No Justification

"For the sake of caution, the Department of Officials dispatched a special commissioner with official documents to verify his origins at the hometown recorded in his files."

"However, after repeated investigations by the local authorities and visits to the village elders, they found no such household and no such person!"

"The records in his file are completely false, fabricated out of thin air!"

Xiao Maoqing's voice suddenly rose, carrying a trace of righteous indignation:

"This Gu Chengyin is of unknown origin, and his identity is a mystery!"

"He suddenly appeared by Her Highness's side, then experienced a meteoric rise, directly entering the central government, holding multiple posts and wielding great power!"

"Such actions cannot help but arouse suspicion! It is the duty of the Department of Officials, just in case, to prevent foreign spies and individuals with ulterior motives from infiltrating our dynasty and endangering the state."

"Therefore, in accordance with legal procedures, we requested the assistance of the Golden Imperial Guards to intercept him on Vermilion Bird Street and bring him back to the Department of Officials for a formal investigation!"

These words packaged the Department of Officials' actions in a high-sounding manner, making them completely compliant with legal procedures, and even pointed the finger at him being a spy, suddenly escalating the severity of the issue.

"After several consecutive days of careful, meticulous, and repeated investigation and evidence gathering by the Department of Officials, we still cannot find any true and valid identity information for Gu Chengyin!"

With the groundwork laid, Xiao Maoqing revealed his true intentions, his voice becoming even more impassioned:

"Because this person has a special status, shouldering heavy responsibilities such as instructing the Crown Princess and advising on confidential matters!"

"The authenticity of his identity is no longer a trivial personal matter; it actually concerns the foundation of the state and affects the hearts of the court and the public!"

"Therefore, I boldly beseech Your Majesty to conclude this identity verification case first! To set the record straight."

Finally, Xiao Maoqing suddenly raised his head, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes, and said resoundingly:

"Your Majesty! If Gu Chengyin truly has issues and is a person with ulterior motives!"

"Then for such a treacherous sycophant who deliberately forged his identity to approach the Crown Princess and intended to damage the foundation of our Great Luo."

"According to the laws of Great Luo, he should be punished for treason!"

He practically roared the last four words:

"I believe."

"He should be executed immediately!"

"Only in this way can we make an example of him and deter scoundrels."

"To manifest the strictness of our dynasty's laws, maintain the majesty of the royal family, and secure the stability of the state!"

"Hiss!"

Inside the grand hall, a collective sound of gasping echoed instantly!

Ruthless! Too ruthless!

All that prior buildup about legal procedures and high-sounding words of concern for the country, so this was the ultimate goal.

Xiao Maoqing, or rather the Xiao clan behind him, did not want to wait a single second longer.

What they wanted was to take advantage of the seemingly fatal loophole of Gu Chengyin's unknown identity.

To directly characterize him as a treasonous spy in the royal court, through the mouth of Emperor Luo.

And then execute him on the spot!

As long as Gu Chengyin, this game-breaker who charged into enemy lines, died, Luo Zhao's offensive would inevitably be thwarted.

After all, among the people around Her Highness, he was the only one who could truly be called a foundational pillar of support.

What a move to pull the firewood from under the cauldron, what a ruthless and fatal trap.

Countless gazes instantly turned toward Emperor Luo on the imperial throne, then stealthily glanced at Luo Zhao beside him.

Luo Zhao's expression did not change in the slightest, but her hand, hidden beneath her wide sleeves, tightened slightly.

A moment later, from the dragon throne, came Emperor Luo's flat voice, revealing neither joy nor anger:

"What Director Xiao says is not without reason."

As soon as these words came out, many officials who supported Xiao Song or remained neutral felt a glimmer of hope rise in their hearts.

Could it be that His Majesty really intends to...

But Emperor Luo's next words left their newly risen hopes hanging in the balance again:

"The identity of an official concerns the foundation of the royal court and indeed must be clear."

"Since Gu Chengyin is the Junior Preceptor to the Crown Princess, he should set an example and clarify his origins."

Emperor Luo tilted his head slightly and called out, "Lyu Fang."

Lyu Fang, who had been waiting on the side, immediately bowed. "Your servant is here."

"Go, bring Gu Chengyin up."

"I want to personally hear what he has to say."

"Your servant obeys."

Lyu Fang received the order and immediately turned to walk toward the side door of the grand hall, his figure quickly disappearing.

The wait was not long, but in this tense atmosphere, every second seemed stretched.

Finally, the side door opened again.

Lyu Fang walked out first, followed by the tall and straight-postured Gu Chengyin.

Hundreds of gazes instantly focused on him like searchlights.

Gu Chengyin's face was calm. His gaze quickly swept across the grand hall, paused slightly on the stepping-forward Xiao Maoqing, and then he understood.

So this guy was leading the vanguard; no wonder Emperor Luo summoned him so quickly.

Xiao Jie was sinister enough, making a deal with him on the surface and telling him to stay silent.

Yet now, the very first strike was aimed at him.

Since that was the case, holding back anymore would mean he wasn't showing them proper respect.

Gu Chengyin sneered in his heart, calmly walked to the bottom of the imperial steps, and solemnly bowed to Emperor Luo on the dragon throne:

"Your subject Gu Chengyin pays respects to Your Majesty."

Emperor Luo's profound gaze fell on Gu Chengyin, examining him for a moment before slowly speaking:

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gu Chengyin straightened up and stood with his hands by his sides.

Emperor Luo looked at him and cut straight to the chase:

"Gu Chengyin, regarding the Department of Officials' accusations against you."

"Do you have any defense?"

Everyone pricked up their ears, their hearts in their throats.

Under the watch of countless gazes, Gu Chengyin raised his head, faced Emperor Luo, cupped his hands, and said loudly:

"To reply to Your Majesty."

"I have no defense."

As soon as these words were spoken, let alone the people in the court being stunned.

Even Luo Zhao was stunned. This was not what they agreed upon yesterday.

Didn't he say he was going to the Wanxiang Pavilion to find an immortal cultivation family to fake an identity? Why was he not defending himself now?

She completely didn't understand what kind of play Gu Chengyin was putting on.

Wouldn't having no defense be equivalent to admitting the Department of Officials' accusations?

If things developed like this, he would be dragged out of the hall and executed on the spot.

After all, this was during the morning assembly, not a private place where roundabout mediation was possible.

Gu Chengyin's next words plunged the thoughts of all the civil and military officials in the court into complete stagnation.

"I am indeed not a native of Beihe City in Luoshui Commandery, and I am absolutely not from a humble or rural background."

Buzz...

Low murmurs spread from the corners of the hall like a tide.

The eyes of the officials in Xiao Song's faction were filled with wild joy after their initial astonishment.

Has this Gu Chengyin gone mad? To actually admit to the crime of deception at such a critical juncture?

Several old censors from the Censorate were already stroking their beards, preparing to step forward and bitterly denounce him for deceiving the sovereign.

Standing beside the jade steps, under Luo Zhao's wide black sleeves embroidered with golden phoenix patterns, her fingers tightened slightly.

Deep within her phoenix eyes, which always harbored frost and snow, a look of inquiry flashed past.

What was certain was that Gu Chengyin was definitely not someone willing to surrender.

By saying this, he must be planning to turn the tables using an unexpected method or angle.

So what exactly was this audacious man plotting?

Gu Chengyin didn't seem to notice the strange atmosphere filling the hall at all; he just looked candidly at Emperor Luo and continued:

"However."

Changing the subject, his voice was suddenly tinged with a layer of heavy bitterness:

"I had my bitter reasons for doing this."