SGEIRS -Chapter 543 There’s a Lead

After the people from the first and second branches left Shou’an Hall, Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi did not leave right away. They stayed behind for a while to keep Old Madam Gu company.

Seeing that it was almost time to set out, Gu Jingxi handed the little tagalong in his arms to his mother and said, “Mother, we’ll have to trouble you to look after Wanwan.”

Old Madam Gu took her little grandson from her son’s arms, her smile kind and affectionate. “Don’t worry and go out. I’ll take good care of Wanwan.”

Gu Jingxi pinched his son’s chubby little cheek and said, “I’ll have to trouble Mother today. This child has grown a bit and is livelier than before.”

Old Madam Gu shot him a glare. “If we’re talking about being noisy, who could compare to how noisy you were back then? Wanwan couldn’t be more well-behaved. Don’t spout nonsense and ruin my grandson’s reputation.”

Gu Jingxi: “……”

He hasn’t even been weaned yet—what reputation does he need?

Old Madam Gu didn’t bother arguing with him and urged, “Alright, go on and head out without worries. It’s rare that you have time today to accompany A-Yao.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “Alright. Thank you, Mother.”

After speaking, he grabbed his little wife and left without looking back, showing not the slightest reluctance to part with his son.

Instead, the little fellow stared wide-eyed as his parents walked away. When their figures faded from view, he seemed to sense something. His little mouth puckered, and he looked on the verge of tears—but in the next moment, his attention was diverted by the rattle in the wet nurse’s hand, and his innocent, bright smile reappeared.

Old Madam Gu cast an approving glance at the wet nurse. She was quick-witted. Then she began teasing her precious little grandson.

They say grandparents dote on their grandchildren, and Old Madam Gu was no exception. No matter how she looked at Wanwan, she liked him more and more. Though she was usually someone who preferred quiet, she could chatter endlessly to the child. Wanwan couldn’t talk yet and could only giggle at her, but she felt immensely satisfied all the same.

On the other side, the carriage was already prepared.

Just as Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi were about to head out, the steward hurried over, bowed, and said, “My lord, Minister Yu of the Ministry of Justice has arrived. He says he has urgent business to see you.”

Minister Yu?

Gu Jingxi was momentarily taken aback, then turned to look at Meng Jinyao, a hint of apology in his eyes.

Understanding as always, Meng Jinyao said, “Husband, since Minister Yu came in person, it must be something very important. You should go attend to it first. We won’t go out today—when you have your next day off, we can go then.”

Gu Jingxi nodded lightly. “A-Yao, I’ll go take a look. If there’s something I need to deal with, then we won’t go out today.”

Meng Jinyao curved her lips into a smile. “Go on quickly. I’ll go to Mother’s place and keep Wanwan company.”

Gu Jingxi didn’t waste any time and hurried off to see Minister Yu. When he reached the reception hall, he saw Minister Yu pacing back and forth inside. He was somewhat surprised—he couldn’t imagine what could have made Minister Yu so restless. He stepped forward and asked, “Minister Yu, you’ve come so suddenly—may I ask what this is about?”

Minister Yu glanced at the maids standing on either side and said, “Lord Gu, this is not a place to talk.”

Gu Jingxi paused, then said, “Then please come to my study.”

Minister Yu nodded and followed him to the study in the front courtyard.

As soon as they entered, Minister Yu pulled out a letter from his robes and handed it to Gu Jingxi. “Lord Gu, I won’t waste words. Once you’ve read these, you’ll understand why I was so anxious to see you.”

Gu Jingxi took the letters, sat down to one side, and read them carefully. His expression grew increasingly grave. After a long while, he set the letters down and looked up at Minister Yu. “Minister Yu, where did you get these?”

Minister Yu replied, “Early this morning, a little beggar delivered them. I don’t know who instructed him to do so. After reading the letters and learning that they concern the death of Crown Prince Huizhao, I came straight to see you. His Majesty ordered you and me to thoroughly investigate this matter. For over half a year, there’s been no progress—now that there’s finally a lead, I naturally wouldn’t keep it from you.”

Gu Jingxi fell silent. “……”

If it were anything else, once Minister Yu had a lead, he would definitely handle the matter himself—why would he share half the credit with him? Only with something like this would he drag him into the mess, so that whether it turned out well or badly, they’d share it together. Truly an old, crafty fox.

After a moment, Gu Jingxi responded calmly, “Thank you, Minister Yu. Have you already sent people to the ruined temple to arrest those related to the case?”

Minister Yu replied, “Not yet. As soon as I learned of this, I came to discuss it with you first. In your opinion, Lord Gu, can this information be trusted?”

Gu Jingxi was silent once more. “……”

This old fellow really had eight hundred schemes in his head. He wanted to pull him fully into the matter and make him participate from start to finish. The reason he wasn’t in a hurry to arrest anyone was surely because whoever sent the message would keep the people under watch, only withdrawing once their men were nearly in place.

He said, “Minister Yu, in my view, it’s better to believe it might be true than to dismiss it outright. Sending people to the ruined temple outside the city to check would reveal whether it’s true or false. What do you think?”

Minister Yu said, “Lord Gu makes a valid point. Then we’ll first send people to investigate. If the individuals mentioned in the letter are truly there, we’ll arrest them immediately.”

Gu Jingxi didn’t delay. He promptly summoned Zhou Yun and the others, instructing them to bring the people back from the ruined temple outside the city.

Only then did Minister Yu ask, “Lord Gu, who do you think is behind sending us this information? If he knows the truth, why didn’t he go inform His Majesty directly, or report it to the authorities?”

Gu Jingxi answered cautiously, “Perhaps because Crown Prince Huizhao enjoyed popular support. Someone who knows the truth behind his death wants the culprit to receive due punishment, yet does not wish to reveal their own identity. That’s why they sent a little beggar to deliver the message.”

Minister Yu glanced at him, feeling quite vexed by his excessive caution.

Where would there be so many people indifferent to fame and reward?

Crown Prince Huizhao was His Majesty’s most beloved son. Anyone who provided clues about his death would surely receive a handsome reward.

Someone who could hide their contribution so thoroughly must be using them to bring down the second prince, who currently enjoyed great momentum and had the highest chance of becoming crown prince. As for who that person was—whoever eventually became crown prince would be the most likely candidate.

They had suspected the second prince before, but lacked evidence. Now there was a lead—but this was not something easy to get involved in. The second prince was also a son highly valued by His Majesty. If the matter were brought before the emperor, how would he punish the second prince?

Both were sons, and both were outstanding. The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh. If His Majesty punished the second prince severely and felt distressed afterward, would he vent his anger on those handling the case?

Gu Jingxi glanced at Minister Yu, knowing exactly what he was worrying about. Minister Yu had risen to his current position precisely by being cautious—thinking everything through before acting. To put it plainly, he worried a bit too much.

Gu Jingxi said gently, “Minister Yu, don’t overthink it. His Majesty is a wise ruler.”

Minister Yu nodded, then asked again, “Lord Gu, do you really think it could be the second prince?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “Minister Yu, I have always believed only in factual evidence. If the evidence is conclusive, then it is so. If not, then someone is framing him and tarnishing the second prince’s reputation. Whether it is or isn’t him, we must investigate thoroughly—wrong no innocent person, and let no true culprit escape.”

His answer was flawless, leaving no opening.

Minister Yu had no way to deal with him and finally gave up trying to probe him—resolving at the same time to keep a tight rein on his own mouth.