freenovelworld Chapter 704: People's hearts may change over the years, but Gu Lu will never change.
Chapter 704: People's hearts may change over the years, but Gu Lu will never change.
A few days later, news spread throughout the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Lin Jiayou obtained an official position, although it was only as a scribe next to the Prefect of Jingzhao, which was not a prestigious position. However, he had entered officialdom under the emperor's nose and had a proper official status.
Gu Qingchen was practicing archery in the courtyard when he heard the news.
With a "whoosh," she fired her last arrow, hitting the bullseye perfectly. Satisfied, she tossed down the bow, her face beaming with undisguised pride.
She knew it!
She knew Lin Jiayou was capable!
Just a few days ago, his elder brother looked down on him so much, and the servants in the mansion treated him like dirt. But look at him now! He doesn't rely on anyone; he can make a name for himself!
Lin Jiayou had previously worked as a clerk under Gu Lu in Chengdu, so he was already adept at these paperwork tasks, making this position perfect for him.
Gu Qingchen felt extremely relieved, as if all the humiliation he had suffered in the past few days had been swept away.
She felt that her judgment was the best in the world!
She was happily planning how to celebrate Lin Jiayou's birthday when Qian Zhenyun walked in.
He was also holding several account books in his hand.
"So happy?" Qian Zhenyun looked at her beaming face, his voice revealing no emotion.
"That's right!" Gu Qingchen raised his chin like a proud little peacock. "I told you Lin Jiayou was a dragon among men, and that he would soar to great heights sooner or later, but you just wouldn't believe me."
Qian Zhenyun didn't respond to her words, but simply placed the account book in his hand on the stone table and casually asked, "The Prefect of Jingzhao is a strict person with extremely high requirements. Lin Jiayou must have put in a lot of effort to get this position."
He paused, his gaze falling on a certain page of the ledger, as if talking to himself.
"I've heard that to secure such a position in the Jingzhao Prefecture, one would need to bribe officials at all levels, costing at least a thousand taels of silver. It's quite surprising that Gu Lu, an official known for his integrity, would have such wealth."
The smile on Gu Qingchen's face slowly froze.
She turned her head and looked at Qian Zhenyun.
He kept his head down, looking at the ledger with a focused expression, as if his words just now were truly unintentional.
But Gu Qingchen understood the meaning behind it.
He suspected that Lin Jiayou's official position was bought with money by his brother, Gu Lu.
A surge of anger rose even higher than his previous smugness.
"GunGun, if it were someone else, I might believe you if you said that."
Qian Zhenyun stopped flipping through the ledger pages and looked up at her.
“But that person is Brother Gu Lu, it’s impossible for him.” Gu Qingchen’s voice was not loud, but it was unusually firm.
“My father often said that Gu Lu was taught by him, and it was precisely because the emperor trusted his character that he entrusted the entire city of Chengdu to him for ten years.”
Her gaze sharpened as she stared directly at Qian Zhenyun.
"Ten years may change people's hearts, but Gu Lu will never change. Even if he really did change, how could my father, who corresponded with him for so many years, not have noticed at all?"
Gu Qingchen took a step forward, his words filled with an unprecedented disappointment and sharpness.
"Qian Zhenyun, don't let jealousy blind you."
The last sentence struck Qian Zhenyun's heart like a heavy hammer.
His whole body froze.
envy?
She actually thought that she was making such assumptions about Lin Jiayou out of jealousy?
After Gu Qingchen finished speaking, she turned and left without looking at him again.
Qian Zhenyun stood still for a long time.
He looked at the empty courtyard, Gu Qingchen's words, "Gu Lu would never do that," echoing repeatedly in his mind.
yes……
When he was a child, wasn't he the one who admired Brother Gu Lu the most?
At that time, Gu Lu was still a young boy who followed Gu Junze. Every time he came to the mansion, he would smile and pat his head, bringing him the newest and most interesting things from the capital.
He was gentle and upright, the most reliable and dependable role model among all the children.
When did I start to doubt him?
Could it be... just as Qingchen said, that she lost her mind because she was too jealous of Lin Jiayou, jealous that he could easily get her protection and favor, and that she saw everyone as having ulterior motives?
Qian Zhenyun lowered his eyes, looking at the account book in his hand, and for the first time, he began to doubt his own judgment.
Ever since his unpleasant parting with Gu Qingchen that day, Qian Zhenyun buried himself in the files of the Ministry of Revenue.
For the first time, he began to reflect on whether his targeting of Lin Jiayou was truly driven by too much personal motive.
Perhaps Gu Qingchen is right; Gu Lu's character shouldn't be judged in such a way.
However, before he could sort out his feelings, a storm was quietly brewing in the capital.
Initially, it was just some whispers circulating in certain teahouses and taverns.
"Have you heard? The Crown Prince's study companion, Qian Zhenyun, looks honest, but he's ruthless!"
"Yes, in order to rent that lucrative piece of land, the Royal Garden, a wealthy merchant from the south gifted him an ancient inkstone from a previous dynasty, along with a whole box of gold bars!"
Rumors spread like wildfire, from the streets to the officialdom in just two or three days.
During the morning court session, an imperial censor suddenly stepped forward, holding a ceremonial tablet, his voice stern and stern.
"Your Majesty! I have a memorial to present! Qian Zhenyun, taking advantage of the drafting of the 'increase revenue and reduce expenditure' regulations, has been privately exchanging favors and colluding with unscrupulous merchants, accepting huge bribes, intending to turn the royal gardens into his private property! How is this any different from that of a traitor to the country!"
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Revenue and Qian Zhenyun, so as to uphold the law and serve as a warning to others!"
Upon hearing this, a chorus of agreement immediately arose in the imperial court.
Officials from the Third Prince's faction stepped forward one after another, speaking with absolute certainty, as if they already possessed irrefutable evidence.
Zhao Yunci, sitting on the dragon throne, had a livid face.
Just a few days ago, he praised Qian Zhenyun's "increase revenue and reduce expenditure" strategy. In the blink of an eye, this good thing has become a huge scandal.
This is not only a slap in the face to Qian Zhenyun, but also to the face of the emperor and crown prince Zhao Chen'an!
East Palace, study.
Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an paced back and forth, his usually composed face now filled with lingering anxiety.
"Zhenyun, what exactly is going on?"
"My father was furious in the Imperial Study and gave me a severe scolding. The Censorate has sealed off your office in the Ministry of Revenue and said they want to investigate thoroughly!"
Qian Zhenyun stood before the desk, his expression calm and composed, a stark contrast to the Crown Prince's anxiety.
Gu Qingchen's words that day made him doubt himself. But when this blatant frame-up hit him, he became completely sober.
He bowed respectfully, his voice calm and even.
"Your Highness, please calm down."
"I can guarantee with my life that I have never accepted any money or items of dubious origin. This whole thing was a setup aimed at us from the very beginning."
Zhao Chen'an suddenly stopped and stared at him: "Is it Third Brother?"
Qian Zhenyun raised his eyes, his gaze filled with a cold indifference that seemed to know everything.
"Who else could it be but him? He's trying to use the very national policy I proposed to push me into an abyss of no return."