HPDBC Chapter 131: Chapter 123 Promotion and Nobility_1
Chapter 131: Chapter 123 Promotion and Nobility_1
Hearing that King Huai had spoken, on the court above, all the civil and military officials, no matter who they were, ceased to speak.
The face of King Huai must be given where it's due.
In any case, all the civil and military officials were filled with awe towards King Huai.
Soon, the morning court concluded, and the civil and military officials departed in succession.
The morning court did not involve members of the Jing Tian Department or the Mingjing Department; after all, these two institutions were somewhat special. Strictly speaking, they held no official positions in the court, and unless necessary, the deputy leader of Jing Tian Department and the four major inspectors of Mingjing Department did not attend court.
Among them, figures such as Marquis of Wuwei and other nobles walked together, their expressions extremely somber.
Because, after the battle in Xu'an County, these nobles had lost their sons. How could their expressions be anything but grim?
After the court session, Uncle Dingyuan and others gathered together, each with an exceptionally grim face.
"Huang Xiu, that waste!" Uncle Dingyuan raged.
Although he had many wives and concubines, he had only one son, Liang Xu, just like Marquis of Pingxi to Cao Zhen. He had high hopes for Liang Xu.
Now that Liang Xu was dead, Uncle Dingyuan felt that life was bleak, wondering if his vast estate would only be left to his daughter.
The expression of Marquis of Wuwei was no better; although he had more than just Zhuo Zhibin as a descendant, Zhuo Zhibin was his eldest son. Having raised him for so many years, to lose him so suddenly, how could he bear it?
The remaining nobles felt similarly, all of them loathed Huang Xiu deeply.
As for Cao Zhen, they felt indifferent; although it was Cao Zhen who had proposed this ordeal, after all, even Cao Zhen himself had perished. What more could they blame?
Moreover, behind Cao Zhen stood Marquis of Pingxi, a Lord Marquis with great power in his grasp. He was not someone that Uncle Dingyuan and the others could afford to offend.
The two furrowed their brows and looked at Cao Ying, saying, "Your words must be true; do not deceive us. Our descendants were clearly killed by the warriors of the devil sect. Why do you say they're related to Gu Chen?"
Cao Ying spoke coldly: "The young lord, Liang Xu, and Zhuo Zhibin had once conspired to kill Gu Chen. You must be aware of their grudges, I presume."
Uncle Dingyuan and Marquis of Wuwei nodded. They had perceived as much during their visit to the Duke's Mansion.
"But that alone doesn't prove that Gu Chen killed them, does it?" Uncle Dingyuan asked with a frown.
The news that came back was clear; Cao Zhen, Liang Xu, and Zhuo Zhibin were all slain by the devil sect's warriors, in full view of an audience, many of whom saw it happen. This was an indisputable fact since Huang Xiu was present at the time.
Cao Ying's face darkened as he said, "But are you aware that they once pleaded for Gu Chen's help? With Gu Chen's strength, if he had wanted to save them, would they have died?"
Upon hearing this, Uncle Dingyuan and Marquis of Wuwei's expressions grew stern. This information was new to them; apparently, Chen Yu had deliberately concealed it.
Furthermore, upon reflection, they concurred; with Gu Chen's ability to withstand nearly a thousand warriors of the devil sect, how could he fail to save Cao Zhen and the others against only four of the sect's warriors?
"Are you suggesting that Gu Chen, taking advantage of past grudges, deliberately stood by and schemed against my son?" Uncle Dingyuan's eyes turned cold.
"Indeed, I am here on Lord Marquis's orders to investigate the young lord's cause of death, and I am certain that this matter cannot be separated from Gu Chen!" Cao Ying said decisively.
A chill appeared in Uncle Dingyuan and Marquis of Wuwei's eyes. If it were true, then they would certainly not let Gu Chen off the hook.
They thought Gu Chen's mind was too sinister, resorting to such methods to harm their offspring over some trivial grievances.
Neither considered for a moment that the whole affair had nothing to do with Gu Chen; it was Cao Zhen and the others who had sought trouble with Gu Chen first and who had harbored the intent to kill him.
Regarding the talk of Cao Zhen and the others plotting against Gu Chen, Uncle Dingyuan and the others conveniently ignored it.
Moreover, even if it were so, how could it matter? Liang Xu and Zhuo Zhibin were their sons; could they favor Gu Chen over their own flesh and blood?