The Difficulty of Sending Off the Gods

The internal strife among the crown prince’s faction was huge news—he had to go find out exactly what was going on.

As for Cui Zhenji’s decision, the other officials behind the case table raised no objections.

Yuan Zhengqing rose unhurriedly, his expression unchanged, and was the first to walk toward the rear hall.

The Censor-in-Chief clasped his hands to Cui Zhenji and followed Yuan Zhengqing.

The Minister of Justice lingered a step behind, his gaze sweeping over Gu Chengyin before he left, lost in thought.

Cui Zhenji also stood up but did not leave immediately.

He looked at Gu Chengyin, hesitating as if about to speak.

Gu Chengyin remained seated in his chair, his expression calm.

As if it were someone else, not himself, who had been left hanging here.

“Junior Mentor Gu,” Cui Zhenji began cautiously, “you…”

“Rest assured, Minister Cui. I will wait here.”

Gu Chengyin gave a faint smile, cutting him off. “I won’t go wandering around.”

Cui Zhenji opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, turning to leave.

He had to find Cui Shifan. This joint trial by the three ministries needed the Grand Secretary’s directive on how to conclude.

As Cui Zhenji walked out, he mentally rehearsed his words.

At the doorway, he suddenly stopped and glanced back.

Jiang Jianli was walking out of the hall. She moved unhurriedly, her steps composed and her posture straight.

But just as she was about to cross the threshold—

Jiang Jianli tilted her head slightly, her gaze meeting Gu Chengyin’s.

In that instant, Cui Zhenji caught a look.

A look so fleeting it almost seemed like a trick of the eye.

But Cui Zhenji saw it clearly: the corner of Jiang Jianli’s mouth lifted, and a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes.

Gu Chengyin gave an almost imperceptible nod in acknowledgment, a gesture so slight it was barely visible.

Yet Cui Zhenji knew it was no illusion.

Those two had exchanged a silent look.

Then Jiang Jianli averted her gaze and stepped out of the hall.

Cui Zhenji stood frozen, his mind a blank.

What did this mean?

Wasn’t Jiang Jianli here to accuse Gu Chengyin?

Hadn’t Shangguan Yuan instructed her to pile on?

How could it be…

Cui Zhenji recalled every detail of the trial, including Jiang Jianli’s testimony.

She had laid out Gu Chengyin’s actions exactly as they happened, clearing his name completely, then forced a charge out of thin air.

The charge was flimsy, unconvincing, obviously just going through the motions.

But Jiang Jianli had still said it, still chosen this approach.

She had spoken the truth, spoken well of Gu Chengyin.

She made everyone know Gu Chengyin was a righteous gentleman who had stepped in to help.

Only then did she say that even so, it was no different from usurpation.

That statement was less an accusation than a gesture to placate Shangguan Yuan.

On the surface, she had come to accuse Gu Chengyin.

In reality, she was there to testify in his favor.

The more Cui Zhenji thought, the colder the chill running down his spine.

Jiang Jianli’s two loyalties should have conflicted.

Shangguan Yuan wanted to target Gu Chengyin; Jiang Qingshan wanted to protect him.

Caught in the middle, Jiang Jianli seemed trapped.

But she had found a middle ground—satisfying Shangguan Yuan while honoring Jiang Qingshan.

She had accused him without truly accusing.

She had testified, but turned her testimony into a vindication.

That way, she could report back to Shangguan Yuan that she had indeed accused Gu Chengyin and said everything required.

She could also justify it to Jiang Qingshan, since she had only told the truth and laid out Gu Chengyin’s deeds for all to see.

But that was just the surface. The more Cui Zhenji thought, the more alarmed he became.

Because that look they exchanged—it was clearly one of prearranged understanding!

Could it be…

A sudden thought struck Cui Zhenji.

Was Jiang Jianli… actually planted by Gu Chengyin?

Had those words she spoke been what Gu Chengyin wanted her to say?

Revealing the truth about the Green Sword Sect, stating Gu Chengyin’s contributions, and showing that he had only become sect leader at Jiang Qingshan’s earnest request?

If those words spread, Gu Chengyin’s reputation would not suffer—it would only grow stronger.

And the officials listening, the ones who would spread today’s events through the court—

What did they hear? Not that Gu Chengyin had usurped the Green Sword Sect.

They heard about a righteous gentleman who had selflessly helped, an upright and impartial official.

A man who had reluctantly accepted the sect leadership only after being begged by its former leader.

With this move, Jiang Jianli was clearly helping Gu Chengyin!

If that was the case, then Shangguan Yuan’s apparent attack might actually be another act of coordination with Gu Chengyin.

Just like the previous two conflicts—making a huge fuss on the surface,

while each strike was truly aimed at Xiao Song and the Xiao clan.

But the problem was, the last time had been against the Xiao clan.

Now that the Xiao clan had fallen, Gu Chengyin and Shangguan Yuan were cooperating again.

So who was the target this time?

It couldn’t be the Cui clan, could it?

Cui Zhenji felt his mind buzzing; he dared not think further.

He hurried out of the hall. He had to tell Cui Shifan about all this.

The hall was emptying.

Officials who had been listening left in twos and threes, muttering to each other.

Except for the guards on duty, even the clerks had tactfully withdrawn outside.

The once-full Censorate hall soon grew quiet.

Only Gu Chengyin remained.

The noonday sun slanted in, casting dappled light on the floor.

Tiny motes of dust drifted slowly in the beams, adding a touch of stillness to the empty hall.

Gu Chengyin gazed blankly ahead, his eyes fixed on some empty point.

No focus, no emotion—just a quiet stare.

He was now the accused in a joint trial by three ministries.

Until a verdict was reached, any contact with others would invite unnecessary trouble.

Walking around would be seen as collusion; speaking to anyone would be called soliciting favor.

Better to just sit here and wait for the second half to begin.

After all, Gu Chengyin had nothing to worry about.

Jiang Jianli had already said everything that needed saying.

Those words would let everyone both inside and outside the court know how he had come to be the Green Sword Sect’s leader.

He was no usurper—he was the savior they had begged to take charge.

Gu Chengyin closed his eyes, running through everything that had happened today in his mind.

Every link had gone exactly as he expected.

The only thing that had surprised him was Lin Qingyan.

He hadn’t expected that particular new sister-in-law to be so obedient.

She paid no heed even to the official decree issued by the Luo Emperor in Taihe’s name.

But the moment Gu Chengyin spoke, Lin Qingyan complied immediately.

Regardless, things were proceeding smoothly.

The first half might have been his trial, but once the final verdict couldn’t be reached—

Then it would be time to sound the counterattack. Gu Chengyin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He hadn’t come to this trial to be a punching bag.

If he wasn’t mistaken, Cui Shifan should already be on his way to see Shangguan Yuan.

If that man lacked even that much insight, he wouldn’t have made Grand Secretary.

If they reached an agreement, fine.

But if they didn’t—

Then Gu Chengyin would show Cui Shifan exactly what it meant to say:

Easy to invite a god,

But hard to send one away.