An urgent dispatch from Yangzhou arrived on the tenth day of the first lunar month. This time, it was good news. The Japanese pirates attacked the city, and Prince Ning led troops to resist them, annihilating over fourteen hundred enemies in the first battle.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Prince Ning's memorial reached the capital again.
The Prefect of Yangzhou, Feng Yunxian, had his whereabouts exposed, and he committed suicide during his capture.
Gu Yan Chen, disregarding that he was still in court, loudly retorted, "Impossible, how could Prefect Feng commit suicide?"
Marquis Qi Ying, Jian Huai Ming, immediately stepped forward, glaring unhappily at Gu Yan Chen, "Lord Gu's words, do they mean to suspect Prince Ning?"
"I am merely stating facts; we cannot convict Prefect Feng based solely on Prince Ning's two memorials, can we?"
"Lord Gu, you can rest assured. Prince Ning is thorough in his actions. I believe the witnesses and evidence are already on their way back to the capital. You only need to wait a few more days." Marquis Qi Ying pouted. The boy hadn't even grown his full beard and yet he was given the position of Minister of the Grand Court of Judicial Review. He even dared to question Prince Ning's memorial.
Gu Yan Chen was not convinced and cupped his hands, "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Chang Wu, however, waved his hand, "We will discuss this matter once all witnesses and evidence are complete."
This was his son with Consort Rong. Emperor Chang Wu did not want him to clash with Marquis Jian Ying's household so soon after entering the court. That was the Empress's maternal family, a force to be reckoned with, and certainly not someone a mere Minister of the Grand Court of Judicial Review could easily provoke.
But Gu Yan Chen clearly did not understand his good intentions. Not only did he not listen, but he also knelt down, "Your Majesty, Feng Yun Xian was a civil official. How could he lead troops to sea? This matter still has doubts. I request your decree to go to Yangzhou and thoroughly investigate this matter."
Marquis Qi Ying let out a cold laugh.
The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice then stepped forward, "Lord Gu, we know that the Grand Court of Judicial Review is a place for trying cases, but this matter has not yet been concluded. It seems inappropriate for you to be so eager to take on this task. Could it be that Feng Yun Xian has some prior connection with you?"
"Having served as officials in Yangzhou for over two years, naturally, we have prior connections."
"If there are prior connections, then this matter becomes difficult. Investigating a case requires avoiding suspicion. Surely you understand this, don't you?"
Gu Yan Chen said, "All officials in the court can be called colleagues. The Grand Court of Judicial Review tries either officials or members of the imperial family. If we followed this Lord's logic, then what cases could the Grand Court of Judicial Review try? Should it just close its doors?"
The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice stammered, "You are quibbling."
Gu Yan Chen ignored him and turned to Emperor Chang Wu, "I implore Your Majesty to grant my request."
Emperor Chang Wu felt weary. This son was a troublemaker. "Lord Gu, please do not act rashly. If Feng Yun Xian truly suffered an injustice, I will naturally clear his name. You may withdraw."
"Your Majesty!"
"Court is dismissed."
The sound of the bell rang, and Emperor Chang Wu departed through the side door next to the imperial throne. Ouyang Wen pulled Gu Yan Chen up, "Little Yan Yan, let's go back and talk."
"If time passes, all evidence will likely be destroyed."
"From Yangzhou to the capital, even an urgent dispatch takes five to six days to arrive. Coupled with your journey from the capital, by the time you arrive, won't all the evidence be cleaned up?" Ouyang Wen patted his shoulder, "Brother, my condolences."
Gu Yan Chen felt a lump in his throat. He ultimately couldn't help him.
The two walked out side by side, and countless eyes subtly watched him for a long time. Ouyang Wen whispered a reminder, "Most of these people are from the Empress's faction. By questioning Prince Ning in court today, you've likely incurred their wrath."
Gu Yan Chen roughly calculated the gazes cast upon him, "Has Prince Ning's backing become so substantial?"
Ouyang Wen explained, "In the current court, the Crown Prince and Prince Ning are in a standoff. Without so many people supporting him, do you think Prince Ning would be so arrogant? Come, let's go to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. I'll explain the complexities of this place to you properly, so you don't end up offending people the moment you open your mouth like you did today."
Gu Yan Chen was unconcerned, "After becoming the Minister of the Grand Court of Judicial Review, I will offend people often in the future."
"Big brother, can I call you big brother? Your father is merely a minor Marquis of Guangling. With such arrogant behavior, who will protect you in the future?"
"I am merely enforcing the law."
"This is the capital, not Yangzhou. The gray areas here are far more numerous than you imagine."
Seeing Ouyang Wen's anxiety, Gu Yan Chen couldn't help but smile, "Ouyang, I also came from the capital. I only stayed in Yangzhou for two years, I'm not so foolish as to not know these things."
"Knowing, and yet acting so recklessly?"
"I've become accustomed to being direct in Yangzhou these past few years. Besides, if all my energy is spent on scheming and fighting, who will have the energy to serve the people?"
"So you intend to be a pure official?"
Gu Yan Chen nodded, "In any case, I'll investigate my cases. As long as you don't fall into my hands, everything can be discussed."
"You are so arrogant."
The two walked out arm in arm, and Gu Yan Chen glanced suspiciously at the high palace walls, "Strange, why do I always feel like someone is watching me?"
Ouyang Wen was startled, and he also looked around. Then he whispered, "I heard that the Emperor's Dragon Guard is spread throughout the capital. Do you think everything we just said might have been overheard?"
He quickly recalled if he had said anything he shouldn't have.
Fortunately, he hadn't.