Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 174

“Haha, is that so? Sorry, Lord Gu, but this might embarrass you. Early this morning, before I came to court, my son already reported to the first class at the Imperial Academy. If nothing unexpected happened, he’s probably going through the formalities or already sitting in the first class by now.”

Magistrate Zhao looked at Gu Zongming with a righteous expression.

Then, he bowed to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, please send someone to the Imperial Academy to investigate immediately. My son didn’t get up early for nothing.”

The other officials thought:

This sounds so awkward.

So, your son’s purpose was to help you catch Lord Gu?

Gu Zongming almost fainted.

His face turned black and green as he struggled to speak.

Their court session started at dawn. Was Magistrate Zhao crazy to send his son to the Imperial Academy so early?

Was the Imperial Academy even open at that time?

The worst part was, last night, in the middle of the night, Gu Zongming had indeed sent someone to inform a teacher at the Imperial Academy to expect Magistrate Zhao’s son this morning.

Seeing Gu Zongming’s expression, the Emperor wanted to rub his hands together in glee, but as a ruler, he maintained his composure and waved his hand, “Minister of Justice, go to the Imperial Academy immediately and investigate this matter.”

The Minister of Justice, who had long wanted to take down Gu Zongming, eagerly accepted the order and rushed out faster than a rabbit.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court also wanted to bring down Gu Zongming. After the Minister of Justice left, he stepped forward, “Your Majesty, according to our laws, since Lord Gu is accused of bribery with evidence, he should be temporarily detained by the Supreme Court until the investigation is complete.”

Gu Zongming cursed silently.

“Your Majesty, I am innocent. I did not bribe…”

Before Gu Zongming could finish, the Chief Justice said, “Of course, I believe in Lord Gu’s innocence. Precisely because I believe in him, he should stay at the Supreme Court to avoid suspicion. If he is detained, the investigation will be free from bias, and the truth will be convincing. Otherwise, it might create unfavorable rumors about Lord Gu.”

Gu Zongming fumed silently.

They just want to bring me down!

“Your Majesty, it’s not that I refuse to cooperate with the investigation, but the Liyang Dam has issues. The spring season is passing, and in two months, it will be the flood season. I’m afraid there will be severe flooding. I’ve been working with the Ministry of Works on flood prevention preparations.”

The Sixth Princess, who had been quietly standing aside, smiled, “Lord Gu, you can rest assured and go to the Supreme Court. I can handle these tasks.”

She flicked her sleeve and turned to smile at him.

As the General of the West, the Sixth Princess held a second-rank position and usually attended court sessions when not on a military campaign.

Though she held military power, Gu Zongming didn’t fear her. He smiled back, “Thank you, Princess, but flood prevention is different from military campaigns. It’s equally dangerous but very different. I deeply admire your bravery in battle, but disaster relief is about the survival of countless people on both sides of the dam. You lack experience.”

In court, Gu Zongming referred to her as the Princess instead of her official title to subtly undermine her.

But the Sixth Princess didn’t mind.

“I may lack experience, but I have someone who does. Lord Gu’s case will take just a few days. It won’t delay anything. If Lord Gu is still worried, the Supreme Court can be flexible. You can move your office to the Supreme Court prison. You can work from there and send out orders.”

Gu Zongming was speechless.

Work from prison?

The Minister of Justice somehow managed to rush to and from the Imperial Academy before the court session ended.

Breathless and sweating, he knelt and reported, “Your Majesty, Magistrate Zhao’s son, Zhao Yu, has indeed transferred to the first class at the Imperial Academy. The one who processed the transfer was Teacher Zhao from the Imperial Academy. I have arrested Teacher Zhao for breaking the rules and will interrogate him.”

Gu Zongming had hoped to stall until after the court session so he could deal with the Imperial Academy issue.

After all, it would take at least a quarter of an hour to leave the Golden Hall, another half-hour to reach the Imperial Academy on horseback.

In total, over an hour. By then, the court session would be over.

But the Minister of Justice returned quickly!

Seeing the breathless Minister of Justice, Gu Zongming wondered how he managed to travel so fast!

After the Minister of Justice finished reporting, before the Emperor could speak, Magistrate Zhao said firmly, “Your Majesty, please arrest Lord Gu Zongming to give an explanation to all the students and scholars in the country.”

This statement involved all the scholars in the country.

But Gu Zongming wasn’t alone. He had many supporters in court who stepped forward to defend him.

“I think it’s inappropriate. Lord Gu is a pillar of our government. If we arrest him before the investigation is complete, it would be unfair to him.”

“If anyone can present so-called evidence to imprison officials, our court will be in danger. Today, someone accuses Lord Gu; tomorrow, someone accuses Lord Huang; the day after, someone accuses Lord Zhao. Will there be anyone left in court?”

“Magistrate Zhao, if someone accuses you with evidence, will you also go to prison for investigation?”

Many officials defended Gu Zongming.

The Emperor wanted to bring down Gu Zongming, but considering his power and the potential court unrest, he had to hold back.

In the end, Gu Zongming wasn’t detained but was restricted in his movements. He had to cooperate with the Ministry of Justice and couldn’t leave the capital.

After court, Gu Zongming approached Magistrate Zhao, “I never thought you’d be so deceitful. Are you ready to face the consequences?”

Magistrate Zhao, clutching the leather envelope, replied proudly, “I will bring you down sooner or later! Teacher Zhao has been arrested; the truth is not far away!”