Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 17 Killing Two Birds with One Stone

After the court assembly, Emperor Cheng met with Gu Chang'an in the Imperial Study.

"Rise, Minister Gu. How is the case going?" Emperor Cheng, who had been on the throne for twenty years, was in his early fifties and already had half of his hair turned white, but he was still in good spirits, and his eyes were a little cloudy but very sharp.

"Your Majesty, Liu Ling has confessed, and the embezzlement has been confirmed. However, when his accomplices were summoned, it seemed that..." Gu Chang'an seemed to have some reservations in his words.

"Who?" Emperor Cheng said coldly, "Speak."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me." Gu Chang'an apologized again before saying, "Yes... Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Crown Prince?" Emperor Cheng's tone rose, but there was no surprise in his eyes. After a moment, he said, "Continue the investigation. I want you to investigate this case to the end."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It is not that I intend to shirk my responsibility, but the case may involve the Crown Prince, and it may not be convincing to the public if it is handled by me alone."

Emperor Cheng's expression shifted: "Then what do you mean?"

"I believe the three judicial departments should conduct a joint trial, and I request that the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice jointly conduct the trial with me," Gu Chang'an continued.

"You are not one to abuse your power," Emperor Cheng said with a hint of admiration.

"Your Majesty has entrusted me with a great responsibility, so I should be loyal to Your Majesty and would not dare to seek personal gain." Gu Chang'an's words were righteous and awe-inspiring.

"You may not seek personal gain, but others might not. How many people are plotting for my wealth and status after I'm gone?" Emperor Cheng snorted indifferently and said, "A joint trial by the three judicial departments is not advisable."

Gu Chang'an waited for him to continue.

"But your concerns are not without merit. I will have the Flying Fish Guard assist you in investigating this case. The Flying Fish Guard is my personal army and has the authority to interrogate imperial relatives. With them around, I believe no one will dare to question it." Emperor Cheng made his decision.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gu Chang'an expressed his gratitude but hesitated for a moment, then added, "I have another matter to discuss."

"If you have any other concerns, please tell me." Emperor Cheng waved his hand.

"Yes."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

“Miss, your painting of these flowers is so beautiful.” Peony brought tea to the study and saw Shen Li standing in front of the table painting. She looked her over carefully and said, “But I have never seen these flowers before.”

Shen Li focused on painting the flower stamens, carefully touching them with the tip of her brush. Only after lifting the brush did she say, "This is an ink chrysanthemum, extremely difficult to cultivate, but isn't it beautiful?"

“Miss, everything you paint looks beautiful,” Peony said sincerely.

"You're so sweet-talking. Your sister Lianqiao hasn't come back yet?" Shen Li put down her brush after finishing the drawing.

"Not yet, Miss. You're getting better and better to the magistrate. You even personally deliver his lunch to the yamen."

A figure moved in front of the screen. Shen Li looked away and said, "You really think Lian Qiao is there to deliver food?"

"What else?" Peony asked, bewildered.

“Of course, we’ll leave the tasks to her.” As soon as Shen Li finished speaking, Ying’er walked in from the outer room, carrying a tray with six plates of pastries of different shapes and colors.

"Miss, please wash your hands and have some refreshments." The maid behind Ying'er carried a washbasin.

"It's perfect that you're here, Ying'er. Once that ink chrysanthemum painting is dry, please send it to Consort Zhou at the Zhou family's residence and ask her to accept my condolences," Shen Li instructed.

At this time, Zhou Qianqian must have been helping with the funeral arrangements at the mansion.

"Yes," Ying'er said, and went to stand guard in front of the desk.

Shen Li sat down at the table and began to enjoy her snacks. These were her extra meals, which she ate an hour after breakfast and then had lunch an hour later.

"Your appetite has been getting better and better lately, young lady." Ying'er's smile carried a hint of probing: "I never saw you using so much before, is it because your relationship with the master is getting better and better that you're in a good mood?"

"I was seriously ill a few days ago, and since I woke up I've felt weak and often hungry." Shen Li pretended not to notice her probing and just sighed, "What feelings can I have with him?"

Her secret must never be revealed to this girl.

“Miss doesn’t eat much these days, it’s not because she’s weak. Even the imperial physician said she needs to eat more. Sister Ying, please don’t make wild guesses,” Peony quickly defended her mistress.

She wondered what was wrong with Ying'er. Wouldn't it be better for Miss to eat more? Why bring up the adults? Now Miss would be upset again.

"My sister is right." Ying'er lowered her eyes to hide her displeasure. Does this little girl even know who she's talking to? She has no sense of propriety at all.

Shen Li narrowed her eyes; this little guy's temper was getting bigger and bigger.

"Miss." Lian Qiao returned from outside, looking travel-worn. Seeing that no one else was in the room, she lowered her voice and said, "The master said it's done."

Ying'er raised her head again. What is it?

"Ying'er." Shen Li also looked at her: "Help me pass on a message to the Consort, make sure not to miss a single word."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Zhou family set up a mourning hall overnight. White lanterns hung on both sides of the vermilion gate, and the servants all wore white mourning clothes. The entire Zhou mansion was decorated in a somber atmosphere.

The once bustling mansion seemed to have fallen silent overnight, with no one speaking loudly anymore.

In the mourning hall, the old lady cried again and again. Chief Minister Zhou insisted on going to court. The only people accompanying the old lady were Zhou Qianqian and the youngest son born to another concubine.

Neither Zhou Qianqian nor the boy could offer the old lady any comfort, because neither of them were her own flesh and blood.

Zhou Qianqian and Zhou Rong didn't have a good relationship, but since Zhou Rong was her only family, she still had to maintain appearances.

Zhou Qianqian was feeding the old lady ginseng soup when someone came in to report: "Your Majesty, the Gu family has come to deliver condolences, saying they must personally hand them to you."

"Mother, I'll be right back." She was waiting for news from the Gu family.

Upon arriving at the second hall and seeing that it was Ying'er, Zhou Qianqian felt reassured. She left only her personal maid behind and sent everyone else away, closing the doors and windows securely.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Shen Li sent me with this painting, and also a message," Ying'er said, dropping all pretense as she entered.

"Liu Ling refused to die and even confessed to the prince. Although Gu Chang'an suppressed the matter, he was worried that executing Liu Ling would anger the emperor. Therefore, he informed His Majesty that Liu Ling should be sent to the imperial prison."

"Imperial Prison? Flying Fish Guard?" Zhou Qianqian's face paled with anxiety. "Although it's not as prestigious as it used to be, the number of wrongful convictions it fabricates is even greater than that of the Dali Temple, and it can even interrogate imperial relatives..."

"Damn it, Gu Chang'an actually dared not kill the person." She said hatefully.

"Your Majesty, please don't worry. Gu Chang'an has sent word that he will personally escort someone by the Flying Fish Guards at midnight tonight. It will be dark and windy on the way, so killing someone shouldn't be difficult," Ying'er said the second half of her sentence.

Zhou Qianqian pondered for a moment, then chuckled and hummed, "What a fine Minister of the Court of Judicial Review! He's meticulous in everything he does."

"If someone dies on the road, he won't have to bear any responsibility whatsoever. This way, he'll do us a favor, use us to strike at the Flying Fish Guard, and won't offend His Majesty. It's killing three birds with one stone."

What's most infuriating is that she and His Highness have no choice but to accept this favor; otherwise, if such a person were to turn against them, who knows how many times they might stab them in the back.

Ying'er only half understood what Gu Chang'an was saying, but she did understand one thing: Gu Chang'an was very capable.

"Go back now, and thank Shen Li for me." Zhou Qianqian said, taking off a full-green jade bracelet from her wrist, "This is a reward for her."

Seeing Ying'er take the bracelet out, the maid said with heartache, "Master, why did you give away the thing that Her Majesty the Empress gave you? That's a full green jadeite, your best piece of jewelry."

“You think I’m willing to give it up? But the Shen family is so prominent, and Gu Chang’an is very good at making money. They probably have plenty of money. She won’t be interested if I don’t bring something nice.” Zhou Qianqian sighed with heartache: “Arrange a carriage and return to the palace.”