace will be handed over to the fourth young master of the Gu family for investigation."

  "Your Majesty." Yuwen Changqing was slightly surprised: "Gu Si Gongzi has no official position, how can he investigate this case?"

  The Emperor smiled and said, "Yes, since he has no official position, I am preparing to issue an edict, ordering Gu Zhaonan to temporarily take on the role of Vice Minister of Justice. If he can investigate and get to the bottom of things, then he will be given a permanent position. If not...then today's merits and demerits will cancel each other out, and he will return to being an ordinary citizen."

  Everyone was shocked. Who didn't know that Guo Zhaonan was a useless good-for-nothing, yet because he had rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor's life, he was given the position of Vice Minister of Justice?

  The Grand Duke's face was extremely complex: "Your Majesty, your humble servant is unable to bear the heavy responsibility..."

  "I didn't let him act as a substitute? Once the truth can't be found out, what he should be will still be what he is." The emperor smiled and said: "What's wrong with that?"

  Such a method, really no one can say anything against it. The empress dowager opened her mouth and wanted to speak, but she had nothing to say.

  The queen had troops stationed outside the capital, originally planning to create chaos and kill the emperor at a banquet, with the large army advancing into the capital to provide cover for the sixth prince's ascension to the throne. Who knew that someone would see through it, ruining the entire plan? Now they even want to make some pampered son the Minister of Justice, isn't that just absurd?

  However, Shi Walong is already in the palace, and they can't do anything about it. Not only can't they move the emperor, but they also have to think of a way to erase all traces, so as not to give others any excuse to take action, which is already enough to make them worried sick.

  The empress dowager sighed and also took a look at Gu Zhaobei. That person was so careless, he shouldn't be a threat. But his wife seemed quite clever, probably helping from behind the scenes.

  If it's a man who relies on women to get ahead, there's no need to worry too much. What needs to be considered now is how to deal with this newly appointed crown prince?

  The emperor rewarded all those who had saved him today and then supported his forehead, saying: "I'm also tired today, let's disperse."

  Shen Guiyan stood up with Gu Zhaobei, slightly bowing to see them off. After the Emperor and Empress Dowager left, Shen Guiyan suddenly felt the scorching gazes from all directions.

  Look, the salted fish has turned over!

  Without lifting her head, she knew what the people around her meant. Shen Guiyan sighed and glanced at Gu Zhaobei.

  Is it good luck or bad luck?

  Gu Zhaobei was very calm and ran to Gu Chengxiang's face, asking with a smile: "Father, from tomorrow on, are we colleagues?"

  The face of Gu Kui is very colorful.

  Nine Cycles of Heaven's Mandate

  Today's events were really too much of a rollercoaster. What was originally supposed to be a sunset banquet is now dispersing, and the sky is almost bright already.

  Before he could scold Gu Zhaobei, Gu Gonggong rubbed his forehead and said, "Let's talk about it when we get back."

  Shen Guiyan only then remembered that he had come to the capital today to ask for his father's official seal back, but unfortunately, looking at the situation today, the emperor would certainly not have the mind to consider such a request, so it was better to go back first.

  Three people in a horse carriage, Gu Zhaobei was visibly excited: "I'm an official now?"

  "Congratulations, sir." Shen Guiyan smiled slightly.

  If she hadn't followed him into the palace today and suddenly heard that Gu Zhaobei had become an official, still a Shilang, she would definitely be shocked.

  But after seeing Gu Zhaobei's actions today, Shen Guiyan felt that she had never really understood him before, and like others, had always underestimated him.

  The man in front of her was still muttering and shaking with excitement like a sheep suffering from rabies, but his eyes were unfathomably deep, which made her even more curious.

  "What was I saying, the Fourth Young Master's wife is indeed a lucky charm for her husband!" The kitchen's Lin Dama slapped her thigh and said: "Just look at that, with just two sentences, the Fourth Young Master didn't even take the imperial examination, yet he directly became an official!"

  The maidservants of the side dishes came and went, and there were at least two who stopped to echo a couple of sentences: "Isn't that right? That son is the one the eldest young master wanted most in this imperial examination, but it was bestowed upon the fourth young master by the emperor. I heard the eldest young master had a huge fit of rage in the east wing!"

  "I said from the beginning that I shouldn't have lost my sister and married my sister-in-law."

  It was unknown who said this sentence, but it happened to be overheard by Yu Shu.

  "This is also infuriating." Yu Shu returned to one side to help Shen Guiya with her hair, while saying: "Obviously saying you're not as good as that Northern Courtyard one!"

  Shen Guiya didn't put her mind at ease, only looking at herself in the mirror, and then pulled her collar down a bit: "They're scolding Gu Zhaodong for being blind, what's there to be angry about? As long as I'm not blind, that's all that matters."

  "Miss, what are you thinking?" Yu Chai stamped her foot: "You married the young master, scolding the young master is scolding you!"

  "Who told you that I can only follow Gu Zhaodong for my whole life?" Shen Guiya snorted: "Look at you, getting angry to this extent, really can't let go. Originally following Gu Zhaodong was because I thought he had potential. Now the dark horse has already emerged, and yet not moving towards a higher place, instead waiting in a low place to be washed away?"

  Yu Chai was taken aback: "Miss, what do you mean?"

  "You don't understand, just watch then." Shen Guiya dressed up and stood up saying: "Today's lunch is for the whole family to eat together, don't be late, hurry up."